Tonight on MSNBC it begins, sorta . The candidates are being questioned about their economic policies . I am informing whomever I can because I won't be able to listen to McSame say "Free Market" without throwing something through my TV. Free Market? If we end subsidies it is a free market, but as long as my tax dollars go to billion dollar profit makers it is a socialist market.
The economy is hitting us all, and after I get paid this week for the first time I will be forced to make an economic move I haven't had to EVER make-and that includes my pre-enlistment days when Spam in soy sauce with noodles was a staple. I was young and beer was more important than food.
But this week marks what I consider a low point in my life, financially.
I was laid off because of NAFTA sometime ago. Since, I have had the job I have now, for the last 6 years. It has been a bad year for me, I almost died in January at work. I don't care about dying, honestlybut I don't want to die at work, it seems pathetic to me. It is a personal thing, my mental condition in no way reflects on what I think of others who die at work. It is strictly related to me.
Through my life I have managed to not shop at Wal Mart. I have crossed my mental thresh hold to Target and last year I purchased a Nike sweat suit. I ended up throwing it away. I still can't believe I bought it.
My job involves driving, and a lot of it. As you know, gas has been going up for a few years. I am sure I ain't the only one but it has eaten into my ability to save. Are you shocked? I have always done things thriftily within reason. I go to the butcher for meat, I hit the farmers market for vegetables , I roast my own coffee and I go out of my way to the baker for bread. It is far cheaper than one would think to buy fresh and buy local, it is just inconvenient . But now the extra expense is to much. Driving 20 minutes out of the way costs $25, and it hurts.
Buying stuff from a small business owner is an expense I can no longer afford.
I have been pushed into the realization that I must shop at Wal Mart. I can no longer afford to shop with conscience. I can no longer afford to think of girls in Saipan or China working instead of going to school. I can no longer afford to feel good about myself.
This may sound ridiculous to many, I understand Wal Mart is the most popular retailer in this country but I oppose it. I oppose how it slashes jobs and people's dreams. I understand some people have no other choice, in all honesty for some time now I haven't either. We purchased tons of silk and other fabrics on vacation to make our own clothes, well mostly my wife. I have jeans that are 12 years old at least and they will make it to 20 before I buy another couple pairs. In essence I have done everything I can to avoid the chain stores with all my power.
I do it for my own social statement, nothing more. I would love it if no one shopped there, but I understand and have always understood some people don't have a choice.
The economy has broken me. I wanted to buy a crib from the local furniture guy, he is open on weekends . I've gotten some nice stuff from him-tables and what not. As my wallet thins I checked out Wal Mart-it was enough of a savings I have no choice. And who knew they had clothes that cheap? even other stores are way cheap. I don't want to advertise for them-but I didn't realize clearance racks were so inexpensive .
I am not rich, quite the opposite , I would fit into lower middle class. I just want to help other workers and now, because of President Bush I must fall in line and put my foot on the necks of the children in China, India and Saipan. I am not preaching, I am reaching out. I have tried to make a statement with my money, and now I can no longer afford to.
Impeachment would be nice at this point, at least I would feel like the democratic congress was as angry as me about EVERYTHING !
Hopefully Obama will convince the rest of America that he has a plan to help us. Hopefully I will only have to shop at Wal Mart for 9 months or so. Hopefully, I will be able to rebound and so will you.