2012 conventions 2012 election 2013 session arts arts and culture author ballot measures basketball bomb books boy scouts budget bullying business charlie hales children clackamas climate change coal college courts crime culture culture club democrats drugs economy education environment family film fluoride food gay rights guns handguns health health care health insurance high school history housing immigration internet kitzhaber law legislature lgbt literary arts living marijuana marriage media medicine mental health military minor parties mohamed mohamud movies music native americans news newspaper obama olympics oregon our town parenting pers photography police politcs politics port portland portland business journal president prevention public safety religion republicans rnc romney rural salem sam adams sandy hook schools science shooting sports suicide supreme court taxes technology terrorism theater third parties transportation union university of oregon washington wildfire women

It is my observation that Walmart is a mixed blessing.  The fact of the matter is that they are here to stay however.   They do hire folks who would otherwise be unemployed and they do give them an opportunity to gain a positive work experience in a very structured environment.  That is a big benefit to these people and other prospective employers.  I think that is worth supporting.  I also want to make my dollars go as far as possible and Walmart helps with this.  I can go to Fred Meyers or other similar store and find the SAME items there at a higher cost.  Even at upscale shops you routinely find the "China" labels.   If other businesses can't compete . . . well isn't that free enterprise?  I don't like paying a surcharge for a purchase just because I didn't have to shop at Walmart.   There are choices.  

posted 3 years, 7 months ago
view in context

The idea of forcing people to buy health insurance is ridiculous!  Our representatives in Washington D.C. have lost touch with WHY health reform is necessary.  Somehow this debate has taken a punitive tone.  It seems to me that they are trying to keep the current health care system afloat while making the public responsibilty for its failure.  I am in favor of all having health care coverage.  But to level the playing field, the government needs to intervene to PROTECT the citizens by providing nationalized coverage supported by taxes.  If we stop being the world's police force, we can easily afford to cover everyone in a reasonable and satisfactory way.  I am facing a medical retirement after working for 25 years for the same hospital.  My health insurance was terminated (unless I could continue an individual plan at $600 for one person).  I was told when I applied for Social Security disability that Medicare wil not be available until I have been on Social Security Disability for TWO YEARS!  How much did you say the fine will be? 

posted 3 years, 7 months ago
view in context