Cross-posted at the Writing on the Wal.
I think I have been remiss in not mentioning that Wal-Mart recently announced that it will stop selling guns in about 1000 of its U.S. stores. Even though I'm sure this has to do with their overall plan for appearing more upscale, I still say kudos to Wal-Mart for making many of us a little bit safer.
However, as you might imagine, there are people on the right who are less than happy about this decision. E. David Quammen of GunShowOnThe Net is one of them, but rather than quote the part of his post dealing with guns, I want to offer you a taste of what else he has to say about Wal-Mart:
Am a firm believer in business and making an honest dollar. Think it is good if an individual or company is successful in their efforts. And this is well within the intentions of the Founders of our country. This is all predicated of course, on the notion that the individual or company is doing it ethically and rightfully. And far more so, if they use the Principles of Freedom and Liberty in their pursuit of profitable Free Enterprise.
It is my belief, that Wal-Mart exhibits no sound morals in it's pursuit of the almighty dollar. Which is exceedingly despicable when considered in the light that they started in the heartland of America. They have little to no regard that slave labor is used to make the majority of the products they sell.
[Emphasis in original throughout]
In fact, Quammen goes further than I would:
Right now we need to concentrate on getting this perverse behemoth shut down. Wal-Mart does little to no good for our economy. In fact the trade deficit with China, as a direct result of Wal-Mart's Avarice. Has placed our country in a very precarious position. Now, to be fair, (if that is indeed the proper word to use), Wal-Mart isn't the only unprincipled business doing huge amounts of trade with the communists. No, unfortunately, there are quite a few more that have left off using true American principles in their practices.
This is yet another reason why Wal-Mart is toast. Everything they do now attracts attention and they always manage to enfuriate somebody (with the possible exception of well-paid libertarians in business-funded think tanks who have decided for some reason that Wal-Mart is the epitome of free enterprise, but in reality wouldn't be caught dead there).
And they say only liberals hate Wal-Mart...
JR