A well-orchestrated war is being waged on Walmart. Unions say it harms communities and the media bemoans Walmart’s poor pay and lack of health benefits.

But now a Pew survey finds that:

‘Nearly every American lives near enough a Wal-Mart to shop there, and 84 percent say they have done so in the past year,’ the research group said. ‘Praise for the retailer`s low prices, wide selection and convenience flow freely, and 81 percent of those with a Wal-Mart nearby say it is a good place to shop.’ …

Researchers found Wal-Mart`s ‘most faithful shoppers are found among those with annual incomes below $30,000, more than half of whom say they shop there regularly.’

It is true that Wal-mart has driven manufacturing jobs out of America and into China, but many would argue that Wal-mart did nothing more than accelerate an already-occuring trend towards an inevitable outcome. On the other hand, Wal-mart provides jobs, drives a large portion of the economy and increases the living standard of millions of Americans by providing goods at very low prices.

Personally, I do not boycott Wal-mart. I do, however, avoid buying goods made in China.