Walmart

Walmart does not pay fair prices for the goods that it buys. This was obvious from the Frontline video's description of Rubbermaid's attempt to increase their prices, and Walmart's refusal. Walmart also doesn't provide fair wages or benefits to its employees, and has outsourced much of its manufacturing to foreign markets. Both low wages and outsourcing have undoubtedly hurt the US economy. Walmart, with its brilliant supply-chain management and ability to provide a great variety of goods at rock bottom prices, has successfully managed to shut down small town, local competitors in many areas where Walmart opens stores. These closings of community stores decrease community connections and make local economies go stagnant.

As I view Walmart so negatively, it is only self-contradiction that allows me to go there to make purchases from time to time. Recently, when I was moving to a new state and needed a mish-mash of different products, I went to Walmart so that I could buy all of these items in one place. In the hurried lives of working families, graduate students and young professionals, Walmart provides a quick and cheap way to get the things we need. I try to avoid Walamart as much as possible, but sometimes its just too tempting. I wish Walmart paid more respect to local economies and did not use foreign labor so much.

Division of House Chores

My chart showed a general trend indicating that my mother both did more chores around the house, and completed those tasks that were less flexible and required greater sacrifices of work hours. This result is in line with the findings discussed in the textbook.
Discussions of this topic have been heavily focused on the existance of inequalities and differences in the roles of men and women in the family. True, many women still express frustration that their spouses do not take on as many chores as they would like them to. On the other hand, anecdotally I have had many women tell me that they indeed enjoy caring for their families, and cooking dinner provides a way of connecting with their spouse and children. While inequality in this area does exist, I don't think complete "equality" is required in the sense that chores must be split in type and frequency exactly evenly. Perhaps the man and woman could split chores based on what one or the other prefers, and based on the hours worked outside the home and demands placed by the employer.

Religion and Society

Question: Is modern society secularizing? Why or why not?
My thoughts: Many people report, as described in our text, that they attended church as children but now no longer do so. This may lead one to conclude that modern society is secularizing. I do not think that modern society is secularizing. Rather, I would emphasize that membership in religious organizations has increased since the founding of the U.S. Religious affiliation has increased, though attendance at tradiational church services has decreased. This shows not greater secularism but greater individualism and perhaps greater pluralism in the practice of religion. People still seek religious experiences and fulfillment beyond the material world, but the tendency is now to look toward non-traditional and highly personalized methods of obtaining such experiences.

Question: What do you think is the appropriate role of religion in government?
My thoughts: I think that we should always respect the freedom of religion that is preserved in the Bill of Rights. This freedom of religion, however, is not challenged by simple expressions of theism, such as that found in the pledge of allegiance, that are part of our nation's historical context. In fact, freedom of religion does not mean that religion must be eliminated from public life and discussion. It only means that the individual is free to practice the religion of his or her choice!

A Tale of Two Families

As I reviewed the storyline presented in Tale of Two Families, I easily saw that my experience has been most like Max's rather than Byron's. My parents have enough net worth that they can afford to help me if I eve needed it, and were able to pay for my college education without any loans.

I think that these stories don't directly attest to the effect of race, but to the effect of wealth. Insomuch as there is a wealth gap between the races, however, my opportunities have been shaped by my racial/ethnic identity.