The Case Against Wal-Mart by the Southern Avenger

[flubno]

That was a good way of putting it. They are not really conservative, more like Corporate Apologists. It's time for conservatives to break away from these big money corporate A-holes that don't give a shit anything but them selfs. We should quit letting the souless richest 1% hide behind us or use us as connon fodder.

[VoteCliffHutchison]

Is Wal-mart's global expansion 100% due to supply and demand and free markets?

OR did they carefully navigate managed trade schemes like NAFTA and CAFTA to gain advantage from cheap foreign labor while avoiding corporate gains taxes, import duties and tariffs?

Without NAFTA, GATT, CAFTA and the WTO, Wal-mart would be a regional southern chain store.

Put the blame where it belongs and let's Repeal these monstrous trade agreements!

[xtremejohnny69]

@VoteCliffHutchison So true. In a truly free market, it's almost impossible to have a monopoly. However when government gets involved, monopolies start through subsidizing, tax breaks, etc.

[sleedolfine15]

Private property rights. the reason why small businesses can't compete is because people choose to buy from Wal-Mart. To keep Wal-MART out interfers with the rights of consumers to buy where they want. Keeping Wal-Mart out does'nt violate their rightr,but mine. You're wrong SA.

[magnumsynderella]

I agree with the southern avenger most of the time, not so much here. he says "the fate of a community should be decided by the people who actually live in it." but they do. wallmart is not a vampire, it doesn't just suck people's money. the consumers make all the decisions with their dollar. if they don't like walmart, then don't shop there. let walmart go bankrupt by not buying into walmart. If you are going to demonize walmart,be consistant make your case against costco, kmart, ect.

[JTM45100]

@magnumsynderella Costco is an example of a more worker friendly business plan. Their employees aree paid much more than what China-Mart pays. I would love to see Walmart divided by 5, as a ot of the Telecomonopolies, and Oilogopolies.

That seems to be on thing both Mainstream Dummycrats and Repuglican Politicians are for. They both declared war on the working class with Nafta.

[gypster2004]

I hate wal-mart, so I do not shop there. If only more people would do that, but some people have to shop there because of these damn corporatists have wrecked the economy.

[fluff125]

My opinion, I think you need to research more on economic theory. You are simply wrong in assuming that because Walmart destroys local jobs, it harms the community. If the homey feel of those community jobs you spoke of was so much better than low prices, why do people choose low prices every single time?

Let wall mart bear the expense of opening a new store and let the people of that community decide whether or not to shop there. Dont let the state stop economic activity just for regionalism

[L0VECHILDD]

You missed the point. Re-watch the video

[fightforyourrights9]

I must say the avenger hits the nail on the head here.

[Ishpeck]

Interesting. I disagree but well spoken.

[kailynleto]

Have to watch what I say cause I work for the company...but I'd have to agree.

[tattypatty]

Americans: Be patriotic, not short-sighted. Support local business. And buy American.

[Pentazoid111]

If patriotism means supporting a business or an instistution just because you share national and local origins with a business or institution , then I don't consider myself a patriot. To me , a patriot (in the USA) is standing up for ideals associated with liberty succintly defined by the founding fathers . Supporting a local business over a more global business has nothing to do with how patriotic you are.

[fightforyourrights9]

When you support your neighbors and fellow citizens economically, you help to preserve their freedom/liberty, etc. You help keep more wealth in America. If you are dependent on Chinese goods, then you are somewhat under the control of what the Chinese do. If you support a company, like Wal-Mart, which undermines the ideals the US was founded on, I'd say that is less than patriotic. Politics, social issues, and economics are not separate. Everything is interconnected.

[pavilionking06]

Fuck walmart their should be a national burn down your local wal-mart day once each year. These billion dollar power hungry bastards are destroying our communities, our wages, and creating massive pollution.

[suboreo]

I don't think a small town community should have the authority to decide whether or not they should have a Wal-Mart in their town. If we are going to let the local community decide if there should be a wal-mart building to occupy a space within the town's border , then members of a small town community should be granted the power to decide whether or not they should allow certain members of a religion ,race, or culture to lived within there community.

[ps3addict1]

the stupids shit i ever heard

[L0VECHILDD]

are you kidding? i'm not sure if you are totally retarded or a slick satirist.

[billybraggdave1]

I'm a new york boy and the vocie of the southern avenger to me seems like nothing less then the true honst vocie of a true american populist an patriot from this video at least i am going to watch the rest now here here southern avenger

[SirFrancis988]

Since ron paul is a libertarian, wouldn't he make it easier for companies like Wal-Mart to expand their business practices?

[mrgrieves9876]

no because property rights come first

[culverapex]

Also take note that as Capitalism has turned into Corpratism--collusion between 'rivals'--so too has the demand for socialism grown. The fact is, if people can't afford their rent, or even the basics like food and clothing, they have the power to elect officials who will 'redistribute' the wealth through taxation. Wallmart's anti-capitalistic nature makes them a danger to American principles of Democracy and free markets. I rue the day that only corporations generate wealth...

[sarjil]

u know our economies and societies are going forward more and more towards a hybrid fascist+commie (they are twin bothers) state&economy. u have corporatism of the giants at the expense of the middle class who are pandered to death by the political class with ever increasing big government to "help", compounding the problem even more, for big government is underwritten and controlled by big business.

[Whoo69]

Democratic gov't but dictatorial business??? Seems a little hypocritical and ridiculous to me.

[Whoo69]

I'd go further and say "the case against executives." Capitalism as we know it must end. We need a new type of market using participatory economics where the middle and lower classes are more than just pawns of the rich. Where the middle and lower classes have more say than just getting a job and a few benefits. I'm very much in favor of worker cooperatives where every employee has a say in his company's future, not just these disconnected elites miles away in some boardroom.

[Whoo69]

If Canada has a problem with any of our trade policies, they shouldn't bitch and complain to some third party like a bunch of douchebags, but rather, they should come to us directly, and we can hammer out the details one-on-one. We're too globalized for this, though. Our trade policies are way too pro-corporation and not pro-individual or pro-development. Insourcing in third world nations only encourages DEPENDENCE because you have all these big multinationals supplying jobs and growth.

[Whoo69]

If you ask me, the real solution is to fundamentally alter capitalism as we know it. We need a humane global economy run by progressives, not corporate elites. The WTO must go, and if states want freer trade, they should join in agreements with their neighbors INDEPENDENT of some giant worldwide bureaucracy. It is a shame that some moron leaders from one trading partner can go to this worldwide bureaucracy known as the WTO, whine about "trade barriers", and indirectly force our hand.

[Whoo69]

What's even more shameful is that only a handful of corporate giants control just about everything we hear, see, and read in this country. And you, of course, probably know this all too well, having to abide by stupid FCC rules as part of talk radio. Your WTMA is obviously an ABC affiliate. :/

[Whoo69]

It's refreshing to hear a conservative talk show host who isn't a corporate lackey. Many of these Republicans probably would go back to the robber baron age if they had the chance, which is frightening.

[roper878]

You are amazing I love your videos, I think if there were more people like you willing to open there eyes and realize what is really happing this would be a much better country. Its sad that most your videos only have a little over 5,000 views, but there is a fat kid dancing with a stick and it has over 6,000,000 views. Where is this country headed?

[dalejrfan800]

That is just a demonstration of the negative impact something as Universal as the internet can have. Just as the Southern Avenger stated in a previous video.

[803honda]

yeah except the internet only hurts the big corporations and actually helps the lil man to get more buisness.

[dalejrfan800]

I know that it can be used for benefit but it is being abused. people spend their time on the internet getting stupider... a fat kid dancing? come on... but its true... things that are so ignorant, but at the same time for some reason are amusing. but should the little man need to depend on the internet? i dont think so, i think that people should understand the benefits of local business over big business. FUCK WALMART!

[FateEternal]

I think the South Park episode about this store was good. :) It's aliiiiiiive!!

[RedShirtArmy]

Well done, SA. More and more Southerners need to speak out about what is being done to our small business owers.

[kasdri]

I think the southern avenger is an idiot .

You say that Mega-Marts like destroy businesses but you readily admit you shop there .

[RAPSUCKS1738]

Good points

[SAJse]

"Why does SA talk like that? He sounds funny."

:D

[paleoroundtable]

Marvelous SA! You are on track!

[wolgreth]

Why does SA talk like that? He sounds funny.

[laviciousness]

If a business is successful enough to buy large parcels of land to build a superstore that undercuts the local economy, and if there are enough sellers among private landowners to make that happen, then it's nobody's business but the parties directly involved in such a transaction. If the poor of the town don't like it, then they're free to spend their hard-earned dollars in the more expensive mom and pop stores in the community.

[wilfredsnipple]

I remember a time when things made in the Orient/overseas were crap and you could buy U.S. produced products(while a little pricier)and feel good about it. These big corporations have outsourced American jobs by moving manufacturing plants overseas, which typically employ child/slave labor so we can save a buck and the corporate elite(who could care less about the common man) can make more money than they can spend. I'm just so proud to be an American.(sarcasm)

[smallmaniac]

I love King of the Hill.

[thorsmitersaw]

Communities deciding how others do business is no different from the federal or stat government deciding how I can do business. It is no ones business what I do with my property in my home or my business so long as I am not violating the property rights of others.

I would not be surprised if it is merely because local grocery stores oppose the competition of a superior provider of the same goods...

[Libertarian333]

So someone holds a gun to people's heads making them shop at walmart? The people who live in these communities are the ones deciding whether or not they want a walmart, with their wallets. The problem with walmart isn't that they compete or provide low prices; those are good things. The problem with walmart is that they, unlike most small businesses, benefit from government protections and subsidies and eminent domain. The problem is that they don't compete in an actually free market.

[HungryDingo]

Good point. If someone/something can afford to buy a piece of property, they should be able to do with it as they please. Although, I have heard much about Wal-Mart thriving off of the government's over-regulation.

[murphycline]

That is a valid point. Walmart does benefit off of government regulation. Take minimum wage as an example; Walmart and other large companies benefit off minimum wage while small businesses suffer. But in this specific instance if Walmart is willing to buy the proposed area in an open-bid fashion then that's fine.

[oakschris]

I do not agree that buying a piece of property grants you limitless rights to do what you want with it. Your property is the context for the property of other people and of the community. The town should have the right to say "Only residential homes are allowed here", or "no billboards." Because everything you do has an effect on others. For example, building a business in a residential area degrades property value, causes excess traffic and noise.

[oakschris]

So you expect the state to protect your property through law enforcement, protect it's value through public policy, all funded by taxpayers, but that you should not be expected to follow any rules or regulations in return for the benefit of the community? Talk about a sense of entitlement.

[AiresQX4]

We had our local Walmart recently turn into a super walmart..  It's open 24 hours and you can grocery shop there now!

[dtaijo174]

not one of you best SA... 4 stars only.

I still love ya tho :)

[coonlakebeach]

No pictures of so called "wetlands" or mention of who owns that piece of land. You could have done better. Plus you shop at Walmart and that makes you a hypocrite. Have to give you a one star.

[ArmchairRevolution]

Great video as always, SA!

[murphycline]

If the citizens of James Island are not willing to privately purchase the proposed expansion site out of their own pockets, and if it's such a big issue then such a thing is surely feasible, then this is just another example of the community trampling on the property rights of the individual. Capitalism is meant to benefit the consumer, not the businessman. Propping up businesses hurts the economy. Our differences of opinion are probably why you're a conservative and I'm a libertarian.

[airborne373]

You called Juan McCain a Republican, lol.

Open borders, gun control McCain your Republican Nominee. I do not know if I should laugh, cry or puke when I hear McInsane being called a Republican.

[slavophile1]

A generation or two ago they said the same thing about A & P grocery store, and then Sears.

Natural monopolies don't last very long, only government maintains monopoly.

[angelsoulnme]

I wish it wasn't so cold in Vermont.

[philippe1985]

big corporation monopoly is due to too much government intervention. Places where taxes are low and laws are rare are the friendliest places for small businesses.

[TehBANN3D]

The community boycotts the business, end of story. Its not "capitalism at its worse" for if there is a voluntary shift in culture and consumerism to a big business, that's just silly. If a community doesn't want someone moving in to their neighborhood, don't buy from them. I doubt anyone would fund the construction of a business if they knew no one was going to shop there.

[Hunterkirk]

Ok, Yes local communites can choose to put limits of buildings and such. The idea that very existance of large companies destory small companies is flawed. We have countless family resturants in our area as well as Mc Donalds. The key is what is each good at?

Small companies are better at targeting specific interest.. for example if I want Christian books and such Walmart would not be the place to go but a local Christian book store would.

[likkerisqwikker]

I thought you were sorta intelligent....but I was mistakened.

All you Charlestonians are alike. Stupid and crazy.

[cujothekitten]

I hate walmart but a better argument can be made against them using their eminent domain abuses... among other things.

[wilfredsnipple]

Thank you for presenting the double edged sword known in the south as "The" Walmart. While low prices are a good thing, nothing is as ugly as corporate monopoly.

[elcheat]

The people mentioned in those communities are basing their decisions on this issue based on their own desire to "turn a buck" which you claim is wal mart's as well. In reality the populace of the community are not the ones deciding an issue like this but instead the few that hold lower level public office and small business lobbyists. The most democratic way of deciding this is to allow each individual to decide through his patronage. Do you hold this position or are you playing devils advocate?

[southernavenger]

See my response to Karate Kid X below

[KarateKidX]

if you don't like wal-mart, don't shop there.

[southernavenger]

If you don't like the political process- don't vote. If it were only that simple...

SA

[KarateKidX]

that's a completely different case. If you decide to shop somewhere other than walmart, you are still exercising your small amount of power over the local economy, if you just don't vote, you're throwing that power away.

If people really cared about their small community shops, they would shop there instead of walmart, that's the democracy of capitalism. The very fact that people choose to shop at walmart shows that people would rather have a walmart than none.

[southernavenger]

You are underestimating the power of monopoly -the long term interests of folks disenfranchised by status quo politics would be greatly improved by investing time and effort into an alternate politics -through organization and activism.

Likewise, the long term interest of folks disenfranchised by corporate capitalism would be improved by only patronizing local businesses or starting their own.

Are either endeavors realistic, given the daily schedules and worries of average Americans?

SA

[KarateKidX]

"Are either endeavors realistic, given the daily schedules and worries of average Americans?"

Well, seeing as you have hundreds of activist political organizations, scores of small shops in any reasonably sized city, and a couple dozen still successful national retailers (target kohls, meijer, pick'n'save, IGA, sears, menards, lowes, staples, office max, home depot, cabellas, best buy, and fleet farm just to name a few), i would say the answer to that question is "yes"

[Pentazoid111]

You falsely think that it is only corporations who have the power to create monopolies. Anybody can create a monopoly, whether they are a small town business, big business, or most commonly the government. If there was a only one local business and its customer based was primarily the residents of a small town radially five milies way, then that business would be a monopoly. Businesses who dont want wal-mart want to preserve there own monopolies because they are afraid of competition.

[lordaltay5]

Or vote for someone else (i.e. shop somewhere else) but at the same time, Wal Mart should not be given land via eminent domain abuse.

[davyjames]

Bad analogy SA. You can vote to protest policies but shopping at Walmart will never protest their expansion. In fact people love walmart which is why they make huge profits.

[TehBANN3D]

The political process supports a coercive monopoly. Buying from wall mart simply supports free enterprise.

[vudumojo]

Great job as usual by the way...

[vudumojo]

Hey man, add Wendell Berry into the description and or both the description and tags please.

Thanks

[southernavenger]

Good point and will do. Wendell Berry is the man.

SA

[vudumojo]

You the man.

[hartshornguy]

like you stated about fast food joints, should we vote every time we have a mcdonalds or kfc comes in and runs out a local burger joint or local restraunt. yes the people should have a say in the matter but at the same time it could help the economy. the same issue has come up in gettysburg pa with buliding a casino to bring in buisness and well needed money but destroy the flavor of the town.

[jackspratt409]

wow, certainly you must be kidding about a casino in Gettysburg...50,000 Americans suffer for three days for...a casino?!

[hartshornguy]

sadly no. its 55,000 to make it worse. its a crime to build it there.