Knowing what’s best for you
First the news:
(chicagotribune.com) In an aggressive move to win over consumers that also threatens to shake up the $250 billion pharmaceutical business, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday that it plans to test the selling of many generic prescription drugs for the unusually low price of $4 per month…
Health care is also a politically charged issue for Wal-Mart, which has been criticized for not offering enough insurance to its employees. That prompted some analysts to question whether the company’s motive for promoting discounted generic drugs is tied to efforts to polish its corporate image…
The $4 price for a wide selection of drugs would be available to everyone, whether they have health insurance or not. (more…)
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. It never ceases to amaze me how Liberals will hammer Conservatives for not caring enough for the “underclass”. Then when they make a move like this, the suspicion INCREASES (Okay, why are they REALLY doing this?).
I think the biggest thing that pisses me off about this anti-Wal-Mart movement is that it is often lead by folks who can afford to pay higher prices at most grocery stores. Talk to most people in low-income areas (and middle class areas as well) and they will tell you that price and quality are what matters. My family was finally able to find a grocery store that met that criteria, but we have to drive a little over 20 miles to get there. Funny how you will never hear this scenario being repeated by those who claim to care for poor folks with no transportation. If we were to do our full grocery shopping at the grocery store down the street, for the same amount of groceries that we purchase at the other grocery store, we would walk out paying AT LEAST $100 over.
The few Wal-Marts that we have in our area are ALWAYS full of shoppers. Why? Because that is their choice. They choose to go for the better deal and get it. And guess what? There are more businesses STILL moving to the area.
Waaaaaah! But these poor people don’t realize that they are underpaid.
Folks that choose to work at Wal-Mart are paid well enough to keep coming back to work. If someone is crazy enough to think that the salary for ANY retail job should be enough to cover rent, car payment, utility payments, etc. all put together, then you are clueless. Retail jobs are typically stepping stone positions. Once you gain experience, then you can either move up in the company or go somewhere else. In the meantime if folks feel as though they are underpaid, then they can do what most people do and find another job that pays more. For folks that live in low-income areas, this can be a challenge.
Waaaaaah! But small businesses cannot compete with such a big store.
Duh! Most small businesses cannot compete with larger stores period. That is why entrepreneurs who do not look for excuses for failure will oftentimes change their business strategy to attract a unique consumer demographic. Folks that are not so hell-bent on demonizing Wal-Mart will see the many businesses that are doing well despite Wal-Mart’s presence.
Waaaaaah! But Wal-Mart uses manufacturing in China–a country with serious human rights violations.
When Wal-Mart haters begin to use that same line of logic with other stores that do the same thing, please let me know. Unfortunately most retail stores today have a percentage of their goods manufactured in China.
Waaaaaah! But Wal-Mart does not have unions
The one thing that many folks do not realize is that unions will drive up prices. Labor unions have a long history of forcing companies to meet their “Christmas list” of demands that eat away at company profits–profits that are used to increase quality. Look to the Airline industry, auto industry, and public school system for examples. While I have great admiration for the initial labor union movement in this country, they have long left behind their rich history of caring for both themselves AND the customers they serve.
While you may not find the typical pro-Wal-Mart consumer battling it out in courtroom, they have certainly made their support known with their pocketbooks. Perhaps people do know what’s best for them.
