[extropy-chat] Seven cents an hour? (was: Riots in France)

[Jack Parkinson]

> From: "John K Clark" <jonkc at att.net>
> Subject: Re: [extropy-chat] Seven cents an hour? (was: Riots in
> France)
> To: "ExI chat list" <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
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> "BillK" <pharos at gmail.com>
>
>> Do you appreciate that Walmart is the biggest enemy that America has?
>
> I have been on this list for about 10 years and I believe the above remark
> is the single stupidest statement I have ever seen here...

It's all a matter of perception. If it is true (as is widely reported) that 
half of Wal-Marts workers live below the US poverty line and cannot afford 
basic health care - then this surely places a huge burden on society (and is 
breeding dissent for future trouble) - and the only balancing beneficiaries 
are the Walton family.

If, hypothetically, Wal-Mart was replaced by several thousand smaller 
independent stores, all paying their employees a decent living wage, and all 
competing to keep prices low, wouldn't the US be better off in overall 
terms?

There would be better job opportunities (a lot more choice), better wages, 
more wealth in circulation, more opportunities to start and run  a small 
business - and consumers would have more choice as to where they spent their 
money...

Jack Parkinson