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.

[The Great Yazoo]

but I don't think a city of 30,000 needs 2 of them plus a Sams club

Sounds like your city of 30,000 needs a politburo to decide such things!

[superiorslots]

Quote: Yes, but any retailer that shuts down a store rather than acquiesce to a Marxist labor union belongs in every Freeper's stock portfolio


So...you just help out the Marxist communist in China instead???

Such hypocrisy among some Freepers.

[Jaysun]

I don't want to register at the WSJ so I can't finish reading the article, but I agree that Wal-Mart is good - no GREAT - for America. The average Wal-Mart employees 200 people, while the average number of people that shop at Wal-Mart every week is 90 million.

[The Great Yazoo]

You should be ashamed to equate wal mart with these two organizations

I am not at all ashamed!

[ATCNavyRetiree]

Yes, but any retailer that shuts down a store rather than acquiesce to a Marxist labor union belongs in every Freeper's stock portfolio.

Where did that happen? That's OUTSTANDING!!!!

[cripplecreek]

"Sounds like your city of 30,000 needs a politburo to decide such things!"


I think we already have one who's members are growing inexplicably wealthy for some strange reason.

[superiorslots]

Quote: You should be ashamed to equate wal mart with these two organizations.

"I am not at all ashamed!"


God will judge you by that comment one day.

[The Great Yazoo]

God will judge you by that comment one day.

My eternal salvation has been purchased by the blood of the Lamb.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

but I don't think a city of 30,000 needs 2 of them plus a Sams club

Hey, whatever the market will bear...if they don't turn a profit, they will close...and if locals cannot compete and get rid of their own unions, they also will close. All benefits the consumer.

[Walkin Man]

"Walmart is the Chinese invasion's beachhead"

Thanks for bringing up the fact that Wal Mart is the greatest thing that ever happened to communist slavery!

Remember when you are filling up your gas tank this summer at 3 bucks a gallon or more that the cheap commie junk you buy at Wal Mart is responsible.

Cheap communist garbage in exchange for sky-high gas and diesel prices.

"Free Trade" what a great idea! /sarcasm

[Alberta's Child]

It was a big story about a month ago -- it happened at their store in Jonquiere, Quebec.

[ran15]

"Yes, those were the good old days! Big Business, Big Unions, Big Government!"


Those were the good days.. when 20% of the population lived in luxury on the inside of the system.. never challenged by uppity minorities, or any merit based competition for their jobs..

While the other 80% toiled day and night to scrape by.

Who can blame the 20% for fighting to turn the systme back to what it was.. or at least preserve the protectionism that is left!

[superiorslots]

Quote: Yes, but any retailer that shuts down a store rather than acquiesce to a Marxist labor union belongs in every Freeper's stock portfolio.


I would rather have to deal with a local Marxist union versus one that has nukes pointed at me.

[The Great Yazoo]

"Free Trade" what a great idea! /sarcasm

Yeah! Let's never trust freedom.

[superiorslots]

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

[superiorslots]

ATCNavyRetiree

You of all people as ex military should be against our funding of a brutal communist government.

[Alberta's Child]

If you think there is any relationship between a retailer's union/non-union labor force and the amount of Chinese-made products they stock on their shelves, you're delusional.

[Jaysun]

...I also love to buy evil FAST FOOD (especially McDonalds) and take it back to my liberal workplace...that drives 'em crazy too, especially when I DRIVE MY SUV only 4 blocks to get it!! And it's also fun to get that MEAT scent wafting thru the office...makes the vegans sick.... LOL!!

For an added punch to their guts, you may consider leaving your SUV running in the parking lot all day as I do. I've also been known to spray hairspray out of my window - directly into the atmosphere.

[Radix]

Those two different Giant chains were for a time under the same corporate umbrella of Royal Ahold. Ahold is one of the largest retailers in the world, and is certainly in the top 30 in the USA! The competition between Ahold and Wal Mart in the USA for market share is quite fierce but Ahold is losing ground and fast.

Some of the other Ahold chains are known as Bi-Lo, Tops, and Stop & Shop. There are other companies such as food distributors, and you better hope that they can compete. If the current trend continues in a few years you are going to miss those competitors.

Ahold has been losing ground and has been divesting of certain assets including already one of the "Giant" food chains which you mentioned. Wal Mart is a steamroller, and ultimately we will all pay for allowing them to engage in certain business practices.

In a way it pleases me because I have so little love for certain unions which have been wreaking havoc on our economy for years.

http://www.ahold.com/

http://www.siamfuture.com/RetailBusCenter/RetailIndus/Top100.asp

[SamAdams76]

Any company that has to run a barrage of commercials on TV telling you how good they are for your community should raise a red flag.

Never seen one.