Editor:
First I would like to make fellow members of the community who dislike Wal-Mart aware of some more horrendous statistics in regard to Eureka’s newest big box store (“Touchdown Wal-Mart, Dec. 15). According to a “labor economist” from U.C. Berkeley, six children or children-in-law of the Walton family (the founders of Wal-Mart) had a net worth equal to the bottom 30 percent of the U.S. population or approximately 92 million U.S. citizens.
Secondly, I felt morally obligated to make it known that you are unlikely to ever hear me express gratitude to the soldiers of any war, especially the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan (Mailbox, Dec. 22). I am perplexed and frightened at how support for U.S. soldiers has become an issue which is not to be questioned, but must be blindly given. While I respect the urge to defend and protect the people, ideas and things which one loves, I do not believe the integrity involved in making such a decision is greater than the atrocities committed in this pursuit. After seeing countless videos and reading numerous articles and books about the indiscriminate, illegal and immoral treatment and murder of the people of Iraq and Afghanistan, I must say that soldiers who fought in such wars will never hear a thank you from me. The unfortunate thing is that one can read similar articles for every war we have been in for the last 100 years. The only difference would be the dates and countries involved.
Until we start to question and challenge the current unchallengeable support which must be given to U.S. soldiers , the atrocious wars committed in the name of the U.S. empire will continue to happen. As long as these wars to maintain empire (which are tyrannical, by definition) continue, the fear and hate that they generate toward the United States will continue to build. If saying this is “un-American” or unpatriotic then so be it. Let it be known that I am not proud to be “American” if it means I must support the terrorists who, in my name, bomb, shoot, kill and instill fear in the innocent and peaceful people around the world.
Benjamin Grunbaum, Arcata
Editor:
Great job educating our community in just a few paragraphs about the importance of resisting the whole Wal-Martization of this jewel of a planet — of our mother earth. Thank you, Larry Hourany (Mailbox, Dec. 22). Several weeks (months?) ago, I suggested that we just go ahead and let them come. They think if they build it we will all come! And they are right! Waaaaaaaayyyyy to the right. And I really hope we can prove them wrong. We voted against them before and now the vote is going to be with the dollar. Don’t give them any. If we don’t feed them, they will go.
Is that so hard? OMG look what I “saved?” What a rush, a physiological rush and a high “deal” addiction, spreading like a virus all over the earth. Infecting our children! Hello?
I am sorry to say that I don’t think you guys can do it. You will sneak off to participate in the frenzy of selfish greed. Feels damn good to be a preferred, a pampered, a first-class passenger on this flight that can only end in disaster.
Please think of our beautiful and now very fragile earth in all of your activities and purposeful actions. Do they cause harm to yourself or to others or to nature? So I am informed by Larry Hooray! — that Wal-Mart is guilty of causing harm. And as large a virus that Wal-Mart is it can be stopped if just one community defeats it! Why don’t we be that one community. Is it so damn hard to not shop there? HEY WALMART sneak right on in. And then slither right on out of here and take your garbage with you. One by one watch them fall.
Larry, your comment about the textile barons was perfect. It made me think of the coal mine slaves: “Sixteen tons and what do you get/another day older and deeper in debt/ St. Peter don’t call me cause I can’t go? I owe my soul to the company store! So don’t shop there.
Don Robertson, Indianola
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If I don’t shop at Walmart, where am I supposed to shop? Kmart? Target? Sears? How are they any better? Please tell me where I can get an affordable pair of slacks that didn’t come from a sweatshop and I’ll buy them.
Why the focus on Walmart? Walmart offers us reduced prices in our cash strapped states, counties, and cities. Democrats and Republicans at both the state and federal level offer nothing and take more and more; and they do it by force. How about putting our efforts into making serious changes in our state and federal constitutions that will absolutely starve out these self serving politicians. Walmart has a proven track record for low prices (a help to our citizens), Democrats and Republicans have a proven track record also—an insatiable appetite for money from us. They don’t care that we are hungry and dying. Their pantries are full and their millions are increasing.
So what if their net worth is more than the bottom 30%? you have the very same opportunity and right to create and build your own successful business. What’s your point? Pertaining to your second comment, everyone’s entitled to their opinion and my opinion is that your truly an ignorant idiot.
Corporations don’t care about you.
Very misleading statistic about the Walton’s having more money than the poorest 30% of the nation. Most of you reading this probably have more money than the bottom 25% of the population combined. What??? Impossible you say? Well, you see, 25% of the population have ZERO net worth. They have debt that exceed their assets. So, anyone with no debt and $20 in their pocket is richer than the bottom 25% of America combined.
I am no fan of Walmart, but I am even less a fan of manipulative statistics.
Any particular reason my comment was removed? NCJ?
An any rate, here it is again:
Corporations don’t care about you.
Rick, do you think there is something wrong with a society where 25% of individuals have no net worth, while a select few amass incredible amounts of wealth?
Kmart and Sears are the same company. Add in Safeway, Vons and the other companies Safeway owns, toss them all in a pot, add a dash of any other “megacorps” coughs Winco coughs and guess what, you have enough room for a Walmart. Funny thing is that the Walmart DC is closer to Eureka than the Sears, JC Pennys, and Kmart DC’s, so in a way, you’ll be supporting local if you shop at Walmart.
Don’t worry about your pants J.Alora, the cotton it grown right here in California, by people who don’t get overtime until 60 hours a week, transported to the docks by people who can work 138 hours a week, no overtime, then loaded by union people making 148K a year, shipped overseas, processed, by people making 15 cents a month, because blue collar jobs are a sin in the USA, unloaded by the union fellows, fellows is the correct term as longshoremen hate, women, and people of color, shipped to the DC by people who work 70+ hours a week no over time, then handled in the warehouse by people making between $15-$19 an hour, OT after 40 hours, moved from the DC to the stores…this is where it gets hard, Walmart pays their company drivers rather well, so it could be a high of 120K a year for the driver if it is Walmart, or a low of well, very low if not Walmart, then unloaded by a person making OT after 40, then stocked, sold and worn by you.
Supply chains are rather different than one thinks. Walmart pays it’s people the best in the supply chain side, much higher rates than most other places.
http://www.orvis.com/ makes slacks in the USA I think.
Is it wrong to force people to live within their means? What do you think the woman with 15 kids from 3 babydaddies net worth is? What should we do about people like her?
Slie, many of the people in the bottom 25% are not the type of people you are thinking they are. They include many with good paying jobs, homeowners, college educated. With so many people upside down on their houses, so many folks with student loans to pay off even though they have a good job, so many people who have two brand new financed cars and credit card debt that even though they might make $100,000 a year, they still have no net worth. So, no, it doesn’t really bother me, because the statistic stated is meant to fool you into thinking it shows something that it does not.
So the poor in this country are largely just overstretched families who can’t budget? And the antidote is living within their means?
I guess it’s easy to pass judgement when you’re in a comfortable position.
We should just kill the poor, right?
Slie, I don’t think you are getting my point. My point is that the author is using manipulative statistics to falsely state the wealth disparity between the Walton’s and general society.
I mean six people having the the wealth of the bottom 30% of Americans sounds horrible, right? That is why they skewed it this way. It is a true statement of course, but as I said, VERY misleading. In actuality the six Walton’s have approximately .13% of the US wealth. Yep, only one-tenth of one percent, but that doesn’t sound nearly as bad as having the combined wealth of the poorest 30% now does it?
Don’t believe everything you read!
Even if the statement is true, if often does not accurately reflect the TRUTH.
Slie is nothing more than a drama queen. If the facts don’t match the issue at hand, add drama until they do.
At least I’m not a lame troll. 🙁
Pretty much the same thing Slie.
Thanks for the stats primer, Rick, but it’s not necessary.
You’re the one e-stalking Joel, AnonRTroll. 😛
Hey Benjamin: I don’t need your thanks. I’m a Vietnam veteran who has returned to Vietnam many times. I’ve been thanked for our sacrifice over and over again by the People of that wonderful country. When they learn that I am a returning veteran, I get the red carpet treatment. They have somehow forgiven us for abandoning them in the middle of their ongoing struggle. Only when you’ve lived under tyranny can you appreciate freedom. If people like you had your way, no one would be free. You are a pathetic victim of left-wing propaganda.
First, Indica Jones had a great post until he used the line “you are a pathetic victim of left-wing propaganda”……you lost all credibility, sorry brother.
Second, Mr. Grunbaum, ever heard the statement “if you don’t have something nice to say don’t say it at all”? You should try keeping your opinion to yourself. But since you can’t, enjoy the freedom my brothers and sister in-arms have afforded you.