Wal-Mart's abhorrent practices aren't going unnoticed; watch where you put your money

According to a protester, Wal-Mart is a “monster” that needs to “be kept in check” and based on a recent editorial, The State News agrees. The inconsistencies and ignorance of people promoting “economic justice”, a euphemism for socialism, is glaring.

On one hand, consumer “advocates” crucify the oil industry for “price gouging”. On the other, these same groups criticize Wal-Mart for prices that are too low. What’s a corporation to do?

If they price their goods and services low, protestors cry out against the low wages and aggressive supplier contracts that make low prices possible. They stand accused of predatory pricing and driving higher-priced competitors out of business because consumers prefer to pay those lower prices.

If they price their goods and services high, protestors scream about excessive profits and price gouging. Grandstanding legislators drag corporate executives before them demanding answers and threaten to confiscate their profits with special taxes while ignoring the laws of supply and demand.

Finally if corporations settle on a price that’s “just right”, protestors claim collusion.

What these protestors truly oppose is a free market where individuals make their own decisions; where competition drives prices lower and improves the standard of living for everyone; and where they would be forced to improve their skills in order to make a positive contribution to society.

[Letter to the Editor - The State News - Published 12/01/2005]