Date: Mon, 22 Nov 2004 06:54:22 -0700 From: BIRD-AT-pseud.pseud Subject: Re: M-INTRO: Exploitation for low prices While I agree with the idea that Wal-mart is an exploitive corporation at all levels and that it represents everything that is wrong with capitalism, I am afraid we don't have anyone to blame but ourselves. Because, bottom line, Wal-mart would not exist if we in society did not buy their products. So the question is, now that we have created a monster, what are we going to do about it. Marx would suggest that the power is in the workers to unite and stand against the abusive practices. But when the workers are poor chinese in oppresive countries the ability for them to stand against this giant seems pretty uncertain. I think that leaves it up to us to make our feelings known. To unite as people against the unjust practices. I hear the familiar whine go up, "What can I do, I am just one person!" Well, the people in Centerville, Utah (like other places) have banded together and are fighting infiltration by Wal-mart. Others in the media have pointed out the downsides so much so that Wal-mart now runs national ads trying to convince us that it is a good employer - and maybe to a few it is. Whatever happens I think the idea that more and more people are beginning to think about "how" goods got to the shelves of a discount store and who might have been exploited in the process is a good think. But as always - with knowledge comes responsibility. What small thing can I do today to make a difference? Mary Beth Mary Beth Vogel-Ferguson, MSW 801-581-3071 801-580-4861 (cell) Social Research Institute College of Social Work University of Utah 395 E. 1500 So. Salt Lake City, UT 84112 >>> Kaha-AT-pseud.pseud 11/22/04 1:04 AM >>> I totally agree with you on this. And i'd like to say that another thing that wal-mart is doing is that it is getting rid of private businesses. It goes into virgin communities, and with its lower prices, drives all of its competitors out of business. I want something ot be done as much as the next guy, but i really don't think that's possible. Wal-mart is too strong a company for that. It makes up a whopping 2 percent of our GDP, in other words, when it comes to policy making in washington, what wal-mart wants, wal-mart gets. It sucks but it's the way things go. I think that the best thing that we can get out of this is to learn a lesson from it. This is what happens when things get unregulated. It's America's bastard child and now no one wants to take care of it. --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu --- --- from list marxism-intro-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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