[Vision2020] Speaking of living wages (was Republicans to Idaho'spoor: Drop

Sat Apr 1 14:09:54 PST 2006

Yep, it was John 10:10 ("they shall have life, and that more abundantly") 
that is included in every Sierra catalog.  While I normally abhor the 
slapping on of a fish (icthus) symbol as a means of "Christian testimony," 
and I avoid companies that would advertise in so-called "Christian Yellow 
Pages," Sierra has a quiet, steadfast way of doing business that brings 
honor to Christ -- fair prices, clear advertising, quality goods, and 
country-of-origin information that allows for informed choice.  (And no 
beefcake or eye candy to sell things -- imagine, buying decisions made from 
the belt up!).

When a company or organization behaves itself -- when it honors its 
community, acts righteously and  seeks the good of others first -- I'm 
thrilled to have them proclaim the source of their character.  However, 
companies and organizations that act with arrogance, disdain and 
condescension towards their neighbors; that seek the good of a few and 
trample the rights of the many; that conduct themselves with deception, not 
righteousness, and seek to benefit from government and community that they 
otherwise despise, dishonor God and bring shame to the gospel, and it would 
be better if they kept their presumed religious inspiration quiet.

Especially if the name of their God is actually part of their organization.  
That's upsetting to a lot of us, and maybe this gives Kerry a little 
different perspective from which to critique comments against Christ Church 
. . . for example.

keely

From: Joan Opyr <joanopyr at moscow.com>
To: Vision2020 Moscow <vision2020 at moscow.com>
Subject: [Vision2020] Speaking of living wages (was Republicans to 
Idaho'spoor: Drop dead)
Date: Sat, 1 Apr 2006 12:53:42 -0800

Dear Visionaries:

In light of what Tom writes, below, I want to put in a plug once again for 
American goods made by American workers.  Yes, I know -- some of those 
workers are not earning a living wage, but I've got a bee in my bonnet (or a 
bat in my belfry) about doing what I can to preserve American manufacturing 
jobs.

I have at last located a pair of tennis shoes actually made in the USA, 
rather than in China or Southeast Asia.  This is no easy task.  There are 
very few American shoe makers left.  I recently discovered that even Cole 
and Hahn shoes, which cost more than 200 bucks a pair, are now made in 
China.  200 bucks is exactly what C&H shoes cost back when they were made in 
the US, so savings on the manufacturing end are not being passed on to the 
consumer.  Instead, some rich bastard is lining his/her or the shareholders' 
pockets with a hefty profit.  Meanwhile, two groups of workers, one at home 
and one abroad, get screwed.

Anyhow, back to my new tennis shoes.  I have long needed a new pair of 
trainers.  I've been wearing a pair of Chippewa boots on my Nordic Track 
because I'm so damned stubborn on this issue.  (It makes for a good workout, 
what with the heavy leather and the steel-toes, but the boots look pretty 
stupid with my jogging shorts.)  Anyhow, I found a pair of New Balance shoes 
made in the US through the Sierra Trading Post catalog.  For those of you 
who don't get the Sierra Trading Post, you can check it out online at: 
http://www.sierratradingpost.com.  Sierra is an outlet store, so everything 
is discounted (some stuff deeply discounted) and the country of manufacture 
is listed for all items sold, so you can make informed choices.  I know that 
Jeff Harkins will choose China because he's just as stubborn as I am only in 
the opposite direction, but for those of you who would like to buy domestic, 
here's your chance on a very tricky-to-find item.

Also, just to show that I'm not (as some have accused) anti-Christian, I'll 
tell you that once you've completed your Sierra order, a verse from the Book 
of John appears at the top of the page.  10:10, I think?  I don't know; I 
didn't pay much attention.  I was too pleased to have gotten my funky 
American-made sneaks at 40% off.  I'm wearing them right now and reading the 
small card that came with them: Proudly made in the USA.

Joan Opyr/Auntie Establishment
www.joanopyr.com

On Apr 1, 2006, at 11:15 AM, Tom Hansen wrote:

>One last comment concerning a simple opinion that gc is struggling with:
>
>"Jobs that pay a living wage" - Increase minimum wage.  Only somebody
>lacking a second neuron would feel the poor to be insulted by increasing
>their take-home pay.
>
>"Jobs that offer careers" - This is where you almost get it, g.  Expand
>Alturas with more and more high-end jobs (jobs with progressive pay scales
>that are matched with progressive responsibilities - pronounced "careers").
>
>"Wages that put food on dinner tables" - See "Jobs that pay a living wage"
>above.
>
>"not sub-minimum wages that only serve to fatten the corporate bottom line"
>- Need I really say more.
>
>Jeesh, g.
>
>Enough said.
>
>Now, if you will excuse me, my coffee is getting cold.
>
>Tom Hansen
>Moscow, Idaho
>
>"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
>safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
>sideways, chocolate in one hand, a drink in the other, body thoroughly used
>up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO. What a ride!'"

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