by Gail Kerry

Created on: November 12, 2008

America is a country that has little to offer in the way of manufacturing, thanks to conglomerates like Wal-Mart. It wasn't enough that the company caused local retailers to go out of business within each city and town that it invaded. Wal-Mart had to squeeze more and more profit out of the cost of goods until the American manufacturers were also put out of business. The enormous purchasing clout of Wal-Mart succeeded in replacing locally produced goods with inferior, foreign-sourced products. Local jobs that paid decent wages and minimum benefits were eliminated along with the small, local businesses that supported them. Wal-Mart jobs employed less than half of the prior workforce at below poverty level wages and without minimum healthcare benefits.

What we have now is a country full of Wal-Mart's selling goods that are produced by foreign workers without regard for quality and safety. The company has exchanged customer service for self service and yet the parking lots are always full because shoppers want to save a few bucks.

Undoubtedly their prices are unbeatable because they are not playing on a level field. Shoppers should ask themselves what they are purchasing, however. If consumers realize that the ultimate goal of Wal-Mart and similar companies is to lower our own salaries in order to compete with those in third world countries, then by all means, continue shopping there. If mothers do not care about the safety standards of the toys, cribs and car seats they are purchasing at companies like Wal-Mart, because the products are a bit cheaper, then they should continue fighting for a parking space on a Saturday morning. If you do not care about where your produce or meat came from or the safety of these products, then you should certainly continue with your cost saving approach and go to Wal-Mart.

I will not be shopping at Wal-Mart this holiday season or for any other reason. I purchase goods from small locally owned or regional stores that support other small businesses located in the town where I live. Small businesses buy ads in the local paper. They support local charities when asked to do so. They support local service industries like accountants, lawyers, doctors and banks. They hire local employees and are a boon to the local economy. Wal-Mart does not help the local economy or the manufacturing industry of this country. If it costs a few dollars more in the short run to shop elsewhere, at least I know that I am helping my community and my local economy.

Learn more about this author, Gail Kerry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.