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Posted by Philip de Vellis on Friday, May 13, 2005

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COMMENTS

I find it morally irreprehensible that Wal-mart would result to such low tactics to push itself into another community. Using imagery from the Holocaust is appalling. I had no respect whatsoever for Wal-mart to begin with. I also find it ironic that the ad is about freedom of what to read and where to shop, but Wal-mart only sells edited music CD’s and they refused to sell a book called “America” by Jon Stewart

Scott in Oregon
Friday, May 13 at 01:13 PM

this is real hypocracy.

walmart vets magazine covers before it allows them to be displayed in its stores.

it also expects musicians to change the lyrics of their songs if it doesn’t like them.

the biggest risk to freedom of information is organisations like walmart with the power that they wield

john in london
Friday, May 13 at 01:39 PM

Rather than associate with advertising depicting censorship and human rights violations in Nazi-era Germany, why not use imagery from current-day China? Oh, wait...I forgot...that’s where they get most of their products. Nevermind.

MA Curtis in Phoenix, AZ
Friday, May 13 at 02:38 PM

and I have never been to the e setauket, ny store!

janet basile in e setauket,ny
Friday, May 13 at 02:53 PM

And this ad is running so close the the 60th anniversary of the fall of Nazi Germany and opening of the Holocaust museum in Berlin? What are these people THINKING?  They have no shame, no humility.

Marcy Hultquist in Tucker, GA
Friday, May 13 at 02:58 PM

Having been a Wal-Mart Manager, I am not shocked or surprised at what they have done.  Long gone are the days of Sam Walton, and caring about people and communities.

Chet Welch in Owensboro, KY
Friday, May 13 at 03:13 PM

I worked for them 9 years, up until last Nov.  Nothing that they do surprises me, anymore.  I remember a particular incident back when I had a year in, and was still working recieving:  This was the overnight shift, and our dress code was such that we could wear screen-printed t-shirts; as long as they didn’t advertise or were obscene.  One coworker wore a “No Fear” shirt that said, “He who dies with the most toys, still dies.” He got called into the office and repremended for wearing that shirt because “it didn’t encourage ‘buying and spending’.
Wal*Mart doesn’t like, and will supress, anything that doesn’t perpetuate greed, gluttony, and instant gratification.  Those three things mean money in their pockets. 
They enforce political correctness among their hourly associates but this management’s blatent hypocracy.  Wal*Mart doesn’t care about “moral principle’, it only cares about its own interests and profits.

Cynthia Paul in Chloride, AZ
Friday, May 13 at 03:44 PM

I’m not surprised that Wal-Mart is bullying to get what it wants. Right now, Wal-Mart lawyers are trying to put in another SuperWal-Mart in our town. Trouble is, we already have one just 3 miles down the road… This new location is too small for a “super” store, so Wal-Mart is petitioning to fill in an acre+ of wetlands to gain space. Wal-Mart lawyers aren’t giving up! Also, our citizens don’t want the traffic headache that comes with another SuperWal-Mart store. Corporate doesn’t care about us!

P.S. Wal-Mart is driving American businesses into bankruptcy!

Diana in Nashua, NH
Friday, May 13 at 03:44 PM

This is ludicrous… Wal Mart will stoop to any level imaginable to further siphon American money through their sticky corporate fingers.  The use of images that reflect on the Holocaust and book burnings is the lowest form of idiot appeal I have ever seen in corporate advertising.  Just another underhanded tactic from a company that was founded on the concept of helping the American economy but lost sight of its initial mission statement.
Thank you, WalMartWatch, for enabling those of us who have had entirely enough to join voices with many others of the same mindset.  May we find success in our venture to make an honest company of WalMart once more.

LSanford in Birmingham, AL
Friday, May 13 at 03:54 PM

The irony of a corporate giant that censors everything, and crushes the small businesses America’s economy was built on, using Nazi propoganda in their “favor” is overwhelming.

Kim P. in Montgomery, AL
Friday, May 13 at 04:01 PM

Your next ad needs to read something akin to this:

WALMART IS COSTING:
a.  American workers their jobs.
b.  American taxpayers their money.
c.  American small communities their existence.
d.  All of the above.

The answer is “d”, which means the bargain you thought you got, at Wal-Mart WASN’T !

David Jaynes in Ontario, CA
Friday, May 13 at 04:45 PM

It is imperative that these concerns are also voiced to the newspaper which used poor judgment in running this ad.  I submitted a letter to their editor, which follows, and under that, I will cheerfully provide you all with a direct link to submit your own letter to the editor.

To the editor:
I personally have a generally low opinion of Wal-mart and the manner in which it conducts business.  I have read a little bit about this referndum going on in your town, and I think it is wonderful that the citizenry of your fine community are standing up to this retail Goliath.
What I have a problem with is the ad you ran for Wal-mart with the Holocaust images.  Of course I do not put it past Wal-mart to resort to such depths to further their greedy corporate appetites, however I am disappointed that a respectable family newspaper such as yours would actually run this ad, especially so close to the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2.  That aside, the ad is in extremely poor taste and I understand that being a member of the media have an obligation to objectively publish all points of view.  It goes far beyond objectivity however, when you run an ad equating a the most horrific period in world history with a retailer that sells a bunch of junk made in third world countries.  I really hope that your newspaper is not in such poor financial shape that it feels it had to accept money from Wal-mart to run this highly offensive ad.  In closing, I feel it is reasonable for both the advertising director and the editor of your newspaper to run an apology and statement of bad taste in the paper in reference to this ad.
“Wal-mart...always no morals,always!”

http://www.azdailysun.com/opinion/letter_submit.cfm

Scott in Oregon
Friday, May 13 at 04:56 PM

Don’t be surprised at anything Wal-Mart does!  I worked for WM for over 5 years and ended up being a customer service manager.  I was forced to quit because the manager wanted his younger buddies to have my job.  When I wouldn’t accept a lower-paying position, he retaliated against me and then encouraged his buddies to do the same.  There was all sorts of discrimination because of my age and disabilities, and then retaliation.  He made it a hostile working environment for me.

When I was first elevated to a CSM, upper management made all newly promoted individuals (to management positions) attend a meeting about unions that I thought was nothing but propaganda and lies.  I wasn’t looking to start a union in my store, but these people are ridiculous!  They actually said that when an associate says anything about “seniority” to watch out because they (upper management) equates that with the word “union”!  What a bunch of hypocrites!  They’re the ones who have to be watched!

Cyndy S in Jamestown, KY
Friday, May 13 at 05:02 PM

I also contacted a gentleman at the Anti-Defamation League in Arizona.  This is an organization that fights hatred toward Jewish people, to put it in a nutshell.  He was very gracious and happy to talk to me, and of course was very aware of the ad.  It is my understanding that all parties involved are deeply sorry. I question WM’s apology of course.  But, let’s all fight the good fight and keep up the awesome work!!

Scott in Oregon
Friday, May 13 at 05:16 PM

I agree with one writer. Since Mr. Sam passed. The company as a whole has “ Gone to Hell in a HandBasket “
I worked there when Mr. Sam was living. None of the garbage that is going on now would ever gotten past his desk.
Mr. Scott says the company is making adjustments to the shortfall. Yeah, Right. It is being done on our backs. Full-time associates hours are varying. Some might get their 40 hrs. Others like myself lucky if I can get 21 per week. Then when I do work I’m covering five to six depts. Do customer service, keep the depts.zoned, or straighten up, and answer phone calls from customers.
You might why don’t I leave? I’m at retirement age, but can’t afford to retire.
I transfered to this facility from #0829 in Santa Fe, NM. Forced to take a hugh pay cut. You should hear the reason for the pay cut. You’d laugh out loud. The move was a necessary one. Other wise I would have stayed in NM.
I was treated with the respect anyone should receive.
At the rate things are going Walmart will be in the same postion as Woolco. K-Mart. among a few. Any one as old as myself will remember how those companys started.
I’ll expect to be terminated when Bentonville learns I posted this message. You know what? I really don’t care. I do care for the others trying to make ends meet any way they can.

Phyllis Hoover in #1036 - Forest City, NC
Friday, May 13 at 05:21 PM

And by the way any of you posting, should be a fly on the wall at store meetings. If your not very bright you’d fall face first at the Propaganda we hear. Notice the word comes from the latin (pagan) spreading the word.

Phyllis Hoover in #1036 - Forest City, NC
Friday, May 13 at 05:31 PM

Might as well pile on. It’s fun anyway. I can’t imagine that
whoever had this idea actually has anything more in mind
than the company’s bottom line. He or she or they have
chucked all objectivity a long time ago. Someone forgot of
course all the censoring they’ve been doing. Really this
Scott has a lot of nerve. All his whining about people going
after them. Like they don’t purposely set out to destroy local
businesses. Like they deliberately haven’t played their
part in the loss of all kinds of manufacturing in this country.
That I guess is okay.

larry in elmira, ny
Friday, May 13 at 05:32 PM

I just quit working at WM last Saturday, Phyllis.  I reached my breaking point with all the BS I could take.  Even before I took a job there, I was aware of the reputation, but I couldn’t believe it.  The stress I experienced from working there was unbearable.  I would come home shaking, and my face beet red.  Even though we have children and bills to take care of like everyone else, my wife pretty much begged me to quit.  She could not stand to see me like that over $8/hour.  We are fortunate that my wife has a decent income to tide us over until I get another job, which I am sure will not be too long.  However, my heart pours out to those who are in less fortunate situations who work there, as they may not have anyone to fall back on or any other resources, and have to go to that hellhole every day to put Top Ramen on the table.  The best way to break a company like Wal-mart down is to fight it and attack it little by little, and enjoy the small victories but keep fighting.  This Goliath isn’t going down with one punch.

Scott in Oregon
Friday, May 13 at 05:33 PM

“WAL-MART AD USES NAZI IMAGERY”

That title is misleading in two ways:

1. It’s not a Wal-Mart advertisement.
2. “Nazi era imagery” is very much different from “Nazi Imagery”.

Also, it’s quite odd that you summarized what the ad says while not providing a readable version of the original scan.

Last time I checked we can all read for ourselves.

“The group running the ads has received $280,000 from Wal-Mart according to an article in the Arizona Daily Sun.”

Where is this article - the above link only goes to the Arizona Daily Sun main page.

“WakeupWalmart has launched an online petition demanding Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott denounce the ad.”

Wal-Mart never condoned the advertisement.

If you look left of the text you highlighted for emphasis - it lists the group who actually paid for the ad.

But you didn’t want anyone to know that, now did you?

Dave in
Saturday, May 14 at 12:29 AM

Uh Dave, having seen a readable scan on another web site, the small print on the bottom says “Major funding by Wal-mart, Bentonville,AR”.  So, yes, the special interst group paid for the ad, but the money for it came from Wal-mart.  Even if there were no statement as to the source of the funding, would you really be naive enough to think that much money came from somewhere else?

Scott in Oregon
Saturday, May 14 at 12:47 AM

Why do the people in this country continue to support a company who has, almost single-handedly, made Communist China a dominate force in the world?  How many of the jobs from this country been sent off shore because WM demands it?

Keep up the good work!  The shopping public needs to know how much this company has caused the decline of the middle class ... how much they have cost us in terms of jobs.

As a union working household, we have never shopped in a WM and never will.

Lynne in Toledo in Toledo, OH
Saturday, May 14 at 08:45 AM

New Years Resolution Wal Mart Sucks
by Donald Iarussi

Friday, December 24, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have come to my senses and made the promise not to give another cent to Wal Mart.

Why does Wal-Mart try and act so damn happy when you know that half the workers are crabby and unhappy ?

This store truly sux

Hey remember the view out by the road
ya know, over there where the Wal mart truck is dropping its load

From its Ugly blue trucks to its rude employee drone clucks. Wal Mart is in the neighborhood.

What happen to Ted and Tom, Tim and Louise? Why the stores are gone, hit by the Wal Mart Squeeze.

Old Wal Mart is here mom and pop could not compete. The happy little shopppers left historical Main street.

Oh they are knocking down prices and wages too. When I look at those colors, so appropriately blue, its how one feels with any sense of pride.

Wal mart is here, American Made goods and worker pride has died. Hey Wal Mart lady where can I find a smile.

Not in the blue store ,
not in this aisle
they rolled back prices
and customers ervice too

they will treat you like a number
buy up those foreign goods
hey your field was pretty
but thats not good
put a big blue building there
regentrify the neighborhood

yes the retail trailer park store
is growing in leaps and bounds
cmon in, you can get abused
ya wont find any service here

Got a complaint about Wal Mart
Tell it too the Big Blue Wall
No friendly service there
We are at Wal Mart shopping

so lets be clear
when it come to Wal Mart
no personality there

the terrorists of retail
is going strong,
millions of shopping
drones can’t be wrong

they sell red, white and blues flags
made way overseas
bad service, foreign goods
destroy the environment too
while selling cigarettes and liquor
thats retail blue

trade deficits up the wazoo in the USA
get your discount foreign goods
its the Wal Mart way

But as of today
Im gonna stray
with my freedom of speech i have one more word to say

when it comes to shopping at Wal Mart

Just Say

“NAY”

Don Iarussi MFA in USA
Saturday, May 14 at 09:52 AM

“Even if there were no statement as to the source of the funding, would you really be naive enough to think that much money came from somewhere else?”

You’re saying the ad above cost $280,000?

Sorry - I don’t think so.

Dave in
Saturday, May 14 at 12:02 PM

No, I am not saying the ad cost $280,000.  This group probably has advertised in other mediums, such as mailings,TV /radio ads, etc.  Then of course you have environmental impact studies, traffic impact studies, etc.  Add these costs up and you can burn through $280,000 pretty fast.

Scott in Oregon
Saturday, May 14 at 01:28 PM

way to go wakeupwalmart.com...you guys did a great job!!

everyone,...that was great grassroots effort!!

joe stavens in
Saturday, May 14 at 03:59 PM

Dave in,

You HAVE to be upper management with Wal-Mart.  I can’t see how you can condone ANYTHING WM has done. 
Wal-Mart “pays’ its employees in Mexico with Wal-Mart “dollars”.  That means everything they buy has to be bought at Wal-Mart.  What about their other bills.

I will not step foot in that store.  Everytime I drive by the store near my house, I cringe when I see cars in the parking lot.

Conni in ca
Sunday, May 15 at 01:11 AM

Uh Lynn in Toledo,

Please wake-up and become better informed on what China is doing to ALL manufactuing jobs in the USA.  It isn’t only items you buy at Wal-Mart.  Please read the article “The China Price” reported by Business Week in their December 6, 2004 magazine.  To give you a sample this is how the article leads off.

The China price.  They are the three scariest words in U.S. industry. Cut your price at least 30% or lose your customers. Nearly every manufacturer is vulnerable—from furniture to networking gear. The result: A massive shift in economic power is under way.

You are using and buying more goods from China that you realize and you aren’t buying them all from Wal-Mart.  Is your cell phone company buying their networking gear from China? 

Wake up ... this isn’t a Wal-Mart issue it is bigger than that it is about USA industries learning to compete in a global economy.

Tom in Decator, IL
Sunday, May 15 at 11:00 AM

Regarding China, there is a simple fact here: Wal-Mart is the company that funded development/streamlining of the shipment process from China. The containers and the mechanisms were in place already, but Wal-Mart’s huge demand for cheap plastic crap paved the way for that manufacturing/shipping/delivery system to become so “efficient” that “the China price” became the norm.

So, yes, we CAN blame Wal-Mart for this, but we can also work hard on finding goods made in the USA or other non-communist countries, no matter where we shop.

Brandon Weber in Michigan
Sunday, May 15 at 12:22 PM

There are american made alternatives but you need to
look for them and a good place to start is over the internet.
Going to the mall or wherever it’s almost impossible. New
Balance for shoes. There’s a Pointer brand for jeans that I
believe manufactures in Colorado.
One thing that I wonder while we’re busy making China
into an economic powerhouse with what use to be our own
manufacturing--thanks not only to the Wal-Marts but to many
of our own elected represenatives and senators and Presidents is what my kids are going to be doing with their
lives because what we buy today and who we buy it from and
where it comes from may--let’s make that--will have a lot
to do with what kind of future they’re going to have--and not
just my kids--everyone’s.
From generation to generation americans have always strove to give the next generation a better future and almost
always have succeeded in some way. As of right now I don’t
think ours is doing very well.

larry in elmira, ny
Sunday, May 15 at 03:19 PM

Or maybe make it yourself?  Of course then you have to check that the fabric is OK but, whatever happened to doing it yourself?  Yeah maybe you won’t have ten new shirts every week but at least you’ll have the satisfaction of making something useful. 
Maybe if kids were brought up to make their own things, they would have real respect for things and not just have to have all the stuff their little friends have.  But then there’s all the pressure in school to conform.  The joy of peer pressure!  It’s the best friend of corporate America.
Well, I wandered a bit off topic with that.

Jen Sol in Phoenix
Monday, May 16 at 04:04 AM

I hold a union job and asked my wife to go into WM and casually ask one of their workers what kind of insurance benefits they receive.  She did and when she told the worker her husband was union, the WM worker told her to please lower her voice as she did not want management to hear her talking or mentioning anything about union.  WM is ruining this country in the name of greed.

Mark S. Wimmer in Big Lake MN
Monday, May 16 at 08:17 AM

don’t forget sam’s club! check out their sales mark. should read “we’re in business to take your business”.

jimmy johnson in tallahassee fl
Tuesday, May 17 at 11:03 AM

christmas time my daughter & I went to walmart to find my granddaughter one of her christmas gifts she had asked for which was Barbie carring case. My daughter had noticed that the case with Barbie who was white cost more than the black barbie My daughter was mad since my grand daughter is both black & white. She had asked why was the white Barbie more than the black? the poor girl never realized what was going on before she than said she would find out needless to say no one could give this young girl a straight answere or us for that fact. so we left the store. my daughter did call the store once we came home. No one could ever get a answere to our guestion The next day we went back to walmart to see what the price was on the black Barbie carrying case only to find all the Black barbie’s were gone off the shelf completely.That when I realized what walmart is all about.........

judy in franklin n. h.
Wednesday, May 18 at 09:30 PM

I am so glad to have this opportunity to voice off against WM. I have sent an e-mail to my women friends (20) in the small town I live in and asked and pleaded that they don’t do any of their shopping at WM, because, I for one, definately don’t shop there.  I look to the internet, e-bay, other sites to order stuff (and believe me it is bit of a chore to do this because of the shipping and living on an island) but I do it cause I detest WM.  The final straw was when they went ahead with building a super store in Mexico near one of the Mayn ruins - that blew me away.

Stephanie Tatum-Ford in Kamuela, Hawaii
Thursday, May 19 at 03:46 PM

Wally World has stooped to a new low with its campaign tactics & Nazi advertisement. As a PROUD UNION member I will not step foot in a Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has gotten wealthy off of the tax payers by paying proverty wages to its Workers, who in turn qualify for public assistance. ALL of My childern’s class mates, whose parents work at Wal-Mart qualify for FREE school Lunches, Free Health & Dental care all at taxpayer expense. This is the Norm for the greater number of Wal-Mart workers.

This has been Wal-Marts game plan for DECADES. Therfore it is a CRIMINAL SCHEME, which bilks the taxpayer out of billions of dollars a year. Criminal Schemes orchestrated by by Big business become ORGANIZED CRIME, Federal Law- under the RICCO ACT prohibits this type of CRIMINAL Enterprise.
Continuing the CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE, as a corporate officer makes the person A PARTY TO THE CRIME!

Wal-Mart needs to be investigated under FEDERAL LAW, their assets SEIZED as fruits of the on going CRIMINAL ENTERPRISE and returned to the TAX PAYER. especially Welfare, & Public Health Systems.  This should be DEMANDED through our Representatives in the Senate & Congress. Our representatives need to be reminded they are elected to serve THE PEOPLE not big business. Protecting big business, involved in Criminal Acts, could be considered becoming A PARTY TO the CRIMINAL ACT!

The Govenor of Maryland needs to be indicted for being in bed with Wal-Mart, (did he receive campaign contributions from Wal-Mart or a BRIBE) at the very least he should be RECALLED!

The taxpayer needs to WAKE up and realize what Wal-Mart has done to them!  Our Representatives NEED to REPRESENT the PEOPLE or be RECALLED and/or PROSECUTED!

steve connors in Showlow, AZ
Sunday, May 29 at 06:07 PM

I love Walmart...They are a God send to the working poor of this country.  If it was not for them my children would go back to school with next to nothing.  They are always friendly and willing to help in any situation --even a flat tire, not at their car shop--the manager came out and help me.  I truly appreciate all they do for this country and the economy.  Poor people tend to shop there because we can get more for our dollar than any other store.

I have 2 very good friends who work there and they both love it and would not leave for anuthing.  So I think it is all a matter of personalities etc.  Noone will ever have 100% approval rating.

As for me and my family and friends we will always shop walmart!

Mary Smith in AZ
Wednesday, August 17 at 02:05 PM

“they are a God send to the working poor of this country”

I guess that would include all Wal Mart hourly employees across the NATION- the working poor & government subsdized.

I wont shop there! Nor will I sell my sole to SATIN

Steve in Arizona
Tuesday, August 23 at 08:38 PM

Walmart is not the only employer who pays their employee minimum wages.  So I guess you won’t eat at fast food restaurants, shop at many grocery stores or shop at target and other specialty stores.  I understand that Walmart is not perfect, but lets not just demonize them because they are the most successful.  They do help many people.  This is still America and if their employees are not happy they can always go and work at a different place.

People who shop at Walmart are not selling their souls to Satan.

Mary Smith in AZ
Thursday, August 25 at 04:10 PM

Lee Scott is the anti-christ, Wal-Mart vice presidents, district managers, store managers carry out Lees will, they are his demons.  They treat their associates like dogs & vermon. The asssociates stay poor, while they prosper. Is this not Satans way?
To Help Satan-is to Defend Wal-Mart!

Steve in Arizona
Wednesday, September 14 at 10:12 PM

I used to shop at WalMart before I found out how they bully American manufacturing firms to close their plants and move operations to China. I will not shop at Wal Mart anymore. I used to buy ammunition there because I’m an avid target shooter. Now, if I need ammo, I go to gun shows to buy it, because I can get 1,000 round cases of it cheap and it’s NOT made in China. The best way we can beat Wal Mart is to lobby the US government to stop trading with a communist country that won’t be satisfied til the US is totally destroyed economically. If we want to get our manufacturing base back, we need to get rid of some of these taxes and environmental regulations that cause American manufacturers to move overseas in the first place. As far as Lee Scott is concerned, he just reinforces my opinion that most CEOs are either narcissists or sociopaths. All they care about is how they can screw the people that work for them, and how big a profit margin they can achieve by said screwing

Scott in York Haven, PA
Tuesday, November 01 at 09:02 PM

Interesting stuff.  The WalMart ad with the burnin books is surely somewhat ironic - was not the success of Nazism in Germany during the 1930s largely due to their compact with big business?  It’s happening all over the world, governments in league with big business, eroding our personal liberties, insitgating a surveillance society in pursuit of their own interests - to make more and more money, which equates with power.

China is only nominally a ‘communist’ country, (in actual fact, China is a collection of many countries) and is really State Capitalist - which is partly why it is so successful in attracting foreign investment from the Western world - it has a docile, repressed workforce who can undercut wages in the developed western world.  But low-paid though those jobs are in China, it nonetheless represents a huge increase in income for the thousands migrating from rural China to the industrial centres,mimicking what happened in Europe and the US during the 19th Century.  Appeals to patriotism will only work so far, many of the companies producing the stuff that now comes from China have either transferred their production there,or have gone bust due to the competition.  Very often we have little choice but to buy products made in China or some other ‘sweat shop’ economy.  The bottom line is that in order for the same products to be produced in the US or Europe, workers would have to accept equally low wages, and as already workers in retail usually only earn something near the arbitrarily decided ‘minimum wage’ they are already living below the poverty threshold and have to apply for some kind of public relief - that’s a scandal.

There is a need to campaign for change, and it is basically down to the ordinary people to make choices,or at least be aware.  We need to think also about the poor pay and conditions in China, India, Mexico etc, as this will make the companies responsible have to invest more in worker welafare in those countries, thus deleting at least some of the advantages of using low pay countries. 

Big retailers only sell crap if there are people there to buy it.  Some may suggest that we in Britain are fortunate, but WalMart bought our second largest supermarket chain some six years ago, (Asda) they haven’t been able to implement the truly horrible regime that exists in their US stores, (more down to European Union laws than UK laws I suspect).  I don’t shop there, as I don’t think it morally correct to give my custom to a company that treats people so badly, wherever they are in the world.

Golbalised companies, together with complacent or conniving governments are instigating a new form of facism in this world, and one that is ever so more pervasive than the old forms that relied on the hatred of those groups that don’t ‘fit in’.  Indeed, civil strife such as this is to be avoided at all costs, as profits rely on politically stable, (lobotomized?) societies.

If it wasn’t WalMart, it would be another corporation.  We all have a choice, but do we want to put our money where our mouths are?  And even if we do, do we want to seriously reduce our quality of life, as most consumer electronics are now almost solely made in China.

Padi Phillips in Cardiff, Wales, UK
Friday, November 04 at 02:16 PM

On the recent radio “jingle” a statement is made the “70% of the goods sold at Wal-Mart is from China”.  Where did you dream up such trash.  Wal-Mart has a history of going to American manufacturers with an offer for them to supply “X” number of an item if they could & Wal-Mart would not go to a foreign supplier.  Wal-Mart saved a lot of companies throughout the country.  Why don’t you folks ask some of the suppliers how they like doing business with them.
As to your quote “that more that more that 50% of their employees do not have health care”.  Well, did you ever get the facts correct, that over 50% of their employees are part time workers & where does a part-time workers get paid health care?

Art in Tucson, AZ
Friday, November 18 at 08:59 PM

Walmart has gotten too big for everyones good. 

They dictate price to their suppliers.  (No supplier can manufacture a good in the US to sell in Walmart - sorry Art - you may want to check with some suppliers yourself)

They dictate product to the consumer.

They destroy competitors.

And everyone keeps lining up to the golden calf Walton.

Not to fear though.  Eventually it will implode upon itself.  Wal-mart will continue to drive price down accepting poor quality product.  Another retailer will fill the void.

Jonny Zu in chicago
Saturday, November 19 at 04:54 PM

While I agree that Wal-mart is a big corporation, they are not the only supermarket chain that buys from China.  I shop at Wal-mart, Target, Hy-Vee etc. My father used to drive a semi for Wal-mart and when he got cancer they treated him great and let him take as much time off as needed with a guarantee that his job would still be there. Sadly, he passed away and Wal-mart was very good to my family when he died.

Joy in Iowa
Wednesday, November 23 at 04:03 PM

I don’t like WM, I worked at a place called Marcs that ran on the same lines as WM, buy in bulk,sell cheap, and screw their employees over with crap wages, while the owner tried to sell his multi-million dollar house that was falling apart because of a bad foundation to a coach of the Browns without telling him. This is the kind of corporate scum that are around. Now don’t get me wrong, corporations have every right in the world to make money, thats what so good about America, but when they take advantage of it, and screw the employees over they need to be punished.

John in Ohio
Sunday, November 27 at 01:32 PM

Sam is rolling over in his grave, his family should be ashamed. They have disgraced his name and gotten fat and lazy.
Statisticians can make numbers look anyway they want thru data selection.
WM sells the same cheap Chinese made junk that people have been buying for decades. They strongarm US manufacturers to move production to China or risk loosing the biz, most everyone has known this for years.
An actual solution to the problem, which is a huge problem, is to buy American made products. Remember when we went through this before??? Many are too young to remember, but most of us are old enough to understand what it means.
Bottom line fact:Politicians will always lie, look out for themselves, corporate raiders will always steal, cheat and screw for a nickel and corruption is the yellow underbelly our scum oozing corporate society is founded on. 
It’s not about saving the average American money, the average American doesn’t spend enough money at WM to save the “$2300” figure they tout, it’s about satisfying the shareholders and Wall Street, who are the real guilty parties. Scott Lee is not in this alone, he’s the head of the demon above the slime, there are many guilty parties, most of which are playing golf at Pebble beach or some place in Fla this morning that have no connections to reality, only to their financial planners.
In reality, WM would have to give up so very little to gain so very much. There in lies the explicit display of greed and proclamation of entitlement.
History is the great equalizer and only a fool truly believes he can outrun it. Only the truly devoted and clear of mind and soul will be mentioned.

L.W. in Toledo, Oh
Monday, December 05 at 01:10 PM

I decided to do a reserch paper on Walmart Vs Target. I happened to come across this site and am shocked. I can say I was guilty of shopping at the grocery store an Walmart. After reading this I will never go to Walmart again. I am sick to my stomach. I worked at Walmart in Texas 9 years ago. Finding out how the Mexicans are treated breaks my heart. This is an interesting site and I will continue to follow-up. Thank you!!

Jackie in Fargo, N.D.
Tuesday, December 06 at 03:51 PM

My cousin works at a walmart in Iowa City, he gets cheated out of his pay, they don’t just cheat their workers overseas, they cheat them here at home too, they discriminate against woment and over 70% of their stuff is made in China, Mexico and other countries.  My cousin is a 28 year old man trying to make a decent living for his wife and children, but the evil corporate machine that is walmart is cheating him of his hard-earned pay.  His boss makes every effort to dock him of pay, particularly of women workers, he told me.  And to think I was considering applying there.  WALMART IS EVIL!  Video games are cheaper at Target anyway!

Austin Sinclair in Iowa
Monday, December 12 at 01:57 AM

I only wish the low life’s would pay my insurance deductible, where I was hit in the head by one of the automatic doors in Myrtle Beach 3 years ago.  They are self lawyered and self insured, and say I have no claim even though it is recorded on the store video camera.  “MALWART” SUCKS.  I believe they could be the “THE BEAST”, mentioned in the bible, seeking who they may devour.  I only hope I can live long enough to see Target, K-Mart and every other discount corporation and the unions, bring them to their knees.

Ralph in West Virginia in
Monday, December 12 at 09:24 AM

P.S. 

I FORGOT TOO MENTION THEY EVEN GAVE ME A CLAIMS NUMBER AND ACTED SO CONCERNED WHEN I FILLED OUT THE CLAIM FORM.  WHAT A BUNCH OF B_ _ _ S_ _ _.

“MAL-WART”

Ralph in West Virginia in
Monday, December 12 at 09:55 AM

i fucking hate wal-mart!!!!!!!!! and every body on this site is gay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ps i love pussy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

milk in london,ky
Monday, January 16 at 07:33 PM

im sorry but my ant and dad were caugt screwing in the parking lot and yeah thay are brother and sister

milk in london,ky
Monday, January 16 at 07:36 PM

How dare Walmart use Nazi imagery for thier ads!  My dad’s two young, teenage, female Polish cousins were tortured by the Nazis. The legs of those young girls were injected with all sorts of germs, bacteria, etc. to “see what would happen to skin & bones.”
Has Walmart NO shame?  This is NOT what Sam Walton would want.
APOLOGIZE and stop the ads. Sincerely I am Polish-American

Carlene (Maciejewski) Laniaer in Mesa, AZ
Friday, January 27 at 07:57 PM

As an ex employee of a Walmart in Kenesaw Georgia I can tell you personally that yeah a lot of the employees are on some kind of federal assistance.  If it was not for my husband having a good income I would probably be one of those people today.  I got wise and got out.  I got hurt there and they had they gump (nerve) to try to give me a verbal warning (in other words a write up) how dare you.  Walmart will fall and it will fall hard.  I remember my grandmother telling me about Walmart when Sam ran the company and how she loved going there because the people treated you good.  Well like Sam my grandmother is gone now and the people no longer treat you good.  The strore managemt is a bunch of crap that yes will all burn in hell.  They say oh yea your doing such a good job at the same time making sure you don’t get an extra penny so it does not take anyting from their bonus.  For those of you supporting Walmart you’re all a bunch of dumb buttholes who don’t have the sense God gave a rabbit.  If you all think Walmart is so good then work there for a Christmas Holiday especially the one in Kennesaw or Morrow you will see the grass is not greener on either side not even with fertizler from the garden shop.  And as for the Kennessaw Store, The management team needs to stopp pointing their fingers at everyone else(your employees) just to save their own collective butts and take a look at your own hands you have 3 (three) of your own fingers pointing back at you.  That should tell you something “maybe your not doing your job”
You are only as good as your best worker and if they see you not doing your best than why should they do their best.
I DON’T REGRET LEAVING THERE I FEEL SORRY FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT STILL WORK FOR SUCH A COMMUNIST SUPPORTING BIG BOX.  AND FOR THOSE YOU THAT SAY TARGET IS THE SAME YOU’RE WRONG TARGET PAYES A LOT HIGHER STARTING OFF THAN WALMART THE AVRAGE STARTING WAGE FOR A CASHIER AT WALMART IS $7.00/HOUR AND A TARGET IS $8.15/HOUR.  YOU DO THE MATH, IF YOU CAN.  NOT ONLY AM I AN EXEMPLOYEE OF WALMART BUT I ALSO WORKED FOR TARGET WHILE IN SCHOOL.  SO YOU DO THE MATH #1 RETAILER OF GOODS SOLD THE THE PUBLIC, WORSE RETAILER FOR COMPENSATION FOR HOURLY EMPLOYEES.  CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW???????

Madge in Kennesaw, ga
Sunday, January 29 at 09:43 AM

RETAIL TERRORISTS INDEED!!! Wal-Mart is like a diesel steam roller coming down the hill at you with the throttle on FULL POWER and no brakes! Nobody mentioned how they have actually destroyed the retail structure of ENTIRE small towns: 1)Wal-Mart goes in; 2)customers drive 30-40 miles from small “mom & pop retail” towns in all directions to buy at said W-M; 3) small town retailers are wiped out; 4)WM decides that particular store is not profitable and closes it; 5) the towns are now left with NOTHING, and honorable, local, long-standing traditional businesses are GONE, too, NEVER to re-open. Sad...and CRIMINAL as well. (This HAS happened!). NO conscience...NO morals.

Wally in Columbus, OH
Friday, March 17 at 05:16 PM

The Big Box Problem: big box stores, such as Walfarts, simply suck your local economy dry.  God I miss local merchants who knew what they sold and more importantly typically pumped the cash back into their local economy.

Charlie G. in Newton, NJ
Thursday, April 13 at 11:46 AM

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