Are Dems that shop at Wal-Mart DINO's?

[Anon]

I'm curious, it cant be that everyone that shops at Wally world is a Repug, or non-affiliated.

[IronLionZion]

1. I shop at Wal-Mart

so what do you think? :eyes:

[Broken_Hero]

35. yeah, I shop at walmart also....

i'm interested to get an answer...:) I feel a flame coming though.......:)

[suziedemocrat]

42. I do too. I actually really like Walmart - should I be ashamed?

My father and grandfather had a clothing store that went under in the 1960's because the bigger chain stores sold the same things cheaper than my father could buy it wholesale. That's life. He had to get another career - but he ended up making a lot more money.

I lived in Colorado in the 1990's and when I first got there they wouldn't allow "branch banking" to help out the small banks. It was so inconvenient and seemed stupid to me. They changed the law and eventually allowed branch banking. I also lived in Germany when they had laws forbidding stores to be open Sundays, Saturday afternoons, and week-nights (except Thursday) to help family retailers. That was also terrible.

Economies of scale create stores like Walmart. I did economic experiments in college where the natural life cycle of an industry is to go from many small companies to a few very large companies. That life really.

Walmart could be better - but I don't think there are so terribly evil.

[1monster]

2. It might surprise you, but many of the Republican "elite" , Bush-

supporting-I'm-better-than-you types that I know look down on those who shop at Walmart... Something you have in common

[ProgressiveConn]

23. We don't look down on those for shopping at walmart because

they are poor. We look down on them because they are dealing with the enemy.

I don't shop at walmart and I do EVERYTHING I can to get people to shop elsewhere.

[Bemis]

3. Some may not have a real choice..

With Wal-Mart moving in and forcing other smaller stores to shut down some areas may not have a real choice where they shop. Family economics also play a big factor.

Personally we stopped going there and Sam's Club a number of years ago when we realized what was happening.

Luckily we have other options in our area.

[Clark2008]

6. I have a friend who said that to me the other day

I e-mailed him to see if he'd give me $50 for a $50 Wal-mart gift card we got as a Christmas present.
I said, "since you like to go there" in my note.
He wrote back, saying that he would, but wanted me to know that he didn't really like going there - he just lives in a small town and has no other choice. In fact, he said he always feels guilty and like taking a long shower after he gets done.
He does live in a small town. He could drive an extra hour and go somewhere else, but, feasibly, who would do that?
I don't have Costco here, but I do have less repressive choices than Wally World.

[China_cat]

8. Wal-mart is the only place

I can afford to buy the syringes I need for 2 insulin dependent diabetics (no insurance) I can 2 boxes of 100 for less than I'd pay for one at the cheapest pharmacy around.

But it's the ONLY thing I buy there.

[ProgressiveConn]

24. No.

There is ALWAYS a choice. Shopping at walmart cause there is nothing else local is just hurting your locality even more. So if you shop at walmart you deserve to have no where else to shop and to have your locality destroyed.

[DaedelusNemo]

29. That doesn't make sense

If there's nothing else local, the locality cannot be hurt any more, it's already at bottom.

I'm one of those who live in a smaller market that's been thoroughly decimated by Walmart. There simply is no choice other than to drive to another town.

I think it's easy for some of you in larger areas with more choices to assume it's equally easy for others.

[ProgressiveConn]

30. Sure it does.

Unless you're from the Bentonville area you are hurting your locality by shopping at Walmart. Even if you have to go a town or two over to get to a locally owned store you are still putting it into the local economy. Unlike sending your money directly to Bentonville.

[DaedelusNemo]

31. Well, if you keep redefining 'local' more broadly...

sure, you can claim a 'locality' is getting hurt. But once you define it that broadly, the question pops up: is it really better to ship more of your money to Exxon to avoid Walmart? And that's ignoring the question of spending an extra hour or so to do it, that could surely be spent in some better way.

[ProgressiveConn]

32. Well

I assume you are from an EXTREMLY rural area? Even in the most rural parts of my state you don't have to drive an hour to find another store. It isnt about redefining locality. It is about maybe us not really understanding it the same way. When I was living in the most rural town in my entire state (population like 500) it was not a big deal to go a town over to shop. And if your choices are limited because of being in an EXTREMLY rural area so it is walmart or purchasing from an acceptable online outlet clearly you should choose the respectable online outlet.

And if you are in an area where the ONLY STORE is walmart and you continue to shop there. Than your area is screwed. Shop there or not it really doesn't matter your town does not have a long term future. We'll come back and try and bail you guys out in a couple decades.

[DaedelusNemo]

33. To clarify

I was talking about a half-hour there, a half-hour back. As for online outlets, i do get most of my non-grocery items that way... of course, that doesn't help my locality either. As to your last paragraph, i entirely agree, but in that circumstance there's not an awful lot i can do with my shopping dollars - as mentioned before, there's not much locality left to help. (Indeed, there's a fair amount of goods i simply don't have local access to anymore - no sasparilla soda or decent art materials for me. It's not about where i choose to get it, it's about basic availability.)

The best solution i've been able to think of to Walmart in my locality is unionizing - get rid of Walmart's ability to shift costs to employees, and others may have a better chance to compete.

Look, i agree that those who can avoid Walmart should, to the extent that they can. (Not because of republican connections per se, but because of the long-term impact they have on local economies.) I'm just saying, don't make the easy assumption that this is in fact practically feasible for everybody, and that therefore all those shoppers in Walmart are traitors.

[illini]

4. In our small town there is no choice left.

I do protest though. I change the screen savers on display computers.
I put stuff like "Our slave wages mean low prices ALWAYS"

[CanOfWhoopAss]

5. Should have never told me about this.

Now I'm going to be doing it whenever I'm forced to shop there because of a lack of alternatives.

[salvorhardin]

7. Heh -- that's good

Try flashing the BIOS next time to change boot screen to that. :-)

[Clark2008]

9. Hee hee!

I'll have to tell the above-mentioned friend about that. I'm sure he will do it!

(P.S. Said friend was a Republican up until Bush.)

[Dark]

10. I shop at Wal-Mart too.

I can't afford to drive thirty minutes to Meijer.

I shop at the Dollar store.

Do you know why Dems shop at Wal Mart?

Because many of us can't afford to shop at nicer, 'liberal' stores. One of the main reasons most of us are Dems is cause we're poor, we don't have much money, and think that the rich aren't paying their fair share.

But until we have the money to shop at better stores, get off our backs. God, you act like everyone has the time and money to fight for every cause.

We don't. Many Liberals are single moms struggling to make it. Others, like me, are in college, working our asses off at a job and through college. Others still have several kids and are working two jobs.

Why don't you try living this life and then going thirty minutes out of your way so you can spend more money on necessities? Tell us how easy it is.

[Tigress DEM]

16. I sympathize with your situation

So, I guess I agree with some of the other posts here. Those of us who can afford to should shop elsewhere. I've been thinking about this lately.

I'm a plus size woman and I can't make myself pay the prices at the specialty stores. I just think it's wrong to spend so much on clothing.

But if I'm true blue and I have other choices that don't support repressive tactics I really should do the right thing.

BTW been a single mom, struggled to stay in college, had to dive out and get a couple of jobs. Had to get married to get out of the welfare pit. So I know how bad it can be at the bottom of the heap. There were times I had $38 after rent and food. Bus pass or diapers?
As you can imagine I walked until he was potty trained.

[Chef]

11. Only choice for some

There isn't much there in the way of merchandise for me. For some things, it's the only store in the area. I have mixed emotions about the Great Wall of China store. In some areas, its the only store and the only employer for low paying jobs. It isn't so much the company itself (although the employees need to unionize), it's what it represents - low wage, republican, post industrial, America. They are only following the Darwinian economics globalization has brought us.

[OneTwentyoNine]

12. Luckly we have lots of other choices,still don't have a Costco though..nt

[Robb]

13. No, many are just POOR.

...Why is it the onus has to be on the oppressed to liberate themselves? Why the people who are least able to endure suffering and scarcity must be asked to do both?

People who don't need to shop at WalMart need to be the ones to do something about WalMart.

[DaveinMD]

14. I understand

the point, but its a viscious circle. The more folks buy at Walmart, the more they can push out the stores that pay real wages to their employees. I never go to Walmart. Ever. I know I'm more well off then other people and I am very thankful for that.

[leanin_green]

21. Because they feel it the most.

The "onus" as you put it is on us. Look, I make(if I'm lucky)$23,000 a year in my red state. That's working two jobs. I was even forced once to work for the local Wal-Mart distribution center loading tractor trailers with all those goods from countries that hate us. We have a Wal-Mart distribution center and two super stores at each end of the county. This is heavily Republican Utah where I live. They like Wal-Mart because it keeps wages down and allows the status quo of the local ruling families to maintain their hold on economic status.

Having said all that, I still believe it IS the onus of the oppressed to relieve their oppression. As one of the so-called lower classes(by economic standards only)I refuse to look to the higher classes to do my fighting for me. In fact, historically, the higher classes are usually what the fight is all about.

I do not shop at Wal-Mart. I get on my wife every time she buys something from there. Usually it's just dog food, but it's offensive to my dog! I'm poor and I still will not go there. I'd rather pay a little more at a local mom and pop store. And that's another thing. How much more are we really talking about here. Usually, if you add it up as I have, it only amounts to a couple of dollars here and there. Hell, if you look at it, it usually would cost that much for me in gas over the long haul to go a little further to save a pittance at Wally World.

[Hypatia82]

46. And if there's a Target in the area...

they can shop there and spend little if any more. Part of the problem with Wal-Mart is the myth they're cheaper than everyone else. Also even when they are the cheapest, well, what's cheaper, 15 bucks for a pair of jeans that last a year, or 12 bucks for a pair that last 3 months?

[leesa]

15. Depends on whether they need to or not. If WalMart has captured the market

in the area and there's no place else to go, then people go there. Hopefully they are complainging to their representatives and calling companies like CostCo to see if they can break up the monopoly.

[McCamy Taylor]

17. No way I'd shop at Wal-Mart ! Dem's shop at Target!

[zulchzulu]

18. I bought Fahrenheit 9/11 at a Mall-Wart once

It was on sale...got a copy...paid the robot ATM and I was outta there. It was on sale for $10. Great Christmas gift for my freeper brother-in-law.

[Princess Buttercup]

19. I hate Wal Mart

But I am fortunate enough to live in an area where I have other options. (I bought F/911 at Target, while wearing a DU T-shirt, the day after Kerry trounced *in the second debate.) Whenever my clueless sister gives me a Wal Mart gift card I give it to my husband, who doesn't have issues with Wal Mart.

I'd rather shop at Goodwill (and do) than Wal Mart. Better quality of stuff.

[newyawker99]

36. Hi Liberal Elite!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[hfojvt]

39. that's kinda funny

I just shopped at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop. I got 3 pairs of pants and a belt for $4.50. My thought was - 'I have been shopping at Wal-mart too much.' I woulda paid about $30 there.

[bvar22]

20. I'm pro-choice myself, but

MONEY SPENT AT WAL-MART KILLS
GOD'S UNBORN CHILDREN!!!

I think that it is time to highlight this disconnect for the fundies that support GlobalCorporatism by shopping at WallyWorld.

[Zhade]

22. No, but they may be...

1) desperate (poor, out of town, in an emergency)

2) selfish hypocrites (they shop there regularly, even while knowing about Wal-Mart's systematic abuse of workers at home and abroad)

3) Uninformed about Wal-Mart's systematic abuse of workers at home and abroad

Hard to tell, really. But #2 would indicate a DINO to me.

[2Design]

25. wal mart is not cheaper on most items - they have lost leaders

and frequenting them will kill all the competition - then it will be like shopping at the company store - they will own you

I don't have much money - I decided if the only place i can get it cheaper is wall mart - I don't need it

I can wait for sales at better stores and get better quality anyway - takes more careful shopping -

I just shop less - really don't need all the stuff anyway
stuff owns americans - not americans owning stuff

if we didn't buy stuff - wouldn't need more money
other countries do without - so I do too

not willing to support cheap labor conservatives
wall mart is driving living wages down AROUND the world
and they are a MAJOR supporter of bush and rethugs

like the fram filter guy says - you can pay me now or pay me later
shopping at wal-mart will cost all of us in the long run
and yes in some areas it is very hard to find alternative stores
in orlando while visiting - there are a gazillion wall marts - like one every 5 miles - very few quality stores

I sometimes get tempted - I have walked in and walked around - look at prices and see most of them are the same as kmart or target - except when they do the lost leader

this is priced below the competition to get people in the store - they have just about run the toy stores out of business - that is why the toy store suppliers worked with all the other toy stores this year to give them an edge

buying martha stewart at kmart - she is in jail because she is a democrat - the rest of the rethugs who stole people's retirement are free and spending the money they stole freely - by buying martha stewart we are helping ourselves -

following the true money trail of where your money goes

turn of the century brought unions, shorter work weeks, benefits and other benefits for the ordinary folks - the corporations are out to take that all away - they are exploiting the world as they did in the early 1900's - child labor is back - cheap labor conservatives do not follow humanity rules - they are evil

they claim to be christians but do not follow Christ principles - I can only do my part - it must begin with me if it is ever to change

I do not want to be owned by the company store

credit cards and the huge finance charges - this loan sharking - legally - but it is still loan sharking - advance pay day loans - an exaggerated loan sharking - very evil - but legally allowed now - at one time the poor were protected and FDR tried to raise people up - those who were raised up forgot that the unions helped them get benefits and vacation, and short work weeks - the rethug machine looks for the anomalies and exploits them in the government owned media propaganda machine -

if people continue to shop walmarts they continue to support the demon

[oecher3]

26. I quit buying at Sam's Club...

yes they are cheaper in many cases, but I think of the people that are forced to work there for lower wages. If I pay somewhere else more than it is so that people there can get better wages and thus have a better chance of living than WALLY suckers. It is a trap if you wan cheap stuff you got it, but you get the cheap wages with it. Fortunately there are alternatives around here where I live, but I often have to drive 20 minutes to get to any store anyway. I believe in local small stores with higher prices.
HOWEVER, I can understand anyone who doesn't have alternatives.

[ArmHayseed]

27. It ain't always easy

We don't have a Walmart within 20 miles so they don't see me anyway.

On the other hand if you are talking about not doing business with ANY Republican, that is not easy for some folk.

My county voted about 7 to 1 Republican in '04. Given that most all business owners favor the Repulican agenda, (union busting, slave wages or minimum wage at best, minimal education and welfare for the wealthy), I get the feeling that every time I take out my wallet I'm support a Republican.

If I refused to do business with a Republican I couldn't even get my mail.

[incrediblehulk]

28. I don't shop there

but I don't look down on people who do. I have other options so I can shop other places. The main reason I don't shop there is that I try to buy American, not Chinese, except at Gung Ho's Restaurant. Then it's OK.

[newyawker99]

37. Hi incrediblehulk!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Bridget Burke]

34. Do you shop at Wal-Mart?

I don't. But I live in a big city with lots of alternatives.

[minavasht]

38. What is wrong with WM?

I try to understand why WM is considered bad for the customers.
You get to shop in one place, instead of going to the grocery shop, the auto parts store,the paint store,the garden center and the electronics store.
Most of the stuff is cheaper than anywhere else, especially the food.
The drawbacks - longer wait in lines, dirtier restrooms, long walk from the parking.
When compared with 15-20% lower bill and 1 to 3 hours saved - hey for me it's a good trade.
As for the "bad" policies against their workers - this is still a free country and everybody can quit and work somewhere else.
Business is competition, the fittest survive and grow.

[MichiganVote]

40. Walmart sucks.

Their stores are dirty, their goods are garbage, and their pharmacies discriminate against women. All they do is herd people like cattle into narrow aisles jam packed with junk that few people need. I defy anyone, (ok, maybe a few on this board) to tell me they only go into walmart and buy specific items w/o loading up on some crap that isn't needed. They are the cockroaches of retail and it shows big time.

[minavasht]

41. Hmm!

They sell the same packed foods as Publix at 20% less. The car oil and filters are the same as AutoZone, just 20-40% cheaper. In "my" WM ALL the pharmacists are women.
From MW I buy food, auto stuff, some ammo, soap and shampoo - it saves me 20 to 30% on these items and 1 to 2 hours from going to 2-3 different specialized stores.

[MichiganVote]

43. How often do you only buy what you set out to buy when you visit Walmart?

How can it be cost effective to visit one store for a few specialized items, (and likely pick up stuff you don't need), in terms of the gas you purchase to go there?

[minavasht]

45. Once in a while I'll buy something I didn't plan to

but it's usually a tool or vitamins or something like that.
If you can't resist the temptations in WM, what will stop you in Albertsons?
The WM superstore is 4 miles from home, there is a Publix 2 miles from me on the same street, I stop there now and then to check their specials on produce, and there is an AutoZone store 4 miles from me in the exact opposite direction, so actually I SAVE gas going to WM. Not mentioning the time.
BTW, they have a gas station too - 3 cents cheaper than any other gas station in the area.

[suziedemocrat]

44. I know people who work there and they like their jobs.

Where I live - you get shit wages no matter what. Even the locals pay very badly and don't offer benefits - so ....

[fasttense]

47. Well when I returned the coffee maker that caught on fire

to Wal-Mart, I noticed that a Christmas decoration I bought at another store for $10.00 was on Sale at Wal-Mart for $25.

So if you don't mind risking your house to fire because of cheap Communist China imports and you don't mind being bilked on decorative items, go ahead, shop at Wal-Mart.

[Father Gapon]

48. There is a way to fix WalMart.

Nationalize it!

[Sammy Pepys]

49. I'm all about boycotts and stuff like that...

...but at some point you have to put political considerations aside and do what's best for you. If Wal-Mart is the most convenient or provides the best bang for the buck or any number of other possible reasons that are good enough for a liberal to shop there, I'm not going to go and call them a DINO for that. That'd be like saying anyone who shops at Whole Foods (where it's very easy to spend a lot of money) is a better progressive. Is that how we want to define progressive cred?