There are many pitfalls to capitalism here in America and Wal-Mart seems to be a prime example of just that. Founded in 1962 by Sam Walton (Arkansas), Wal-Mart probably seemed like a good idea at the time, with the best of intentions of providing a one stop shopping experience for the convenience of its customers at low prices because the could buy in bulk and in turn, then pass along a discount to its loyal customers, while still receiving a suitable profit margin. Wal-Mart then became incorporated in 1969 and listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1972. Now that Wal-Mart (which also owns and operates Sam’s Club) is considered the largest private employer and the largest grocery retailer in the U.S., many people have asked… “What went wrong and why won’t anyone fix it”? For many years now there have been numerous complaints about Wal-Mart’s taking over small town business’, leaving despair and destruction in its wake. Wal-Mart’s point of view is that it creates jobs for people in these smaller communities and provides economic relief with their lower prices. However, many would disagree, stating that putting people out of business not only hurts them financially, but emotionally, socially and physically as well (considering the working conditions). Wal-Mart has been known for hiring many part-time employees, therefore not needing to provide for the expense of healthcare.
I had never really paid much attention to the information above, because I do not live in a small rural community, however, I do remember when Wal-Mart first came to Van Nuys, CA followed by nearby Porter Ranch, CA. It was not long after their existence that I did witness an array of small business’ close, such as long time neighborhood family owned hardware stores and several up-scale pharmacies with gift stores attached, to name a few.
Another concern people have with Wal-Mart is their insatiable appetite. If they can demolish and take over one business to the next…what’s stopping them from a complete monopoly?
The point of this political cartoon is the giant shark has eaten up other business' and left them for ruble (the signs, that you can not see in this figure are "Hardware", "Clothing", "Groceries" and "Drug Stores".Though I have learned much from the film “The High Cost of Low Prices”, I am in the unfortunate position to merely appreciate and value the discounts I receive from shopping there. I would like to see more being done from a legal standpoint to curtail the common practices of racism, sexism and out-sourcing for “slave labor” wages and conditions, negative ecological contributions and most of all their superior mindset that allows them to set/regulate and or be above any other laws, by which everyone else seems to be accountable to. But, I don’t think it can be done individually by the little people. There are legal actions and various committees currently working on this, however, nothing as of yet has diminished Wal-Mart’s executive practices.
