Forum Post: Whats the Come Up?
Posted 10 years ago on June 26, 2014, 6:51 p.m. EST by turbocharger
(1756)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
Ok, so we are in the middle of a corporate takeover, consolidation of political power and corporate power is now on a global scale. Perhaps their globalist agenda will allow us here in the US some slack, but its doubtful.
Over 100 million people visit Walmart every week, thats incredible. So clearly our population is not ready to either change their purchasing habits or doesnt want to. Win: Corporations
Around half the population is going to reelect about 90% of the slimy politicians this fall, thats incredible. Clearly our population is not ready to either change their voting habits or doesnt want to. Win: Politicians
So both sides of the problem are on the winning side, at least for now. There is no real signs that this is going to change anytime soon. Despite increasing protests by Walmart workers for better wages, the general population is numb to it. Despite Congress has a 10% approval rating, the filing deadlines are past and in most all states there is nothing happening out of the ordinary, the general population is numb to it.
With all of this being said, as an individual, whats the game plan?
Its a nation gone mad, and what is your plan to keep you and your family's head above water? (this post was inspired by the other one titled Homeless now).
One of the worst problems that my household faces is the crisis that occurs every time our one vehicle is due for inspection.At that time,there is always some kind of repair that needs to be done because the Check Engine light is on.The only solution to this problem is the acquisition of a vehicle which predates the advent of the Check Engine light,which was imposed around 1996 to stop people from driving old cars which they could fix themselves.I have been trying to save money to buy such a vehicle,but my savings have been wiped out over and over again by having to pay for repairs on the one vehicle we have.We have been struggling to save money to buy a vehicle that would free us from being wiped out periodically by the Check Engine light,and will continue to do so.I will be restarting my savings in July,2014 from zero,because I had to pay for a minor repair this month which was causing the Check Engine light to go on,and the vehicle is due for inspection.We fear that we will be annihilated at some point if at some future time,the cause of a check engine light can't be determined,rendering our only vehicle uninspectable and worthless.
Have you noticed how expensive used cars are in this country? They do not want us to buy old cars. They want us to waste our money on new cars and keep replacing them every two years paying the highest insurance and tax, etc. It's all a joke. And, I agree, the check engine light is one of the biggest jokes. How did we get to this place?
the work ethic
IF people are not working|
the economy is not working
The explanation for the messed up situation with the used cars is Cash For Clunkers.Cash For Clunkers is another one of those things that goes to show how easy it is to get people to go along with a plan that is not in their best interest.It was very painful for me to endure the reveling and ecstasy of people who got new cars or big checks through that program.Because I wanted to tell them they are Suckers.And yes,the whole check engine light thing is to force cars off the road after ten years.They control the computers,they control if and when the CES goes off.Lots of cars in good working order can't pass inspection because the CEL is on.They get junked even though they work fine,because the Auto Corporate Complex needs them off the road.What people need,as always,does not matter at all.
Bad education, bad parenting and bad food in the body. A "toxic" combo.
Well said.
On that note, I am reminded of the documentary "The Century of the Self."
From the wiki page on the documentary, "The words of Paul Mazur, a leading Wall Street banker working for Lehman Brothers, are cited: "We must shift America from a needs- to a desires-culture. People must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed. Man's desires must overshadow his needs".
Well, they did a very good job of that. Watch the documentary here:
http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/the-century-of-the-self/
Re-educating away from this consumer nonsense is a huge undertaking, but a worthy cause.
ok.... well ... in all honesty... I hate the check lite too.... but.... if you have access to computer... and anywhere near capible of fixed a pre '95 car... you can also fix your after '95 ... emission free (so to speak) ... car... easier because of that lite !!! .... go to any autozone...adavnce or many other parts retailers.... they will let you use thier dignostic scanner for free.... plug it in and write down the codes.... search google..etc... for make model year & codes... you will find quick info to what needs fixed... go back to parts store... get new parts... replace them.... far eaisier than learning how it all works.... you may have to replace or fix wires ...vac lines etc... in the process.... and run scanner more than once for ... as you fix major problems... more minor ones will pop up.... it's simply the car telling you what needs fixed.... be happy for that check engine lite... otherwise your car will never pass an emissions test... unless of course you don't care about polution
I don't know why you are even commenting on this problem that I have described here.This type of problem affects only people who are very poor.A person who has an income that is even remotely normal would not have this problem as they can afford to just go out and buy another vehicle if they get tired of the check engine light.The access to the computer is not a problem.Thus far,we have been lucky-even when my roommate had to drive around for a month with an expired sticker,we still managed to get the money together to pay for parts & labor and got it inspected.All we need to be totally killed is one ticket.Because without a vehicle we are killed.And yes we do care about pollution but 1)we have to survive 2)in order to significantly pollute you have to pay alot of money for fuel 3) The vehicle has issues that don't cause pollution or safety issues that still make the CEL to go on
Being that most inspection locations are now tied to government computers, one way that used to work to getting a sticker was to go test drive a car of the same make and model, get the inspection, then take it back and use the sticker on your car. The computer registers it the same if the mechanic will enter your vin for you.
That or put snow over the inspection area on your windshield!
Why is it incredible? You know who shops at Wal-Mart? People on a limited income. You aren't in the middle of a corporate takeover. You're at the end.
And actually, it is making a difference. There is no reason to ask the public to subsidize their workers. There isn't.
The people around here are forced to shop at Walmart-there are about 1/10th as many stores as there were Before Walmart.Even so,the local Walmart is shockingly empty just about half the time.Judging by the emptiness during the holidays,it appears that Santa has skipped our area for 2 years in a row.
Most estimates put around 35-40% of their shoppers making more than $50k a year.
It feels that the change is happening too slowly. Walmart just mandated that employees pay for their own uniforms. If that doesnt tip the bucket, Im not sure what will.
Well, that's interesting. The other 60-65%? You wouldn't happen to have a link for that estimate would you?
Theres quite a few, up to 20-25% of the food sales are foodstamp sales. The other 40% then most likely falling under $50k a year.
Tons of info out there on Walmart shoppers. The diversity is incredible, there is no "type" of American that doesnt enjoy shopping there, which was my point. Regardless of income, Americans seem to love Walmart.
http://news.walmart.com/walmart-facts/walmart-economic-customer-insights-report-q3-2012
I'm not disputing your argument. But there are exceptions to every rule. I HATE Wal-Mart for all the right reasons. The important ones. But I also hate their blue/white color schemes, the attitudes of at least 1/2 of their employes, the often unattended departments, and the crowds of people with blank stares on their faces. I haven't set foot inside a Wal-Mart in at least two years. I avoid it like the plague. Fortunately, I have a choice not too far away. That's right. I prefer K-Mart.
Well, according to the link above. You have grandparents that are picking up school supplies for parents which may very well be the the above 50K. Further information includes that the economy is considered sluggish and people are afraid to spend money. Clothes for kids are pretty cheap and those making less than $50K are spending money there.
Ya, most people are not going to run out to Lords and Taylor with an uncertain economic future. They are going to buy only what they need to save as much as they can.
So, I would be careful with that "Americans seem to love Wal-Mart". That's pretty broad.
I'd be interested in how many stores are the only place left to shop in either a rural area or after having caused the destruction of locally owned stores.
This is a decent chart on health of Walmart over the years, recessions dont seem to phase it too much, not much of a swing.
The last point on only one left is very true, at least where people can get everything under one roof, it is extremely convenient, and thats a big selling point of Walmart's. You dont have to bounce from store to store shopping for items. People appreciate that. Its a cost to the economy as a whole, but its hard to see that in the day to day hustle perhaps?
I agree it's seemingly convenient. IF they have a good selection; IF they are cheaper than any available alternative. Wal-Mart has cheaper clothing and cheaper household items. They have school supplies. Some food items may be cheaper (boxed/canned good/occasional sale items) but it may actually be more expensive to buy food from there.
The recession impacted Wal-Mart's supply chain. Their target audience are those that cannot afford higher end supplies or clothing or furniture.
There are nuances that if not acknowledged lead to nothing more than cheap slogans. I think that what I dislike about this is that on the one hand we want to see increased wages for those workers and especially since tax payers are the ones that pay the difference via state aid. On the other hand there is a very broad painting of those that go to Wal-Mart. You peeps change your spending habits and I am not sure that there is this awareness that the majority of people that use Wal-Mart do so because they have to.
Who the hell really wants to walk around in a dirty store with crap crammed together?
Change will not occur until the masses are directly impacted. In spite of all our problems most Americans live comfortable and secure lives. Big screen TV’s are sold by the millions, new cars sales are at record highs, everyone buys the newest iPhone just to stay cool and people still sell their souls to buy a home they can’t afford. It’s hard to convince people who already have everything that we need to turn the system upside down.
Only when conditions and circumstances threaten the security of the masses will change occur. Any significant change won’t come from the efforts of OWS. Or even the Tea Party, or even the Repub and Dems. Change will come from the next depression, or financial collapse, or the next world war. It will take an event catastrophic enough to scare the people into action. People are self serving and won’t react until they have to. People are more interested in sports and craft beer than social and political issues.
So, as much as we complain, most Americans have one of the highest living standards in the world. It’s naive to think people are going to give that up for any groups idea of revolution.