WalMart is a model of streamlining and capitalist efficiency. No doubt about that. It's very successful and good at what it does.

BUT.

Capitalism by nature implies exploitation - be it natural resources, people, or other businesses. WalMart exploits cheap Chinese labor obviously, and forces businesses to comply with its rigid standards. However there is another exploitation that is less obvious and unprecedented, and that is the widespread weakening of the social and economic infrastructure of Anytown USA. Where money used to change hands amongst locals and spread around for the good of the community, it now funnels directly into WalMart centers and the profits are enjoyed in Bentonville, Arkansas. Potential business owners (aka taxpayers) don't even bother setting up shop because the merchandising giant out on the bypass will always undercut them by a couple pennies. Diverse job opportunities dry up.

Then theres plain old esthetics. Big boxes surrounded by broiling swaths of asphalt - show me one Walmart that isn't a blight on the landscape?

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma