Wal-Mart's perscriptions
- Thread starter prariepunk
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mud4feet
New member
????????
Been better for me. I've been feeling my rights fleeing as quickly as my dollars lately.
"These are the good old days"............Carly Simon
Gone&DoneIt
New member
It's cause and effect.
Cause: Products are being produced overseas for less, and therein can be sold for less.
Cause: 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There is little to no discretionary income. When you have a choice between products, and you are on a fixed budget, you don't really have much of a choice BUT to buy the lesser of the products.
Cause: Americans have the least amount of leisure hours of any major country. When you can go to one location and buy everything you need, for less, in a third of the time,... It becomes difficult to not to.
The list could go on and on,... but
Effect:
WalMart was credited singlehandedly for putting FAO Schwartz out of business. I try not to buy from WalMart, not because of any preceived immorality, or ethics issue,... but I believe in strengthening my community, and buying from locally owned retailers benefits all of us.
I think this is an amazing precedent if the follow through lives up to the hype. I applaud WalMart in this instance.
Thats my .02
Cause: Products are being produced overseas for less, and therein can be sold for less.
Cause: 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. There is little to no discretionary income. When you have a choice between products, and you are on a fixed budget, you don't really have much of a choice BUT to buy the lesser of the products.
Cause: Americans have the least amount of leisure hours of any major country. When you can go to one location and buy everything you need, for less, in a third of the time,... It becomes difficult to not to.
The list could go on and on,... but
Effect:
WalMart was credited singlehandedly for putting FAO Schwartz out of business. I try not to buy from WalMart, not because of any preceived immorality, or ethics issue,... but I believe in strengthening my community, and buying from locally owned retailers benefits all of us.
I think this is an amazing precedent if the follow through lives up to the hype. I applaud WalMart in this instance.
Thats my .02
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TwistedCU
New member
I have a wife who stays at home and 5 kids. We avoid Wally World and Targiet, and I am a lineman - not a doctor, lawyer, etc. We wait for sales, we read ads. We do what it takes. We end up with better quality stuff, especially stuff like clothes. WalMart has some real junk there. The kids clothing at WM falls apart and wears quickly.
Sparky-Watts
Banned
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Please...shopping at Walmart doesnt make you any less american. Last time I checked, 30 some odd percent of my salary went to the federal govt and I write a check for almost $6000 a year for the local and county property taxes, not to mention sales tax on everything I buy. Believe me I support the good old US of A. If I want to go to Walmart to save $1.50 on toliet paper I dont see how that means I need to check my stars and stripes at the door.
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90Xjay
New member
If you need me I'll be off throwing a tantrum on my Swedish couch, in my Bangladeshi underwear, watching my Taiwaneese TV, while eating a asada burrito and drinking a New Castle.
while enjoying "American" freedom.
90Xjay
New member
I can't back you up on the exact figure there, but I'll bet your close.
A great deal of the same people I see living paycheck to paycheck who can't afford insurance for their kids, or whatever else they complain about, are buying hundreds of dollars in lottery tickets, beer, cigarettes.
They may not be making a lot of money, but they are making poor choices with what they do have.
redrooster
New member
I recently read an article in the doctor's office (Fortune, I believe) about Wal Mart's plan to go green. They had Al Gore even show up at the announcement of the plan to store reps at the annual meeting. Wal Mart is basically going to do for the environment what ISO 9000 did for Quality. They will require all suppliers to comply with their "Green Policy."
Now if they could figure out how to get a little more of a "Red White and Blue" plan going, I would be even more impressed.
I personally avoid going to Wal Mart not because of the cheap arse products or their origins (though I prefer American made) but rather to avoid the dregs of humanity that lurch 4 wide down every aisle not willing to excuse passers by. You just don't know how bad I want to give them that shopping cart bump to the achilles. Don't these people have anything better to do?
Now if they could figure out how to get a little more of a "Red White and Blue" plan going, I would be even more impressed.
I personally avoid going to Wal Mart not because of the cheap arse products or their origins (though I prefer American made) but rather to avoid the dregs of humanity that lurch 4 wide down every aisle not willing to excuse passers by. You just don't know how bad I want to give them that shopping cart bump to the achilles. Don't these people have anything better to do?
TwistedCU
New member
I listed why we avoid them. We view that company to be destructive to our economy, and not just because of all the imported goods. That's our decision.
If shopping there suits you then by all means do so. That's your decision. I won't think any less of anyone who does. It's still a free country. .
Sparky-Watts
Banned
Ok, I lied. I haven't said all I want to say.
So, you will admit that America can't make a car that is good enough to keep your money here in the states?
Ya know, I've been under the hood of Fords and Chevy's, and have had to buy parts from the dealers for both, and I gotta tell ya, they ain't all American!!
So, it's ok to ruin America's economy so long as you buy from a foreign UNION shop? Well, if that helps you sleep at night......
But you still have internet access, right? High speed? Dial up averages around $20 a month, high speed what, about $40-$50? And you bought another Jeep shortly after, right? What did you give for that? And the winch? And the property taxes and tags? And I suppose you have either cable or satellite TV, right? So, with just those few "luxuries", how much more gas could you have bought? How much more could you have pinched out of your budget that you don't "need" to save money for gas and still buy American? I'm sure you've explained it before, and you've probably got a good reason, but why was it you moved so far away from your work? Most people tend to try to move closer to their place of employment. Don't get me wrong, Harry, I understand that you felt it was the right thing to do at the time, I'm just showing that it wasn't a necessity for you to buy foreign. I know, I'm the worst when it comes to life's little luxuries over necessities, believe me. But when push comes to shove, I'd rather cut costs to stand up for something I believe in and preach heart and soul all my life than be seen as a hypocrite (since you brought it up).
Methinks my little flag speaks volumes.
:roll:
So, you will admit that America can't make a car that is good enough to keep your money here in the states?
TwistedCopper said:
Ya know, I've been under the hood of Fords and Chevy's, and have had to buy parts from the dealers for both, and I gotta tell ya, they ain't all American!!
TwistedCopper said:
So, it's ok to ruin America's economy so long as you buy from a foreign UNION shop? Well, if that helps you sleep at night......
TwistedCopper said:
But you still have internet access, right? High speed? Dial up averages around $20 a month, high speed what, about $40-$50? And you bought another Jeep shortly after, right? What did you give for that? And the winch? And the property taxes and tags? And I suppose you have either cable or satellite TV, right? So, with just those few "luxuries", how much more gas could you have bought? How much more could you have pinched out of your budget that you don't "need" to save money for gas and still buy American? I'm sure you've explained it before, and you've probably got a good reason, but why was it you moved so far away from your work? Most people tend to try to move closer to their place of employment. Don't get me wrong, Harry, I understand that you felt it was the right thing to do at the time, I'm just showing that it wasn't a necessity for you to buy foreign. I know, I'm the worst when it comes to life's little luxuries over necessities, believe me. But when push comes to shove, I'd rather cut costs to stand up for something I believe in and preach heart and soul all my life than be seen as a hypocrite (since you brought it up).
Methinks my little flag speaks volumes.
:roll:
TwistedCU
New member
Sparky, my personal finances are none of your or anyone else's business. You have once again drifted out into outer space with your discussions with me and have gotten way too personal. You haven't a clue as to the how's and why's of my finances, living situation, personal choices, or anything else and I prefer to keep it that way. Quite frankly you freak me out dude, so go obsess on something or someone else.
I am not going to continue this discussion.
Sparky-Watts
Banned
Jeeps, bumpers, winches, wheels and tires, seat covers, stereos, internet access, cable or satellite TV, soda, coffee, cookies/cakes/other assorted non-essential food items, magazines, CD's, DVD's, etc., etc., etc., etc......you get my point. So many luxuries, so little time...errr...money. I agree with you 100%, 90....Americans are brainwashed to believe they can live in the lap of luxury, even when they can't afford it. I'm terrible about that. I'm putting a little aside each paycheck, but not near enough to sustain me through retirement, yet if I would just quit smoking, I could save nearly $3000 a year. If I quit drinking pop and coffee, who knows how much more I could save. Nobody here can say they are 100% efficient at avoiding life's luxuries. It's not a crime. It's nothing to be ashamed of, per se, it's just a part of the American dream.
Think long and hard about all the things in your life you think you "need", then compare those to the basic needs: Food, water, clothing, a roof over your head. And by food, I don't mean USDA Choice steaks every night, or fast food lunches every day. Basic sustenance. And in the same sense, a roof over your head doesn't mean a 2500 square foot house with a view of the ocean/mountains/whateverfloatsyourboat. I've tried to tally up what I could actually save by living on the basic needs, and I can't do it....I literally can't put a price on the "luxuries" I buy every day and every month and every year. One thing I can put a price on is sanity, though. Without even half of my luxuries, I'd only have to spend about 79 cents on a bullet. Let someone else pay to have my brains cleaned off the ceiling.
Yeah, I've seen those "welfare moms" at WalMart with their food stamps that will cash out a $50 stamp for a 25 cent bag of ramen noodles and take the rest of the cash to the next register to buy their beer, cigarettes, and lottery tickets. It's sad. It's maddening, too. Because you know who just bought those cigarettes, don't you?
In my job, I'm exposed daily to extravagant living. I work around houses that range from $250,000 to $5,000,000 every day. Those people hire someone to do absolutely everything for them. They even pay someone to pick up the dog crap out of their yards from their $5,000 pedigreed pooches. I don't know what's worse, that someone would ask you to do that, or that someone would actually do it.
Sparky-Watts
Banned
Well, don't flatter yourself, Harry. I'm not obsessed with you in the least. I could personally care less about your personal life or finances, but since you brought up the subject when you bought that foreign car, I figure you made it anyone's business. You never seem to have a problem expounding on your personal choices and feelings until you get called out on it. I'm sorry you can't continue a discussion just because someone points out a few issues you don't want to face. It wasn't an attack, I was just making a point that you could have made changes in your lifestyle that may have helped you avoid looking like a hypocrite. Quite frankly, Harry, the way you always bail when your back's against a wall freaks me out. It's all wrong for anyone to do, unless you do it, then it's ok. I see how it works now. Jeepguy46176 was right, it's ok only if it's convenient for you.
I don't think the issue is that my discussion "drifted out into outer space", I'm betting my discussion hit way too close to home.....close enough to nail your shoes to the floor and you had to jump out of them to run away from it.
Well, maybe one day, you'll be able to continue a discussion, answer some of the points brought up. Until then, I'm sorry. I just don't see where my questions were "out in outer space" or anything that should freak you out. They are anything but an obsession with your one-sided view of reality. It's just funny that nobody else in here has a problem with facing up to a lively discussion, even when the tables get turned on them. At least they are willing to view both sides and think about it, whether it changes their views or not, but at least they don't fling veiled insults and run away. If you're going to make a stand on something, by god, make a stand. If you constantly preach about the evils of buying foreign goods, you best be ready to take the heat when you end up doing it yourself. Hence the dictionary quote. Sucks looking in the mirror, doesn't it?:roll:
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mingez
New member
I don't think "buying American" necessarily means that you must ALWAYS purchase product from the US, but rather to change your buying habits. You know, much like cutting fat out of your diet. One German car and a few Japanese electronic appliances doesn't necessarily mean one is deviating form the core of the belief.
However, I'm not a proponent of the "buying American" philosophy, because I feel it sends the message that no matter the quality of the product, US manufacturers will always have customers. In the long run, that hurts them globally. Well, that and inept, ignorant, and ethnocentric foriegn policy.
But I've got to say that I agree with <<gasp>> TC and 90 as a "Wally World Hater."
As Gone and Done it so succinctly put it:
I only go to a supercenter of any kind if it's 3 am and I need to buy a shop-vac to suck up water from a broken pipe. Oh, and to buy my fishing licenses.
However, I'm not a proponent of the "buying American" philosophy, because I feel it sends the message that no matter the quality of the product, US manufacturers will always have customers. In the long run, that hurts them globally. Well, that and inept, ignorant, and ethnocentric foriegn policy.
But I've got to say that I agree with <<gasp>> TC and 90 as a "Wally World Hater."
As Gone and Done it so succinctly put it:
Why do most Americans live paycheck to paycheck? Why is there no discretionary income? I doubt purchasing your goods from a company (Target and Kmart included) that strong arms manufacturers to operate below profit lines is "Good" for such socioeconomic inefficiencies. We have a cultural problem. It's gluttony, it's laziness, and it's our inability to think long term when given the alternative of short term gratification.
I only go to a supercenter of any kind if it's 3 am and I need to buy a shop-vac to suck up water from a broken pipe. Oh, and to buy my fishing licenses.
Sparky-Watts
Banned
However, I'm not a proponent of the "buying American" philosophy, because I feel it sends the message that no matter the quality of the product, US manufacturers will always have customers. In the long run, that hurts them globally. Well, that and inept, ignorant, and ethnocentric foriegn policy.
I only go to a supercenter of any kind if it's 3 am and I need to buy a shop-vac to suck up water from a broken pipe. Oh, and to buy my fishing licenses.
I go to Wally World on average once a week. Why? Because they have cheaper food (same stuff I can buy at other stores, exact brand, type, etc.). They have the same clothes I can buy all over town for less than what I'd pay anywhere else. They have the same motor oil I can buy at Advance Auto, Pep Boys, Autozone, etc. for much less money. Same with oil filters, only a bigger selection than the "auto parts stores". I rather enjoy looking at the freaks of nature I encounter there. It's like going to a carnival sideshow without paying for the ticket. :lol:
When possible, though, Sunshine and I do most of our grocery shopping in our own little town to support our local grocer. He doesn't always have what we need (or should I say want?
), so we have to go somewhere else to buy it. The few times I've travelled out of state, I've tried to go as far as I can on the last tank of gas so that I can fill up in Kansas, despite higher fuel taxes here, because that keeps my money in my state, or at least a small part of it. I never, ever look to see where a product is made, however. I look at the quality and the price, and weigh the cost/benefit factor before I buy it. If the Chinese can make it better and cheaper, I'll buy it. If the Chinese don't make it better, but I can by 3 of them for the same price of one of the American made items, I'll buy it. I'm still money ahead when it breaks. Similar to the PM discussion Harry and I had about work boots. Rather than buy a pair of boots for $250 that lasts 6 months, I'll buy 2 pair for $30 each that last 3 months.....still money ahead.
Gone&DoneIt
New member
Sparky, please don't take offense,... but I and my wife are both from very small towns. I feel that philosophy, while completely justified and quite reasonable, had an exorbitant impact of both of them,... quite honestly it killed my wifes. In Splendora, Tx the town is tiny ( I always joke and say it is the kind of place with more people than teeth!!) The only retailers were privately owned shops. The merchants certainly weren't making a killing, but Houston is over 2 hours away, and there really isn't anything else close. These were hard working men and women that survived by providing an honest product at an honest cost. Trust me when I say NO ONE was getting rich!! WalMart opened in New Caney just a bit outside Cut N Shoot (I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried). Four of the shops in town closed in the first year. Two more the following. I moved before the third year,a dn all that was left was a feed shop and a gas station/ convenience store. Now you can argue many different points on either side of buying from the Meglomarts of the world,... but I know a bunch of people who lost everything to them.
My wife is from Flint Michigan,... I don't think I need to say much more about that. WalMart didn't have anything to do with Flint going belly up,... but the exporting of US jobs, and increase in Foriegn car sales did.
Again,... I am not so hung up on the "ethics" of the issue. But more, the impact. I don't think there is anything wrong with trying to stretch a buck. Not at all,... please don't think I am taking that position,... I guess I just wonder when does the cost of saving money cost too much?
I guess I can see both sides. I just, due to personal experiences, choose this side of this one.
Again,... just my .02
Sparky-Watts
Banned
No offense taken at all. Very well written post, and I agree, hard times have befallen many places and companies in America because of foreign trade and places like WalMart. I live in a town of roughly 900 people. When my family moved here in 1969, the population was roughly 800 people. Not exactly growing by leaps and bounds. But, at that time, as for many years while I was growing up, we had as many as 5 gas stations, an appliance store (washers, dryers, stoves, fridges), 2 grocery stores, a hardware store, a lumber yard, 3 restaurants, a pool hall, a barber shop, a furniture store, a clothing store, a bank, a weekly newspaper, and two grain elevators, all at the same time. By the early 90's, we were down to one grocery store, a bank, an insurance office, and one grain elevator. I was on the city council from '96 to '00, and tried and tried to get a convenience store/gas station on the highway. We're situated halfway between two of the largest towns in Central Kansas, Wichita and Hutchinson, on a 4 lane superhighway. It should be a prime location for a convenience store, as a number of people from both cities commute both ways everyday for work. We also tried exhaustively to get other businesses to come in to town, offering tax and utility incentives, but with no luck. Nobody wanted to come here because America has gotten lazy and won't get out of the big cities. It could work, because there are towns all around us with all types of industry that are only marginally bigger than we are, and not situated on the highway, actually are several miles off of it. Don't really know the reason, or the point to this post, but yeah, I hear ya. When I got out of high school, and even recently, when looking for a job, the employers would ask where I'm from. I'd tell them, and they'd say, "Wow, a 30 mile commute! Thanks, we'll be in touch." It's 30 miles anywhere from here to find a job. I can make it to work in Wichita faster than most people who live in Wichita because of the highways. I decided at a young age I wouldn't leave my little town, and I'm sticking to my guns. I hate the city. Convenience is ok, but like I said, I don't have far to drive for that. Crime consists of the occasional stray dog or cow (yes, I said cow) strolling through someone's garden. Like I said, this post just pretty much rambled on to nothing in particular because I just woke up (kinda), but you made some good points that I'll have to revisit when I'm more awake.
And I was posting why I didnt feel like it made ME any less american to shop there. Nor do I see why anyone else should feel bad for doing the same. Mr. Bold Happy
Just because I have a difference of opinion doesnt mean I cant post on the same thread. Nor does it mean I didnt understand your post.
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