posted on June 17, 2005 07:00:10 PM new
Did anyone watch Dateline tonight. It was on Bangladesh and sweat shops. Quite interesting as these are the shops that Walmart, KMart and Kohl's use.
What was interesting was that Dateline brought a worker to the US to tour the stores that she sewed for. To her surprise the pants that she sews the strips on sell for $12.97 a pair at Walmart and that is her pay for a week.
The worker can hardly make it on her salary but then they interviewed a buyer at Walmart and the reason she buys at Walmart because that is the only store where she can afford to buy clothes because of her salary. It's a no win situation.
posted on June 17, 2005 07:36:06 PM newas these are the shops that Walmart, KMart and Kohl's use.
And Kmart bought SEARS, so they will use people there also
Wal-mart can be fined and indicted for running slave camps.
Who is going to fine these stores? And for what you call slave camps? The people in Bangladesh? I doubt it. Is there more jobs there that pay more? What is the cost of living there? Some places in this world $12
a week you can live, roof, food and clothes
And while Walmart and others pay for 'sweat shops' for clothing or dry goods, EVERYTHING ELSE we consume, and probably (I'm pretty sure) the computer you are using Crow, at least every part and board, casing and monitor. TVs Stereos, DVDs and DVD players.. ALL of Nordstroms high priced clothing are made in China.
Ugg boots (who I used to be in competition with ) are not made down under any more, they are made in China.
posted on June 17, 2005 08:01:32 PM new
Gee, I'm SO surprised that a neocon doesn't care about using slaves ....
I'll try to explain , NTS, about something called morals and ethics.....naw, you're a righty...haven't got any point of reference.
As to "" Some places in this world $12
a week you can live, roof, food and clothes"
Well, this woman gets a squalid two room shack with dirt floor, no electricity, no running water, eats only rice and lentils, lives with her mother and child and two other Walmart slaves.
But if you can get a cheap pair of pants that cost more than her $12 a week than what the hell do YOU care?
Isn't that what America's all about...making a buck.
Isn't that the christian way ?
posted on June 17, 2005 08:31:44 PM new
::Yes, it's a win situation....Wal-mart can be fined and indicted for running slave camps.::
See, this is the problem. Your suggestion cannot be implemented because Wal-Mart does not own the factory. They are not running anything. They are purchasing from a foreign manufacturer. They are not legally responsible for the actions of their vendors.
Reactionary responses do nothing but turn people off the cause. Now that you have shown you have no grasp off the legalities, why would anyone continue to listen?
If you want to change the world you need to at least try to understand the laws. We could implement importation tariffs or quotas (like we just reinstated on China) with an exception for companies that are importing from fair pay manufacturers. Something like that would be difficult but at least possible.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on June 17, 2005 08:42:09 PM new
Oh Fenix, I'm ever so sorry! I didn't know you were a lawyer, too! Wow! How DO you find time to post?
Your...
""Reactionary responses do nothing but turn people off the cause. Now that you have shown you have no grasp off the legalities, why would anyone continue to listen? ""
..is such an easy "out". Nobody's going to care now because there is no law in place NOW to punish such abhorrent behavior ?????
No logic there
No, people don't care because they only have morals, ethics, and principles when they're convenient.
When it comes down to it they don't care as long as they get what they want.
posted on June 17, 2005 09:36:16 PM new
Of course there is logic Crow - you simply refuse to see it. Once someone has proven they have no idea what they are talking about people stop paying attention to them. It's obvious that you really do care about many of the subjects and the people involved. Wouldn't it be more productive to offer realistic solutions to the issues at hand?
I notice that you completely ignored the actual on-topic suggestions that were made and decided to go for the personal attack... that would be another tactic that turns people off.
I'd say you have a promising future as a radical demonstator. Too bad, you seem to care about these types of things enough that you could be a productive activist if you would use your quick wit to argue the point rather than your quick temper to attack the meessenger.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
- Ann Coulter
[ edited by fenix03 on Jun 18, 2005 02:12 AM ]
posted on June 18, 2005 04:19:45 AM new
Oh Thank you Fenix for the great sermon on the mount!
I still find it so hard to believe that with all your wisdom and skills all you do is post in a chat room !
I'm also so sorry you're so sensitive you take my post as an attack.
I can't believe I got this far in life without your guidance every step of the way !!!
And, of course, the cowardly belly crawling linduh slides in hiding behind someone else's posts. Hasn't the guts to answer my posts straight on.
linduh will you EVER grow a backbone and answer my questions directly ?
No, I didn't think so ....courage is not your strong point.
Now, to the important stuff ...I'm right.
Maybe one of you could address the topic ???
No, I didn't think so ...attacks are so much easier than dealing with the issue
You are right, it is a "no-win" situation. While most Americans find working conditions in third world and even some developed countries appauling, they still demand the lowest possible price on the products they buy. The current state of the economy, no matter what anyone says, is not good and hasn't helped the situation at all. GM is laying off thousands of employees and because they are cheaper, people are flocking to buy foreign automobiles. Boycotts don't generally work because you will always have a good portion of the population that cannot afford to buy anywhere else.
While I don't like to shop at WalMart and will do what I can to avoid it, how can I pass up gasoline for $1.85/gallon at Sam's Club when it's over $2.00/gallon at other stations? I think in that regard, a lot of American companies shoot themselves in the foot. Now don't go blaming it on labor unions. They've done wonderful things for this country and have helped to pass many laws that protect all workers. Not just union workers. Many people I know that are members of unions do what they can to keep their companies open. They take pay cuts, benefit cuts and cuts in hours. Rather than lose their jobs, most union members will cut out any excess they may be receiving as a benefit to being a union member. I have worked for unions and have seen first hand what they've accomplished for many communities.
Free enterprise is a wonderful thing, but it has spawned into a concept that breeds greed sometimes in gross proportions. Is it no wonder that so many Americans are flocking to the likes of WalMart to save a few dollars?
Cheryl
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Jun 18, 2005 07:11 AM ]
posted on June 18, 2005 06:19:44 AM new
Great post, Cheryl.
No attacks.
Showed some compassion(totally lacking in other posters).
Gave an opinion on the TOPIC(unusual in other posters)
posted on June 18, 2005 07:17:58 AM new
Your right Cheryl. I don't like unions but they are there and some offer great benefits to their constituent's but I don't think going on strike benefits them.
I don't blame you for getting your gas for $1.85 a gallon either. Everyone needs to go where it benefits them now a days.
I found that story really interesting. Minimum wage in Bangladesh is approximately 20 cents an hour. Some of those companies follow the guidelines that the American stores provide but when they are trying to sew clothes for a deadline because these American stores are demanding it they have to work them overtime. Wasn't it Kathy Lee the one who tried to improve those shops? It isn't the U.S. stores that make those wage scales it is the owners of the sweat shops which by the way are native to their country that set the price and standards and seem to be well spoken. I blame them.
Also what impressed me was that the women they interviewed only went to 1st grade because her family couldn't afford to send them to school but she was a well groomed, well spoken young lady. Since the show she does not work in that sweat shop but has job, which I think is working for an organization to improve those shops.
I don't agree with you about the automakers as they have made their own bed by producing cars that many people cannot afford. I doubt there are many people in the U.S. that actually own a car anymore because of that high price. Not many of the American auto manufactures are only American owned anymore.
I see our Chrysler plant just got a new contract to made Dodge Chargers so they will be around awhile and that is good news for the employee.
posted on June 18, 2005 09:19:22 AM new
Like I said - temper is quicker than wit. If not you might have recognized that I actually complimented you.
You keep right on rolling on that road of alienation girl! You got that one down and well... everyone should excel at something.
~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~
No, I'm saying -- I'm merely -- I'm saying what I'm saying. I don't know why I'm always having people say, are you trying to say -- you know what you can do if you want to know what I'm saying is listen to what I'm saying. What I'm saying is what I said ...
posted on June 18, 2005 11:39:43 AM new
"Boycotts don't generally work because you will always have a good portion of the population that cannot afford to buy anywhere else."
No. Mostly they don't work because the boycott or strike is in support of an organization whose members are infinitely better off than the average people whose support they seek.
Chrysler has a big hit with its new cars. The Brampton plant forum mentions they are planning to strike so they can git some.
How about we all not buy Chryslers because somebody making 70K/yr in salary & benefits for putting on speaker grilles wants 75K and guaranteed employment. Yeah, right.
posted on June 18, 2005 12:28:57 PM new
profe51, no there won't be less drivers. The definitive word in my post is own. Tell me how many drivers on the road own their own cars. I will bet only 25%. Notice I didn't say lease because that is the way the automakers are going. Lease is not own. They get their money out of a lease then they sell it after the 2,3 or 4 years of a lease to make more money on that car.
_________________
[ edited by Libra63 on Jun 18, 2005 02:06 PM ]
posted on June 18, 2005 01:17:48 PM new
Libra....might just depend on the area on lives in...as I'm sure more in certain areas probably lease more than others.
But CNN had an article within the last couple of months that said approx. 14% lease, rather than buy currently. The article stated it had been much higher at some point in the past and that they expected as interest rates rise it will start an upward trend again.
----------
Imo, some of the reason car sales have been falling....and not just in recent years either...is they weren't made as well here, in America...as they were say in Japan.
I know in CA, and for my family, we bought Toyota's....as they held up much better and they basically only required frequent oil changes and ran like gems. Here, where I am now...one hardly sees a foreign made car....they're mostly American made.
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On the 20 cents an hour....maybe the unions that aren't doing much for our workers here...need to go there and drum up some membership. They could get them union wages and benefits equal to ours here..... that would make us more competative with each other. lol
Then maybe the 'all things should be equal all over the world' group would FINALLY be happy. Well....on second thought...I really don't see that EVER happening.
"Whenever the nation is under attack, from within or without, liberals side with the enemy. This is their essence." --Ann Coulter
And why the American Voters chose to RE-elect President Bush to four more years. YES!!!
posted on June 18, 2005 04:12:59 PM new
" Here, where I am now...one hardly sees a foreign made car....they're mostly American made."
yea mean they actually have cars in Arkansas??????
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 18, 2005 05:26:33 PM new
NearThesea, you said, "Some places in this world $12
a week you can live, roof, food and clothes".
No kidding? Tell me where? If you can't you must be another WACKO that is out of touch with reality.
How about an American worker earning $7.00 an hour is he or she able to "live,roof,food and clothes. If so tell me where in America that is possible. If you can't than again you must be WACKO that is out of touch with reality.
posted on June 18, 2005 07:14:26 PM new
Evidently bigpeepa you haven't read the thread or you wouldn't talk to NTS like that, or you didn't watch Dateline. But I will go over it for you slowly. In Bangladesh their hourly rate is 20 cents an hour and that is the minimum wage they pay which comes out to roughly $12.00 a week and that is what they live on. Now most of the time they work a 60 hour week with Fridays off because of their religion. When are you going to pack your bags? And BTW you don't need to shout and call people names.
NTS is a very nice person with a soft spoken voice. She never riles up the RT, unlike you. She stops in once in a while and asks a question, talks about her daughter and granddaughter but very seldom talks politics.
posted on June 18, 2005 07:28:51 PM new
"How about an American worker earning $7.00 an hour is he or she able to "live,roof,food and clothes. If so tell me where in America that is possible."
ahhhh PA??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 18, 2005 07:31:41 PM new
Gee, I'm SO surprised that a neocon doesn't care about using slaves ....
"I'll try to explain , NTS, about something called morals and ethics.....naw, you're a righty...haven't got any point of reference.
As to "" Some places in this world $12
a week you can live, roof, food and clothes"
Well, this woman gets a squalid two room shack with dirt floor, no electricity, no running water, eats only rice and lentils, lives with her mother and child and two other Walmart slaves.
But if you can get a cheap pair of pants that cost more than her $12 a week than what the hell do YOU care?
Isn't that what America's all about...making a buck.
Isn't that the christian way ?
Yea like only Republicans shop Walmarts..IDIOT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 18, 2005 07:51:36 PM new
Here's the bi!ch from hell and her happy smiley face post about the degradation and suffering of others:
""On the 20 cents an hour....maybe the unions that aren't doing much for our workers here...need to go there and drum up some membership. They could get them union wages and benefits equal to ours here..... that would make us more competative with each other. lol""
It's .12 an hour and some work 16 hours a day and sleep at work because they're so exhausted. Now, if I was linduh I'd insert a smiley face here to show how happy that made me.
Nobody is asking for equality all over the world...but treating people in a humane way and paying them enough to buy food is not asking too much.
Sorry a "christian" high standard woman with "principles" doesn't agree.
It shows your total lack of humanity but then you advocate torture and certainly what these people go through is torture so you're just delighted with the situation .
Also in Saipan (a comonwealth of the U.S.) sweatshop are told if they get pregnant to get an abortion or leave ....totally approved by the REPUBLICAN Tom Delay(DeLie).
posted on June 18, 2005 07:53:17 PM new
no not all of us
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 18, 2005 07:55:42 PM new
" Here's the bi!ch from hell and her happy smiley face post about the degradation and suffering of others::
did Helen post in here?? I didnt see it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on June 18, 2005 08:50:37 PM newyea mean they actually have cars in Arkansas??????
Sure....pedal cars....just like the Flintstone's used.
You'd be surprised....this is mostly a retirement town...and most drive around in very expensive SUV's or Caddies. There are almost as many banks here as there are Churches. And remember this is the Bible belt. There's BIG money here in these Ozark mountains....don't fool yourself.
B!itch from hell....no, that's not helen, it's just cf projecting once again.
But I have often wondered if cf isn't really helen posting under a different userid....exposing her more 'primal/primitive' side.
posted on June 18, 2005 09:00:26 PM new
At least neither Helen nor crowfarm are afraid to answer posts unlike "Landfill Linduh". She seems to be able to call names with the best of them (this "high standards and principled "woman" but answer a post....nope, not old Landfill.
posted on June 18, 2005 09:28:25 PM new
The lady they interviewed from Bangladesh is a beautiful and strong person with a wonderful spirit and she deserves much better in life.
It's very sad to see any human treated the way those workers are ... and anyone that shops at Walmart can certainly afford to pay 20 cents more for a garment to make her life better than it is now.
Even sadder is that many of those factories in Bangladesh are closing because they can't compete with China.
posted on June 18, 2005 10:00:13 PM new But I have often wondered if cf isn't really helen posting under a different userid....exposing her more 'primal/primitive' side.
Comparing Helen and Crowfarm is a good thing as they are two strong opinionated individuals not afraid to stand on their own. Theres nothing wrong with expressing primal/primitive/original/honest thought ... its reality ... not like some who cruise here sucking and leeching and slurping up whatever they can grasp from other posters or a google page, riding along on each others backs because they have very little original thought of their own.
) are not made down under any more, they are made in China.
lol