Jeffrey Tucker at Mises Blog reads the background research supporting the $1 billion subsidy figure I discussed here:
In any case, a close look at the study shows that the supposed subsidies are mostly about many forms of tax breaks, which are not subsidies at all but refraining-from-stealing policies. Also involved here are reduced land prices (why not consider this a form of privatization?) and infrastructure development... The real cost is all the political capital Wal-Mart must expend in exchange for being tolerated.Jeffrey provides all the relevant links, and more information. See also the intelligent and dissenting comments.
They make it clear that WM does not operate in a free-market environment.
Posted by Kevin on May, 25 2004 at 12:35 PM
