Sometimes stealing pays, especially if said stolen item is $24.99 or less and is stolen from Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart recently announced that it is changing its zero-tolerance rule when it comes to theft. Previously, Wal-Mart would prosecute anybody caught stealing from one of its stores - even if it was just a pack of gum. But, the zero-tolerance theft rule has now changed. Henceforth, prosecution happens only if an item stolen is worth $25 or more.

It's all about economics. According to a J.P. Suarez, who is in charge of asset protection at the department store, "it was no longer efficient to prosecute petty shoplifters. If I have somebody being paid $12 an hour processing a $5 theft, I have just lost money. I have also lost the time to catch somebody stealing $100 or an organized group stealing $3,000."

This raises the question, Should Wal-Mart be publicizing this new rule? Isn't this like publicizing that anything in the store priced under $25 is free? Perhaps that's why there are so many smiley faces pasted all over billboards in the store. Free equals happy! Happy shoppers can now feel free to steal items valued under $25 without fear of reprimand. I can just see some of them waiting, anxiously, for a sale to see that item that that theyd been watching drop in price, from $25.99 to $24.99.

Of course, I'm exaggerating; most shoppers are ethical and wouldn't steal, no matter what the store's theft policy is. Stealing doesn't pay, kids.

On the other hand, I'm sure all Wal-Mart employees, by now, are well aware of the new theft rule. I'm just afraid that some will consider it a company perk, a way to supplement their minimum wage income Steal from thy employer, as long as said stolen item is priced at $24.99 or less.