Posted on 08/19/2006 10:26:59 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
by Mark Finkelstein
August 19, 2006 - 13:02
Did the MSM get together and decide this would be Bad Economics Saturday? As I noted here, the New York Times emitted an editorial this morning grimly talking down the economy in the face of good economic news.
Over at the Boston Globe, Robert Kuttner has chipped in with More than Wal-Mart. While applauding the efforts of Dem politicians to go after the country's biggest retailer, Kuttner claims that isn't nearly enough. He wants much more government regulation of the economy, and higher taxes for the 'rich'.
Annotated excerpts:
"[Wal-Mart's] wages and health benefits are dismal. Wal-Mart batters down wages."
If that's true, why do people literally line up by the thousands for Wal-Mart jobs? Sounds to the contrary that Wal-Mart is offering above-market compensation.
"[Wal-Mart] plays foreign suppliers against one another to demand the lowest possible wholesale price."
Don't tell me Wal-Mart actually tries to get the lowest possible price from suppliers? Diabolical!
"Wal-Mart . . . is symbol and substance of an America where the middle-class dream is vanishing."
Guess that's why no one wants to emigrate to America.
"The America of a generation ago had multiple institutions for enabling worker incomes to rise with their rising productivity. More industries were regulated."
Better living through government regulation. Prohibit poverty!
"[A generation ago] taxation was progressive, and ordinary workers paid much lower rates."
What? Thanks to Bush tax reforms, millions of working Americans pay no federal income taxes at all!
"I hope Wal-Mart does become a poster child for all that's out of whack with the US economy. But we need to go after a great deal more than Wal-Mart if politicians are serious about restoring the dream of an America where people who work hard and play by the rules can aspire to be middle class."
The American dream is still alive and being achieved by millions of Americans and people aspiring to be Americans. The surest way to kill the American dream is to adopt the very 'solutions' Kuttner advocates: more government regulation and higher taxes.
Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts 'Right Angle,' the award-winning public-access TV show. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
Boston Globe/NewsBusters kill-the-low-prices ping to Today show list.
Simply amazing that these quacks never try to go into business against those that have been successful.
They would rather try to tear them down through the political process or judicial courts than to go toe-to-toe in the competitive arena.
If Kuttner wants the answer to why lower/middle incomes are growing slowly he needs to look at the number one reason - unlimited illegal immigration. Remove 15 million illegal aliens from America and wages will jump.
"where people who work hard and play by the rules can aspire to be middle class."
Why would anyone aspire to be 'middle class'?
And play by who's rules? Liberals?
I think he 'socialism' is showing.
he = his
Indiana Community Impact
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 09, 2006
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Real Estate
As of July 2006, Wal-Mart's presence in Indiana includes:
Supercenters: 66
Discount Stores: 24
Neighborhood Markets: 4
SAM'S CLUBS: 16
Distribution Centers: 6
Average store size (national average)
Supercenter: 185,000 sq. ft. with approx. 142,000 items
Discount Store: 101,000 sq. ft. with approx. items
Neighborhood Market: 41,000 sq. ft. with approx. 29,000 items
SAM'S CLUB: 130,000 sq. ft. with approx. 5,500 items
People
As of July 2006, the total number of Wal-Mart associates in Indiana is 37,197.
The average wage for regular, full-time hourly associates in Indiana is $10.15 per hour (Wal-Mart Discount Stores, Supercenters, and Neighborhood Markets). Additionally, associates are eligible for performance-based bonuses.
In recent years, Wal-Mart has contributed four percent of an associate's eligible pay to their combined Profit Sharing and 401(k) Plan.
Suppliers
In FYE 2006, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc spent for merchandise and services with 1,558 in the state of Indiana. As a result of Wal-Mart's relationship with these suppliers, Wal-Mart supports 93,857 supplier jobs in the state of Indiana.
Supplier figures provided by Dun & Bradstreet.
Taxes and Fees
Wal-Mart collected on behalf of the state of Indiana more than $264.8 million in sales taxes in FYE 2006.
Wal-Mart paid more than $52.2 million in state and local taxes in the state of Indiana in FYE 2006.
Community Involvement
In 2005, Wal-Mart Stores and SAM'S CLUB gave $5,007,310 in cash and in-kind donations to local causes and organizations in the communities they serve in the state of Indiana. Through additional funds raised through stores and Clubs throughout the state, Wal-Mart contributed and raised a grand total of $7,370,954 as a result of its presence in Indiana.
First, I am so tired of hearing "work hard and play by the rules." It is old hat, cliched, and I wish they would just stop using it. Happily, he did not include the almost obligatory "pay taxes". Secondly, note that the most these hard working rule observers are going to be allowed to aspire to is to be "middle class", not upper class or elite, as I'm sure Kuttner sees himself. We'll let you be just so much and no more.
My first job was at a McDonalds (In the 70's) It was/is a low paying job and they work you like a dog. I guess because the Peanut President at the time had a (D) after his name made it okay.
Wal-Mart means lower prices for low income people. That's not a bad idea.
Doesn't he visit Wal-Mart and hear the almost hourly messages this month reminding people its "Diversity Awareness Month." The messsages talk about appreciating other peoples "cultures" and "lifestyles."
They hire libs like Andrew Young and set up an environmental
website. Heck, Lee Scott was on Al Sharpton's radio show last month.
But no matter its really all the Soviet-Cuban-North Korean economics that matter, not the social issues.
Lets create the new Soviet Union here in the United States. Wow.
I heard the results of some poll the other day... TWO THIRDS of Americans (read sheeple) think our economy is lousy.
....Thanks to lying politicians and MSM.
Did Bill Clinton work hard and play by the rules?
Ping to your early Saturday afternoon Wal-Mart bashing, nanny government thread.
http://www.walmartfacts.com/StateByState/
A great link for myth debunking isn't it.
Thanks...guess I shoulda posted the link, shouldn't I?
Combined WalMart/Nanny-state PING !!!!!!!!!!!
What can I say, folks? -- it's SATURDAY!!!!!
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Anyone wanting on/off either of these lists, please let me know on the thread, or in FReepmail.
Not that important. I've pinged Gabz and the gang, they'll be along soon and they're pretty good at myth busting too.
Amazing how many socialists have jobs that don't involve working. newspaper columnist, etc.
Speak of the devil (#17)
LOL!!!!
I was actually shocked when I was in WalMart yesterday - they were actually OUT of 2 of the items I had specifically gone there for..........that's never happened to me before. One I was able to substitute (I wanted wonton wrappers, they only had eggroll wrappers) the other (liquid pectin) I will go back for on Monday.
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