Why I’ve decided to boycott Black Friday….or is it Black Thursday?

I’ve typically participated in the hysteria that is Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving).  Now I wouldn’t go at midnight and wait in line for hours, but I would go at about 5-6am to various stores to get the best “deals.”  I’d race to buy the “early bird” items.  In recent weeks I’ve read that many stores are opening even earlier than last year.  Target, Wal-Mart and others have decided to open their stores at 8pm.  I have a problem with this decision.

I have a problem with forcing employees to work crazy hours because businesses want to pad the bottom line.  I have a problem with putting people in danger when stampedes unfortunately occur upon a store opening.  How many videos of people being trampled to death do we have to watch before we start to think hey maybe this isn’t a good idea after all?  Is it really worth it?  Is it really worth risking your life over a TV that you probably won’t be able to buy anyway?  Is it really worth it to miss Thanksgiving day to wait in line for “great deals?”