The Wal-Mart effect and the true value of food

Gristmill guest contributor Tom Laskawy illuminates the growing struggle of middle-class Americans to maintain their standard of living, while discount stores like Wal-Mart may sadly be the only means to prop up the illusion (as real wages for the majority fall). If the government is to get heavily involved, shouldn’t it shift focus to raising living standard by boosting wages rather than depressing and subsidizing food prices? Says Laskawy, “right now, all Americans effectively receive food stamps -- it's just that for most of us those payments go directly to corn and soy farmers.” Full story: Gristmill