I was a Wal-Mart associate for 17 years and have had my fill of the negative press this company always gets. Although there are some issues with smaller businesses failing, the company has committed to lower prices for the communities in addition to providing jobs when smaller businesses couldn't offer this. I have seen towns flourish because a DC was built providing 500+ jobs and I myself was on site during Hurricane Katrina and saw the impact this company made. I also think people should visit with some of the officials in Jefferson Parish and see exactly what a difference Wal-Mart made. I have seen them make "make shift" stores to provide supplies to victims of devistation, seen them give Millions (in merchandise & cash donations) toward the disaster relief efforts in addition to opening the stores to local law enforcement and national guardsmen so they could get the supplies they needed to aid in rescue efforts. Most of the troops were sent out with only the clothes on their backs, so they needed this service, in which NO OTHER retailer offered (that I am aware of).
I really think that before negative is the sole topic of discussion, that we need to remember the good this company provides during many situations. I guess I would issue a challenge that if you DONT shop at Wal-Mart, you may have a right to focus on the negative, but if you so much as enter a store with the intent to buy, you are a hyprocrit. I come from a family of Wal-Mart Associates and can honestly say that although there are always areas of improvement (as with any company), I will support them to the end, after all, in the end....they are always there when needed.