Comments on: The Walmart Death Star

By: Josh H. Ellis

Josh H. Ellis — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:48:20 +0000

Some good stuff Brian. I don't totally disagree with you, but as an Atlanta native, allow me to share my thoughts: http://geoausch.com/2009/11/28/whats-the-matter-i...

By: Karl meisenbach

Karl meisenbach — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 17:19:07 +0000

Wal-mart the Better Life Provider.
The reason millions of Americans depend on walmart every day is for lower prices and better selection.
Small retailers are free to compete with wal-mart.
Or, are you suggesting we have government interference to force shoppers to support retailers with high prices ‘for the greater good’ or to ‘create jobs’. Are you saying we should all sacrifice for something greater than ourselves and pay higher prices?

The Principle is free enterprise.

By: Big Al

Big Al — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 14:57:40 +0000

That's probably the best (Wal-Mart Snob) take on them I have heard. Not sure about how bad they treat employees. They offer healthcare, stock purchase plans, retirement plans, employee discounts, etc. How many of those small town shops (that they closed down) offered health care or retirement to anyone but the owner?

I shop there, on occasion, as it is very close to my house. I think one thing that is hugely neglected to mention about Wal-Mart is the increase in standard of living that they bring to our poor. Not to mention that China couldn't afford to buy all of our "bailout bonds" if Wal-Mart didn't stimulate their economy so much…

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:04:34 +0000

Some might say we're in a consumer dictatorship, but that's silly. The US isn't a dictatorship. If it were, the authorities would have told us.

http://areyoutargeted.com/2009/11/26/if-this-were...

By: Michael Sitarzewski

Michael Sitarzewski — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:44:53 +0000

Hey Brian, I did a post on almost this exact topic after a trip our family took last year. Check it out: http://www.zerologic.com/Blog/The-Depressed-South... Needless to say, I haven't been in a Walmart in a year (nearly to the day). It's not Walmart's fault, per se, but simply the finances of the modern small town family. Cheaper is better for them, and they either don't care about the consequences, or are willing to look past them "Yeah, but…."

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 03:09:42 +0000

I’ve been to Atlanta, TX one time and first have to say they have a surprisingly good hospital.

Living in an urban area I am a Wal-Mart snob and usually can avoid them. I grew up in a small town of similar size to Wal-Mart and their arrival is a mixed bag. Local stores mostly can’t compete but they didn’t just bring consumers lower prices. They brought much greater product selection including many items that just weren’t available before. They brought consumer friendly hours.

I remember when people had to take off work get tires, clothes, or furniture or get them before noon on Saturday.

I hate how they treat employees and have abandoned their emphasis on US made goods but in many ways they have improved small town life.