Wal Mart the High Price of Low Prices

[Lynn Farris]

http://www.walmartmovie.com/

Are any of you planning to attend a screening? It looks like a few places in Lakewood are planning to host a screening.

The previews seem interesting.

[Joseph Milan]

Sorry, I'll be too busy reading "Do as I say, not as I do: profiles of liberal hypocrisy"
The book exposes the "contradictions between the public stances and real-life behavior of prominent liberals including Michael Moore, Ted Kennedy, Al Franken, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Ralph Nader". Including the companies they hold stock in as they bash them, Representatives whose spouses run non-union shops, how Nader fired his editor for trying to unionize, how Barbara Streisand does all her film work in Canada to avoid union wages.... the list goes on and on.

Joe

[Vince Frantz]

Sorry, I'll be too busy reading "Do as I say, not as I do: profiles of liberal hypocrisy"
The book exposes the "contradictions between the public stances and real-life behavior of prominent liberals including Michael Moore, Ted Kennedy, Al Franken, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi and Ralph Nader". Including the companies they hold stock in as they bash them, Representatives whose spouses run non-union shops, how Nader fired his editor for trying to unionize, how Barbara Streisand does all her film work in Canada to avoid union wages.... the list goes on and on.

Is this a Walmart topic or book review topic? You think Walmart is just a liberal rallying point? Walmart answers to no one.

Both conservatives and liberals (from whatever party) don't hold a candle to the double edged sword of the Low Price Hegemony. Walmart is bad for labor, bad for business - bad for communites.

WM plays just the right cards to keep the middle class at ease while it slips the rug out from under them. It has raped the corners of our country of their identities and put entire towns onto part-time status and full-time dependance. It has used bait and switch tactics on a highway-exit scale. But conservatives cite the censorship. Liberals cite the jobs created (and all the donations). A little cash to the left and some hi-fives to the right and you get a free ride!

Walmart has full support of both parties and the door is wide open for the first TRILLION dollar company. By then, the US will be a wholly owned subsidy of China, Inc. and Walmart will be a founding partner.

We finally have a topic that Pat Buchanan and Micheal Moore can agree on.

I haven't set foot in a Walmart in over a year, but I remember that dirty feeling and can't imagine how people stomach that place.

Joseph, Walmart would love to keep you focused on the hypocrisy of the liberal left just like they would love Pat Robertson to keep complaining about the latest "assault on our culture". Take a break from the political tabloids and read up on the topic so you can make your own decision about this movie.

Fast Company: The Walmart You Don't Know

Inc Magazine: When Walmart Comes to Town

EIR: Walmart Eats US Manufacturers

News.com: Amazon alleges Wal-Mart intimidation

[Lynn Farris]

http://www.apfn.net/Messageboard/11-07-03/discussion.cgi.58.html

Illegally in the U.S., and Never a Day Off at Wal-Mart
By STEVEN GREENHOUSE

This was an article that my son had as required reading for Sociology on the problems of immigration. It was the first time that really thought about the way Walmart did business. While Walmart is not alone in their practice, it does make it difficult for companies that follow the law to compete. I'm not sure that is what we want.

I agree with Vince, it seems pretty powerful whether you are a liberal or a conservative.

"But the system also had its costs â€â€￾ janitors said they were forced to work seven days a week, were not paid overtime and often endured harsh conditions. Foreigners got jobs that Americans might have wanted. And taxpayers sometimes ended up paying for the illegal workers' emergency health care or their children's education in American schools."

""When you don't pay taxes, don't pay Social Security and don't pay workers' comp, you have a 40 percent cost advantage," said Lilia Garcia, executive director of the Maintenance Cooperation Trust Fund, a group financed by California cleaning contractors to police fly-by-night competitors. "It makes it hard for companies that follow the rules."

[Vince Frantz]

Police: Wal-Mart site raided
About 125 arrested on immigration violations at Pennsylvania construction location.

Did Walmart hire these immigrants? No. They were subcontractors. This is how Walmart succeeds at bringing low prices. Shifting the costs back down the chain through sheer brute strength. In a low bid contract, with no provision for prevailing wage, even construction jobs can be outsourced to foreign labor.

Walmart is bad for business. It is bad for honest business. Sure the contracts demand that the general and subcontractors "abide by all local and federal laws" but it's own high demand for construction and low standards have created a market for not only non-Union workers but but non-U.S.!

Yesterday conservative movie reviewer Michael Medved interviewed Bob Greenwald on his show and my wife and I listened as Medved continually claimed that Walmart prices have brought a better life to the poor. If anyone has heard Medved, you know he is an arrogant and unintelligent interviewer that routinely gets his facts wrong but tries to gloss over them. Bob Greenwald was calm and just let Medved go. It was comical.

[Amanda Schoen]

I saw this movie last week at my university, American University in DC. It was very eye opening to see the extent Wal-Mart seems to have control over the commerce of our nation. Not only does it take away from local competition, but it is a major human rights abuser in countries such as China.

It makes me glad to know Lakewood doesn't have a Wal-Mart. It takes away from the uniqueness and character of our city. Lakewood is known for its storefront shops and local businesses and a Wal-Mart would put an effective end to what makes Lakewood unique in Northeast OH.