They only create jobs when they do something innovative or that has room for expansion in the market or in an underdeveloped area. Otherwise they simply displace jobs or crumble and create nothing.

They only create prosperity if they do better for the people in the areas they build in.

So in Wal-Mart's case, it depends heavily on WHERE they build. For some areas they provide opportunity. For others they destroy competition and lower the quality of life for any unskilled workers in the area. It's all relative (I just added that sentence because I know you'll hate it).

And for the other point, to add to PJ's list, poor people often hire tutors in order to help their kids get ahead.