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Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free-market economics

Wal-Mart is America's premier example of free-market economics

* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters—variety plus grocery stores—in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence. [http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html]

* when Wal-Mart opens its supercenters—variety plus grocery stores—in a community, the average grocery prices in that community fall by 13 percent. Even the people who don't shop at Wal-Mart benefit from its presence.<ref>http://americandreamcoalition.org/automobility/automobility.html</ref>

Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business.  It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies.  The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world.  Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart is often the subject of criticism for allegedly paying low [[wage]]s with insufficient [[fringe benefit|health benefits]] and allegedly forcing "Mom and Pop" stores out of business.  It was also criticized for supporting [[homosexuality]]<ref>[http://www.gay.com/news/article.html?2006/08/21/4 "Wal-Mart launches gay-friendly initiative" August 21, 2006]</ref> and for not dispensing [[abortion]] inducing drugs at its pharmacies.  The company's defenders reply that Wal-Mart tries to uphold a family value system and is a well-known provider of decent employment and affordable merchandise across America and the rest of the world.  Wal-Mart's wages average significantly higher than minimum wage, which may explain why nearly 2 million people choose to work for Wal-Mart.

==Political contributions==

==Political contributions==

Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor Republican candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart Pharmacy associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>

Wal-Mart Stores Incorporated and its employees generally favor Republican candidates in terms of campaign contributions. In 2012, 53% of donations from the company (including employees) went to Republican candidates, vs. 47% to Democrats. 100% of major contributions from Wal-Mart Pharmacy associates went to Republican candidates in 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2012|title=Wal-Mart Stores: Totals|accessdate=2012-12-05|work=Opensecrets.org|publisher=The Center for Responsive Politics}}</ref>This is a typical outcome, year after year.<ref>https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/totals.php?id=D000000367&cycle=2018</ref>

 

==External links==

==External links==

[[File:Walmart.jpg|200px|right]]

<!--[[File:Walmart.jpg|200px|right]]-->

*[http://www.walmartstores.com Corporate website]

*[http://www.walmartstores.com Corporate website]

*[http://www.walmart.com Wal-Mart retail website]

*[http://www.walmart.com Wal-Mart retail website]

*[http://www.samsclub.com Sam's Club website]

*[http://www.samsclub.com Sam's Club website]

*[http://www.asda.co.uk ASDA website]

*[http://www.asda.co.uk ASDA website]

[[Category:Companies]]

[[Category:Companies]]

[[Category:Retail]]

[[Category:Retail]]