Wal-Mart: Land of the Low Price?

I have to admit that I have a prejudice against Wal-Mart. I believe this store is slowly destroying all that is good in humanity. That might be perceived as an over-reaction but I have my reasons for this statement. Americans who could otherwise not afford luxuries now have access to whatever they want at a low price. They are meeting places in many towns and bring jobs to areas that have been hard-hit by the recession. But the devil always come disguised in a form most pleasing to those he tempts. Americans are going into debt to afford luxuries, the low prices come at the expense of others and the jobs they bring here are minimum wage jobs that do not afford a living to those who work them.

I do not need to expand too much on the debt crisis in America. We have been living off of plastic for years. Keeping up with the Joneses has become the national past-time. Newer, bigger, better is the mantra in this throw-away society. For people who are barely making a living are able to get credit and then buy what they want at stores like Wal-Mart. For a time, they feel good but soon the bill comes and they struggle to make ends meet. They then go back to Wal-Mart because it is where they can afford the necessities, only to be tempted once again by the luxuries. The endless cycle begins.

But these aren't the only people being harmed. To be able to bring low prices to all of America, Wal-Mart needs to purchase products at a low price. Part of the low prices come from the large quantity that is purchased. A lot of the low price is because overseas companies are paying their workers pennies to produce the products. This is keeping those workers in a state of poverty that doesn't allow for proper nutrition or good health care. People all over the world are literally dying to support our habits.

Even American workers are feeling this kind of work environment. The store offers a comprehensive health insurance package for their employees and pay starting at $10.83 an hour for full-time employees, which sounds generous. But that is about $1600 a month for full-time employees and somewhere around $20,000 a year. Once you think about the math, it doesn't seem so wonderful anymore. One of the benefits Wal-Mart offers is an employee discount at their stores and Sam's Club stores, which begins the endless cycle described above.

I bring this all up because a local community just rezoned some land for a Wal-Mart and the debate at the meeting was heated on both sides. Of course, the Wal-Mart store was approved and construction should soon begin. Many rejoice at the creation of new jobs and lower prices. But I feel a loss today. One more community has sold out. The devil has come to town disguised as a low price. What is the price to humanity though? Are we willing to pay that price when we are finally presented with the bill? The past year, during the economic downturn, we caught a glimpse of the tab and the bottom line was really steep. Can we really afford these low prices?