Wal-Mart's War on Poverty

I must confess, I'm a news junkie. However, I watch so much that over time it goes in one ear and out the other. However, I recently saw a segment on Fox New's The Beltway Boys that actually caught my attention. Neoconservative hosts Morton Kondrake and Fred Barnes were doing a laundry list on why the Democrats should have several concerns going into November when Barnes pointed out that the Democrats' attack on Wal Mart was going to backfire. He went on to say that, in addition to being the country's largest employer at 1.3 million (many people are reluctant to bite the hand that feeds them), it has actually "done more to eliminate poverty than any government program." Unfortunately, Kondrake's quest to assess the Democrat's dilemna ended Barnes discussion with (paraphrase) "Wal Marts' low prices have made virtually everything more affordable." What an interesting idea and so true. Wal Mart, in its quests for market domination and profit, has made ridiculously low prices a vehicle to raise the income levels of virtually everyone (by, in turn, lowering their costs).

Wal Mart doesn't do it because they like consumers, they do it because they love profits. And as a result, we are the chief beneficiary. Furthermore, competitors with higher prices have been forced out of business (and some social activists would have us cry over them) or have been forced to lower prices, which again consumers benefit.

I liked Barnes comment, I wish he had more time to elaborate. The war on Wal Mart is one of envy, not of public interest. The public interest is widespread employment accompanied by low prices. That's good for business and America.