And this won't happen until we dump the myth we all helf-believe in - that the American Dream of getting rich sanctions cutting corners, being economical of the truth, giving presents to legislators, letting the buyer beware, etc. Things the "good old boys" have always done.
And would we want to stop them? After all, WE might be the ones to profit from a little wiggle room. Or, do we want to be spoil-sports? America thrives on sharp practices, on letting the devil take the hindmost. Or, we could resolve that the "American Dream" is not a dream at all, but a nightmare. We could see that we, all those of us except the kings of the hill, are losing in community and democracy and longevity and happiness. No small matter. So focused, we of the public can succeed in the task of enforcing the will of the public on our government. Send the old boys to pasture and let the public will be done. We will have a chance replace the old-boy mayor Kelly next year. We need to be clear why it is important to do so. --David Shove Roseville On Fri, 28 May 2004 [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > > Again. I say that we need to enforce current laws and craft laws that > end the ability of corporations to engage in predatory practices of this > nature. I think you are going after the wrong fish. > > In addition, there are so many corporations out there that could be tried > on racketeering charges that are are never brought to justice. So, again, > I think that our legislative and judicial branches need to care MORE about > this, and take the responsiblity on that they are charged with. Enforcing > and legislating laws that account for these issues. > > Unitl you cut off the corporate payoff to elected officials this will > never occur. > > Pamela Ellison > Como Park > Saint Paul > > > > While employee benefits are something that are important to a > > healthy economy there are many employers who limit or do not pay > > employee benefits. This is not the main issue people do not want > > Wall Marts around. Its their business practices. > > > > They are large enough that they can under cut all competitor prices > > until the competitor quits. This lowers the average wage in this > > business sector. > > > > They are large enough that they can demand reduced prices from > > their suppliers. This requires the supplier to cut costs which > > usually means cuts in benefits to employees, layoffs, requiring > > employees to work overtime without pay, etc. > > > > Their brag about how many jobs a new Wall Mart means to an area. > > However, their wages are at or near minimum wage. This means very > > little to the economic viability of an area. > > > > > > Their prices look so attractive to many people. Therefore, these > > people shop there. But in doing so, they support low wages, fewer > > employee benefits and a major shift in the economic viability of an > > area. (If you make less money because your employer is cutting > > costs to be able to compete with Wall Mart or lost your job because > > your employer went out of business you have less money to buy > > things. This means less money in the economy to generate economic > > expansion.) > > > > Unfortunately, since the 80s, the focus has been on "what's in it > > for me". Many people think this is how the American dream is built. > > But in reality the American dream is built on increased wages and > > benefits, increased production, increased competition, and IMHO a > > greater inclusivity in the community. > > > > > > Mike Fratto > > Payne Phalen > > > > > >>>> "Gail" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 05/27/2004 6:45:30 PM >>> > > > > > > > > The point about Wal-Mart not being the only business to deny > > benefits to workers is absolutely correct. But it's not only > > business. State government (I don't know about county/city) and > > school systems have been using that tactic for years. While I think > > we need to look at big-picture systems that support the robbing of > > workers, we could also hold our own politicians responsible for fair > > labor practices. > > _____________________________________________ > > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > > > Archive Address: > > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > > > > _____________________________________________ > > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > > > Archive Address: > > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > > > > > > ----------------------------------------- > Join ISP.COM today - $8.95 internet , less than 1/2 the cost of AOL > Try us out, http://www.isp.com/ > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
