I rarely even go into a WalMart parking lot. But when I do occasionally venture into one of the stores, I find the few employees I actually see to mostly be just killing time, and of little or no help at all in most cases. They seem to lack knowledge, initiative, and concern for the customer as a whole. Years ago I actually had one fat broad working behind the deli counter roll her eyes at me and sigh audibly when I asked her to slice my roast beef.
I actually worked in retail myself for a few years in HS and college, and that type of slacker can't expect to get anywhere. I was able to get raises and promotions due to working hard and having a good attitude, while those who didn't want to work hard, serve the customer, and have a good attitude were either stuck making the low wages or occasionally shown the door. I spent several years at a local store of one of the largest retail grocery chains, and was offered a slot in their management trainee program after college due to my drive and ambition. But I had other plans.
As for the wages, I'm all for anyone earning as much as they can. But no employer should be forced to pay ridiculous salaries to people (even at the executive level) who don't perform at a high level and don't do highly valuable or highly specialized work, or who don't otherwise contribute significantly to revenue.
An executive shouldn't be earning millions or more if the company's stock is not performing. And no unskilled worker should expect to start out at $50k a year for bagging groceries. If companies are forced to pay higher wages, they will lay some off, close some stores, and do other things to cut corners.
As for the rest of us subsidizing the lower wage earners, we're at a point where entitlements are out of control already. People need to learn that they can't live like rappers or pro athletes (who usually end up broke themselves anyway) working those lower paying jobs. Those who apply for such subsidies need to be trained on how to budget, prioritize, etc. on what they have. If they want to try to live anything like Jay Z, they first need a reality check, then they need to realize that they need skills, education, work ethic, develop their talents, network, etc. Almost anything is possible (or was) here in America, but you'll either have to work your way up several levels at Walmart to be a "baller", or else move on to bigger things.
Cut entitlements and teach responsible living rather than force companies to overpay employees. And don't force tax payers to pay for those peoples' cell phones, new cars, rims, steaks and shrimp, high dollar apartments and homes they can't afford, etc either.
