Arguments Against Walmart

Nearly every major city across the United States has witnessed the introduction of the retail giant, Wal-Mart in their community. Some have seen this as a hindrance to their local and global community by failing to adhere to ethical standards in factories, low wages, or by taking away business from local retailers. Others have conversely seen the introduction of Wal-mart supercenters as social and global motivators for more ethical standards, as beneficial to the community by offering valuable job opportunities, and useful for providing consumers with low cost goods that can’t be found elsewhere. It seemed that the debate continued, just what is Wal-Mart’s effect on the community and should it be supported? As a socially conscious citizen,

I could legitimately see both sides to the issue, but I decided to support Wal-Mart because of its guaranteed low prices. As a college student on a budget, it weighed out. After trying to shop exclusively at local shops, I realized that it was not cost-effective. The amount that I saved by shopping at Wal-Mart was astonishing, and it made me resent how much local stores and markets were gouging me. It seemed to me that these homegrown businesses felt justified in charging much more for the same products because they are local. So, after shopping around and lightening my wallet I decided to frequent Wal-Mart. I still felt a little uneasy about making purchases at Wal-Mart, but I was convinced that such a huge corporation would be scrutinized thoroughly to make sure it remains

To be a cashier at Wal-mart minimal education is all that is required, and the job duties do not require any preexisting technical expertise. It is unreasonable to ask a corporation to pay employees more money, when they are already paid well above minimum wage ($5.15 an hour) and also when the work they do doesn’t require any special education or technical knowledge. Also, the tasks performed are very entry level for cashiers at Wal-Mart. If the work that an employee had to do required a salary above $6.25 an hour, I think it would be justified, but it isn’t the case. Many other jobs, that are much more involved than being a cashier, pay far less. According to a local job listing on Ram Web, Colorado State University’s community and school job listing section, the salary for a warehouse worker at TechCycle LLP earns $5.15 an hour (minimum wage) and works 40 hours a week. According to lovelandfyi.com, a resource to find businesses in Loveland, Colorado, Tech Cycle is a recycling center for electronics and handles heavy metals and potential toxins in electronic equipment. So, for $5.15 an hour, an employee would have to lift heavy equipment, and handle hazardous materials while also interfacing with customers. This makes Wal-Mart’s $6.25 an hour cashier job seem like a breeze. I can understand why Wal-Mart, as the nation’s largest employer (Cox), should have a social conscious. I