Can't have it both ways

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While absorbing the beauty of nature from the Thought Dock, I heard a story on this morning's nation news (Fox of course) about a group from Washington DC and New Youk City protesting at the private residence of a Walmart executive. Seems they don't want Walmart to open stores in their communities.

Their complaint is that Walmart pays lower wages, sells merchandise (mostly imported) at lower prices, and because of that smaller businesses who can not compete are forced to close.

Well, there might be truth to all of that. But it is a twisted truth. While Walmart is not know for high wages, they do pay benefits, and seeming hire a bunch of people whom might not be able to work anywhere else. You know, like the very unskilled, elderly, and handicapped.

Small businesses on the other hand usually do not offer employee retirement plans, sick leave and maternity leave, medical or other incentives. Small businesses, when facing hard times, only raise their prices to make up for their losses and thus can not compete for my business.

And a few of those protesters looked awfully familiar, as if I've seen them shopping at Walmart. We all want cheap crap, and most of us shop at Walmart to get it. Like Californians who often complain about illegal aliens, while at the same time the hire them to do their heavy labor and dirty work.

You know, I live in a small Oregon tourist and service oriented community. Here there is nothing but small businesses who pay the highest minimum wage in America, yet we have the second highest unemployment rate (something's not working). And, we have a higher cost of living because of these businesses reaping high profits from their goods (and that doesn't work either).

So what's it going to be? Should we insist that all businesses pay higher wages, medical insurance, and retirement to the few people that they can hire; with the flip side of that being higher taxes and product costs? Or should we reduce wages, abandon Obama Care, and hire more people to make and sell us more cheap crap?

Either way, it all costs the same to me. We can't be both ways. So, I'll make the drive to Walmart whenever possible!
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