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Obama is the Problem - Walmart is the Solution
Townhall.com ^ | November 17, 2014 | Michael Schaus

Posted on 11/17/2014 10:22:09 AM PST by Kaslin

Once again, we can say "thanks" to a private sector that is routinely berated by the government-loving statists of the Democrat Party. It turns out that the heartless corporations, and not the big-government juggernaut of good intentions, are the ones actually doing good for Americans, their families, and their communities. In a piece of news that is tailored fit to annoy the liberal in your life, it turns out Walmart’s healthcare plans are measurably more compassionate than the stock plans offered by Obamacare.

I’ll give you a minute to fit that last thought on a bumper sticker that you can stealthily sneak onto the back window of a liberal friend’s Chevy Volt.

The Messiah President’s signature piece of legislation – often considered the Holy Grail for well-intentioned limousine liberals – fails to outperform the healthcare offerings Walmart makes available to its vast army of non-union employees. So, while liberals berate the corporation for low wages, “inadequate” healthcare options, and general callousness, just remember that working at Walmart is still better than getting something for “free” from Big Brother.

According to an article in the Washington Examiner from earlier this year, an exhaustive study comparing Walmart’s standard employee plans and Obamacare alternatives, have unequivocally proven the moral superiority of big business over big government. Walmart offers all its employees (from janitor to CEO) two standard plans (wow… no special exemptions for management? Already it looks like a better deal than Obamacare!)… And both plans have proven to be more cost effective, comprehensive, accessible, and efficient than even the most “affordable” alternatives available on healthcare.gov.

The Washington Examiner provided a wide range of examples, but the most impressive portion of the report was highlighted in regards to the insurance requirements:

Unlike Obamacare, there are no income eligibility requirements. Age and gender do not alter premium rates. The company plan is the same for all of Walmart's 1.1 million enrolled employees and their dependents, from its cashiers to its CEO.

So while Obamacare imposes varying tiers, exemptions, and carve outs, the private sector corporation has managed to extend low cost (high quality) options to everyone with a blue vest. The cost differences were equally astounding:

The unsubsidized premium for a nonsmoking couple age 60 can cost $1,365 per month [under Obamacare] versus the Walmart cost of about $134 for the same couple.

In addition to better price, the Walmart plans provided a more comprehensive list of hospitals, doctors, and services. While free contraception might be Sandra Fluke’s primary concern, access to actual healthcare generally tops the list of priorities for average Americans.

The “news” that companies take care of their employees better than some DC Bureaucracy is highly illustrative of the private sector’s superiority in providing amicable solutions to moral and societal questions. While the left routinely trashes Walmart as being a heartless greed-machine, the company has been marching forward in providing for the people that make it run with capitalistic efficiency. It must pain the left to know that a profit-hungry giant of consumerism has somehow accomplished for its “underprivileged” workforce something big government has largely made impossible for low-income citizens: Affordable health insurance.

This, of course, is nothing surprising to capitalists and free-market advocates. The private sector thrives only when balancing the demands of consumers with a certain level of generous compensation for employees. Anyone who has run a business understands the importance of rewarding labor and value while adhering to budgets and market forces – and Walmart is no exception. Government, by comparison, does not respond to labor conditions, market values, consumer reaction, or profit motives… Which means it is directed only by the statist desires of bureaucrats and technocrats.

Business, and not government, is the key to progress in America; a fact lost on occupy-protestors, anti-corporatists, and the Democrat Party of Barack Obama. If we had a little more Walmart and a little less Government in today’s economy we might be making far more progress in putting Americans back to work, and back on the path to prosperity.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial
KEYWORDS: biggovernment; limitedgov; obamacare; retail; walmart
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1 posted on 11/17/2014 10:22:09 AM PST by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

In before Freeper attacks on Wal-Mart.


2 posted on 11/17/2014 10:22:58 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: Balding_Eagle

Nothing against Walmart, but I do despise the laws that give big corporations market advantages over start-ups and entrepreneurs. The best way to fuel the economy and every bodies standard of living is to safeguard the “free” in free-market.


3 posted on 11/17/2014 10:27:28 AM PST by DaveyB
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To: Balding_Eagle

I’ll go ahead and start it, I guess.

They’re the biggest and one of the most profitable companies in the world, and MANY of their “associates” qualify for government handouts, foodstamps, ect. I’d be embarrassed to run a company like that. Of course it’s highly intelligent on their part. Why pay your employees enough to buy their groceries and utilities, while the government will do it for them(you).


4 posted on 11/17/2014 10:41:53 AM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: Kaslin

The unsubsidized premium for a nonsmoking couple age 60 can cost $1,365 per month [under Obamacare] versus the Walmart cost of about $134 for the same couple.

Does anything else need to be said?

5 posted on 11/17/2014 10:46:33 AM PST by Petrosius
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To: Kaslin

bkmk


6 posted on 11/17/2014 10:47:58 AM PST by Sergio (An object at rest cannot be stopped! - The Evil Midnight Bomber What Bombs at Midnight)
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To: All
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7 posted on 11/17/2014 10:53:10 AM PST by musicman (Until I see the REAL Long Form Vault BC, he's just "PRES__ENT" Obama = Without "ID")
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To: Kaslin

Bookmark for later...a relative is getting it posted by share on facebook later....rabid foaming at the mouth Walmart hater...


8 posted on 11/17/2014 10:58:11 AM PST by Popman
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To: KoRn

That’s a sad story you’re telling.

What should the starting wage be for a Wal-Mart employee, relative to the area?


9 posted on 11/17/2014 11:03:17 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: KoRn

Many of those walmart employees on government assistance work part time by their own choice to reduce their overall earnings to qualify for a government bennie...

My wife has worked for Walmart for 10 years....so you are hearing it from the horses mouth...

Almost all of their full time employee make 10.00 plus an hour...competitive market wages...like any other retailer...


10 posted on 11/17/2014 11:05:12 AM PST by Popman
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To: Balding_Eagle

I can’t pretend to know, as I don’t even support minimum wage laws.

Whatever it is, it SHOULD be outside the range of qualifying for .gov handouts. I never said what they pay their employees should be mandated, but being as large and profitable as they are, it should be shameful to them to pay as horribly as they do to so many of their employees. We are effectively subsidizing them via ‘social programs’ to their employees.


11 posted on 11/17/2014 11:10:43 AM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: Popman

Very true regarding the part timers. Still, even at $10 per hour, I couldn’t IMAGINE trying to live on that low of a wage, especially with a family. Of course, that’s why I don’t do it. LOL

You’d just think such a company would pay better than that.

PS: That pic on your profile page is just amazing!!!


12 posted on 11/17/2014 11:15:08 AM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: KoRn
as I don’t even support minimum wage laws.

it should be shameful to them to pay as horribly as they do to so many of their employees.

Should they pay a wage high enough to staff their stores?

13 posted on 11/17/2014 11:20:22 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: Balding_Eagle

Wallmart hires a lot of people who are almost unhireable. If those people were not working at Wallmart, they wouldn’t be working anywhere. If Wallmart went union, those people would not have a job.

That said, the Democrat jihad against Wallmart is not about the retail jobs, the unions don’t care about the retail workers, the retail workers are just the most visible division. This is really about teamsters and warehouse workers. Wallmart runs their own trucking company and their own warehouses. They even contemplated buying their own ships, but the ILWU made it clear that Wallmart shipping would not be allowed to unload at west coast docks.


14 posted on 11/17/2014 11:27:22 AM PST by Eva
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To: Kaslin

Walmart also led the way on making Rx drugs affordable for everyone for the first time.

They started selling every generic Rx for the low price of just $4 for a one month supply. At the time they started that other drug and chain stores were charging $30 or more for the same generic Rx.

The also offer many free immunizations right at their stores.

You can also get new glasses at Walmart for about $150, and that includes the doctor visit and Rx!


15 posted on 11/17/2014 11:41:23 AM PST by Beagle8U (If illegal aliens are undocumented immigrants, then shoplifters are undocumented customers.)
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To: Balding_Eagle
"Should they pay a wage high enough to staff their stores?"

They apparently are now, but many of them qualify for .gov handouts. lol

We are effectively subsidizing them. If the .gov handouts were removed, would they THEN pay enough to staff their stores? I don't think so. On the other side, how much would it HARM Wal-Mart, and other large businesses if the 'Foodstamp' program were ended completely? It would be DEVASTATING to them.

16 posted on 11/17/2014 11:44:06 AM PST by KoRn (Department of Homeland Security, Certified - "Right Wing Extremist")
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To: Eva; KoRn
Wallmart hires a lot of people who are almost unhireable.

Question to Korn;

Relative to what other retail business in the area pay their employees, those businesses who won't hire these people, how much more should Wal-Mart pay these 'unhireable' people?

17 posted on 11/17/2014 11:47:55 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: KoRn
On the other side, how much would it HARM Wal-Mart, and other large businesses if the 'Foodstamp' program were ended completely? It would be DEVASTATING to them.

Only if ending those giveaways was limited to Wal-Mart employees.

If it was statewide, or better yet, nationwide, stores like Wal-Mart would thrive, perhaps more than they ever did in their history.

18 posted on 11/17/2014 11:51:27 AM PST by Balding_Eagle (The Gruber Revelations are proof that God is still smiling on America.)
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To: KoRn

Walmart pays their employees a little above average for those in similar stores.

Why don’t you open a store and pay your employees double the going rate? Liberals would love you! They might even invite you to their parties and introduce you to their faggot friends.


19 posted on 11/17/2014 11:53:26 AM PST by Beagle8U (If illegal aliens are undocumented immigrants, then shoplifters are undocumented customers.)
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To: DaveyB
Nothing against Walmart, but I do despise the laws that give big corporations market advantages over start-ups and entrepreneurs.

Such as???

20 posted on 11/17/2014 12:53:27 PM PST by Elsie ( Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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