CHINESE

I do truly believe this is a civil rights issue. Although, I do also believe it may turn in to an economic issue. I find it crazy that they are being denied, while this disease can only be spread by sexual contact. These people have been given lesser of an opportunity. In my mind, people with any disease of this sort or any for that matter should be treated equally. It sucks that people are basically "downgraded" by their health status.

Chinese Teachers

I really think that it's a civil rights issue, because they have the virus that is causing HIV and AIDS. I also believe that any person that has AIDS or HVI should have the same rights as any other person that doesn't have any disease. This type of diseas can't be spread, only if you have "sexual contact", so why is it not ok to keep your job if your just another human vein with rights to keep your job!!!!

Chinese Teachers

I think this issue is more of a Civil Rights issue. However, I think that this issue will eventually become an economic issue as well. Since individuals are being discriminated against, they are lacking civil rights within their own community. This then leads to a disadvantage in making money, which creates an economic issue. Especially since these people are being denied treatment in hospitals, they are given even more of a disadvantage. I think that each person should be given equal opportunity, despite any disease they may have.

Stuff

In my opinion, the stuff that they say on the video are a little bit exaggerated. I can't believe that 99% of the stuff that we buy, we throw it away. I also agree that that we need to recycle more things. This also relates to black friday, many people wait on line for hours to buy bunch of things that are on sale, that some day they will throw away. I think that those people that want to keep up with the new/modern things are materialistic. People need to start thinking more about the environment.

Chinese Teachers

I think that the issue is more of a civil rights issue; because if they have the virus that causes HIV/AIDS, it is only to be dealt with by the government on whether or not they will get to keep their teaching jobs. Plus it is spread by "sexual contact" and I don't think that the teachers would even have any kind "sexual contact" with their students.

Stuff

I was very surprised with the things that I learned in this video. Although I felt that some things were exaggerated, I found most of the things very surprising and true to real life. First of all, I was really interested that we create 30% of the world's waste. The more that I think about it, I can definitely see that being true. Also, I was very shocked that we only keep 1% of the things we buy and throw away the other 99%. This is another statistic that I find not to be so true. It seems crazy to think about, although it could possibly be true. However, that statistic is more difficult to grasp the concept and relate to my personal life.

Quarter 2, Week 5: Chinese Teachers

First, read the following article regarding three HIV-positive men who have been denied teaching jobs in China:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/28/us-china-hiv-idUSTRE7AR0GN20111128

Do you think this is more significant as an economic issue (one that restricts people's ability to make money) or as a civil rights issue (one that restricts people's human rights)?  Explain.

Story of Stuff

The most surprising thing that i found in the video, was that there are toxins in things that we won't normally think that would have toxins and that once we throw it out and it goes to the dump, the toxins get released into the atmosphere. I don't think that a lot of the video was overexaggerated, it sounded like she knew what she was talking about. feel like Black Friday is kind of pointless because we are going to end up throwing it out anyway just to get an upgraded version of that product. Yeah we may find a lot of stuff on sale but how long are we going to really use any of it?

Stuff

This video really made me think about my spending habits. However I feel that a lot of it was blown out of proportion. I mean, we only keep 1% of the things we buy? Where'd they get that number from? I know for a fact that most people can't afford to buy a new computer or Ipod every year, though we may feel the urge, if the product we already own still works I don't think most people will go out and buy a new one. Although I felt they were exaggerating a lot, I did like that they were shining a light on the fact that we are all pretty trapped in this system of producing and consuming and that unless we all realize that we don't always need to get the next best thing, we'll probably be happier in the long run.

Story of Stuff

I found it surprising about the computers and how one little piece is changed in order to make a new computer, and you can't simply replace it because it's a different shape. I mean business wise that's clever but it's sad how we as people have to feel like we should constantly have the latest thing. I don't know how I feel about Black Friday. I've always thought it was kind of ironic how we have a day to be thankful for everything we have and the very next day people are at stores punching each other out for things they want. I mean I've done Black Friday before too. But I think it's becoming ridiculous. People are getting so violent just for something they will throw away later. This video was kind of an eye opener as to how people can just care so much about materialistic things, and it opened my eyes a lot on how I need to be more grateful for all the things I already have.

Stuff

The parts about how if you buy some you will most likely throw it out within 6 months. I think this is crazy that almost all the things you buy get thrown out within 6 months. But the part that I think is exaggerated was when she was talking about computers and that you have to buy a new computer every year. This is not true for me because I have had the same computer for about 4 years. This fact may be true for some people who always want the next best thing and are super materialistic but it dose not apply to everyone. I think Black Friday is awesome you get to get video games for 50% off and it stimulates the economy too. Over 11.6 Billion dollars were spent this year which is great. I just think that all the big corporations should all do something about the waste they put out because it is messing up the earth.

crazy stuff

What I found most interesting was the percentages she had. To think that we create 30% of the worlds trash is ridiculous. I don't think there was much exaggeration to this video. Being in the environment I'm in, I see fist hand the excessive amount of consumption and waste we make. We always have to have the newest thing and be up on the newest trends. New trends and technologies are always being produced which leads to us throwing out our "old and useless" things. After seeing this video, what I think about black friday remains the same. It's just a day created by our government to boost the economy by making us spend money we don't have.

Stuff

In that video i was really shocked by how we use only one percent of the stuff we buy and 99 percent goes to waste. Americans are very wasteful but no one ever see's what really happens in life. We end up wasting a lot of useless things and just cause an even bigger problem. It's really crazy to say that we use 30 percent of the worlds pollution. Black Friday doesn't help out the situation either, just more people going out and buying junk.

The Story of Stuff

I never knew just how much we just wasted and threw away without a second thought. I knew that we wasted a lot of stuff and gave out a lot of pollution but not to that extent. Its just crazy that we are responsible for 30% of the worlds pollution, that's just not right. I don't really feel any different about black Friday thought. That's just the way we work as a society and there's not really anything that we can do about it to change it.

Stuff

I knew that we as Americans are pretty wasteful, but I had no idea the extent of it. I think the video said we accounted for some 30% of the worlds waste and that is ridiculous and selfish. Then when we waste our resources we go into other countries and take their resources like its our own, it's just wrong. We just take and don't give, we always want more and are never happy with what we have. Speaking of which, black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, right? Thanksgiving is a day where we all give thanks for the things we have and are greatful, yet later that night we trample other people in a barbaric frenzy to get stuff we don't actually need...seems a little hypocritical.

Stuff

I think that as americans we feel the need to constley have stuff becuase we feel it might make us happy, but then we get boared with the stuff we have and go get more. I think it's crazy that we only keep 1% of the things we buy and that we should start doing more so all this buying and throwing away donesn't continue. The fact that alot of people are going green has hepled alot but I think that we as a hole should find away to fix constent buying and getting ridof. As for black firday I think that it's wastful and dangourse and it should end becuase people get hurt. But then again it's there disecion to go out and buy a bunch of things they don't really need becuase it ceeper.

Stuff~

I knew that we were pretty wasteful, but I never knew we threw away so much though. After watching the video, I was definitely surprised to find out that Americans throw away 99 percent of the things we purchase. It makes us look really bad when we only keep 1 percent of the things we buy. A lot of the things stated in the video are true, but I think that a lot of things weren’t mentioned as well. One thing not mentioned is the huge “going green” movement we have right now. Although we might throw away a lot of stuff, we recycle a lot too. We try to care for the environment, and are trying our best to help the world. A lot of the video only focused on the bad, and ignored the good that we do. So Black Friday… I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. I think we end up spending more than saving, but it’s our own decision to go or not. Like my mom always says to me, “The only way to save is to not shop at all.”

Story of Stuff

This video was very interesting. I found it very interesting that babies are receiving the most toxins in the world because of breast milk. In my opinion, thats ridiculous. Also, the part about our pillows being doused in neurotoxins before being sold i think is a little bit over exaggerated. With every video and article there is a narrator who has some type of opinion on the subject they are discussing, and in this video the narrator is very anti- production so she points out every negative aspect to the production process making us believe that everything is bad, so some of the examples she gives i believe are quite over exaggerated and unnecessary. The whole idea about black friday... i think with setting prices super low for one day is ridiculous, but hey people love it. I feel no matter how many people watch this video, they will still go black friday shopping and shopping in general and do whatever they can to get that low price. people in our society dont necessarily care about how low prices and whatnot come about, they just like discounted items.

The Story of Stuff

After watching the clip, it's surprising how wasteful Americans really are. But I think the video was exaggerated overall. Part of our society is keeping up with technology. As new technology comes out, the old things are no longer used, and often go to waste. A day like Black Friday can be both good and bad. While there are often extremely good deals, it tricks people into buying things that they don't need, and they eventually go to waste.

Stuff

I cant help but to doubt the fact that we throw away 99% of the stuff we purchase. It just doesnt seem to make sense, becuase i know that for my household that its not even 50%. Maybe they are just putting that statistic in there to exaggerate their point, and that would make sense because if you are going to make a video like this one you have to make the people who are watching it believe and act upon how they feel on a certain subject. In this case, "Stuff."I dont believe that this video was researched tyo the fullest extent, and if it was shame on them for lying. Just nickname the director "Wal-Mart"

The Story Of Stuff

This video was not that surprising at all. Everyone knows that the US is a very wasteful place but no one wants to do anything about it. Having a lady throw big numbers at me isn't going to make me go out and start a community recycling program. I thought she exaggerated a lot when she was just listing off how we don't appreciate everything we have and just throw it out after 6 months. With technology because it is improving by the day, this is almost necessary to stay in the loop. However, people don't just dump their old stuff, I still use my old iPod, and I know that there are many places that recycle these electronics. It's up to the people to take advantage of these programs.
After watching this video, I really don't feel that different about Black Friday. I never participated in it before, and I probably won't participate in it after watching this video, anyway.

stuff

I've always known that America was a "me first" society. Of course, this individualistic culture naturally draws people to consume a lot of things and I think the video did a good job and showing how we can be wasteful but there were some exaggerations. For example i don't think that many people are moving to the city on a daily basis, but I am sure many people are. Sometimes videos exaggerate just to make it more "shocking" and then the viewers will listen more. But America's consumeristic ways aren't necessarily all bad. It's just a way of life and for our society it's the only thing we know. We may be wasteful, but I really don't think anything or anyone plans on changing.

Story of Stuff

In the video, what I found most surprising is how people in the United States use only one percent of the stuff they have. Also, I find the incinerators to be most surprising. These are most surprising because I thought people in the United States would use what they have. I thought products would be mostly recycled. There are no over emphasis on anything in the video, I think, because the information she told is accurate to today. The taking of natural resources is true, and the solution to having all steps equal to each other is possible. Her words are true about consumers in the cycle. This makes me think that Black Friday is all right for people who need the items, but Black Friday is not needed for people who have all the stuff they need. Black Friday is fine to have for products that are made to a certain amount.

The Story of Stuff

I think one of the exaggerations she has is that every product we produce is thrown together with deadly toxins - that we dip our pillows in neurally-damaging chemicals only to have our heads light on fire during our slumber. I also have a hard time believing some of her statistics. I get it, a lot of people are getting screwed over, but 200,000 a day are moving to cities - good joke. She seems so critical of every aspect she brings up, never taking on the other side of the argument, thus rendering her own argument invalid. I can't help but find her to be a single-minded advocate of a single cause against a system that just works. For the better, of course not, but it just does - she claims people created the system, meaning the individual humans, but the reality is that society, the construct, the idea, of humans, created it. And Black Friday? Sure, I think it's a great idea for people to get mauled, trampled, even killed for material goods that we're going to complain about and repeat the process a year later - makes complete sense to me.

the story of stuff

I think it was really eye opening to see how wasteful we truely are as Americans. I think the amount of things we consume and buy is becoming so out of hand that eventually our earth won't be able to support our way of life. But, because people aren't limiting the amount of things they buy I don't think these habits of over consuming are going to change in the near future. I think black friday shopping is just a way for producers to draw in more consumers and make them buy more unnecessary stuff.

Vido on stuff

In a way i feel that the entire video exaggerated on everything. I also think that if they didn't exaggerate, the video would not have made that big of an impact on us and it wouldn't have gotten us thinking like it has. the one statistic that surprised me was that 99% of what we buy is in the trash after 6 months. I just think that is wrong and something should be done to stop it. on the other hand i love black Friday i never would participate in it until this year and after this year i thought it was pretty fun and i would definitely do it again.

The Story of Stuff

I thought this video was very eye opening. It is amazing how wasteful we really are and how most of the things we buy end up in the trash within months of buying it. Although this video is eye opening, I do not think this is going to change for a very long time. Things like Black Friday cause Americans to go out and spend even more and waste even more. Until we can realize how much we waste and take action, things will never change.

The Story of Stuff

After watching the video, the most surprising fact was the part about how breast milk is really toxic, causing babies to drink and digest toxins. If that's the case, we need to do something fast to prevent babies from drinking toxic breast milk but I thought the woman exaggerated a little bit when she discussed the milk. I believe she also exaggerated when she was talking about corporations making products as breakable as they can so consumers have to buy new products every year or two. While this is true to a certain extent, some companies do try to make durable products that last a long time. Black Friday is extremely bad for everyone except the consumers and the company owners. The people working in production factories get paid less for more hours and the store workers share the hours with more people, decreasing their pay check.

The Story of Stuff

In general the video was not very surprising because it has been ingrained in our brains that we are wasteful and that we need to recycle and contribute to fixing this problem. But one statistic that really was surprising to me and stood out was that 99% of what we buy is in the trash after 6 months. To me this is crazy and ultimately shows how wasteful we are. I don't really think this will get much better, at least not anytime soon. Black Friday is the perfect example of why this problem will not improve, people do not want to change their ways. I was at Woodfield at four in the morning, people are willing to go to great lengths for low prices.

Story of Stuff

This clip was very interesting. It was surprising to me how wasteful we really all. The earth and other people really get hurt when we go out and buy the newest version of an item. If we do keep this pace, there will be no earth. Also, I never knew how bad the environments are where our products are made. Overall, everyone and everything is hurting just because we new things!

i think people just need to realize what they need and dont need. I went black friday shoping with my friend and there was a dude who bought like four T.V's and like three Xbox games and a blue ray dvd. What in the world would you need that many T.V's for. People just need to stop being so dumb and start doing something usefull for the economy. Stores also need to stop trying to cheat the people into byeing things that they dont really need. Because after all, that is what black friday is all about, to get the consumer to purchase something that the usually would never buy. I think we need to just get away from these scetchy people who run these stores

story of stuff

I was shocked to find out how bad this system really is. The amount of garbage produced by homes and factories is outrageous. Sadly, the most shocking thing is how easy it would be to help fix the cycle, but yet, nothing happens. By simply recycling we could do a ton of good, but we dont. its a disgrace.

The Story of Stuff

I was very surprised to learn about the amount of stuff that we consume in our economy. When I buy something I have never really thought about where it goes after it breaks or when I'm done using it. Something else that surprised me was when they said that products are designed to break over a certain period of time so that the consumer goes out and spends money to buy the newest version of the same product. I always knew that this was the case but now that I'm thinking about it, it makes me realize how unfair that really is. Companies are out to make money and they don't care about the resources they are wasting to produce these products for its consumers.

Stuff

I feel as though black friday is starting to get a little bit ridiculous. Stores are now opening earlier and earlier every year. And now that the economy is bad you could honestly get the same discounts any other day. Black friday just wants to bring customers into the store so they can find great deals on things they don't need. After watching the video it was hard to believe what she was saying is the truth. It's scary to know that if we keep at this pace there will be no earth. I don't think we can do anything to slow down our consumption of stuff, because we do need some stuff to survive. We just need to make some improvement in the system and fix the big problems!

story of stuff

I found this video very surprising. I never knew the conditions in which are products are made are in such bad shape. The factorys cause a ton of pollution and we are destroying the Earth and natural habitats just to buy the newest products when they come out. Also, the workers who work on American goods are very poor and have horrible working conditions. Now that I've seen this video I think differently about Black Friday. There are great deals but that comes at a cost. The workers and the Earth is hurting because we always want new things.

vidddd on stuff

Ater watching the video , i found it a lot of the video unbelievable. The amount the american public uses or has a demand for is far beyond my expectations. If we keep at this pace like she said in the video we wont have an earth. Before this video i saw black friday as a day of great deals and something no one should pass up. However after the video no only does black friday hurt the economy , the demand people have the stores cant support. All it is , is an excuse to get customers into the store so they find reasons to buy other things.

The Story of Stuff Video responce

I didn't really find anything in that video particularly surprising. We have all been lectured to about the cost of living in a consumer culture since we were small. I remember watching videos in elementary school about how the packaging on toys would poison our water supply. However, I do think that the effect that our consumerism is having on third world countries was a little mellow dramatic. Don't get me wrong, I get how every time I buy, well, anything really, there is a whole chain of people working in hot, miserable environments for pennies to produce that product. However, I don't think that we are destroying their lives by creating a world where there are a great surplus of factory jobs. For many of these people, working in a factory is a welcome escape from their impoverished communities. If we followed the video's advice, and made an attempt to cut down our consumption to the point where these factories would no longer be needed, this would do far more harm than good. Rather than having a job that needed some improvements as far as worker's rights are concerned, they have nothing. Wouldn't you rather have a hard, dirty job than be on the streets, starving?

Instead of attempting to get rid of the current system, we should instead try to improve it. Don't close factories down, make them safe and clean for the environment. Don't stop creating consumer goods just because you are afraid they are going to end up in a landfill some time in the future, just make better quality products that will last longer, and thus cut down on the demand for more and more of the same stuff. Is our current production system abusive to the environment and workers? Yes. Does it need to be done away with and redone completely? No. We just need to focus our time and money on fixing the problems and that will be enough to ensure a better future.

Story of Stuff

I've always been a fan of black friday, but never participated in it until this year. I don't think our nation consumes too MUCH.. I think we consume in the wrong ways. We hit our 'limits' and keep going, and going, and going... it's ridiculous. I was very surprised at the level of waste we produced though. I think this won't change though, we are getting more and more people, and these people won't want to change their ways to accommodate our planet.

Wal-mart

I don't think there are very many redeeming qualities that Wal-Mart has. I personally don't want to shop somewhere where I'd be buying products made in sweat shops in China. Not only that but Wal-Mart mistreats their American workers too. The fact that everyone else as tax payers are paying for full-time employee's health care and welfare seems unfair, for both the tax payers and the employees. If you have a full-time job you shouldn't be making a decision between food or a trip to the doctor, that's completely unethical. I think that Wal-Mart should stop being money hungry and share a little with their workers because without them Wal-Mart couldn't exist.

walmart

I think stores like Walmart are bad for america. All they do is throw people into the cycle of poverty. they don't help america in anyway. They treat their employees like crap, they dont sell american products and very few people make a large profit off of the hard work of others.

Walmart

Walmart is becoming like the steel company back in the 1900s. Its a big monopoly. Its crippling the american communities. It forces ma and pa stores to shut down. It also doest help its employees. Walmarts should be shut down before america becomes even poorer.

Walmart

Walmart is becoming like the steel company back in the 1900s. Its a big monopoly. Its crippling the american communities. It forces ma and pa stores to shut down. It also doest help its employees. Walmarts should be shut down before america becomes even poorer.

Walllllwalllwalllwalllmarttt

So low prices where do they come from? Slave work or as they call it now a days sweat shops. Hard working individuals spending 14 hours of their day working on cheap clothing and toys, so that large companies like Walmart can sell them to make themselves rich. I believe Walmart is a horrible place and should be shut down all across the country. People everyday go in and see low prices but they never see the signs behind it. More people need to understand the truth and then decide if they want to shop there. The rich need to stop being so rich.

Wal-Mart

I think that Walmart is both bad and good for the economy. They are able to provide low price options for people that may not have a boatload of cash, but they also destroy small businesses. Walmart can go into a town and singlehandedly run all the other stores out of business. However, in the process they are providing goods for the consumer to purchase at really low prices.
They may do some unethical things, like support sweatshops in Asia, but they are really not breaking any laws here in the U.S. I think they built themselves up fairly and help people buy cheap goods, but they also run small businesses out of town at the same time, and destroy more jobs than they create.

Quarter 2, Week 4: The Story of Stuff

First, watch the following video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM

The video is titled "The Story of Stuff" and comments on Americans' level of consumption and its social, environmental, and economic affects.  What parts of this video do you find most surprising?  What parts do you think are overexaggerated?  After watching this video, how do you feel about Black Friday?  EXPLAIN!

I think that in a way Wal-Mart is good and bad. It's good because of the low prices and it is affordable for most people. And it's bad because it takes away a lot of local businesses in that area.

Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart is the worst thing that could be happening in our economy today. Its the closest thing that we have to a monopoly in the U.S., but of course the government is not going to break it up because they dont want to upset some political leaders. It's unfair how this whole thing works, Wal-Mart doesnt pay its employees nearly enough to survive, and tell them to go on welfare, and collect food stamps for help. Which makes tax payers pay more. Its just not fair.
Shout out to my girl Robak on this one

the epiphany of selfish

Walmart is the reason for an economic revolution, they are the single most greedy and non progressive company in america. there is a huge price to pay for Walmart's success and it is coming directly from your wallet, yeah that's right your wallet. You are paying walmart indirectly through high taxes to aid the under privileged for health care and other necessities because Walmart is too selfish to provide their workers with proper salaries and benefits. Those workers then turn to the state to receive benefits which raise taxes for the rest of america. Walmart is sucking every penny they can get their hands and keeping it all for themselves.

Walmart

I think that Walmart is good and bad for the economy. It's bad for the economy because when it comes into a town it destroys local businesses and kills jobs. But at the same time it also helps people and families who are on budgets. Walmart has taken over but it's not all bad.

Walmart ♥

I think that Walmart is cool... yah... the end :) :P ~(>3<)~ <===squid

wal-mart

I think Wal-Mart is terrible for our economy. They barely produce anything in America. The workers they employ here cant even afford to live comfortably in the U.S. too. Even their international workers need to be treated better. If they were a true american company, they would produce items in america, they would sufficiently pay their workers, and they would help communities, not destroy them. Wal-Mart has unfairly become a successful company because they undermine competitions prices.

Economic Systems

I think we should have a capitalistic society because that encourages creativity and new design. But there has to be limits, such as no monopolies. I think our system works okay but has flaws and loop holes. I like capitalism because its competitive and forces companies to think outside the box. But when companies start controlling everything then we have a problem.

I think that Walmart has become fairly succesful in our economy. I mean the numbers don't lie, sure some people may not approve of how they run their company, but we live in a free market society people have the right to run their business however they want. If you don't like it, then leave. I think people just get angry with Walmart because other people don't like them without even knowing the facts. Walmarts low prices make it possible for lower income families to afford items they otherwise wouldn't be able to purchase. So yes I think they are succesful.

walmart has cheap prices and tactics

Walmart has turned into a corrupt company that lowers the American standard. To keep profits rising walmart's CEOs use degrading tactics such as taking advantage of low-wage workers including children in China and even third world countries. workers in Bangladesh make between 11 and 17 cents an hour, and when the Bangladesh government wanted to raise minimum wage to 35cents an hour Walmart responded by lobbying against any workers raises. CEOs atWalmart will exploit anyone in order to receive their profits. If Walmart really wanted to benefit the economy in America then they would buy from American factories and suppliers. Instead over 85% of all its merchandise are made over-seas, by taking its factories overseas it forces American manufacturing companies out of business. Walmart basically just takes advantage of sweatshop workers in third world countries comes into small towns, wipes out ma and pop businesses and traps small town communites into its unrelenting cycle of low wages and tax payer subsidies and healthcare.

Wal-Mart

Wal-mart is has become one of the biggest companys in the United States. It's low prices makes it eaiser for people to get what they need cheaper and faster. Though wal- mart is good in the way it helps people who can't always affored things, it's the many reason people can not affored iteams. Wal-mart is a company that makes businesses go bankrupt cause lots of people to loss thier jobs. Makeing it hared to deal with money , which cause a drop in the economy. Also wal-mart dosen't care any of their empolys or any of the people who shop at wal-mart. The people who run wal-mart only care about becomeing richer, and by doing this it puts a even bigger gap between the rich and the poor.

Walmart

Walmart has fairly become a successful company in America's capitalistic economy. While many people do not agree with their low prices and wages, the way Walmart became what it is today is the definition of the American dream. Though the way they created the company was fair, their practices of low prices and wages further extends the gap between the wealthy and the poor. By eliminating all of the competition in small towns, they force the population to work on their terms which is beneficial for the company but not for the people.

wal-mart

i think that wal-mart has become a successful company fairly in the economic system but they got to the place they are know by using dirty tactics. They pay the people who work in factories in china and india something like .17 cents an hour. Also they have a horrible health care system for their works and encourage their workers to use government funded programs if they need help. Furthermore, this makes families have to choose between if they can feed the family or get the kid some medication. This is a horrible choice to make for someones family and its because of wal-marts horrible health care system. The government should do some good old fashion trust busting but wal-mart style .

Wal-Mart

I think the video was very extreme with its views. It only tried to point out every bad thing about the company. I don't usually like Wal-Mart because I just get this uncomfortable feeling every time I go in one. I'd have to say that it's bad for the economy. Dropping into small towns and destroying small businesses is what Wal-Mart does best. With such high profits and small wages, the company has the capabilities to almost destroy the economy by itself.

Walmart

Watching the documentary has definitely changed my views on Walmart. I never knew that Walmart caused so much suffering in a lot of people’s lives. Low prices definitely come with a cost: low wages, poor health insurance, and major damage on the surrounding local economy. Making money is always their first priority, and they lack the care and consideration for their employees. Walmarts, although they offer low, affordable prices, do more bad than good. Walmart sounds like an evil empire trying to take over the world, but I have to remember that the video is very biased, and buried under the corruption and lies, they do help. Some families depend on Walmart’s affordable goods, and if we decide to close down every Walmart, they wouldn’t be able to support themselves. I will have to remind myself that the documentary is very biased, but it has definitely lowered my respect for Walmart.

Walmart

I'm still kind of mixed on how I should feel only because all I have heard are negative things. Also if "so many" people dislike Walmart then why are people still shopping there? I do though however disagree with the way they run certain things throughout the company. An example of this would be health care, with the family making billions they can easily give some of it back to their employees and not be affected.

The Walmart topic is a very difficult one. Although I would like to place all the blame on Walmart and say that they are 100% bad, I can't. They do provide cheap goods for people who can't afford anything else. However, I do think that we have been focusing more on the negative side of Walmart in class and this is why most of us may be inclined to say they are bad. In my opinion, Walmart is both bad and good, but I also don't think it's going to change any time soon. Whether or not they are hurting our economy seems almost pointless to argue because it would be nearly impossible to shut Walmart down. Walmart is a part of our society and we just have to figure out a way to work around it.

Walmart

Walmart has made the United States worse for the economy. I think this because Walmart has hurt the environment, and gets paid a lot more money than the Walmart employees. The idea of having all things together is an average idea. The CEO's of Walmart should properly place the Walmart at a safe spot that does not hurt the environment. They should be for employee union. This way the employees who operate Walmart can feel as comfortable as the CEO's of Walmart. People could have more jobs if Walmart did not exist at all main central stores.

Walmart is the consumer's fault

Walmart has not forced anyone to buy their products. They may not have the best working conditions and ruin local businesses but that's because American citizens choice to shop at large company's instead of local stores. We cannot blame Walmart for having such good prices; only ourselves for choosing to shop there. If people just shopped at small businesses instead of large corporations, then we would be helping the standard of living for the 99% of America and not the 1% who are extremely wealthy. Take responsibility for your actions America!

Walmart

Although Walmart advertises their low prices to help lower income families or families on a budget, it comes at a price. In order to offer these low prices, Walmart pays their employees low wages, and never have as many workers as they need. They also have poor health insurance options for their employees, so they turn to the government for help. In the big picture, they are hurting our economy. They are pushing small stores out of business, and while they say they are creating jobs, they and taking away a lot of jobs at the same time. So even though they advertise their low prices, behind the scenes, they are hurting our economy more than they are helping it.

wallmart is bad

Wall mart is not only a bad thing for this country, but its also a bad thing for the people. Its ruining all the nice little buissinesses or covience store and running them out of buissiness. When i heard that there is well over 1,000 Wall Marts in this country and only 320 apple stores from the sub on friday i was amazed. Were putting so much power in to the hands of one family and that is not right. They should create these super stores that will run everybody straight to the ground. if we are not careful wall mart will make store bigger than woodfield mall

WalMart

Walmart is not good for the U.S economy. They are running hard-working, family run businesses out of business. These companies are trying to compete but cannot with a company that treats it employees poorly and buys product from places using unfair labor practices. People are losing their jobs because of this and are forced to work at Walmart. The employees at Walmart are treated horribly. They can't quit however because that's the only job they can get. All Walmart's doing is taking away jobs from Americans and therefore is bad for the economy.

Walmart

When it comes to Walmart, I am very torn. There is no doubt in my mind that it is a corrupt, evil company responsible for violating worker's rights at home and abroad. I also see the impact that Walmart is having on small town America, and think that it is terribly sad, but I also see why consumers keep going back. For families in this economy that are struggling to make it from pay check to pay check, Walmart makes the difference between a full pantry and having to tell their kids that they won't be having hot meals anymore. We can't afford to keep the Walmarts around because of what they are doing to our economy, but we can't afford to break the corporation up because of what it would do to middle and lower class America. Instead, I think that government action to help the struggling workers around the world is the best that we can do right now. Whether we like it or not, Walmart has become a necessary evil within our economy, and so all we can do is lessen the burden on workers victimized by the corporation.

Honestly I really think we should have been told the other part of the story in class. Now everyone is on a 'i hate walmart/walmart is evil' rampage and I really don't think that is fair. My brother works at Walmart so after watching this video I asked him about it. When he went to Fremd he watched the same video. He said that he has never been asked to work over-time off the clock and that even if he ever was Walmart gives their employees permission to go and talk to their manager right away if something like that occurs. If the manager is of no help they can continue to move up the line to speak to above manager after manager and push it until there is a response. They are told they can do that. Yes, Walmart has done a lot to keep unions out of the store, but most people that work at Walmart have come in because they don't want to work under a union. If they had wanted then they could have gone to work at Jewel or some other company. They chose that and walmart has the right to not want a union. Don't get me wrong I think what was shown in the video was sad on a lot of levels but I think it was also very one-sided and that is wrong for us to not be shown both sides. Walmart also started off as a small business and grew into a huge corporation which was really what the little companies that were shown were trying to do as well. So no, I don't think Walmart is bad for the economy. I think every company has things to work on, including Walmart but that is part of the process of having a business.

Wal-Mart is the Devil.

I work at Jewel-Osco and I belong to the Local 881 UFCW Union. Full time workers get health care, 401k, medical leave, and so much more. All workers get a raise every 6 months. What Wal-Mart does to its workers is criminal. They under pay and keep their amount of workers low. Honestly I think the CEO and any other high up Wal-Mart employee should get some sense slapped into them, literally. As for the free market I think that when they drive other businesses out of service, yes it is sad, but thats the free market. When the treat their employees like crap, that is not free market.

Walmart

After watching the documentary on Walmart, I think it is both good and bad. Yes, we can go to Walmart and buy items for a whole lot cheaper than at others stores but the low prices are coming at other people's expense. I was shocked that such a large and profitable company was treating its employees with such disrespect. Yeah, no one is forcing those people to work there but some of them have no choice. For some people they needed a job and Walmart was the only place that they could work. Maybe some people will boycott Walmart after watching this documentary. I want to but my mom said she"ll still shop there and when I move out I can shop where ever I want. I just think it's horrible to keep shopping at a store that doesn't give its workers rights and doesn't care about the factory conditions in its Chinese factories.

Walmart

I think that Walmart has made itself a successful company but with flaws. Sure, people view it bad that they treat their employees like garbage by not paying them enough to provide for their families, having terrible health care, and getting rid of small town businesses by their presence, but I think there are two sides of this story. In class, we only saw in the point of view of the people who had small businesses in small towns, who lost their jobs because of Walmart, but there are still many people who likes and lives fine on Walmart's cheap prices. There should always be a balance on the two, like there can't be too many Walmarts, and there can't be too many small businesses for the economy to be balanced. I think Walmart should change some of their ways on how they treat their employees around the world, but I don't see them as too big of a problem if they make those few changes.

Walmart

I think Walmart has fairly made itself successful, but at the same time is bad for our economy. The low prices that everyone loves are at many other peoples expense. The employees get awful health benefits and end up paying huge bills for their kids and such, and tax payers have to pay higher taxes in order to pay for government aids like food stamps and Medicaid. Walmart is one of the richest corporations in the world so they should support their employees by paying them more or helping with their health benefits do they have a chance to support their families. Also, the family owned shops that have been in business for many years are being closed because of Walmart, which I think is really sad because it increases unemployment.

Wal-mart

I think that Walmart is breaking the economy or causing the economy of small business in small towns to drop. Walmart is bad for the U.S economy, but its also good because its helping create more jobs and its also helping the people to buy more cheaper stuff there. One thing that Wlamart shoudl do is help more their employees by giving them higher wages, more benefits, better health benefits. Because what they are doing is not right, they're telling their employees to go and get health coverage from the government. Walmart should take care of that.

Walmart

I think walmart is very bad for the economy!!!!!!!!! Walmart has good intentions, but they don't give their employees fair opportunities. They tell their employees that they have an affordable health care plan, but in reality it's too expensive and they can't afford it. Walmart is just very sketchy... they delete their worker's hours!! Maybe they should open less stores because they can't even pay all their workers. Walmart is using the system and taking advantage of the government.

Walmart

I believe that Walmart is bad for the economy, but can also help the people that can't afford as much. Walmart is taking over too many businesses and has too much control over America. Since they can't pay for their own workers, the money comes out of our taxes. Especially in small towns, ma and pop shops have been getting closed down to make way for their town center of Walmart. They need to stop closing down these small shops because they are also costing more jobs than they can give.

Wall to the Mart

I think that Wal-mart is a good place for families looking for cheaper things to go because some of them even depend on it, but I also believe that Walmart controls too much buisiness and that it is bad for the economy. I agree with what the old guy in the movie said about it. It is like a monopoly that needs to be broken up. The government broke up oil and other companies back in the day but people are ignoring Wal-mart. As for being "fair" I guess they are not breaking any laws that I know of but I still dont like that they are killing off small and family owned buisiness's in small rural towns. They should just leave them alone because those stores are pretty much all they have and they are very proud of them.

Walmart

In this movie, Walmart was portrayed as a negative company. Many people that were interviewed were ones that were part of a smaller local companies. In my mind, I am on the side that doesn't like Walmart's way of going about things. To me, they target small towns with many local companies. It is their goal to wipe them out and become the number one store in that area. On the other hand, Walmart is a great store with good deals, but to me, it seems almost unfair to everyone else. As shown in the movie, some people have worked their whole lives to bring up their business, yet in a matter of months, many can fall apart and go out of business.

Wal-Martttt

This week, you will be watching a documentary on Wal-Mart. After viewing the documentary, do you think that Wal-Mart is "bad" for America's economy, or has it "fairly" become a successful company in America's capitalist system? Explain.

I used to think that people who didn't like wal-mart was because they just had a bad experience with it or they thought they were too good for it, but now that i've watched the documentary i have a completely new view of the store. Before the documentary i thought wal-mart was a fair priced company & that it helped out a few people in need. Now that i have a better view of the store, i have started to dislike it more and more... i would think that a company that big could at least help out their employees instead of making them ask the government. No wonder their prices are so low; we all pay high taxes to support ll their employees since they can't. I personally feel like the government should say something to them since they're basically taking advantage of the government plans for the poor. Wal-mart is trying to take over the world!

Economic Systems

I think that the free market economy works best in our country. We have maintained a successful free market economy and have continued to grow as well. It is important that our country learns from small mistakes that have already happened, and then we can continue to grow stronger. I don't think America should change it's system because it has been working so well, and it would be very risky to try out any other way. This is what we're all used to, and any slight change could cause more problems in the long run.

Wal Mart

I think companies like Wal Mart are very harmful to our economy. Although it seems best for the consumer, it's the worst in the long run. People are being treated poorly, and consumers are supporting this when buying Wal Mart's items for low prices. Also, each person is paying this money back through their taxes. In the long run, they're really not saving money at all. In fact, it's almost as if they're paying for workers to be treated poorly. The movie title "The high cost for low prices" shows that other people have to pay for these low prices, it's not this convenient for the shopper.

1%

The 1% should really pay more in taxes, it would help our country and they should also give some money to the poor. The reason why I believe this should happen is because it's not fair to the rest of our community. I think it sucks that they control everything and everyone. The goverment should really do something about it because the rich keep on getting richer and the poor keep on getting poor.

Walmart

I think Walmart started out with good intentions but eventually got taken over by corporate greed. It does not supply for its employees properly and it fails to give proper coverage to its associates, resulting in the taxpayers paying for their healthcare. Walmart needs to get their act together of they want the public to still support them.

Economy

I think that the U.S economy is stable right now. I think it need to change for good though. The govenment is affaid of changing the economy system, becuase the economy system have no change in a while. But one of the things that the government can do its to created more jobs to help those people that don't have a job or are suffering becuase of the economy. People don't want to go through another great depression. a The economy has had ups and downs but i think for the most of the time it has been in the middle not to bad not to good.

Economy

we have been able to see different system in actions, and although we may not like everything that our government does, so far its not that bad. we have freedoms that most places dont and we must have a pretty great system if we have people who are sneaking into the country.. just saying. but i feel our system should stay, even though we arent perfect, change isnt always a great thing when you look at few other options you have.

Economy

The free market economy is what's best for this country, its based on facts that will work, until something drastic happens like the banks giving out credit and loans to everyone. Thats the only thing that has had us fail as an economy. It will stabilize but not for awhile becuase of the stupid erros that we as americans let happen. Its not fair, but we are going to have to live it, considering that its something that will work. We dont want to depend on our government to bail us out when ever we have tough times. Its not going to solve our long term issues.

Economy

I don't think we should move away from the free market economy. We have been using this economy for a long time and of course you are going to have bumps in the road. Every economy has there struggles and then has there glories. We should just stick it out and fight through this suffer. People have the best chance to work there hardest and earn the things they want in life instead of things to be equal. You should work for the things that you want in life and a free market gives us that best chance to do it. We should just stay the same.

economic system

i don't think that we should change our economic system, but rather change how we handle it. i think the government should just back off and let it take its course.

our econ system

It would be very anti-American to move away from our current economic system. I really don't think changing systems is an option considering that almost the entire world uses free market, and most other economic systems are unsuccessful. I think it's important to keep regulating and improving our system as time goes on because products, companies, and people all change, sometimes for the worse. Just like now in our current financial situation. It's up to the people including workers and business owners to work with the government and make sure things don't get out of control and businesses are run fairly and justly.

sysysysysyssytem

Change is always a good thing , when things don't work. Capitalism however for our government has been working for us all these years. It may not be perfect but with our system we've managed to keep a stable government and majority of people happy.Going out and revamping the entire system would not only put a strain to the people but the whole country as a whole. If anything we need to change little thing rather than something so huge. The competition needs to continue ,it is what fuels this country.

Economic system

I think the current economic system that we have today works pretty well but there can be some downsides to capitalism like great instability. For example during the 1930's when we were in the great depression and didn't get out of it for 10 years. I think we should try and modify the current system we have because we're going through another economic crisis and it's being compared to the great depression. If we were able to modifiy the current system we had I think it would solve the promblems that we we have with the wealth gap and the great instability that capitalism can have. I think we should try and make a new system that is inbetween communism and capitalism.

Economy

I don't think that we should change the economy now. In a free market economy it is very unstable and can have a lot of rough times like we are in now. We always find a way to get out of these rough times though. For example, we recovered fully from the Great Depression. A free market economy is the best system in my mind. There is little government control and anyone can start a business or choose what they want to do. If the government controlled the economy people wouldn't have these options and be more upset than they are now.

the 1%

i think the 1% don't have to assist the 99% that much, just to a certain extent. Like they should help out the people that are struggling and are in poverty but not people in the middle class who work and support themselves. Even if the 1% did try to help out the 99% i feel like there is just way to much to do for them to be successful to help them financially. But i do think that the government should try and figure out some way to distribute the wealth more evenly so there isn't such a big gap between the rich and poor. Because if we keep going at the rate were going the gap is just going to keep getting bigger and bigger until something bad happens.

Capitalism

When you think about America you think freedom and the ability to better your life for you and your family. There are so many different Americans who have done this for themselves and ended up being able to take care of their family for generations to come. So I think capitalism is the best thing for America and it should not be changed into anything else.

Quarter 2, Week 3: Wal-Mart

This week, you will be watching a documentary on Wal-Mart.  After viewing the documentary, do you think that Wal-Mart is "bad" for America's economy, or has it "fairly" become a successful company in America's capitalist system?  Explain.

Economy

If our economical system was working right then we wouldn't need a new one. I can understand where people are coming from. With all the problems that we have been having with the economy its understandable to want to change it. If it would help then I would say that we should try something new.

I think that we should leave our economic system as it is. I understand that the economy isn't the best right now, and when one thing doesn't work the natural tendency is to try something else but in this case that would be catastrophic to our economy. You can't just change something that has been the foundation for our country for as long as its existed, things don't work that way. We can't give up faith in the free market system and need to keep plugging along. Plus, what would we change it to? America's whole thing is that we are free people and control ourselves, if we changed the economy that would not be so. Just leave it alone

The Economy

I agree with what other people are saying about how our economy isn't the best but we shouldn't change it. I think that changing it would probably cause ciaos because everybody would be very confused with the new change. I say that we should keep the system we currently have. It allows people to have the freedom to make whatever kind of business they want. There is no such thing as the perfect economy so we should keep our current system.

economy~

The economic system we have now may not be the best, but I don’t think that means we should just throw away the way of life we had kept for the last few hundred years. There is no such thing as a perfect economy. I believe that in any type of economy there are going to be happy people, and people who suffer. There is nothing we can do to make every single person happy. Our economy needs some fixing here and there, but I don’t think we should change it completely.

economy

I think our economy is fine the way it is yes it has some flaws , but if we try to change things it could cause more problems. We as americans are lucky to have the freedom that we have and even if we did change it people would find a way to complain about that economical system. So no matter what we change it to no one is going to be happy, so we should just leave things the were they are and fix the problems that are happing now.

america's economic system needs to be altered

At an individual's standpoint, i believe the system we have now is not functioning correctly and needs some type of reform. What the reform might be, i have no idea, i'm nothing close to economics specialist. but i do know that our american economic system has crashed and seen an almost crash several times, so there must be something wrong. Think of the economic system as a car and the president or leader as the driver; now that car has no brakes or steering and no matter how good the driver or president is the economic system or car is going to crash. Our economic system has crashed before and will again.

the reform needs to still maintain the american philosophy of freedom and choices, but on the other hand due to this freedom there is no core to the economy. the current economy is unstable and unpredictable. the reform needs to target the wealth gap, it needs to be diminished in order to build a more equal and progressive world. there needs to be an alteration to our current system in order for america to progress as a nation.

economyy

we should not change our economic system from what it is now. even though we are in tough times, changing things would not fix anything. americans are too set on what we have had and will not respond good to a change. people need to realize that even if this country is going through economic problems, things will eventually turn around. maybe they should think how this is a system that allows freedom instead of complaining about things. overall, keeping what we have would be best for america.

Economic System

I think that people tend to forget that the economy goes through good times and bad times. There is no such thing as a "perfect economy". But I think our economic system now is the best fit one for the United States. Even though the economy is at a low point, it is improving. Changing our economic system could cause in a drastic and unwanted change in the United States. And if it upset a lot of Americans, it would cause major problems for the United States government.

Economic System

I really don't see how changing our economic system would be deemed anti-American. Would it be viewed as different and maybe even negative, well of course. But to say changing the economic system is anti-American, to me, is interpreted as saying change is anti-American. And to be completely honest, if a change to the system IS anti-American, then I don't think we have much to complain about. Anyway, I think our system is fine. It's not the system that's flawed, it's the economy itself that isn't at its best.

Economic System

I don't think the United States should move away from the capitalist system we have. I think if we started to move away from it we would lose the main purpose of the U.S. government which is freedom for the people. Although it may not be perfect, and the economy right now might not be good, a government is never going to be perfect. I think the free market system we have is the best type of government for our country because it allows for much freedom for us citizens and it should stay.

The Economy

An economic system that is most suitable is capitalism. I think capitalism is the most appropriate because having free markets help keep America free in choice. People can take action for their businesses in anyway they like. The ideas they have could make a more efficient economy. People could pay a certain amount that is not so expensive to buy. They would feel comfortable in running their business.

Economy

I wish that we or someone out there could find a better system then capitalism. Don't get me wrong it's a great system... if your a rich man. I believe we should try and find a system that is like capitalism but that also can benefit both the rich and the poor. I believe now would be a good time to find a new system like this because a lot of people are suffering and most of it is because of the corruption in capitalism and I don't see that corruption being diminished anytime soon.

Economy

So even though our economy kinda sucks right now i dont think we should change it. the reason being is because we cant start a traditional economy because it would not be efficient in todays non-stop society. also if we let government have more control over our economy, we could be in even more trouble. our government is in billions of dollars of debt and letting them control the whole economy in the united states would not be the brightest of ideas. with that all being said i think our version of the free market is the bast type of economy for america.

Capitalism: A love story?

Capitalism is not perfect, there is no denying that fact. however, I do not believe that we need to do away with it just yet. After all, for the past 235 years it's been working just fine for the most part. Has it had it's ups and downs? Yes. We can't really ignore the Great Depression after all, but it has fixed itself every time that it has broken down. Our economy just needs a little boost right now to get back on track, not a complete makeover.

I don't think that America should stray from the free market system. I think that people become afraid whenever a country is in a recession and so many people seek immediate answers. The recession that our country is just now coming out of was a bad one but I don't believe that we should change the entire structure of our nation. A capitalist society allows people the most freedom and also it is very competitive. But no one ever said a little competition was a bad thing. I think the US thrives off this competitive nature and it is one of the main reasons why we have been so successful. Without the free market, our country would not be near as prosperous as we already are.

America's Economy

Personally, I don't think the U.S. should go away from a capitalist system. Capitalism is everything that America is about. Freedom to make whatever you want, and competition to get better. In class we learned that Adam Smith, who proposed capitalism, said that the system will fail every once in a while. I think America is just in one of those downturns right now and that's not a reason to freak out and change the entire system. Besides, the U.S. has already fought a long "war" against Communism and people would not embrace the change to it.

Economic System

I say that we should not change the free market system. I think that it works well, at leats better than all the others that we have seen before. Yes there will be hard times, but I think it happens less in the free market system. I believe that the economy will get better, just like it has in the past. If this country got through the Great Depression, it can get through this too. As for changing systems is "anti-american" that is not true at all. America is based on change and evolving ideas so how could it be anti-american? I just dont think it would be a good idea to change the way we have it now.

Capitalism

I believe the Capitalism is the best system for the United States. Even though there is such a big wealth gap between the 1% and the other 99% this system has proven that it is the one that will keep this country functioning. There are a lot of poor people in America, but that doesn't mean they can't work their way up. Maybe not to the wealth that the 1% has but everyone has an opportunity to live a good life in America. In theory other systems may seem better, but it has been proven by looking at other countries that they do not work. I think Americans would be unhappy if we changed systems so for now it is best to stay Capitalism!

Capitalism

In my opinion, I think our system now is functioning well. I don't think we should change our economics system. There would be a lot of confusion if our system was changed. Capitalism gives americans more opportunities. Some people might have more opportunities than others, but in the end capitalism is the best system for america. We do have a lot of problems that need to be fixed, but problems are a natural way of dealing with things and changing the system would just create more unnecessary problems.

Economic System

If we were to change our economic system, it would be a diaster; because we are already in a HUGE national debt and we would most likely make it worse by changing the way the economic system works. If there is an absolute reason to change the system, than that would change the whole subject; we would just be paying more taxes though.

Economic System

I think that changing our economic system is not a very good idea. Not that it would be "anti-American," but the Capitalist system works well the way it is. Capitalist system is made so that everyone has the equal amount of change to make money, it's just the matter of fact of how hard they work and where. It gives us the best chance of making it in America if we stay with the Capitalist system. Just because our unemployment rate is so high, doesn't mean that chaning the system would do anything to help resolve the problem, it would just make it worse by all the confusion of adjusting to a new economic system. So it's the best if we just keep Capitalism as it is.

Capital

Capitalism is the best system to have in place for government. It allows a poor person to move up in the world. It lets kids dream big and achieve what they want. It gives people the freedom to decide what to do with their life. It allows them to choose weather they succeed or fail. Capitalism is doing fine for America right now. Everyone's saying how flawed it is because of the huge wealth gap. BUT those people earned that money. If people truly want to get ahead, they just need to do it. Don't keep spewing excuses.

Economic System

I think that there is no point in changing our economic system. Anything else besides capitalism would be anti-American. A capitalist economy has been working for us so far, so why would we change it. It gives Americans opportunities to make a name for themselves and earn money depending on how hard they work. Changing to any other economic system would cause less jobs and take a turn for the worst. Capitalism's the way to go.

Capitalism

I think the economic system that America has is the best option there is. Although many people are poor, everyone has a chance to make money for themselves. Some people may have much better chances, for example people who inherit money, but with hard work, anyone for the most part can make money. In the recent economic downturn, it had become much harder for Americans to get jobs, but changing to a socialist, communist, or traditional economic system would cause chaos. The US has always been capitalist and if there was a sudden change, large outbursts and riots could occur. All of the nations that have any economic system other than capitalist seem to be doing worse than us.

Economic System

Changing our system, at this point, would be pointless. It was immediately start chaos. If anything in our lives don't work, the problem wouldn't be solved by avoiding it and changing our ways. The best way to handle any problem is to stay put and fix what we have now. Changing would not only be anti-American, but it would create confusion! Chaos isn't what we want is it?

The fortunate and the complainers

There is a huge gap between the rich and the poor. BUT someone who's rich either earned it themselves or their family EARNED it. Everyone says how the rich should help out. They do, they donate to chairity and help the poor. BUT the poor people have to learn what hard work is. America was founded on the fact that one man could make a name for himself and get rich, if he worked hard. Now I know some people think that the people who live in slums can't make anything for themselves and can't have their kids become rich. Becoming rich normally takes a couple generations. There are some people that hit it big all the sudden, but that doesn't always happen. The people in the slums have to realize that in order for their kids to succeed, they themselves have to put down effort. The point of AMERICA is that you live the best life you can, and help your kids have it better off than you did. And then your kids will hopefully work hard so that their kids don't have really any problems and this pattern should continue. This is how the SUPER RICH families earned their money. People have to stop complaining and just make this life the best it can so that future generations can have it better off.

Economic systems

I think our current economic system needs to stay in place, or else chaos will ensue. If we implemented anything else it would not only be anti American, but also could upset the country into a state of panic. We need to fix our economy now, but changing it entirely wont fix the problem at all.

1%

I think that the people that belong to the 1% are fortunate, they are the wealthiest people in america. Some of them are very lucky becuase they didn't do anything to get the money that they have, and they have the opportunity to do the things that they want. I believe that the 1% has to help the other 99%,because is for them that they are the wealthiest families in america. if you are rich you still have to pay taxes, sometimes they have to pay extra taxes, because the amount of money they deal with.

Capitalism for America

I believe that America should be 100% capitalism and there should be no restrictions. America was created to be a Laisssez faire country unlike England. So I do believe that changing the economic system to something else would be un-American. I think that capitalism gives the best opportunity to make something of yourself in this country anyway having too much government control would restrict that. We should not change our economics system.

1 %

I believe that if we have a diffrent system there will be more confusion and we will all want to have our old economic system back.. im not saying our system is great all im saying is that if we have a new one we will be confused with whats going on that we will blame the goverment for the economic system changing . So i say lets not change how the system is now , lets just keep it like that even if we try changing we will always end up how we started.

Quarter 2, Week 2: Economic Systems

This week in class, you will learn about several different economic systems that exist in our world.  Many people today are calling for reforms to America's current free market, or capitalist, system.  Others, however, suggest that the very thought of moving away from capitalism is anti-American.

Where do YOU stand?  Would a different economic system be better, or do you think our system is still functioning successfully?  EXPLAIN!

The 1%

I believe that the one percent should help the other ninety percent to some extent. I think that they should give some of their money to charities and help to create jobs. But they shouldn't have to give all of their money away. Even though they have a lot of it, it is their money and some of them have earned it for themselves.

I want to be filthy rich....

So if you have all this money clearly id want to keep it all, thats the idea in all the rich peoples minds. However while their living the life , the rest of the 99% have to struggle , this just isnt right. They need to get taxed on that money and donate more than they do right now. If they help make this country better then once we are stable they can make more money instead of feeding off the people that have none. If all of them pitched in a good amount we would be out of debt and ready to move on to bigger and better , and once everyone has a little more money they can spend more. With all this the rich would make the money they lost back. Let the donations and help roll in !

1%

I don't believe the 1% should be forced to give money to the 99%. But I do think that they are morally obligated and they should want to because it is the right thing to do. The fact that most of America's wealth is focused and controlled by 1% of the population is just wrong and will not benefit America at all. I think something needs to change soon otherwise we are in for trouble.

1%

I believe that the 1% are not obligated to help anyone. No one is obligated to help anyone. But it is extremely unfair that such a few amount of people run the world. They control everything and everything. The 99% make this top percent rich so why wouldn't you want give back? If the 1% were smart they'd invest in small businesses and stimulate the economy and not coop up their money. The 99% should stop supporting the 1% but I honestly don't think we could escape the 1%.

The 1%

The 1% does not have to give their money to the poor, it would be the right thing to do, and their are some people who do it, but its not the governments choice to make, its the 1%'s. They got there because they inherited it, or they invented something thats essential to alot of people. Its their choice to make wether or not they want to give it away or keep it, do i think its selfish to not share the wealth with the needy? yes and im sure most people would agree with that, but still thats just a preference, its should never be enforced

1%

I don't think the one percent should have to give their money to the rest of the country. There is a reason why these people are so rich. They had brilliant ideas and know how to make them successful. For most those people have earned their money rightfully. But there are the people who inherit millions. With that i feel it is almost understandable as a human that some of that money should be donated or put to a good cause. Also, the 99 percent has actually contributed to the one percents wealth. We buy their goods and use their ideas all the time. So i dont think the goverenment does not have the right to take their money from them.

The 1%

I think the 1% should not be totally financially obligated to help the 99%. The 1% worked hard to get their money and it is theirs to keep. They are already being taxed, and that helps the 99%. That being said, I think the 1% needs to continue to create jobs for the 99% and remember how they got that wealth in the first place. They should contribute to charities to help the 99% and keep jobs open. One thing I think is unfair is the estate tax that the 1% has to pay. I don't think it is right that we force people to pay taxes on money they are giving to their heirs. We already made them pay a huge amount of tax when they first earned it.

1% response

I think that the one percent should be somewhat obligated to help out the other 99%. One way we can look at it is, that if it wasn't for the rest of us normal people buying in with whatever the one percent is selling, they wouldn't even be there to begin with. Therefore they should give back to those in need. Even if they don't give much anything helps to those who need it, and the rich giving away money doesn't really even affect them as much as normal people because they have money to give. They needed us to get to where they are now despite what they may say, so when we need them they should be willing to help us being the other 99% out.

1%

I think that the 1% should be taxed a little more if they are not increasing the jobs they give like they are supposed to. The reason they get off so easily on taxes is because they are supposed to give more jobs and better pay to the 99% but they are not fully following through on their promise. The "trickle-down effect" will not work if those on the top choice not to give back. On the other hand, our country's principles are not based on Robin Hood's, we cannot just take from the rich to give to the poor. Everyone has to earn their share and if everyone got handouts then our country would not progress. We need to find a good balance so the not-so-fortunate are not option-less as the 1% live with more money than they could ever possibly spend in their lifetime.

The 1%

As part of the 99%, and watching how struggles with money have affected my family over the years, my knee jerk response as to whether or not we should make the most wealthy people in this country help the less fortunate is yes. However, I have to remind myself that one of the basic principles that we have decided on as a country is that we are going to be a capitalist society, and people being able to become disgustingly rich is a part of that. Is it fair that there are people hording money away to pay for their family's expenses for generations to come while there are others just trying to find enough spare change to give their kid some milk money? I don't think so, but others would argue that because in capitalistic theory both people had the same opportunity to become rich, it is absolutely fair.

So long story short, I can't decide. Personally, I want them to have to pay more to help the poor, but I also understand why they don't have to. This is definitely a very complex issue.

The responsibility of the 99% to revolt!

The 99% supply the 1% with a great deal of their wealth through spending money at stores, on products, restaurants, banks and the list goes on. the point is the things we buy and consume supports the 1%. For instance if american people never shopped at Walmart, the Walmart family would not be one of the richest families in the nation. i believe the 99% is to be partially blamed for the success of the 1%. if americans spent their money on smaller businesses products and stores rather than feeding to larger corporations the system might just get improve. it also may take a revolution from the 99% to change the social economic system. there is no responsibility of one citizen to take care of another; instead the social ranking through economics needs to be changed.

1%

I think obligated is the wrong term here. Much of the money that people in general receive is more than likely going to no be handed down to others for the sheer sake of kindness. Obviously, the 1% have more money than the 99%, but that's how it has always been. In reality, if the richer were to hand off their money to the less fortunate, it would simply increase members of the 99%'s fortunes thus bringing them one small step closer to the 1%. I'm not saying they shouldn't contribute their money to the 99%, but I can't see it being a good idea. In theory, there can be no equilibrium, at least not that I can tell, for economic classes.

1%

i don't believe that the wealthiest 1% of Americans should have to give up their wealth. i believe that forcing them to give up their wealth is totally uncalled for and un american, however i would hope that they have enough compassion to voluntarily donate some to those less fortunate

The One Percent

I don’t think that the government has the right to take away money from wealthy individuals and distribute them to everyone else. It would be great if the 1% willingly donate to charities and decide to help others by their own choice, but I don’t think they shouldn’t be forced to take care of the rest of the 99% of the population. It’s not their responsibility. Sometimes it does seem unfair that certain people are able to live a privileged life, especially those who are born into wealthy families, while others struggle to just survive. But life is never fair. All you can do is work hard, and try to create a better life for the next generation.

1%

I feel that the one percent have more power then they deserve. They need to understand that if it wasn't for the 99% then they would not be welthy, if anything instead of seating on their high horse and trying to find ways to make more then what they need. They should be giving back or finding ways to use thier money to help other who truly need it, and not minpulating things so the gap between the rich and poor gets bigger.

There was an econ professor somewhere in California (might have been UCLA.) I can't remember.. anyways he got his class to agree that when they would take a test they would average the grade out and that would be the grade everyone in the class would get. So for the first test every student who normally studied and took the tests seriously got an A. The ones who didn't study as much because they knew the smarter people would end up helping their grade got a C. They depended on the ones who normally got A's. So when the grade was averaged out it was like a B. & ofcourse the careless students were happy because that was better than their normal grade. On the next test the smarter people didn't study as much because they thought who cares were gonna get a lower grade anyways because of the kids who don't study. The other kids were starting to DEPEND on the smarter ones for their better grade. --> making them even more lazy. As this went on the grades only got worse. So no the 1% doesn't need to take care of the 99% at all. Most of them donate to charities already and will probably continue to. But they shouldn't be obligated to. It just makes people even more lazy when they depend on another.

1%

I don't think the government should force the 1% of the wealthiest people in America to be in charge of financially assisting the other 99%. It's their hard earned money and whether they earned it themselves, or they inherited it from the original founder, it's still family money that they worked for to get themselves into the 1%. Still, I don't think the 1% should be too proud and show off their money at the 99% because it's the 99% that got them this far. Without the 99%, the 1% wouldn't exist. It would be nice if the 1% donated their fortunes to help out the less fortunate, but it's not their responsibility to take care of those who don't earn as much.

The 1 Percent

I feel that the 1 percent should not be forced to give their money away because that is their hard earned money. However I do feel that they should give some of it away to whom ever they choose because is pretty ridiculous and selfish to keep billions of dollars all to yourself.

The 1%

I dont think it would be fair for the government to force the 1% of wealthy people to financially assist the 99% and also this would be more towards the ideas of socialism. But, I think as members of the United States the 1% should do their best to help the people around them considering they would not be where they are if it wasn't for the 99%. I think the 1% should give to charities and other organizations to show their support for the country and help people who have very little, because they don't really need all the money they have but they did earn it so they have a right to choose what to do with it.

The 1%

In the United States, there is a rich side. The one percent should be able to give the ninety-nine about fourty-five percent of their wealth. I think this because this way the majority is not too poor that causes them bad housing conditions, torn clothing from wearing them too long, and lost ways to live comfortably. For instance, to play games or buy books would be a positive effect on the ninety-nine percent. Arguments can be less and can not exist if the wealthy people contribute their money to the people with less money. They could compromise to give about a twenty-five percent of the wealthy money to the people with less money. This way the rich is still rich, and the poor can become more happy with their money.

1%

I do not think the 1% should be forced to financially support the 99%. The people with the most money earned that money and it wouldn't be fair to take it away from them. Although I do not think it should be up to the 1% to give people money, I do think they should, at some degree, give their money to charities and people in need, but it should not be forced on them.

1% have less morals?

It is really unfair that 1% of our population controls the majority of the wealth in our country. What is even more unfair is that they can use their money to influence our poltics and elections and in essence make it easier for them to become more and more powerful and wealthier leaving the gap between them and the less fortunate much larger then ever before. Although it is wrong for the government to just take away money from hardworking individuals it is concerning that the 1% wouldn't just feel obligated to give their money away to charities and back into the government to help with overall education and wellbeing. Afterall it is the rest of us who contribute to their wealth. It's proven that americans who earn the lowest wages in America give the most money away per capita; which raises a lot of moral questions for those 1%ers.

The 1%

The 1% shouldn't have to assist the other 99% of the population. It's their money and they worked hard for it. Even if someone among the 1% inherited all their money, someone in their family worked hard for that money and they deserve to have it. It's their money and they should get to decide what they spend that money on. I believe that people should have to work for their money and not have it just handed it to them. The poor people shouldn't expect people just just hand them money. They should go out and get a job and make money. There will always be somebody out there that's more successful than you and that has more money than you. That's the way it's always going to be.

1%

The 1% is not obligated to financially assist the 99%. This doesn’t mean they shouldn’t, but if you earn your money or even just inherit it, it is your money. I think they should feel obligated to assist their fellow Americans but it is not up to us how the 1% spends their money. If it was the 99%’s choice, there would be a lot more equal distribution of wealth. Based on the fact that these wealthy people in essence choose who is elected to office by using their money, it is unlikely that we will soon see any change when it comes to laws about this sort of thing. Politics are sadly too controlled by what the 1% provides to work against them in this way.

1%

The one percent should not be inclined to give money to the 99% no matter how rich they are. It is 100% up to the 1% what they want to do with their money. They worked hard for the money they make. But I do think that the 1% should help them out a little. Creating jobs and donating to charity are just a couple of things they can do to make a big difference to the 99%. I think taxes should be raised for rich people or vice versa.

1%

I am part of the 99%, I have been that way since I can remember. Yeah, sure my dad makes a lot of money at his job. But he has to pay child support. The 99% can choose what kind of life they want anyway. But as far as the 1% goes, they should be allowed to cgoose whether or not they want to lend out money to everybody.

I don't think by any means that the rich 1 percent are obligated to help the poor, but I do believe that it should be part of their morals. The wealthy work hard to make their companies grow and become successful, but there are many people who work extremely hard, and never get the chance to make millions. I would hope that the wealthy would want to help those who are less fortunate, but I think sometimes the wealthy get stuck in their own little world, and they try to avoid some of the problems in our world.

The One Percent

I think that it's not good to have most of America's wealth concentrated in just one percent of the people. No one individual honestly knows what to do with that much money. I think it would be more beneficial for the wealth to be distributed more evenly. There are always going to be people that are wealthier than others, but it doesn't make sense to have so many people suffering from not having enough money when others have way too much. I think a good solution would be to have higher taxes depending on a person's income, and this money can then be used to help the homeless or unemployed.

The 1%

I believe that the rich are not obligated to give money back, but I think that they should. Its their money they can do what they want with it. That being said, I hate seeing people as rich as them being so selfish. They have more money than they could even spend in a lifetime and they still wont give back. I hope one day the rich wake up and realize how selfish they are being and the harm that are causing by hoarding all that money.

1%

I think the wealthiest 1% of the United States should pay much higher taxes in order to help out the bottom 90%, but they shouldn't be forced to pay money from their pocket directly to the poorer people. The wealthy community should donate a lot of money to charity out of decency, but again they shouldn't be forced because they have a right to keep their money. In my opinion, the most beneficial solution as of now is to raise the taxes substantially for the top 1% and let the government be in charge of distributing the money to the people who are barely making it or living on the streets.

1%

I think that the 1% should pay more in taxes to help the rest of the country. The top 1% holds about 40% of the money and that doesn't seem fair to the rest of the people. Although they have worked hard for this money they should give a decent ammount back. It isn't fair that a middle-class American should pay the same ammount of taxes as someone who makes billions a year. The top 1% live very comfortably now and if they give up some more of their money it won't really affect them because they are so rich. The government should take out a percentage of everyone's earnings so the rich pay more and the poor pay less.

the one percent

I don't think the 1% is obligated to help the 99%. People make and earn their own money. I think it's unfair for them to have to give their money to people. They worked hard for that money and they shouldn't have to give it to people that didn't work for it. The 1% earned that money and they have the right to do whatever they want with it. I understand that these people have all this money that they won't even use in their lifetime. I think they should donate some of it to a good cause, but not to some of the 99% that havent done anything with their lives.

the 1%

i dont think it is necessary for the one percent to help the 99 percent. however, i do feel as though they should help the others who are sturggling. i understand they do not want to help becuase it is their hard earned money. but at the same time there are people in the 99 percent who are working just as hard as they are, if not more, and are just less fortunate. overall, i dont think it is necessary that the one percent help the rest but i do think that they should.

One percent

In my opinion, I don't feel like anyone should be obligated to help anyone. Many know it's the right thing to do, but not everyone is as generous. In a magazine, I found an article on this topic. It stated that the top one percent arn't celebrities, media, etc. Actually, I found out that half of our senators and house of reps are included in that top percent. Overall, like stated before, noone should be forced to donate or help the poor.

Dannys post

There are some people in the 99% that are really living poor lives and are really been living in some houses and neighborhoods where every where you turn is poverty. But i know that i am in that 99% and im proud to be there. Im not living in poverty because im not in the 1%, but there are a lot of good things that come out of not being that rich. You learn that life is not all just a playground where its just fun and games and you learn that to make it in life you need to work hard at everything you do. But the 1% has the power to change some things and if giving away some money that there going to make back in a day then they should. They probably can give away the amount of money that a normal middle class family makes in 2 years and get it back in 2 days. So i think they should give it away for good reasons.

99 +1 = 100%

Well, in MY personal opinion, I feel as though if we, the so called 99%, start giving back to our community, our environment, or whatever else we believe in we can show the 1% that we don't actually need them to have a good economy. Maybe after they see our example they will also start giving back some money.. but let's not forget that some, or most, of those people on wall street also work hard to get to where they've gotten in life. and if I were to become rich after working so hard, i probably wouldn't want to just give all my money away...just saying. But in the end, it's the 99% of use that have to start the movement if we ever want anything to change. & hopefully one day most of us can be on the same level.

Although I do not believe they should be legally obligated to help the less fortunate, I feel like they should be morally obligated to some degree. I'd hope that they realize how lucky they are to be so successful because not everyone will become that wealthy. You can try as hard as you want to earn money, but sometimes you just need a little luck. The 1% should understand that they're fortunate and this might cause them to want to give back. Other than having a moral conscious, no one should force them to give back, it's their choice. If they want to be selfish, it's their money to do what they want. If they want to help the other 99%, all the more power to them. Ultimately it should be their choice.

1% opinion

I do not think the 1% are obligated to help anyone. I don't think anyone is obligated to help anyone. I think it's human nature to take care of the people we love or people who are in need, but I don't think anyone is required to take care of anyone else financially. People earn the money they make themselves, it might be unfair that they get so much money while other's do not, but they earned it and deserve to do as they please with it.