Posted by Johnboy at 176-pool9.ras11.calan-i.tii-dial.net on June 15, 2002 at 14:28:47:
In Reply to: Capitalism has nothing to do with it... posted by ADynomoose on June 15, 2002 at 01:02:53:
...gotta give that to you. That puts you ahead of 90% of posters. So even though I disagree, I give you credit for thinking this through.
That said, I don't know how to refute the "X-files" esque paranoia in your argument. You'll just keep believing it.
Let's face it: ALL the major chains do some of the things you're talking about. It's part of the competitive landscape. If it were really bad, the SEC would be investigating Wal-Mart - that's part of being a public company. But your examples are overstated.
Simply put, Wal-Mart succeeds so well because it offers good products at low prices. People shop there. If you don't like it, don't shop there. But the evidence shows that you'll be in the minority.
I don't like the way major food manufacturers put sugar in everything, or MSG in most meats. I think it's unhealthy. So I buy my food elsewhere (mainly Trader Joes). But I don't kid myself into thinking that the food companies do this as part of a conspiracy. It's what people are buying, so they supply it.
John