Is Alex Robbins still around? I haven't heard anything about her since Pledged came out. I haven't really been trying to keep up with her, though.

http://walmartwatch.com/home/pages/healthcare
http://blog.wakeupwalmart.com/ufcw/2..._exchange.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=5158009

http://www.google.com/search?hs=LqJ&...22&btnG=Search

There are articles for it all over, including one in Bloomberg a while back. It's not exactly a secret. One of the reasons why Walmart can reduce those prices so much is the fact that it can cut employee benefits so well. It is also documented that they held training sessions for employees showing them how to apply for government assistance.

-Rudey

N & D is a very interesting book. For real case studies, get on a database search as opposed to google and you will find plenty of articles about Wal-Mart.

I didn't know that. The one near me in Brookline hasn't started selling it yet. I don't believe the one in Allston does either (the one near BU).

There are enough liquor stores near me anyway, but it would be nice sometimes to have one-stop shopping.

Shaws sells liquor? OMG I am so jealous. Arlington is dry, only 5 restaurants have a full liquor license I think. What I wouldn't do to buy liquor in the supermarket instead of going over to Medford.

So you don't shop at the commissary, PX or shoppettes either right?

The military stores aren't really competing against small business because only authorized personnel are allowed to patronize them. One never hears of the exchanges and commissaries as big box stores driving out small-town operations.

No, but other stores are not allowed to sell on base, correct? Same principle. Your claim is that Walmart destroys the smaller shops by having extremely low prices. Well, the PX, Commissary, etc don't HAVE any competition because they are not allowed (military anti-trust suit anyone? LOL)

Some of us smaller towns do not have much of a choice as to where to get some items. Yes, I could drive 30 minutes each way to go shopping for fabric or thread - or I could drive 5 minutes to Walmart (and the fabric stores in town closed LONG before Walmart arrived). We also have other chain stores that many people prefer to shop, with some items being cheaper at these stores than at Walmart. Some things I HAVE to order online if I really want them as NONE of the stores in town carry them.

Am I going to move to a larger town so that I can have many different chain stores to choose from, or live in the town that I rather like where I have to occassionally shop at Walmart because it is not worth the time and money to shop in a different town? Oh, and by the way, my brother worked part-time at Walmart while in high school and most of college and made rather good money. I work at a bank and see the checks of some of the full-time employees - more than I'm making that's for sure! My mom's best friend also happens to be a District Manager for Walmart.

You don't make sense. Not even a little bit.

-Rudey

I disagree. Here in WA we have 2, airforce and Army right next to each other. Most of the local population has access to them in some way shape or form and I guarantee you that there are far less mom and pop stores in the Ft Lewis area than other area's of WA.

Back when GEN Alum was LT Alum we lived on some posts with small towns outside the gates. They were small to someone who had previously lived in suburbs/cities but usually relatively big to other towns in the community. Many of the towns outside military bases (especially for the armed services that require large training areas) were tiny hamlets or farms before the government took over.

Would you really want the military to leave your area? The $ the military contributes to the local economy more than outweighs the price of milk at the commissary. Jurisdictions get very upset when the bases close. Not just the active-duty get reassigned. Civilian jobs are also relocated.

And some of the towns around the bases are STILL small towns (whether you've lived in big towns all your life or small towns). Yes, people get nervous when the list of bases that are closing comes out - some more than others. The point goes back to the fact that military PX, Commissaries, etc ARE similar to the stereotypical Wal-mart that drives the mom and pop stores out of business (or even smaller chains). And some of towns would be VERY upset if Walmart up and left!

The county I live in is just north of two of the poorest counties in the country. Walmarts mean jobs - and sometimes there aren't any positions open at the local Walmart which tells you that people are hanging onto those jobs. No, they are not going to make what they are/were at the paper mill but its a heck of a lot better job security! Some people can't afford to shop anyplace other than Walmart. Being married to a Navy General (did I get that right?), you don't have to worry about not being able to afford a loaf of bread or gallon of milk for your kids because there are NO jobs (even at Walmart). You're not living paycheck to paycheck hoping that you don't have any major problems that will take food from your table - and these scenarios are including the two income families, not just the unemployed! Working full-time in a bank making good money, I still qualify for food stamps - without anyone else to support. Yes, I will continue to shop at Walmart for somethings because they are cheaper.

They are not. Seriously stop.

-Rudey
--You make no sense at all

alums husband serves in the army.