Joe Biden and his fellow ruling-class elites in both parties are making a mess of the country.

Their bad policies are causing ripple effects throughout the nation.

And Walmart is being forced to make one shocking change thanks to Democrats’ failed policies.

Self-checkout lines have become a staple at grocery stores, pharmacies, and major retailers like Target and Walmart.

While automation has been a concern for many working-class Americans’ long-term job security, self-checkout lines have proven to be convenient for people with only a few items.

But Walmart is now doing away with self-checkout at select Walmart stores nationwide because of the skyrocketing crime rates caused by Democrats’ pro-criminal policies.

Consequences of theft

A Walmart spokesperson said in a statement, “We’ve decided to remove self-checkout lanes and replace them with staffed lanes at select locations. . .These decisions were based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns and business needs in the area. We believe the changes will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service.”

The move was met with mixed reviews.

One person on social media responded, “Never used a self-checkout in my life. I like to keep people employed.”

While the sentiment is understandable, it’s also misplaced anger – technological advancement isn’t to blame for people losing their jobs the ruling-class elites’ failed policies are.

Democrats and establishment Republicans have artificially skyrocketed the cost of labor with all sorts of burdensome, unnecessary taxes and regulations, leaving businesses no choice but to slash labor costs to stay afloat.

Another social media user commented, “[Not gonna lie], I’ll game the system when using the self-checkout. Oh those paper towels under my cart, forgot to ring that up; how many avocados in this plastic bag? More than I’m going to pay for.”

That user is not alone.

Stealing commonplace

CBS reported that “31% of Gen-Z consumers have stolen items from self-checkout kiosks, compared to 15% of consumers of any age. Those figures come as businesses work to combat shoplifting, which some retailers have blamed for hurting their financial performance and even for store closures.”

Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst for LendingTree, said in a statement, “Ultimately, retailers need to decide whether the self-checkout terminals are worth the risk. . .That’s a question lots of retailers are likely wrestling with.”

As it turns out, thanks to increased shoplifting driven by Democrats’ efforts to essentially decriminalize any and all theft under $1,000, retailers are ultimately deciding that self-checkout terminals aren’t worth the risk.

And California Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom experienced that reality firsthand when he recently visited a Target store and was given a lesson on what his failed policies have done.

During a virtual meeting, Newsom explained that while he was in the Target, a shoplifter dropped an item and then “comes back, picks it up, and keeps walking out.”

“As we’re checking out, the woman says, ‘Oh, he’s just walking out. He didn’t pay for that,’” the Democrat Governor continued. “I said, ‘Why didn’t you stop [him]?’  She goes, ‘Oh, the governor.’ Swear to God. True story. On my mom’s grave. ‘The governor lowered the threshold. There’s no accountability’. . . I said, ‘That’s just not true. . .Where’s your manager? How are you blaming the governor?’ And it was, you know, $380 later, and I was like, ‘Why am I spending $380? Everyone can walk the hell right out.”

Yes, Gavin, everyone can “walk the hell right out,” and its directly because of legislation you and your fellow Democrats forced into law.

Unfortunately, the problem will get worse until Democrats’ pro-crime policies are nipped in the bud and the rule of law is restored.