Though anyone with a brain and the ability to read can see why Wal-Mart is the thorn in everyone’s side. It’s a giant megastore that runs local businesses out of town, expoits the sellers of the products they distribute, underpay and overwork their employees, with little or no time off or benefits….
It is the same as after the first time I ever went to IKEA. Before IKEA, there was either cool furniture that I could never afford, and then there were things I could afford (mostly Wal-Mart, Goodwill). After IKEA, the mecca of all things cheap and cool, whenever I am shopping, one of the first things I think is “I bet I could get that IKEA,” not because its more convenient (it’s not…I live 2 hours away), but because it changed way of thinking when it came to shopping, positively.
Wal-Mart has done the same thing to our culture. We like bread at the grocery store, but it will be cheaper at Wal-Mart. We like the quality of fruit better at Kroger, but at Wal-Mart, it will be cheaper. And if you are in a position, like me, where money is not an expendable thing, you are almost forced to budget the cheaper alternative. And unlike IKEA, which strives to make quality products and design affordable, Wal-Mart is notorious for making crap that falls apart or made of ridiculous materials that are not built to last.
So to say all of that: Wal-Mart now not only wants to contribute to society in the above ways, but now also wants to dictate the next election: Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win. So not only are they refusing to allow their 1.2 million employees* go without Health Insurance, they are telling them how to vote, directly associating unions with Democrats and the upcoming elections.
This is a scary thing. It raises issues because not only does Wal-Mart employee more people than any other company in the US, but they have huge stakes in China, production and export. It also raises questions on management ethics–Should suggesting political choice for employees solely based on an issue that would highly benefit the employee be allowed? Where is it in the scope of good business practices, really? Voting is one of our most sacred (and only) true freedoms in this country. Why should we allow such huge influence dictate our political process?
More Wal-Mart Online: