People need to realize that Wal-Mart is not the answer to their prayers. I am a senior citizen on Medicare and I work. The health insurance I receive from my job allows me to receive better health care. Seniors are finding that many doctors will not accept Medicare patients. I know that Wal-Mart shows its employees how to get on the low-income state health insurance. I have to wonder how many of their senior citizen employees have additional coverage with the Wal-Mart health plan. Or does Wal-Mart purposely hire them because they have Medicare? Let us count the ways that Wal-Mart helps the community.
1. Closes down small businesses. Count that as taxes lost against the taxes that are said to be gained when a Wal-Mart comes to town.
2. Costs the taxpayer medical insurance for some Wal-Mart employees.
3. Will not allow unions.
4. Offers cheap prices because, I believe, the merchandise is shoddy.
5. Allows RVs unlimited overnight parking in their lots. What about the lost revenue to the RV parks?
6. Runs ads about how it helps local communities. Why not pay a living wage and decent benefits? That would really help the local community.
7. Comes into communities when it has been made clear it is not wanted.
Bottom line: I will shop K-Mart/Sears and Target before I set foot in Wal-Mart. They are proven employers. People need to support the stores that support the general public.
I tried the Wal-Mart in Marysville shortly after it opened, as a friend wanted to go there. We ended up walking out. We asked several people questions about products, but they did not speak enough English to help us. The self-checkout stand locked up and one employee just stood and looked at me and refused to help. Another said her shift was over.
BROOKE TOWNSEND
Edmonds
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