Low Prices; High Hopes

Wal-Mart is struggling and I couldn't be happier. They're starting a new slogan stating "Save money. Live better." because they experienced their largest decrease in sales this year than any other year in the past! This is great! This means that people are paying attention to this monopolistic monster. This means that other businesses are doing better and actually have a chance. Now, this is not to say that the company is going down the shitter quite yet, as I could only dream of their demise, but it's progress in bringing them down. It tells me that people are choosing to vote for another candidate (not presidential, of course). I'm taking an economics class and Wal-Mart does not follow any kind of pure capitalism. They steal business from every other company trying to make a buck, which results in the depletion of competition that must exist in a capitalist market. They make it impossible to become an entrepreneur because 1) they already have loyal customers 2) they have the cheapest prices 3) they have multiple locations, and 4) that's the place people know they're going to get the biggest bang for their buck. All these facts sound great for a company, but when they exploit every aspect of their business model (employees, products, factory workers, advertisers.. etc) they turn into a silent monster and nobody realizes it until they look into it. Their business practices are appauling, and they stand for greed. There is so much more about that company that is wrong, but I don't really feel like getting into my "I hate Wal-Mart" mood. This is enough for today.

Another story that gives me high hopes: A video game store owner is asking parents to report passing grades on their kids' report cards in order to get their games! Straight A's earn a free game. I don't know, I think this gives kids somewhat of an incentive to do better in school. Yunno, work now, play later. The owner might be kicking himself in the ass for doing this, but he has good intentions with his new policy. He just wants kids to do better in school! Looking at where teenagers and kids are these days in regard to their education, I think this guy has a good idea.