I happen to own a copy of "Walmart:The High Cost Of Low Prices." I have watched it several times because of it's entertainment value rather than it's accuracy as a documentary. I also own several films by Michael Moore for the same reason. His antics are an absolute scream. Moore's ignorance of economics and his consistency in seeking the wrong solutions to the issues he brings to the screen are epic. At least he is entertaining.
Back to Walmart. It's coming here. The retail behemoth has set it's roving eye on Warrenton and I predict it's appearance with the same surety I would predict rain.
A local anti-Walmart group has formed calling itself "Clatsop County Citizens for Responsible Development" and they are hard at work looking for donations that will allow them to make the
Robert Greenwald directed "Walmart:The High Cost of Low Prices" available to as many local people who wish to see it. As I said, it is entertaining.
Why does this group oppose Walmart? That's easy. It's their love of socialist economics and disregard for low income people combined with a complete lack of understanding about what Walmart represents that spurs them to form a political action committee.
Walmart represents a model of productivity that increases real wealth for all individuals in the communities they serve. Real wealth isn't about the money you make but about what that money buys. Low income individuals suddenly find themselves not only able to buy the necessities of life at significantly lower prices but can now increase their wealth buying some of the luxuries higher income people are accustomed to owning.
Walmart is focused on one thing best expressed by the company mission statement: Always lower prices...Always. This statement is at the core of Walmart's business model. To achieve the objective the company consistently seeks ways to increase productivity while lowering operational costs. Walmart has pioneered more efficiencies than any other company in history. They paved the way for automated check-out scanners and bar codes on products and are now working with their technology suppliers on using RFID which does not require individual item scanning at all. It used to take many more people just to stock, track and check items sold than it does today and it's far more efficient in triggering new shipments and provides real time inventory tracking. This is one way they keep prices low and in fact manage to drop prices.
The majority of jobs at Walmart stores are not skilled labor positions and pay minimum wage with most workers on part time hours to avoid the company paying benefits. Like it or not this also keeps those prices lower. In a free market nobody is forced to work anywhere and that includes Walmart.
Look for the opposition to bring up many old, tired arguments. Just as they battle LNG and organize recall elections using inaccurate statements and ridiculous supposition as their battle cry they will do the same in this case. They will argue the moral merits when opposing planning. They will scream about the "Giant" coming to smash the small businessman and lay waste to the environment (all in one breath).
My advice? Just smile and nod and get ready for the first "door-buster" sale.
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