[Winona Online Democracy] Hello Paul,
You're becoming quite the apologist for all kinds of interesting injustices. First you made it seem like Wal Mart was doing all the middle class families of America a favor by providing them with flexible hours. Next you reduce all the blood, sweat, and tears of union efforts to clarity of work rules. Here are just a few other small things unions have done for us: ----- 1. The 60 hour work week. The 50 hour work week. The mythical 40 hour work week. 2. Minimum wage 3. Child labor laws 4. Health and safety protections (The "Jungle" by Upton Sinclair is still one of my favorite books) 5. Wages that have helped create the American middle class (What is the latest stat on how much more union jobs are paid vs. no union jobs?) ----- Now, having said all that, I want to add that I also believe that unions are not perfect. There is plenty of room for improvement. I'm not exactly Mr. Popular with my union at times for calling for a wage freeze and things like that. Still, the importance of unions can not be underestimated. They are part of what has made America great. Wal Mart is one of the most destructive forces in America and abroad when it comes to providing fair wages, basic civil liberties, and common human decency. Winona is now on the front line of the historic struggle between the forces of democracy and monarchy/aristocracy. I hope people don't think the fight is not worth it. Dwayne Voegeli ====================== >From: "Paul Double" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "On Line Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [Winona] Wal-Mart > >As a former member of the Teamsters and retail store owner I have found >little difference unions make other than providing clarity of work rules >which in today's work environment most non-union businesses have been forced >to also put in writing. The strongest leverage people have is either >refusing to apply for work at such a company or as someone else said "just >don't shop there". These two things are the only things which will >effectively force change. > >Union membership has done little to cause people to not purchase shirts or >shoes made in China verses those made in the USA. Unions have not stopped >the demise of textile workers or those workers in the shoe industry. The >consumer has the power but is not willing to vote with their dollars. > >I find it very interesting that the numbers of people concerned with >Wal-Mart's business practices are dwarfed by those who will shop there >ignoring everything but price and choice. Should then the rights of what >will be the choice of the majority of area shoppers be curtailed by a few >who become more vocal by potentially denying the majority the option. > > >Paul Double ------------ Dwayne Voegeli Winona County Commissioner, District #2 (507) 453-9012 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 870 44th Ave. Winona, MN 55987 ------------ _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
