Posted on 07/21/2013 12:46:44 PM PDT by Kaslin
Whether or not you shop at Wal-Mart, youve already benefitted from the mega-retailers ceaseless efforts to cut prices. A 2005 study found that the nationwide expansion of the store had driven down everyones cost for food-at-home, commodities and overall consumer products. Competition among retailers drives down prices for all shoppers.
Meanwhile, by one estimate, Wal-Mart saved consumers at its stores a quarter of a trillion dollars in 2006. And that was several dozen price cuts ago. But you need to live near one to benefit directly. And in our nations capital, many residents could be denied the opportunity to shop at Wal-Mart, because the citys government has decided to try to help residents by targeting that company.
On July 10, the D.C. City Council passed a bill called the Large Retailer Accountability Act of 2013. Columnist Charles Krauthammer says the measure is almost like a bill of attainder because its so narrowly aimed. It says that retailers with corporate sales of $1 billion or more and operating in spaces 75,000 square feet or larger would be forced to pay a minimum wage of $12.50 per hour, as opposed to the $8.25 thats the minimum wage everywhere else in D.C.
The law also only applies to new stores, so its a perfect example of crony capitalism: existing retailers such as Target and Home Depot are benefitting from the D.C. governments ability to limit their competition. Unions benefit too. Any unionized retailer, such as Giant or Safeway, would be exempt from the new law.
The Act passed as Wal-Mart was building three new stores in D.C. and planning an additional three. The LRAA would clearly inject unforeseen costs into the equation that would create an uneven playing field and challenge the fiscal health of our planned D.C. stores, the companys regional general manager warned in The Washington Post before the vote. Wal-Mart will not pursue stores at Skyland, Capitol Gateway or New York Avenue if the LRAA is passed.
If the planned stores are indeed shelved, the city would lose hundreds of potential jobs along with the downward price pressure that having a Wal-Mart nearby creates. And because the planned stores are in low-income areas, its the poor who would be harmed the most if theyre not built.
Some dont see it that way, though. The question here is a living wage; its not whether Wal-Mart comes or stays, council member Vincent Orange said before the vote. Of course, a living wage is a fluid concept in a city thats famously filled, especially this time of year, with unpaid and underpaid interns.
Wal-Mart will keep on making money, with or without any presence in the District. Likewise, the city council will continue to pass laws. Its D.C. residents who will suffer. Something is always better than nothing, then work your way up, city resident Kevin Brown told The Washington Post about opportunities at the proposed Skyland location. People are looking forward to that Wal-Mart, they really are. Cronyism means they can look forward to higher prices and lower wages, instead.
So you do want a Soviet-style one big place, no choices, no competition. OK.
“They undersell by providing cheap crap with no originality or handicraft. “
I wish Wal-Mart would get in a good supply of that cheap 9mm Winchester crap that is made with no originality or handicraft and packaged in those 100 round white box value packs for $23.
;-(
Compaired to what? Colgate toothpaste is Colgate toothpaste whether you buy it at Walmart or at Safeway.
Oops - Compared, not compaired
Thanks for conceding the argument so diplomatically.
No, I didn't know that. Perhaps you'd share some examples as I did.
The D.C. City Council needs a personalized tour of Detroit!
Perhaps a glimpse of the future of WDC if they keep up this level of insanity would wake them up?
Although, on second thought, probably not!
Stupid is as stupid does!
We have a Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Safeway, and a Winco all within a 10 minute drive from my house. I go to Winco for most groceries because they have a better selection AND cheaper prices than Wal Mart. I DO go to Wally’s at least a couple times a week for paper goods, personal stuff, plant/gardening things, ammo, etc. Funny thing is, before Wal Mart built the store, it was a BIG, EMPTY Field. Now, there’s an Applebees (jobs), a China Express (jobs), a Red Canoe Credit Union (jobs) a new Kohls department store (more JOBS), a new Les Schwab (jobs) a new Firestone (jobs) and just opened recently: Red Robin (jobs) and a Big 5 sporting goods (jobs). THIS in a place where ten years ago there was nothing. I view that as a good thing.
Same here. Big empty field 5 years ago, now 20 or 30 businesses have sprung up.
Doesn’t matter to those who don’t like Wal-Mart though, so I seldom make the effort.
Ignorance is bliss, and I often tell myself not to interrupt their bliss.
Just another example of what Reverend Manning was discussing when he said there was no successful black government that he could name. DC is busily demonstrating how accurate Rev. Manning was.
Do you want quality or low price?
Searches for both are the original ‘Fools Errand’ because quality costs more.
Harbor Freight sells low price tools. Snap on sells quality.
Sears Craftsman tools are in the middle in terms of price and quality.
Craftsmanship, did you say? ALlow me to use shotguns as an example. A Mossberg is cheap, but functional. A Benneli costs a bit more and has better detailed manufacturing. Actually hand crafted shotguns start north of the $10,000 mark and the best are another order of magnitude in price.
How much quality one gets is a matter of personal choice and ability.
Willing buyer, willing seller - the old free market bit.
TANSTAAFL.
;-)
Not when you get your food for free with EBT cards.
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