Free Republic

Those low-cost goods at Wal-Mart ultimately come at a high price: lost jobs, lower wages and unsupportable U.S. trade deficits. Wal-Mart is the single largest importer of foreign-produced goods in the United States, and the majority of its private-label clothing is manufactured in at least 48 countries around the world—and almost none in the United States. Wal-Mart’s biggest trading partner is China. The world’s largest retailer bought some $12 billion in merchandise in 2002, from China, nearly 10 percent of all Chinese goods sold in this country that year. Through November 2004, the United States was running a $147 billion...

February 21, 2005 — While some welcome Wal-Mart to the city, others protested the store's long-standing position when it comes to unionized workers. Out goes the old Helene Curtis building. In comes Chicago's first Wal-Mart. "It made god sense to bring jobs to your community. It made sense to take out something old and put in something new," said Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward. Alderman Mitts has led the way in bringing the retail giant to the West Side despite protests from some of her constituents. While a marching band tried to outplay protesters, they continued to have their voices...