Things I can't do because of my social conscience
1. Buy diamonds. How many people in the history of the world have been exploited in the name of diamonds? I don't know, but it has to be a lot. For this reason, I cannot in good conscience contribute to the death and/or dismemberment of any human being by purchasing diamonds. However, I don't mind accepting diamonds from one who has not used my money to purchase said stone, for those keeping track.
2. Shop at Wal-Mart. I don't really want to shop at Wal-Mart anyways. In the state of California alone, Wal-Mart employees cost the state $8 million in welfare benefits in 2005. These are employees who are not provided health insurance by their employer. These employees are not paid enough to support themselves or any children they may have. When these employees or their children get sick, they must go to emergency rooms for treatment. The ER's are not allowed to turn them away. Also, Wal-Mart discourages their employees to form unions where they might be able to find protection from low wages and no insurance.
3. Eat grapes picked by non-unionized workers. I still eat them sometimes, but I try not to contribute to the exploitation of laborers.
4. Buy gold. Almost the same reason for why I can't buy diamonds. Millions of people have perished in the name of gold. Maybe they weren't told that they were dying for gold, but they were. Mexico, for example. The indigenous people were rounded up by spanish conquistadors and subjected to all kinds of bad things so the spaniards could get their shiny stuff and send it back to europe.
to be continued....
2. Shop at Wal-Mart. I don't really want to shop at Wal-Mart anyways. In the state of California alone, Wal-Mart employees cost the state $8 million in welfare benefits in 2005. These are employees who are not provided health insurance by their employer. These employees are not paid enough to support themselves or any children they may have. When these employees or their children get sick, they must go to emergency rooms for treatment. The ER's are not allowed to turn them away. Also, Wal-Mart discourages their employees to form unions where they might be able to find protection from low wages and no insurance.
3. Eat grapes picked by non-unionized workers. I still eat them sometimes, but I try not to contribute to the exploitation of laborers.
4. Buy gold. Almost the same reason for why I can't buy diamonds. Millions of people have perished in the name of gold. Maybe they weren't told that they were dying for gold, but they were. Mexico, for example. The indigenous people were rounded up by spanish conquistadors and subjected to all kinds of bad things so the spaniards could get their shiny stuff and send it back to europe.
to be continued....
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