Today's Life

Q&A: Does it bother you that shopping at Walmart promotes human rights violations in China?

Today’s Life edited the following
Question: Does it bother you that shopping at Walmart promotes human rights violations in China?

It is widely known that Chinese leaders intend for high employment to divert the Chinese people’s attention from their lack of freedom to happier pocketbook issues.

Americans have generally decried the lack of human rights and freedoms worldwide. Yet, we flock to Walmart to buy cheap Chinese-made goods that promote the violation of those rights and freedoms. Does that bother you when you’re paying for something that should cost ?

ANSWER:

Answer by pissedoffbastard13
Oh yeah, like Wal-Mart is the only place that sells Chinese stuff. At least they buy American whenever our stuff is available.

Answer by tammy b
so are you saying that target’s “made in guatemala” is any better?

Answer by Sultan ‘O Schadenfreude
I avoid Darwin’s waiting room like the Swine Flu

Answer by RIPGOP
Yes. Walmart and the rest of America’s retailers have destroyed our nation by sending all of our jobs to China. In return, we get children’s toys painted with lead paint, we get melamine in our pet food, and we get medical implements that kill the patients.

It bothers me most that no politician is even talking about solving the problem. Not from either party. That makes me sad.

Answer by Martha Z
blah, blah, blah. just how do YOU know what chinese leaders think?

Answer by cheerychick
i like walmart

Answer by Ron Akia
It definitely bothers me knowing that when we buy Chinese produced merchandise we’re putting American’s out of work and that many of the items are inferior to what we’re used to and are made in sweatshops.

However, why blame Walmart? What store sells American made products? The answer is simple. Many items are no longer made here in the USA!

Answer by Tiffany F
I agree that the United States does tend to ignore other problems around the world, but the point is, is that other countries need to deal with their problems and the US should butt out once in a while. As for wal-mart, China and America have business deals going on where we trade goods you’re starting to sound like a radical politician you need to step back and understand that China isn’t the only one with problems and it’s not our fault that we buy something.

Answer by Jane
Really good point!
I feel utter guilt for buying from Chinese manufacturers because of the child labour issues attached, and also because I hate the thought of the country I live in having their home grown businesses lose out to an others cheaper sub standard product.
As it is I do buy from these stores because I can’t afford to buy the more expensive items and I feel like if I don’t, then some poor child in Asia is going hungry as a result!
Damned if we do, and damned if we don’t.

Answer by Sharon
It bothers me enough that I pay the higher price with the label “Made in the USA” as much as I can. I do make exceptions but if I see two similar shirts, for example, I will buy the American-made one. It’s not only Walmart that sells Chinese-made products. But, a while back I read that Walmart was consistently denying their employees lunch breaks & making them work through them in Florida. That bothered me enough that I NEVER shop at Walmart. The Chinese have been taking advantage of their people for years, that particular thing will not change as long as there are countries like ours that indiretly support that philosophy by importing goods. It’s all about supply & demand. We demand, they supply.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!