The Ultimate Wal Mart Thread; Is Wal Mart good for America

[tnitsuj]

?

 

[DealMonkey]

I voted no for obvious reasons.

 

[miguel]

I answered yes because I can't think of a reason why Walmart is bad for America.

 

[Gaard]

Keyword here being 'overall'. I voted yes.

 

[charrison]

So you have to ask yourself, does walmart pay better than the mom and pop stores it displaces?

 

[Martin]

I think it would be nicer in many ways if it (and other stores like it) did not exist.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: charrison
So you have to ask yourself, does walmart pay better than the mom and pop stores it displaces?

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

 

[sandorski]

Walmart is a parasite, IMO.

 

[dirtboy]

Walmart allows a person to buy something for less than they currently are. When that happens, a person has extra money. That extra money will get spent on other things. Those other things will create jobs. Walmart is not all that bad.

 

[BDawg]

As much as I hate Wallie World, I would admit they'd be good for America...if they bought more domestic goods and fewer Chinese goods.

 

[miguel]

It's now 12-8 that Walmart is bad. Can someone present a clear-headed case why it is?

 

[Bowfinger]

Originally posted by: miguel
It's now 12-8 that Walmart is bad. Can someone present a clear-headed case why it is?

Because Wal-Mart censors its magazines and music. Because Wal-Mart pushes pan&scan movies. Because Wal-Mart contributes to the homogenization of America, reinforcing a trend started by companies like McDonalds. Because Wal-Mart displaces local business, removing money from the community.

But most of all, because Wal-Mart exerts too much influence on the purchase of wholesale consumer goods. Among other things, this ultimately leads to the loss of American jobs and higher-quality American products in favor of cheap imported crap from China and elsewhere.

 

[Jhhnn]

From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

 

[Mavrick]

I don't know about the sores in the US, but in Canada, Wal-Mart is a major buyer of local products. I don't know, maybe the sell more stuff from China, but there a a few local factories that got so huge contracts from Wal-Mart that they are now very large industries.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

If you will go back and read it again you will see that the question that I answered was "Does Wal-Mart pay better than the mom and pop stores that they replace?"

I stand by my answer. It's obvious that Wal-Mart employees do not make what their organized counterparts make but that wasn't the question.

 

[dmcowen674]

The experiment is a total failure. The sooner it is ended the better.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

First I will tell you that it doesn't always go as you say. Here in the town I live in - we recently(last couple of years) built a Super Walmart to replace the plain old Walmart. They built it in a somewhat undeveloped area - now there isn't hardly a free piece of commercial property near it. Menards already existed right across from it but we've added a Home Depot, a Gas station, a new bank, a Super Target, a car wash or two, Radio Shack, Kohls, IHOP, Hollywood video,Chilis, a new tire store just popped up, and just the other day a HUGE NEW sporting goods store opened it's doors. Now I know I'm missing a ton of smaller little shops like a craft store and the like but the point is that they all didn't exist just a few years ago. Infact there were only about 3-4 businesses in the area 3 years ago. The only "casualty" was a locally owned TV/appliance store who went under...but that was mainly their own fault from what I've heard and it wasn't in that area of town. Now Ankeny is about 35K people ATM. I quite enjoy having that amount of retail close by and that is only in one little section of town.

Now as to your contention that Walmart is bad for Albertson's and the others - I think you identified the problem they have. Care to guess what it is? What rendered them "non-competitive"?

Oh, and BTW - the Walton heirs while part of the cause of this - it wasn't directly them. After Sammy croaked - the company wasn't run by the family although they have a lot of stake in the company. Sam believed in selling American made products and up until he died - those that ran the corporation honored his wishes. Afterwards however - the almighty dollar kicked in as king. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily, but it did alter their business style and product lines a bit. But like I said - although it isn't directly the fault of the heirs - they could have forced the company to run the way Sam wanted it to - and for that they get my scorn as they now can just kick back and live off of their share of the company.
Walmart has done alot of good things for America, but they aren't "perfect" for society. They are a business - businesses exist to provide goods/services and make money - I don't blame them for that.

CkG

 

[Jhhnn]

"If you will go back and read it again you will see that the question that I answered was "Does Wal-Mart pay better than the mom and pop stores that they replace?"

I stand by my answer. It's obvious that Wal-Mart employees do not make what their organized counterparts make but that wasn't the question."

Fair enough, but you've yet to offer any substantiation, merely assertion...

 

[MonstaThrilla]

I've never been in one so I really can't say...

 

[CubanlB]

mmm walmart, Id have to say no. They are especialy bad for other parts of the world. They buy in such bulk they set whole sale price, and if the manufaturers say no, they're cut from walmarts money, so what do manufatures in poor counties do? shady shady things, to save mostly pennies. To me wal mart isnt worth nything it may bring thats posative.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
"If you will go back and read it again you will see that the question that I answered was "Does Wal-Mart pay better than the mom and pop stores that they replace?"

I stand by my answer. It's obvious that Wal-Mart employees do not make what their organized counterparts make but that wasn't the question."

Fair enough, but you've yet to offer any substantiation, merely assertion...

The unionized grocery workers in california are making several dollars more an hour than walmart workers. Unionized checkers are making like $15/hour, which is crazy for unskilled labor.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

First I will tell you that it doesn't always go as you say. Here in the town I live in - we recently(last couple of years) built a Super Walmart to replace the plain old Walmart. They built it in a somewhat undeveloped area - now there isn't hardly a free piece of commercial property near it. Menards already existed right across from it but we've added a Home Depot, a Gas station, a new bank, a Super Target, a car wash or two, Radio Shack, Kohls, IHOP, Hollywood video,Chilis, a new tire store just popped up, and just the other day a HUGE NEW sporting goods store opened it's doors. Now I know I'm missing a ton of smaller little shops like a craft store and the like but the point is that they all didn't exist just a few years ago. Infact there were only about 3-4 businesses in the area 3 years ago. The only "casualty" was a locally owned TV/appliance store who went under...but that was mainly their own fault from what I've heard and it wasn't in that area of town. Now Ankeny is about 35K people ATM. I quite enjoy having that amount of retail close by and that is only in one little section of town.

Now as to your contention that Walmart is bad for Albertson's and the others - I think you identified the problem they have. Care to guess what it is? What rendered them "non-competitive"?

Oh, and BTW - the Walton heirs while part of the cause of this - it wasn't directly them. After Sammy croaked - the company wasn't run by the family although they have a lot of stake in the company. Sam believed in selling American made products and up until he died - those that ran the corporation honored his wishes. Afterwards however - the almighty dollar kicked in as king. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily, but it did alter their business style and product lines a bit. But like I said - although it isn't directly the fault of the heirs - they could have forced the company to run the way Sam wanted it to - and for that they get my scorn as they now can just kick back and live off of their share of the company.
Walmart has done alot of good things for America, but they aren't "perfect" for society. They are a business - businesses exist to provide goods/services and make money - I don't blame them for that.

CkG

Go back in 8 years and find a ghost of a shopping center, they're all over the place here. The only thing left standing is the Wal-Mart, even McDonalds leaves the location.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

First I will tell you that it doesn't always go as you say. Here in the town I live in - we recently(last couple of years) built a Super Walmart to replace the plain old Walmart. They built it in a somewhat undeveloped area - now there isn't hardly a free piece of commercial property near it. Menards already existed right across from it but we've added a Home Depot, a Gas station, a new bank, a Super Target, a car wash or two, Radio Shack, Kohls, IHOP, Hollywood video,Chilis, a new tire store just popped up, and just the other day a HUGE NEW sporting goods store opened it's doors. Now I know I'm missing a ton of smaller little shops like a craft store and the like but the point is that they all didn't exist just a few years ago. Infact there were only about 3-4 businesses in the area 3 years ago. The only "casualty" was a locally owned TV/appliance store who went under...but that was mainly their own fault from what I've heard and it wasn't in that area of town. Now Ankeny is about 35K people ATM. I quite enjoy having that amount of retail close by and that is only in one little section of town.

Now as to your contention that Walmart is bad for Albertson's and the others - I think you identified the problem they have. Care to guess what it is? What rendered them "non-competitive"?

Oh, and BTW - the Walton heirs while part of the cause of this - it wasn't directly them. After Sammy croaked - the company wasn't run by the family although they have a lot of stake in the company. Sam believed in selling American made products and up until he died - those that ran the corporation honored his wishes. Afterwards however - the almighty dollar kicked in as king. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily, but it did alter their business style and product lines a bit. But like I said - although it isn't directly the fault of the heirs - they could have forced the company to run the way Sam wanted it to - and for that they get my scorn as they now can just kick back and live off of their share of the company.
Walmart has done alot of good things for America, but they aren't "perfect" for society. They are a business - businesses exist to provide goods/services and make money - I don't blame them for that.

CkG

Go back in 8 years and find a ghost of a shopping center, they're all over the place here. The only thing left standing is the Wal-Mart, even McDonalds leaves the location.

I have not seen that here.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
From UltraQuiet, in refernce to WalMart wages being higher-

Without question. As do all the other businesses that relocate or are attracted by Wal-Mart either in the out-parcels or strip malls that always accompany a new Wal-Mart.

It seems to me that if you're prepared to make a statement that strong, that you'd best be prepared to back it up. That might be difficult, considering it's contrary to everything I've ever read on the subject...

And it's obviously not true in the case of California Grocers, whose union labor renders them non-competitive with grocery prices at WalMart Supercenters, at least according to the management of Albertsons, Vons, et al...

WalMart also actively exploits the welfare system, too, maintaining a website to help their low-pay employees obtain services at no/reduced cost, apply for earned income credits on their taxes... very few WalMart employees are fulltime, either, meaning that Walmart pays and their laid off employees receive much lower unemployment insurance. Forget pensions, and their health insurance plan requires large employee contributions, making it out of reach for many of their employees...

Compassionate Conservatism at its best, from 4 of the 10 wealthiest Americans, the Walton heirs...

First I will tell you that it doesn't always go as you say. Here in the town I live in - we recently(last couple of years) built a Super Walmart to replace the plain old Walmart. They built it in a somewhat undeveloped area - now there isn't hardly a free piece of commercial property near it. Menards already existed right across from it but we've added a Home Depot, a Gas station, a new bank, a Super Target, a car wash or two, Radio Shack, Kohls, IHOP, Hollywood video,Chilis, a new tire store just popped up, and just the other day a HUGE NEW sporting goods store opened it's doors. Now I know I'm missing a ton of smaller little shops like a craft store and the like but the point is that they all didn't exist just a few years ago. Infact there were only about 3-4 businesses in the area 3 years ago. The only "casualty" was a locally owned TV/appliance store who went under...but that was mainly their own fault from what I've heard and it wasn't in that area of town. Now Ankeny is about 35K people ATM. I quite enjoy having that amount of retail close by and that is only in one little section of town.

Now as to your contention that Walmart is bad for Albertson's and the others - I think you identified the problem they have. Care to guess what it is? What rendered them "non-competitive"?

Oh, and BTW - the Walton heirs while part of the cause of this - it wasn't directly them. After Sammy croaked - the company wasn't run by the family although they have a lot of stake in the company. Sam believed in selling American made products and up until he died - those that ran the corporation honored his wishes. Afterwards however - the almighty dollar kicked in as king. Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily, but it did alter their business style and product lines a bit. But like I said - although it isn't directly the fault of the heirs - they could have forced the company to run the way Sam wanted it to - and for that they get my scorn as they now can just kick back and live off of their share of the company.
Walmart has done alot of good things for America, but they aren't "perfect" for society. They are a business - businesses exist to provide goods/services and make money - I don't blame them for that.

CkG

Go back in 8 years and find a ghost of a shopping center, they're all over the place here. The only thing left standing is the Wal-Mart, even McDonalds leaves the location.

I have not seen that here.

Good, glad to see San An is staying nice and not going down the crapper.

Can still get a great steak along any of the Riverwalk Restaurants?

 

[RabidMongoose]

Back where I used to live, the Walmart supercenters were built in the middle of nowhere/places with not many stores...now they have TONS of shopping areas built all around them once the Walmart moved in.