Debate: Wal-Mart

[pjshimmer]

Recently I have been informed that the store that provided my family--and millions of other low income families--with the most affordable prices, Wal-Mart, has been a major violator of workers' rights. Accordingly, "The people employed in their overseas factories are beaten and/or fired if they request safer working conditions." This, however, will not stop me from shopping @ Wal-Mart.

The way I look at it, there are two possibilities: Either Wal Mart represses employees, many employees suffer, but many more low-income families benefit from lower prices, OR Wal Mart fixes their practice, employees are in better condition, but prices are driven higher, and more low-income people are in worse condition.

For sure, in my family's situation a few years ago, we needed a place like Wal Mart to provide low prices. As far as employees being beaten--well, there's certainly more violence in the ghetto. Take out the gangs from Bronx if you want less beating.

By all means, I don't approve of Wal-Mart's harsh treatment of employees, if they are true; but I don't exactly think starving is much better than being beaten either.