Very interesting item I found about Wal-Mart and how it is affecting our economy....


Is Wal-Mart destroying America?

None of that really surprises me. Walmart's a monster, and unfortunately I feed into it, too. I probably go to Al's or Meijer more often than I got to Walmart, but I spend more money at Walmart. We do our big shopping trips at Walmart usually, sometimes Meijer depending on sales. For little trips (need a gallon of milk, some eggs or bread or whatever, daily stuff) I'll run to Al's because it's right by the house.

But I'm sorry, if I can have a long grocery list and spend $100 some place and $65 at another, I mean, I have to spend the $65. If that makes me a bad American, then I'm a bad American. (I have two American cars! LOL) We do spend plenty of money at local bars, restaurants, etc., so I don't feel too bad.

I do my food shopping at Kroger, with that savings card you can really rack up some points toward gas discounts, not to mention the money you save on food by using the card. The last time I filled up my tank (two weeks ago) I spent $2.85/gal at Kroger by using my fuel points. For the "bout outta" stuff I shop at Family Dollar or Dollar General. I do a lot of shopping at Aldi, too.

And "bout outtas" are things like shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc. I call them that because when you need them, you say something like, "I've got to go to the store, I'm bout outta shampoo"

We cashed out our Wal-Mart stock in order to purchase our home when we moved here from Portage 20 years ago.

Kroger just isn't convenient for me in MC, but when I spent time at the H-A a few days a week, I'd often stop there on my way home for "bout outtas"

Ouch.

In full disclosure mode, as an employee of a local independent supermarket chain, my bias against Wal-Mart is quite severe. I have been preaching the evils of their business model for years. As the majority of the population in the LaPorte & Michigan City region probably earn $ 12.00 an hour (or less), I understand they must shop where they can get the most for their money.

However, nothing makes be madder than people who earn a good living that continue to shop there for no good reason. I have questioned friends of mine and the usual answer is because it's cheaper. When I explain to them why it's cheaper, it doesn't seem to matter.

I found it most ironic that these are the same people that went ape shit crazy when Governor Daniels signed the Right to Work Bill earlier this year, as most of them are union workers. When I pointed out their continued support of Wal-Mart results in the loss of higher paying manufacturing jobs(many of them union) due to a continued stream of plant closings, most of them agreed with me. And yet they STILL shop at Wal-Mart.

I just don't get it

Great slideshow video of people shopping at Wal-Mart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3wRd_6_YCw

I've never crossed the threshold of the Walmart store.
Sam Walton preached made in America. He's rolling in his grave.



people of Walmart anyone?

O-M-G!!!! I am SO glad I haven't seen any of those people around here! I did see a guy once in the La Porte Wal-mart wearing a bright green mankini....

For those of you who don't know what it is...... mankini

The same anti-Daniels people also wait in line to eat at Olive Garden, which was built by non union labor. Help me understand this.

America doesn't shop the way that it talks. As a country we have refused to support higher cost items, which support higher playing jobs.

That's so true. I was interviewed for a position with one of the "dollar" stores recently. They wanted to hire me for a management position, but only pay me slightly over minimum wage. I was offended by their offer. I guess they pay such low wages so their employees have no choice but to shop in their stores. I did a little research on the subject and learned that all of the "dollar" stores pay low wages. Ridiculous!