Walmart, Beseiged by Protests, Has Few Friends Left

[Rapunzel]

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/11/08/Walmart-Beseiged-by-Protests-Has-Few-Friends-Left

Walmart, Beseiged by Protests, Has Few Friends Left


by Joel B. Pollak 8 Nov 2013, 7:54 AM PDT

Over fifty union activists were arrested by outside a new Walmart in Chinatown in Los Angeles on Thursday evening during a protest for higher wages against "the unequal distribution of wealth."

Similar protests have been taking place around the nation--almost certainly timed to coincide with the Democratic Party's push for raising the federal minimum wage to $10 per hour, which President Barack Obama endorsed on Thursday.

In the past, conservatives would have lined up to support the large retailer. It brings jobs to poor communities and lower prices to consumers. Democrats have fought bitterly to keep Walmart out of cities, not just out of concern for local competitors but primarily because Walmart does not embrace labor unions. In Washington, D.C., Walmart has canceled plans for several stores because of Democrats' opposition.

Yet Walmart is running out of conservative friends.

That is because it supported Obamacare, perhaps hoping to appease Democrats by backing President Obama's "signature" initiative. It ignored criticism of the law, such as that it would make health insurance more expensive for consumers and force many to lose their plans. After the law was enacted, Walmart began moving employees to part-time, shifting costs to taxpayers.

The unions that are bringing anarchy to Walmart's doors are doing what they always do: waging war against the poor, the unemployed, the consumer, and ultimately their own members.

But Walmart has done what a responsible corporate citizen should not. It has sought to evade political pressure by appeasing the federal Leviathan, regardless of the cost to entrepreneurs, consumers, and taxpayers.

Increasingly, it is on its own.

[EC]

Walmart is a business. Why is anyone surprised that their line in the sand is their bottom line?

[andy58-in-nh]

Progressives will not be assuaged until we are all in line waiting to purchase the same pair of shoes at the same state-run department store.

Apparently they miss the equality and fairness of the "good old days":

[Relic]

Progressives will not be assuaged until we are all in line waiting to purchase the same pair of shoes at the same state-run department store.

Apparently they miss the equality and fairness of the "good old days":

To the socialist, shared misery is not misery at all.

[ABX]

Wal Mart in the oil areas of North Dakota has a starting pay of $17-$25/hour.  I'm sure the unions don't want to hear that the key to higher wages is economic success in the free market.

[truth_seeker]

Wal Mart in the oil areas of North Dakota has a starting pay of $17-$25/hour.  I'm sure the unions don't want to hear that the key to higher wages is economic success in the free market.

That fact confirms that Walmart acts in a manner, wholly consistent with rational economics; e.g. supply and demand for labor.

If ND is anything like oil-shale in Wyoming/Colorado in the early 80s, Alaska in the 70s, most things are costly, hence - also consistent with the higher ay rates.

[raml]

Well they may not have many friends but they sure have the customers in my area. I shop there myself since the price is right on the things I buy. Walmart is always crowded even when I go on Wednesday morning to try and avoid crowds. I doubt they are very worried.

[Rapunzel]

Well they may not have many friends but they sure have the customers in my area. I shop there myself since the price is right on the things I buy. Walmart is always crowded even when I go on Wednesday morning to try and avoid crowds. I doubt they are very worried.

Ours as well... Especially now the snowbirds are back.. Im staying away.

[truth_seeker]

Well they may not have many friends but they sure have the customers in my area. I shop there myself since the price is right on the things I buy. Walmart is always crowded even when I go on Wednesday morning to try and avoid crowds. I doubt they are very worried.

Before Walmart came to my town, I expect many residents would have turned their noses up, and felt they were too good for a discount store, from backwoods Arkansas. Then they just tried store. And they went back.

Our town got one of the first new "Walmart Neighborhood Markets" which is between a grocery supermarket, and neighborhood convenience store.

It is located in an upper middle class area, and it is a really big winner. Parking lot finds cars of all types, from clunker to luxury German hardware.

Everybody likes convenience, quality goods, low prices, etc. for 24 hrs. per day.

[mountaineer]

Walmart is a business. Why is anyone surprised that their line in the sand is their bottom line?

As a WM shareholder, I certainly hope that's their line in the sand!

[Cincinnatus]

Oh, interesting, Mountaineer: As a WM shareholder

Can you get me a discount? Just between you and me, of course. I won't tell the others.

[mountaineer]

Oh, interesting, Mountaineer: As a WM shareholder

Can you get me a discount? Just between you and me, of course. I won't tell the others.

If only! I don't even get a discount on my Sam's Club membership.

[rb224315]

I have no problem if people want to protest, although I can't see myself protesting a business.  Of course, the natural next step (ok, it's already being done) for opponents of WalMart is to try to use the police power of government to force the company to do what they want.  Having said that, I am also aware that companies (especially the large ones) have lobbyists to help them wield the same tool.  Who gets screwed no matter which side wins, the consumer or the taxpayer?  Right, it's both, because they're the same person.

[EC]

I protest stores I do not like by simply not shopping there. No fuss, no bother and none of my hard earned money goes to them.

[Rapunzel]

Its so nice living in a non-union state. 

Oh, and I helped out the Walmart bottom line this afternoon... they have all the baking stuff I stock up on this time of year lining the main aisle.

[Oceander]

It sounds like Walmart may not have been thinking strategically enough; it may be a rational economic actor, but rational thought requires consideration of the long-term - and the effect on your long-term profits - and not just on the short or middle term.  Supporting Obastardcare was short-sighted and a failure to think strategically as well as tactically.

That being said, Wal-mart is a blessing to almost every community it moves into.  When I was in undergrad Walmart opened a 24-hour superstore in the neighboring town.  In addition to the usual benefits it brings, because it was a 24 hour store, people who worked late shifts or overnight shifts suddenly found they could do their shopping, including their grocery shopping, on the way home instead of having to get up and make a special trip to the store during the day (when they would ordinarily be sleeping).