Posted on 04/11/2005 7:08:56 AM PDT by Rhoades
Add to that a law that forces U.S. companies to buy from U.S. companies. Think of the resulting boom! /sarc
I don't know that I'd go so far as to say it's bad for the country OVERALL, once all factors are weighed, but to pretend that the rosy scenario painted in this article is an accurate portrayal of the whole is utter nonsense.
For while businesses do spring up around Wal-Mart and people can buy a larger quantity of products due to Wal-Mart's lower prices, every single one of the negatives that the author lists, then dismisses as if with a magic wand, is absolutely true, as you point out in your post. People who claim otherwise, who try to convince everyone that Wal-Mart is nothing but positive, base their views on selective perception, ignorance, or a combination of the two.
Also note this: Pay attention to the "boutique" businesses that pop up to differentiate themselves. Wal-Mart does. And the moment those niches start to become widely accepted and dependably profitable, Wal-Mart will step in and take them, too. Of course, Mom and Pop can just pack up and hustle down the street to a different boutique, right? Yeah, right.
MM
What a great and innovative idea...then only Mom and Pop will be able to work there. John F'n Kerry, is that you?
When Wal-Mart first came to our area about 10 years ago, we used to make a family trip out of it. That's because we saved so much money buying our household goods at Wal-Mart that we all went out to eat afterwards at one of the half-dozen restaurants that immediately opened up all around it. We didn't get out to eat that often in those days as money was tight, but Wal-Mart put the extra money in our pocket to do things like that on a more regular basis.
Holy toledo, you would think that Walmart has singlehandily destroyed the American economy. Have you seen Walmarts stock price lately? It's down. Do you really think private enterprise is BAD for the economy? Are low prices and the shoppers who shop at Walmart just part of the evil Red China plot to destroy America?
Competition. Capitalism. They go hand in hand.
Sorry haven't seen any of Mom and Pop "specialty" stores close as a result of Walmart but I'll be watching. Besides, Mom and Pop don't pay so well either and since they don't employ that many people they are a small business and they don't have to comply with the same labor laws as does Walmart. Funny I don't hear about people complaining about workers working "off the books" while they collect seasonal unemployment. One could make the case that these workers are expecting Walmart employees to pick up their share of taxes while they do jobs on a "cash only" basis.
I guess you hate capitalism then..
1) If Walmart is cheaper than my local grocery store its on the order of 5 cents or less. I haven't come across many products that are so much cheaper they justify the longer drive to the Walmart.
2) If Walmart attracts new businesses like the "Hands Gallery ... offering indigenous art and sculpture for more refined tastes" and "Earth Fare, an organic foods store" then Walmart is pure evil in my book. :^)
"The Wal-Mart effect may be destructive from time to time, but it's also profoundly creative."
Pure comedic gold.
I can't wait until the author’s next article, "Prostate cancer: biological meanie or WONDERFULLY FABOULOUS WEIGHTLOSS PLAN!!1!1one"
Knock yourself out, but you'll be paying more to Mom and Pop who pay LESS than Walmart and offer NO benefits at all.
He makes some very excellent points.
(bookmark for later)
In many areas local government "gives away the farm" in freebies to WalMart in roads,sewer,property taxes and anything else Wally can squeeze from them by working one town against another. This cost is carried by every citizen and business.
It left out the most important thing - by selling 9mm (WWB) at $11/100, Wal-Mart forces the local gun shop commandos (who used to sell the same stuff at $10/50) to think about focusing on quality firearms, quality gunsmithing, and knowledgable counterfolk.
Well, the speciality shop theory will only work when you have a fairly rich and educated segment of the community. If the college wasn't there, dumb-@ss overpriced nonsense wouldn't be sold.
Or if we look at simple capitalism. Walmart comes in, Mom&Pop goes out of business, Landlord has to lower rents, Dirty Hippies with more money than sense opens a business. With the success of the hippie shop they start to contribute money to the DemoRATS, the DemoRATS take over. America is doomed.
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