Biggest welfare queen on the planet?

[Wolferz]

No, it's not some unwed mother in Biloxi, Mississippi...
Or even some third world nation.

It's the retail giant Wal-Mart...
http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=96788602-ad1c-46a7-b7f5-23416977b75e

Their low wage jobs are costing every taxpayer mucho deniro. To the tune of $1.7 million a year per super center.

I wonder if their hiring process includes a welfare application in the packet with the job application.:nope::stare:

They have done something positive though. Like hiring folks on their last legs.
Then they take out dead peasant life insurance policies on them that names Wal-Mart the sole beneficiary.
http://www.wvbusinesslitigationblog.com/2009/10/articles/corporations/walmarts-dead-peasant-insurance-policies-are-focus-of-proposed-class-action/

I bet poor Sam is wallowing in his grave while his kids are trying to push Uncle Sam in there with him.

[mookiemookie]

Not to mention the corporate welfare breaks Walmart gets. Houston practically bent over backwards to get Walmart to place on of their stores near downtown.

[Armistead]

No, it's not some unwed mother in Biloxi, Mississippi...
Or even some third world nation.

It's the retail giant Wal-Mart...
http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=96788602-ad1c-46a7-b7f5-23416977b75e

Their low wage jobs are costing every taxpayer mucho deniro. To the tune of $1.7 million a year per super center.

I wonder if their hiring process includes a welfare application in the packet with the job application.:nope::stare:

They have done something positive though. Like hiring folks on their last legs.
Then they take out dead peasant life insurance policies on them that names Wal-Mart the sole beneficiary.

I bet poor Sam is wallowing in his grave.

Depress the job market, then you can cut benefits and wages to those of 3rd world nations.

Yep, those life insurance policies are big money makers.

[AVGWarhawk]

I don't shop Walmart.

[Sailor Steve]

And I call BS (Biased Study). Upon reading the whole article it seems that the 'Democratic staff of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce' is guessing.
While the report notes it's not clear how much Wal-Mart pays its hourly workers, one research company pegs the average at $8.81. (That's above the federal minimum wage of $7.25 but below President Barack Obama's call for a $9 baseline wage.)
Okay, so Wal*Mart doesn't start basic service employees at ten bucks an hour. Can you show me anyone who does? It looks to me like they're being singled out for no other reason than that they are the biggest target in sight. Political grandstanding, and you're falling for it.

[the_tyrant]

And I call BS (Biased Study). Upon reading the whole article it seems that the 'Democratic staff of the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce' is guessing.

Okay, so Wal*Mart doesn't start basic service employees at ten bucks an hour. Can you show me anyone who does? It looks to me like they're being singled out for no other reason than that they are the biggest target in sight. Political grandstanding, and you're falling for it.

I agree, if their employees are full time workers at above minimum wage, and they still need welfare, its probably because the minimum wage is too low

[Mr Quatro]

They have done something positive though. Like hiring folks on their last legs.

Then they take out dead peasant life insurance policies on them that names Wal-Mart the sole beneficiary.
http://www.wvbusinesslitigationblog.com/2009/10/articles/corporations/walmarts-dead-peasant-insurance-policies-are-focus-of-proposed-class-action/

I bet poor Sam is wallowing in his grave while his kids are trying to push Uncle Sam in there with him.

I didn't believe you so I had to read the entire article:http://www.wvbusinesslitigationblog.com/2009/10/articles/corporations/walmarts-dead-peasant-insurance-policies-are-focus-of-proposed-class-action/


In 1993, Wal-Mart adopted a corporate owned life insurance (“COLI”) program through which the company would purchase life insurance policies for its employees. Wal-Mart funded the policies, at no cost to the employees.

The policies provided benefits of $5,000 to $10,000 to the decedents’ beneficiaries, with the remainder of the policy amount paid to Wal-Mart. By 2000, as the result of new regulations, Wal-Mart had discontinued the COLI program.


Yes, this is wrong, but they stopped it in the year 2000 and by the way Sam Walton died April 5th 1992 at the age of 74.

[Wolferz]

Well Steve, I can share your sentiments but, Wal-Mart doesn't staff their stores with 100% full time employees. I doubt that it's even 75%. Which leaves the part timers in need of social assistance.
Full time staff = benefit expenses for the corporation.
I think things were much better when Sam was at the helm. He would only purchase and sell 100% American made goods at a bulk price.
Now, they don't give a rat's patootie where it comes from.
It's ok if you like bulk goods from China. Cheap and disposable.

Do you really believe they stopped that COLI crap because it's in an article on the internet?

Do you believe they can't put untrue facts on the internet?

Wanna buy a bridge?:03:

[Sailor Steve]

I agree, if their employees are full time workers at above minimum wage, and they still need welfare, its probably because the minimum wage is too low
And how high do you think it should be? $10? $20? How much to think their prices should go up to cover that cost? Should a Big Mac be $10? Have you even thought about this, or are you just buying into what people tell you?

[Sailor Steve]

Well Steve, I can share your sentiments but, Wal-Mart doesn't staff their stores with 100% full time employees. I doubt that it's even 75%. Which leaves the part timers in need of social assistance.
So? Should there be a law against having part-time employees? Would you use the government to force and control everything? I thought you didn't like the nanny-state.

I think things were much better when Sam was at the helm. He would only purchase and sell 100% American made goods at a bulk price.
Really? So he would never stock Phillips television? He would never stock a PlayStation of any kind?


Now, they don't give a rat's patootie where it comes from.
It's ok if you like bulk goods from China. Cheap and disposable.
You'd better start reading the labels on everything you buy. Oh, and I go to Wal*Mart mostly for food. Same brands as everywhere else. Half the price of most.

Do you believe they can't put untrue facts on the internet?
So you don't believe everything in the article you posted? You sure seem to.

Wanna buy a bridge?:03:
You bought this one without a second thought.

[Ducimus]

I don't shop Walmart.

Ditto. I also buy American when I can. I have never liked walmart for far too many reasons. Personally, as a consumer, i would rather spend my money on domestically made goods. At least then I know my dollar is going to a local community and honest hardworking people. I can't say that buying chinese made crap at walmart.

[Sailor Steve]

Yep, the Nalley's chili I buy was certainly made in China. The trash can I bought yesterday may be.

As I said, do you read the label on everything you buy? What brand of phone do you use? Every single product you buy? Do you or anyone in your family have a PS3? "May be made in Japan, Korea, Malaysia or China." None of them were made in America.

I can see the hostility towards Wal*Mart if you treat every other place exactly the same. But this wasn't about products made in China, it was about employees unable to make ends meet. This is true of a great many establishments. Do you boycott them all? Do you advocate raising the minimum wage? How high?

To me this has always looked like a classic trendy "hate of the week".

[Stealhead]

I think that the larger negative impact that Wal-Mart and other chain stores is on locally owned business.They suck many local business dry in a small town or city the presence of a "super" Wal-Mart or Target or what have you can completely change the traffic pattern meaning that locally owned stores and restaurants can get forced out of business because they are not located in the new high traffic area.

Another nail in the coffin for locally owned bushiness can be rising costs of renting or leasing a location as other stores fail the property owners tend to raise the price to make up the difference.

Buying American is a nice notion(when the product is of good quality which is not always the case)but it becomes increasingly difficult especially with low cost items such as generic clothing (though much of the high end stuff is made under similar conditions overseas) another issue is that companies want to make maximum profits in order to please share holders.Most any item from a TV to a toilet is going to cost less if made in a third would country which means more profits which means happy share holders which means happy fat cats.

I do not think that you can find a pair of underwear or socks that is low in cost that is produced in the USA.And the USA label can be a ruse as well some items are made in Saipan which is an unincorporated Territory of the US.The workers though are from Taiwan or China.

The larger underlying problem is that it costs less no matter how you cut it to produce something overseas.We have become (as a collective whole) in the US,Canada,Western Europe,Japan and Australia mass consumers we want a cheap item right away this is an addiction that is not easily cured.

Look at how many idiots line up for those black Friday sales need I say more?To not be of this crowd makes you an ever increasing minority indeed not to say that you must assimilate.

Wal-Mart is also especially persons on low or fixed incomes the lowest cost place to purchase food.

[Armistead]

Corporate America is rolling in money, but they're many signs the good times could be coming to an end again. Corporations have cut wages, benefits, about everything to increase profits, but because of that, Americans can't buy their goods like before. Eventually this tactic will backfire in a big way.

[Stealhead]

Corporate America is rolling in money, but they're many signs the good times could be coming to an end again. Corporations have cut wages, benefits, about everything to increase profits, but because of that, Americans can't buy their goods like before. Eventually this tactic will backfire in a big way.


The good times never end for the fat cats it is rigged so that they always come out ahead.Something similar to the Khmer Rouges Year Zero would be the only thing that would change that and something like that is never going to happen in the US.

Look at the past 100 years of US history the song always remains the same the fat cats always remain fat numerous recessions and depressions have occurred since the turn of the 20th century(1900-1999) yet nothing really changes.Sure laws and regulations may change yet bad times still occur.Of course not every recession is completely unavoidable.

[Armistead]

And how high do you think it should be? $10? $20? How much to think their prices should go up to cover that cost? Should a Big Mac be $10? Have you even thought about this, or are you just buying into what people tell you?

Have you noticed burgers at most of these places are much smaller? Heck, I ate at Wendy's the other day, been a long time and was shocked their burgers are about half the beef as before, but price was up.

Let's face it, Americans are competing with 3rd world wages and benefits and millions Americans have to take these jobs, but since they don't pay the bills, the have to use govt programs, food stamps, etc. The fact is as wages and benefits decrease across the board for Americans, the govt will keep growing bigger regarding needs programs to make up the difference.
If businesses can't pay a living wage, expect bigger govt, more debt and higher taxes.... or we can wait until millions of Americans are rioting in the streets as they are in Europe.

[Armistead]

The good times never end for the fat cats it is rigged so that they always come out ahead.Something similar to the Khmer Rouges Year Zero would be the only thing that would change that and something like that is never going to happen in the US.

Look at the past 100 years of US history the song always remains the same the fat cats always remain fat numerous recessions and depressions have occurred since the turn of the 20th century(1900-1999) yet nothing really changes.Sure laws and regulations may change yet bad times still occur.Of course not every recession is completely unavoidable.


The economic model has changed since about 1980. The global economy ruined America. We were all told it would be a good thing, but it was a big lie. All the regulations were stacked in favor of corporate America, not Americans.

Look back before they could send our jobs out in mass, big business had to compete for Americans, wages were decent, most had good medical insurance and many even had that thing called a pension. This issured wealth was more spread and created a mass middle class and kept govt. smaller. NOw,we have an elite class of uber rich that hold 70-80% of all real wealth. Worse, now the majority of Americans want big govt, social programs, healthcare, etc., which is creating a national debt that can't be substained.

[Wolferz]

Armistead and Stealhead have reached the crux of the whole matter.
I applaud you gentlemen. :Kaleun_Applaud:
Steve was accusatory. Shame on you. :nope:

Personally, I couldn't care less what Wally World does or doesn't do for their work force. They at least provide some jobs. If their employees can't make ends meet, they should either tighten their belts or get some edumacation and find a better job.
You could say that working at Wal-Mart is akin to working for a state government. They pay you just enough to keep you alive and enslaved with only a small chance of being promoted. Pay increases are few and far between and are usually insulting.

I do not own a bridge. There isn't a salesman alive who could sell me one. They aren't smart enough.
:haha:

[Stealhead]

The economic model has changed since about 1980. The global economy ruined America. We were all told it would be a good thing, but it was a big lie. All the regulations were stacked in favor of corporate America, not Americans.

Look back before they could send our jobs out in mass, big business had to compete for Americans, wages were decent, most had good medical insurance and many even had that thing called a pension. This issured wealth was more spread and created a mass middle class and kept govt. smaller. NOw,we have an elite class of uber rich that hold 70-80% of all real wealth. Worse, now the majority of Americans want big govt, social programs, healthcare, etc., which is creating a national debt that can't be substained.

I disagree entirely of course economics have changed over the years that fact is largely irrelevant.Because economies are constantly changing.

Surely you jest when you say that the wealth on the fat cat level was ever shared equally.There has always been an elite class of uber rich and a much larger class of poor the middle class is the one that is the most short lived it was only a sizable class for a few generations from around the end of WWII up.

The real killer was the increased focus on pleasing the share holder by maximizing profit no matter the effect on employees.Pensions only became common place during WWII they where used as an insensitive to satisfy workers because the government enacted wage freezes during the war in other words they made up for pay increases which where not permitted thanks to the wage freezes.As far back as the mid 1960's companies began reducing or stopped offering pensions.That in and of itself did not kill the American manufacturing sector it was the focus on ever increasing profits.

[Sailor Steve]

Steve was accusatory. Shame on you. :nope:
Why should I be ashamed. Who did I accuse? I answered accusations with challenges. I don't see you taking anyone else to task, and the general trend of the thread was accusatory. I challenged the attitude, and no one has yet answered the challenge.

I've had years of seeing posters on lampposts and posts in forums, all saying identically the same thing: "Walmart is evil!. They only buy Chinese products!" I accuse, yes. I accuse people of having their own version of PC. Call it SC - Social Correctness. What I asked is for anyone to show that Wal*Mart is doing anything any other company doesn't do, and then why they seem to have a personal grudge against only one corporation.

Armistead and Stealhead have reached the crux of the whole matter.
Yes they did. But the thread wasn't about what is wrong with America, or even corporate America. The OP was a condemnation of one company for seemingly being exceptionally evil in their horrible treatment of employes. I say that's wrong. Has anyone showed where I'm wrong?

[Armistead]

I disagree entirely of course economics have changed over the years that fact is largely irrelevant.Because economies are constantly changing.

Surely you jest when you say that the wealth on the fat cat level was ever shared equally.There has always been an elite class of uber rich and a much larger class of poor the middle class is the one that is the most short lived it was only a sizable class for a few generations from around the end of WWII up.

The real killer was the increased focus on pleasing the share holder by maximizing profit no matter the effect on employees.Pensions only became common place during WWII they where used as an insensitive to satisfy workers because the government enacted wage freezes during the war in other words they made up for pay increases which where not permitted thanks to the wage freezes.As far back as the mid 1960's companies began reducing or stopped offering pensions.That in and of itself did not kill the American manufacturing sector it was the focus on ever increasing profits.


I basically agree with you, but I never said wealth was equally shared, I said it was more spread out. If you look at studies, just back to the 70's about 50% of Americans held 80% of real wealth, today about 20% hold all real wealth, in about 20 years, about 10% will hold 80% of all real wealth in America. We will become a two class society unless we adopt a complete new economic model that recreates a middle class.

The county that I live in was once a large manufacturing county, great wages, benefits, pensions. In the last 20 years we went from having 62 large mills to now we have two and a few smaller ones. Now it's a poor town of sorts, 40% of kids get free school lunch. Not to mention we have numerous sq miles of large plants just rotting away, several converted to low income apartments.

Economics do change, but they're not changing to the benefit of Americans because we had no plan for a global economy. American wages continue to decrease, even as profits rise for corporations, but that can only last so long. Any idiot can see our economy is gonna implode again, nothing has been fixed.

[the_tyrant]

And how high do you think it should be? $10? $20? How much to think their prices should go up to cover that cost? Should a Big Mac be $10? Have you even thought about this, or are you just buying into what people tell you?

I don't know, and to be honest, don't care about the minimum wage issue. But I do know that when a company is paying its workers above minimum wage for a "basic" job that anyone can do, the fact that its employees need welfare should not be blamed on the company.


Corporate America is rolling in money, but they're many signs the good times could be coming to an end again. Corporations have cut wages, benefits, about everything to increase profits, but because of that, Americans can't buy their goods like before. Eventually this tactic will backfire in a big way.


I had to hurry to China a week ago because of a family emergency. However, from what I see, your mentality has to change. America is NO LONGER the market where many brands are pushing their product the hardest.

From my personal experience, prices in America are the lowest I can find, at the big department stores like Macys and JC Penny, you find that the famous brands are selling for much cheaper compared to major department stores in Europe and Asia. The same brands are much more expensive on the London high street. But compared to prices in Shanghai, Harrods looks cheap!

I was in China for a week, and during the time, my dad's friend (a huge importer) said that the margins for the major brands in Asia is MUCH higher than in the US. 1 sale in Asia makes the same profit as 5 sales in America. But Asians like American brands, thus for many of them, they would much rather focus on Asia than the US.


I would actually say, decimated sales in the US matters less than the increased cost for many of these brands.

[Ducimus]

As I said, do you read the label on everything you buy?

Actually, I do. Seriously. I'll even ask the guy at the store, "I know it's a crazy question, and I'm pretty sure what your answer is going to be, but I have to ask, do you have anything like this made in the US?"

I always buy American when i can. I recently replaced my belt that I've been wearing for years and years. Bought it from these guys.
https://www.moonshineleather.com/

Bought a new pair of boots at Cabellas made by these guys last year.
http://www.chippewaboots.com/
Picked up some new socks while I was at it. Those were made in the US too.

Bought this had in the last 6 months
http://www.nrastore.com/nrastore/ProductDetail.aspx?c=14&p=HT+22524&ct=e

It ain't always cheap, but if you find a good American made product that's going to last you awhile, it's worth it and saves you money in the long run. I'm still looking for jeans and T shirts made here, and when I find them, I'll buy those too when i can afford it.

EDIT:
As an aside, if congress passes that internet sales tax bill, it's going to kill many small businesses.

[Wolferz]

Try Motor City Denim Ducimus.:up:

http://www.motorcitydenimco.com/#

[Sailor Steve]

It ain't always cheap
That's an understatement. One of those pairs of boots cost more than I spend on clothes in five years! I recently bought my first new belt in a couple of decades. Seven bucks at my local Sutherland's lumber and hardware store.

The last pair of jeans I bought came from Wal*Mart. Yes they were made in Mexico. They cost me $10.

I can only wish I was rich like you guys.

[Rilder]

Personally, as a consumer, i would rather spend my money on domestically made goods. At least then I know my dollar is going to a local community and honest hardworking people.

Ah yes because clearly the only honest hard working people in the world exist in the United States. :roll:

[Ducimus]

That's an understatement. One of those pairs of boots cost more than I spend on clothes in five years!

Same here. The thing is, when I guy something, I wear it for YEARS. I have one set of shoes I wear every day. That's it. I have one belt I wear every day. My philosophy is this. You can spend 40 dollars on some chinese made crap that will only last you 6 months. Or you can spend 140 dollars on something that might last you 6 years.

I recently bought my first new belt in a couple of decades. Seven bucks at my local Sutherland's lumber and hardware store.
If it was a 20 year old belt, it was probably made here and you just didn't realize it. I have all sorts of stuff that I have had for several decades, that was made here. Which is why I think i think it has lasted so long.

The last pair of jeans I bought came from Wal*Mart. Yes they were made in Mexico. They cost me $10.

Better Mexico then China.


I can only wish I was rich like you guys.

I make 14 dollars an hour. I'm hardly rich.

Ah yes because clearly the only honest hard working people in the world exist in the United States. :roll:

I don't care about other countries. Though I'm sure people wherever work hard, the money we spend on goods from places like walmart sure as hell isn't going to the people who make those goods. The money spent at places like walmart goes to lining some rich ass CEO's pocket who give their employees crap no matter how hard they work. At least by not shopping at walmart and spending my money elsewhere, i know my money is going to be closer to the workers and the community.

[Tribesman]

I don't care about other countries. Though I'm sure people wherever work hard, the money we spend on goods from places like walmart sure as hell isn't going to the people who make those goods. The money spent at places like walmart goes to lining some rich ass CEO's pocket who give their employees crap no matter how hard they work. At least by not shopping at walmart and spending my money elsewhere, i know my money is going to be closer to the workers and the community.
So you give your money to Warren Buffet and his multinational conglomerate instead.:hmmm:

[AVGWarhawk]

I don't shop Walmart. I did mention that right :06:

[Wolferz]

Here's a suggestion boys. Now, mind you, it's only a suggestion.
Sell your soul to the devil for riches and comfort during your mortal existence. That's what the fat cats have done.
In case it went un-noticed, the thread topic had a question mark on the end of the title. Why should I be accused of making accusations against Wal-Mart?

I don't care what they do to stay in business. I only have a problem with amoral behavior. Something I was treated to by numerous employers my entire working lifetime.
Now I'm disabled and unable to work. A situation beyond my control that peeves me to no end. Oh well.
I just read the other day that the Social Security Disability fund will be broke by 2016. Was this caused by too many recipients or too many jobs sent to other nations with no way to make up a shortfall in FICA taxes from lost jobs?

It seems to me that it has become a lesson in class warfare. Kill the middle class to create a two class system. The haves and the wants. Is it amoral for Corporate greed to be doing this to us? You bet it is! Wally World is just one of many who are promoting it.
The greedy corporations are practicing a self destructive paradigm, because eventually there will be no customers left to buy the crap labeled Hecho e Mexico or Made in *insert Asian country of choice here*.

Maybe it's time for me to buy a 3D printer and start churning out weapons.:arrgh!:

[Stealhead]

I basically agree with you, but I never said wealth was equally shared, I said it was more spread out. If you look at studies, just back to the 70's about 50% of Americans held 80% of real wealth, today about 20% hold all real wealth, in about 20 years, about 10% will hold 80% of all real wealth in America. We will become a two class society unless we adopt a complete new economic model that recreates a middle class.

I misread the meaning of your original statement.The problem with regenerating the middle class is the real challenge.We will not be able to rely on the old manufacturing jobs because they simply never will come back on the scale they where at 20~30 years ago.The realistic option is to focus on high tech manufacturing which generates fewer but higher paying jobs.These people will fuel an economy which in turn provides jobs for those providing goods and services(I forget the economic term tertiary jobs I think).

The problem of pensions,benefits and fair wages could really be easily solved if people could be convinced to pay just a little more for goods and services.I have no doubt if a national pole was taken the majority of Americans would gladly pay a little more if ti meant that workers got better benefits and pay especially when that means a reduction for lower wages workers reliance on government programs.

Lastly the welfare,medicare,and other government program abuse should be resolved as is many benefit from the current system and not just people directly on the system either.

[Sailor Steve]

My philosophy is this. You can spend 40 dollars on some chinese made crap that will only last you 6 months. Or you can spend 140 dollars on something that might last you 6 years.
I can understand that. I wear one pair of shoes in the summer and one pair of boots for the snowy winter. You're probably right about the shoes, but I can afford 20 dollars every year or two, and $140 is pushing it. The boots I got at Pay-Less ten years about eight years ago. I don't know where they were made, but they cost about $25 at the time. They still look new. The boots I saw at your link were $250. A quarter of a thousand dollars for a pair of shoes.

If it was a 20 year old belt, it was probably made here and you just didn't realize it. I have all sorts of stuff that I have had for several decades, that was made here. Which is why I think i think it has lasted so long.
Maybe, but probably and maybe might be wrong. It could have been made anywhere.

Better Mexico then China.
Why? Anywhere else is not "USA only". I sometimes joke that buying a decent product for a low price is the American Way. My camera is a Fujimi. My monitor is a Hanns-G, from Germany. My car says American Motors Eagle on the registration, yet it was built by Mitsubishi.

I make 14 dollars an hour. I'm hardly rich.
My disability is about half that. It's all relative.


At least by not shopping at walmart and spending my money elsewhere, i know my money is going to be closer to the workers and the community.
That's great. I have a food store withing walking distance called "Savers". Sometimes they actually are cheaper for certain items, like the pizza I make every Sunday. Other things, like the Nalley's chili I always mention, is currently $2.39 per can. I can get it at Wal*Mart for ninety-eight cents.

In case it went un-noticed, the thread topic had a question mark on the end of the title.
And the question was "Biggest Welfare Queen on the planet?" Are they? Do they take gobs of money from the government. The accusation was that they abuse their employees. Do they? I had a job there for the Christmas season 2005. I only wish it could have been permanent. I worked the night stock shift and made $9.00 per hour.

Now I'm disabled and unable to work.
So am I. I can't afford $140 for a pair of pants.

It seems to me that it has become a lesson in class warfare. Kill the middle class to create a two class system. The haves and the wants. Is it amoral for Corporate greed to be doing this to us? You bet it is! Wally World is just one of many who are promoting it.
Which was my point in the first place. The OP and the article it links to claim that Wal*Mart is the worst of the bunch. I don't think they are.

The greedy corporations are practicing a self destructive paradigm, because eventually there will be no customers left to buy the crap labeled Hecho e Mexico or Made in *insert Asian country of choice here*.
Sure there will. The poor customers like me will still go there for food and a lot of other stuff, just like I do now. I buy a lot of videos out of the $5 bin.

Maybe it's not the importers of cheap foreign goods. Maybe the problem is actually the proud "Buy American" groups who charge 250 bucks for a pair of boots. They are the ones catering to the rich.

Maybe it's time for me to buy a 3D printer and start churning out weapons.:arrgh!:
Have you looked at the price of those things? You'll have to steal one if you really want it.

[Tchocky]

It's funny how the stereotype of low cost East-Asian products being shoddy doesn't extend to consumer electronics, cars , musical instruments etc.

lots of complaining about cheap clothes, silence on cheap cellphones and graphics cards.

[Ducimus]

I just read the other day that the Social Security Disability fund will be broke by 2016. Was this caused by too many recipients or too many jobs sent to other nations with no way to make up a shortfall in FICA taxes from lost jobs?

It seems to me that it has become a lesson in class warfare. Kill the middle class to create a two class system. The haves and the wants. Is it amoral for Corporate greed to be doing this to us? You bet it is! Wally World is just one of many who are promoting it.
The greedy corporations are practicing a self destructive paradigm, because eventually there will be no customers left to buy the crap labeled Hecho e Mexico or Made in *insert Asian country of choice here*.

Maybe it's time for me to buy a 3D printer and start churning out weapons.:arrgh!:

I do wonder how much longer the way things currently are, can last. At some point, a breakdown in society will occur.



Why? Anywhere else is not "USA only".
Because China gets way too much of our money, and if crap is made in mexico, then they have more jobs, which means less illegals here, which in turn means less gang bangers, which means less crime. Yes I know that is racist profiling, but I grew up in SoCal, had to deal with that crap, and I make no apologies for how i feel about it.

So am I. I can't afford $140 for a pair of pants.
Neither can I. Which if you look at my original statement.. "when i can". Saying I buy american when i can means, if i see the product, and/or if i can afford it. I try when i can. Sometimes for one reason or another i can't - but I try.



It's funny how the stereotype of low cost East-Asian products being shoddy doesn't extend to consumer electronics, cars , musical instruments etc.

lots of complaining about cheap clothes, silence on cheap cellphones and graphics cards.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/tech/mobile/motorola-moto-x-phone/index.html

[em2nought]

Old fiscal conservative folks died off and left their money to idiots. That's pretty much what happened to the middle class IMO. :D

[WernherVonTrapp]

Sometimes I wonder if our Government is the biggest welfare queen.

Social Security: The Trust Fund Myth
http://www.uschamber.com/issues/retirementpension/socialsecurity/trust-fund-myth

In NJ, the state government had been misappropriating pension funds for the state pension accounts. Now, John Q. Taxpayer pays the price and/or give up some benefits.

Behind Fraud Charges, New Jersey’s Deep Crisis
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/nyregion/20jersey.html?_r=0

[Sailor Steve]

ISometimes for one reason or another i can't - but I try.
More than fair. I can say no more.

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/tech/mobile/motorola-moto-x-phone/index.html
:rotfl2:

Not funny, but the story it reminds me of is. My friend Rocky was having an argument with a Harley rider. Of course he made the usual disparaging comments about "Rice-grinders". Rocky replied by saying that the Japanese in-line four-cylinder was better than the V-twin in every way - faster, lighter, better-handling and more comfortable to ride. The Harley man said "Well, at least my H-D is made in the USA!"

Rocky replied "So's my Kawasaki. Made in Lincoln, Nebraska."

[Tribesman]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/tech/m...one/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/30/tech/mobile/motorola-moto-x-phone/index.html)
But isn't that an Irish company when it comes to avoiding tax.:har:
Then again its an American company when it comes to getting multi billion lawsuits for stealing other peoples products.
Still its nice to see Beijing approved the merger and 70% of the assembly will be in the US in what was a Finnish factory.

So its just as multi national as the "american" chippewa boots.

[gimpy117]

The economic model has changed since about 1980. The global economy ruined America. We were all told it would be a good thing, but it was a big lie. All the regulations were stacked in favor of corporate America, not Americans.

Look back before they could send our jobs out in mass, big business had to compete for Americans, wages were decent, most had good medical insurance and many even had that thing called a pension. This issured wealth was more spread and created a mass middle class and kept govt. smaller. NOw,we have an elite class of uber rich that hold 70-80% of all real wealth. Worse, now the majority of Americans want big govt, social programs, healthcare, etc., which is creating a national debt that can't be substained.

bingo.
Plutocracy is a funny thing

[les green01]

let see I make 9 dollars a hour,pay vacations,401k,company stocks,10% off on stuff I buy,free dinner once a month,and a bonus that can be up 2500 a year if we don't have a lot of accidents,warm and dry in the winter,ac in the summer my avg paycheck every two weeks is 650 dollars and I can even get 15 cents off every gal of gas,next last year the store I work at donated almost a million dollars to the community next we raise money to help the child network last year that was 35k and on a drive now to raise money for them,my death insurance is in my dad name so no reason do I need a handout seems like im doing ok working at wal-mart

[Stealhead]

I have a pair of USAF issue steel toe boots that I have had since 1997 I do not wear those every day but I have another pair of issue steel toes made in Wisconsin that I wore nearly every single day from 2000-2007 on active duty a ton of hard working abuse and I still wear those boots pretty regular.A 13 year old pair of boots not bad and I am hard on my shoes and boots.I think they cost me $0 dollars.

Another good low cost item made in the US are the BDU pants you buy the heavy weight stitch ones cut the legs off at the knees and sow the ends and you have a very sturdy long lasting pair of shorts.

[Sailor Steve]

Well. I woke up at 03:00 or thereabouts, short of sleep again. Turned on my computer only to find my mouse wasn't working. Tried different USB ports. No luck. Tried different batteries. Still no luck. I don't have a spare mouse, so there wasn't much I could do.

Then I remembered...guess who is open 24/7 and has computer stuff. So I drove to he nearest Biggest Welfare Queen On The Planet and bought a cheap mouse to get me by until I can figure out what's wrong with the other one. Turns out that for fifteen bucks this is actually a pretty good mouse. Maybe better than the other one. :O:

[Wolferz]

What Duh???
http://social.entertainment.msn.com/blogs/pop-spy-blogpost.aspx?post=25120f56-a609-4bd2-83d9-f0bdfb7203a2

Let's invite a bunch of media moguls to speak and perform at our annual shareholders meeting...
MORE BOLLOCKS!

[August]

What Duh???
http://social.entertainment.msn.com/blogs/pop-spy-blogpost.aspx?post=25120f56-a609-4bd2-83d9-f0bdfb7203a2

Let's invite a bunch of media moguls to speak and perform at our annual shareholders meeting...
MORE BOLLOCKS!

Sounds like you have an axe to grind against Walmart. How come?

[Wolferz]

Sounds like you have an axe to grind against Walmart. How come?


A sharp axe cuts better?:03::D

Perhaps I have a problem with those who flaunt their status while mashing the little guys to achieve that status. Read the article I linked above that illustrated what Tom Cruise had to say at that shareholders meeting. Mostly lies to make Walton' investors feel better about themselves and the corporation they support.
IE: Today there was an article on MSN.com entitled...
9 reasons why you don't want to be rich. WOT?
http://money.msn.com/leadership/9-reasons-why-you-dont-want-to-be-rich

I can think of 109 reasons why I do. :haha: But, I'm not selling my soul to Xenu to achieve it.:shifty: