AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Ah Ha! Did you catch Frontline last night?

I can't resist bait. Especially three day old squid on a Gamakatsu circle hook.

Retailors do not create wealth. They just redistribute it. Sure they are necessary part of the system, but I wouldn't go around bragging about how one or another is boosting the economy. The true wealth of any economy comes from gathering raw materials (or growing them) and then making something useful out of them. Everything else is just hocus pocus.

An economy that is filled with Wal-Marts selling imported goods is doomed to go ever deeper in debt and eventually implode (unless they are exporting an equal or greater number of goods).

The fact that Wal-Mart has shuffled around some wealth and deposited it in AK or where ever is moot.

Disclaimer: again I don't think the problem is really with Wal-Mart. They just make a good example.

China Syndrome
imported goods, eventually implode. Trade deficit with China ~ US is OMG!!! Have you checked it out?

chrisW you have gone and summed it up beautifully.

Just a thumbnail sketch, Malibu. If I went into detail, it might lock this thing down. I was a manufacture/supplier to W-M for over 35 years. My competitors threw a huge party in New York when I retired. Not FOR ME, just happy they did not have to go up against me any longer. I started doing business with them when they had 4 stores, I understood the W-M culture and worked within their standards and policies. I never had a price increase denied, was never threatened to do anything other than accquire more business with them. I was a trusted supplier and I had their confidence and they had mine. I've already gone on too much.

P.S. chrisw does'nt have a clue.

That's AR. Alaska is AK. Another beautiful place with its own share of challenges.

Anybody ever consider the thousands and thousands of ice cream parlors, restaurants, gas stations, card shops, retail clothing stores, grocery stores, home-improvement centers, casinos, health clubs, copy shops, you name it, around the world (or the US, as we're focusing here) that pay minimum wages to their entire staffs of part-time workers with absolutely no benefits? Can you believe that!? We should get our pitchforks and torches and go after them!!!!

Yeah, prolly not, eh? The target's too small. It's so much easier to shoot at a big one.

No, I don't work for Wal-Mart...far from it. I don't even shop there very often as I prefer a more intimate shopping experience, and can afford it. I actually take some money from W-M through a vendor we supply (at our list pricing) to do legal battles, defending themselves against the incredible amount of lawsuits filed against them every day (many of them fraudulent) because they've got deep pockets.

All I'm saying is that they're really not any different at all from those who wish they were them or are in the retail business at all.

As Jesse noted, Sears used to do the same thing. Now they're broke. Kmart did it too. So do Home Depot and Lowes. Way of the (capitalist) world, folks. Pick where you'd rather live...and shop...and do it.

"P.S. chrisw doesn't have a clue."

I sincerely hope that you are right about that.

Any person who loves Wal-Mart should never go to AC.
AC is for people trying to get away from the big chain stores in the states.

Wal-Mart is only a day trip away in Chetumal

Right you are,if you need a Wal-Mart,K-Mart,Kroger's or some type of chain to feel comfort,AC is not for you.Although, we do have a Caye-Mart,,get on your bike and peddle!!!No Martha Stewart products though.

Thanks for answering Catmot, even if I really was only pulling your leg . . .at least you aren't as overly sensitive as some.

(reminder to self: I must remember to put in those smilies.)

I have to take exception to this. I do shop at Wal-Mart and I also loved AC the one and only time I have been fortunate enough to visit. I would never want a Wal-Mart on AC. I also love to camp and hike, but I wouldn't want a Wal-Mart on the trail or at the camp ground either.

Do you ever eat at a chain restaurant? Do you shop at chain groceries (Safeway, etc.) Do you buy gasoline at chain gas stations? Etc., Etc.,

If so, does this mean you cannot go to AC?

Give me a break.