That is quite an allegation!! Simply saying it does not make it true.

I think it would be easier to argue that capitalism brings freedom, while oppressive governments bring exploitation.

Exploitation isn't a bad word. It means to use or utilize - it could be in a nice or not nice way. Capitalism in a nutshell means freely moving resources around with a profit motivation. Typically something is being used up in the process. My beef with Walmart is with what they are using up.

Which is what?

What would it be when capitalists take it to a 3rd world country because the labor is so cheap?

Labor cost saving

Exploitation.....wait let me get my dictionary- Carleton hasn't been around so I have to find it.

Random House says: To use selfishly for one's own end...it doesn't state what end.

So what? WGAS if we exploit the Chinese?

From a "track record" and past experience point of view, it seems a very standard human practice through the ages to utilize cheap or free labor.

Labor is one thing - it's renewable. I'm referring to the other thing that Walmart is using up - the small and medium sized American town. It's an abstract concept, but its part of the reason why small towns can't thrive anymore, unless they are lucky enough to convert to tourism.

I guess I'm not sentemental about small towns. Yes, small shops cannot go toe-to-toe with Wal*Mart. However, there was a time when Wal*Mart was a small store too. Same with JC Penny. They grew in different directions. You have to adapt to changing conditions and sell something that they cannot. If I stick to the same old stuff I sold yesterday because it did well and refuse to change to adapt to conditions, I don't deserve to remain in business.

Its hard to call Walmart a monopoly, yet in some areas it sure seems like they are. If there is general apathy already due to outsourced jobs and layoffs, then people probably welcome a Walmart going up nearby. It becomes their happy place, like movie theaters were in the 1930s.

Several towns have banned big box stores through zoning regulations. That's why Walmart tried to build 2 Walmarts side by side near here a while ago to beat the store square footage restriction. Crafty devils. I like the fact that a town can zone Walmart out of existence if they want to. There have been few complaints.

So what if they are a monopoly? Isn't that the goal of business? They worked hard to get there and they didn't get there by accident. I have no beef with that.

As to the outsourced jobs and layoffs, if they price themselves out of the market, that is what happens. Have I been priced out in business before? Absolutely. If the other company can do it cheaper than I, more power to them. If I can't do better, I don't deserve the business. I have to find a way to make it better or I get to be going the way of the dinosaur.

I welcome a Wal*Mart and the Super Wal*Mart because it is convenient. I get all my stuff in as few stops as possible.

My brother went to the local WalMart to fill his insulin prescription. They gave him the wrong insulin but labeled to match his prescription. Later that evening, he went into shock and was rushed to the hospital where they spent eight days treating him for the wrong insulin. He almost died. A rep from WalMart called after his release and said "Will $5000 help alleviate any suffering?" He said "No sir" "I would prefer involvement in an investigation as to how this could have happened to prevent others from losing their lives to a failed pharmacist". He has friends in the "media" that are chomping at the bit.

I will gladly pay extra to avoid big box stores.

Ever look at their pre-packaged meat? It's packed in these gas filled, semi pressurised containers, and often looks all slick and shiney, and most of all, gross.
Not all of the meat is like that, but I would like to suggest, you look closely at what is under that cellophane wrapper, and read the label as well - after all, who want to pay good money for something that is 1/5th (or more) "solution" (saltwater & chemicals, usually)?