Thursday, April 13, 2006
Shopping Responsibilty
I attended a panel discussion titled "Wal-Mart: The high cost of low cost" It was very eye opening and confirming for some notions that I already had about the mega store. I'm still digesting a lot of the information, so it is too soon for me even to tell you what I really think. But in short, there are many points for why companies like Wal-Mart really hurt people. Besides the raping of global resources around the world, there is the fact that they don't pay their employees squat so most have to get government assistance. So I have been shopping locally since the money I spend will typically stay in my local economy. Why should I save three dollars to buy a book of Amazon only to have all my money go elsewhere. When I can get the same book (faster) have over half the money stay in my local area. Sorry this post is scattered and I'm not expressing myself accurately.
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2 comments:
Howdy,
I was wondering about your post about Wal-Mart. I am from Arkansas, and I attended university in Northwest Arkansas, the home of Wal-Mart. While I was there, Wal-Mart gave more than $350 million dollars to the university. Should I shop at Wal-Mart because they are putting a lot more into my specific community than they are getting from it? I know there are lots of arguments against Wal-Mart, but it certainly makes a huge impact in Northwest Arkansas, sponsoring artistic shows and community outreach that would not be possible without its dollars.
Just wondering,
Ben
You may want to watch the film or even visit the website. http://www.walmartmovie.com/ to make up your mind on that topic. But this quote comes to mind on that. "North Americans find it very hard to believe that their wealthy ways of living affect the poor people on other continents." [Living More With Less p22] Wal-Mart imported 18 billions dollars worth from China alone last year. Our number one export to China is empty cargo containers. Yes Wal-Mart may have donated a lot of money to your area and other areas. I just don't think their global business stragey is helping Americans. Pulling U.S. jobs out in manfactoring to sending them overseas and not paying workers anything worth while. I can't live with that when I buy a plastic toy that was made in China.
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