The epitome of what’s wrong with America - Wal Mart now worth a TRILLION dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot I find incredibly depressing about Walmart. But in many communities there would be no groceries, no pharmacy, nowhere to get eyeglasses or books or socks or underwear or warm coats or school supplies, without it.

Yes, that’s a sign of other deep problems. But it’s also the reality for many people. And I dont think calling the people who shop there — many of whom have been utterly, devastatingly left behind by greater economic forces — is especially helpful, let alone kind.

That is because they came in and put everyone else out of business.

PP. Well, yes. This is true (amid other reasons for the hollowing out of communities — from NAFTA to the decimation of rural healthcare providers, to the industrialization of agriculture) As I say, it’s a sign of other, deeper problems.

But nobody did anything over many decades to protect these communities from all those changes, and now here we are.

And the people in these communities did nothing to protect themselves, and continue to do nothing to help themselves. That’s why MAGA has been able to take hold - Americans are self-destructive morons.

How do you suggest they should have protected themselves from the closures of thousands of hospitals and other health care institutions, which are often the largest employers in town?

They could have started by not voting for the folks who closed the hospitals.

Well, the hospitals have been closing since the 1980s. Literally thousands of them, sometimes with only days notice. That's just hospitals, too -- they've lost an array of other health providers, too.
.
And as a reminder, the dems were in charge during NAFTA.

To be clear: I am absolutely not a "both sides" person. I know that the modern GOP is uniquely (mind-bogglingly) destructive, and will actively harm these people. I also think the GOP has been on the track of destroying American middle class and community life since at least Reagan (and with agricultural policy, Nixon).

But saying, "they deserve it because they voted wrong" is neither fair nor historically accurate. As it happens, Iowa voted for democrats in six of the seven presidential elections between 1988-2012. Same with Michigan. Wisconsin voted for democrats in all seven of these presidential elections.

BTW, you know what would help rural hospitals and health infrastructure? Medicare for All, as well as a law that holds private equity (which strips community institutions for parts and leaves only a graveyard of bones) to standards when they invest in institutions that are essential to a community's well being (and literally lifesaving).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an example of what makes this a great country. Give people what they want, do it better than your competitors, and be rewarded for your initiative and hard work. Not incidentally, provide employment for 2.1M people, for all your suppliers, and pay taxes wherever you operate.

Anyone who fails to see how this is anything but a staggeringly emphatic success story needs to take a break from reading Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto and instead have a look at The Wealth of Nations and Capitalism and Freedom.

^^ It is a staggering success story that was in part aided by policy choices that did not accrue equally to all competitors.

No policies were enacted by any government which favored Wal Mart over competitors. It was just more visionary, more agile, and better managed. The results are from being a better business, not from competitors being somehow artificially held back, or Wal Mart being given some kind of preferential tax or other treatment to allow it compete on some fictitiously uneven playing field. It has been, quite simply, a better business than those it overtook.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walmart has surpassed a TRILLION dollars in valuation.

We are a nation of mouthbreathers. Literally the WORST company on earth, with the worst customers on earth, is now the most valuable company on earth.


I hate this country and the people in it so much I think my head is going explode one day.

and remember

Hillary, the Democrats queen, started her life as a lawyer at walmart , defending walmart against employee and customers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an example of what makes this a great country. Give people what they want, do it better than your competitors, and be rewarded for your initiative and hard work. Not incidentally, provide employment for 2.1M people, for all your suppliers, and pay taxes wherever you operate.

Anyone who fails to see how this is anything but a staggeringly emphatic success story needs to take a break from reading Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto and instead have a look at The Wealth of Nations and Capitalism and Freedom.

LOL I guarantee you’ve never read any of those books you mouth-breathing turd.

What an erudite response.

I expect that even now you're developing your business plan for an enterprise which will leave Wal Mart in the dust, due to your superior insights into marketing, customer service, product selection, logistics, cost containment, employee recruitment, retention, and development, and the myriad other factors which contribute to business success when the government doesn't put its thumb on the scale to artificially favor otherwise uncompetitive alternatives it prefers for purely political reasons.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot I find incredibly depressing about Walmart. But in many communities there would be no groceries, no pharmacy, nowhere to get eyeglasses or books or socks or underwear or warm coats or school supplies, without it.

Yes, that’s a sign of other deep problems. But it’s also the reality for many people. And I dont think calling the people who shop there — many of whom have been utterly, devastatingly left behind by greater economic forces — is especially helpful, let alone kind.

That is because they came in and put everyone else out of business.

PP. Well, yes. This is true (amid other reasons for the hollowing out of communities — from NAFTA to the decimation of rural healthcare providers, to the industrialization of agriculture) As I say, it’s a sign of other, deeper problems.

But nobody did anything over many decades to protect these communities from all those changes, and now here we are.

And the people in these communities did nothing to protect themselves, and continue to do nothing to help themselves. That’s why MAGA has been able to take hold - Americans are self-destructive morons.

How do you suggest they should have protected themselves from the closures of thousands of hospitals and other health care institutions, which are often the largest employers in town?

They could have started by not voting for the folks who closed the hospitals.

Well, the hospitals have been closing since the 1980s. Literally thousands of them, sometimes with only days notice. That's just hospitals, too -- they've lost an array of other health providers, too.
.
And as a reminder, the dems were in charge during NAFTA.

To be clear: I am absolutely not a "both sides" person. I know that the modern GOP is uniquely (mind-bogglingly) destructive, and will actively harm these people. I also think the GOP has been on the track of destroying American middle class and community life since at least Reagan (and with agricultural policy, Nixon).

But saying, "they deserve it because they voted wrong" is neither fair nor historically accurate. As it happens, Iowa voted for democrats in six of the seven presidential elections between 1988-2012. Same with Michigan. Wisconsin voted for democrats in all seven of these presidential elections.

BTW, you know what would help rural hospitals and health infrastructure? Medicare for All, as well as a law that holds private equity (which strips community institutions for parts and leaves only a graveyard of bones) to standards when they invest in institutions that are essential to a community's well being (and literally lifesaving).

None of what you wrote contradicts what I said. Rural America continues to overwhelmingly vote Republican. It’s completely fair to say at this point that they’re getting the government they deserve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an example of what makes this a great country. Give people what they want, do it better than your competitors, and be rewarded for your initiative and hard work. Not incidentally, provide employment for 2.1M people, for all your suppliers, and pay taxes wherever you operate.

Anyone who fails to see how this is anything but a staggeringly emphatic success story needs to take a break from reading Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto and instead have a look at The Wealth of Nations and Capitalism and Freedom.

LOL I guarantee you’ve never read any of those books you mouth-breathing turd.

What an erudite response.

I expect that even now you're developing your business plan for an enterprise which will leave Wal Mart in the dust, due to your superior insights into marketing, customer service, product selection, logistics, cost containment, employee recruitment, retention, and development, and the myriad other factors which contribute to business success when the government doesn't put its thumb on the scale to artificially favor otherwise uncompetitive alternatives it prefers for purely political reasons.

You have completely lost the plot. Shocking.

Just another wannabe business bro pretending to be educated.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot I find incredibly depressing about Walmart. But in many communities there would be no groceries, no pharmacy, nowhere to get eyeglasses or books or socks or underwear or warm coats or school supplies, without it.

Yes, that’s a sign of other deep problems. But it’s also the reality for many people. And I dont think calling the people who shop there — many of whom have been utterly, devastatingly left behind by greater economic forces — is especially helpful, let alone kind.

That is because they came in and put everyone else out of business.

PP. Well, yes. This is true (amid other reasons for the hollowing out of communities — from NAFTA to the decimation of rural healthcare providers, to the industrialization of agriculture) As I say, it’s a sign of other, deeper problems.

But nobody did anything over many decades to protect these communities from all those changes, and now here we are.

And the people in these communities did nothing to protect themselves, and continue to do nothing to help themselves. That’s why MAGA has been able to take hold - Americans are self-destructive morons.

How do you suggest they should have protected themselves from the closures of thousands of hospitals and other health care institutions, which are often the largest employers in town?

They could have started by not voting for the folks who closed the hospitals.

Well, the hospitals have been closing since the 1980s. Literally thousands of them, sometimes with only days notice. That's just hospitals, too -- they've lost an array of other health providers, too.
.
And as a reminder, the dems were in charge during NAFTA.

To be clear: I am absolutely not a "both sides" person. I know that the modern GOP is uniquely (mind-bogglingly) destructive, and will actively harm these people. I also think the GOP has been on the track of destroying American middle class and community life since at least Reagan (and with agricultural policy, Nixon).

But saying, "they deserve it because they voted wrong" is neither fair nor historically accurate. As it happens, Iowa voted for democrats in six of the seven presidential elections between 1988-2012. Same with Michigan. Wisconsin voted for democrats in all seven of these presidential elections.

BTW, you know what would help rural hospitals and health infrastructure? Medicare for All, as well as a law that holds private equity (which strips community institutions for parts and leaves only a graveyard of bones) to standards when they invest in institutions that are essential to a community's well being (and literally lifesaving).

None of what you wrote contradicts what I said. Rural America continues to overwhelmingly vote Republican. It’s completely fair to say at this point that they’re getting the government they deserve.

It’s this lack of empathy and othering that is so sad and historically out of character for the left. It’s not as black and white as you paint it out to be. Maybe you should get out of your blue bubble and spend some time in these rural areas and even a Walmart or two. You’re very out of touch with reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were just discussing buying more from Walmart as an alternative to Amazon.

I do think that buying from Walmart is slightly better than buying from that fascist Jeff Bezos. Only slightly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot I find incredibly depressing about Walmart. But in many communities there would be no groceries, no pharmacy, nowhere to get eyeglasses or books or socks or underwear or warm coats or school supplies, without it.

Yes, that’s a sign of other deep problems. But it’s also the reality for many people. And I dont think calling the people who shop there — many of whom have been utterly, devastatingly left behind by greater economic forces — is especially helpful, let alone kind.

A friend of mine buys all her groceries at Walmart because it's cheap. Cheaper than Aldi, than Trader Joe's. She can't afford to shop at Giant, and she's never shop at Whole Foods (too expensive, and owned by that evil man and his ozempic-sculpted wife). She has no where else to shop in the winter. In the summer she buys food at farmers markets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The average Walmart consumer is a white baby boomer woman who makes less than 80k a year. Are you a misogynist? Or ageist? Or classist?

Walmart has kept people poor. Small towns cannibalized other smell towns, forcing folks to shop there. This is by design.

Maybe if people stopped shopping there…

I don't shop at Walmart because it's like stealing from poor people. Walmart squeezes its suppliers, who in turn squeeze their workers. Walmart's prices aren't low because they are making less profits. But if you can't afford to shop elsewhere....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walmart has surpassed a TRILLION dollars in valuation.

We are a nation of mouthbreathers. Literally the WORST company on earth, with the worst customers on earth, is now the most valuable company on earth.


I hate this country and the people in it so much I think my head is going explode one day.

Wow, you sound lovely. Please see yourself out, ASAP. This country doesn't need you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's an example of what makes this a great country. Give people what they want, do it better than your competitors, and be rewarded for your initiative and hard work. Not incidentally, provide employment for 2.1M people, for all your suppliers, and pay taxes wherever you operate.

Anyone who fails to see how this is anything but a staggeringly emphatic success story needs to take a break from reading Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto and instead have a look at The Wealth of Nations and Capitalism and Freedom.

Yeah, and treat your employees like sheet, hand out SNAP applications to employees because they can't afford to feed themselves on what Walmart pays. And make sure those children making that cheap crap that Walmart sells are starving in those countries overseas that have no child labor laws. Walmart does its best to rake in money while keeping poor people POOR and getting poorer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Walmart has surpassed a TRILLION dollars in valuation.

We are a nation of mouthbreathers. Literally the WORST company on earth, with the worst customers on earth, is now the most valuable company on earth.


I hate this country and the people in it so much I think my head is going explode one day.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There’s a lot I find incredibly depressing about Walmart. But in many communities there would be no groceries, no pharmacy, nowhere to get eyeglasses or books or socks or underwear or warm coats or school supplies, without it.

Yes, that’s a sign of other deep problems. But it’s also the reality for many people. And I dont think calling the people who shop there — many of whom have been utterly, devastatingly left behind by greater economic forces — is especially helpful, let alone kind.

That is because they came in and put everyone else out of business.

PP. Well, yes. This is true (amid other reasons for the hollowing out of communities — from NAFTA to the decimation of rural healthcare providers, to the industrialization of agriculture) As I say, it’s a sign of other, deeper problems.

But nobody did anything over many decades to protect these communities from all those changes, and now here we are.

And the people in these communities did nothing to protect themselves, and continue to do nothing to help themselves. That’s why MAGA has been able to take hold - Americans are self-destructive morons.

How do you suggest they should have protected themselves from the closures of thousands of hospitals and other health care institutions, which are often the largest employers in town?

They could have started by not voting for the folks who closed the hospitals.

Well, the hospitals have been closing since the 1980s. Literally thousands of them, sometimes with only days notice. That's just hospitals, too -- they've lost an array of other health providers, too.
.
And as a reminder, the dems were in charge during NAFTA.

To be clear: I am absolutely not a "both sides" person. I know that the modern GOP is uniquely (mind-bogglingly) destructive, and will actively harm these people. I also think the GOP has been on the track of destroying American middle class and community life since at least Reagan (and with agricultural policy, Nixon).

But saying, "they deserve it because they voted wrong" is neither fair nor historically accurate. As it happens, Iowa voted for democrats in six of the seven presidential elections between 1988-2012. Same with Michigan. Wisconsin voted for democrats in all seven of these presidential elections.

BTW, you know what would help rural hospitals and health infrastructure? Medicare for All, as well as a law that holds private equity (which strips community institutions for parts and leaves only a graveyard of bones) to standards when they invest in institutions that are essential to a community's well being (and literally lifesaving).

None of what you wrote contradicts what I said. Rural America continues to overwhelmingly vote Republican. It’s completely fair to say at this point that they’re getting the government they deserve.

It’s this lack of empathy and othering that is so sad and historically out of character for the left. It’s not as black and white as you paint it out to be. Maybe you should get out of your blue bubble and spend some time in these rural areas and even a Walmart or two. You’re very out of touch with reality.

Grew up in a rural area and worked at Walmart. Thanks for playing.

These AHs are getting exactly what they deserve. Unfortunately they’re bringing the rest of us down with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's an example of what makes this a great country. Give people what they want, do it better than your competitors, and be rewarded for your initiative and hard work. Not incidentally, provide employment for 2.1M people, for all your suppliers, and pay taxes wherever you operate.

Anyone who fails to see how this is anything but a staggeringly emphatic success story needs to take a break from reading Das Kapital and The Communist Manifesto and instead have a look at The Wealth of Nations and Capitalism and Freedom.

Yeah, and treat your employees like sheet, hand out SNAP applications to employees because they can't afford to feed themselves on what Walmart pays. And make sure those children making that cheap crap that Walmart sells are starving in those countries overseas that have no child labor laws. Walmart does its best to rake in money while keeping poor people POOR and getting poorer.

Yup. It’s easy to turn a profit when you pay your employees sub-living wages, keep them part-time to avoid paying benefits, and offshore soave labor to make the cheap crap you well.

Walmart is America in a nutshell, which is why we’re going to he!! in a hand basket.