Comments on: Wal-Mart: THAT Was Fast, and THIS Is More Like It http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/ The Business End of the Blogosphere Sat, 22 Nov 2008 13:19:07 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: The Boring Made Dull http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-52824 The Boring Made Dull Mon, 27 Nov 2006 02:28:24 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-52824 <strong>Economics and Social Policy XXII...</strong> The Milton Friedman retrospective edition is up. Thanks for your submission.... Economics and Social Policy XXII…

The Milton Friedman retrospective edition is up. Thanks for your submission….

]]> By: TBlumer http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51516 TBlumer Wed, 22 Nov 2006 22:02:54 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51516 Oh, there are reasons to be troubled by Wal-Mart, don't get me wrong. To the extent that they do what a certain hardware chain with orange in its color scheme does, which is force American companies to contract out to China or lose business (even when the imported cost has to be higher with shipping), shame on them. To the extent that they lowball suppliers out of business (the car cos do that too), shame on them. To the extent that corps support charitable causes for advertising purposes, it verges on the defensible. I have always wondered why such expenditures shouldn't require stockholder approval, though, since charitable giving is outside the scope of why they invested. Oh, there are reasons to be troubled by Wal-Mart, don’t get me wrong. To the extent that they do what a certain hardware chain with orange in its color scheme does, which is force American companies to contract out to China or lose business (even when the imported cost has to be higher with shipping), shame on them. To the extent that they lowball suppliers out of business (the car cos do that too), shame on them.

To the extent that corps support charitable causes for advertising purposes, it verges on the defensible. I have always wondered why such expenditures shouldn’t require stockholder approval, though, since charitable giving is outside the scope of why they invested.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51513 Kevin Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:27:57 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51513 The problem that I have with Wal-Mart is their buying power. Wholesalers must give steep discounts to WMT in order to attract its business. The residual effects of these discounts lead to lower profits for the wholesalers. Soros is right about pretending to be socially responsible, though I prefer "auspices" to be a little more user friendly. This is not a new concept. Corporations donate money for charitable causes and foundations for arts not for social utility, but for advertisement. The problem that I have with Wal-Mart is their buying power. Wholesalers must give steep discounts to WMT in order to attract its business. The residual effects of these discounts lead to lower profits for the wholesalers.

Soros is right about pretending to be socially responsible, though I prefer “auspices” to be a little more user friendly. This is not a new concept. Corporations donate money for charitable causes and foundations for arts not for social utility, but for advertisement.

]]> By: TBlumer http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51507 TBlumer Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:06:10 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51507 #4, I don't necessarily disagree with that, but the only reason that's a possibility is that some of the public has been brainwashed about the company's alleged intolerance (if you want to believe the worst, they're equal opportunity "slavedrivers"). The rich elites spout the nonsense, but the people who would benefit not only want the stores, but want to work at the stores. The solution for some is to do what George Soros recommends, which is to pretend to be socially responsible: http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/09/comment-not-required/ If Wal-Mart is also deciding to stop playing Soros's recommended game of charades, well good for them. #4, I don’t necessarily disagree with that, but the only reason that’s a possibility is that some of the public has been brainwashed about the company’s alleged intolerance (if you want to believe the worst, they’re equal opportunity “slavedrivers”). The rich elites spout the nonsense, but the people who would benefit not only want the stores, but want to work at the stores.

The solution for some is to do what George Soros recommends, which is to pretend to be socially responsible:

http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/09/comment-not-required/

If Wal-Mart is also deciding to stop playing Soros’s recommended game of charades, well good for them.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51500 Kevin Wed, 22 Nov 2006 20:15:08 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51500 It <i>could</i> be very beneficial to the bottom line if they participate in such activities under the auspices of social responsibility. If Wal-Mart has a reputation of intolerance, that creates a barrier of entry into the urban markets. So while they participate in socially responsible causes, they do it to maximize shareholder value. It could be very beneficial to the bottom line if they participate in such activities under the auspices of social responsibility. If Wal-Mart has a reputation of intolerance, that creates a barrier of entry into the urban markets. So while they participate in socially responsible causes, they do it to maximize shareholder value.

]]> By: Excelsior http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51473 Excelsior Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:48:30 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51473 Family values (anti-abortion, pro-traditional family, anti-same-sex "marriage," etc.) are some of the key reasons why I remain stalwart in my support of the GOP. Don Wildmon and AFA may not always have it exactly right, but they are right way more than they goof. More power to them! I'm so sick of the PC BS that's so prevalent in our society and political culture I could throw up on some libs shoes! Family values (anti-abortion, pro-traditional family, anti-same-sex “marriage,” etc.) are some of the key reasons why I remain stalwart in my support of the GOP. Don Wildmon and AFA may not always have it exactly right, but they are right way more than they goof. More power to them! I’m so sick of the PC BS that’s so prevalent in our society and political culture I could throw up on some libs shoes!

]]> By: TBlumer http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51470 TBlumer Wed, 22 Nov 2006 18:18:57 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51470 #1, if it were a kowtow, WM would have taken the meter past pointedly neutral, but did not. I think the co. just came to its senses. I suspect some are disappointed that WM did not repudiate the so-called gay agenda, but that is not any concern of the company either. The point is that WM should have stayed neutral all along. The company does not have time, money, or management energy to waste on PC causes, right or left. #1, if it were a kowtow, WM would have taken the meter past pointedly neutral, but did not. I think the co. just came to its senses.

I suspect some are disappointed that WM did not repudiate the so-called gay agenda, but that is not any concern of the company either.

The point is that WM should have stayed neutral all along. The company does not have time, money, or management energy to waste on PC causes, right or left.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51465 Kevin Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:51:44 +0000 http://www.bizzyblog.com/2006/11/22/wal-mart-that-was-fast-and-this-is-more-like-it/#comment-51465 Family groups such as Wildmon's are the prime reason that I could never share the Republican Party's big tent. There isn't enough room for my sense of respect for individual rights and their BS. Wal-Mart is salivating over the prospect of expanding into urban markets, and this sort of kowtowing to the religious right won't be much of a help. While social responsibility should never be an end for a corporation, it can be a very effective means. Family groups such as Wildmon’s are the prime reason that I could never share the Republican Party’s big tent. There isn’t enough room for my sense of respect for individual rights and their BS.

Wal-Mart is salivating over the prospect of expanding into urban markets, and this sort of kowtowing to the religious right won’t be much of a help. While social responsibility should never be an end for a corporation, it can be a very effective means.

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