The High Cost of Propaganda

I’ll preface this entry with a statement: I loathe Wal-Mart. I hate shopping there. I’m not even sure I can explain why, though I do generally avoid any store that I can get lost in, given my navigation abilities. Now, this being said, I’m going to (insert gasps) defend Wal-Mart for the rest of the entry.

Basically, I am becoming increasingly tired of hearing people bemoan Wal-Mart as if it is the cause of every problem currently facing the world. I’m constantly hearing arguments of “Wal-Mart pays crap and doesn’t offer benefits” which is true, but it’s not as if Wal-Mart is enslaving their employees – if they could get a better job then they would. Thus, if there were no Wal-Mart, these people would be worse off, being either unemployed or with a job that pays even less. Another annoyance is the whole argument of “Wal-Mart ruins small business” which again is true in a lot of ways, but why is this to be bemoaned? Were these small shops that Wal-Mart put out of business paying their employees great wages with amazing benefits? I highly doubt it. People tend to romanticize the “small business” concept, but, as someone who has grown up in a very rural area where some small businesses still thrive, I can tell you they’re not all they’re cracked up to be. Wal-Mart puts them out of business for a reason – people prefer to shop at Wal-Mart.

Understand, I’m not saying you’re stupid if you prefer small businesses to Wal-Mart or if you just flat out don’t like shopping at Wal-Mart – neither do I. What annoys me is when people actually propose legislation to stop Wal-Mart (which, by the way, isn’t going to happen anyway, so it’s pointless) and act as if the store is slowly ruining America as we know it. It’s just a store which offers lower prices and thus helps people who are less wealthy, which somehow seems to be the class that everyone believes Wal-Mart is hurting most. Besides, this is a “free country” with a relatively free economy, meaning that we as a country choose for there to be a Wal-Mart. The point being, if Wal-Mart were really as horrible as the liberals make it out to be, there’s nothing stopping the population at large from deciding that for themselves.

Mary, I’m expecting lots of argumentative notes from you on this.

I agree with you. Wal-mart promotes competition, and challenges privately owned stores that think they can hike up prices simply because there’s no alternative. Though, personally… I hate “wal mart”…. 🙂

mairead

September 1, 2006

Eh, I really don’t see how your argument not to argue what people argue is any better than what they’re arguing. Very much not convinced. <3

punk_rocks_1985

Random noter. Hail, Georgia! Hahaha. I’m from GA too, ATL. ♥ Crystal

I guess I just don’t see what’s more productive about you arguing with people who see it as something that summarizes well the world’s problems, not so much that it is the sole cause. And I have co-workers who use to work for the Wal-Mart corporation and left due to its racism. So there’s that to throw into the mix ( http://www.answers.com/topic/criticism-of-wal-mart ), too. Just don’t see it as jumping on the liberal bandwagon so much as it actually really sucks.

SeulementBanana

Ignoring the fact that I’m lazy, I’d update more often if I actually had a life. Truth is, being told I remind a guy of his younger sister was pretty much the most exciting part of my month. You are kidding about the proposed legislation to stop Wal-Mart. Right? I have been gone along time. Seems like you’ve gotten yourself a lady. Last time I read you were still looking for a goddess.

A Postmodern Heroine

I’m pretty sure I agree with you (ahaha, I sound so uncertain with the “pretty sure”). Economics is based on a concept of voluntary exchange, and I think it’s the same thing here. People shop at Wal-Mart on a voluntarily so. If you don’t think the trade is worth the costs and the benefits, you wouldn’t enter into the transaction. If a significant portion of the nation didn’t voluntarily chooseto shop there, Wal-Mart wouldn’t be able to sustain an ongoing business.

Yesterdays_Girl

Well, I wouldn’t call the wadges good or the benefits amazing. Wal-Mart employees don’t even have dental coverage. Although, I agree with a few of your points. Wal-mart does help out less fortunate people who can’t afford to shop anywhere else. However, it bothers me that all their clothing and products are made by exploited workers from 3rd world country, who in turn enable wal-mart to sell->

such cheap merchandise. And, yes, I’m completely aware that wal-mart isn’t the only store to have ever done that. It just bothers me, so I don’t shop there, or most stores who do the same.

Miss Britt

Well, you and I already discussed this, so I don’t have anything so say, just noting so you will shut up! No, really Mat, I do like noting you. I apoligize for the lack of notes.

September 2, 2006

hahaha I don’t want to argue. I’ve been taking care of kids all day. I’m spent. But I like your note arguments better than the overall point of this entry, so I will conceed that had you given more oomph to this I’d consider it more. So um yay! THREE-DAY WEEKEND.

Oh and I didn’t mean to privatize your notes. I meant to hit reply. And evidently my computer considered the are you sure to be a pop up and blocked it? And then when it didn’t take me to your diary like I thought the button stood for and it just reloaded my page I hit the other note? Because people who are watcing 8 year olds hoping they won’t break another desk and trying to explain Advent Children to them at the same time should NOT be on Opendiary. But yeah, WTF need to get a newer addition of firefox and learn to read what buttons stand for?!?? I enjoy your OD, too. Hence why I wouldn’t privatize notes and I’m confused with OD. I’m just not a good arguer. I just don’t like Wal-Mart. =o) <3

And I get the need for debate especially with your lady fair AFK. =op

michael.

September 4, 2006

I’m wondering how much experience you really have of employers who fuck you over, a lot, and know they can get away with it. That said, small businesses have the biggest dickheads of the lot, and either way no resources to care if you’re dragging yourself to work dying or anything. I was fucking chuffed to get a job for the NHS, there’s a safety net there. Or there was, before I got fired. I’m rambling.