Chances are, as a bottom feeder, you either work at WalMart, wish you worked at WalMart, used to work at WalMart or know someone close who does work at WalMart. You know that most WalMart workers qualify for food stamps, get insane work hours, no or little benefits and no or little chance of advancement. You may hate everything WalMart stands for – I know I do – and still shop there. I love the people who are saying “well if you think WalMart is so bad, just don’t shop there.” But shopping at WalMart is the difference between being able to eat for 30 days, and only being able to eat for 20 in this household. Maybe in yours, too. Since WalMart came into our small town they’ve driven several small variety retailers and one small grocery store out of business. Yes, we do have one family owned grocery left – and I shop there as much as I can. Some things they simply do not have – they are a small store – some things are so much more expensive there I have to go to Walmart. And now and then, some things are actually less expensive than WalMart, or so much better in quality (they have a real butcher for the fresh, locally grown meats) that it simply makes better sense to shop there.
The WalMart workers have gotten really brave this year. Especially since I’m sure they know, as I do, that WalMart has CLOSED ENTIRE WALMART STORES rather than give in to workers demands for fair wages. They have fired entire large groups of workers who dared to speak out or attempt to organize. Hell, we are talking about a company that tried to fire a woman here for taking a few days off to sit next to her husband while he DIED. They told her she should have scheduled his (unexpected) death in advance. I am not kidding you. They didn’t think she ought to get a day off for his funeral either. Luckily, in this small town, the manager gave in to popular public opinion when the story came out in her church and community. They ONLY penalized her and punished her with a bad review and shorter hours – for a woman who just lost her husband, and his income.
I could go on and on and on with WalMart worker horror stories, and no doubt you know some, too – or were yourself their victim. So lets do this – do not shop there on Black Friday. At least. If your local WalMart workers are striking, don’t cross that picket line. Let’s send WalMart a clear message that we don’t appreciate how they do business – even if we have to do business with them after they drive everyone else out of town.
Consider doing your Christmas shopping online. Consider taking the 30 days free trial of Amazon prime, so you can have free shipping on all your Christmas items. Consider gift certificates to online retailers. Better yet, instead of commercial THINGS consider spending time with your family and friends, and making homemade crafts, foods and gifts.
Because the real problem is that we are confused in this country right now. You see, we love things and use people. People are made to be loved, and things are made to be used.
Blessedbe
Some links for more info on the WalMart workers strike, and a petition (one of many) to sign in support of them:
Why We Should Support WalMart Workers Striking Black Friday
Why WalMart Workers Are STriking
Why WalMart Workers are Striking (video)
