Welcome to the Christmas season
Here we are again, in the Christmas season. You know, that time of year when people spend money they don't have, to buy gifts they can't afford, to impress people they don't like, all in the name of someone who was born with, lived with, and died with nothing. But there are some who have taken a different stance this time of year. Over at buynothingchristmas.org they seem to believe that there is something more to Christmas than getting gifts. I agree with them, especially after seeing people trampled on the news last week as they fought to be the first into a Walmart. But, I do still give gifts. They are in the form of donations to charity in the recipient's name, usually to Heifer Project International. They are a great organization who do good work.
Among the things that I did this last week was see the movie Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices. While I disagree with many of the groups that helped make it, the movie did put together a pretty good picture of what Walmart does, what they stand for, and what they have been call to accounts for lately. I personally don't shop there much, and won't shop there at all after seeing this. But it begs the question, "Where are we supposed to shop?" Other stores like Miejer and KMart are also keeping prices low by buying cheaply made products from overseas. Although maybe not as much as Walmart (they account for 10% of our nation's trade deficit with China). I heard some TV personalities talk about how they don't shop there and would rather pay more for better qualitygoods at a locally owned store. And while I agree with them, some people can't afford to pay more, including Walmart associates. So my answer is to buy less, like only what you need (no, you don't need all that crap in the discount bins and candy aisles), thus cutting your expenses and allowing you to pay a little more for things at the local farmers market or IGA store. Like the movie says, since Walmart controls 25% of the nation's tooth paste sales, you could send them a message by buying just your tooth paste elsewhere. So buy your toothpaste someplace else. It might just be the first step of many.
Well to close this entry, I will pass on a line from an online forum of which I am a part. It said, "If the world didn't suck, we would all fall off." Think about it.
Among the things that I did this last week was see the movie Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices. While I disagree with many of the groups that helped make it, the movie did put together a pretty good picture of what Walmart does, what they stand for, and what they have been call to accounts for lately. I personally don't shop there much, and won't shop there at all after seeing this. But it begs the question, "Where are we supposed to shop?" Other stores like Miejer and KMart are also keeping prices low by buying cheaply made products from overseas. Although maybe not as much as Walmart (they account for 10% of our nation's trade deficit with China). I heard some TV personalities talk about how they don't shop there and would rather pay more for better qualitygoods at a locally owned store. And while I agree with them, some people can't afford to pay more, including Walmart associates. So my answer is to buy less, like only what you need (no, you don't need all that crap in the discount bins and candy aisles), thus cutting your expenses and allowing you to pay a little more for things at the local farmers market or IGA store. Like the movie says, since Walmart controls 25% of the nation's tooth paste sales, you could send them a message by buying just your tooth paste elsewhere. So buy your toothpaste someplace else. It might just be the first step of many.
Well to close this entry, I will pass on a line from an online forum of which I am a part. It said, "If the world didn't suck, we would all fall off." Think about it.
posted by Staupostek | 11/29/2005 09:12:00 PM
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