Laurel Hill
The Fly
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2006
- Messages
- 150
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand, they are very good for the average American who doesn't have much money, because they keep prices low and affordable. They have everything in one place, food, clothes, household and car supplies, etc.
On the other hand, by doing this, they are destroying the local economy in some places, and killing off 'mom and pop' privately owned stores. While those stores may charge higher prices, they have to because they can't buy in bulk like a chain giant can. So while I feel sorry for the small businesses going down because of Wal-Mart, I can't blame the people who choose to shop where the prices are lower. So this is the dilemma.
Another factor is that Wal-Mart is not good to its employees. Most will be fired for taking off sick without a doctor's note, yet they cannot afford to lose the day's pay and pay for a doctor out of pocket too. (this came from the mouths of employees I know personally) Recently I encountered an elderly woman of at least 70 bagging groceries with a cast on her arm. She'd had surgery and it wasn't healing well because she coudn't rest it, but she had no more payed sick leave and could not 'afford' to rest. This is tragic.
What are your thoughts?
On the other hand, by doing this, they are destroying the local economy in some places, and killing off 'mom and pop' privately owned stores. While those stores may charge higher prices, they have to because they can't buy in bulk like a chain giant can. So while I feel sorry for the small businesses going down because of Wal-Mart, I can't blame the people who choose to shop where the prices are lower. So this is the dilemma.
Another factor is that Wal-Mart is not good to its employees. Most will be fired for taking off sick without a doctor's note, yet they cannot afford to lose the day's pay and pay for a doctor out of pocket too. (this came from the mouths of employees I know personally) Recently I encountered an elderly woman of at least 70 bagging groceries with a cast on her arm. She'd had surgery and it wasn't healing well because she coudn't rest it, but she had no more payed sick leave and could not 'afford' to rest. This is tragic.
What are your thoughts?