The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

The Editorially Independent Voice of The University of Akron

The Buchtelite

Graphic courtesy of Liv Ream; movie flyer from IMDB
In defense of Skinamarink
By Liv Ream, Arts and Entertainment Editor • October 1, 2023
Alternative Spring Break 2023 volunteers in Washington, D.C. Courtesy of Natalie Mowad.
Applications open for Akron’s 2024 Alternative Spring Break
By Taylor Lorence, Correspondent • October 1, 2023
The Northern Cheyenne tribe and community walking the ancient Portage Path from Portage Path CLC to the John Brown Home during a previous years First Peoples Day event. Photo courtesy of Portage Path Collaborative.
UA Holds events in celebration of North American First People’s Day   
By Shananne Lewis, Online Editor • September 28, 2023
White swan on water during daytime photo - Free Uk Image on Unsplash
The Swan's Rapture: a poem
By Emily Price, editor in chief • September 27, 2023
Desperately Seeking an Amazon Fighter, sculpture by Kimberly Chapman
"Easy Prey" art exhibit on display at Myers School of Art
By Taylor Lorence, Reporter, Secretary • September 21, 2023
“On the left, there’s me at work! I received the New Student Orientation “Gold Standard” award alongside 
and at the same time as my friend Gillian.”
Courtesy of Connor VanMaele
Fall 2023 Print Edition: Going the Distance
By Connor VanMaele, Correspondent • September 19, 2023
L to R: Steve Horner, Heather Barhorst, Haley Kuczynski, Shawna Blankenship, Brynley Harris, Jessie Redwine at the Pop-Up Pantry. Image Courtesy of ZipAssist.
ZipAssist Holds Community Resource Fair Tuesday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the SU 2nd Floor
By Shananne Lewis, Correspondent • September 18, 2023
Film critic Liv Ream and friend pose for photo (Image via Liv Ream)
My Barbie experience
By Liv Ream, Film Critic • September 17, 2023

Wal-Mart becomes American nightmare

” It is known that you either love or hate Wal-Mart, but either way it is not going anywhere. They have been scrutinized about putting other companies out of business (remember K-Mart) and their many law suits against them from their own employees. However, they keep on going, trying to take over as much as possible, and it is working.”

It is known that you either love or hate Wal-Mart, but either way it is not going anywhere. They have been scrutinized about putting other companies out of business (remember K-Mart) and their many law suits against them from their own employees. However, they keep on going, trying to take over as much as possible, and it is working. They are the largest grocery retailer and toy seller in the U.S., but that is not good enough for the corporate giant. They are expanding into banking by having the Visa Prepaid Money Card.

This is an aim toward consumers that do not have bank accounts. Last year they cashed 45 million paychecks collectively worth $17 billion. This of course sparked an idea. They are adding the Money Center near the front of the store which will allow customers to use direct deposit and check cashing by using their Money Card. You can use this card just like a bank debit card. Your paycheck is deposited on the card and you can pay bills, internet shop or pay at the pump. Well, why do you need a bank? There are fees of course. There is an $8.94 activation fee and a $4.94 monthly maintenance fee. There is also a $4.64 fee to reload your card, but this particular fee is waived if you have direct deposit. Is it too good? We will soon find out.

This is not it of course. Wal-Mart is also selling Coca-Cola T-Shirts made partially from recycled plastic bottles. The shirts will cost $7.50 and are available now. They have phrases on them like Rehash Your Trash, and Make Your Plastic Fantastic. If this isn’t enough for you; they will also be selling Wal-Mart brand Great Value milk that comes from cows that are not given the growth hormone. On April 1 they launched six coffees under the exclusive Sams Choice brand. It is basically affordable gourmet coffee. I for one try to stay away from Wal-Mart because of their treatment towards employees, but sometimes you just have to go there and why wouldn’t you when you can’t find things as cheap all in one place. Plus you have to give them credit for thinking outside the box. They make sure that you don’t need to go anywhere else to buy your goods and services and that is why they are the No. 1 corporation in America and they are not ever trying to become No. 2.

Did the trucker strike work?

On April 1, 2008 the semi truck drivers tried to have a protest against the oil companies. The price of diesel is at an all time high and they were trying to make a stand. Tons of freight idled across the country as independent truckers pulled their big rigs off the road or slowed to a crawl on major highways. This action was supposed to force President Bush to stabilize prices by using our oil reserves.

The gas prices are too high, said Lamont Newberne, a trucker from Wilmington. N.C., who along with 200 other drivers moved about 20 mph near Newark on the New Jersey Turnpike. This is one of the nations most heavily traveled highways. However, major trucking companies were not on board and the Teamsters denied reports that they initiated or endorsed this protest. Federal Law prohibits the association from striking because it is a trade association. So, I ask this obvious question: What is the point? The Teamsters is the union that represents the truck drivers. If they don’t support their own members; why would President Bush?

Meanwhile the top executives from the five biggest oil companies say they know how the high prices are hurting consumers but deflected any blame and argued their profits of only $123 billion last year is inline with other industries. Are they serious? On April 15, 2008 the national gas average is $3.39 a gallon; in Akron it’s $3.45 a gallon. This is a .53 cents increase from last year. I don’t know about you but I have seriously considered investing in a bike! The one thing that doesn’t seem to be getting through to people is that this is effecting the price of our goods because if the truckers have to pay more to deliver we have to pay more to receive. Truckers are paying about $1.00 a mile to drive their big rig and that’s why I had to pay $4.00 for a gallon of milk!

So the question is: Did the strike work? No, it didn’t. If we are going to change anything in this country we are going to have to stick together and fight, but it seems to me we are satisfied just to complain about it everyday.

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