--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Over the years, America had become more…" description: "\"Over the years, America had become more like Wal-Mart. It had gotten cheap. Prices were lower, and wages were lower. There were fewer union factory job..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/george-packer-2917_america_over-the-years-america-had-become-more-l_1652217.png" --- # Over the years, America had become more like Wal-Mart. It… ![“Over the years, America had become more like Wal-Mart. It had gotten cheap. Prices were lower, and wages were lower. There were fewer union factory jobs and more part-time jobs as greeters.” quote by George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/george-packer-2917_america_over-the-years-america-had-become-more-l_1652217.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/george-packer-2917_america_over-the-years-america-had-become-more-l_1652217.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/george-packer-2917_america_over-the-years-america-had-become-more-l_1652217.png) > “Over the years, America had become more like Wal-Mart. It had gotten cheap. Prices were lower, and wages were lower. There were fewer union factory jobs and more part-time jobs as greeters.” [George Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-packer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. America’s shift toward low‑cost, low‑wage retail mirrors Wal‑Mart’s model, eroding labor standards. **In simple terms:** Retail cheapens wages and jobs. Key Takeaway Advocate for fair labor policies. Themes economics labor consumer culture Mood critical concerned Type analytical political When to use this quote - policy advocacy - union organizing - consumer activism - business ethics Key Concepts neoliberalism gig economy Questions to Reflect On - What policies could protect workers? - How does consumer choice affect wages? A Different Perspective The quote may simplify complex economic forces into a single narrative. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Cheap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cheap/) [Factory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factory/) [Fewer Union](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fewer-union-665658/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Lower Wages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lower-wages-665657/) [More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more/) [Prices Lower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prices-lower-665660/) [Wages Lower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wages-lower-665659/) [Wal Mart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wal-mart-338804/) ## Related quotes > [One of the things that happens when you have austerity is that wages get lower, and some people think lower wages in the short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/one-of-the-things-that-happens-when-you-have-austerity-is-that-wages/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [Prices are always lower when the troops are in the street.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bonderman/prices-are-always-lower-when-the-troops-are-in-the-street/) [David Bonderman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bonderman/) > [TSG is competing with Middle East, East Asia and Europe in offering prices that are either lower or at par with these markets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/priya-sachdev/tsg-is-competing-with-middle-east-east-asia-and-europe-in-offering/) [Priya Sachdev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/priya-sachdev/) > [“And with the decline of the traditional manufacturing industries in recent years, it's getting worse, not better. 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