S
I have never set foot in a walmart store as I have allways been disgusted with how the megastores have destroyed the local small businesses and hurt all local economies, now someone has penned an article in support of my ideals. Especially read the bold red print. Swampy
It is time that Americans begin evaluating Walmart in terms of how much the huge chain is really costing us. It is time that we ponder the overall effects on, and the aggregate costs to, America as a whole. It is time that we discover which Walmart policies might be dangerous to America; which policies might be contributing to the loss of traditional American lifestyles and values; which policies might even undermine our national sovereignty.
There are three major areas that cause me concern and which I believe negatively affect individuals, families, hometowns, and eventually America as a whole: family life, money and the economy, and language.
Most people are aware that Walmart and other large chain stores have nearly devastated small town America, forcing local residents to travel further from their families to work. As these former business owners and their employees leave the small towns, they leave behind empty buildings, healthy family routines, and their children. Families and children are harmed by the stretching and broadening of family boundaries, especially in times of sickness, but in other important ways, as well. Children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, are cheated and changed in both subtle and obvious ways.
At a local Amish factory (cook stoves) I visited recently, an employee and I began chatting. With great sadness he reported that his working away from the home was taking a toll on the children. He explained that his children were changing in ways that were causing concern. His home was probably within five miles of the factory, but still family behaviors, values, and ties were loosening. If even Amish families weaken under the stress of absent parent(s), it is no wonder that non-Amish families are so deeply troubled.
When I speak of this problem to parents, far too many assure me that things are just fine because, “The kids are in school all day while we work, then they go to a neighbor’s house until we get home at…” So much for homemade cookies and a loving parent to welcome children home; to ask about their day; to help with homework. So much for after school activities; for parental participation in schooling. Unfortunately, too many public school officials like this set-up just fine. School boards and administrators are not blind to the fact that long commutes prevent all but the most motivated parents from sticking their noses into classrooms; asking to meet with teachers; questioning materials, rules, competency, and policies
A second concern is Walmart’s eagerness and efficiency in transferring massive amounts of money out of America. This policy -- this loss of savings -- cannot help America and more than likely plays a role in undermining the economy of the nation.
We are frequently told how much money illegal immigrants send back home to Mexico. The amounts are staggering and I used to wonder how data was collected and how so many people would go about sending so much money; Walmart! Visit the banking service area and see for yourself how easy Walmart has made it to send millions of dollars out of America. I was unaware of this situation until recently, when I needed to send money.
The cost to me, a resident of Michigan, to send $800 to a resident of Wyoming, was almost $45.84. I was shocked and complained that it was usury. On a hunch, I asked the clerk how much it would cost me to send $800 to Mexico, instead. If I had sent the money over the border, it would only have cost me $12, plus I would have received a free telephone call to the recipient. Not only is such a policy discriminatory; not only will my $45 subsidize cheaper transfers for immigrants; but this disservice surely hurts the American economy.
Were that money to stay in America, it would be spent or saved here. If spent, it would help retain or create jobs. If saved, the money would provide financial backing for new industries; start-up or expanding businesses; for new construction; for repair or replacement of older equipment, bridges, highways; for innumerable other economic and human needs. With the money in Mexico, it will probably not contribute to growth in our economy. However, if people were charged…say $100 to send $800 (just about double what it costs to send money within the States) to send dollars out of this country, people might open savings accounts here, instead. I suspect that an increase in the cost of sending money across the border might even discourage some of illegal border crossings. Why is Walmart so eager to coddle and assist individuals who break laws by entering America illegally?
English is the official language of America and it is important that we keep it that way but…Walmart is not helping us! In fact, they are actively undermining our efforts.
I once read that there has never been a major country that successfully recognized and used two different languages as equals. Being bilingual is often an advantage to individuals, but not for nations. Norway apparently does fairly well, but I understand even they have division and conflict between the two language groups. Consider America if this trend continues: Will legal documents be written in English or Spanish or both languages? Will everyone need to learn both languages? That suggestion is crazy because Americans are no longer learning even English well. My English-teacher ear is continually offended by the number of grammatical errors I now hear…especially on the news programs.) “America the Beautiful” would sound most discordant if sung in two languages at the same time. However, that would be insignificant compared to citizenship, business practices, education, and all else divided by two languages.
Walmart and other merchants, plus manufacturers and producers, now make it too easy for Spanish-speaking immigrants to not learn English. America was made prosperous by a widely diverse population using the unifying English language. Walmart, with its bilingual policies, creates cripples by letting immigrants off the proverbial “hook.” Walmart is in effect sustaining a class of shadow employees; of minimally employable individuals. Immigrants cannot function and participate fully in America if they refuse to even learn the language.
I used to think that Walmart created these pro-division, anti-American policies out of ignorance and naivety. However, since Walmart recently joined forces with Obama for socialized medicine, I now find their globalist ways suspect; consider their un-American policies purposeful.
Americans must become more alert; more observant. We must learn to think in terms of cause and effect; to carefully assess everything --purchasing, voting, banking, media trusting, and all other decisions -- in terms of consequences, both short and long term; both personal and national. We must insist that English remain the official language of America, and we must encourage and help immigrants learn English. We must save our language in order to save our liberty. We must decide whether we look away as Walmart continues to send millions of dollars to Mexico for minimal charges or whether we convey our concerns to corporate headquarters, and put America first. We can choose to shop in stores that shun policies that undermine our families; our monetary base; our official language; and ultimately our sovereignty as a nation.
1-800-WALMART. Call them. I do.
Linda Schrock Taylor is a reading specialist and former public school teacher. She teaches English composition at a state university.
It is time that Americans begin evaluating Walmart in terms of how much the huge chain is really costing us. It is time that we ponder the overall effects on, and the aggregate costs to, America as a whole. It is time that we discover which Walmart policies might be dangerous to America; which policies might be contributing to the loss of traditional American lifestyles and values; which policies might even undermine our national sovereignty.
There are three major areas that cause me concern and which I believe negatively affect individuals, families, hometowns, and eventually America as a whole: family life, money and the economy, and language.
Most people are aware that Walmart and other large chain stores have nearly devastated small town America, forcing local residents to travel further from their families to work. As these former business owners and their employees leave the small towns, they leave behind empty buildings, healthy family routines, and their children. Families and children are harmed by the stretching and broadening of family boundaries, especially in times of sickness, but in other important ways, as well. Children, especially the youngest and most vulnerable, are cheated and changed in both subtle and obvious ways.
At a local Amish factory (cook stoves) I visited recently, an employee and I began chatting. With great sadness he reported that his working away from the home was taking a toll on the children. He explained that his children were changing in ways that were causing concern. His home was probably within five miles of the factory, but still family behaviors, values, and ties were loosening. If even Amish families weaken under the stress of absent parent(s), it is no wonder that non-Amish families are so deeply troubled.
When I speak of this problem to parents, far too many assure me that things are just fine because, “The kids are in school all day while we work, then they go to a neighbor’s house until we get home at…” So much for homemade cookies and a loving parent to welcome children home; to ask about their day; to help with homework. So much for after school activities; for parental participation in schooling. Unfortunately, too many public school officials like this set-up just fine. School boards and administrators are not blind to the fact that long commutes prevent all but the most motivated parents from sticking their noses into classrooms; asking to meet with teachers; questioning materials, rules, competency, and policies
A second concern is Walmart’s eagerness and efficiency in transferring massive amounts of money out of America. This policy -- this loss of savings -- cannot help America and more than likely plays a role in undermining the economy of the nation.
We are frequently told how much money illegal immigrants send back home to Mexico. The amounts are staggering and I used to wonder how data was collected and how so many people would go about sending so much money; Walmart! Visit the banking service area and see for yourself how easy Walmart has made it to send millions of dollars out of America. I was unaware of this situation until recently, when I needed to send money.
The cost to me, a resident of Michigan, to send $800 to a resident of Wyoming, was almost $45.84. I was shocked and complained that it was usury. On a hunch, I asked the clerk how much it would cost me to send $800 to Mexico, instead. If I had sent the money over the border, it would only have cost me $12, plus I would have received a free telephone call to the recipient. Not only is such a policy discriminatory; not only will my $45 subsidize cheaper transfers for immigrants; but this disservice surely hurts the American economy.
Were that money to stay in America, it would be spent or saved here. If spent, it would help retain or create jobs. If saved, the money would provide financial backing for new industries; start-up or expanding businesses; for new construction; for repair or replacement of older equipment, bridges, highways; for innumerable other economic and human needs. With the money in Mexico, it will probably not contribute to growth in our economy. However, if people were charged…say $100 to send $800 (just about double what it costs to send money within the States) to send dollars out of this country, people might open savings accounts here, instead. I suspect that an increase in the cost of sending money across the border might even discourage some of illegal border crossings. Why is Walmart so eager to coddle and assist individuals who break laws by entering America illegally?
English is the official language of America and it is important that we keep it that way but…Walmart is not helping us! In fact, they are actively undermining our efforts.
I once read that there has never been a major country that successfully recognized and used two different languages as equals. Being bilingual is often an advantage to individuals, but not for nations. Norway apparently does fairly well, but I understand even they have division and conflict between the two language groups. Consider America if this trend continues: Will legal documents be written in English or Spanish or both languages? Will everyone need to learn both languages? That suggestion is crazy because Americans are no longer learning even English well. My English-teacher ear is continually offended by the number of grammatical errors I now hear…especially on the news programs.) “America the Beautiful” would sound most discordant if sung in two languages at the same time. However, that would be insignificant compared to citizenship, business practices, education, and all else divided by two languages.
Walmart and other merchants, plus manufacturers and producers, now make it too easy for Spanish-speaking immigrants to not learn English. America was made prosperous by a widely diverse population using the unifying English language. Walmart, with its bilingual policies, creates cripples by letting immigrants off the proverbial “hook.” Walmart is in effect sustaining a class of shadow employees; of minimally employable individuals. Immigrants cannot function and participate fully in America if they refuse to even learn the language.
I used to think that Walmart created these pro-division, anti-American policies out of ignorance and naivety. However, since Walmart recently joined forces with Obama for socialized medicine, I now find their globalist ways suspect; consider their un-American policies purposeful.
Americans must become more alert; more observant. We must learn to think in terms of cause and effect; to carefully assess everything --purchasing, voting, banking, media trusting, and all other decisions -- in terms of consequences, both short and long term; both personal and national. We must insist that English remain the official language of America, and we must encourage and help immigrants learn English. We must save our language in order to save our liberty. We must decide whether we look away as Walmart continues to send millions of dollars to Mexico for minimal charges or whether we convey our concerns to corporate headquarters, and put America first. We can choose to shop in stores that shun policies that undermine our families; our monetary base; our official language; and ultimately our sovereignty as a nation.
1-800-WALMART. Call them. I do.
Linda Schrock Taylor is a reading specialist and former public school teacher. She teaches English composition at a state university.
