"Blanket allegations about unions stirring up trouble for WM miss the point: Local folks are angry today and fighting back."
Quit trying to BS these people, you are an activist that is trying to contribute to the national publicity campaign your side is on right now.
But you are conveniently ignoring the stories showing these local businesses weren't paying any more or providing health care for their employees either. And you are also ignoring those stories showing where Walmart, as an anchor store, draws in and improves the economy of the area.
Some communities learned the hard way that WM destroys local businesses.
This is what it usually boils down to. Local businesses that have been gouging their customers for years get upset when competition moves in and they are no longer able to charge the inflated prices they are used to. Liberal socialism at work.
"Local folks are angry today and fighting back"
Holy crap, ex-texan! Lemme tell you a little story. A few years ago, WM built a store in an impoverished community just north of here. Well, SOME of the local folks were angry there, too. BUT, there were THOUSANDS who were tickled sh**less!
NOW that community (Jane, MO) is booming!
From living in about four areas before Walmart built, the biggest reason for the outcry of local businesses is that they did not want any competition. They abhored the idea of working harder instead of being the only business on the block that could provide a particular product to the community.
The businesses that do thrive in the presence of the new big block stores are the ones who are able to provide knowledge and service to go along with their products.
Sam Walton said it best: If "local businesses" are being run out by Wal-Mart, it is because the former have not adapted to the times.
Wal-Mart started as a five-and-dime discounter. There's no reason anyone else couldn't have done what Walton did. And there's no "nostalgia exemption" for hometown, Main Street, Norman Rockwell type businesses that use outmoded concepts of merchandising, supply, and retail. If they are crushed by the leaner, more limber organization, tough.
Blanket allegations about unions stirring up trouble for WM miss the point:
No, they ARE the point. Like all parasites, unions want a fat host they can prey on. There's not much money in mom-and-pop shops, but Wal-Mart has deep pockets.
Local folks are angry today and fighting back.
"Angry" about what? "Fighting back" against what? Lower prices? Values? An organization determined to bring consumers the best products they can at the absolute lowest cost? Yep, there's sure something to storm the Bastille about!
WM is a giant corporation with millions to burn.
Actually, it's more like billions. And they earned every dime. Nobody GAVE them anything. They got where they are by supplying a superior product or service at a lower price. That was the cornerstone of Walton's creed, and it binds Wal-Mart today.
They have won some battles, but the war is still going on in Oregon.
Yeah, there's a "war" you lose when you "win."