Walmart

Walmart does not pay fair prices for the goods that it buys. This was obvious from the Frontline video's description of Rubbermaid's attempt to increase their prices, and Walmart's refusal. Walmart also doesn't provide fair wages or benefits to its employees, and has outsourced much of its manufacturing to foreign markets. Both low wages and outsourcing have undoubtedly hurt the US economy. Walmart, with its brilliant supply-chain management and ability to provide a great variety of goods at rock bottom prices, has successfully managed to shut down small town, local competitors in many areas where Walmart opens stores. These closings of community stores decrease community connections and make local economies go stagnant.

As I view Walmart so negatively, it is only self-contradiction that allows me to go there to make purchases from time to time. Recently, when I was moving to a new state and needed a mish-mash of different products, I went to Walmart so that I could buy all of these items in one place. In the hurried lives of working families, graduate students and young professionals, Walmart provides a quick and cheap way to get the things we need. I try to avoid Walamart as much as possible, but sometimes its just too tempting. I wish Walmart paid more respect to local economies and did not use foreign labor so much.