ENC1101—03
Professor Trolinder
December 5, 2013
Misconceptions of Wal-Mart
In the 1990’s most families made a dollar stretch due to lower inflation changes. As gas prices sky rocketed, in the 2000’s, families felt trapped, thriftier, and scrapping for pennies to shop for groceries. Present day Wal-Mart has given all families a way around large corporations that control prices. As a result, Wal-Mart has given a second chance on living the American dream and stretching a dollar to unimaginable possibilities. The essay Squeeze by Charles Fisherman gave me insight towards Wal-Mart, since it mentions the large control it has over large corporations. The essay projects Wal-Mart being negative towards large company but fails to mention benefit towards community. In addition, the 51,000 square acre food stores are perceived by some as a monopoly, damaging to the economy, and forcing low wage jobs. However, this new Wal-Mart has made significant changes to better the environment, provide better wages, and help families by forcing their vendors to run more efficiently. Though the issue has divided critics, Wal-Mart benefits local communities in America, since they provide low cost produce, support the environment, and help soldiers with jobs. To begin, most economists can agree that Wal-Mart’s low cost on produce is the best way to benefit the communities in America. Moreover, because of Wal-Mart’s low prices we can see less affluent families afford luxuries such as a LCD T.V. People today are making the same money, while the cost of living is skyrocketing. As a result, Wal-Mart low cost is giving hope to communities looking to provide for their family during this load of inflation.
According to Robert B. Reich, the former labor secretary and a professor of social and economic policy at Brandeis University,” Wal-Mart is the logical end point and the future of the economy in a society whose preeminent value is getting the best deal”(Reich). As