Ben Stein: Wal-Mart

Ben Stein ^ | 01/09/2005 | Ben Stein

[television is just wrong]

I have a huge amount of respect for Mr. Nixon. he ended that god forsaken Vietnam war. No matter what else, he saved a lot of young men from dying.

[Semolina Pilchard]

Not to get all meta about this, but why would I care whether you care about some passing comment I made in response to a question from another user?

[mountainfolk]

Ben Stein and I have a common concern. Small appliances. His grief is a good toaster while I am on a search for a really solid can opener. I keep an old heavy one around for emergency, but I have bought and taken back a number of new models that just do not have the heft of the older models. Cost is not a factor and the more expensive ones aren't any better than cheaper ones. The cutter apparatus has been changed and is used on all of them, plus most late model can openers are just too light weight. Solve our mutual problem and Ben Stein and I will be grateful to you Walmart. If anybody can find a supplier, you can.

[Twinkie]

I just wish they would turn the dern PA system down a smidge. Those little teeny boppers just love to hang on that thing listening to their own shrill, shrieking voices all day long.

[radicalamericannationalist]

I totally agree. This is a case of putting short term interests ahead of long term interests. Will people be glad they got a TV for really cheap when the hard currency that that TV allowed to pour into China is used to buy weapons that are aimed at our troops and our cities?

[Nooseman]

I have been working for Wal-Mart for five years going on six and never once been asked to work of the clock.As a matter of fact the computer system they have won't allow you to operate a register or other electronic devise without being on the clock.As for health coverage,they could be doing a better job,for their employees.There is always something to complain about where ever you work.I at least have a job in a state that has a poor economy and a fairly high unemployment rate.

[eno_]

It's easy to see why Wal Mart beat the pants off K Mart: At K Mart, they NEVER had the Corelle Ware or Rubbermaid containers I needed. It was like Soviet stores: You buy what they have, not what you want. Wal Mart ALWAYS has my brand of dishwasher soap, containers, motor oil, etc. at what I can be confident are the best available prices or near enough that I don't have to worry I'm being ripped off.

That, simply put, is why Wal Mart wins. And, if I want something inexpensive but stylish enough that I don't have to hide it in a closet, I go to Target (pronounced "Tar-ZHAY").

What's on Main Street now? Microbreweries, Sur la Table (upscale kitchenwares), an upscale appliance shop, etc. - stuff you can't get at Wal Mart.

It is a balancing act: The appliance shop was snooty and would not give a discount on the fancy cooktop I wanted, so I went with the best Jenn Air available from Home Depot for one third the price - and the super-hot burner is hotter than the frou frou German model I originally wanted.

[Nooseman]

Call 1-800-walmart and complain to the home office if you can't get it done on a local level.

[eno_]

Henry Ford paid his workers well because he made fabulous margins and was crushing his competitors - and throwing THEIR employees out of work. That lasted until other manufacturers adopted Ford's methods.

I agree with you about executive culture being rotten at many companies. HP, for example, is a tragedy about to unfold. But that is for their boards and shareholders to handle.

[grey_whiskers]

In January?????

Yah.

Living in Phoenix where it can and does get up to 118 F in the shade during the summer...

I wanna get rich enough to become a snowbird!

Full Disclosure: When in school in Minnesota, I once walked home 2 miles in -5 F weather after having three wisdom teeth pulled!

Cheers!

[Dysfunctional]

"There is an air of mendacity 'round here."
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

[Dysfunctional]

At least in the rural areas, they have driven out all of the competitive places to work.

[Richard-SIA]

Congress are not the ones demanding that all production of new products must be shifted to China!

[William Terrell]

Yes, Wal-Mart is cheap and easy, and good for America, except for that tiny blemish of making deals with local county officials to condemn property under eminent domain for a new store so they can pay dirt cheap prices for it.

Wal-Mart! Coming soon to a county tax accessors office near you!

[discostu]

Show me a business that doesn't try to get land cheap via eminent domain and I'll show you a business that spends too much on land. Everybody does that, because various county and city officials throughout the land are eager to do it to show everybody how they're "helping". Don't blame Wally because county and city government officials are overdressed prostitutes, they were doing this to draw in business long before WalMart was invented, and will be doing it long after the last WalMart closes.

[William Terrell]

Show me a business that doesn't try to get land cheap via eminent domain and I'll show you a business that spends too much on land. Everybody does that, because various county and city officials throughout the land are eager to do it to show everybody how they're "helping".

Wal-Mart is premier leader in the movement. But, of course, since everybody does it, it must be OK. From my point of view, all who make these shady deals are equally guilty, and Wal-Mart is more equal than others.

Don't blame Wally because county and city government officials are overdressed prostitutes, they were doing this to draw in business long before WalMart was invented, and will be doing it long after the last WalMart closes.

Using eminent domain to condemn property to give to private businesses for higher tax receipts? Before Wal-Mart was invented? I don't think so. But you're welcome to give me specific instances.

[getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL]

Oh my gosh, I hope you haven't unpacked your bags yet, because I have a feeling you will only be passing through. IMO, you'd be more successful promoting your little blog somewhere else instead of riding the FR coattails.

[shellshocked]

"Is Wal-Mart impoverishing third world workers in sweat shops? Heck, no. "


That's not what many reports have said. Supporting Wal-Mart is supporting child abuse a they abuse children in third world nations.

[shellshocked]

"Don't blame Wally because county and city government officials are overdressed prostitutes,"


That's like saying don't blame the pimp for the hooker. sorry, but we still jail the pimp.

[freedumb2003]

If Ben Stein was a chick, I would marry him.

If ever I read a Photoshop Op, this is it!!!