Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Its annual revenue of $400 billion exceeds Norway's GDP; it employs over two million people, more than the population of Philadelphia. It operates 7,000 stores worldwide and has held the No. 1 spot on the Fortune 500 for six of the last seven years. (Exxon Mobil (XOM, Fortune 500) beat Wal-Mart out for pole position in 2006 fiscal year sales.)
Its annual revenue of $400 billion exceeds Norway's GDP; it employs over two million people, more than the population of Philadelphia. It operates 7,000 stores worldwide and has held the No. 1 spot on the Fortune 500 for six of the last seven years. (Exxon Mobil (XOM, Fortune 500) beat Wal-Mart out for pole position in 2006 fiscal year sales.)
It's downright disheartening what Walmart has done to many Mom and Pop stores that kept many cities' downtowns afloat for years. Everyone decries their loss, but favor convenience and low price over quality!
Have you been to China or you just get this image from TV?
If you think what you saw on TV is what it is, then it pretty much explains why Americans not only cannot produce cloth/toy/food/electronics/furnitures... in competitive price like Chinese manufactures do, but also would be failing the battle on car industrial like happending right now.
You cannot blame the corporates who imported. they did this because most of the averages like YOU like it, or maybe, can only afford it.
fadeout,
There is more than ample proof as to the poor qualities and standards in that cess pool called China. The lack of human rights there is disgusting !!
Our country is being sold down the river by so-called corporations, it has nothing to do with the citizens of THIS country yet the greed of corporate america.
As consumers, the power that we hold right now is our buying power. If we stay out of wal-marts and focus on buying American made/grown only then we can take care of our very own!
The OP mentioned buying food, fish etc... from that cess pool. This past weekend while in Charleston, SC it was mentioned that the fishing industry is quickly fading do to people accepting fish from China. That is sad !
In our home, we do NOT purchase anything unless it is made/grown in the US. What we do buy does cost a tad bit more but that is fine as long as we are helping THIS country. If we can not buy USA then we don't need it!
We always encourage others to do the same.
Corporate America is a large part of this countries downfall. And for you to imply that American citizens WANT or deserve anything less than the best, well to stay w/in forum rules I will simply ask...do YOU support USA made/grown only?
This past Christmas I rec'd a basket of products to use in the tub, shower, body etc. First time use I'm itching all over. Second time use I'm accused of sleeping around.
Sure enough, made in China. In fact it was right around the time, or shortly thereafter that there was one of those scandels in the news. By New Year's day the gift was out at the curb.
The thinly veiled racism on this thread is pretty sad.
Yes, there are a lot of issues in China with rampant greed/speculation, lax oversight, an impending environmental catastrophe and poor product quality. After decades of stagnation, there is now a me-first, get rich quick ethos among an oligarchic class that goes against thousands of years of history and culture.
However, what is going on in China now is no different than in the US, Britain and other Western countries during the industrial revolution. Working conditions in many factories may be poor, but still much preferable to conditions in the rural countryside/villages. There's an unbelievable work ethic and a desire to create a better life for oneself and family. There is a good reason that millions of migrant workers travel from farms to Shenzhen, Shanghai and other cities in search of factory work. There are absolutely unscrupulous factory owners and business people who take advantage, either trying to make more money for themselves or because their being squeezed to cut costs to remain competitive. To judge China, India, Brasil or any other developing country based on our standards today is a bit unfair.
To be sure, there is a ticking time bomb in China as the gulf between rich and poor, urban and rural continues to grow.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Buy locally grown, websites included!
