CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 15:31:04 GMT -5
I hope you are right. I guess we might disagree when that "need" is. We may not disagree on “need” – 9/11, Katrina, man-made or natural disasters constitute need. As my French army friend suggests it is timing - will we be proactive or reactive?
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Post by bruce on May 25, 2009 15:31:27 GMT -5
I have totally mixed feelings about Wal-Mart. On the one hand, overall they have lower prices than any place else overall. I've also found that they generally have a good supply and variety of items. On the other hand almost everything they sell is imported from China or some other Southeast Asian nation; I have seen clothing made in Pakistan and Vietnam. I also don't think their pay levels are adequate, nor their healthcare plan practical; for all but management (too costly). Their non-union status is not a big hindrance for me, as I don't know of any "big box" general retail store is unionized. The exception is Costco, but you either have to buy in large quantities (I bought a two pack of huge bottles of Ranch dressing, and had to give one away,I would never have used up the first bottle by the expiration date unless I ate it by the bowlful). So I feel guilty when I go there, but I go anyway.
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 15:41:54 GMT -5
johng, There is a difference between poor in the United States and the kind of catastrophic poverty that exists in other countries. Personally I do not understand criticism of good works simply because it is not aimed where you would want it. Suffering is suffering. Larry I am not disagreeing with you on this, however charity starts at home. I give 10% of my earnings to charity each year since I do not attend rch I chose to assist in God's work direct to those who are there to do it. My favorite is the groups that assist the repersoned folks and my wife and I volunteer and support them with money. Many people convince themselves there is no problem here because they ignore it and then move to another continent to make themselves feel good or get publicity for being so "good". Lets focus on helping those here and get them squared away first is all I am saying. We American's give a plenty to the WHO and UN effort to support the other unfortunate country's!
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CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 15:49:39 GMT -5
My favorite is the groups that assist the repersoned folks and my wife and I volunteer and support them with money. Johng a gentle correction the “R” word is as offensive to parents of “special needs” children as the “N” word is to blacks. Trust me, my oldest daughter works tirelessly with special needs children and is a staunch supporter in educating people on correct terminology. I am the grandfather of a special needs child. Emotion!!!
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 15:58:13 GMT -5
Bruce,
You are interesting for me as is jdredd! Lets analyze why WalMart has so many products at low prices and why those products are imported from Pakistan or China and other far away (third world economies)? There are no unions there. The people are pleased with an income and opportunity to export their wears and overall the people producing the goods are improving life style over what they had before this opportunity.
We can't compete with manufactured goods here because of the high wages and costs of manufacture due to enviormental costs and regulations. It is a win-win-lose for USA because we get the product for less and the other country gets an economy based on manufacturing. It is bad for us for the very same reasons because it has cost us our manufacturing base and we have become dependent upon other countries for our low cost items...
In an ideal world, USA would be improving the overall status of our people by improved production of more sophisticated items and electronic technologies but we are behind Japan and China there also. Albeit we have contributed nicely to the worlds technological growth via our Space program but now we are pulling away from that also.. Entertainment is still a large industry in USA and our hospitality industry is among the best on earth but that puts us in a "service society" status and leaves us dependent upon countries we may not want to depend?
I am really pleased to be an electrical contractor because everyone needs electricity and a means to use it.
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Post by bruce on May 25, 2009 16:22:08 GMT -5
johng-I agree with and understand all you have said. The only area of disagreement is that manufacturing has improved the lives of production workers in these countries. It has helped developed a managerial class but the wages in in manufacturing in these countries is so low that it doesn't improve their lives, although I guess it keeps them from starving on the street. An Indian worker producing shirts can't afford to buy the shirt. And this doesn't even begin to deal with child labor, let alone alleged slave labor.
Oddly I agree with both you and Larry regarding aid to those overseas and here. Poverty in the west doesn't compare to third world poverty, but on the other hand it is a disgrace that families, with at least one member working, are homeless. The percentage of children homeless is increasing rapidly.
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 17:28:59 GMT -5
My favorite is the groups that assist the repersoned folks and my wife and I volunteer and support them with money. Johng a gentle correction the “R” word is as offensive to parents of “special needs” children as the “N” word is to blacks. Trust me, my oldest daughter works tirelessly with special needs children and is a staunch supporter in educating people on correct terminology. I am the grandfather of a special needs child. Emotion!!! CM, my sincere apologies as I never wish to offend anyone, especially when dealing with this issue. Cheri (wife) and I normally discuss them as "the Kids" even though many of them are as old as we are. Cheri has worked with them since she was 17 (34 yrs) and me since 1994 when I met her. Mostly Special Olympics work and volunteering but since the SOI came in and revamped the routing of money away from our local program we have put our effort and money into Sports for Exceptional Athletes which is now totally dedicated to providing exercise and fun opportunities to the kids. Sincerely,
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CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 17:50:05 GMT -5
CM, my sincere apologies as I never wish to offend anyone, especially when dealing with this issue. Cheri (wife) and I normally discuss them as "the Kids" even though many of them are as old as we are. Cheri has worked with them since she was 17 (34 yrs) and me since 1994 when I met her. Mostly Special Olympics work and volunteering but since the SOI came in and revamped the routing of money away from our local program we have put our effort and money into Sports for Exceptional Athletes which is now totally dedicated to providing exercise and fun opportunities to the kids. Sincerely, No offense taken I share my daughters passion in the effort to remove stigmas. I applaud your efforts, I am nothing compared to those that care for folks with special needs, it takes a remarkable person to give of their time, time is worth more than all the money in the world. More emotion.
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 17:59:32 GMT -5
CM am I correct at some of the posting that you are a local farmer? If so, what do you grow?
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Post by bruce on May 25, 2009 21:03:52 GMT -5
CM, my sincere apologies as I never wish to offend anyone, especially when dealing with this issue. Cheri (wife) and I normally discuss them as "the Kids" even though many of them are as old as we are. Cheri has worked with them since she was 17 (34 yrs) and me since 1994 when I met her. Mostly Special Olympics work and volunteering but since the SOI came in and revamped the routing of money away from our local program we have put our effort and money into Sports for Exceptional Athletes which is now totally dedicated to providing exercise and fun opportunities to the kids. Sincerely, No offense taken I share my daughters passion in the effort to remove stigmas. I applaud your efforts, I am nothing compared to those that care for folks with special needs, it takes a remarkable person to give of their time, time is worth more than all the money in the world. More emotion. I often see special needs "kids" on bus line 1 on the way to/from Grossmont Center. There seem to be group homes or schools along the route. My heart goes out t these kids, their families, and the attendants who accompany them. There is also a school or something in Grantville on or near Mission Gorge Blvd. I'm afraid I couldn't work with them and hats off to the workers and volunteers.
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CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 21:20:56 GMT -5
I'm afraid I couldn't work with them and hats off to the workers and volunteers. Same with me Bruce, I’m to damn emotional, my daughter makes me proud I could never do what she does. It takes a person with an enormous heart and compassion that I could only dream of.
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CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 21:29:16 GMT -5
I have totally mixed feelings about Wal-Mart. On the one hand, overall they have lower prices than any place else overall. I've also found that they generally have a good supply and variety of items. On the other hand almost everything they sell is imported from China or some other Southeast Asian nation; I have seen clothing made in Pakistan and Vietnam. I also don't think their pay levels are adequate, nor their healthcare plan practical; for all but management (too costly). Their non-union status is not a big hindrance for me, as I don't know of any "big box" general retail store is unionized. The exception is Costco, but you either have to buy in large quantities (I bought a two pack of huge bottles of Ranch dressing, and had to give one away,I would never have used up the first bottle by the expiration date unless I ate it by the bowlful). So I feel guilty when I go there, but I go anyway. Bruce, I don’t think Costco is unionized, they sell socks wrapped in six pack pairs, I’ll buy a couple of 100 six packs every Christmas for immigrant (illegal) workers, but I’m pretty sure they are not union. I’m also pretty sure they pay better than unionized markets, but I could be wrong.
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CM
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Post by CM on May 25, 2009 21:30:27 GMT -5
CM am I correct at some of the posting that you are a local farmer? If so, what do you grow? I will PM you
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Post by bruce on May 26, 2009 6:05:37 GMT -5
I know they pay substantially more the Sam's Club. Perhaps they have taken the direction of Fed Ex, which has relatively high pay, excellent benefits, and annual raises(up until this year for everyone;this year for hourly employees only). This fends off unionizing attempts. The only divisions with a union is the pilot division and in San Francisco.
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Post by jdredd on May 26, 2009 15:07:25 GMT -5
I believe Costco is Union. That is why I shop there. Not that it doesn't sell the same Chinese crap as Wal-Mart.
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