Where fairness is the bottom line

TOO OFTEN we Americans view our worker role as independent from our consumer role ("More than Wal-Mart," op-ed, Aug. 19). While at the office, we expect to be properly compensated (in the form of decent wages and benefits). In the store, we expect to find goods and services at the lowest possible price (which often results in reduced wages and benefits for store employees).

There is much more in common between our worker and consumer lives than not. We need to begin thinking like workers not only when we are in the office, but also when we are at the store. We need to take pride on those occasions that we find ourselves having to pay a few dollars more for something that was produced and distributed by a business that respects its workers.

As workers we embrace the ideas of union membership, access to quality and affordable healthcare, and guaranteed pensions. As consumers, we should also embrace the businesses we frequent that offer these same opportunities to their employees.

BRIAN WHITNEY
Maynard