Wal-Mart

August 30, 2006

The Wake-Up Wal-Mart Campaign Bus rolls across the land, screaming out: "Wal-Mart is buying goods made in China." "Wal-Mart is running small stores out of business." "Wal-Mart pays starvation wages." On and on. Liberal politicians join in the rant. Senator Hillary Clinton sat on Wal-Mart's Board of Directors in 1990. Not any more. Last year, self-righteous Hillary returned a Wal-Mart campaign contribution. All of this after President Clinton, in 1992 at Sam Walton's funeral, declared "Sam Walton the greatest citizen in the history of Arkansas."

As the Wake-Up Caravan crosses the country, liberal politicians flock to complain about Wal-Mart.

What is going on here? I know the answer, and it is shameful. It is dishonest politics of the worst kind. Liberal politicians are owned by the labor unions. And since Wal-Mart is not unionized, Wal-Mart is evil. The organizations and individuals leading the attack are elitists. The savings that Wal-Mart delivers to the shopper isn't that important to them. They don't mind paying double the price for organic food or bottled water. For many families, saving $20 or $40 on a grocery bill is a big deal. Why do you think Wal-Mart has grown into such a big and successful company?

Contrary to the critics, Wal-Mart employees aren't being short-changed either. Jason Furman, John Kerry's former economic advisor, concluded in a paper last year that Wal-Mart's health benefits are as generous as other large retailers. I might add, so are Wal-Mart's wages. The fact is, many small retailers don't even provide health benefits.

I have to ask -- don't we believe in the free enterprise system? Don't we want the customers to get more value? When we see a bargain, we buy it. That's why China gets a lot of business. We believe in trade.

U.S. executives voted Wal-Mart the most admired company in Fortune Magazine's "Most Admired Company" annual survey last year.

I don't know how the liberal politicians and organizations that claim to be champions of the poor and downtrodden can look their constituents in the eye?

Send me an e-mail if you have any thoughts. I am jblock@ofwlaw.com. Have a great week.