Guys, I have a debate in English class. Alan, Saya, you're gonna want to get in

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 09:47 AM

The debate: Is Walmart good for America?

Obviously, I'm taking the stance that Walmart is a cancerous tumor on local economies.

But I want to attack the opposition on at least two fronts.

First, they're going to be using Libertarian arguments. So I want to take the understanding of libertarianism and let the opposition know that Laissez Faire was not actually the idea of just unchecked capitalism. It was actually meant as an idea of "let it be", but unchecked capitalism isn't that, especially when that ideology came from Utilitarianism.

So. My goal is to show and cite examples of how Walmart's business model perpetuates poverty and is actually bad for an economy in the long run.

I also want to correct their understanding of what was supposed to be a free market in an enlightened mindset.

So. Any ideas guys? I need some ammunition and I don't plan on showing any mercy at all in this debate.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 10:12 AM

I disagree with you, so you should just #ragequit.

Plus, doesn't this belong in Politics?

*edit* Oh yeah, that's right. You know this thread already exists in Politics.

What a bunch of douchebaggery.

#ragequit already, will you?

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 10:13 AM

You actually got anything relevant to say, Lahnger? If not, those epic boners aren't going to chug themselves ya know.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 10:15 AM

You wouldn't know an epic boner if it was dancing over your molars.

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 10:24 AM

Well I can't help it if you're the expert on epic boners. Look guy, I'm not sure if you're trying to win some cred amongst the others here with coming in an being completely fucking useless in this thread, but this thread is actually kind of important. I want to know what Alan and Saya has to say about the issues and anyone else with an actual opinion on the matter.

If you want to have a man spar with me, do somewhere where it's at least relevant like in all the invasion threads or in The Restoration thread where I can play with you if I feel like it or not. If you don't have anything relevant to say in the thread, kindly fuck off.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 10:27 AM

This fucking thread is a joke. Go get your research twaddle from the Walmart sucks thread that already exists where it should be, in Politics.

Now, assume the position and suck my wang. Or #ragequit. Your choice.

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 10:29 AM

Langher. I will play kickball with you later. The adults are talking. Be patient.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 10:32 AM

Adults? Ha! Then I will leave you to "interact" with them.

Way to #passivequit, KK.

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 10:36 AM

Thanks, Lahnger for letting me interact with the adults. You've been very helpful. Don't worry, I wont forget our kickball game at 5.

Despanan · 03-13-2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Lahnger

This fucking thread is a joke. Go get your research twaddle from the Walmart sucks thread that already exists where it should be, in Politics.

Now, assume the position and suck my wang. Or #ragequit. Your choice.

Ummm...I know you're trying to get your troll on here Ben, but that thread doesn't exist...or if it does exist It's older than dirt because I don't remember it and it doesn't show up on a search.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 11:03 AM

Despanan, you're right. I was thinking of the "What's wrong with Capitalism?" thread, which does have mention of "Wal-mart" but wasn't specific to that chain or this particular subject. Thanks for pointing this out.

Kontan, I was wrong about there already being a Walmart thread. I apologize for the error.

I still think this should be in Politics, but if I got all butthurt about where things go and what is of substance here right now ... well, I would clearly be in the wrong place. Carry on with your ridiculous thread.

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 11:21 AM

This is not for the political forum because it's not exactly about politics FOR G.net. It's a thread for my English class which will have elements of politics, but it's still more for an English class than it is for a political discussion for G.net.

If it'll make you feel better, I can post this thread in there as well.

MissCheyenne · 03-13-2011, 11:31 AM

Walmart has also infected the Great British isles. Fuckers. Though it isn't called Walmart here, it retains it's original name of Asda. It is now owned by the pig dogs of Walmart though.

Underwater Ophelia · 03-13-2011, 11:39 AM

You know, it's funny.
I'm all about capitalism and making money and what not, but even I don't think wal-mart is good for America.

Big corporations are good because they create jobs and have the power to give people insurance, tuition reimbursement and other benefits that help people better themselves.
Walmart has all the bad things that come with a huge company, and none of the good things.

Despanan · 03-13-2011, 11:42 AM

Here's something that might help Kontan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Wal-Mart

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 11:50 AM

One of my arguments is that Walmart is essentially dominating local economies, subsidizing them into one big box. While Wal Mart's standards force other companies to change their profit bottom line in the name of sales and supplies, it affects the product and its means of production.

The problem I see with that, is that Walmart is a private company. Something I nor any of their workers can have a vote in. If a government was to subsidize industries, that's one thing. Governments usually answer to its constituents. The good ones anyway.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 12:22 PM

Isn't Goldman Sachs, which is subsidized BY the government (!) AND in turn forces other companies to change their profit bottom line in the name of sales and supplies, and also limits the individual's ability to leverage their own assets, a much greater threat? They don't seem to have to answer to anyone.

I'm just asking.

Saya · 03-13-2011, 12:27 PM

But when the low price is ill gotten, its hard to say "well its perfectly fine that people in factories are losing limbs and not getting paid as long as we protect private enterprise."

http://www.informaworld.com.qe2a-pro...text=713240928

Academic sources!

Despanan · 03-13-2011, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Lahnger

Isn't Goldman Sachs, which is subsidized BY the government (!) AND in turn forces other companies to change their profit bottom line in the name of sales and supplies, and also limits the individual's ability to leverage their own assets, a much greater threat? They don't seem to have to answer to anyone.

I'm just asking.

This is off-topic Kontan, quit derailing your own thread.

Ben Lahnger · 03-13-2011, 01:02 PM

I'll derail my own thread any time I like. Go chug an epic boner if you don't like it!

Alan · 03-13-2011, 01:23 PM

You have to establish the terms of what makes something good or bad. Your argument only works if first you establish that the good of America is not solely linked to unbridled capitalism.

KontanKarite · 03-13-2011, 04:40 PM

Well, it depends how deep I want to go with this.

I can be pretty topical about it and simply say that Walmart's presence in "small town" America does create local monopolies that makes the community beholden to Walmart, putting businesses out of businesses, losing jobs, and generally lowering the networth of an area by being there.

I can also point out that Walmart demands other companies to sell their products at certain prices or they wont do business with them, forcing them to take measures they may not have taken in order to meet that price.

I guess it really depends.

vindicatedxjin · 03-13-2011, 08:44 PM

Walmart also buys life insurance for their employees, so that they can collect death money. It's called the dead peasant policy or some shit like that.
When I heard about it, I was like... "oh shit so that's why there's so many darn old ppl working there".

KontanKarite · 03-15-2011, 11:45 AM

So. The debate so far.

It was an easy battle.

Their arguments were pretty topical.

Walmart provides goods to the poor.

Walmart makes local economies poor by putting smaller businesses out of business, effectively causing thousands to go unemployed.

Walmart has rules against unions because people abuse unions and it lowers productivity.

A union's goal is to ensure that their industry is not abused and that it's fair. A union is a means of introducing democracy into economics. It's not the cause of lazy workers. A union's goal is also to assure a healthy and productive industry because if they weren't doing that, there'd be no industry to work at... if the union was just a means of being a lazy worker.

Walmart is the leading employer of immigrants.

Those immigrants are usually illegal and aren't protected under the US Labor Laws. Walmart has no obligation to treat these workers like people.

Walmart is a place that kids can go to hang out after school.

Before Walmart, kids had arcades, soda shops, burger joints, malls, bookstores, and electronic stores to hang out at.

Walmart helps the poor save money so that they can save for their kids' college tuition

Not entirely true. When Walmart privately consolidates a majority of the local economy in a town, those unemployed workers must work at Walmart, usually for cheaper pay and less hours.

That's pretty much where it's at right now. I'm kicking their asses and haven't really brought out the big guns or touched on the idea of what capitalism was originally meant to be in terms of how the Enlightenment understood it and that Adam Smith actually believed that a state or the people should step in and regulate industry IF a business was actually going too far and putting their private happiness over that happiness of the people.

They're trying to dismiss most of my points about Walmart being abusive because "everyone else is abusing everyone else" so it doesn't matter. It's just a part of life.

Obviously, that can be easily shot down.

Underwater Ophelia · 03-15-2011, 05:51 PM

Don't be too proud. Honestly, these people sound like they're half-retarded.