Is This Good For America?

[kalm]

I used to make the same remark about Vegas...the very best and worst of America wrapped up in one place.

It also means you cannot possibly have a good answer to the thread question.

It's psychobabble bullshit, kalm. What you're good at.

It's pretty straight forward but I didn't think you'd want to answer it.

[Ivytalk]

It's psychobabble bullshit, kalm. What you're good at.

It's pretty straight forward but I didn't think you'd want to answer it.

It really doesn't bother me much. What are you going to do? Confiscate the Walton fortune and redistribute it? You need to get past that "malefactors of great wealth" crap,pick the best of the Simpson-Bowles recommendations to get the deficit down, and align educational policy with macroeconomic trends (health care, technology, energy) to build real incomes and build for the future. Also, the Vegas analogy
doesn't work: there's nothing great about that town, just glitz, gambling, entertainment and superficiality. If the Wal-Mart business model was that good, its stock price would be a lot higher.

[AZGrizFan]

And as the mid-point of family net worth fell 38.8% in the U.S. between 2007 and 2010 to $77,300, the Waltons’ fortune grew an inflation-adjusted $16.2 billion.

Household net worth took a 35% dive from 2005 to 2010, according to recent data from the Census Bureau. Recent pay raises don’t amount to much, considering the impact of inflation.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/18 ... s-20120718" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;[/quote]

Midpoint of family net worth falls 38.8%. Household net worth falls 35%.

Housing values drop 35%.

Coincidence? I think not.

What a sad state it is when Americans can no longer use their homes as ATM machines. And as soon as the cash pipeline dries up, Americans start turning over the keys to the homes by the millions.

People want the American dream, they just don't want to have to WORK for it.

[Chizzang]

America is Wal-Mart
It is what we have become - it is who we are
Wal-Mart is a direct reflection of everything that is great / and not so great about America
It is a literal one-to-one exact duplicate reflection of us

So what the fuck does that mean, Obi-Wan-Chizzobi?

Well there's two answers to that question...
There's the JohnStwrong 4 page diatribe or the very short sitcom answer
Let's go with the short answer

Wal-Mart is an American success story - good old fashioned opportunity and hard work - a family business with sincere motives and solid business model

Now take that and inject it with McDonalds Hamburger hormones / Cheaper Faster crappier
and Exon Mobil ethics and a complete disregard for where you came from and how you started
add a pinch of Good ol' Boy political fraternity and legal beagle "we can out lawyer anybody" right or wrong
buy 99% of your goods (and that's not an exaggeration ) from China
and lower the overall expectations of the general population in regards to 100% of your go to market

They're overtly litigious = that's America
They're questionably unethical but perfectly legal = That's America
They're aiming at the lowest possible denominator = That is America
They're in the sh!t business = Plastic low end garbage = which is how you become the largest company
You can just keep going down the list of Americanism

I repeat: Wal-Mart is a direct reflection of America, a spot on mirror image
I have no problems with Wal-Mart
It would be like hating your own children because they grew up to be fat and stupid and unemployed
You can't hate your own kids (can you..?)

[AZGrizFan]

So what the fuck does that mean, Obi-Wan-Chizzobi?

Well there's two answers to that question...
There's the JohnStwrong 4 page diatribe or the very short sitcom answer
Let's go with the short answer
Wal-Mart is an American success story - good old fashioned opportunity and hard work - a family business with sincere motives and solid business model

Now take that and inject it with McDonalds Hamburger hormones / Cheaper Faster crappier
and Exon Mobil ethics and a complete disregard for where you came from and how you started
add a pinch of Good ol' Boy political fraternity and legal beagle "we can out lawyer anybody" right or wrong
buy 99% of your goods (and that's not an exaggeration ) from China
and lower the overall expectations of the general population in regards to 100% of your go to market

They're overtly litigious = that's America
They're questionably unethical but perfectly legal = That's America
They're aiming at the lowest possible denominator = That is America
They're in the sh!t business = Plastic low end garbage = which is how you become the largest company
You can just keep going down the list of Americanism

I repeat: Wal-Mart is a direct reflection of America, a spot on mirror image
I have no problems with Wal-Mart
It would be like hating your own children because they grew up to be fat and stupid and unemployed
You can't hate your own kids (can you..?)

IF that's the SHORT answer, I'd hate to see the LONG answer...

[eagleskins]

The ironic part about this is that those top 1 percenters would never buy a single product from Walmart, while the 99 percenters of pubs in the red states only shop at Walmart.

[Baldy]

The town I'm thinking of only has Walmart. If they're allowed to be successful enough free marketeers that's all any town would have.

That's bullshit and you know it. If a town is big enough to have a WalMart, it is also going to have a CVS, Walgreens, and/or Rite-Aid. My town, for instance, has only one WalMart, but has 4 CVS, 3 Walgreens, and a Rite-Aid (not counting the dozen plus independent pharmacies). I know it's part of your schtick to present the worst case scenario as the norm, but even you're stretching it with this one.

[kalm]

The town I'm thinking of only has Walmart. If they're allowed to be successful enough free marketeers that's all any town would have.

That's bullshit and you know it. If a town is big enough to have a WalMart, it is also going to have a CVS, Walgreens, and/or Rite-Aid. My town, for instance, has only one WalMart, but has 4 CVS, 3 Walgreens, and a Rite-Aid (not counting the dozen plus independent pharmacies). I know it's part of your schtick to present the worst case scenario as the norm, but even you're stretching it with this one.

The real town I was thinking of is Ephrata, WA and they actually have one in the Safeway store and a Rite-Aid in addition to Walmart

But there are numerous towns < 10,000 with Walmarts

If it's not currently a reality somewhere...just give 'em a little more time.

[houndawg]

America is Wal-Mart
It is what we have become - it is who we are
Wal-Mart is a direct reflection of everything that is great / and not so great about America
It is a literal one-to-one exact duplicate reflection of us

The only people bothered by that are those of us old enough to remember the real America.

[Baldy]

That's bullshit and you know it. If a town is big enough to have a WalMart, it is also going to have a CVS, Walgreens, and/or Rite-Aid. My town, for instance, has only one WalMart, but has 4 CVS, 3 Walgreens, and a Rite-Aid (not counting the dozen plus independent pharmacies). I know it's part of your schtick to present the worst case scenario as the norm, but even you're stretching it with this one.

The real town I was thinking of is Ephrata, WA and they actually have one in the Safeway store and a Rite-Aid in addition to Walmart

But there are numerous towns < 10,000 with Walmarts

If it's not currently a reality somewhere...just give 'em a little more time.

I know, kalm...we've been hearing this WalMart doomsday scenario for years now, but for some reason I still see CVS' and Walgreens going up all over the place all the time. I guess they haven't gotten the memo yet.

[YoUDeeMan]

So six people have as much wealth as nearly half of the rest combined. And Walmart is now the 3rd largest employer in the world behind the US and Chinese militaries.

I would think any card-carrying, zero-reg, free trade, free market conk would have to say yes...

The Walton family, heirs to the founders of the Wal-Mart Stores Inc. superchain, are worth nearly as much as the bottom half of American households combined.

The Waltons' value -- $89.5 billion in 2010 – is equal to the worth of the 41.5% of families at the lower end of the income ladder, according to an analysis by Josh Bivens of the Economic Policy Institute. That comes out to 48.8 million households.

And as the mid-point of family net worth fell 38.8% in the U.S. between 2007 and 2010 to $77,300, the Waltons’ fortune grew an inflation-adjusted $16.2 billion.

Household net worth took a 35% dive from 2005 to 2010, according to recent data from the Census Bureau. Recent pay raises don’t amount to much, considering the impact of inflation.

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/18 ... s-20120718" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What is wrong with those numbers? How do they negatively impact you...or anyone?

If anything, the "poor" (now that is a funny concept) Americans are happily engaged in watching Dr. Phil or the newest reality show on their new (CHEAPLY PRICED) flat screen TV while drinking lower priced sodas and eating low priced chips...interupted occassionally by a call on their cheap, government provided cell phone (a newly defined "necessity").

kalm, you should be in favor of the Walton model...after all, it reflects what people want. More things at lower prices. That allows people to live a higher lifestyle with less money. You, and the people who are living the better lifestyle, should be thankful for Walmart. Instead, petty jealousy rules the world.

[kalm]

So six people have as much wealth as nearly half of the rest combined. And Walmart is now the 3rd largest employer in the world behind the US and Chinese militaries.

I would think any card-carrying, zero-reg, free trade, free market conk would have to say yes...



http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/18 ... s-20120718" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What is wrong with those numbers? How do they negatively impact you...or anyone?

If anything, the "poor" (now that is a funny concept) Americans are happily engaged in watching Dr. Phil or the newest reality show on their new (CHEAPLY PRICED) flat screen TV while drinking lower priced sodas and eating low priced chips...interupted occassionally by a call on their cheap, government provided cell phone (a newly defined "necessity").

kalm, you should be in favor of the Walton model...after all, it reflects what people want. More things at lower prices. That allows people to live a higher lifestyle with less money. You, and the people who are living the better lifestyle, should be thankful for Walmart. Instead, petty jealousy rules the world.

So more things at lower prices is equal to better paying jobs so one can afford nicer things? You think Walmart's success is good for America as a whole?

Those numbers have no immediate impact on me. But I'm looking big picture and long term here.

[death dealer]

We are WalMart. You will be assimilated.

[Baldy]

So more things at lower prices is equal to better paying jobs so one can afford nicer things? You think Walmart's success is good for America as a whole?

Those numbers have no immediate impact on me. But I'm looking big picture and long term here.

Big picture and long term?
Strive for something better in life than being a Walmart associate. The salaries at Walmart are higher than the industry average, but all people do is whine and complain about Walmart.

[Grizalltheway]

So more things at lower prices is equal to better paying jobs so one can afford nicer things? You think Walmart's success is good for America as a whole?

Those numbers have no immediate impact on me. But I'm looking big picture and long term here.

Big picture and long term?
Strive for something better in life than being a Walmart associate. The salaries at Walmart are higher than the industry average, but all people do is whine and complain about Walmart.

Somebody has to work there, but that doesn't mean they should be treated like garbage.

[kalm]

So more things at lower prices is equal to better paying jobs so one can afford nicer things? You think Walmart's success is good for America as a whole?

Those numbers have no immediate impact on me. But I'm looking big picture and long term here.

Big picture and long term?
Strive for something better in life than being a Walmart associate. The salaries at Walmart are higher than the industry average, but all people do is whine and complain about Walmart.

I just don't think there various successes are a good sign for our country. Do you?

[Pwns]

I tell you, all of the blue collar Joe Sixpacks that live in rural areas have no idea how lucky they are to have a bunch of antiglobalization, pro-union liberals to tell them what is best for them. Sooner or later they will learn they are better off doing a lot more driving to buy name-brand clothing, shop whole foods, and buy other items that are more expensive at other retailes but no better in quality.

[kalm]

I tell you, all of the blue collar Joe Sixpacks that live in rural areas have no idea how lucky they are to have a bunch of antiglobalization, pro-union liberals to tell them what is best for them. Sooner or later they will learn they are better off doing a lot more driving to buy name-brand clothing, shop whole foods, and buy other items that are more expensive at other retailes but no better in quality.

Perfect example of the disconnect!

Thank you!

[Chizzang]

I tell you, all of the blue collar Joe Sixpacks that live in rural areas have no idea how lucky they are to have a bunch of antiglobalization, pro-union liberals to tell them what is best for them. Sooner or later they will learn they are better off doing a lot more driving to buy name-brand clothing, shop whole foods, and buy other items that are more expensive at other retailes but no better in quality.

Two things:
1) I think you accidentally used the word quality in your post..?
2) Other than that I completely agree with you / Wal-Mart meets a need and solves a problem

Done...

[kalm]

I tell you, all of the blue collar Joe Sixpacks that live in rural areas have no idea how lucky they are to have a bunch of antiglobalization, pro-union liberals to tell them what is best for them. Sooner or later they will learn they are better off doing a lot more driving to buy name-brand clothing, shop whole foods, and buy other items that are more expensive at other retailes but no better in quality.

Two things:
1) I think you accidentally used the word quality in your post..?
2) Other than that I completely agree with you / Wal-Mart meets a need and solves a problem

Done...

I was with you up until this point. I think you accidentally used the words "need" and "problem" in your post.

[Grizalltheway]

I tell you, all of the blue collar Joe Sixpacks that live in rural areas have no idea how lucky they are to have a bunch of antiglobalization, pro-union liberals to tell them what is best for them. Sooner or later they will learn they are better off doing a lot more driving to buy name-brand clothing, shop whole foods, and buy other items that are more expensive at other retailes but no better in quality.

Two things:
1) I think you accidentally used the word quality in your post..?
2) Other than that I completely agree with you / Wal-Mart meets a need and solves a problem

Done...

Really? America seemed to be a pretty vibrant and prosperous place before Wally-World came around.

[Chizzang]

Two things:
1) I think you accidentally used the word quality in your post..?
2) Other than that I completely agree with you / Wal-Mart meets a need and solves a problem

Done...

I was with you up until this point. I think you accidentally used the words "need" and "problem" in your post.

NEED / PROBLEM
Two words that are based on individual perception
If you ask the Wal-Mart shopper they will confirm NEEDs and PROBLEMs solved by Wal-Mart
They are one of the largest companies in the world for these reasons

[Chizzang]

The world was fine before Starbucks too..
But they managed to convince every soccer mom and Mall employee that they need "Better Coffee products"
and that these better products cost more -but- are obviously worth it
NOW: There's a Starbucks on every corner in cities and mid-sized towns across America

Why..?
It's just over priced foo foo coffee stuff with a strong image or brand experience
But millions of people will tell you - they need what Starbucks has to offer



Starbucks is the 180 degree opposite of Wal-Mart
AND: They attempt to appeal to the Anti-Wal-Mart person and have succeeded

[kalm]

I was with you up until this point. I think you accidentally used the words "need" and "problem" in your post.

NEED / PROBLEM
Two words that are based on individual perception
If you ask the Wal-Mart shopper they will confirm NEEDs and PROBLEMs solved by Wal-Mart
They are one of the largest companies in the world for these reasons

I'm sure they will. But I, and I'm guessing you, are not the average Walmart shoppers.

[Grizalltheway]

Not sure how to react to this...laugh, cry, puke...or maybe all 3?