Walmart can afford to raise its employees wages
Deborah Turton | Wikimedia Commons
Your daily Letter to the Editor — Jan. 2, 2013
On “Black Friday,” some Walmart employees around the nation, for the first time, held a strike. Walmart workers earn so little that many must resort to public assistance, such as food stamps or, if ill, Medicaid. So you as a shopper might save when you shop at Walmart, but you as a member of the public pay to help many Walmart employees.
Meanwhile, six Walton family heirs hold more wealth than the bottom 42 percent of Americans combined.
Yet Walmart scorns efforts to increase employee wages and is ferociously anti-union. Its attitude is that workers should be grateful to have a job.
A University of California study calculated that if each person paid an average of 46 cents more each trip to Walmart, this would provide enough to pay the average employee $12 an hour.
If Walmart itself paid half of that 46 cents from its own great profits, it would cost shoppers only 23 cents extra per visit.
If boosting employees into a livable wage range would require so little, why isn’t it happening? Almost every American can understand what fairness means.
Why can’t Walmart?
Marquita Hill
BLACKSBURG
January 2, 2013 - 1:30 PM
i think that the roanoke times’ should transfer the wasteful cost it incurs when it produces extra “editions” and ads, then uses same to litter private property, the by-product of which is to hasten the depletion of our landfills….then apply that saved-cost to the wages earned by it’s carriers so that the carriers may be able to have a living wage.
is there anyone opposed?
People say they want American jobs, but then buy the lower-priced inported stuff. Stuff that would have been made here by American workers if our labor prices weren’t so much higher. Now, there aren’t many alternatives. We got what we asked for.
Definitely not me, Frank. I’ve complained about the litter and trespass (yes, it is) for a while now. A letter finally got it stopped, but it doesn’t change the fact that the Roanoke Times has been an entire business model around littering and trespassing.
They won’t stop, someone is paying them to do it.
Actually, Frank, the rest of us took a vote and decided that if you are that upset with the RT you should just stop reading it instead of continually wasting perfectly good bandwidth whining about it all the time.
Last time I checked, Landmark media enterprises, the RT’s parent company, is a publically traded company and as such can print as many extra copies they please regardless of how much it upsets you.
On the other hand, it being a free market, there’s nothing but a lot of thin air preventing you from producing a superior product and marketing it however you see fit.
Carpe Diem.
Steve C,
Landmark is privately held, fyi.
“Stuff that would have been made here by American workers if our labor prices weren’t so much higher.”
So, John W, would you propose lowering our labor rates to those in, say, China? In 2011, the top paying region averaged paying $730 a month.
Marquita
Your not alone. In fact, every delagate at the democratic convention who was interviewed for this attached piece would have voted to “ban corporate profits.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07fTsF5BiSM
Why do I feel like I’ve woken up in a nightmare?
Maybe if Landmark gave Walmart advertising for free, they could pay their workers more.
Can’t refute the study, so attack the newspaper that published the editorial containing the study. You gents are so adorable.
The study itself [http://laborcenter.berkeley.edu/retail/walmart.pdf] is from 2004. Perhaps things have changed since then?
Or, JohnW, we can use the tax code to encourage domestic manufacturing by making the bottom line difference less. We can also deincentivize overseas manufacturing the same way.
Companies like Mallwart are why minimum wage exists and is being raised in lots of states. They’d make people slaves if the could.
Since Bill Gates and Warren Buffett believe the government should mandate that they “contribute” more, and since they are the two wealthiest in America, maybe they should give up their combined wealth (over 100B) to these “poor” folks who are complaining that (even though they have a job) they don’t make enough money.
Or,
As Steve C suggested, it being a “free market” maybe these folks can “market” their skills at another workplace.
I will be interested to hear comments next week when these folk realize their taxes (err contributions) have gone up and they are bringing home even less pay.
Maybe if donkeys flew, we’d all wear hardhats.
Kristen, re: 4:59
I agree with changing the tax code, unfortunately most on the left would say we are supporting “big business” (if we cut to be competitive) or that we are hurting American consumers (if we increased tariffs).
Kristen:
“Or, JohnW, we can use the tax code to encourage domestic manufacturing by making the bottom line difference less.”
That’s what Australia does. They tariff the begeezus ot of imported cars. Can’t really back that.
gdad:
“So, John W, would you propose lowering our labor rates to those in, say, China? In 2011, the top paying region averaged paying $730 a month.”
If our inflation wasn’t so out of control, that’d be just fine!
“Since Bill Gates and Warren Buffett believe the government should mandate that they “contribute” more, and since they are the two wealthiest in America, maybe they should give up their combined wealth (over 100B) to these “poor” folks who are complaining that (even though they have a job) they don’t make enough money.”
–Comment by mikeO
This is an absolutely brilliant suggestion . . . except, Buffett and Gates came to that conclusion by themselves, literally YEARS ahead of mikeO.
Next, mikeO will be suggesting the invention of the automobile. The guy is FULL of ideas!
SNIDE— Comment by Dan Casey — January 2, 2013 @ 6:32 pm
Obviously Buffett and Gates and many other CEO’s do pay their workers a living wage (and then some!). Costco is a good comparison for WalMart workers and shows it can be done. Why anyone would be so childish and simplistic as to suggest it is the responsibility of other businesses or taxpayers to make up the difference for the WalMart workers considering their profits year after year is just beyond the pale. This kind of labor abuse is part and parcel of why the safety nets are so full now. Walmart profits more than prove they COULD afford to pay these people more and offer good benefits too. They don’t want to. Neither did all the manufacturers who chose to go for near slave labor wages in other countries.
If you want to support their “right” to move jobs overseas for slave wages or to continue low paying jobs here, stop whining about the need for safety net programs that creates.
I’m sorry Marquita Hill thinks poor people should be forced to pay more for groceries and supplies. Always beatin’ down on the least able, these libs.
Warren Buffett, as it turns out, is a major beneficiary for obama’s inexplicable refusal to allow the Keystone Pipeline.
You had to wonder why an otherwise smart man would posture like a clown for the pro-tax nuts.
“Warren Buffett, as it turns out, is a major beneficiary for obama’s inexplicable refusal to allow the Keystone Pipeline.”
–Comment by Suzie
Suzie’s always ready to trash, at any cost, ANYONE who has the sense to call her bluff on her insane politics. There are many good reasons to oppose Keystone (unless you are one of the Koch Bros. — they stood to make millions if not billions off it). As for Buffett and his connection, I’ll believe it when I see it published by a reputable source — and that certainly doesn’t include Suzie.
You had to wonder why an otherwise smart man would posture like a clown for the pro-tax nuts.
Comment by Suzie — January 2, 2013 @ 7:33 pm
…sayeth the Lord.
( http://blogs.roanoke.com/dancasey/2013/01/happy-new-year-on-the-monday-open-thread/#comment-259900 )
If you want to support their “right” to move jobs overseas for slave wages or to continue low paying jobs here, stop whining about the need for safety net programs that creates.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — January 2, 2013 @ 7:14 pm
Well put.
“…obama’s inexplicable refusal to allow the Keystone Pipeline.”
The guy posting as “Suzie” should do his homework. The Keystone Pipeline has been operational since 2010. The president gave his blessing to phase 3 in March of last year and it is being built as we speak. New persona, same old tired BS.
“There are many good reasons to oppose Keystone”
None of which you bothered to mention. If Obama decides to support it(as has been rumored), will you change your opinion?
“Warren Buffett expressed support for the Keystone Pipeline on Fox News last night. “I’m not an expert, but it certainly seems like it makes sense to me,” said Buffett. He added: “There are an awful lot of pipelines running in the United States and net, they’ve certainly been a huge plus for the country.”
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/warren-buffett-supports-keystone-pipeline_644228.html
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/299261/buffett-backs-keystone-pipeline-patrick-brennan#
Just because you can give someone a raise doesn’t mean you should. Just because someone thinks you can afford to give someone a raise doesn’t mean you can. If someone is more interested in figuring out how to get more money from their employer as opposed to figuring out how to serve their customer better do they deserve higher wages?
“If our inflation wasn’t so out of control, that’d be just fine!”
Inflation out of control? Gimme a break, John W.
“If our inflation wasn’t so out of control, that’d be just fine!”
And I guess that would include making sure the value of that real estate you sell doesn’t rise too much, right, John W?
“So, John W, would you propose lowering our labor rates to those in, say, China? In 2011, the top paying region averaged paying $730 a month.”
If our inflation wasn’t so out of control, that’d be just fine!”
Comment by John Wilburn — January 2, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
And you complain when your posts are scored and scorned? Really?
gdad:
“Inflation out of control? Gimme a break, John W.”
Do you and Sandi really not think there is an inflation problem?!
“And I guess that would include making sure the value of that real estate you sell doesn’t rise too much, right, John W?”
The market should determine what property is worth, not maniplated interest rates. I’m just fine with $20,000 houses if I’m filling the gas tank for $10 like I was at one time. Everything has doubled in the last 20 years. The value of our dollar is going in the crapper. You people want the policies that are sending it there.
24.
“There are many good reasons to oppose Keystone”
None of which you bothered to mention. If Obama decides to support it(as has been rumored), will you change your opinion?
Comment by Henry — January 2, 2013 @ 8:55 pm
Henry. Obama has never “:opposed” the keystone pipeline outright. What he has done is insist that changes be made in its routing to satisfy the environmental concerns of the Republican Governor and legislature in Nebraska. And he has attempted to get Congress to adopt conditions which ensure that the output from the pipeline is used in the U>S instead of being shipped to China. Republicans have blocked that initiative
Wow, I’ve only now seen the blog today, but what a starting point-Blacksburg businessman John Wilburn says that he thinks inflation’s out of control!
One hardly knows where to begin addressing such an inaccurate understanding of a deflationary environment. With other posts of today to read, I’ll suffice for now to note that JW was sincere and made that remark electively. So we can know it’s indeed the perception and understanding he holds, and is unaware of just how such a wide and readily disproven deviation from the truth impacts his overall presentation on other major issues.
If you do not like Wal Mart business practices, simply shop somewhere else. Hitting a merchant in the purse strings is the best form of protest.
Serious questions: what does the avg Walmart employee make now? Does this include high school kids or retired folks doing this for extra money? Why stop at 12 bucks? Why not $12.50, $15,$22.50, $30? Should a high school kid in their first job with no experience and living at home be making the same as me, a teacher? Wouldn’t that be fair? Why don’t we just take all walmarts earnings and divide them up equally among all employees? Isn’t that fair? (haha..remember when that last question was just absurd…now the left lead by their lovely “occupy” mob actually embrace this idiocy)
How long is the average min. wage worker stuck on min. wage?
I’m seriously pondering giving in and joining the “fairness” movement. With the 2012 election it’s clear that personal responsibility, hard work, and being successful are out dated notions. We’ve got the government to take care of us. So that being said, all my students this year will get a “C” on their report cards no matter how smart or hard they work…or don’t….it’s only fair.
I’m battling a serious head cold right now and some of the meds I’m taking have confused my sleep schedule. At any rate, I laughed when I read the article linked below. For those of you who take things literally, this article contains several notes of sarcasm.
http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/borowitzreport/2013/01/republicans-apologize-to-top-15-per-cent.html
I am well aware how difficult it is to “buy American.” However, I think it appropriate, on this thread about what Walmart pays its workers, to encourage us to look carefully at the labels of the stuff we buy. Tell the retailers you frequent that you are really looking for American made products. It can be done folks.
http://businessonmain.msn.com/browseresources/articles/smallbusinesstrends.aspx?cp-documentid=255135741&wt.mc_id=msnbcspotlight#fbid=VuKTTSMq3tb
All that #32 means in all reality is that “Warren” has found something else to assault me over.
Go jump off a bridge.
meanwhile deb, your taxes just went up because of the donkeys…!
“Inflation out of control? Gimme a break, John W.
Comment by gdad — January 2, 2013 @ 10:03 pm”
i see gdad loves him some high prices..just wait your wish is on its way..
inflation =
1. Economics . a persistent, substantial rise in the general level of prices related to an increase in the volume of money and resulting in the loss of value of currency ( opposed to deflation ).
2.the act of inflating.
3.the state of being inflated. OR The act of distending an organ or body part with a fluid or GAS
MUCH LIKE WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER DUDE
The only reason why I go to Walmart is because the Teabaggers are out in force, and you just can’t find so many people with Members Only Jackets and Mullets in one spot. Its really the only place where they can shop and let their morbidly obese children “Graze” and not be forcibly removed by Jethro, three cans of pepper spray, and a “cranked out” Manager.
Personally I shop small business whenever possible.
“That’s what Australia does. They tariff the begeezus ot of imported cars. Can’t really back that.”
That is not what I suggested, but I’m not averse to it.
John Wilburn, I am totally ignoring your ignorance on our hyper inflation problem… To this comment: “In 2011, the top paying region averaged paying $730 a month.”” YOU SAID: “If our inflation wasn’t so out of control, that’d be just fine!”
Comment by John Wilburn — January 2, 2013 @ 6:29 pm
And you complain when your posts are scored and scorned? Really? You claim it would be “just fine” for someone to have to live on $730.00 a month in wages and then whine about any response that gets? Seriously?
Maybe it is smarter to spew from anonymity because you sir, do yourself no favors.
A taste of what Walmart stands for:
Walmart Fined By Labor Department For Denying Workers Overtime Pay, Agrees To Pay $4.8 Million In Back Wages
http://tinyurl.com/d4x6k8j
Walmart CEO Pay: More in an Hour Than Workers Get All Year
http://tinyurl.com/agj88e8
Walmart has become the number one driver behind the growing use of food stamps in the United States – [by state]
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/corporate-subsidy-watch/hidden-taxpayer-costs
New Study Finds Wal-Mart’s Miserly Wages Cost Taxpayers
http://tinyurl.com/bg9n83d
“Go jump off a bridge.”
Real nice post from John W less than 24 hour after it appears that somebody might have one just that a few miles down the road.
All this whining about what a company pays it’s employees and what they “ought to” make is stupid. Before you go to work for anyone you “ought to” know what thejob pays. If you don’t like the wages—–look for another job. If you can’t find a job paying what you think you are worth you more than likely have a higher view of your value than anyone who is willing to hire you has and maybe you should liwer your expectations.
We have almost no inflation. Are you serious? Everything has not “doubled”…have you checked the prices of electronics? That’s just silly.
http://www.global-rates.com/economic-indicators/inflation/consumer-prices/cpi/united-states.aspx
Most recent CPI United States (inflation figure) 1.764%. 1.7% is hardly problematic.
Mike3, I don’t shop there, or Sams. I agree with you…voting with your wallet is the best way to go.
I see Marquita Hill has published a tome for the environmentalist extremist crowd. She’s one of those professional leftwingers.
As for Buffett and his connection, I’ll believe it when I see it published by a reputable source — and that certainly doesn’t include Suzie.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-23/buffett-s-burlington-northern-among-winners-in-obama-rejection-of-pipeline.html
Seriously? A journalist couldn’t do a simple Google search?
you just can’t find so many people with Members Only Jackets and Mullets in one spot. Its really the only place where they can shop and let their morbidly obese children “Graze” and not be forcibly removed by Jethro, three cans of pepper spray, and a “cranked out” Manager.
Justin,
Those are poor people you are ridiculing. These are the people Marquita Hill thinks should be paying more. It is unfortunate you don’t feel you can rub shoulders with the poor who can only afford to shop at Walmart. Dan and Kristen have voiced the same sentiment. Sad.
So, pammala and John W both think we can have a world where there’s no inflation? Do either one of you have any idea what deflation does to an economy? I thought not.
I find it especially funny that John W thinks we could have $20,000 homes. That’s almost exactly what the home I grew up in cost 53 years ago. John W, buddy, take a look at the kind of home those Chinese workers who make $700 a month live in. Is that what you’re pining for?
And it’s absolutely hysterical that pammala would accuse anybody else of being full of gas. She of the unreadable posts.
I see that suzie’s jealous of somebody else.
“Seriously? A journalist couldn’t do a simple Google search?”
–Comment by Suzie
I don’t do your homework for you, Suzie. Seriously.
“I don’t do your homework for you, Suzie. Seriously.”
Now where have I hear THAT before? Hmmm.
gdad:
“Real nice post from John W less than 24 hour after it appears that somebody might have one just that a few miles down the road.”
One, I didn’t know that. Two, I doubt it would have mattered, anyway. Three, I can find any common tragedy somewhere within 24 hours. There are about 7 million people in the world… stuff happens.
Kristen:
“have you checked the prices of electronics?”
Have you checked the price of gas. Neither gasoline, nor electronics follow most everything else because of very specific drivers. Raw materials are much higher and our dollar buys much less. I would think we would all agree on that much.
I don’t do your homework for you, Suzie. Seriously.
I didn’t need the source. You’re the one who doubted the story and personally attacked me along the way. LOL.
What you said, JohnW, is that inflation is “out of control”. That is simply not true.
Dan,
Re: 6:32 pm, are you suggesting that Buffett and Gates have already given their billions away? If that is true how are they still the top two wealthiest in America?
As usual, in your never ending drive for sardonic retort you prove yourself foolish.
Kristen,
Re: inflation:
I honestly don’t do much shopping, however my wife continually informs me that food prices are going up. Actually, she explains that (for example) a 12oz package of cheese is now a 10oz package of cheese and costs the same (or more).
I would think that getting less for one’s dollar might qualify as hidden (or not so hidden) inflation.
“Dan,
Re: 6:32 pm, are you suggesting that Buffett and Gates have already given their billions away? If that is true how are they still the top two wealthiest in America?
As usual, in your never ending drive for sardonic retort you prove yourself foolish.”
–Comment by mikeO
“On June 25, 2006, Warren Buffett (then the world’s richest person, estimated worth of US$62 billion as of April 16, 2008) pledged to give the foundation approximately 10 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares spread over multiple years through annual contributions, worth approximately US$1.5 billion for the year 2006.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation#The_Warren_Buffett_donation
“In 1994, the foundation was formed as the William H. Gates Foundation with an initial stock gift of US$94 million. In 1999, the foundation was renamed the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. After a merger with the Gates Learning Foundation in 2000, Gates gave an additional US$126 million.[2][9] During the foundation’s following years, funding grew to US$2 billion. On June 15, 2006, Gates announced his plans to transition out of a day-to-day role with Microsoft, effective July 31, 2008,[10] to allow him to devote more time to working with the foundation.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_%26_Melinda_Gates_Foundation#History
Mike O, Warren Buffett & Bill/Melinda Gates have pledged the overwhelming majority of their fortunes to charity but have not yet actually given all of them to charity. That doesn’t mean they won’t, merely that they haven’t, making you correct, Dan’s spin notwithstanding.
Dan,
Re: 6:02…lmao…
In your “sarcastic” response to me you suggested that Gates and Buffett had already given up their “wealth” (for the betterment of our country).
Now you cite “foundations” where they “promise” future donations?
Fact is that they have not given their billions, and they never will. You might admit you were incorrect, but, I am sure, you never will.
Your example above reminds me of the breakfast scenario; when the patron wants bacon and eggs; the chicken participates and the pig is committed.
If these guys were “committed” then they would no longer have “wealth” as it would have already been given away.
Nice try though, it is actually kind of exemplary of current liberal philosophy, “take from the future but don’ take mine”.
“Fact is [Gates and Buffett] they have not given their billions, and they never will.”
–Comment by mikeO
mikeO,
Do you truly believe that? Let’s get real. Both men have given billions to that foundation, and they have pledged to continue giving more, and they are making good on that pledge. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has current assets of $36 billion.
Where do you think that came from? A lot of it came from Gates, and a lot of it came from Buffet, who in 2006 pledged to give 10 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock PER YEAR (2008 value: $1.5 billion). The current value of those shares is $140,500 per share. I’ll let you do the math.
So while it’s true that Buffett hasn’t necessarily FULFILLED his pledge, he is making good on it. Same with Gates. I’m sure it irks you, though, that they would give away their money as they see fit to a charity. But I can’t understand why that would be.
Suzie, so you are saying that every person at Walmart that wears a Members Only Jacket, and still sports a Mullet, is poor?
So you are saying that it is OK for YOU to have a problem rubbing elbows with black people at Golden Corral because you can’t figure out how they afford it… I guess in your mind they should be at home cooking greens and chitterlings, while you sit back and eat some picked over, over-cooked chicken that some 8 year old sneezed on; but I can’t point out the fashion sense of my own peoples as being kind of funny and yet disturbing at the same time…? Personally I think it is funny to still see “Achy Breaky Heart” t-shirts on morbidly obese children while their parents sit back with their “No Bama” hats on while their 13 year old daughter is cashing her WIC check for her three year old… Isn’t that funny, Suzie? Go Walmart and give them some more tax cuts to help enable the poor community! Yeah! Romney 2016! Can’t wait to buy my Magical Underwear at Walmart! Because Mullets+ Members Only Jackets+ obesity= Po’ Folk! OK, Suzie, last time I checked they didn’t sell Douay-Rheims rolling papers at Walmart.
I personally see a lot of college students shopping at Walmart. Then again we live next to Radford. We also know at least a half dozen people who work for Walmart in various positions like cashiers, stockers, and a few other jobs. I’ve worked as a beer merchandiser stocking Walmart, Kroger, and Food Lion…and also worked for Lowes…and my wife worked for Food Lion. Sure, no one is getting rich off the jobs they provide, but being with them for a few years provides good opportunities for growth within those companies. The upper-level management positions typically pay pretty well, but often require a college degree, though, not always.
We could probably afford to buy elsewhere, but why would we? Unless the good are hand-crafted, the mom & pop stores sell the exact same ‘Made in China’ stuff as the big box stores, only at a higher price because they can’t secure volume discounts on wholesale prices. I’ve gone into dozens of these shops around the state, and checked the labels…and been saddened by that fact. Plus, the mom & pop places often pay the same, or less, to their workers as compared to the big boys…and usually don’t provide any health insurance at all, while places like Lowe’s offer it even to part-time workers…which comprise the majority of store employment.
Plus, I’ve encountered more than a fair share of overly pretentious and haughty local business owners who think residents have a duty to buy from them, even at their exorbitantly higher prices. Um, no thanks. I prefer my shopping without a side of arrogance. I’ll gladly go down the street to my neighborhood Walmart and shop there. It saves me money, and helps keeps a store employing close to 200 open.
I wouldn’t mind paying a little more to shop there if they gave their employees a raise and better benefits though. But I won’t pay a 20%+ premium to ‘buy local’ when the local shops stock the same stuff and still don’t compensate their employees any better. All it does is make my wallet thinner. But that’s me.
John W, it was an ugly and stupid comment even without the local incident.
gdad:
“John W, it was an ugly and stupid comment even without the local incident.”
Believe me, Dan wouldn’t approve what I really wanted to say. I stand by that comment.
It’s rich watching Gdad participate in a discussion in which someone accuses another of responding to every post made by a blogger.
There were actually two apparent deaths by plunging off an overpass in the past week, one on 581 in Roanoke and another on 81 in Radford.
So in light of that, when JW told me to go jump off a bridge I chose the charitable interpretation that he was simply ignorant of local news, rather than that he was callously implying the only other possible interpretation.
I was thinking of responding by telling him that he needs to get laid, but again, I chose the charitable path.
Warren:
“I was thinking of responding by telling him that he needs to get laid, but again, I chose the charitable path.”
Not to break the fine tradition of demonstrating how little he really knows about me…
“Believe me, Dan wouldn’t approve what I really wanted to say. I stand by that comment.”
Good of you to reveal more of your true character, John W.
“So in light of that, when JW told me to go jump off a bridge I chose the charitable interpretation that he was simply ignorant of local news,…”
Given his business, I wouldn’t think John W could afford to be ignorant of local news, so I assumed he knew about these incidents. Hence my reaction to his callous comment.
“It’s rich watching Gdad participate in a discussion in which someone accuses another of responding to every post made by a blogger.”
Says Ms. 25 percent of the comments on each thread herself. Nice try, suzie.
“Achy Breaky Heart” one of the worst songs ever written!
Debbie, I know right! Whats funny is there is this guy I work with, he still wears one of those shirts and his sister has a full on Bill Ray Mullet! He came to work one day wearing his wife’s purple jogging pants and a purple FUBU t-shirt… Hilarious! You can’t make this stuff up!
Walmart is his place for everything.
Walmart really isn’t cheaper on much. The only thing they are consistently cheaper on is junk food and beer. Like I said, I don’t shop at Walmart because I can find things cheaper and at a better quality elsewhere. When I get a chance to support our local farmers, mechanics, furniture makers, and clothing stores, I do! The experience, quality, price, and overall satisfaction is worth it to me to go the extra mile and spend my money with my neighbors. Of course you can get all of that in one spot at Walmart, but at what monetary price and at what societal price does it come? They treat their employees like crap and the employees pay that forward to the customers.
Jumping off a bridge used to be a bad thing. Not anymore.
I’ve jumped off of a dozen bridges in my lifetime, including the New River Gorge on Bridge Day. If I could stay out of jail and find a hole deep enough in which to land, I’d jump off of the I-81 bridge at Radford in a heartbeat. Twice, I’ve jumped off of the lighthouse bridge at Claytor Lake and once off of the Hale’s Ford bridge.
When someone tells me to go jump off of a bridge, I take it as a compliment and ask if they’d like to go, too.
I’d also like to rappel down the face of Claytor Dam, but those jerkfaces from 9-11 ruined it for me.
BASE for the win; BASE for life.
Justin @12:38, that is why I don’t shop there either. As for your coworker and his sister, LOL!!
JM White, when I was in the Marines, I was in a Helo Company, so we got to rappelling all the time! We also did a lot of “Fast roping” and “spy rigging”! Talking about a rush! I miss being in only for the travel and all of the fun stuff we used to do.
Walmart hires employees at sub-par wages and uses the government to subsidize what they don’t pay their employees. Roughly 80% of Walmart employees are on some type of government assistance. I work for Walmart, and most of our 270 employees are on foodstamps, wic, and live in section 8 housing.
So to the people who believe that Walmart employees are compensated fairly for their skills; ENJOYING PAYING FOR THEIR WELFARE!