Why do Lefties Hate Wal-Mart?

...most people and even Wal-Mart's critics are missing the real crisis, which is that the behemoth from Bentonville, Ark., with its nationally destabilizing business model, is a dangerous detriment to America's local and national economies and to the middle class.

Nationally destablilizing? Dangerous detriment to economies? You got my interest!

EMPTY DOWNTOWNS. This happens in three different but related ways. First, there's the clobbering of Main Street: Wal-Mart moves in on the edges of towns, and the much smaller downtown merchants, unable to match its prices, soon go under. Second, there's the miserable wage and benefits package offered by Sam Walton's creation. And third, there's Wal-Mart's purchasing strategy, which seems to be about buying American-made products only as a last resort -- to the point that today Wal-Mart, by itself, is China's eighth-largest trading partner!

My, how the liberals hate a successful business! Maybe, just maybe, the small downtown merchants are being stubborn by trying to sell stuff that most people can just go buy at Wal-Mart, when maybe they should try some innovation. Not everybody likes Wal-Mart, why not try to attract those customers? Maybe it is the Downtown's fault. Why would anybody shop somewhere if they can't find a place to park? Instead of trying to look all 'quaint' you should think about somewhere to park an SUV. Maybe THAT'S why nobody shops downtown.

If Wal-Mart's wage and benefits suck so bad, why do people work there? People line up around the building just to APPLY at Wal-Mart. Should Wal-Mart pay more than the going rate just because you say so? Stop being stupid.

And what exactly do you think will happen if Wal-Mart quits buying goods from China? Do you think that China will take that lightly? The most populous nation in the world loses its eighth-largest trading partner, and there are no repercussions? Why don't you just start lobbing nukes at China now, to head off the inevitable? That will start a war, I guarantee it. And I don't think we want the rest of the world trying to choose sides in that, because I don't think it will end well for America. Maybe that's what the left wants...

UNCOVERED WORKERS. Overall, only 38% of Wal-Mart's nonsupervisory workers receive health-care benefits, according to the United Food & Commercial Workers Union. The company won't disclose how much of its total workforce receives company benefits. It does say 56% of employees in the core U.S. Wal-Mart unit, which excludes operations such as Sam's Club, receive company benefits. Judging by any reasonable standard, it's clear Wal-Mart has left American taxpayers the burden of picking up a huge tab for its uncovered health-care costs.

First of all, that's real cute how you used an anti-Wal-Mart union's info as fact. I'm sure those numbers are reliable. It's also cute how you neglect the fact that quite a few of Wal-Mart's employees are seasoned citizens. Or housewives just looking for stuff to do during the day. Or people already on public assistance, like the mentally and physically challenged. Damn, it doesn't look quite as bad now. Also, you neglect to mention that Wal-Mart often elects to hire unskilled and uneducated workers. These workers come cheaper because nobody else wants to hire them anyway. Except, you know, McDonald's and stuff, but who wants to screw up the dollar menu?

MMMMMM... Double cheeseburger....

Oooops, got sidetracked. Anyhow, it's always funny seeing lefties try to bring down Wal-Mart. Just like Clinton and friends tried to take down Microsoft (and failed miserably), this is the left's new Leviathan. Too bad that sound business trumps dumb idealogy everyday and ten times on Sunday.

Linked to Supper at Basil's Blog