Wal-Mart 'Just Not American Anymore,' Group's Ad Charges

[Omaha Steve]

Source: CNSNEWS.COM

Wal-Mart 'Just Not American Anymore,' Group's Ad Charges
By Randy Hall
CNSNews.com Staff Writer/Editor
June 04, 2007

(CNSNews.com) - A union-backed group is targeting Southerners and conservative Republicans through a new television advertisement accusing the nation's largest retail chain of abandoning American values in favor of its "cozy business relationship with China."

However, Wal-Mart officials -- meeting in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday for the corporation's annual shareholders' meeting -- dismissed the effort as a "publicity stunt" that overlooks the retail giant's status as a global company.

"All Americans care about values more than just value, and Republicans and Southern conservatives are no different," said Paul Blank, campaign director for WakeUpWalMart.com, in a statement announcing the group's "Summer Southern Blitz" campaign to air 30-second ads in 30 markets at a cost of about $1 million.

"The fact that Wal-Mart values its business with China more than American jobs and national security will be especially disturbing to Wal-Mart's core customers who believe companies should reflect their moral values and put America first," he stated.


Read more: http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200706/CUL20070604a.html

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See the video here: http://www.wakeupwalmart.com/video/china.html

[snappyturtle]

1. Don't you remember when Wal-Marts became nationwide that

Wal-Mart BRAGGED about American made products? This is one of the reasons I don't like Wal-Mart.

[Rude Horner]

3. I remember that

That used to be Wal-Mart's big selling point, was that it had American Made products. Boy, did that disappear quick. Good luck trying to find an American made product there anymore.

[snappyturtle]

4. Sam Walton wasn't cold yet and it changed....sorry, that's not a

nice visual but I think it's pretty accurate. We strive to buy American made products however, we find it difficult to do. Is it fascism yet?

[silverojo]

12. Actually, there are a lot of USA-made products there

I know there's a lot of stuff that's imported (EVERY chain has predominantly imported goods), but many of the household goods and Wal-Mart's own line (Great Value) has a lot of US-made stuff. I was forced to shop there for years, until recently, so I know first-hand that a lot of the stuff I bought there was marked "Made in USA".

You'd be hard pressed to find any store that doesn't sell buttloads of imported goods. Wal-Mart only imports more goods because it's the largest chain--but ALL the corporations are guilty of this.

Targeting only Wal-Mart is letting all these other corporations get away with importing too much stuff from overseas. I go to Walgreen's to pick up a refill, and EVERYTHING there is made in China. Really look around when you shop, and see how little at ANY store is made in America.

These chains are ALL un-American. We need strength given back to the unions, stat. That's why we need to get a Dem president elected, and improve on our Dem majority in the Senate. Without Bush and his veto pen, we might just be able to fix up some of what he and his Repuke ilk have f***ed up. :mad:

[donco6]

8. Don't they still have flags all over their trucks?

But not Chinese flags.

And weren't they the biggest distributor of that crappy Chinese dog and cat food that killed pets?

And the - was it salmon? - that was infected with something nasty.

Why would anyone buy anything from WalMart that went into their mouth? God knows what's in it.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I WORKED FOR WAL-MART IN FAYETTEVILLE 70-72

when I was in High School. We'd go to work early on Saturday morning and put up the big MADE IN AMERICA signs around the store and especially around the cash registers. Mr Sam Was proud. I believe Mr Sam would take a paddle to the current board of profitdirectors.

[Art_from_Ark]

14. I'm trying to think where that Wal-Mart might have been

Was it the one at US 62 and the By-pass (which has since been moved a little farther down the road to Farmington, by the way). Or did a Wal-Mart replace the old Gibson's on College Avenue?

[BOSSHOG]

17. It was on 71 South

I believe the intersecting road was 62 East. It was next to an IGA and there was a Mr Quick Hamburger Joint Across the highway. I don't recall what happened to the old Gibsons, that was a fun place to shop and drive out of. The Wal-Mart on the way to Farmington is on the sight of an old Drive In Movie. Aaahhh, the memories.

[THUNDER HANDS]

5. this is a nice idea, but

most people who shop at walmart could care less where the stuff they buy is made, or if it costs American jobs. If they can get it for a nickel less, they'll shop there.

[brentspeak]

6. It doesn't bother them that the made-in-China Walmart stuff is poorly-made garbage?

[THUNDER HANDS]

7. no

all walmart shoppers care about is price.

[silverojo]

13. They also care about their income

When you're on food stamps and welfare--which is poverty-level living--you have no choice but to scrimp and save every penny. There's no such thing as shopping your conscience, until you can afford to do so.

ANOTHER reason we need a Dem president. :)

[Solon]

16. I worked at Wal-Mart, trying to make a living, I sure as hell couldn't afford to shop there...

Most folks that shop at Wal-Mart are Middle class, at best. Most of the stuff in the store, like 90%, is not a dime cheaper than the competition, and Wal-Mart has a bad habit of using predatory pricing to drive competitors out of business, then raising the price again.

I worked at Wal-Mart, I shopped at Goodwill.

[kskiska]

10. These are the same people complaining about illegals

taking "American jobs." They claim they'll gladly pay twice as much for fruits and vegetables if only the Meskins were sent home.

[captain jack]

9. "A Global Company" exactly. meaning NOT AMERICAN.

Just because they are headquartered here does not make them an American company. With a global market they could be headquartered anywhere. If they were an American company, they are not anymore. They've said so themselves, right?. It's time to start investigating this and many other "global companies" on what benefits they are reaping being headquartered in the US. It seems they wanna be American, but they don't wanna be American. They would be better located in some fascist dictatorship... oh wait.
I often thought Woody Guthrie had it right when he spoke of One Big Union. Especially now. In a world of corporation-globalization how do the individuals or even locals stand a chance at having a global say? Should not labor become global as corporations do? Who's watching these monsters? Are we to assume they have our best interests in mind?
Let them fear a country or countries going on strike for horrible working conditions or unfair pay, or simply the inhumane treatment of their people. What do you think would be done in Darfur or Iraq if some world power feared a global strike by the people of the world to their world markets? As it is they have no fear at all. Even with the largests protests in history nothing has swayed the course. Obviously violence is not the answer, though we have never tried connecting globally/economically to make change. We have to fight globally if we wish to be in the game. We the people really need to get our hands on the reins of our tomorrows for the sake of every hard working human being that hopes it's good to be alive.

Just my thoughts.

[Rydz777]

11. Bring our factories home from China; bring our troops home from Iraq. nt

[David__77]

15. I don't like this.

It's fostering xenophobia for the sake of political expendiency. I don't think we need any new Cold Wars. There are plenty of reasons to attack Wal-Mart without this.

[mitchum]

18. It's not fostering xenophobia, but rather possibly taking advantage...

of the xenophobia that ALREADY exists. Something about silver linings and dark clouds...

I have no problem with this campaign