For some time the left has targeted Wal-Mart as a rallying cry for their entitlement minded compatriots. Delaware Senator, Joseph Biden is the latest leftist to employ this strategy. Given Wal-Mart’s high profile and size, it comes as no surprise that Wal-Mart is a target, after all leftist strategy centers on targeting those who are visible and high profile regardless of the merits of the argument, such is the case with regard to leftist complaints against Wal-Mart.

“My problem with Wal-Mart is that I don’t see any indication that they care about the fate of middle-class people,” Mr. Biden said, standing on the sweltering rooftop of the State Historical Society building here. “They talk about paying them $10 an hour. That’s true. How can you live a middle-class life on that?”
-Joseph Biden

In this statement Biden reveals the fundamental flaw in leftist thinking and their inherent opposition to the spirit of free enterprise. It is not the responsibility of Wal-Mart, or any other firm, to “care” about the middle class. Wal-Mart is a business, its primary concern is its bottom line and its stock holders. If Wal-Mart does not provide the products and services its customers want, those customers will shop with their feet and Wal-Mart will fade into obscurity. Biden and other leftists complain that people can’t live a middle class life earning $10 an hour and that’s an excellent point nor should they be expected to.

Wal-Mart, like other firms should pay employees based on the value of the work they perform, there is no justifiable reason for Wal-Mart to pay more for cashiers and stock clerks. Such positions require no specialized skills or training and are easily replaceable. A well trained monkey could just as easily perform such tasks. Low skill employees, by virtue of their limited skills deserve low wages and should not expect a middle class life. Those who seek to raise a family on such meager earnings should not be surprised to find life more difficult, as such behavior is fundamentally irresponsible.

Those who live middle and upper class lifestyles are those who work hard and appreciate the value of an education, not those who squander opportunities and expect rewards regardless of merit.

Nonetheless, Biden’s approach is masterful from a political standpoint, as his targeted audience are the very squanderers who have wasted one opportunity after another. Biden’s message will resonate with these sloth minded, entitlement individuals who believe it is the height of responsibility to have children they can’t afford, such is the Democratic constituency.
Link to New York Times article