I don’t often find myself in the position of defending Wal-Mart, but the assassination of Wal-Mart by a syndicated columnist in the July 2 edition of the newspaper prompts a reply. Not that the columnist has any credibility, because she obviously has a political agenda to promote. It was quite apparent from the names she called out as attendees, they weren’t at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce.

I’ve never understood how liberals think and where they get these grandiose ideas of being the protectorate of the people.

Why they think business shouldn’t be in business to make money. And, businesses should only operate to provide a service for the people who patronize them or work there. Does this sound like socialism to you? It does to me.

In our highly competitive capitalistic system, you have to make a profit to remain in business. Those who provide the capital for a company to operate, expand and provide goods or services expect a fair return on their investments.

The company itself is entitled to a fair return as well for taking the risk, paying its indebtedness, providing for its employees, giving back to the community and defending the company against challenges whether frivolous or otherwise.  Sorry liberals, but it takes a lot of money to operate a business.

I would submit that Wal-Mart is doing a service to the community and country. More people would face decisions between medications and food if it weren’t for Wal-Mart.

Additionally, unemployment would probably be much higher. The more unemployment you have, the higher your indigent and welfare roles become.

If it weren’t for Wal-Mart, fast food businesses and other similar employment, where would a huge number of people seek employment? We are not a Mecca of manufacturing anymore in this country.

There has to be a safety net under the high tech jobs that require highly educated or skilled workers for those with lesser degrees of education to be gainfully employed.

Everyone cannot be scientist, engineers, or IT technicians. I happen to believe most people would prefer a job to being dependent on government welfare or homeless. At least I would hope this is still true.

Is Wal-Mart a perfect place to shop or work, probably not, but neither are many other places. Have they driven small mom and pop businesses out of business, no doubt about it.

But, to vilify Wal-Mart simply for operating to make a profit is extremely unfair, idiotic and un-American.