Populism run amok.
Posted on 04/07/2005 5:45:29 AM PDT by TXBSAFH
Wal-Mart Denounces Health Bill Retailer Says Maryland Could Lose Future Jobs
By Michael Barbaro Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, April 7, 2005; Page E01
ROGERS, Ark., April 6 -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. yesterday said approval of a bill that would require it to boost health care spending in Maryland could endanger its plans for growth in the state, including a new distribution center that would employ as many as 1,000.
The company questioned the motivation behind the bill, which is backed by a top competitor and its labor union.
Wal-Mart "will have to rethink its future growth in a state that is willing to pass such a bad business bill," said Nate Hurst, a government relations manager for the company. "This type of legislation, where lawmakers single out one employer, does not create a favorable environment."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Are you sure? Didn't they just close some stores over union contracts? In Canada? Wasn't that Walmart?
They don't seem to blow a lot of smoke when it comes to labor relations.
The former is never going to happen because no one will pay $15.00 for McDonald's hamburger that they can cook at home for $1.00. Ditto for every other small business.
As for the second, if you think healthcare is expensive now, just wait until it's free.
"We" better find another option before we kill the Golden Goose that is the US economy. Or maybe it's already dead ...
Just about the same time Americans started hating other Americans who work for a living.
You're right. And that's exactly what they do. I struggle to find anything conservative about them.
Actually you are DEAD WRONG. It is Buchanan who is really conservative as opposed to freemarketeers and other similar frauds.
Check the exposition of the authentic conservative doctrine at this page:
and tell what is not conservative about it!
I am not "in love" with Wal-Mart, but have no problem with it. I don't particularly care for shopping, so for me it's convenient - it's reasonably close by, I can basically get what I need in one stop, and it sells the same thing at a lower price than any other stores around.
while I have been in a couple of dirty, messy Wal-Marts, the vast majority of my experiences in there have been the opposite - as close to a pleasant experience as one who does not care for shopping can expect.
Get thee to a Seminary!
WalMart is just a place to buy stuff, it's not like it's going to a Church or anything like that.
Exactly.
No one's stopping them up here... ;-)
Populism run amok.
All you folks who think businesses should pay their employees more should understand that this pay raise gets transferred to the customer in the form of higher prices on whatever product/service the business provides.
Hey, here is an idea made for the feel-good idealists. Lets cut out the middleman! We cannot trust the evil business to take care of their employees who are obviously working there because the employer has some nefarious hold on his employees. (/sarcasm) So, as a customer, nothing is stopping you from giving money to any employee you see. Rather than pay higher prices, just give 20% more than your bill to the businesses' employees, like you tip at a restaurant. If you are going to spend a hundred dollars at Walmart, hand out twenty dollars to random employees, give $5 to four workers or $1 to twenty. Might even improve customer service. Do this everywhere! Buy gas? Give a tip! Use the drive through at McDonalds and the bill is $8? Why, give the window attendant a ten dollar bill and tell em to "Keep the change!" You will be a local hero in no time. Might even get your name in the paper! Start a new national trend! Even save America! We could be talking Mount Rushmore here....
(takes a deep breath)
Well, how about it? Going to put YOUR money where YOUR mouth is? Or do you demand the government use a gun on a business to do your bidding? How do you FEEL? I certainly know how I THINK.
The state of Maryland really sucks!! Look no further than Montgomery and P.G. County, and Baltimore.
Right. Thank you for being so honest.
You're a social conservative, but an economic left winger.
Nothing, as long as all that doesn't suck the profit and the profit motive out of the businessman!!!
Oh baby!!! Is THAT ever revealing!!!
I agree with you to some extent.
Walmart can be a good place to purchase some items, especially for those people who live in areas with limited shopping possibilities.
I can only judge Walmart by my experience with them. I live in an area that has no shortage of places to shop, from dollar stores to high end jewelers, designer shops and malls. Because of the wide ranging competition here, I don't see Walmart as a very good shopping experience. The quality of many of their goods is very low and more expensive than the big dollar stores.
Most Walmarts around here do not sell groceries but I have noticed that their beverage and snack foods are priced about the same as many grocery stores. If you are willing to wait for sales, you can usually buy stuff cheaper at supermarkets than in the Walmarts around here. Shoprite, Pathmark, A & P, Kings etc. are always running sales to outdo the competition. There are also lots of Costco and Sam's Club stores for people who like that sort of thing.
In things like electronics, Walmart tends to sell real junk. It's ok to buy a beater TV or stereo there but they don't have much of a selection if you want something a little better. DVD's are usually priced cheaper at Target (except for Walmart's $5 bin which generally consists of the worst movies ever made.
You can buy better clothes almost anywhere, although you are going to have to pay more (unless you hit one of the killer sales at Kohls etc.).
As for customer service, it is hard to find anyone at Walmart who can answer anything but the most basic questions. Sometimes you really want to talk to a knowledgable salesperson before you buy. My experience is that those folks are few and far between at Walmart. I don't even want to get started on the long lines at checkout.
But that's just me...
Ok, I don't disagree that it may be time to revisit the minimum wage.
But, what would you propose it be?
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