A Reminder of Why We Shouldn't Shop at Wal-Mart

[louis c]

During this holiday season this long-standing clip is a comic reminder of why we should not shop at Wal-Mart.

Link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKv6RcXa2UI

[MichiganVote]

1. I was wondering when somebody would start up the Wally debate today.

I don't shop there. I see how they treat their "associates". Its appalling.

[PSzymeczek]

59. A couple of years ago, we went there.

Our cashier was WWS - working while sick. She didn't dare call in sick, because she'd lose her job. I felt so bad for her.

[Razoor]

2. very good reminder!

never seen it before. thanks for sharing.

[varelse]

3. Well done

it manages to make the point with goodnatured humor, and without attacking people.

[ThatsMyBarack]

85. Indeed.

:thumbsup:

[lordsummerisle]

4. Thanks for that n/t

[HughMoran]

5. been 5 years since I've shopped there

hate the place

[superduperfarleft]

6. I assume you shop at Target? n/t

[louis c]

16. Let me tell you that it is tough to find responsible employers

and American made products, but I do the best I can.

Wal-Mart, on the other hand, is the bottom of the barrel. You can not find a place that has less of a conscience in how or where the merchandise is made. No one treats their American employees worse. It is no coincidence that you can match the American economic collapse to the Wal-Mart surge.

[superduperfarleft]

27. No disagreement from me. I haven't set foot in a Wal-Mart in years.

However, the consumer-as-activist paradigm is asinine. Every single one of the giant companies we support, even the supposed good guys like Costco, rape mom-and-pop businesses and their surrounding communities just as much as Wal-Mart does. Just look at the favorite of the limousine liberals, Whole Foods, run by an anti-union libertarian douchebag. The focus needs to be on building union support and supporting local non-exploitative businesses as much as possible, and not on spending your money on cheap, slave-labor Chinese crap at one place as opposed to spending your money on cheap, slave-labor Chinese crap at another place.

[LWolf]

79. No.

I shop at Freddies locally, and online for the rest.

[951-Riverside]

7. You shouldnt shop at walmart because its infested by filthy welfare queens who shop/work there

They are a disgrace to UNIONS!

As a UNION member I prefer they live under bridges and in cardboard boxes with their families until they can find a UNION job instead of working at walmart. The same goes for the traitors who shop there, If they have a problem feeding or clothing their families maybe they should get a UNION job otherwise there's food at homeless shelters and clothing at goodwill.

GO UNIONS!

[vadawg]

8. yeah right, im sure you would rather live undera bridge than work at walmart

somehow i dont believe you.

[louis c]

13. Don't you recognize sarcasm? (NT)

I'm surprised by the logo. usually SEIU is pro-union.

[vadawg]

15. doh, i was totally distracted, on a second reading i read it differently :)

[PSzymeczek]

36. I thought SEIU

WAS a union!

[louis c]

9. Very Funny

Except that you can trace America's economic fall to the purchase of outsourced merchandise championed by Wal-Mart.

As for their work force. They purposely keep workers at 20 hours or less and pay them less than $400 a week so that the workers can get their health care from the government. You've heard the phrase "responsible employers".

And is it any wonder that Wal-Mart is a leader in financing the effort to defeat the "Employee Free Choice Act"?

They have been fined repeatedly for unfair labor practices and cheating their already low paid employees out of legally obligated overtime and break periods.

I would have no problem with Wal-Mart if they sold merchandise made in America and allowed career advancement, paid living wages and provided benefits to their employees. After all, they can afford it, they made 23 billion dollars annual profit.

Link;
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123486899502999007.html

[lynne]

10. Too late. Did my Walmart shopping online last Sunday night -

- had most of it delivered by Tuesday afternoon. Can't beat the price or the convenience and money is tight right now. I'm going where I have to pay less. Period.

[louis c]

11. God Bless America

We sure need it.

Did you buy an American flag made in China? Wouldn't want to over pay for that item.

[lynne]

95. Didn't need a flag, I already have one. What makes you think that flags sold at Costco -

- or at the local mom and pop are made in the USA? Lots of stuff sold everywhere is made in China and elsewhere.

[JI7]

14. what did you buy from walmart ? when i went there was nothing there

i wanted.

[vadawg]

17. this week i bought some games for the Wii for my kids about $400 worth

bought my wife a new kettle and other stuff for the house $200, some groceries $300 or so, and some canned goods for our pantry $200 or so for the times when we are snowed in.... its like any store sometimes there is stuff there you want and other times there is not...

[louis c]

19. But they treat their employees like shit

and use their profits to advance candidates and causes that are detrimental to everything that progressives stand for.

Doesn't that make any difference to you?

[vadawg]

21. What company dosent treat their employees like shit, my bud likes working there

i spend my money were i get themost bang for my buck and were its convenient, i dont think ive ever either spent money or denied money to any company based on its political bent. My rule is if the company has the goods i want/need at the price i want then its a deal... you can feel free to spend your money wherever you want and ill continue to do the same...

[louis c]

22. God Bless America

No one can stop you. but keep in mind that a portion of your money is donated to Republican candidates and buys commercial time for issues that are heart of why we are here at DU. Education is a great asset. Check out the link below.

Anyone can contribute to any cause or candidate they wish to. After all, it's America. I'm sure the RNC is sincerely grateful for your support.

Link:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/21/news/companies/walmart_ceo.fortune/index.htm

[vadawg]

24. i guess this means you dont buy gas or a myriad of other products

feel free to spend your cash were you like and ill spend mine where it gets the most traction...

[louis c]

28. Actually, I buy CITGO

you can't get more to the left than that.

Joe Kennedy and CITGO have more of a social conscience than Wal-Mart.

by the way, how do you like the fact that Wal-Mart spends tons of money to defeat the very social and economic issues you support?

[vadawg]

30. lo i knew you would say you buy citgo, my priorities are getting the most for the buck for my family

if by me saving $100 means the repubs get $0.0002 then i am fine with that... As i said its cool if you want to just buy blue, but im not into it at all...

[louis c]

33. That's why, in the long run, they always win.

We will stomp on each other for a nickel.

I like to use this analogy with my Friends.

If you had stock in a company that made American flags in Dayton Ohio and the flag cost $3 to make and sold for $5, would you support the opportunity to make that flag in China for 50 cents and sell it for $4?

As a consumer, if you could buy an American flag for $4 that was made in China, would you purchase that flag, rather than pay $5 for an American flag made in America?

If your answer is yes, then you know why America is hemorrhaging jobs.

[vadawg]

35. yup the answer is yes of course you would as a business decision

its all very well to dream of some utopia but people have to look to their own budgets and spend the money they have in the best way possible for their families..

[louis c]

37. but that attitude has lead to the entire economic collapse.

I remember my father and uncles would never dream of buying anything made in a foreign country. they would never cross a picket line.

the country was 55% union and men and women would stay out of work for days if one fellow worker was mistreated by the company.

I also remember when one job was enough to raise a middle class family in dignity and security.

I wonder what happened to those days.

Oh ya, rationalization. Bang for the buck. dog eat dog. every man (or woman) for themselves. As long as the investment is profitable, who cares how it's made.

Are you sure you're on the right site?

Link;
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/*/index

[vadawg]

40. lol ah the old accuse anyone who disagrees with you of being a freeper, so sad

unlike you i dont hold the american worker sacrosant above workers in other parts of the world, one of the reasons i have no problems with owning toyota vehicles, or when i used to have german vehicles, or from buying stuff from workers in south america etc etc

[louis c]

46. Not at all

but freepers believe in the union busting techniques that are employed at Wal-Mart. The PACS that are supported by Wal-Mart are against everything we stand for here at DU.

To be an apologist for Wal-Mart, their actions and their agenda, which is as much politically right wing as right wing economically is in a freeper comfort zone.

Also, since making and saving money supersedes political and moral obligations to you, maybe you can invest in African "blood diamonds". I hear they are all the rage in right wing investment. Kinda like the Krugerrand was back during Apartheid. After all, money is everything.(Sarcasm intended)

[vadawg]

49. yup money is everything if thats whats feeding your family and keeping a roof over your head

you just keep on attacking people who shop at walmart as its their only choice or the best value and watch you dont fall off that high horse..

[louis c]

51. Temper, Temper

The point I'm making is that you can spend your money in a socially responsible way. Naturally, it's tough to be at 100% because so few products are made in America. Let me quote our President on this, "don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good". However, it's not difficult to buy an American car, shop at Cotsco (where they treat their employees with dignity) instead of Wal-Mart, look for American brands and union made products on-line.

Maybe you will spend a little extra money and time, but being socially responsible is what DU means to me.

[ohheckyeah]

61. It IS pretty difficult to shop at

Costco if there is no Costco anywhere in the area where you live.

[TicketyBoo]

76. I just checked.

235.69 miles to the nearest Costco.

Any other ideas?

[JoeyT]

62. Being "socially responsible" means different things to different people.

Generally when people use the phrase "socially responsible" they're not living out of their car or going from paycheck to paycheck in constant fear of their children going hungry. There are many areas where Wal-Mart and non-Citgo gas are the *only* options.
In rural areas, once the Wal-Mart moves into town, everything else closes. So what are the people that live there supposed to do? Drive a few hundred miles to pay more on a limited budget for the benefit of not being lectured on what horrible people they are by someone that's never had to make that choice?

I'm fortunate enough to have other options, but not everyone is.

[Mimosa]

66. Costco employees act very happy and friendly

I haven't been in a Wal-Mart in nearly a year. No matter which Wal-Mart locations I had ever shopped (during the time I lived in New Orleans where there were no Costcos) and elsewhere later, the employees of Wal-Mart always acted MISERABLE and bitter. Sort of like dogs who have been beaten.

When I started shopping at Costco in Atlanta I noticed how happy the employees are. And I've encountered many of the same ones over the past 4 years.Fortunately I can avoid Wal-Mart. And I certainly would not seek to shop them online although my finances are quite limited.

[TicketyBoo]

77. Can't shop at Costco.

There isn't one within 200 miles of here.

My cousin worked at Wal-Mart for five years (until his retirement). They paid him benefits. Most people who work at our Wal-Mart like their jobs.

I don't doubt that it's different in other locations, but there are very few union jobs in this rural area. None of the grocery stores are union.

[ohheckyeah]

90. It's between 80 and 130 miles to one for me. n/t

[Mudoria]

98. Perhaps you saw what you wanted to see...

I've shopped at Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sears etc etc.. the one thing I noticed is that the employees don't seem any happier no matter where you go. It's fuckin' job and they are dealing with the public, which is as about as bad as it gets. Costco employees didn't seem any happier to me than any of the other places i've ever been. Like everyone else they were attending to me with one eye while the other was watching the clock so they could hit the parking lot.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

58. You as a consumer are powerful.

You wouldn't give away any other power you have as you do your consumer power.

Walmart and others spend billions on research trying to target you the consumer.

If you demanded Walmart offer full Healthcare benefits to their employees part-time

as well as full-time that would become a reality. If you still demanded that you receive

low prices along with that demand, the cost would come off their bottom line, not

off the backs of their employees.

Yes, you have to look out for your family, but you also have to craft the future in

which your children will live.

:-)

[louis c]

68. Some one who gets it

That's why I'm at DU

[Egnever]

65. Well if you are spending $400 on games...

as you said above then you are hardly using wal mart because you need to keep food on the table.

[Mimosa]

67. ^ Exactly!^ Read post above this one.

Good point, egnever.

Well if you are spending $400 on games...
Posted by Egnever


as you said above then you are hardly using wal mart because you need to keep food on the table.

[bettyellen]

72. a 400 Wii ain't feeding your family either, dawg. talk about falling off a high horse, ooops!

[bhikkhu]

23. You vote with your wallet (or pocketbook)

whether you like it or not. Its a part of being an intelligent member of society to know who and what you are voting for.

[PSzymeczek]

38. Their health insurance program

is Medicaid.

[louis c]

39. Bingo

[TicketyBoo]

78. Baloney.

Not where I live.

My cousin drew full health insurance benefits once he'd worked for Wal-Mart for six months. He liked his job and worked there until he retired.

[louis c]

92. How about this for being a responsible employer

Your cousin must have had a management job at Wal-Mart.


Link:

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202424256587

[TicketyBoo]

94. No, he wasn't in management.

He worked in the bakery first, and then in jewelry, and then in electronics (all three are areas of expertise for him).

He loved his job, and would have worked there longer, but his eyesight is failing.

[PSzymeczek]

60. Watch this video

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

http://openflv.com/watch?v=NzAwODg4OA==&p=0

[blueamy66]

82. That's $1100

I wish I had $1100 to spend at any store.

x(

[lynne]

96. Insulated curtains for my daughters house, Leapfrog for my granddaughter -

- camera for me, cookbook for friend and a bunch of other stuff. I comparison shop between Walmart, Target, Penny's, and Best Buy online. Those things I got at Walmart had the best price. I could have never afforded the curtains elsewhere, the price was about 2/3 of other places and the consumer reviews on the quality of the curtains was excellent.

[emilyg]

25. I love WalMart -

I'm retired and save money shopping there. So there.

[louis c]

26. The Republican Party thanks you

Link;

http://money.cnn.com/2008/11/21/news/companies/walmart_ceo.fortune/index.htm

[emilyg]

29. The Wal-Mart stock I own thanks me, too.

One does what one has to do to survive.

[louis c]

31. I guess that was the rational that was used by the calibrators in WWII

Here's what I do.


Link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/17/business/yourmoney/17costco.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&incamp=article_popular&adxnnlx=1122039778-V1CVS8PW9u6+IvouDRmgWA

[vadawg]

32. rofl over dramatise stuff much.....

[emilyg]

42. Good for you. That's great.

[louis c]

57. Here's another investor who thought as you do

check this out and tell me that "one does what one has to do to survive"

Link;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar

[mamaleah]

64. AKA

I am out of arguments so here is a link about Hitler!

[louis c]

69. Wal-Mart is the enemy of DU

Just as so many right wingers are the political enemies of all we hold dear. Economic justice. Social justice. A society free of fear. Don't you get it?

The back bone of the Democratic party is and always has been unions. Wal-Mart strikes at the very core of our political majority.

If you have to pay a few dollars more or drive a couple of miles out of your way, isn't it worth it?

Wal-Mart supports the very politician that will slash the safety net from the very people your excusing for their short-sighted purchases. It's not the poor that keep Wal-Mart's profits at 23 billion a year. It's people like you.

Why shop at Wal-Mart? Why not just give your money directly to the Republican Party and cut out the middle man?

[mamaleah]

70. You are giving your money to the GOP with almost every purchase anywhere.

Got proof that every small shop is run by Democrats? I bet it is split about 50/50. Have proof that regardless of where you bought XYZ Barbie item it was not made by 6 year old kids in China? And the money is not going to some politician somewhere?

No you don't. So keep spamming your Hitler meme so I can keep laughing at you and ignoring your histrionics.

[Lorien]

74. Ha! Costco is run by a lefty liberal

the CEO takes only 350k a year in salary and refuses to cut worker benefits no matter how much his stockholder's bitch about them.

[mamaleah]

83. Costco is a great store.

Buying in bulk is always nice. However, the products Costco sells......again, you do not know if the owners and stockholders of all those companies are Democrats, or who they donate to.

But then again, I love Oreos, so I would not stop eating them because I disagree with the owner (if I knew how he and his board felt about XYZ topic).

[Raineyb]

87. And I buy as much as I can there. Unfortunately as a single person food is just out of the question

But I get all my non perishables there.

[louis c]

91. There is no clearer link between the GOP and retail sales than Wal-Mart

you can make all the excuses and rationales you want, but any progressive knows that's true.
they have been fined for their anti-worker activity on many, many occasions. They publicly display their right wing politics.

To shop their is like going hunting with Sarah Palin. After all, we all have to eat.

[MrMickeysMom]

54. You could save money and still not shop there, you know...

So, where?

Consignment stores, using the internet and search engines, local people... they want to pay taxes, too, so your collective tax base doesn't eat away the rest of your retirement.

So, consider that, please.

[bhikkhu]

55. Very true. Their groceries, craft stuff, electronics, etc are high

Its not hard to beat their prices where I live at all just by going to more locally or regionally owned stores. I wonder sometimes whether the people who talk about saving money are
just using the "one-stop shopping" convenience and not even looking around at other places.

The last thing I shopped for there was a bike, and they did have a good price on one for about $200. I did some research online and there were just too many horror stories about broken brakes, loose parts, shoddy manufacturing, etc. The consensus was if you just want a cheap bike your not going to ride much, W-mart bikes are fine. But I wanted something that I could commute to work on every day. So I went to our local bike shop and bought a nice mountain bike for $300 - a bit more money, but I've put 7000 miles on it now and replaced nothing but the brake pads and tires. If I'd saved $100 on the W-mart bike it would probably be in a scrap pile now and I'd be out shopping again.

[Lorien]

73. I hope you don't fall for every scam that's sold to you

that could get very expensive.

Walmart's "low prices" are nothing more than an ad slogan, like "Fair and balanced". Lower prices can be found online, at Aldi's, save-rite, Freecycle (what's better than free?), Ross dress for less, farmer's markets, thrift shops and dozens of other stores everywhere. All you have to do is look.

[lynne]

97. My mom is retired and does all her shopping at Walmart -

- she has a super Walmart and even got her Butterball Thanksgiving turkey there! They opened a super Walmart in my area and the Fire Dept. had to come and clear out the place as it was so crowded it was over the fire code limit!!!

[Sarah Ibarruri]

12. Thanks for posting this. It's a great reminder of the damage this store has caused

and how the money it costs us is actually greater than merely what we spend there.

[senseandsensibility]

18. kick

and rec'd.

[wicked stepsister]

20. I try to avoid it as much as possible -

but for those of us who live in small town America, WM often is our only option. It sucks, and I go elsewhere when I can, but it's not always a possiblity.

[muntrv]

34. Great video! I don't shop there myself. The nearest wallyworld to me is

a filthy store where the associates don't even give you the time of day. Fortunately, my hometown has many other options. I feel bad for the folks who have to shop at wally world 'cuz there is no other option.

[mamaleah]

41. And those in rural areas who only have Walmart? Should they drive some 40 miles

to find a store approved of by the Pure Crowd?

Here's a thought: Regardless of where you bought your tv, shirt, computer, jeans, or toys they were more than likely made by 10 year olds in China.

A mom and pop selling a Barbie isn't selling a more ideologically pure Barbie.

[emilyg]

43. Amen.

[phasma ex machina]

45. +1

[louis c]

47. Have you joined in and tried to support the union to organize the workers?

Have you tried to work toward at least making the store pay living wages and benefits?

I understand that the average American just wants a bargain and can't be bothered with politics.

But I thought we here at DU were different. You know, more politically active.

Maybe that's my mistake.

[mamaleah]

52. DUers are many things.

Many of us are parents. Many of us work. Many of us do not have time to turn everything into a political statement.

Many of us also do not have the money to turn everything into a political statement.

[louis c]

56. Here's a link to someone else who thought as you do

Some years ago, another American thought making money was more important than making a political statement.

Link;
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2004/sep/25/usa.secondworldwar

[mamaleah]

63. Oooh Bush and Hitler.

That has to be the lamest retort ever. Guess you failed at showing me.

Again, not all of us have a ton of free time. If you work, chase after kids, and have a houseful of things waiting for you, you, you aren't driving 40 miles to go to a DU approved store.

And if you are very short on cash you are going to go where your dollar stretches the most.

[kiva]

71. You had some good arguments. Honestly.

But bringing Hitler/Bush into a debate about consumer spending means that you lose credibility. Learn not to over-dramatize your case and your arguments will be much more effective.

[louis c]

93. The point is that money isn't everything

and some investments need to be examined for their social impact.

If you worked in union organizing, you'd realize the tactics that are used to keep working people down are not all that much unlike the 1930's in Germany.

Link:

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1202424256587

[cali]

48. I live in a rural area

I do my shopping locally, even though it's a bit more expensive and I'm on a very tight budget. Of course, the nearest Walmart is 40+ miles away. Hell, the nearest large supermarket is 20 miles away, but I like to support local businesses.

[vadawg]

50. lol im the opposite, walmart is closer than anything else, 40 mile round trip as opposed to 50 odd

[Lorien]

75. Keep telling yourself that. Soon you'll be telling us that there's no link

between smoking and cancer. Anything to justify a bad habit, eh?

Walmart DOES NOT have the lowest prices

Walmart DOES destroy rural economies

There are ALWAYS better alternatives to Walmart WHERE EVER you live.

[TicketyBoo]

80. No,

there aren't. You don't live where I do, and you don't know.

Our Wal-Mart is full of cheerful clerks who like their jobs (and are glad to have them in this economy).

The nearest K-Mart and Target are 100 miles away. The nearest Costco is 235 miles away.

None of our grocery stores (three besides Wal-Mart) is a union store.

What you espouse may work for some people; but it doesn't work for everyone.

Telling someone if they shop at Wal-Mart they don't belong on DU is like telling someone if they're not a vegan they don't belong on DU.

Different strokes for different folks, and that includes Democrats.

(And no matter where I shop in blood-red Nebraska, the store is almost certainly going to be owned by Republicans, even if it is a Mom-and-Pop operation.)

[mamaleah]

84. And you should suck it up and drive 100 miles.

But then they'll bitch at you for driving and wasting gas. So you are just screwed.

[TicketyBoo]

89. Yep.

Pretty much.

And it would be 200 miles if you figure on coming home again.

[Fla_Democrat]

44. I'll bookmark it and...

watch it Monday. Going to be hitting the Black Friday sales, and don't wanna get bummed. :evilgrin:

[bluestateguy]

53. I have not been there in 7 years

And even then it was an absolute emergency: my headlights on my car fizzled out.

[TicketyBoo]

81. Ooh, watch it!

The devil has taken up residence in your Walmart-purchased headlight, I'm sure.

[GoCubsGo]

86. I avoid it for health reasons.

I stopped shopping there years ago. One day, I walked out of the place wanting to punch the first person who crossed my path. I had gotten so fed up with the lines, and the cluttered aisles, which were further blocked by slack-jawed idiots. It was at that time I realized that every time I went there, I walked out pissed off. (I call the place "Squallmart".) If it wasn't the chaos, clutter, or rude, idiotic clientele, it was the leaky drain plug on my vehicle, which got stripped every time I let them change my oil. Having one's blood pressure raised like that is not good for one's health. Assault and battery charges wouldn't help in that matter, either. Even if their business practices were saintly, I still couldn't handle the nightmare of shopping there.

Not saying ALL Walmart clientele are rude idiots, but the ones in my town seem to have more than their fair share of them.

[Hatchling]

88. Well I'm convinced that Walmart is all I can afford.

I'm on a fixed income.

However, I am going to go out today and do some comparison shopping.

I am going to compare Walmart with Von's, Target and Costco.

I will let you know my results.


BTW: Did you know that neither Walmart nor Costco is in our spell checker? :)