Whose hopes & dreams for their children are jobs at Wal-Mart?

[AnotherMother4Peace]

A Wal-Mart commercial depicted Hispanic parents gushing about their jobs at Wal-Mart, then they introduced their son. They were so proud that he had decided to join them in working there. This commercial was run during the show "HISPANICS TODAY".

I know that from the moment my children were born, my dream for them was to go to work for Wal-Mart, either that or deliver flyers door-to-door. (DISCLAIMER: sarcasm)

[skids]

1. Beware elitism.

As much as Wall-Mart sucks, and as much as McJobs suck, jobs such as these are needed (though working conditions definitely need to be improved.)

Not everyone will define their value to society through their employment. Some people will work menial jobs, and seek fulfillment through other activities. These people are of no less value to society than any other. (The real shame is that these jobs don't leave room for other pursuits -- they lock the worker into a cycle of poverty through wages that do not provide a sustainable standard of living.)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

2. The wife told me that the checkout persons are getting minimum

wage... and not fulltime so there is no need for full benefits.... the automated checkouts get no wages at all. Locked in just about says it all.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

5. Elitism my butt - I've worked my share of menial jobs (dish washing, maid)

I was pregnant with a small child at home, working, & going to college (was this best for my children - probably not but it was something I had to do). I entered an entry level job with opportunity. My youngest son (today on Sunday) is working on a very physically demanding, dirty job. I'm very proud of him.

Believe me I do not believe Wal-Mart workers "are of no less value to society than any other."

What I do believe is that Wal-Mart is a huge conglomerate that grossly misrepresents itself. Their advertisements emphasize how well they treat their employees, & how good they are for the community. Well, when a Wal-Mart came to my town, several of my favorite little stores shut down. Is that good for the community? - I don't think so. My father bought some lamps, garden tools, etc. from Wal-Mart, all made in China. Is that good for the community - I don't think so. They hire undocumented workers, pay poverty wages, no benefits, & there is little opportunity for advancement. Is that good for the community? - I don't think so.

[skids]

7. Well that's good...

...and I couldn't agree more about WalMart. They are criminal.

But suppose you are a person who has never heard, like many Americans, a good explanation of what a fair wage is, who has been isolated by the corparate machine from the ideals of a fair labor market. What if you are a poor person who thinks a job at WallMart is just dandy? From that mindset, read your subjectline and post again.

Plainly from your reply that's not what you were trying to say, but it could be read that way. The major turn-off Dems have as a party is the impression redstaters get that we look down our noses at them. Language has to be chosen carefully -- this may be a forum mainly for Dems, but it is open to the world. So be very unambiguous about what you are trashing -- the industry, not the worker.

[Dr.Phool]

3. I heard a good slogan this week-end

Wal-mart, where women are worth-less.

[DefenseLawyer]

4. Hopes and dreams don't pay the rent

Everyone finds themselves where they are in life, some things they can control, most things they can't. But wherever they find themselves they have to eat. People do what they have to do, and sometimes that means working at what you consider a menial job. I would rather focus on improving the working conditions for those folks than on questioning whether they want what's best for their children. I'm guess that poor people generally want what's best for their children as much as yuppies do.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

6. Wal-Mart depicts "what's best for their children" is working there

Let's see - the parents were in their 40's or 50's & smiling so I'm sure they receiving a livable wage for Southern California. I'm sure the father is looking so upbeat because the small, growing nursery that he owned shut down when Wal-Mart opened, & now his wife needs to work to bring in the lost income. Look at those pearly white smiling teeth - Wal-Mart must have a good dental plan. Oh, and their son. College? College? - Who needs college? It's not that they can't afford it, I mean with all the money they're making. Their children will be able to afford a home & family working with them. Hey, you know what? I think they are looking so joyous because they going to be able to work there into their 80's or 90's. Surely they can retire earlier because of the good retirement package.