Comments on: Diary #144: “The Big Box” http://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/ Web comic, podcasts, and other junk. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:33:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Lord Zeonhttp://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/comment-page-1/#comment-495416 Lord Zeon Sun, 03 May 2009 03:27:20 +0000 http://www.myextralife.com/?p=11970#comment-495416 I think you misunderstand the "free" in free market, Jack. That "free" refers to the freedom from government economic control. Nevertheless, monopolies are the end result of a free market economy. If you don't want monopolies, then reject free market; that's the only way to effectively stop monopolies from forming.The problem is that everyone thinks that they want freedom of choice in a market. They don't; they want good products at decent prices. Everyone who really cares about freedom of choice in a market (besides political philosophers) is concerned about choice because they don't like the products available, and want them to improve.The problem with Wal-Mart isn't just that they shut down small businesses, it's that they don't offer quality products. Wal-Mart is focused on a price range, and most definitely not quality. When products can't be produced/bought at a certain quality level they lower the quality or buy lower quality products. I work at Best Buy selling cameras, and whenever I walk into Wal-Mart I laugh my ass off at the crap-quality cameras that they sell. I think you misunderstand the “free” in free market, Jack. That “free” refers to the freedom from government economic control. Nevertheless, monopolies are the end result of a free market economy. If you don’t want monopolies, then reject free market; that’s the only way to effectively stop monopolies from forming.

The problem is that everyone thinks that they want freedom of choice in a market. They don’t; they want good products at decent prices. Everyone who really cares about freedom of choice in a market (besides political philosophers) is concerned about choice because they don’t like the products available, and want them to improve.

The problem with Wal-Mart isn’t just that they shut down small businesses, it’s that they don’t offer quality products. Wal-Mart is focused on a price range, and most definitely not quality. When products can’t be produced/bought at a certain quality level they lower the quality or buy lower quality products. I work at Best Buy selling cameras, and whenever I walk into Wal-Mart I laugh my ass off at the crap-quality cameras that they sell.

]]> By: Jackhttp://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/comment-page-1/#comment-495380 Jack Sat, 02 May 2009 00:41:03 +0000 http://www.myextralife.com/?p=11970#comment-495380 Monopolies are basically taking away from the nature of a free market economy. If there is a monopoly, there is no competition, and hence, no choice in the market, thus no freedom in the market. Monopolies are basically taking away from the nature of a free market economy. If there is a monopoly, there is no competition, and hence, no choice in the market, thus no freedom in the market.

]]> By: Robhttp://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/comment-page-1/#comment-495377 Rob Sat, 02 May 2009 00:02:22 +0000 http://www.myextralife.com/?p=11970#comment-495377 Scott, the diaries lately have been very thought provoking. It is interesting to hear what is on your mind lately, especially since ELR is only EVERY OTHER WEEK!!! Will ELR ever go back to the once a week schedule? Scott, the diaries lately have been very thought provoking. It is interesting to hear what is on your mind lately, especially since ELR is only EVERY OTHER WEEK!!! Will ELR ever go back to the once a week schedule?

]]> By: Karahttp://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/comment-page-1/#comment-495353 Kara Fri, 01 May 2009 12:31:20 +0000 http://www.myextralife.com/?p=11970#comment-495353 I'd highly suggest watching the documentary recommended above. I used to shop at Walmart on a weekly basis in college because it was cheap, but once I watched that documentary I will never again shop at that store unless I absolutely have to. I'm not one to picket outside stories and urge for their closing, but I'm just doing what I believe to be my part by not shopping there because I just do not agree with their company and their practices.But I suggest if you want to know more about Walmart and why people don't like it outside the fact that it runs small businesses into the ground, I'd definitely recommend watching Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price. Very eye opening. I’d highly suggest watching the documentary recommended above. I used to shop at Walmart on a weekly basis in college because it was cheap, but once I watched that documentary I will never again shop at that store unless I absolutely have to. I’m not one to picket outside stories and urge for their closing, but I’m just doing what I believe to be my part by not shopping there because I just do not agree with their company and their practices.

But I suggest if you want to know more about Walmart and why people don’t like it outside the fact that it runs small businesses into the ground, I’d definitely recommend watching Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price. Very eye opening.

]]> By: Gerardhttp://www.myextralife.com/diary-of-a-cartoonist/diary-144-the-big-box/comment-page-1/#comment-495325 Gerard Fri, 01 May 2009 01:09:03 +0000 http://www.myextralife.com/?p=11970#comment-495325 agreed agreed

]]>