Walls, Walmarts, and Nothing In Between

This whole debate involving Walmart is extremely illustrative. It is also, unfortunately, just another example of how shallow that the political discourse has gotten these days. I mean, just think about it here. On the far-right, you have some ideologues saying that Walmart is the greatest thing since sliced bread. And on the far-left, you have equally ideological people saying that this same Walmart is bringing about the end of western civilization. It flat-out can't get any more polarizing than that.........................................................................................................But what's the answer here/who's right? Common sense obviously tells us that the truth is somewhere in between. But how 'bout the research? What in the hell does that tell us? Well, it basically says that, yes, Walmart does in fact put some of those smaller businesses....out of business. But it also apparently says that the net effect is negligible - this, in that a lot of newer/different businesses usually spring up to replace the vanquished ones (according to Economic Inquiry, those states with the largest number of Walmarts actually have more in terms of small firm establishments per capita). In terms of quality of life (as defined by Miller and McCune; social capital, obesity, leisure time, and social/political values), there doesn't seem to be an appreciable difference there, either (this, in terms of Walmart vs. nonWalmart communities)...................................................................................................Of course, we'd be very remiss if we didn't look at one of the more pointed criticisms of Walmart - namely, that the wages and benefits are woefully inadequate. Here, folks, is what I've basically been able to uncover. Bottom-line, a lot of it simply depends on how you choose to look at it. Yes, the pay and benefits ARE week. BUT, when you compare them to other wage/benefit packages in the retail sector, they're actually pretty competitive. Add to that the fact that, without some of these same Walmart stores, the rural poor, in particular would end up paying significantly more for their food, merchandise, prescriptions, etc. In terms of Walmart being TOO big/making too much of a profit, again, a lot of it depends on how you choose to examine at it. Yes, Walmart IS humongous and it DOES makes a crap-load of moolah. But, it only actually nets 1.5-2% of its revenue as profit (compared to 8% by their competitors) - not exactly a gargantuan amount..................................................................................................I think, folks, that we basically have to realize a fact here - the effects of Walmart on our society are probably about a wash (maybe a slightly positive effect). I mean, I know that that doesn't necessarily sell a lot of newspapers, stoke the frigging flames of controversy, etc., but it does in fact seem to be a pretty fair/accurate assessment. Sorry.