I am guessing that you have watched the video, and that by your statement, "that you know first hand", that you have had personal dealings with Wal-mart. I can not tell by your post if that was a positive experience or a negative since there are no specifics as to what you are referring. I make no assumption about you personally, I do however take issue with the accuracy of the information that is being presented, and the willingness for people to take at facevalue with out looking at other sources, and information that paint a different store. Many people take what ever is given to them first as the truth, and no additional effort unless someone gives them the otherside of the story. My statement that communism and socialism are the same.
both are the same result, no difference just splitting hairs communism has a greater stigma but the both have the same result.
I made the statement both are the same result, not that they are the same. You can cut your meat with a fork, or a knife, the result is the same, meat cut but a fork and a knife are not the same, same principal.
I have not seen anything in the video about contracts and there effects on family, so I am not sure what you are referring to and how that effects the topic of the information that was covered in that video. other than you personal experience.
As far a human nature being an argument for our choices or our actions, human nature is the bare minimum we can expect from each other as humans but by no means where we should leave the level of expectation from each other. My statement about choice was not an indication that we do not make choices and that we all do it, only that many stop short in looking at facts, refuse to acknowledge that there could be another perspective that is different and that the truth most likely lies some where in the middle. There are things in everyones life that are not choices. Of the things we do have choice over there is a bad choice, and a good choice, None of us hit the mark all of the time, if we were to hold ourselves to the same level of accountability that we expect from others, things would be different. I am sure that as in any business Wal-mart has made mistakes, I am sure that you have as well. Maybe some that have effected other people, employees, community etc. It is a part of doing business, when mistakes are made, an effort must be made to correct, continued mistakes will end in failure. There are so many points that are skewed in this representation that it would take more time than I have to address them all. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I look forward to your response. It has been interesting to say the least.
All I will say AS A BUSINESS OWNER.... I could in a few months or a year put everyone of my competitors out of business but I will never do that.
It must be liberating to go to work on a daily basis knowing that you have that kind of security and that you could not be threatened by the competition. I do not have that luxury.
Florida Community Impact
Last Modified: Monday, October 22, 2007
Real Estate
As of September 2007, Wal-Mart's presence in Florida includes:
Supercenters: 151
Discount Stores: 44
Neighborhood Markets: 16
Sam's Clubs: 40
Distribution Centers: 7
Average store size (national average)
Supercenter: 185,000 sq. ft. with approx. 142,000 items
Discount Store: 101,000 sq. ft. with approx. 120,000 items
Neighborhood Market: 41,000 sq. ft. with approx. 29,000 items
Sam's Club: 130,000 sq. ft. with approx. 5,500 items
People
As of October 2007, the total number of Wal-Mart associates in Florida is 94,949.
The average wage for regular, full-time hourly associates in Florida is $10.76 per hour (Wal-Mart Discount Stores, Supercenters, and Neighborhood Markets). Additionally, associates are eligible for performance-based bonuses.
In recent years, Wal-Mart has contributed four percent of an associate's eligible pay to their combined Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan.
Suppliers
In FYE 2007, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc spent $5,716,647,630 for merchandise and services with 2,844 suppliers in the state of Florida. As a result of Wal-Mart's relationship with these suppliers, Wal-Mart supports 133,154 supplier jobs in the state of Florida.
Supplier figures provided by Dun & Bradstreet.
Taxes and Fees
Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of Florida more than $790.9 million in sales taxes in FYE 2007.
Wal-Mart paid more than $94.7 million in state and local taxes in the state of Florida in FYE 2007.
Community Involvement
In 2006, Wal-Mart Stores and Sam's Club gave $12,798,091 in cash and in-kind donations to local causes and organizations in the communities they serve in the state of Florida. Through additional funds raised through stores and Clubs throughout the state, Wal-Mart contributed and raised a grand total of $19,099,648 as a result of its presence in Florida.
Florida's 2007 Teacher of the Year is Terry Porter from Markham Woods Middle Schoo in Lake Mary.
This is just some of the information out there that tells the other side of the story, its not all bad, if you look you will find tons of other information as well. If you choose to.
You now have the floor. I wish you continued success and I enjoyed the debate
