Hyundai’s Military Discount
I was on-line shopping for a Hyundai recently when I discovered they offer a $500 discount to members of the military.
Is it possible to question that practice without being labeled ungrateful and un-American? I assume it’s meant as a special “thank you” for those people whose service enables us to exercise civil liberties and enjoy our way of life.
But I’ve always felt that argument was incomplete not just because it exonerates the military from its occasional abuses of power, but because it slights the admittedly more subtle, but equally important contributions some civilian members of society make to our security.
More specifically, why privilege members of the military over my friend that’s taught in a South Central Los Angeles middle school for twenty four years, or my friend that runs a homeless shelter in L.A., or my friend that served as a Peace Corp volunteer for three years in West Africa?
Granted, they haven’t risked their lives in the exact same way, but haven’t they contributed to our security in tangible, powerful, and in the end, equally meaningful ways?
Hyundai is receiving increasing acclaim as the “most improved” car maker. I’m going to wait for them to introduce the educators’, non-profit NGO, and Peace Corp $500 discount before I jump on their bandwagon.
I’ll wait with you.
As someone who regularly flashes her military ID for discounts on goods and services, I was surprised to hear that Hyundai is so generous to service members. You may be surprised to hear that most companies who offer these kinds of discounts don’t advertise them whatsoever! One example: after shopping at Lowe’s for years, a friend recently tipped us off to their discount program-when we asked a store sales associate about it, she informed us that employees are not supposed to offer that information to customers unless specifically asked. I appreciate a 10% break, but I have to wonder how special that “thank you” is when we have to solicit it.