For those confused as to why WalMart is a bad "standard" read this. [View All]

[JanMichael]

http://www.nlchp.org/FA_HAPIA/

And this, the "Rent Wage by MSA", look up your own damned city (MSA): http://www.nlihc.org/oor2003/

Oh, how about this, a some nice definitions of what "Poverty" really is: http://www.npc.umich.edu/poverty/

Has poverty changed over time?

In the late 1950s, the poverty rate for the total U.S. population was 22.4 percent, or approximately 39.5 million individuals. These numbers declined steadily throughout the 1960s, reaching a low of 12.1 percent, or 24.1 million individuals, by 1969. For the next decade, the poverty rate fluctuated between 11.1 and 12.6 percent, but began to rise steadily again in 1980. By 1983, the number of poor individuals had risen to 35.3 million individuals, or 15.2 percent of the population.

For the next ten years, the poverty rate remained above 12.8 percent, and had climbed to 15.1 percent, or 39.3 million individuals, by 1993. The rate declined dramatically for the remainder of the decade, to 11.3 percent by 2000, before rising slightly in 2001, to 11.7 percent. (6)

Some Walmart numbers as provided by the DSA: http://www.dsausa.org/lowwage/walmart/why_walmart.html

Wal-Mart's strategy is to use part time workers to reduce its benefit costs. "Associates" - as the company workers are dubbed - are told that if they work 34 (recently increased from 28) hours a week then they are "full time workers". According to Forbes, the self-styled capitalist tool, employees at Wal-Mart currently earn an average hourly wage of $7.50-20% to 30% less than unionized workers at Target and Kmart. The typical Wal-Mart employee earns $18,000 and isn't eligible for or cannot afford health benefits.

Wal-Mart has employed large numbers of women associates that it has paid less than their male counterparts. By maintaining these discriminatory practices Wal-Mart has reinforced its low wage structure and improved its bottom line. In 2001 a class-action lawsuit was filed challenging Wal-Mart's gender discrimination. Up to 1.5 million women workers could win damages.


OK, bottom line: Walmart employs some 800,000 US workers at borderline Poverty wages. Yes, most of those people have another low wage woprker as a spouse, SO WHAT?! So now you're defending the "Two Low Wage Family"????

My point? Look at the California strike for a moment. Workers in unionized stores make almost $10 more per hour and they get benefits yet the Walmart "System" is, OF COURSE, pushing their wages down!

Can you seriously say this is a "GOOD THING"?

I thought Democrats, the party that I'm registered as, should be OUTRAGED by this continual downward income pressure on those that can least afford it!

Look...I have a good job that provides full HC and vesting after only 5 years. Why should I care?

NO!

Why shouldn't I?