General Discussion

appalachiablue

(44,121 posts)

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

Fri Feb 6, 2015, 01:44 PM

Feb 2015

opposition is quite disturbing. Fascination with tech & devotion to Amazon in particular is curious to me, like indifference to management styles like Bezos'. In this age of ultraconservatism & global capitalism, the value of labor has clearly declined dramatically for the reasons you mention. And soon workers & society will face more loss & disruption as 50% of US jobs in widespread occupations will be eliminated in the next 20 years. Recent advances in AI, robotic software, 3D printers & driverless vehicles are bringing this change, known as The Automation Age by some. I've read little to nothing concerning attempts by govt. or business to address the tremendous impact this will have especially in the US. At the end of my work & age life also, I'm very concerned for the welfare of younger people & the planet. The light I see is that this massive age of disruption will cause awareness & change for the better. I hope.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

239 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

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