Wal-Mart: Low prices at what cost?

After reviewing the film "Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price," my view on the Wal-Mart Corporation has completely changed.

I was most surprised at the mistreatment of Wal-Mart workers, pay cuts, lack of insurance, sexism and racism.

Former managers confessed to being trained on how to cheat workers out of overtime hours and to cut regular hours.

Many of the workers expressed that the corporation's insurance cost around $75 out of each check, not including the copay required at each doctor's visit. More than five workers, previous and current, also mentioned having to seek government assistance in addition to their jobs at Wal-Mart.

A group of African American former Wal-Mart associates and managers shared their stories of racism.         

One female, middle-level manager went through numerous evaluations where it was insisted that she be promoted, but she never was.

When she questioned a Caucasian male, upper-level manager, he told her it was because she was a female and Black.

She filed a suit against him and nothing was done.

Watching the film made me think differently about Wal-Mart. It enraged me because the demographics that utilize or operate Wal-Mart the most, are receiving the most unfair treatment.

Being a college student is similar to being a part of the working or middle classes. Most students' families are from these classes and live on a budget.

It feels as if we are paying to be mistreated.

I know many people who work or have worked at Wal-Mart for years. I have always heard complaints about hours and that management "sucks," but I thought, "people complain about their jobs all the time. "

The consequences of the policies and practices adopted by Wal-Mart have left many people unemployed, others dependent upon government assistance, and tax payers responsible for the corporation's lawsuits and other messy actions.

According to the film, the "low prices" are based on tax subsidies. Statistics show that Wal-Mart drives retail down by $3 million each year. There are more than 26 billion square feet of vacant Wal-Mart buildings.

The upper class shareholders seem to be the only ones who benefit from Wal-Mart, while the working and middle classes seem to "pay for it"—literally.

I do not think it is possible for companies like Wal-Mart to balance worker benefits, low prices for consumers and high profits for shareholders because they [corporations] do not take the time to plan accordingly.

No one should be held responsible for the way Wal-Mart and large corporations carry out business but them.        On the other hand, we should be held responsible for not being knowledgeable of corporations we invest so much money into, whether it be buying [and standing] in line, purchasing online, or paying tax dollars.