Is Walmart Good for America

Wal Mart is a store that is dedicated to keep low prices for the consumers of America. The low prices that they keep due come at a cost not only to the employees but industries trying to make enough money to stay in business and be able to pay their employees.

To be able to keep the prices low Wal Mart is no stranger to using foreign labor. "The sweatshop conditions in which thousands of employees of Wal-Mart's suppliers routinely work, and the depressive effect that Wal-Mart has on working-class living standards here in the United States, are receiving increasing scrutiny"(1) No where in the US can you own a sweatshop. The sweatshop labor is cheap to run and is one way that they can keep the price down. "The truth is that Wal-Mart has let America down by lowering wages, forcing good paying American jobs overseas, and cutting costs with total disregard for the values that have made this nation great."(3)

Some of the facts about Wal Mart are not something that they want you to see. "In 2001, sales associates, the most common job in Wal-Mart, earned on average $8.23 an hour for annual wages of $13,861. The 2001 poverty line for a family of three was $14,630. ["Is Wal-Mart Too Powerful?", Business Week, 10/6/03, US Dept of Health and Human Services 2001 Poverty Guidelines, 2001]"(5) "The average two-person family (one parent and one child) needed $27,948 to meet basic needs in 2005, well above what Wal-Mart reports that its average full-time associate earns. Wal-Mart claimed that its average associate earned $9.68 an hour in 2005. That would make the average associate's annual wages $17,114. ["Basic Family Budget Calculator" online at www.epinet.org]"(5) Wal Mart is purposely trying to make more money for the owner then to try and help the employees. "Wal-Mart's 2006 Annual Report reported that the company faced 57 wage and hour lawsuits. Major lawsuits have either been won or are working their way through the legal process in states such as California, Indiana, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. [Wal-Mart Annual Report 2006]"(5) Wal Mart is not trying to help the people of the community they are trying to make the most profit without having to spend anything on the employees.

Why do the owners of Wal Mart not try and help the continual down fall of the employees? They are reportedly making more and more money then they could ever spend in two or three life times. "The chain keeps its prices low and owners rich. Last year the five Walton heirs saw their net worth increase from $94 billion to $102 billion."(4)