On Mon, Aug 30, 2010 at 04:10:22PM -0600, joe@actionline.com wrote:
> 
> > I would say Wal-mart is a great example of true greed.
> 
> Keith, I'm really sorry that you seem to have such a hateful attitude
> toward Walmart. I don't want to pick a fight with you my good friend,
> but I do feel it's important to clarify a couple things.
> 
> You asserted:
> > They require tax cuts to build in your area
> > and they pay the lowest of low wages.
> 
> Neither Walmart nor any other business can "require" or coerce any
> government, city, state, or federal to provide "tax cuts."

If you don't think that dangling tax revenue under the noses of a
slavering city council or county board of directors constitutes coercion
you're living in another world.

> 
> It is common practice and not in the least bit unethical for any
> business or any other entity that brings jobs and economic activity to an
> area to seek incentives to move in to that area. No government is
> "required" to capitulate to providing such incentives.

Except when the business entity in question is a *large* contributor to
the right election campaigns.

> 
> There is nothing wrong with any business offering whatever wage rates that
> they may choose to offer.  Walmart can not offer lower wages than the
> minimum wage and nobody is required to accept or stay in any job that
> Walmart or any other employer may offer.

Except when the individual has been laid off from a middle management
position, is 50 yrs old, and Walmart is the only job available...and
don't tell me he/she should relocate to where the jobs are.

> 
> > They tell their employees to get government subsistence as part
> > of their model.
> 
> I seriously question that Walmart "tells" their employees any such thing;
> however, the point is that Walmart (and every employer) has every right to
> decide whatever wage rates they want to offer, and nobody is "required" to
> accept any job that employer may offer.

See my comment above.

> 
> > Basically we subsidize their business model by supporting their
> > employees with section-8 housing, food stamps, and state funded
> > health care.
> 
> That is not Walmart's fault.  It is unrealistic to blame Walmart for what
> the anti-American socialists among our elected representatives have
> contrived. Walmart did not do that, did not advocate that, and is not
> responsible for that.

           ......snip.....

They certainly are by virtue of not offering pay sufficient to keep
employees off the dole.  

One thing I notice about staunch advocates of free market capitalism and
personal responsibility is that they almost always speak from a position
of relative comfort and privilege. Makes no difference how they got
their, that's the position they're speaking from...and they call
liberals elitists.

-- 
Bob Holtzman
Key ID: 8D549279
"If you think you're getting free lunch,
 check the price of the beer"