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Politics "Under democracy, one party always devotes its chief energies to trying to prove that the other party is unfit to rule -and both commonly succeed, and are right." -H.L. Menken

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Old 03-04-2006, 04:57 PM   #1
Reject_Bunnies
 
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Which is worse? Mcd vs WM

Which is worse,McDonald's or Wal-Mart?
Is one better or worse then the other,or are they both equally bad?
(Information courtesy of McSpotlight.org)

McDonald's and Wal-Mart make a lot of people angry for a lot of different reasons.
-NUTRITION
Nutritionists, for example, argue that the type of high fat, low fibre diet promoted by McDonald's is linked to serious diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
-ENVIRONMENT
Conservationists have often focussed on McDonald's as an industry leader promoting business practices detrimental to the environment. And yet the company spends a fortune promoting itself as environmentally friendly.
-ADVERTISING
McDonald's spend over two billion dollars each year on advertising: the Golden Arches are now more recognised than the Christian Cross.
Wal-Mart is frequently accused of promoting gun-ownership. As the USA's biggest retailer, Wal-Mart is also its biggest gun-seller. Campaigners for tighter gun-control laws accuse Wal-Mart of marketing firearms irresponsibly and being too lax in selling weapons to teenagers.
-EXPLOITING EMPLOYEES
Is McDonald's a great job opportunity or are they taking advantage of high unemployment to exploit the most vulnerable people in society, working them very hard for very little money?
Wal-Mart is rabidly anti-union, it pays very low wages, its health-care benefits are only available after 2 years employment, and then only affordable to 36% of employees, and it is an an unrepentant and recidivist violator of employee rights, drawing repeated convictions, fines, and the ire of judges from coast to coast
For years, Wal-Mart saturated the airwaves with a "We Buy American" advertising campaign, but it was nothing more than a red-white-and-blue sham. All along, the vast majority of the products it sold were from cheap-labor hell-holes, especially China.
-ANIMALS
Vegetarians and animal welfare campaigners aren't too keen on McDonald's - for obvious reasons.
-SUPPORTING BRUTAL/REPRESSIVE REGIMES
Wal-Mart stocks its shelves with garments made in Burma. Brutal repression, widespread human rights violations and a government tied to drug thugs has brought international condemnation of the country's dictatorial regime.

www.mcspotlight.org
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Old 03-05-2006, 09:39 AM   #2
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I like both!

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Old 03-05-2006, 10:48 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfMoon
I like both!
That's not a problem,I just wanted to submit the question.
Oh,and congrats on your new position!
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Old 03-05-2006, 01:34 PM   #4
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Actually yeah, I try to never buy in either of them. I'm doing a good job on it currently.
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Old 03-05-2006, 02:00 PM   #5
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We don’t have Wal-Mart in England but I fucking hate McDonald's. I like my food to actually be food.
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Old 03-05-2006, 03:28 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Shi'ark
We don’t have Wal-Mart in England but I fucking hate McDonald's. I like my food to actually be food.

Isn't Asda owned by Walmart?
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Old 03-05-2006, 11:50 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Restless Dead
Isn't Asda owned by Walmart?
could be, i don't know.
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Old 03-05-2006, 11:59 PM   #8
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what a funny question since most wal-mart's in massachusetts have a mc donalld's right inside.

you don't have to choose just one.
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Old 03-06-2006, 10:27 AM   #9
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I don't like McDonald's because I had one of their veggie burgers. Turns out they cook it on the same grill as they do all other burgers, and fry it in animal fat *barf*

Wal-Mart is quite the corporate whore, but its kind of a necessity here. I avoid it when I can, but some things can only be found in Wal-Mart. Last time I went in there they were selling Ganesha statues.
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Old 03-06-2006, 10:39 AM   #10
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What does Walmart sell anyway?
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Old 03-06-2006, 10:56 AM   #11
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Wal-mart and all other large chain stores are banned in Ireland. They kill local businesses, so any store that wants to open can only be a certain size and only carry a certain number of items. Ireland thrives on shops along the streets, like small towne american back in the 50's. Yes, we pay more for items, but the lifestyle is worth it.

We have McDonalds, but only in a few of the large cities. And they are not allowed to put those big damn arches out here (laws also keep billboards, large gaudy signs, and other crap like that off our streets). In fact, when you see a McDonald's here, unless you walk up to it you probably won't know its there. They have their logo outside, but due to the law, they can't even paint the building up in all those damn bright crazy colors either.

Keeps 'em in line.

Fast food here (or chipper food as we call it), is taxed, and is expensive. Even McDonalds has prices that freak out visiting americans when they see the prices. This keeps them also from taking business and keeps kids and families for using it as a staple of their diet. They also are forced to use local sources for their beef and all other items on the menu, which keeps them from importing all their stuff and cutting out local merchants.

When I was in university in the states, I ate there and burger king like 3-5 times a week. It was cheap, quick, and right off campus in walking distance. You could get a full meal for under a fiver. Here, the burgers will run you 3,50 (about a fiver american). So its cheaper to go buy a pound of fresh meat at your local butcher and some buns from the local baker. Also, since I moved back, I lost almost 3 stone (over 30lbs) just by eating fresh daily and not eating at chippers (there aren't many here and the ones that are here are dear).
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Old 03-06-2006, 11:06 AM   #12
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Kinda off the topic, but the last time I was in Mcdonalds in the states, in DC I remember the experience well. You know all those commericals with the happy group of mixed employees, happily serving people, smiling, etc? Yeah thats all LIES!

Yeah, the McDonalds right there in the heart of DC near the Black Cat. All blacks inside. Hats on backwards, upside down. And this guy right there at the front saying 'yo nigga, fuck that shit yo! I AIN'T WORKIN DAT DAMN FRYER AGAIN YO! I was on da fries and shit last weekend bitch! Fuck all that yo!' Then getting into a shoving match with the other employees, and there being an argument with the manager (guessing she was the manager as she had the different shirt on) and she was like 'boy yous always in the damn till! We be missin money every damn time you work da till! You ain't workin the damn till again!'

Yeah, nothing like those nice Olympic commercials with one black guy, one asian girl, a rich white kid smiling from the back flipping burgers, some old guy greeting customers at the register...looking like a friggin' Benatton ad...

LIES!
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Old 03-07-2006, 12:57 AM   #13
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I think there’s a different between people and corporations that are poisoning the world with their version of food. Anywhere in Ireland you can go to a nice pup or café and get great food in a great cheerful setting whit good people.

Sounds to me like the Irish government is protecting ‘people how they can run their businesses’ by not allowing McDonalds to saturate the market with advertising, opening shop after shop and destroying small family run businesses.

In London and every other big city your never more then a 5 minuet walk away from one, so I’d say the Irish have the right idea.
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Old 03-07-2006, 03:17 AM   #14
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It's not really dictating how they run their businesses, they just make sure everyone is taken care of, a socialistic instead of pure capialistic way of doing things.

For example, in a pure capitalistic society like america, business has the last word. For example, the new AT&T buy out just announced. In the 80's, Ma Bell was broken up to promote business, and now just 20 years later, they are back together again. Why? Thats capitalism in it's most purest form. Look at Yum! - the company that owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Long John Silvers, and A&W. They are fast becoming the largest chipper owner in the world. In a matter of a few more decades expect to see one or two companies owning all the fast food in the world. Same with car companies. If it weren't for the government bailing out the US airlines, they already would be owned by some other company, all one big enterprise.

Unless the government keeps business fair and equal, it will walk all over the people. Thats not being totalataristic, thats keeping the playing field level.

If you really want me to list the ways the US intrudes into business, I could go on for pages, but I think we have addressed that before.

But do you really think its a good thing letting Wal-Mart move into every major US city, put every mom & pop shop out of business, and become the one and only retailer in america?

I mean, I like going to the butcher, baker, and other shops. I like sitting down a a café and not knowing whats on the menu today. I like personal service, from people who want to work there, not people who work there because they can't find or are not qualified for anything else. I like thinking the employees are doing their best because they love their job, not jerking off in the special sauce because they are bored, hate their life, and hate the customers even more.

I don't mind waiting in queue for a good meal prepared when I order it, and I don't mind paying a little more knowing the persons working there are making a living wage which they can support their family with.

If thats totalitarianism, then call me a totalitarian.
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Old 03-07-2006, 05:08 PM   #15
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It's not totalitarianism. There have been several laws to avoid corporations in America, but that was before the World Wars.
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Old 03-13-2006, 07:29 AM   #16
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I've always wanted to visit Ireland. Even before I ever saw 'The Quiet Man'.

Sternn, you paint a lovely picture of the place. One day I'll go. If I can ever get over my fear of planes. But I probably won't be able to afford it for at least another 10 years or so.

I'll see you in 10 years, Sternn!

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Old 03-13-2006, 08:56 AM   #17
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I got rakes of pix on me site. www.sternn.com/stuff - have more I just got from the summer that are brilliant.

I find a nice mix of ambien and percocette will make the plane ride much easier!

Also, round trip from the east coast of the states can be purchased for $180 if you book six months in advance.

And we have hostels here, meaning you crash out in large dorm style accomidations (I have stayed in hostels throughout Europe - even the bad ones aren't that bad - they are an adventure). You can get rooms for as low as $7 a nite. Most people don't realise how inexpensive European travel can be. Tis why me and half of Ireland go traveling around Europe every summer, crashing at hostels, drinking at local pubs (skip the tourist and hotel bars - they rip you off), and doing a whole 4-5 day trip to pretty much any European country for under $200-$300.

There is a TV show here called 'How Low Can You Go' where this gay lad, straight lad, and bi-lad go on a trip to another European country every week and see how much fun they can have (i.e. how many clubs they can hit, how much they can drink, how many touristy things they can do, and how many people they can bed). They do it for only a couple hundred quid. Their website shows all the stuff you can do and how cheap you can do it for. Reminds me of an Irish version of Insomniac.

http://www.rte.ie/tv/howlowcanyougo/about.html

Of course we have RyanAire as well (government subsidised airline - tickets to anywhere in Europe, round trip, for under $45). This greatly reduces travel fees to anywhere. I mean, I remember flying from NYC from DC costs like $150 - where as here you could circle Europe for that much.

Also why we take weekend trips to Amsterdam, cuz it's only fifteen euros!

But now I'm really off topic.
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Old 03-15-2006, 12:34 PM   #18
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off topic: Would people steal your stuff in a hostel? Or are there locks on the doors?
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Old 03-15-2006, 12:49 PM   #19
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Would people steal your stuff in a hostel? Or are there locks on the doors?
Common sense tells me to keep a watchful eye on everything you own,no matter how 'friendly' the surroundings are. Suitcases and bags with built-in locks would be a good investment.
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Old 03-15-2006, 01:49 PM   #20
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Wow, Ireland sounds really nice. You guys have a good economic policy over there. I think we have seen in America what can happen when you allow large corporations to run almost every vital service. Then again, I like socialism so...

Anyhow as for the question stated, McDonalds is by far the worst. It's almost like it is trying to enslave people by making them dependant on their food...if you can even call it that. My body has rejected the stuff ever since I was little. If I ate it, I would throw it up later that night. I want to walk in there and ask what grade of meat they use, if the employees know what that means. Also I would advise against eating there during a mad cow outbreak.

As for Walmart, I don't really shop there, but I respect them. I mean, they are a huge company; and they also sell their stuff for really cheap prices. I mean ungodly cheap prices. I personally think they signed a contract with the devil stating that if they gave him Chinese/Burmese/Random Pacific Islander souls, then he would lower their prices. They should have a number on the tag of every product stating how many people died in its production. OOOO sir, you are lucky today. Two young children died making these shoes so that means they are 40% off!

Anyhow, how are monopolies bad? If i where the manager of Walmart, I would make it my mission statement to rule every business in the world; maybe even have a Walmart army just in case the government decides to intervene. Hey eventually it wouldn't even be called Walmart, it would just be "the store". After gobbling up Americas economy, maybe they could even expand overseas. They would end African poverty by employing hundreds of people, and they would end hunger by regulating food prices and distribution!
They would be the superstore, ending the problems of the world one product at a time!

However, since Walmart doesn't pursue such policies it also falls under the bad category as it has crappy service and cheap products (not the good kind of cheap). I have never bought a gun from Walmart but I really wouldn't trust one if I did. The reciever would probably blow up and blow off your face (almost happened to this one reenactor, luckly he was left handed).

Well there ends my rant. Well I'm going to try to immunize myself against McDonalds, as is my weekly habit. Later.
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Old 03-16-2006, 12:58 PM   #21
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But why, when McDonalds is so heroic?

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Old 03-18-2006, 07:17 AM   #22
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Thats a great pic. It's a toon of Iraq, tis what the inscription says on the sign sure!

As far as who is worse, Wal-Mart. Why? Because they kill off all business in the areas the go to. Worse, they import most of their products, meaning that a majority of the money they make goes to countries overseas. It also means less jobs in America, and less competition in the market.

I mean, it doesn't effect me, but it does mean bad things for America. Like the proverbial burning the candle at both ends, they send jobs and money overseas so that people without jobs and money can afford to live outside their social class. At some point, this will break the economy of if not the people but the country.

It reminds me of the coal mine townes in the states during the 1800's. The townes were built around the mine and owned by the company. All shops were also owned by the company, so miners went out and bought stuff in towe and their paychecks went right back into the same company. Wal-Mart moves into an area and does this. People say yes, mom-and-pops are out of business, and many people displaced can work there, but when you work there and shop there with the money you make working there, your literally a slave to the company as 100% of your makings and a good chunk of your salary comes right from the same place.

Mickey D's just ruins yer health. It doesn't take over yer towne and force you into modern day slavery.

Not good.
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Old 03-18-2006, 07:26 AM   #23
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Capitalism in its intended form has long-since ceased to be a possibility.
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Old 03-26-2006, 12:29 PM   #24
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I liked this article today. If Wal-Mart actually sticks to their guns and uses their influnce to make this policy catch on, they could actual make a big difference not only in the states but worldwide. Jusr depends on how much of this is PR and how much they actually follow through with the whole idea.

Wal-Mart's Organics Could Shake Up Retail

http://news.**********/s/ap/20060325/...BhBHNlYwM5NjQ-

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is throwing its weight behind organic products, a move that experts say could have the same lasting effect on environmental practices that Wal-Mart has had on prices by forcing suppliers and competitors to keep up.

Putting new items on the shelf this year, from organic cotton baby clothes to ocean fish caught in ways that don't harm the environment, is part of a broader green policy launched last year to meet consumer demand, cut costs for things like energy and packaging and burnish a battered reputation.


I mean, the reason organic foods and natural health foods are so expensive is because the machines and methods needed to keep them organic and pure are not used as much as many commerical products. So if a large company like Wal-Mart does use its buying power to buy organic products, it would force down the price to within a few cents of other products, encourage more companies to go organic, and make a big difference as it would be cheaper after a few years to buy organic than it would to buy mass produced foods.

But like I said, depends on how much they actually go through with this or if its just another large corporations PR campaign, much like McDonalds did a few years back with those GoHealthy meals and the free pedometers they gave out.
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