[Paragrouper]

I admit it, I am an upper-middle class Walmart Shopper. I, and most of my neighbors shop routinely at Walmart for our everyday needs. There is a Costco, but it is 15 miles away and the Walmart is only 3. I guess if I wanted the whole 'Costco Shopping Experience,' I could go the the Sam's--only 7 miles away.

I've shopped there for over 10 years now--pretty much every week I go by for something. Most of the old-timers there are management and I expect they're earning a 'living wage,' otherwise I expect they would have died from starvation long ago. We also have the more itinerant employee crowd. They are mostly college kids that go to UNT, TWC or the local community college. They're the ones manning the bar code scanners at the check out. Others I talk to are supplementing their family income (I guess their spouse has a living wage issue too). In any case, most don't plan to make a career out of Walmart.

Me, I understand Walmart. They exist to be the biggest of their kind--and they do a very good job at it too. They're turning over $440 Billion a year and thats some serious coin. They are pretty much kicking the crap out of their competition. Their objective is to make their investors money, for if they don't they will go away.

They pay the salaries they pay because workers accept them. I have no doubt that if they couldn't find workers they would raise their salaries (of course, I would be pissed if I had to pay more for my Chunky Beef Stew) so they could maintain their profitability.

So to those that don't like Walmart--shop elsewhere. You have far more choices than just Costco and if you wish to pay more for the same products--enjoy! Further, if you don't like their wages and benefits, do not work there. See, that's so easy.

Oh SW; please use better references than 'Wiki.' That is just plain lazy.