Why You Should Surrender In The War Against Wal-Mart
Samm Sack
Co-Editor
My mom and I walked into an out-of-town Wal-Mart the other day and went up to the meat counter. Our server wasn’t mentally on top of things, but he told us a story as he packaged our items. I’m sure he tells this story to just about everyone that will listen, but the words touched my heart. He mentioned that his mother was the one that took care of him all through his life and that after she died, he didn’t have anyone but Wal-Mart.
It sounded strange to me, but it made sense after a little bit of thought.
Wal-Mart was probably one of the only places that would hire him, and he had mentioned that his friends were all behind the counter with him.
What, exactly, would this man be doing without Wal-Mart?
It came to me that there are several people that Wal-Mart impacts: the elderly greeters, who I’m sure Wal-Mart could do without but chooses to hire regardless; the mentally challenged man who is willing to work hard to earn a life; the regular college kid that will take anything to make it through that phase of life.
With a war waging against Wal-Mart in every other state--where the opponents are little boutiques holding up signs of protest and politicians holding complaints--it’s hard for haters to admit that Wal-Mart is actually good for America and good for their hearts.
According to Forbes and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, a study was done over the “Wal-Mart effect” in over 89 countries for the past two decades. If you’re a critic, you’re going to want to plug your ears, because Wal-Mart is actually boosting the economy. Personal income, overall employment and retail employment grew faster in countries with a Wal-Mart compared to those without one.
Forbes actually recognizes that not every person makes the “Richest People in the World” list when they speak of Wal-Mart’s accomplishments. It’s true though: Wal-Mart supports the little guys that are categorized as lower- to middle-income families.
A University professor named Richard Vedder wrote in The Wal-Mart Revolution that “Wal-Mart has been at the forefront of the productivity boom.”
Wal-Mart, with their cheap groceries and low-priced clothing, sauntered casually into dominance. Although they may be considered a monopoly, I would rather call them a competitor. Their bold move awaked industry, forcing other stores to lower costs as well.
The result: low inflation.
Not only that, but Wal-Mart looks after its employees, despite their low-income. 90% of Wal-Mart workers are covered by a health plan by either the company or a spouse’s plan.
Wal-Mart started with a genuine idea: to lower prices for goods. Although that idea became corrupted as the years went on, Wal-Mart’s advantages outweigh its disadvantages by a landslide.
For Connor Strange's point-counterpoint, click here.
