Hate group formation associated with big-box stores

[DavidDvorkin]

The presence of big-box retailers, such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart and Target, may alter a community's social and economic fabric enough to promote the creation of hate groups, according to economists.

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-04/ps-hgf041112.php

This takes one aback.

[BlueToTheBone]

1. Well, indeed that does! It sounds like it takes

away from the self worth of white men by destroying their community employment and giving minimal employment while humiliating them with the menial work and low pay with little chance for real advancement.

Now they want to use a new model of "neighborhood" stores that will really tear up the community.

[JDPriestly]

2. In my mother's hometown, there is a store that really abuses

the fundamentalist religious theme. The whole time you are in the store, you hear fundamentalist music on the loudspeakers. An occasional song with a religious message might be palatable, but this store is just on the gospel attack.

I do not mean to offend Christians, but the store's proselytizing is annoying, really cloying. Is that common in the Midwest?

The merchandise, aside from the fact that some of it is rather cheesy -- overly sweet and sentimental, is fine.

I can't tell whether the store is appealing to a certain local mentality that just is a part of the culture of the area or whether it is kind of brainwashing shoppers.

Maybe the managers think the religious music and themes will reduce shoplifting? I don't know.