Walmart started out innocently enough...bringing selection, convenience and jobs to far-flung cities across the nation. Thanks to Sam Walton's work ethic and it's "Made in the USA" pledge, Walmart was able to grow and thrive. But it really latched on to a killer business model when U.S. corporate greed took hold--effectively freezing employee wages while pushing for higher productivity and outsourcing production to third-world nations. Walmart, by then a retailing giant with the world's greatest distribution system, took advantage of its ability to demand the lowest prices from its suppliers. As a result, throughout the years, it continually increased Americans' purchasing power without (U.S. corporations) having to make commensurate increases in employee wages.
Because of Walmart, America was able to morph from what once was a world-class manufacturing/industrial nation into a service-oriented (and lower wage) nation without much notice.
Even though many people despise Walmart and declare they will never cast their shadow across its doorstep, in the end, the majority of the dollars they spend eventually do make their way through Walmart (and subsequently to China) by way of low-wage workers on down the supply chain. You may be able to spend your money at the "Prada Bags R' US," but rest assured, that $8.15 clerk will be buying their daily bread from the Reduced Price rack at Wally-World.
Walmart is the reason we haven't been "aware" of the inflation that has been going on around us for years and years....but now its gotten so bad, prices are rising and nothing can hold it back any longer--not even Walmart.
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Lots better than fighting the Buckhead traffic just to get the new Alicia Keyes CD as a stocking stuffer for hubby. Friday it was taking an hour just to get in and out of the parking lot at Lenox Square once you had arrived. Phipps wasn't bad.
...good for you, BR! You must be getting brave in your old age! 
