But what if some of us have been in similar work situations to the Wal-Mart workers? What if some of us come from similar limited financial backgrounds? How do you draw the line about who knows about these types of situations, and who doesn't?

Then tell us about it, without the posturing? Respond to my points by explaining to me why I'm wrong, and thus educate me about "it" (I don't know what "it" means here)?

I don't get what has "happened" here - it's a work situation. One that can and has worked for millions of people.

Maybe we should try it this way: what reason does Wal-Mart have to keep an inefficient status quo?

I know we're going to have to agree to disagree on this issue and all that crap.

I don't think there's a magical thing that happens when a kid with an incredibly screwed up life of poverty/violence/parental drug use/crappy schools/hunger/illness/gangs/trauma/whatever turns 16 (or whatever age) and suddenly sees the light and the road to education/success/independence/health/whatever. I think it's entirely possible that someone who had a really terrible childhood would turn 16 and not even have any idea that anything in the world but the shit he or she has known since birth was possible or how to go about doing it. Having never experienced this, I don't know for sure -- but I can imagine it.

This isn't such a sticking point with me because I want to offer excuses for people who work at Walmart or collect welfare or commit crimes or do whatever it is they do that isn't considered successful. I'm just bothered by what seems to me to be a rather callous statement that it's their fault or they could succeed if they tried or they're lazy. Of course you're free to have whatever opinion you want, but I just find it sad -- because I don't think it's that simple for many people and I don't like the way our society in general doesn't give a rat's ass about the poor or disadvantaged. But like I said, I'm kind of a hippie, uh, which is why I don't shop at Walmart.

If I read the article correctly, it sounds like Target already uses a similar system for their scheduling. I am not a fan of Wal-Mart by any means, and as a result, I don't shop there.

I have no doubt that this could very well result in people who were used to be full-time employees being reduced to part-time hours depending on schedule forecasting and their availability. Who knows, it might mean more people on welfare as a result. It's unfortunate for those people. I would think that if the employees are truly that upset about it maybe they'd finally decide they should unionize or strike, etc., or start looking for a job elsewhere (which may require them to move).

Hmmm...I imagine this isn't good news for some people, especially those who are used to working regular hours. Sounds kind of like a server's schedule...

Oh, and I don't shop at Wal-Mart because I hate it, too.

So logically, since you haven't worked at Wal-Mart, you know nothing about it?

Well, I worked at Walmart in Highschool. I win the thread.:p :p

If they try to unionize, they'll most likely get fired anyway.

And what I meant with my statement is that UNLESS you have lived in a SMALL town (I'm talking 7000 people) that Walmart comes in and fucks up, you know nothing about the damage they can do. No, the Walmart in North Versailles is not going to destroy Pittsburgh.

Wal-Mart coexisted with the businesses in my mother's hometown just fine. It's been there since the early 80's. The population of that town today is 8,371 which is a lot higher than it was in the 80's.

^^^ Sounds a lot like my hometown, where Wal-Mart managed to keep some business in town that otherwise would have been lost to nearby towns, and where the only local businesses that closed after Wal-Mart arrived were a few other chains that were struggling long before Wal-Mart arrived.

Come to think of it, sounds like my wife's hometown, too.

Again, Walmart can only screw a town if the population allows it to happen.

If Walmart did run everyone else out of business, then the lack of competition will eventually bring in another super store to compete with Walmart, thus bringing prices back down. Assuming they're artificially high currently.

Walmart sucks because I say so.

End of thread.

:p

Awww, now if you had just pulled that card up front, we all could saved our fingers lots of typing and put the carpel tunnel syndrome off for a few more minutes. ;)

I'm okay with that.