My husband and I just watched this recently, and it was the shot in the arm I needed to break my lasting tie with Walmart.

I am a frugal shopper to the hilt. I have always loved Walmart since the first time I set foot in the store and was astounded at the great savings. As little as 3 months ago I was getting all our groceries from there, and was thrilled to be able to "splurge" from time to time.

Well, after my husband took a roadtrip to Ashville and saw that they built in the tiny community of Erwin, right where the most amazing and awe-inspiring view is, he came home and swore never to enter a store again. After I saw the "view" for myself, I just couldn't believe the brashness and utter disrespect for a small town that didn't need that huge store and parking. And as you look at the beauty of about 4 layers of mountains ridges and are just wide-mouthed with the beauty, there, almost an intentional slap in the face, is their sign, obliterating the highest peak. It's just brazen.

And it's not happening just there either. I think they take pride in incorporating their image into every small-town view they can.

But that's beside the point. That's merely and aesthetic observation. The truth about Walmart is much more eye-opening.

Low wages that force associates to apply for state aide...if they even can qualify for that.

Ghastly worker conditions and wages overseas. Hear about a chinese girl's experience, and see workers in Honduras and India.

Purposefully causing people to work overtime and finding ways to avoid paying them for it, to the extent of changing time cards and training managers. Has resulted in many lawsuits.

Disregard for evironmental hazards that they cause, such as pallets of fertilizer and pesticides left out in the rain, that then go down the storm drain and into a river used for drinking water. Lack of action or even response is commonplace.

Millions of dollars they take in subsidys that then cripple a small town's ability to offer the best services to its citizens, such as emergency services.

And that's just a start. See for yourself.

My purpose in writing this blog is to not only share what I've learned, but hopefully help to change even one person's view of this dangerous and deceptive corporation. They are a far cry from what they protray themselves to be.

So no more Walmart for me. Thanks to HSB I've been trying to shop more local and all that, but this has strengthened my resolve. It will be a sacrifice, especially come winter, but that's something I'm willing to deal with.

I'm talking about people with no regard for anything except putting more money in their pocket. They don't care how it's done...even at the cost of our economy and small abandoned downtowns, and families that have shed blood, sweat and tears to start an independant business and run it for over 40 years, only to have it go under when Walmart comes to town.

I'm trying to do my part...now what's yours?