As goes Wal-Mart…
January 24th, 2008 10:44 am · 16 comments
…so goes the nation, often. Occasionally a bad thing; this, on the other hand, might actually help move the ball down the field a bit:
In a lofty address that at times resembled a campaign speech, the chief executive of Wal-Mart Stores, H. Lee Scott Jr., said that “we live in a time when people are losing confidence in the ability of government to solve problems.” But Wal-Mart, he said, “does not wait for someone else to solve problems.”
He then laid out sweeping plans for the company on several health and environmental issues, and he hinted that even more ambitious goals might be on the horizon. Mr. Scott said, for instance, that Wal-Mart is talking to leaders of the automobile industry about selling electric or hybrid cars — and might even install windmills in its parking lots so customers could recharge their cars with renewable electricity.
Pretty sad, though, that we’ve come to a point as a nation where government can’t get it done - so retail needs to save the day.
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Tags: Wal-Mart · Environment
There are currently 16 comments on this blog postView Topic | Comment on this bloghahaha
1/24/08
10:29 AM | QUOTE Pretty sad, though, that we’ve come to a point as a nation where government can’t get it done - so retail needs to save the day.
I don't find it sad, I find it awesome!! Why should we sit around and wait for the government to provide or dictate? Let us keep their noses out of it. It will all smell and work better in the long run. |
gsmart
1/24/08
11:18 AM | QUOTE(hahaha @ Jan 24 2008, 11:29 AM) [snapback]351172[/snapback]
I don't find it sad, I find it awesome!! Why should we sit around and wait for the government to provide or dictate? Let us keep their noses out of it. It will all smell and work better in the long run.
If government is so inert and untrustworthy that it becomes incapable of solving or even addressing these issues; if it takes a Wal-Mart to do it, then aren't we inevitably headed toward something like a business oligarchy, where in fact we trust never in government but in business to solve all our problems?
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P. Floyd
1/24/08
11:28 AM | QUOTE(gsmart @ Jan 24 2008, 11:18 AM) [snapback]351199[/snapback]
If government is so inert and untrustworthy that it becomes incapable of solving or even addressing these issues; if it takes a Wal-Mart to do it, then aren't we inevitably headed toward something like a business oligarchy, where in fact we trust never in government but in business to solve all our problems?
it sounds like you are describing the difference between individualism and collectivism. can we collectively solve our problems (i.e. government) or individually (i.e. multiple individuals and businesses).
personally, i'd rather vote daily with my dollars where there can be up to unlimited choices then bi-yearly, quad-year and sex-yearly where they are only two choices.
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Artie See
1/24/08
6:25 PM | QUOTE(gsmart @ Jan 24 2008, 11:18 AM) [snapback]351199[/snapback] If government is so inert and untrustworthy that it becomes incapable of solving or even addressing these issues; if it takes a Wal-Mart to do it, then aren't we inevitably headed toward something like a business oligarchy, where in fact we trust never in government but in business to solve all our problems? Do the words "sub-prime mortgage crisis" ring a bell? This is a EXCELLENT example of what happens when business plays by its own rules. |
Bigmaclender2
1/24/08
7:22 PM | QUOTE(Artie See @ Jan 24 2008, 07:25 PM) [snapback]351366[/snapback] Do the words "sub-prime mortgage crisis" ring a bell? This is a EXCELLENT example of what happens when business plays by its own rules.
You are completely correct. I have been a mortgage broker for over a decade now. I used to lend money to people with excellent credit but didn't even have a job. This is a true no documentation loan. Every mortgage company that I dealt with (over 500 of them) had this type of loan as long as you had a middle credit score of 680 or higher. Also, I did loans for self-employed people that way as well. The mortgage companies knew that these were very RISKY loans. It's also the reason that so many people have had their homes foreclosed upon. So in reality, these "private businesses" have actually caused a lot of the problems. They should have to help clean it up!!!
By the way, as of yesterday, 5.00% was paying me 1.65 points. That's a zero point loan to the consumer at 5..00% fixed. I am banking on our worlds misfortune. When everyone is doing well, I am not. When everyone is down-I am up. I guess it all balances out...........
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hahaha
1/24/08
8:18 PM | QUOTE If government is so inert and untrustworthy that it becomes incapable of solving or even addressing these issues; if it takes a Wal-Mart to do it, then aren't we inevitably headed toward something like a business oligarchy, where in fact we trust never in government but in business to solve all our problems?
Obviously, like everything else in the world, there has to be a balance between the two. The government has certain obligations that will be necessary in the world. Businesses also have a place and a function. The mess we see now, one example as Artie pointed out, is when the two (government and business) get tangled in each others duties and responsibilities. Business via lobbyists is having too much say in Washington and Washington is over regulating and attempting to control business. The Fed lowered rates which made the cost of money too cheap and financial institutions went crazy giving it away in an attempt to make larger profits. Both are at fault. |
usedmeat
1/24/08
11:45 PM | This all goes back to St. Ronnie the Dim's deregulation jihad that brought us such notable failures as Neil Bush's Silverado Savings and Loan that lost way more money than Madison Guarrenty. And those lobbyists having too much sway? They had a bonanza when the republicans came to town back in 1994. Google Jack Abramoff for an insight into republican business ethics.
From 911 to Katrina and on the the subprime meltdown you republicans are batting 1000. 
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hahaha
1/25/08
6:19 AM | How blind some are. Take a look at K Street today to see a bonanza. |
lanzate
1/25/08
6:26 AM | QUOTE Pretty sad, though, that we’ve come to a point as a nation where government can’t get it done - so retail needs to save the day.
Even sadder that retail can't get it done without government cost share and tax rebates.
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hahaha
1/25/08
6:40 AM | Maybe if the government didn't give money to farmers to not grow food, billions on worthless research projects, cash to bail out banks and mortgage companies for poor lending practices and untold sums to our transportation industry, the public would have plenty of cash to keep the retail trade alive and well. |
cyberscribbler
1/25/08
9:41 AM | Maybe the gov't shouldn't cut taxes across the board, instead give tax credit/incentives to targeted economic sectors. When left to their own devices the banks and mortgage companies overheated a sector into a meltdown. |
hahaha
1/25/08
3:12 PM | Maybe the government should cut spending, then they could afford tax breaks. |
cyberscribbler
1/25/08
3:23 PM | QUOTE(hahaha @ Jan 25 2008, 03:12 PM) [snapback]351627[/snapback] ...afford tax breaks. BUT BUT, tax cuts pay for themself.. or so the song and dance goes. 
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hahaha
1/25/08
3:30 PM | Yeah, but you can't have tax cuts AND raise spending. That is just plain stupid. Of course 3/4 of America now thinks that is okay and then people wonder why we have a potential economic mess. Hmmmmmm............ |
cyberscribbler
1/25/08
3:46 PM | QUOTE(hahaha @ Jan 25 2008, 03:30 PM) [snapback]351636[/snapback] Yeah, but you can't have tax cuts AND raise spending. That is just plain stupid.
Most business have to address both sides of their balance sheet. How an economic policy could get away with it for so long IS just plain stupid.
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hahaha
1/25/08
5:22 PM | Bingo. What scares me more is none of the 'leading' candidates seem to have a solution to the problem!! |
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