Soviet Markets
After returning from my trip (which was super fun), my wife, Miranda Kopfschmertzen, and I were in desperate need to replenish our food stores. The strikes are still on and pickings are slim, but things are getting dire. The strike has been on for three months now and I still have heard of no attempts to even begin talks to resolve this. Still, that is between the union and the grocers. However, when I was in the market, I thought for sure I had been transported to Soviet Russia. Yogurt: 1 flavor, 1 size; Milk: 2% only, half gallon only; Cereal: generic brand only (I did swipe the last box of Grape Nuts, much to the chagrin of the weird lady who was eyeing said box, but was not nearly as tall as me), Corn: unsalted only (UNSALTED!! WHO DOES THIS!?)…and the lines were trailing out into the aisles. Scores of unhappy people in long lines buying food stuffs they do not really want but do need. I have no point here, just an observation really.
The strike has gotten pretty ridiculous. We haven’t been as effected since we’ve stuck to Trader Joes and Gelsons…we’ll except for the $5 heads of lettuce and $3 bananas at Gelson’s.
Soviet Market, huh? Well, then the solution is obvious. On your next visit to the market, sell your Levis for some fresh, California-grown produce.
Let’s run with the Soviet theme…I propose an airlift of produce and dry goods originating from the Grand Central Market in order to stave-off starvation and disease behind the Orange Curtain. I propose puting a call in to the Governator advising him to retrofit the state’s fleet of C-130’s for air drop duty a.s.a.p.!
I have a hard time understanding this too… I mean, they have a whole slew of temporary replacements… do these people not know how to stock shelves? Truth be told, the strike hasn’t affected much at our local store (thankfully). They always have everything you want, but I have been to other stores, where it looks like they were looted or something.
I know. It almost looks like there were recent riots at some of the stores.
Side Note: The other day I saw a bar-b-que, a ghetto blaster and video games at a store's picket line. This is not picketting (sp?). I want to support the working man (person) and the respective union, but this sight makes it so hard!
I don’t understand the “let’s support the working man” just for the sake of supporting the working man. Clearly there was a time and place for this type of behavior in this country, when labor conditions were atrocious and wages often did not exceed the rent charged by the business owners for the privilege of staying in their “dorms”. But times have changed, and changed dramatically. The last time I went to the grocery store I didn’t see any 9 year old kids bagging groceries for 15 hours a day with one ten minute bathroom break (I understand this is due in large part to the early efforts of unions, so spare me the details, see my previous comment: “times have changed”). I saw a lavish, air conditioned (that’s right I haven’t been to the market since the summer), cheerful environment with ergonomically correct check out stations, dictator like insistence on mandatory breaks, and wages that you are unlikely to achieve any where else in the world without a college degree (and sometimes with a degree). Now, certainly the workers should have the right to protest if they feel they are being treated unfairly, but the employer should also have the right to fire your ass if you don’t show up to work. I am continually annoyed by the confused faces of these picketers every time one of the geezers on the channel five news (Stan Chambers is my favorite, I’m convinced we will see him die on screen) interviews them about there plight, and inevitably their only answer as to why they are not working is to “stop corporate greed”. What the hell does that mean? Do they have any idea what it takes to run a corporation of that size and to continue to provide them with employment? And if they were offered the position of CEO of said company, I’m sure they would turn down the lucrative salary in the name of the working man. Hypocrisy, plain and simple. This is just another example of the pussification of America. Constant entitlement bull****. Nobody is owed or guaranteed anything. Get off your ass and work hard, if you don’t like your employer, find another job or open your own business, that’s free market baby. Don’t like it?, then read up on Socialism, ‘cause that’s where we’re heading, and that’s what the mighty, hard working Americans are demanding. Might as well be prepared.