Originally posted by merryman
I am a little bothered by the elitist attitude I see in some of the "average American" comments above.
Forgive me if I sound like I'm beating my own drum, I do it only to make a point, but I am entitled to show three sets of initials after my name (I NEVER do), and to use the title "Judge" (which I never do). My wife too has done post grad work in Psychology. While in private practice we rubbed elbows with the social set---lunched with governors and senators, etc;
BUT I am NOT offended by the average American nor do I object to shopping with him/her; "they" may be rough around the edges, but it is the individual character that counts.
When rubbing elbows the the wealthy and prominent, I found any number of them to be, at the core, scumbags; at the same time I have known numerous of the uneducated, unpolished and really rough looking who were basically "salt of the earth".
I think we should judge others by who they are, not how they look.
Heck, I'll bet Hillary puts up a great front, but I'll most likely prefer the "mouth breather" at WalMart------where, by the way, I do shop, trying real hard to avoid buying anything stamped "made in China".
Sorry to sound so hollier than thou, but this sort of thing bothers me.
Vaughn
Wise words from a man we all respect. I agree with all you say, Vaughn-- my faith is just weakening. When I see us obsessed by "getting our fair share", I lose faith. When I see how lazy some of us are in respect to our ancestors, I lose faith. I believe that we, as Americans, have lost a lot of what we used to have-- common courtesy, civility, respect for others, and respect for authority and the rule of law.
So, in many ways, Wal-Mart perplexes me. On one hand, they stand for decency with their laudable decision not to carry certain kinds of magazines. On the other hand, they put Mom and Pop up the river. On one hand, they treat their employees very well, on the other they are nearly abusive to them.
Who to believe? My brother and sister both work for or with Wallymart. She was once in charge of all tobacco ordering for Sam's Club. He is a cashier. Now she works for a vendor selling to Wally-- and life is very different indeed. My bro transfers from one wally location to another every year when college classes begin-- they let him keep his job, and work WITH him for flexible scheduling. She is struggling to make ends meet, since wally decided the vendor had to cut prices or else-- thus her hours are cut in half. At least she has a job- for now.
For the most part, though, I dislike being in Wal-mart. When i calculate simple sales tax in my head, they look at me like i am some kind of genius (that's right, 8% of $7 is $0. 56-- bring on MENSA). That ought not be.
When I go to their restrooms, they are filthy and riddled with graffiti. The aisles are a mess- and crowded. Things from the other side of the store are clearly out of place. Floors are stained. Kids running all over, out of control.
So I guess my main gripe with wally is the people that go there-- the people that trash the place, let their kids run haywire, destroy the bathrroms, don't put back things where they should be, etc. etc.
The above is evidence of a lot that troubles me-- laziness, disrespect, immaturity, poor parenting, you name it. That's why I think i see wal-mart as an embodiment of everything wrong with the heartland.
I don't see this as rought around the edges so much. i think it is more likely a loss of saltiness in the "salt of the earth"
By and large, the wally patrons are the kind of people I wish there were more of-- God-fearing simple Americans that know right and wrong, have common sense, and work hard for little money.
But I fear these people are a dying breed. I hope and pray that I am very very wrong... .
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