A short history of Wal-Mart

To the Editor,

After reading so many letters that accuse Wal-Mart of all the economic ills of our country, it seems at least one person could look at the "true" history of the Wal-Mart store.

Wal-Mart began in 1962 along with K-Mart and Target with small variety stores in Arkansas. But, Sam Walton and his wife Helen sensed the American people wanted something different, so they took a few of their hard earned dollars and traveled around the country meeting people and asking what "they" would like to see in a store? The answer was the same nine times out of ten. We would like to do our entire shopping under one roof, with large assortments of merchandise, at affordable prices.

Sam Walton was a very good businessman and a visionary. He talked with the people and responded to their dictates. Blaming Wal-Mart for industry moving out of the country is ridiculous. How about that "Great American Way - Labor Unions," industry started moving out shortly after World War II ended in 1945. Labor Unions had a field day organizing and demanding higher wages that local industries could not keep up with. Today, shelves in many stores across the country are empty, due to defects in merchandise. Will these shelves be filled in all stores for Christmas shopping? Where are the government inspectors, who are paid a handsome wage to check these "imports"?

After studying the history of the Wal-Mart dynasty, I know the people of Bath could use, need and want a Wal-Mart Super store.

Patricia Eaton Bath