RE: RE: Understanding the Wal-Mart Effect

Behethland B. Clark responds to Steve Brenneis:

I think I heard this same radio show, and agree that he seemed to have lots of statistics that were never questioned. Although, I understood exactly where he was coming from.

I too hate Walmart and I hate what it has done to small businesses. Along with Lowes' Hardware, Walmart has helped to close the quaint and personable downtown hardware and drug stores such as Farmer's Hardware on King Street in Boone. I hate the size of the store and the fact that you can't find anything. I hate the fact that no one will help me find anything and they know nothing about the product they are selling.

BUT, the price is right. And though I won't set foot in the place, my husband does. We buy all our staples from Walmart. I'm sure they have terrible benefits and poor retirement packages and I'd love to boycott the place. But it's just like what happened with the textile industry. Just like we can't afford to "buy American" anymore, neither can we afford to buy from the cute locally-owned boutique grocery/hardware/drug store.

What's happening is sad, but are we willing to sacrifice our own convenience and pocketbooks in order to run Walmart out of town? I doubt it.