Posted on 09/03/2005 10:27:02 AM PDT by truthfinder9
I only mention this because I recently had a letter published about Wal-Mart in response to accusations that Wal-Mart is destroying America:
August 6, 2005
A recent letter posited the fanciful theory that Wal-Mart costs taxpayers millions of dollars. It sounded like a talking point list from the retail unions who attack Wal-Mart at every opportunity. Here’s some facts those unions don’t want you to know.
Two-thirds of Wal-Mart employees aren’t the sole income for their family. The stores’ profit margin is the same as the retail industry’s average. The Waltons’ didn’t amass their wealth by simply drawing large salaries at the expense of workers.
The number of employees at Wal-Mart covered by health insurance exceeds the industry average. Why do half opt out? Most are otherwise covered. Also, like other retailers, Wal-Mart relies on seasonal help, which is made largely of students. They are covered by their family’s health insurance.
When the anti-Wal-Mart people cook their numbers, they leave out these facts. Unions can’t stand the idea that extremely successful Wal-Mart isn’t forcing its employees to “donate” dues to the unions.
Many of the protests trying to keep Wal-Marts out of communities haven’t been supported by the majority of people in those towns. Most towns welcome the jobs and tax revenues. Unions drive these protests wanting to punish Wal-Mart, but so far they have failed.
Wal-Mart is also no different from other retailers in buying from foreign suppliers. It has made a habit of ending contracts with foreign suppliers that violate workers-rights and use child labor. Yet in spite of retailers buying from foreign factories, the United States still has one of the lowest unemployment percentages and resilient economies in its history.
You have two choices in this country. One, you can work hard until you reach your goals. Two, you can blame everyone else for failure and petition the government to steal from the successful to line your wallet.
Add that to the "donated" merchandise and they are probably second only to the government in expenditures.
I'm glad they're donating but it's pocket change.
As someone else added, if their own losses from the hurricane are added in the doantion is probably very good.
SBC communications is operating at a loss right now and say they will continue to do so for as long as they are needed. (They've set up thousands of phone lines for refugees)
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