Is Wal-Mart Too Powerful?

       Wal-Mart without question is one of the biggest corporations in the world bringing in 421 billion dollars a year. Wal-Mart is considered a bellwether for consumer spending, which accounts for 70 percent of the economy in the U.S. The retailer brings in nearly 10 percent of all nonautomotive retail dollars spent in the U.S. Every week, 138 million shoppers visit Wal-Mart's 4,750 stores worldwide and last year 82% of American households made at least one purchase at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has over 500 stores in the U.S. and greatly impacts the world economy. What many people are asking is does Wal-Mart have too much power? 

       I don't think that Wal-Mart is all bad. Throughout history, it is leaders and innovators in industry that bring about change and increase the standard of living among millions. Nations do not protest their way to prosperity. Wal-Mart has found ways to make industry more productive and distribution more efficient. This allows the today's poor to afford things that never would have been available years ago. Wal-Mart makes shopping convenient. When someone goes to Wal-Mart, they can purchase everything they would ever need there. Wal-Mart is frequently referred to as teh "big box" retailer.

       The convenience and low prices at Wal-Mart don't come without a different kind of cost. The cost of human lives. On multiple occasions Wal-Mart has been accused of purchasing their goods from sweatshops both internationally and within the U.S. Wal-Mart employs more people than any other company in the United States outside of the Federal government, yet the majority of its employees with children live below the poverty line. I think that Wal-Mart is a monopoly and has too much power compared to other companies. Overall, I feel like Wal-Mart negative aspects and moral corruption outweigh its benefits. 

        Wal-Mart’s policies go against everything the 7 principles of Catholic Social teaching stand for.
1 &2. Life and Dignity of the Human Person / The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers – Wal-Mart does not treat their workers with the respect, rights, and liberties they are guaranteed.
3. Call to Family, Community, and Participation – Even though Wal-Mart claims to care for their workers families, majority of its workers with children live below the poverty line.
4. Rights and Responsibilities – Wal-Mart ignores the rights of Wal-Mart employees because of the monopoly they hold over other stores. Wal-Mart ignores the requests of its workers in order to earn as much profit as possible by underpaying their employees.
5. Option for the Poor and Vulnerable – Employment at Wal-Mart seems like it would be a step in the right direction for someone looking to make money and increase their standard of living, but Wal-Mart allows their workers to stay poor by paying low wages and not paying for more than 40 hours a week.
6. Solidarity – Employees try to create a union but Wal-Mart won’t allow them. Many times management mistreats their workers and nothing is done about it.
7. Care for God's Creation – On multiple occasions Wal-Mart has violated health and safety regulations but does little to change their ways if it means making less profit.

       After watching the documentary, I will definitely think twice about shopping at Wal-Mart and consider taking my business to family run stores, farmers markets, etc. Wal-Mart is creating problems within the global economy that will result in years of working to restore.