It is extremely difficult to separate the issues of monopoly, globalization, business ethics, small town economic problems, and worker's rights, in the context of WalMart. On one hand there is a visceral hatred of WalMart because it is mostly utilized by low class fat rednecks and is run by a bunch of unethical Arkansas monopolists, and on the other hand there's a fundamental belief among many Americans that capitalistic business operating under reasonable government regulation is the best way to run a country.

The biggest problem I have with the discussion is that in my personal very limited experience, I have not see WalMart ruin small businesses. On the contrary, the traffic pulled in by these big box stores (Home Depot is another example) seems to result in a surrounding halo of small specialist shops--restaurants, muffler repair, furniture, pornography, music, etc. And it is certainly true that there are people working there who would have a hard time finding a job elsewhere.

That's what I've seen, at least, but it's hard to sort it all out.