Just Another Thursday, Part 2

Good Evening all,
Last night I posted a story about the pro's and con's of working on Thanksgiving.  I wrote it after seeing on the news that Kmart is opening up at 6:00 am on Thanksgiving morning.  I was at work today, the background noise was creeping into my head, and I heard on the news, another story about stores on Thanksgiving.  It appears that more retail outlets will be opening earlier than ever on this once sacred holiday.

I work in the Human Services field, and working on the holidays has been a part of my entire adult life.  My guys do not become magically competent to be alone, because there is a holiday.  They need our care, and I can honestly say that in the last 25 years, I have never worked with anyone who was forced to be there, that day, or Christmas, for that matter.  There is usually a diverse age and family status among the group home employees.  This allows anyone who really wants to work(double time pay) the chance to make a few extra dollars.

Increasing sarcasm here....But that cannot be, Gil.  The country is in such a boom right now, that hardly anyone needs to work an extra day if they choose. Business are doing so good, why would they need to destroy an American family tradition.  Its raining high paying good jobs... stopping sarcasm now.... I have other family that also works in the medical field, and nurses are needed in hospitals.  But, these are retail stores.  I ask you, do you need that cheap chinese toy on Thanksgiving?  Are you really so addicted to the "holiday shopping" experience, that you will be lining the stores on Thanksgiving? Really?

I am a little irked at these mega corporations that feel nothing towards their core employees.  If you force people to work retail, they will not be happy, that will clearly be passed on to the people who are in the store, and that will not be good for anyone.  Let people volunteer, some may want to work, instead of sitting at the table and hearing drunk Aunt Muriel ramble on about that trip to Everglades last summer.  I am well aware that the economy sucks, just look out the window.  If these stores need to open their doors on just another Thursday, that is their right to do so.  I also am not going to frequent any stores, as usual on Thanksgiving, that is my right.

As a matter of fact, my brother and I were having this conversation last year at this time.  I predicted that within 4 years, the once sacred holiday, Thanksgiving would be taken over by retail.  To his credit, my brother said "a couple of years".  Once again, Gitmo Glen pretty much nails it.  What a sad reality.  My question to you is, how many years until Christmas is just another day too?  

Gil

Its Just Another Thursday....

Well, it happened.  You can mark this Thanksgiving as the one that broke the camels back.  I turned the pc on this morning, hit the news, and there it is, Kmart will open at 6:00 am on Thanksgiving morning.  We truly live is a sick society. The real truth in the sadness, is that I can argue both views, and come to an agreement with myself.  The bottom line for me, it just feels wrong.  

In the traditional prose I can wax poetic about Thanksgiving being about family, togetherness, the warm home, surrounded by family all having a good time.  The football game is at halftime, but that is just on in the background, those Ipad Air's you just got for the family are filled with Angry Birds, and Netflix.
 The beer is tasting might good, looking forward to the turkey and all the trimmings.  The smell of the home just brims with the warm aroma of the bird in the oven, and the potato's are getting mashed. Your sisters and brothers are all talking about the huge bonuses and incredible healthcare they get at their jobs.  The grandparents hosting this traditional family gathering are basking in the wonderful glow of all the grandchildren. Everything here is perfect, Normal Rockwell could not have drawn a more perfect scene.
All the adults around the table are gainfully employed, all in the fields of their college study.  This family is typical with the bright, rich successful families that this country is loaded with.  The kids get straight A's in private school, and the wives love spending their days at the spa on Monday, the tennis club on Tuesday, and all those charity events, just gobble up the rest of their week.  Life is wonderful.


Do you know one of those families? 

I sure as hell don't.  I am sure that there is 1% of the country that has a Thanksgiving like that one. Those numbers are dwindling, but the worse part it, the bottom 20% is getting bigger and poorer at the same time.  

I can also talk about the families where both parents are lucky to have the job at Kmart or any other retail store. They will enjoy time and a half, all the while, forfeiting that time at home with the kids. Sadly for most people in today's America, that is the sad truth.

Please do think for one minute that these retail chains that will be opening their doors even earlier this year, have not done the market research.  The are well aware that the true unemployment number in the country is about 25%.  Inflation is rising fast.  Have you been to the grocery store lately?  Its frikin insaane.  They know there will be a small hue and cry from some people, but in the end they will make their money.  Greed drives America.  If you want another view of how things are, or should be, this guy has some great ideas.

But the bottom line, that perfect Thanksgiving is gone forever. It is just another Thursday.