(Untitled)

[sarasusa]

OMG YOU MUST SEE THIS MOVIE!!!!111%^&?~^#...

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

If there is, was, or will be a Wal-Mart near you, you should see this movie.

If you're a U.S. citizen, you should see this movie.

If you form part of the global economy, you should see this movie.

Comments

[fourth_moon]

That movie sounds worthwhile - thanks for teliing about it, because it'll probably never run in Germany.

From teh odds and ends I'm picking up from internet and US-movies, being a commie or against free business seems to be something of a cardinal sin, if for no other reason because it's OMG unamerican.

But what is usual connected with "socialism"?

(Talking of cardinal sin: bad girl! Go post your PR and WIPR! You managed to get later than I, and I'm surprised that that is even possible. ;) )

[sarasusa]

Realized I forgot to answer the question! Yes, the mainstream impression of communism is that it's Teh Enemy--decades of the Cold War and the accompanying cultural baggage and propaganda ground that message deep into the American psyche. As for socialism--well, you can't expect us to make distinctions, can you? Pink, red, all the same! o_o

i avoid it like the plague

[arlobee]

But I get the plague about once every two years or so for some necessity when I am on the road and can't find anything else. I've found myself in Target a couple of times recently and it has a better feel, but I have no idea if their worker policies are any better than Walmart's.

One thing I haven't figured out is where to most conscientiously buy some electronic commodity that isn't going to be at any more local type of store. I'm thinkig of a CASIO watch i particular but there are a few things that fit into that category...[THINGS MOM AND POP NEVER MADE]

And I sin at Staples and Best Buy and Circuit City .... is there a "BIG BLOCK RATING GUIDE?"
Bob

Re: i avoid it like the plague

[arlobee]

a reply to me: I found the following on the Google teaser for a page, but the page (even the cached version) didn't have it or anything more about it...

quote: "if I support a big block store, I'd support CostCo - they pay their employees a living wage, give them health insurance, and support employee retention"

Re: i avoid it like the plague

[arlobee]

talk talk talk talking to myself again....

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2004/07/25/rivalry_between_wal_mart_costco_also_extends_to_national_politics/

"Costco is stronger in Democratic states. Costco is a friend to labor. Unions hate Wal-Mart."

Now where are they around here?

Actually, there is a rating guide...

[sarasusa]

...though I haven't really explored it yet (just learned of it at the movie screening, actually!):

BuyBlue.Org

"BuyBlue.org supports businesses that share our progressive values and ideals. We believe in a triple bottom line: people, planet and profit. BuyBlue.org uses our power as consumers to vote with our wallets, supporting businesses that abide by sustainability, workers' rights, environmental standards, and corporate transparency. At the same time, BuyBlue.org focuses sharply on businesses that violate the essential values of a sustainable, fair and profitable society through their policies and the politicians they support."