Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Morals

I recently rented "the Wal-Mart movie" I blogged about a few months ago. Anyone who knows me knows that I do not like Wal-Mart. After seeing this movie I was appalled to see to what extent they will go to monopolize the market, intimidate their employees and rape the economy. It is a definite must-see. If you can't find it at your local video store (I rented it from Hollywood Video), buy a used copy on Half.com for under $10. I'll also be placing a button on the page for anyone who may be interested in purchasing it at a later date. You won't 'get' it until you've actually seen it.

The movie was an eye-opener on a lot of levels. For instance, I had no idea that Wal-Mart was International. I didn't know about the sweatshops in Honduras, China and other countries. I didn't know that Wal-Mart (AKA "ASDA in England) is intent on destroying the historic Queens Market, one of the few surviving East End markets at Upton Park in East London, in order to built a Super Center there.

In addition, here's some more highlights that I found utterly disgusting:

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• Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott giving an interview, talking about how he allegedly "saved money" by sharing a room with CFO Tom Schoewe while in New York on business (saving an estimated "$200") and how his dinner last night cost "$10."
- Then finding out that he made $27,207,799 last year, while the average Wal-Mart hourly sales employee earns $13,861.

• The Walton Family has given Less than 1% of their wealth to charity.
-Bill Gates has given 58%

• A Wal-Mart worker may donate money from their paycheck to the Critical Need Fund, a program to aid other employees in times of crisis, like a fire or tornado.
-In 2004 Wal-Mart Employees gave over 5 million to help fellow workers.
-The Walton Family gave $6000

• The Walton Family made 3.2 million in political contributions in 2004

• The Walton Family received a federal tax cut of: $91,500.00 per hour in the 2004 tax year

• After the 9/11 attacks, the Walton Family had a bunker built, complete with fortified fencing, a heliport and satellite uplinks.

• Cost of Wal-Mart jet fleet: $125,350,000

• America's richest family. All 5 of the heirs are worth at least 18 billion each.

These crimes occurred in Wal-Mart parking lots all over the United States within the first 7 months of 2005:

• Murder (2)
• Abduction* (2)
• Rape (3)
• Robbery (5)
• Shooting (3)
• Assault with a deadly weapon
• Purse snatching* (12)
• Kidnapping and rape
• Armed robbery* (6)
• Stabbing (2)
• Knifepoint robbery
• Assault with knife
• Assault (7)
• Mugging* (3)
• Theft
• Molestation
• Robbing and kidnapping
• Attempted carjacking (2)
• Drive by shooting
• Attacked in car
• Attempted robbery (2)
• Armed robbery and shooting*
• Carjacking (2)
• Groping
• Sexual assault
• Kidnapping*
• Multiple purse snatching
• Indecent exposure
• Robberies and kidnappings*
• Attempted murder
• Aggravated robbery
• Threatened with gun
• Body dumped

*Numbers in parenthesis constitute how many times this type of incident occurred. Items with asterisks indicate incidents that took place in Texas.

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I hope I live to see the day that these Nazis crash and burn.