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Prism

(5,815 posts)

169. Yes, they can. Yes, they do.

Fri Feb 6, 2015, 04:14 AM

Feb 2015

I know this, because I work for social services and spend a lot of time with people on limited state assistance, disability, SSI, etc.

Here is a Pew survey about computer and internet usage in U.S. households:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/09/19/census-computer-ownership-internet-connection-varies-widely-across-u-s/

Most people I encounter have a computer of some kind or access to the internet. It may not be a shiny new PC (it's usually a hand me down from family, neighbors, or even children). I also know they shop online. How? Because I let many of them use my Prime account. I have them make up a list of things, and then I purchase them and have them delivered to their address.

You hate Amazon. I get that. But some of the people I work with are unable to leave their homes due to age, illness, or disability. Some of them are barely scraping by on a couple hundred dollars a month, Section 8, Medicare etc. For them, Amazon is a god send.

Your personal feelings make absolutely no nevermind to me. I work in this environment 45 hours a week. I know how the poor, the sick, and the disabled are coping in this area. I will support whatever makes their lives better, and no bit of anonymous internet grousing is going to change my mind in the slightest.

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Why Jeff Bezos� Amazon Is More Evil Than Walmart and McDonald�s [View all] ND-Dem Feb 2015 OP

I will not give up my Amazon. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #1

So I won't expect to see you outraged about anything. Oh wait, I have, nearly daily. I guess ND-Dem Feb 2015 #2

I can't boycott every company. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #3

Yet here you are, talking about the "anti-amazon crew" making trouble, and swearing you'll never ND-Dem Feb 2015 #4

FUCK YES! MohRokTah Feb 2015 #5

you do that little thing. good to know how deep support for labor runs. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #6

Amazon outsources the warehouse work. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #7

LOL. sure it does. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #8

And the companies hiring the temp work are third parties that do warehouse work for more companies MohRokTah Feb 2015 #11

No one believes the bullshit you're pushing. Amazon chooses the working conditions at its ND-Dem Feb 2015 #12

The vast majority of the country doesn't believe the bullshit you are pushing. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #13

It may be that the vast majority of the country believes in a two-tier economy where low-wage ND-Dem Feb 2015 #19

Not surprising at all that your avatar is Hillary. peacebird Feb 2015 #31

Ditto. nt City Lights Feb 2015 #43

It works best if you boycott the ones that start with "H" snooper2 Feb 2015 #142

Never shop Hobby Lobby. Neer eat at Hardeys MohRokTah Feb 2015 #144

At least you are honest Ramses Feb 2015 #14

+1 Ykcutnek Feb 2015 #26

god forbid you give up "free" 2-day delivery!!! oh, god forbid!!! ND-Dem Feb 2015 #28

I buy necessities with student loans. nt Ykcutnek Feb 2015 #34

and you get all your student loaned 'necessitites' from amazon. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #41

A lot of it, yes. Ykcutnek Feb 2015 #42

A lot of people in more rural, low-income areas have little choice but to shop at Wal-Mart. nomorenomore08 Feb 2015 #112

I live in a rural area and tried to do with out Amazon Prime. Jim Beard Feb 2015 #202

except the new alternatives to the old bad businesses never get any better. in fact, they arguably ND-Dem Feb 2015 #211

You are so true. Jim Beard Feb 2015 #223

Agreed Mr Dixon Feb 2015 #33

+1 Saucepan of Kerbango Feb 2015 #87

I understand the outrage perfectly. But I'll still buy used CD's/records/books from them nomorenomore08 Feb 2015 #114

I won't give it up either yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #207

is this an attempt at humor? guillaumeb Feb 2015 #217

. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #219

well said guillaumeb Feb 2015 #222

I don't respond to the ridiculous other than to roll my eyes. eom MohRokTah Feb 2015 #225

We've had 2 Democratic 2 term Presidents since Reagan yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #226

maybe not magical, but guillaumeb Feb 2015 #236

You make good points samsingh Feb 2015 #227

Question Quackers Feb 2015 #9

It made the news. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #10

March 1911, Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, NYC. Interior doors were locked by the employer (to prevent appalachiablue Feb 2015 #103

Sweatshop is the perfect word for his operation. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #106

They just built a huge Amazon in central florida, another on the way. madfloridian Feb 2015 #15

You can only boycott so many companies. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #16

You have to draw the line? LOL. You "boycott" companies you don't want to do business with anyway. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #18

Yes, I agree..."smaller companies doing business on Amazon." madfloridian Feb 2015 #27

and how many vaccination OPs were on the front page this week? amazon is an anti-labor ND-Dem Feb 2015 #29

Etsy is awesome, especially for hand crafted items. eom MohRokTah Feb 2015 #70

Etsy and Amazon make up the bulk of my consumer purchases (non-grocery.) Love 'em. nt msanthrope Feb 2015 #192

I got a couple of handmaid christmas bulbs at Etsy madfloridian Feb 2015 #199

So tell me again why the public should support teachers and public education while condoning ND-Dem Feb 2015 #17

Wait. You are comparing public education to Amazon? madfloridian Feb 2015 #24

I'm comparing labor rights to labor rights. I realize a lot of democrats don't support public ND-Dem Feb 2015 #25

She's said similar things regarding autoworkers' unions. nt Romulox Feb 2015 #232

There have been a number of reports on the appalling working conditions at these warehouses. alarimer Feb 2015 #186

I understand what you are saying yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #215

Most of your bolded items from the overall description of practices aren't that bad Godhumor Feb 2015 #20

Would locking people into a warehouse when the temperature is over 100 degrees qualify for evil ND-Dem Feb 2015 #21

Fixed, no and no Godhumor Feb 2015 #22

I find it curious you think amazon has no responsibility for anything. ISS, or as I prefer to call ND-Dem Feb 2015 #23

Amazon has absolutely no stake in Integrity Staffing Solutions MohRokTah Feb 2015 #52

lol. it was created to hire temps for amazon. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #64

LOL it was created to hire temps for anybody willing to pay them for temps. eom MohRokTah Feb 2015 #66

but would go out of business without amazon's business. and it's "bavol". ND-Dem Feb 2015 #69

Bullshit, they staff for a lot more companies than Amazon. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #74

Thanks for posting! Sherman A1 Feb 2015 #30

I use Amazon to look up books, then call my local bookstore and buy them there peacebird Feb 2015 #32

I know several Amazon employees who are doing quite well and incredibly happy. PeaceNikki Feb 2015 #35

are they warehouse temps? ND-Dem Feb 2015 #39

Are warehouse temps worse off at Amazon than anywhere else? Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #46

yes. they are. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #48

Care to provide qualification? Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #51

here's one local comparison (original from Lehigh Valley Morning Call) ND-Dem Feb 2015 #55

That actually sounds a lot better than what I'm used to. Act_of_Reparation Feb 2015 #98

the fire/rehire is what amazon does too. they use a lot of temp warehouse workers, and they're ND-Dem Feb 2015 #105

My sister works for Amazon and she LOVES working there Saboburns Feb 2015 #36

'cool free perks'. well, that's great. cheaper for amazon. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #47

er, um....No Saboburns Feb 2015 #50

It's is obvious you do not like the new world of automation but.... CK_John Feb 2015 #37

tell it to the anti-vaxxer posters, the anti-walmart posters, and the posters who obsessively ND-Dem Feb 2015 #49

And so, for pipi_k Feb 2015 #38

where did you see a call to boycott amazon? all i see is a lot of democrats saying how great ND-Dem Feb 2015 #40

LOVE LOVE LOVE me some Amazon! MohRokTah Feb 2015 #45

It's been pipi_k Feb 2015 #53

Please link to the post where I called upon anyone to boycott anything. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #107

"Bad labor practices to some are "great business policies" to others. Only some can look beyond Bad Granny Feb 2015 #83

I see a lot of people who find amazon personally convenient and don't want to hear anything bad ND-Dem Feb 2015 #108

It's impossible to boycott Koch Industries. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #44

Yep, the list would be endless pipi_k Feb 2015 #56

Maybe the OP shops at Walmart and eats McDonald's hamburgers for lunch. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #57

Could be... pipi_k Feb 2015 #65

i shop at goodwill and pack a peanut butter sandwich. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #109

HOW CAN A PROGRESSIVE EAT PEANUT BUTTER!!!!!!! MohRokTah Feb 2015 #113

i don't live or work around children. and off-brand peanut butter is cheap. i live below the ND-Dem Feb 2015 #116

. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #117

nice eye-rolly-thingee. scintillatting commentary from you, as always. i live below the ND-Dem Feb 2015 #118

Cool story, bro. eom MohRokTah Feb 2015 #119

whatever you say, "bro". I couldn't care less whether you believe me or not. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #123

Cool retort, bro. eom MohRokTah Feb 2015 #124

what? guillaumeb Feb 2015 #204

speaking of rationalization... ND-Dem Feb 2015 #73

Excuse me, but pipi_k Feb 2015 #78

ironic. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #110

That pipi_k Feb 2015 #149

Boycotting Koch means no iPhone or ipod Kilgore Feb 2015 #135

I'm a member of Amazon Prime. Stellar Feb 2015 #79

Elton John? progressoid Feb 2015 #86

Oh yeah.... pipi_k Feb 2015 #92

Oh, I forgot about that. progressoid Feb 2015 #95

I'll admit I don't always boycott everything on that list, but kcr Feb 2015 #94

Exactly. It's the overly defensive "But I loooove *fill-in-the-blank*" posts that are irking people. nomorenomore08 Feb 2015 #120

no one said they had to boycott anything, actually. it must be their guilty consciences talking. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #121

I also think it is dishonest to throw a bunch of companies on a boycott list without any explanation yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #224

thanks sweetapogee Feb 2015 #178

Lol. I didn't know we were boycotting a Toyota....that is the car I drive that I bought last year. yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #220

You know I just looked at how much I have spent with Amazon in the last year. dilby Feb 2015 #54

The Liberaller than Thous will now get all up in your face. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #62

They can say what they want. dilby Feb 2015 #67

We can't live perfectly. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #68

This message was self-deleted by its author ND-Dem Feb 2015 #173

Yep, if you have Prime pipi_k Feb 2015 #63

I will never belittle someone on where they shop. dilby Feb 2015 #71

I admire pipi_k Feb 2015 #80

ironic. considering how few DUers want to walk in the shoes of Amazon's warehouse workers. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #111

I DO feel sorry for those people who live in areas where Walmart is their only real choice. MohRokTah Feb 2015 #130

I find that hard to believe. elias49 Feb 2015 #203

I expect an apology MohRokTah Feb 2015 #205

No thanks. I'm not interested. elias49 Feb 2015 #208

This message was self-deleted by its author MohRokTah Feb 2015 #210

I guess it all boils down to onethatcares Feb 2015 #58

Yep, we are back to the nineteenth century. Brigid Feb 2015 #76

it's not just the warehouses onethatcares Feb 2015 #82

People need to know their labor history. Brigid Feb 2015 #88

people need to know it, but imo there's been a deliberate attempt to minimize and black it out. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #213

I had a history prof a few semesters ago . . . Brigid Feb 2015 #216

:( I guess you can get to be a history prof in these times without knowing anything about even ND-Dem Feb 2015 #221

"The disdain for the working man is more palpable than ever." and these are the democrats. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #122

Well said. To see labor's return to conditions & practices of the 19th century with little appalachiablue Feb 2015 #188

Here's a fantastic episode of Radiolab... tosh Feb 2015 #59

Thank you. As noted, though, Powell's warehouse workers are unionized. as is powells. unlike ND-Dem Feb 2015 #61

Well then if lack of unions pipi_k Feb 2015 #75

if you can't see any reason to post on a discussion board, why are you here? you're sure posting ND-Dem Feb 2015 #129

I never said pipi_k Feb 2015 #143

what are you doing? just posting your outrage that i dare criticize bezos. sorry it bothers you ND-Dem Feb 2015 #146

I really don't pipi_k Feb 2015 #152

so why do you feel the need to respond? since you don't give a rats ass. and please show me where ND-Dem Feb 2015 #154

How about starting here pipi_k Feb 2015 #157

um...that's a thread from 2010, and i didn't participate in it, since i wasn't even here in 2010. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #159

sigh.... pipi_k Feb 2015 #183

you also linked to a post from 2010 when asked for a link showing that i'd called for anyone to ND-Dem Feb 2015 #185

This poster should ring a Bell. nt msanthrope Feb 2015 #193

Just recently became an Amazon Prime member. NCTraveler Feb 2015 #60

OK, I just did Google lookups for locations / drive times for my local bookstores LongTomH Feb 2015 #72

I love local bookstores tabbycat31 Feb 2015 #97

Get back to me when they are UNION anx striking. 99Forever Feb 2015 #77

I think I understand pipi_k Feb 2015 #84

That's the same risk we all take. 99Forever Feb 2015 #85

I agree... pipi_k Feb 2015 #93

I don't mean it as a putdown of them... 99Forever Feb 2015 #100

try reading up on the matter. amazon workers have been trying to organize since forever. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #141

Don't try. 99Forever Feb 2015 #164

ah, the voice of labor speaks. since amazon has repeatedly broken organizing attempts ND-Dem Feb 2015 #174

Maybe you need to stop making excuses and... 99Forever Feb 2015 #177

as I said, I don't work at amazon. but i know enough to know that "the fight" isn't divided ND-Dem Feb 2015 #181

Dismissive? 99Forever Feb 2015 #189

Informing people that Amazon isn't the wonderful corporation some think it is needs to be done ND-Dem Feb 2015 #194

Ahhh yes.. 99Forever Feb 2015 #196

as i said, i find something off about your posts. for someone whose nick apparently connotes ND-Dem Feb 2015 #198

I have yet to insult you. 99Forever Feb 2015 #201

you think nobody's tried to organize amazon? you might try googling "jeff bezos" and ND-Dem Feb 2015 #132

Don't try. 99Forever Feb 2015 #163

maybe you should step in and show everyone how. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #166

Not my workplace. 99Forever Feb 2015 #167

i don't work at amazon. but since you're a self-proclaimed expert, perhaps you have some tips... ND-Dem Feb 2015 #168

There is much more wrong with Amazon than how it treats its workers - though that should never be Bad Granny Feb 2015 #81

Except what you're talking about is publishing a book at no cost. jeff47 Feb 2015 #150

+1 -- big publishers are akin to buggy whip mfgr's in this regard. X_Digger Feb 2015 #165

+100 ND-Dem Feb 2015 #155

Amazon is a big help to the poor at this time. Prism Feb 2015 #89

it's more than sad onethatcares Feb 2015 #90

The price of technology Prism Feb 2015 #91

I just sent a post, unfortunately I hadn't seen this one, too engrossed in this difficult subject. appalachiablue Feb 2015 #134

Massive infrastructure projects would ease the transition Prism Feb 2015 #171

No it was all real. What times we are in- appalachiablue Feb 2015 #104

and they weren't monitored to make sure they made their quota of finding, packing and loading X ND-Dem Feb 2015 #128

oh for god's sake. you think a lot of poor people shop online? i work in a sheltered workshop with ND-Dem Feb 2015 #127

Yes, they can. Yes, they do. Prism Feb 2015 #169

and i'm one of your 'clients'. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #172

And here you are on the internet all day. n/t Prism Feb 2015 #179

1:50 am is "all day"? ND-Dem Feb 2015 #180

That's the idea, everything working according to plan. The system is a perfect circle of appalachiablue Feb 2015 #133

"except those who are very well set it seems." they'll be happy to buy stuff from slaves and have ND-Dem Feb 2015 #136

The one consolation Prism Feb 2015 #170

Isn't that the same Walmart trap? daredtowork Feb 2015 #228

thank you. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #234

Supply and demand. sendero Feb 2015 #96

"there are a shitload of jobs that make an Amazon warehouse job look like a sweet deal." ND-Dem Feb 2015 #126

You are beyond clueless.. sendero Feb 2015 #138

oooh....even at cool, edgy workplaces like amazon? what a surprise. thanks for the education, ND-Dem Feb 2015 #139

Thanks... sendero Feb 2015 #145

way to organize democrats for action! the ignore list; why didn't i think of that! ND-Dem Feb 2015 #148

I think the first point is common in the corporate world. Kermitt Gribble Feb 2015 #99

Have you organized a Union? 99Forever Feb 2015 #101

i don't work in a warehouse. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #125

so very sad guillaumeb Feb 2015 #102

+100. thanks. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #115

Well said. It's very curious, the contentment, comfort & satisfaction by some. appalachiablue Feb 2015 #137

My recent illness has taught me that there isn't a whole lot of solidarity between americans even ND-Dem Feb 2015 #160

Amazon sucks Egnever Feb 2015 #131

Well it must be sheer bad luck pipi_k Feb 2015 #140

Could be. Egnever Feb 2015 #147

Weird! pipi_k Feb 2015 #153

That particular item was from Amazon themselves. Egnever Feb 2015 #156

OK, so pipi_k Feb 2015 #151

Look, it's tiresome listening to you put words in my mouth. If you're going to do it, please ND-Dem Feb 2015 #158

No, you put down anybody who says, "yeah, I get you don't like Amazon..." MohRokTah Feb 2015 #161

Link? Angry accusations without evidence = "going off the deep end" ND-Dem Feb 2015 #162

I certainly didn't put these words in your mouth pipi_k Feb 2015 #182

you're correct; some were snotty. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #184

keep on posting my friend guillaumeb Feb 2015 #187

thank you for your support. i find some of the posts here depressing, lets say. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #195

rationalization guillaumeb Feb 2015 #209

one of my favorite quotes and one of my heroes too. more than ever. thank you. ND-Dem Feb 2015 #212

sigh... pipi_k Feb 2015 #230

I spent several decades at two major corporations - promotions were NEVER simply a supervisor's DrDan Feb 2015 #175

not sure of the logic here guillaumeb Feb 2015 #190

My anecdotal experience suggests that criticism is bogus DrDan Feb 2015 #191

still guillaumeb Feb 2015 #200

"more evil than McDonalds or Walmart" DrDan Feb 2015 #229

points taken but... guillaumeb Feb 2015 #231

I just do not think this article has any merit DrDan Feb 2015 #239

Kiva will replace most of the workers. mia Feb 2015 #176

Walmart, the largest US employer. Thanks for posting, I saw it before. So what's the time appalachiablue Feb 2015 #218

This message was self-deleted by its author olddots Feb 2015 #197

Employees are not paid for the time they stand in line to into and out of the warehouse. Jim Beard Feb 2015 #206

no, they're not. they also have to stand in line to be searched before they can go to lunch. the ND-Dem Feb 2015 #214

I think this thread demonstrates that a center/right critical mass has been achieved here at DU. nt Romulox Feb 2015 #233

i agree; it's disheartening, as i'm at a loss for any more 'left' board. i guess it was ND-Dem Feb 2015 #235

not naive at all guillaumeb Feb 2015 #237

And where do you want us to shop that has the fantasy working conditions you believe? yeoman6987 Feb 2015 #238