Letter: When profits are the end-all, who cares about security?
Letter: When profits are the end-all, who cares about security?
By: W.E. Gutman
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Posted by editor Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
Viewed 679 times
1 response 2 comments Stalinist Nikita Khrushev famously quipped before the U.N. that "capitalists will sell the ropes to hang themselves." It now appears that Wal-Mart is out to prove the late shoe-banging demagogue right.
It may be of interest to those who favor the greedy retail giant's invasion of Tehachapi to learn of a recent report delivered to Congress by the AFL-CIO. Entitled, "Unchecked: How Wal-Mart Uses Its Might to Block Port Security," the report asserts that the world's largest retailer has used its clout in the Retail Industry Leaders Association to scuttle port security measures that might cut into its record profits.
In the last few years, Wal-Mart has vehemently opposed the introduction of anti-terrorist "smart containers" and electronic seals for cargo containers. It has also opposed independent and regular inspections of supply-chain security practices around the world and fought against new container-handling fees that would help improve port security.
Rhetorical as it might seem, my question is: Do Tehachapians really want to patronize a business so obsessed with profits that it wittingly compromises national security by flouting recommended security procedures and, ultimately, by importing undocumented labor from outside Tehachapi to man its store?
— W. E. Gutman
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Wed May 10, 2006 21:46:02 PDT
Bravo! Well said! Walmart/SamsClubs' bottom line is their only concern, to the detriment of our economy. However, they don't deserve all of the blame. The comatose American public who refuse to switch off American Idol/Fox News long enough to educate themselves about what's really happening in our country shoulder a great deal of the blame.
Wed Jun 7, 2006 04:03:27 PDT
Are you telling Tehachapi that the personnel that will be employed at the Tehachapi Walmart will be imported undocumented workers? K-Mart doesn't do that.
