Friday, November 25, 2005

Got Wal-Mart?

I've seen references to showings of the new documentary "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Prices" in Great Falls and in Helena (scroll to penultimate item). But I haven't heard of any showings here. Has anyone?

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Then there is always the Internet. That film, like everything else, is out there for downloading if you know your way around. Copyright issues aside, sometimes it necessary to access material this way that is otherwise unavailable in our area. An example are some of the excellent documentaries from the British and Canadian television. BTW, it's the part of the Internet known as USENET, not the web or peer-to-peer.

Anonymous said...

I think I got an email a few weeks ago (from NOW maybe? they are very anti-WalMart) that there was a showing here.... maybe last week. I wanted to see it, but didn't have childcare.

Anonymous said...

Know what? If you want to put the blame on someone for Wal Mart's success, stand in front of one of their stores and hollar on the customers coming out with their purchases!

One day, after having priced some Orange juice at Smith's ($5.65 a gallon) and then finding the very same product/brand at Wal Mart for $2.85, I have a hard time wringing my hands over the demise of Smith's after their having gouged us for all those years in the Heights.

At least Wal Mart is an American company! I don't see the hand wringing over the manufacture of clothing, autos and God knows what else by foreign companies who use their profits to buy land and businesses in the USA. Many foreign governments won't allow and American to either purchase land, property or operate a company in their countries.

And yes, Wal Mart sells foreign manufactured products. But so do most other stores. And, as far as wages go, they employ millions of people as well as keeping those who work for their suppliers employed. Higher and higher wages and benefits demanded by workers, and especially, unions, have a way of coming back to haunt them. Just ask the UAW now that GM and Ford are dogpaddleing in a sea of worker benefits, retirement/health care plans and wages demanded and achieved in the past. Sad but true.