Wendy Introwitz Pareene wrote: > Once, a couple years ago, while doing my regular weekly shopping at the Cub at Nic & >50th area, I asked what the cashiers make. I was horrified to find they are paid >minimum wage, and often kept to part time hours so they get no benefits. That day >was the last time I shopped at Cub. I was horrified to discover that saving $50 on >my groceries contributed to the miserable working/living conditions greedy businesses >like this bring to the US. > > THIS is the kind of business we want to bring into our inner city where people >desperately need work? Why not work with the Twin Cities Food Coops and farmers >markets to bring living wage jobs and local farmers with fresh produce, meat and >dairy into the inner city? > > Why do we pander to corporations that bring NOTHING to us? Does Cub give back to >the community? With living-wage jobs? Does Cub contribute to non-profit >organizations or schools in our community? Are we going to give Cub a tax break for >building their store at Nic Lake?
To be consistent with your philosophy you need to move to a third world country. More than just the cost your groceries is supported by maintaining low production costs. I am sure that you would be appalled by salaries and benefits paid in China and other countries from which we import many of the things that you own. To equalize the standard of living we enjoy with the rest of the world would mean reducing ours significantly. If you are sincerely concerned about this problem you can solve it on a personal level by moving to a country that isn't at the top of the economic ladder, then you won't bear any of the responsibility for exploitation by the U.S. The rest of us will just have to live with our guilt and suffer in comfort. Michael Atherton Prospect Park _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
