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 Walmart 
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I was watching Fox News this weekend and they had a panel of folks who were discussing the issue of whether Walmart was helping the poor of this country. They also contemplated whether Walmart is doing more for the poor than any politican ever will.

Would the country be better off w/o Walmart? I was wondering what my fellow colleagues thought on this issue?

Walmart is the biggest employer around the country. They do provide jobs for those who have been laid off due to companies going south or overseas.
I am not sure if Walmart is concerned about the welfare of their employees in areas such as health insurance. They do not allow unions.

What is your opinion?

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Chris McKay

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Sun Feb 25, 2007 10:17 pm
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Honestly --- I don't know.

If WalMart wasn't around, Roses or K-Mart or Target could pick up the slack. Just because WalMart wasn't around would not guarantee that small businesses would be.

That's a tough one, Chris.

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Lisa Fortenberry


Mon Feb 26, 2007 3:29 pm
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I think Walmart just came along at the right time for the economy and the trends. People want fairly nice products at reasonable prices. Belk just does not and never has been the place for the average wage earner.

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Jackie Shaw


Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:19 pm
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Check out the PBS Frontline episode, "Is Walmart Good for America?" This show will leave you with a lot of questions about this company's practices. In Maryland, the company came under scrutiny because it did not offer full time workers adequate insurance. There have been some allegations that some workers for the company have had to enroll in Medicaid and other welfare programs because they do not provide adequate worker benefits. There is web site http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/walmart/ that explores the issues of how Walmart affects the economy and American workers.

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Mon Feb 26, 2007 7:04 pm
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Yeh what will happen now with Walmart gaining so much power in Mexico and even being welcomed by the Mexican government into their banking? I wonder how much input the government will have in their business practices....What will be next Walmart for President 2012?

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Kami McKay


Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:42 pm
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John, I never got the chance to view that Frontline Segment. I know what specific program that you are talking about. I always enjoy watching those frontline segments, they are definitely informative.

Lisa, I agree, those other stores would pick up the slack if Wally World wasn't around. Don't you miss the small downtown businesses? I still remember the pre-Walmart days back in a small town in PA. Then came Walmart and turned that small downtown into a run down ghost town. Middle class business owners lost out to a big corporation.
Is Walmart better for America or China?

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Chris McKay

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Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:53 pm
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I can speak first hand on this one..... I worked at Wal-Mart for 2 years while I finished up school. I was just married and was on my second degree and needed a job to support my wife and I while we both went to school. Excellent health coverage, a retirement plan, and flexible hours. Plus after my interview they offered me a dollar more/hr than what I was making at the time. It was clearly a you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Once I got my graduated (for the second time) I shook hands with the General Manager and he wished me all the best. Clearly I would not have been able to make it without Wal-Mart, but Wal-Mart would have made it without me. I know for a fact that I am only one of dozens in the same store that were at Wal-Mart for the same reason, plus I knew of dozens more who were there because it was the only place for a job, plus I knew of another handful who retired early and wanted insurance and/or some extra cash. Wal-mart gave more back to our community than any other company or organization; one day I told the GM that my church was having a golf tournament and he donated 120 golf balls, numerous golf-related prizes, and gave me a check for $100. Recently, the mother of one of my friends (a kindergarten teacher in WV) was named Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year (for WV) and they wrote her out a nice check and had a ceremony in her honor.
Honestly, I think Wal-Mart is just an easy target for politicians and others to beat up on. It's popular and sounds good to bad mouth Wal-Mart. Everybody bitches about Wal-Mart and wants to blame the company for this and that problem. When, in reality, it is what capitalism is all about. Wal-Mart is what is good and noble about America.....

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Heath Belcher


Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:03 pm
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Heath, I think Walmart is a symptom of what is bad about capitalism. Exploiting workers for the sake of the almighty profit is a problem in my view. Walmart is an easy target because there are some questions about its practices.

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Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:06 pm
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My family and I try to do most of our shopping in local downtown businesses. I admit, you can't get everything you need in these local estalishments, and we then go to Wal-mart. I understand both sides of the story-but after all is said, we need to support our local businesses just the same. If we don't, towns will soon put their city council or county commissioners beside, if not in, the "W-store" (we have named it this for our daughter)...because that is all people will need...or at least think they will need...
Each side (pro or con) regarding Wal-mart has it's advantages...for different people. After all is said and done, Wal-mart is not going anywhere...it helps many and hurts many...which, unfortunately is how most businesses affect their communities.

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Leigh Anne Frye


Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:48 am
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I expressed my concern for the "Walmart Society" on the first night of class. Whether it's Walmart or one of the Big Box Department Stores that has followed in it's footsteps, the fact is, retail is no longer an option for entrepreneurs. I agree with John when he says to do the research before making any decisions. I think you will find that the future looks scary...talk about widening the divide between the haves and have nots...if Walmart is the only store in town and does not provide benefits and pays it's employees minimum wage... you are looking at a new generation of people who will be "nickeled and dimed" till death!!

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Rosanna Whisnant


Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:21 am
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I'm going to Wal-Mart tonight to get some groceries and a fishing license. Don't stone me on Wednesday!

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Heath Belcher


Tue Feb 27, 2007 4:33 pm
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Heath, I just got back.

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Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:51 pm
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John and Heath ...I thought I saw you there....I didn't have anywhere else to go!! (ha!) No judgements here! I sin too much to judge another! rw

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Rosanna Whisnant


Wed Feb 28, 2007 10:33 am
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After hearing Cory Klassett's presentation (Alexander Co-Hort) on Wal-Mart last year, the biggest thing I have against Wal-Mart is their support and endorsement of vouchers.

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Stephanie Williams


Sun Mar 04, 2007 8:17 pm
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I agree Steph. The article came from NEA in an effort to join a national campaign called "Wake-Up Wal-Mart." Not only are local businesses becoming obsolete from the influx of big box stores, our schools are really feeling the impact. John Walton gave the biggest paycheck in the anti-public school campaign ever...(at least $250 million over the last six years.) With the closing of local businesses, more families nationally are earning below poverty level with less insurance. Because of this, the public is footing the insurance bill, as well as paying for free lunch for students whose parents work at the local Walmart. Walmart received over $1 billion dollars in subsidies from state and local govs. that should have been used for public schools. Other problems include cheap overseas labor, violation of child labor laws, discrimination against women, undocumented immigrants used to clean stores, and negative impact on the environment. Do I like the shopping experience? YES! Am I being a hypocrit? YES! Do I like the principals on which Walmart stands?NO!!!!!

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Rosanna Whisnant


Tue Mar 06, 2007 2:14 pm
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I have heard these arguments against Walmart. I have no doubt that this company is a Taker.

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Tue Mar 06, 2007 11:36 pm
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The idea of greed and collecting resources beyond what you need is the cornerstone of the taker philosophy. Maybe the gorilla has shop at Wal-Mart before and has been as frustrated with it as I have been in the past.

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Jeremiah McCluney


Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:50 pm
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I agree with whoever said that WalMart came along at the right time, and they just happen to be the company everyone is picking on now. It used to be Woolworth's or Grant's or Nichol's or whatever. They're all about the same. I've heard bad things about them and good things about them. I did like it when I heard that they only sold stuff made in the USA (Aren't I correct about that--didn't they claim that at one time?), but like so many other things, those times have passed. Some people practically live at WalMart, and if they can't find what they want at WalMart, they'll find something at WalMart that will do. My husband frequently shops at WalMart, but he is retired and can go at odd times when it's not busy. Others, like me, avoid it. What gets me is all the little kids running around in there at 10 or 11 P.M., barefoot with their disposable diaper about to fall off because it is so full of urine. I just want to strangle those parents. But WalMart has saved me a couple of times--like when I woke up at 4 A.M. with a yeast infection, knowing exactly what it was and knowing no other stores were open. WalMart is a great place to shop at 4 A.M.--not too crowded. Other times I just stay away. I don't even like to deal with the parking lot.

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Rebecca Secrest


Wed Mar 07, 2007 3:35 pm
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I'm torn on this issue. Yes, walmart employs alot of people and the prices are low enough for all income levels, but it hurts small businsses at the same time. Not many people visit family owned stores these days b/c they are hard to find if a Walmart is anywhere near by. I think Walmart could do better with their benefits they offer to thier employees. I think they take advantage of their workers to a degree. Walmart Corp. makes enough profit to offer more benefits to their full time workers.


Thu Mar 08, 2007 5:23 pm
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It's not Walmart's fault they pay low wages for a lowly position. I wouldn't eaither. Perhaps, those with higher paying careers should consider taking less income so that the low-enders can have more. Maybe takers should be more leavers and leavers more of a taker?

Or would this be a socialistic republic then?


Thu Mar 15, 2007 5:40 pm
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