What is the Bigger Picture?

Walmart has plumbing problems . . . or so we've been told.  Plumbing problems that will take six months to resolve, in five different locations?  Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?  Plumbing problems in business usually amount to a sign that says "Out of Order" and "Sorry for the Inconvenience."  Then a plumber is called and the problem is resolved, usually in a very short time.  If the problem is outrageously huge, like a complete collapse of infrastructure, a short term closing might be necessary.  Seriously though, in five locations, simultaneously?  Those big Supercenters go from the ground up in about that same amount of time.

Another interesting article gave a time frame of about six months clearly describing a great deal of work to be accomplished by Wal-Mart in Florida a couple of years ago.  The article was dated in June, stating the construction had just begun and the grand opening was slated for January.  According to a 2010 article in Business Insider, Wal-Mart is the largest employer in the US and in 25 states, which raises serious concern about the five closings while giving no notice.  Not only will this cause a serious problem for the regular shoppers, but what about all the suddenly unemployed?  The economy of most cities with a WalMart are dependent upon that perpetual motion, not only for employment, but a source of revenue for the city and state in taxes.

Following an EF5 tornado in Joplin on May 22, 2011, Wal-Mart had completely removed what was still standing, and rebuilt a new store on the same site, literally from the ground up with the grand opening, November 9 of that same year.  A situation that was completely unexpected, resulted in a brand new store in less than six months.  I realize I'm no engineer, but I simply do not understand how a planned "repair" could take longer than cleaning up the destruction and completely rebuilding.

The Walton family seems more focused on their profits than to lose the amount of potential income indicated. Upon reading some of the reports of charitable donations by Wal-Mart "foundations" compared to others, Wal-Mart doesn't exactly rank near the top of philanthropic organizations. When WalMart moves in, mom and pop operations collapse.  Much of of a town's economy revolves around Wal-Mart.  Five closed stores may not be huge in the overall corporation, but the potential loss of five stores for six months has to be staggering.  I'm relatively sure I won't see that amount go through my checkbook in a lifetime.  I don't believe for a moment there isn't some sort of government subsidy involved in these closings.

The WalMart parking lot is always bustling when I go by.  I can't imagine how desolate those five parking lots must look.  What about the employees?  WalMart used to be where folks went for employment when the factories shuttered . . . Now the factories are gone, the mom and pop operations are gone, and for at least six months, five towns no longer have what the majority of the citizens counted on.  Some would say this is simply a corporate decision and really nobody's business.  Although I have not patronized a Wal-Mart in over a decade, I do believe reduced availability of food and a rise in unemployment is the business of others.  The presence of a WalMart in any given town, quickly reduced the shopping and employment options.  Once the options have been eliminated, even the "short term" absence of WalMart will impact the community.

Now that I think about it, the WalMart in the neighboring community went from the photo here on the left to the photo below without closing or even any serious change of hours.  It did appear to have some parking restrictions through the refurbishing period, but other than that, it was business as usual.  

To be honest, I'm vacillating between connecting the dots between Wal-Mart closings and Operation Jade Helm to wondering if this is merely a distraction for something even bigger behind the scenes.  Then my head reaches the point of near explosion when I wonder if it's a combination of all of that!  The idea of big empty buildings with "would be" plumbing projects going while some sort of "mock drill" is in place does make one wonder just a little, if "government housing" is about to be redefined.

Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:  a Proverb of Holy Scripture

Business As Usual

In driving through the nearest town this past week, I couldn't help but notice the vacant storefronts and for sale signs.  The appearance of "business as usual" is still present, but the reality is a much different perspective.  I remember watching the town near the first homestead, die under the DREAM initiative, and now, a six year history here with a gradual slow decline of this smaller town.  The first town is struggling so much, the Chinese buffets and Mexican restaurants are closing.  The square appears to be at about half capacity for businesses, with many of them being offices rather than retail.  I've spoken with men who began their businesses forty or more years ago, and they resignedly shake their head as they tell me, their hopes of children inheriting their business are simply gone.  When they retire, the business will simply be sold or shuttered.  These men did, however; provide well for their families and employment in the community at one time, but there is no longer a future for local, independent family owned business in America.

The change has been so gradual, we apparently didn't realize what was actually happening.  As a very small child, I remember the downtowns were thriving.  My grandma referred to the main retail business street as "The Avenue."  I was still a child when the malls were built.  I didn't notice at the time, we stopped going to The Avenue as much, and since we lived in the country, our small town "down town" became just a pit stop for odds and ends.  Major shopping was done in the city . . . at the mall.  I'm not really much of a shopper, so I failed to realize the malls were declining until we were shopping for rings at the beginning of this new millenium.  So many places in the mall were vacant, and there were recliners in the middle for the walkers to gather and take a break!  It then dawned upon me that mini-malls had become the convenient trend for stylish retail, and Wal-Mart Supercenters for economical shopping.

In relocation through the summer of 2005, I spent a quite a bit of time on the road, seeing a great deal of road construction.  In all the highway construction, looming in the background were shuttered malls and dormant businesses.  So many businesses were already gone, so many buildings standing vacant, while the plan seemed to already be in place, to divert access to the businesses that were left.  Independence was foundational in the building of America, or so we've been told.  As the years have continued many local independents did not withstand the great recession, which I have termed "the great repression."  These independent business people didn't receive any bailouts.  As the news has reported recovery, I simply do not see it.  Of course, there were jobs created for a time, such as more highway construction and signs, but the only promise that appears to have been created to be lasting is the loss of independent business on the American landscape.

While this economic collapse has been gradual and seemingly isolated, it has spread and continues to spread.  Detroit didn't come back.  Ohio's unemployment rate is still staggering.  The statistics are terribly skewed when it comes to those actively seeking employment and those who have simply given up and sought assistance or taken early retirement.  There are ads everywhere to apply for disability.  Our nation isn't building business and this country is not making products.

The primary employers in this country are government, health care, and Wal-Mart.  Wal-Mart has replaced General Motors as a primary employer.  I was married to a General Motors employee several years ago and I remember our standard of living.  Wal-Mart does not offer that same opportunity to the majority of it's employees.  There is much busy-ness and great chasing, but a drive down main street USA gives clear indication the American standard is far from business as usual.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  prophecy of Holy Scripture