azza1625/createdebate-arguments huggingface dataset:
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I agree with this statement very much. Walmart gives everyone a place to shop whether they are rich or poor because everyone uses the products that Walmart has to offer. Also, Walmart is good for the American people because no matter whether our economy is good or bad people are still able to shop at Walmart not only for price, but convience of all products and service in the store.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

This is definitely true. Walmart is not going after just the lower class with their competitive prices, they are offering products that every class uses, all for one great price. The convenience of having everything in one store is a great feature. Instead of having to go to a electronic store for a TV, then a vacuum store, then to a clothing store, then to a pharmacy, you can do all of this within one building and pay all at once.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

In an economic sector, the more money that is flowing to a particular entity with in that sector, the less it is paying out. This means less people are getting paid as much as they used to, and thus the flow of money might actually go down. For example, if someone made $10 an hr before a walmart came to town, and then they had to get a job at walmart and get paid 7.25 and hr, the savings from buying at the walmart might not compensate for their lost of income. Further more, their lost of income might propmt them to spend less elsewhere, such as restraunts, potentially leading to wage decreases or lay offs though out the community depending on how much each previous employe that made 10 previously and 7.25 now affects the economy under the different pay rates. Walmart also isn't always the cheapest in all items, and a walmart grocery bill can be more then it would be else where depending on what your getting and when.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

I agree with this statement. Not only might people be making less money, but very little of the money being spent at Walmarts all over does not go back into that local community. The majority of money being spent at Walmart goes to the corporate level. Therefore, not only are the people of that area now being forced to spend less because they make less, but now the community is not getting the money put back into like it would from a local store.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Our local Walmart actually makes a difference in our community by donating to the Erie City Mission. I also know that they have donation forms in every store that can be requested and filled out. They give back a lot of money to communities. I'd imagine they donate to other local non profit companies and causes too. Why don't you take the money you save shopping at Walmart and donate it to a place of you're choice? It will be even better because you can control where it goes.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I couldn't agree more. With people having more accessibility to disposable income, they are able to use that toward other items. Therefore putting money back into the system and driving the economy.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Walmart is good for single moms and lower income families who do not own a car and have no means of transportation other then the bus. When a Walmart is added in an area, there is a bus stop added. This allows a single mom or a lower income family to save time, money, and stress. They can ride the bus to Walmart and get their banking, haircut, shopping, and other miscellaneous things such as eye glasses that Walmart has to offer. Not only is Walmart offering them cheaper prices but it is making things more convenient and stress free.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

A bus stop isn't always added, and other stores can have the same effect. A different store or set of stores can easily be better for america than walmart alone.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I could see a bus stop not being added if the local bus company has poor management and did not want to maximize their profit and make everyone's life more convenient. But in any town that the bus stop has anyone who knows what they're doing on their staff would add a bus stop at the nearest Walmart. Allowing customers like single mom's without cars to be able to kill two birds (or more) with one stone by riding the bus to Walmart, picking up groceries and getting their sons glasses while they are home with their grandmother. If a different set of stores moves in they would have to coordinate with each other and be placed side by side. The mom is not going to be able to ride the bus around all day. Traveling on a bus can be very time consuming because it does not go from point A to point B and it makes multiple stops. If she has multiple kids she can't be riding the bus all day, also if she can get any free time she's not going to want to make it into an all day errand run.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Not all towns have a bus network. Some bus networks might already have a stop close enough to a Walmart, like at the store over. The bus network can set up a stop at any store they think people will want to go to, this includes stores other than walmart. Retail out lets are typically grouped in one area of a town, industry in another, and residential another, with sporadic members of all three groups in all areas. Chances are a walmart will go near another retail store, if that retail store has a bus stop, adding another for walmart would be redundant, create more time consuming and unneeded stops, etc.Bus lines can overLap, with one being for local or low volume stops, and another for long distance or high volume stops, for example if many people from a residential area wishes to go to a particular store between some hrs, then a bus line can be put in place which goes between these two areas only, making the ride not as long. Alternatively if people in one part of town wanted to ride to another part, they could take a local bus to a main stop, which would then take them expediently to the other part of town. Instead of taking just one bus that stops at all the stops in between the two points.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Then the single mom or family member who doesn't have a car can ride the bus to the next store over and walk to Walmart and get everything they need in one stop. You seem to be very knowledgeable about bus stops but I don't see where this is proving Walmart is 'bad for America'. My statement proves that it is 'good for America' (even if they have to walk a store over to get to Walmart). If Giant Eagle, K-mart, and a Country Fair decide to team up and try to compete with Walmart in an area, then there is simply another option for the shoppers which is never a bad thing. More options is always a good thing.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Our world is slowly becoming more globalized. Walmart is a prime example of this. They conduct business all around the world. People see Walmart as an evil giant because they may run some local companies out of business, but in today's society its very rare to find a place where everything is a local store that that town uses. Walmart is creating jobs and is helping the global economy with all the business that they do do.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Yes Walmart conducts business all over the world, but what about conducting businesses here in the USA? Also Walmart is as American as it gets. Walmart is not popular in Europe for example. Many Europeans are disgusted at the fact you can you by salad mix and the next isle over by underwear and socks. Many of us aren't answering the real question but disputing this question: "Is Walmart a successful business?" The answer is hell yes, but is Walmart good for America? With their business practices, policies, ethics, and ideals I do not believe Walmart is good for America.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Yes a lot of Europian countries are discusted with walmart because its such a change from their culture however they do more than just sell. They have products come in from all over the world and thats how they can have the low prices. Walmart IS good for america because we are a market economy and they are an example of what a market economy can achive.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

You say Walmart is not popular in Europe, but in fact it is there, and it is growing rapidly. In England they have a Walmart subsidary store known as ASDA. As of August 2011 ASDA had the second largest grocery share in the UK at 17.1%. Yes, Europeans might be against the "American" way, but when times are tough, they are going to switch to the cheaper stores and goods.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

One good point about Wal-Mart I have to add is that they do offer a variety of things and services available including auto care, vision care, and some offer photography services. A new service I have just read about is Wal-Mart offering Ticketmaster services in their stores. It allows for “high value offers” and special deals for those purchasing at Wal-Mart. This is a convenience factor for people allowing for one-stop shopping.http://tinleypark.patch.com/articles/business-comings-goings-ticketmaster-now-available-at-wal-mart
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I agree that convience is a major benefit that Wal-Mart provides to its customers. The fact that you can get almost anything that you need under one roof is extremely helpful for shoppers and aside from their prices is a major factor for people shopping there. The benefit of the average consumer is a good thing that has helped Wal-Mart become so popular.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I agree. It's really nice to be able to get multiple things done in one trip. Saves time and stress.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Even though Walmart has everything under one roof, what about the "mom and pop" businesses? Everyone is going to be shut down because everyone will be getting their car serviced, eyes checked, and groceries in one place. That means that the local vision and auto care stores will be gone, along with grocery stores. Eventually people will either be forced to WORK at Walmart or MOVE to a different area because of jobs. Though this may be a convenient place to shop, the economy WILL suffer.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Wal-mart also has hair salons and banks inside. Furthermore wal-mart has been looking into making their own bank to provide to customers. Walmart has tried in previous years to get a banking license, but so far has been unsuccessful. http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/22/news/companies/walmart_banking_services.fortune/index.htm
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Walmart greatly helps the economy. Income and employment rise in counties that have a Walmart compared to counties that do not have a Walmart store in them.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

A study done by the Federal Reserve bank of Minneapolis from 1985 through 2003, looked at this "walmart effect" on 89 counties. It showed that personal income, as well as, retail employment grew in these counties than those without a walmart.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

"Nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population lives within 15 miles of a Wal-Mart store, and two-thirds of all retailers are located within five miles of one, the Fed's report says."-urban areas tend to grow faster than rural areas, why should we contribute this growth to wal-mart when there are numerous other factors, such as the 2/3 of other retailers? Walmart tends to put its stores in profitable areas which tend to be well populated ares, these areas have other things going on that might more than make up for the negatives of having a walmart. Correlation does not equal causation.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

The study shows that between 1985 and 2003, personal income, overall employment and retail employment grew faster in counties with a Wal-Mart than in those without one. Walmart saves people money and they can buy other products with the money saved.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Did this study included an analysis on other factors that may have played into increases in personal income, overall employment and retail employment? Or did it just look at Wal-Mart. What countries were included and were there other factors having negative impacts on them that even a Wal-Mart couldn't fix? I read information from this study in an article and I don't think it provided adequate information to prove that Wal-Mart is improving countries. If you have the full report or the information that I seem to be missing I would like to hear it or get the link.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Wal-Mart has forced many of its suppliers to outsource much of their manufacturing of products. The purchasing power of the retail giant forces suppliers to use these third world countries to meet the prices demanded my Wal-Mart. I do not see how business practices like this can be good for the economy."Garments carrying a “Made in the USA” label generally indicate products made by American workers protected by U.S. labor laws, but some of Wal-Mart’s “American made” products are made in sweatshops in Saipan, a U.S. territory not subject to labor laws. ◦Workers in Honduras work 88-hour weeks in 14 hour shifts, making 43 cents an hour, which only meets 54% of the cost of survival. (Wal-Mart’s annual sales are 98 times greater than the entire national budget of Honduras, yet Wal-Mart doesn’t even pay any taxes there.)TheSimpledollar.com
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

from far away it looks like Walmart is helping the economy because of the extensive amount of jobs that they offer..yet they pay their workers minimum wage, which usually forces people to get 2 jobs.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Mostly all department stores pay their employees minimum wage, so why should Walmart be any different? People don't have to go to college to become a chashier, so why should they get paid way above minimum wage? No one forces anyone to work there, therefore it's their choice.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

It is true that department stores pay their employees low wages just like Walmart employees, but those businesses don't have such profits as those banked in by Walmart. Also, you must think about size here. Walmart has one of the largest work forces in the country! Yet, still has a very low average wage for it's workers. If Walmart is the world's largest company, why aren't they able to afford better wages for their workers? They can, but they choose not to. Walmart doesn't force anyone to work for them yes, but when there are no jobs in your area and Walmart is the only place willing to hire.. What should someone do? Be homeless? No, they will take the job because they have no other choice. Walmart is able to be the world's most successful company because they have the thousands of stores and even more of employees. I believe they are unethical to their employees, the economy, and in overall business market.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

How can it help the economy if its destroying small businesses? It makes it hard for those who tried to make a living in a rural town because their only other employment option is Walmart! They wont be making nearly as much as they were when they had their small business, that is unless they become management. But the chances of getting a management position are always slim to none.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

If Walmart stopped importing goods from China and made their own goods in the United States, this would create a ton more jobs and boost the economy so much more. Walmart could do so much more for this economy and unemployment if they did this.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

If Walmart starting making everything in the United States they would not have cheap prices anymore which would cause them to not be the power-house they are today. They wouldn't make the impact you think if they did this, also they are already employing a massive amount of people. They are doing what is best for them, which is what every successful company does. Every company looks out for themselves, Greed is good. Read this article if you get the chance. There are a lot more articles that are really interesting if you find this one interesting. http://abcnews.go.com/2020/Business/story?id=1304577
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

I did some research on the effects of employment when Wal-Mart moves into a new area. The Department of Economics from UCI, Clark, and Cornell University think differently. They state that the employment reduces by about 150 workers. This statistic represents a 2.7 reduction in retail employment in the county.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Your right and I also love the opportunities that it gives to people especially immigrants who come to this country seeking for a way to get their foot in the door.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I think that we need to take care of our people here in this country before we start worrying about giving immigrants work. There are way too many people in America without work and collecting tax money. These are the people we need to get to start working.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Well, I don't know how good it is relative to other business, but it surely isn't bad.This hatred towards Wal-Mart comes from man's need to push blame and reason onto other things. Really, the part of your brain that makes you hate successful businesses is very similar to the part that makes you blame the devil for evil in the world. It's all just trying to rationalize the chaotic world that we live in.So Wal-Mart, responsible for providing hundreds of thousands of jobs to people who are unable to get work from other businesses (that people don't like to bitch about, for some reason), providing very low prices that lower income families can afford, and for their philanthropic causes (i think, can't remember) is all of a sudden this evil giant that is successful because it does bad things (like not provide medical benefits... ooooooooo).That's my psychoanalytical view on those who hate Wal-Mart... now here's one devoted to research:
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Go Penn and Teller: Bullshit. That show was awesome. Too bad Showtime cancelled it prematurely.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

Wal-Mart's low prices benefit both the consumer and the overall economy of the United States. For every dollar that a consumer saves on one item at Wal-Mart, they are able to put towards another item that they need. Wal-Mart has provided a company that has lower prices than competitors, which has allowed the consumers to purchase more merchandise, and in turn causing more to be manufactured. They have mastered the skill of providing products to serve the consumer’s needs and income. This is important to America because we as consumers need a place to purchase the necessities at reasonable prices, and Wal-Mart provides just that.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

The money saved at walmart may not be greater than the money lost by a consumer due to job lose caused by walmart reducing the competitiveness of a market. There can be too much manufacturing, to the point where plenty of products become stored up to the point where the jobs to produce them are no longer needed. Also, as manufacturing becomes more profitable, more money is put into improving efficiency, causing less labor to be needed to produce the product, resulting in more layoffs. For those who get laid off, their spending is reduced to necessities, hurting the economy intill the population changes its size or jobs become reallocated. In the long run it helps the economy, but in the short run it causes unemployment and financial hardship.However, technological improvements can be made in a competitive environment, and they are made most frequently in them. So the same long run benefit is still in effect without walmart.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

"Wal-Mart has grown to become the world's largest retailer and corporation, with over 60,000 suppliers, yet it has not developed a policy of social responsibility to match its economic power. Instead, it has released vague and misleading reports on its labor conditions, while its constant price pressure has continued to force suppliers to disobey local regulations."www.laborrights.org/creating-a-sweatfree-world/wal-mart-campaign While low prices of items might be good for the end consumer and his/her family the fact remains that a lot of hard working Americans are out of work because Wal-Marts purchasing power forcing U.S companies to outsource jobs to third world countries to lower costs and meet the needs of Wal-Mart.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

Walmart does in fact drive out smaller local retailers who sell the same product lines for more. Hasn't this been the way it works for hundreds of years? Millions of people love Walmart because they can get a huge variety of items all under the same roof and for a good price. If a smaller store can't compete with price or convenience, they need to improve their customer service. We talked about the sea of mediocracy in class and it applies here. I am not saying that Walmart is a great corporation, but from a business standpoint they are good for America.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

I understand that you think Walmart is justified in the fact that they drive out small businesses. But how are these small businesses supposed to "improve their customer service" when they don't have near as much money and power to control costs as walmart?
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

http://money.usnews.com/money/business-economy/small-business/articles/2008/08/01/should-small-businesses-fear-wal-mart
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: No

From a macro-economic point they are worse for jobs, although they may or may not be better for inflation. A highly competitive sector of the economy will have duplication of jobs, as companies grow larger efficiency increases so that more work can be done for less labor due to things like economies of scale. For example, 3 5 person companies might constitute a market sector in some town, if 2 of these companies merge they might only need 8 people to fulfill their demand for their products and services. If they split again 2 job positions would be open. The two jobs might be lost in marketing, which might only need 2 people total for a company the combination of the companies's machinery might mean one quality control job is unneeded, etc. Paying for these duplications increases product costs, but as competition decreases companies lose incentive to sell at a lower cost then the maximum cost consumers are willing to pay since selling higher decreases sales less. revenue is Sales*cost, as competition decreases sales increases and costs decreases, but if sales is a function of cost, lets say NC, so that revenue is NC^2 then as competition decreases N increases. Or in other words, more people pay the higher price out of a lack of alternatives, contributing to inflation. In walmart case, inflation seems to decrease because of them, but less people have jobs so less people can afford their products, the "real cost" increases for part of the population while it decreases for another part.
Debate: Is Wal-Mart Good For America?
Side: yes

I agree, people love Wal-Mart for the prices and variety. I may not be a big fan of the retailer, but I continue to shop there. I think that Americans vote with their pocketbooks. Americans should stop shopping at Wal-Mart if they think it is bad for America.