The truth is non-partisan

The closest thing we have to competition in Maryville is the difference between Sonic and Dairy Queen ice cream. We have one Wal-Mart, one 24-hour McDonald's, even one high school. The town of Maryville sits in a constant monopoly. So, if we are going to discuss competition, even on campus, it's a little tough within the immediate vicinity.

Going green may be an answer to getting more governmental breaks, but, seriously. The closest thing to "going green" in Maryville are NWMSU paw's posted on clothing, flags and vehicles. Going green may keep business honest and responsive, but at the end of the day, it's the dollar that counts, regardless of tactic.
 

Competition in Maryville boils down to one place; Wal-Mart. Where else can you buy products at a significantly lower price at 11 p.m.? We read how they are an overpowering monopoly but we continue to shrug and brush it off. Why? There is no competition in Maryville for a 24-hour low price store.

The solution isn't for smaller businesses to stay open late or cut back on prices. If they were to cut back (and I mean way back to compete with Wal-Mart) it may then be unprofitable to the owner. To agree with what k_thorpe said above, it's all about being blinded by glitter of the almighty dollar. Who cares who we run over in the process?
 

Wal-Mart is definatley the monopoly over Maryville in most people's eyes. What a lot of people don't think about is how some of these factories in town have control over it. I would really hate to see what would happen if Kawasaki or Eveready ever closed down.