Wal-Mart Good for America

wsj.com ^ | April 5, 2005 5:22 p.m. | Associated Press

[The Great Yazoo]

ROGERS, Ark. -- Wal-Mart is "good for America" and the barrage of criticism against the company is an effort to protect the status quo in retailing, President and CEO Lee Scott said Tuesday in a sharp attack on organized labor and retail rivals.

Addressing about 50 journalists gathered at the company's media conference -- it first ever media event – Mr. Scott defended its wages and health care plans, criticized by labor groups as inadequate, and said that the company is able to save customers big money as it drives costs out of its system.

"Innovation and competition tends to change the status quo," said Mr. Scott, speaking at a hotel in Rogers, a few miles from Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Bentonville headquarters.

[Toddsterpatriot]

When I want to argue with the uneducated on the topic of economics and/or the military, I pop over to DU. ;)

Lately they've been popping up over here.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Free Trade is going to get us down that slope soon enough,

So, free trade causes recessions?

[superiorslots]

No, but unfair free trade does.

I have to go now.

[Smittie]

I don't have a problem with free trade...as long as it's fair and we are not helping out a communist country.

But hey, they make great $5.00 toasters!(/sarcasm)

Some Freepers have really o.d. on Walmart's kool-aid. I'd pay more for products made in America. It would be cheaper in the long run since one day,we'll have to face down all the weapons that are being made with the money being sent to the commie b*st*rds.

[superiorslots]

Quote: When I want to argue with the uneducated on the topic of economics and/or the military, I pop over to DU.



SO, WHEN DID CONDI RICE START POSTING ON DU?? If China is moving toward freedom and democracy why is Condi and the Dept of Defense and CIA so concerned??
I know!! it's a Military Industrial Complex conspiracy to scare the american people into more weopons building. Our fine friends in china would never do anything to hurt us. We are friends after all and they make such cute stuffed animals and toys.



Rice Says U.S. Concerned by China Military Build-Up
Posted by Happy2BMe
On News/Activism 03/15/2005 10:14:07 AM PST · 35 replies · 630+ views

[superiorslots]

REPORT: CHINA, RUSSIA TO 'REHEARSE INVASION OF TAIWAN'
Posted by jdm
On News/Activism 03/17/2005 8:20:40 AM PST · 274 replies · 6,161+ views




OUR INVITATION WAS LOST BY THE US MAIL SERVICE.

[durasell]

I consider it an ironic development and part of the "all or nothing" world we're enterting. Yeah, it's possible to make $20 million for a year's work, if you're Tom Cruise or an CEO of a major company, but it's getting a lot tougher to make $120,000 if you're an engineer with an advanced degree.

My suggestion is that we're throw artists at the advancing hordes. Perhaps the engineers can design a machine for just this purpose.

[Alberta's Child]

As unbelievable as it may sound, I believe Douglass was correct. He came from a very poor area of Maryland where the plantations were small and the owners didn't live the rich, aristocratic lifestyles. When he got to New Bedford he astutely observed that employers who paid for labor had a financial incentive to use the labor wisely by taking advantage of whatever technology was available at the time. As a result, you had paid laborers in the North using tools and other equipment to do the same tasks that slaves (and their masters!) did by hand in the south.

[Alberta's Child]

I agree that buying Chinese-made products isn't in our best interests, but I don't think that point is really relevant to any discussions about Wal-Mart. Our problem isn't that Wal-Mart sells a lot of Chinese-made prodcuts -- it's that every freakin' retailer does.

[WRhine]

Some people just don't care. As long as their whole job industry is not being shut down or outsourced who cares about their fellow citizen that are in that predicament.

Yep, the Chickens will be Coming Home to Roost for a lot of Americans in the next recession. It won't be pretty.

As industry after industry is exported to China and elsewhere around the world, the lower paying service sector is becoming crowded with hyper competition. Gone are the muscular pre-free trade days when the American economy rested on the four legs of manufacturing, technology, service and finance. Today with the manufacturing and technology sectors crumbling, our economy is wobbling on the remaining two legs of service and finance. This is not the picture of a stable economy.

With the gutted manufacturing and technology base no longer able to provide Americans with alternate career paths, many Americans are going to find out what it is like to compete in an overcrowded service sector economy that creates little wealth on its own.

But hey, look at those everyday low price at Wally Mart!

[Bella_Bru]

I always thought Freepers were deadset agaianst all forms of communism,

Not when they can get their underwear, potting soil, and motor oil all at one place for real cheap.

[superiorslots]

Quote: many Americans are going to find out what it is like to compete in an overcrowded service sector economy that creates little wealth on its own.


Hey, you powerwash my house and I'll detail out your cars.

[WRhine]

Hey, you powerwash my house and I'll detail out your cars.

heh heh, you have a deal. I'll mow your lawn too if you buy a life insurance policy from me.

[superiorslots]

You are so right about manufacturing. It was in past recessions that manufacturing is what got us out of the whole and jump started the economy.

[iconoclast]

How big did a chicken farm have to be to qualify for "plantation" status with you and Fred? ;o)

[iconoclast]

My suggestion is that we're throw artists at the advancing hordes. Perhaps the engineers can design a machine for just this purpose.

Every once in a while a truly ingenious idea is presented on these threads!

Don't forget professional athletes .... greater mass!

[Paul Ross]

Pinging.

[Paul Ross]

Hey, I thought you were going to do your lawn!

[Alberta's Child]

LOL. Well, I guess it was referred to as a "plantation" because they raised crops as opposed to raising animals. If I remember correctly, they grew tobacco on the plantation where he lived.

[Paul Ross]

No kidding. Have you been into Ace Hardware lately?