[techweenie]

While Kurt's point is very good, I doubt it applies to the majority of communities.

What people argue about WalMart impact is that the combination of wages and working hours are so low that people can work there and qualify for Public Assistance (welfare) and collect food stamps. That means that instead of just shoppers paying a premium for dealing with a local merchant, the entire community ends up subsidizing prices through their taxes.

I've heard this argument, and have not delved in to it because I have no idea where the nearest WalMart is, and don't care. I live in a town of 13,000 and try to support local businesses.