Conservatives Help Wal-Mart, and Vice Versa

[brooklynite]

By MICHAEL BARBARO and STEPHANIE STROM
Published: September 8, 2006

As Wal-Mart Stores struggles to rebut criticism from unions and Democratic leaders, the company has discovered a reliable ally: prominent conservative research groups like the American Enterprise Institute, the Heritage Foundation and the Manhattan Institute.

Top policy analysts at these groups have written newspaper opinion pieces around the country supporting Wal-Mart, defended the company in interviews with reporters and testified on its behalf before government committees in Washington.

But the groups — and their employees — have consistently failed to disclose a tie to the giant discount retailer: financing from the Walton Family Foundation, which is run by the Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton’s three children, who have a controlling stake in the company.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/08/business/08walmart.html?_r=1&ref=business&oref=slogin

[ERF]

1. Aren't Walmarts greatest helpers its customers?

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Interesting!