A trick WalMart does to keep its prices low is to pay low wages. WalMart knows the slack will be picked up by welfare and other public assistance from taxpayer dollars.

In effect, the taxpayer is subsidizing WalMart's low wages. Meanwhile, your corner hardware store may be paying an almost livable wage to its employees - that is until WalMarts lower prices drive them out of business.

Ah, capitalism at its finest.