Walmart an Important Link in Economic Food Chain

Like millions of other people in America, my family shops regularly at Walmart and a few are either currently or have been employed by the giant retailer. I could literally write a dissertation on the evils of company that would scarcely cover the flood of popular discussion on the matter.

However, it's a foregone conclusion that Walmart is going to be around for some time to come. All of the protests from labor unions, liberal activists and other anti-Walmart organizations have done little to harm the company.

The deep hatred some people have for the Sam Walton's brain child stems from unpopular corporate policies, mainly centered on the poor treatment of workers, and the lack of competitive compensation. The company is frequently attacked for its treatment of labor, particularly immigrant workers, and for profiteering from lower-income families.

All of these allegations may be true, and I'm certainly not defending their behavior, but there is another side to issue. Without meaning to offend anyone, it is common knowledge and statistically proven that many of the people who work or shop at Walmart come from lower economic classes.

While people may take issue with their practices, in reality, Walmart is playing an important role in the country's financial recovery. By providing work for those who might not be able to find it elsewhere in this turbulent economic environment, the company is actually helping more that it is hurting.

The megaretailer employs over 1.5 million people, making them one of the largest employers in the United States. Most of the positions at the company require no special skills and simply do not warrant a premium wage, compared to work which calls for more education or specialized training.

Let's face it, jobs are scarce and Walmart is nearly always hiring - if you qualify. Generally, big-box retailers like Walmart will hire if you meet one important piece of criteria - you must at least have a pulse.

That said these facts should not belittle the people who work there in any way. They may, in some instances, be more likely to find and hold a job with Walmart than the highly paid software engineer who was laid off because of budget cuts.

Of course there are those who fancy themselves as modern day conscientious objectors and choose to protest the company by not shopping there and trying to persuade others to follow suit. Even though boycotts like that rarely do the slightest damage, if they did have an effect they would actually hurt the people protestors are claiming to want protected.

If the company started losing money because of massive protests, it would begin to lay off workers and increase prices to compensate. Those on the lower end of the income stream who benefit from the employment or the discount-priced food and other necessities would suffer the consequences.

Another argument against chains like Walmart is the extermination of the mom and pop shop and hometown, independent retailer. I know few people who support local small business as much as my family does, but practicality and fiscal responsibility must sometimes prevail over social activism.

Personally, I think it would be irresponsible for a family in a difficult financial situation to pay nearly 20-percent more for food and other retail items on the basis of principal, especially if they are caring for young children. The kids don't have a political opinion and it's not fair to make them suffer or do without because of the misdirected social conscience of their parents.

At the same time, I take issue with much of what Walmart calls "business practices." But, without trying to sound like an Obama socialism clone, sometimes the good of the many, outweighs the needs of the few. The company does hold an important spot on the socioeconomic food chain.

If you're reading this and you are out of a job - with no apparent prospects - I have two pieces of advice for you. First, stop reading my ramblings and focus! Turn to the back of the newspaper and look in the help wanted ads. Second, go to Walmart and put in an application.

It takes a certain kind of person to work in retail and they have my admiration. I would go nuts having to deal with irate customers and the sale of materialism. But if you have a family to take care of, and you're willing to work, then you owe it to them to try to get whatever job you can.

Gery L. Deer is an independent journalist based in Jamestown, Ohio. More at www.gerydeer.com