How does the redistribution of wealth occur? In my state, for example, real estate taxes are the primary source of revenue for local government. Most of the real estate taxes are paid by the wealthier members of society because they tend to own the more expensive residential and commercial properties in the communities where Walmart and the other big box stores are located. Even many supporters of Walmart will admit that big box stores impose some financial burdens upon the community related to road construction and maintenance, fire and police protection, etc., the cost of which fall disproportionately upon the upper middle class and wealthy who shoulder the real property tax burden. That burden is even greater in those communities where the Big Box Stores have successfully lobbbied the local political whores for tax abatements as an incentive to build or remain in the community, leaving the other taxpayers to pay what the Big Box Store would have paid if not for the tax abatement. And while the Big Box stores do generate sales tax revenues, most of the revenues do not go to the localities to offset the cost of hosting a Big Box Store, but rather, to the state to spend on state stuff.
The redistribution of wealth occurs because the upper middle class and the wealthy as a whole generally don't shop at Walmart and therefore, they don't benefit from the "super low prices," yet they are the class that pays -- through higher real property taxes -- the cost of hosting the Big Box Store in the community. The less wealthy, who do shop at Walmart, benefit from the low prices, but share little of the real property tax burden.
That is probably because they CAN"T afford property. Good grief.
Finally!! Someone who gets it. Thank you Labyrinthos. There are costs and benefits to the Walmart chain. And the local politicians can make them pay a fair price or let Wal-mart stick it in their pocket. I say they should pay their fair share in the community.
What about the communities where Walmart does not get a tax abatement?