One Thing Wal-Mart Could Do

Our favorite Edelman PR Wal-Mart blogger and Better Paid Critic Mike Krempasky is in the Wal-Mart-osphere again via "the Bivings Report"

Mike wants to know what he can do to get "The Consumerist" to stop writing about his (Edelman's) companies (clients I presume).

I have one recommendation that he can convey to Wal-Mart, Inc. It won't cost Wal-Mart a single penny except for maybe a bit of time. Here it is:

Start respecting our communities!

You want to build a SuperCenter in a tiny Adirondack Park community? How about discussing your plans openly with the residents of the community rather than working to split the community apart? How about talking with the residents that have reasons to oppose building a Wal-Mart rather than just those that support it. Maybe you can change their minds. Maybe they will convince you to compromise. But no matter what it would at least show some respect for the entire community.

"FACTS" About Wal-Mart

Rick Gonyea (member of CARD of course) announced this morning on TOTT that area residents have the opportunity to hear the "real facts" about Wal-Mart. Where else to get reliable "facts" on Wal-Mart than from Lee Scott, CEO of Wal-Mart. You can tune in on channel 2 on Thursday to hear Lee Scott being interviewed by Charlie Rose.

Or, you can simply go HERE to listen and watch the interview on your computer. Beat the rush so to speak.

Watch the program and count the number of tough questions Mr. Rose asks Lee Scott. Hear the answers Lee Scott gives when asked about Wal-Mart labor violations. Wait....Rose doesn't ask that question.

Much has been made of Lee Scott's statement on the show about how business will solve the US healthcare problems and not government. Today, Lee Scott shows how his business is solving the healthcare crisis by shrinking health-care insurance options for new hires.

As of Jan. 1, the company will offer new hires only two health benefits packages in which the monthly premium can be as low as $11 but the deductible can reach $6,000, according to documents provided to The Washington Post by Wake-Up Wal-Mart, a union-backed group.

If you don't feel like watching the interview to get "facts" about Wal-Mart, just go to walmartfacts.com and you will get the same information.

Big Box Tool Kit

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance is sponsoring a website called bigboxtoolkit.com. The website provides step-by-step information to fight the creeping 'Boxisation' of the USA.