The Walmart Saga

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by JohnSoCal

I would sure like to know how WalMart exploits Canada.

When produce can be grown in Canada for less than it can in the US, Walmart will buy from Canada and pay the Canadians less. If it was free trade, they would pay the Canadians the same as the producers in the US.

Contrary to what you believe, the Canadian dollar is much stronger than the US dollar and getting stronger.

That's true but it's also a relatively recent phenomenon (less than two years recent).

In fact the strong Canadian dollar is causing a big problem with their exports as it is pricing their manufactured goods out of competition. Canada has gone from running a constant trade surplus to now having a trade deficit. Ford is considering closing all their manufacturing there because the labor cost of building vehicles is higher than anywhere in the world.

Precisely what's happening to the US currently.

There aren't very many countries in the world, especially the developed world, that has a weaker currency than the United States.

Currencies readily and quite quickly fluctuate (when they aren't being artificially maintained like in China or the UK before the pound sterling crash), the point is is that one of the reasons Walmart became so successful is the fact that they could exploit the differences and make money off it. Local and even national chain supermarkets can't do that, at least those that aren't close to the nation's two borders.

Walmart has gotten too big, is now the biggest bully on the block to the point where it is arguably in the same league as the US oil and railroad monopolies and robber barons were in the early 1900's and the fact is it is not healthy from a business perspective nor a trade perspective nor a social perspective due to the reasons mentioned.

But because Walmart is listed on a stock exchange and uses strongarm tactics to give its investors a reasonable return on their investment, some choose look the other way when it comes to criticizing the company. That's not wise, its very very foolish.

And because Walmart is able to arguably manipulate so much of its supply chain to provide lower prices, consumers who shop there also choose to look the other way when the company is criticized, while others blindly defend the company do having loyalty to a rather glossy idea that Walmart is the greatest example of capitalism's ability allow for innovation to be nurtured and success to be rewarded. But these also are very foolish, imo.

And again, Walmart isn't alone in the using business practices that it does. The financial markets are rife with similar and always have been, imo. It was however one of, if not the, first to get it dialed in to such a global scale that it has done for its market sector.

[Zoom]

Ah, if only to have the I.Q. of a light bulb..... Um, hate to break-up the party kids but we (myself and the lovely BellaLuna) were talking about the type of MORALS Wal Mart practices. We were not talking about economics.....see? So boys, let's not get confused and all that (I know, I know, tis confusing - comprende !!) Morals is how the store behaves MORALLY (you know, all that stuff TV preachers set you straight on) so, if like having little kids work hard labor for 12 hours/7 days a week or whatever for some cool T-shirts is OK with you than go for it (let me help you carry that giant pile to your trunk, my pleasure - es nada). You can't play the song if you're reading off the wrong sheet music. On the other hand, You may have a point cause they are Chinese after all (not like us) so it might be kind of alright (I'm gonna check some Holy books on that "not like us" point but I'm running late. Gotta catch the Bull Fights so my research must wait until manana) Zoom

[coloma gold]

Originally Posted by Zoom

Ah, if only to have the I.Q. of a light bulb..... Um, hate to break-up the party kids but we (myself and the lovely BellaLuna) were talking about the type of MORALS Wal Mart practices. We were not talking about economics.....see? So boys, let's not get confused and all that (I know, I know, tis confusing - comprende !!) Morals is how the store behaves MORALLY (you know, all that stuff TV preachers set you straight on) so, if like having little kids work hard labor for 12 hours/7 days a week or whatever for some cool T-shirts is OK with you than go for it (let me help you carry that giant pile to your trunk, my pleasure - es nada). You can't play the song if you're reading off the wrong sheet music. On the other hand, You may have a point cause they are Chinese after all (not like us) so it might be kind of alright (I'm gonna check some Holy books on that "not like us" point but I'm running late. Gotta catch the Bull Fights so my research must wait until manana) Zoom

John SoCal and Voodoo...

Your arguments are presented well. It seems the only way to combat your presentation is not with common sense or economic reality but with "hip jargon" and "put downs".. typical of those who cannot express themselves with an courteous and logical disagreement... "Put downs" really only "put down" the speaker, not the recipient...

[JohnSoCal]

Originally Posted by coloma gold

John SoCal and Voodoo...

Your arguments are presented well. It seems the only way to combat your presentation is not with common sense or economic reality but with "hip jargon" and "put downs".. typical of those who cannot express themselves with an courteous and logical disagreement... "Put downs" really only "put down" the speaker, not the recipient...

Thank you very much. I agree with you 100%. I wasn't going to waste my time replying to him. He obviously is not capable of competing in the arena of ideas.

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by coloma gold

On the other hand, You may have a point cause they are Chinese after all (not like us) so it might be kind of alright (I'm gonna check some Holy books on that "not like us" point but I'm running late.

Heh,

1)I'm not religious
2)I don't hate the Chinese people (nor consider them slaves to the US's greed but rather their own gov't's policies with regards to trade with the US, trade with the rest of the world, and distinct lacking in areas of human right withing China)
3)I don't mind that Walmart is successful or that other companies can become as successful as Walmart.

What I want is fairness.

When Walmart, or any big business, can change the rules to give it unfair advantages and when they can buy off politicians or persuade them using lobbyists to influence otherwise good governance to give them unfair advantages, I have a very natural problem with that.

Morals is how the store behaves MORALLY (you know, all that stuff TV preachers set you straight on)

How incredibly rude and distastefully myopic, not to mention borderline mental. Let me guess you learned I was as such from the BBC? Or Newsnight?

That's sad if true, but not entirely unexpected.

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by coloma gold

[...]Voodoo...

Your arguments are presented well.

A wise, not to mention intelligent person would leave it at that. There is nothing wrong with disagreeing after all.

It seems the only way to combat your presentation is not with common sense or economic reality but with "hip jargon" and "put downs".. typical of those who cannot express themselves with an courteous and logical disagreement... "Put downs" really only "put down" the speaker, not the recipient...

I see. If you don't mind, I think you should know I find everything you've written in this last box of quoted text utter nonsense.

To say the very least, you should be able to field a well reasoned argument regardless of circumstances. You should not be too terribly bothered with insulting my intelligence nor matching me on hyperbole, jargon, or rhetorical responses for I am not the only person who will read your post, this thread, or indeed the internet.

I thank you for your consideration though.

[MDTaylor]

Target > Wal-Mart

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by MDTaylor

Target > Wal-Mart

Wall Drug ≥ Target > Wal-Mart

Wall Drug - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Fatbrit]

Let's keep the terminology good. It's Tar-Zhay!

[Voodoo]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Let's keep the terminology good. It's Tar-Zhay!

Lord Greystoke's lesser known hairy kid brother?