Ted’s 10 commandments, refuted.

November 21, 2005

Ted Kennedy spouts off against Wal-Mart. Anyone who has read my blog knows that Wal-Mart, and its detractors frequently draw my ire. via Kip, Esquire. Your turn, Ted. Let’s examine your “ten commandments.”


Thou shalt pay living wages.

Please provide us with an objective definition of “living wages.” Hold every business entity to this standard. More to follow, below

Thou shalt provide affordable health care.

Define “affordable health care” as something other than a Democratic talking point. Hold every business entity to this standard. Including the mom-and-pop stores that Wal-Mart is accused of forcing out of business.

Thou shalt pay overtime.

Nobody in this country is forced to work unpaid overtime. It is called “voluntary” or “at-will” employment. As far as I’m aware, and I invite you to provide examples (Wal-Mart or otherwise) where Americans are forced into involuntary servitude. If a particular employee feels he is not being compensated enough, let him/her find another employer that will provide appropriate recompense for his/her time and skill-set.

Thou shalt not bust unions.

ummmm. In a free-market society, businesses are free to hire union workers, or non-union workers. I think this is a venue that the government should have no say in. Let those employees who wish to unionize find an employer who is willing to accept their terms and conditions.


Thou shalt pay and promote women and men equally.
Thou shalt not discriminate against people of color.

I’m 100% against discrimination, but again, in a free-market, the employer is the one who ought to, and has every right to discriminate (or not). Discrimination is the antithesis of capitalism. Anyone who actively pursues such a policy will need to pay a premium for its smaller pool of potential workers, which cost increase will be passed on to consumers, and which will eat away its profit margins. Investors and consumers alike despise such practices.


Thou shalt not support sweatshops.

“sweatshops” is another yellow-journalistic devise. The men and women and children who work for wal-mart suppliers overseas are making a decision: that the wages provided there are markedly better than the labor-intensive agrarian pursuits to which they otherwise must turn.

Thou shalt not violate child labor laws.

I am unaware of violations of child labor laws. Again, I invite you to present evidence of such violations, and I’ll respond accordingly.

Thou shalt provide safe working conditions.

Wal-Mart stores seem to be pretty safe, by all accounts. I’ve never been appalled at the working conditions in Wal-marts that I’ve patronized. Air-conditioning in the summer, heat in the winter. They appear clean and safe to any reasonably prudent person. Please, again provide specifics.

Thou shalt not dump toxic waste.

ummmmmmm… This one is way over my head.

Kennedy also mentions that the only reason Wal-Mart supported a minimum wage increase is so that its poor customers could afford to buy more of its products. Allow me to voice my vehement objection to this line of reasoning. It appears that Wal-Mart wants to increase the minimum wage to raise the barriers on its competitors. Wal-Mart already pays its employees on average, significantly more than the federal minimum wage. Again, the mom & pops that the democrats tend to favor so often are the ones that will suffer. I strongly oppose corporations who wish to use the legislation in such a manner to violate the sanctity of the free-market. I believe I have already voiced my displeasure with regards to this situation, but if not, I apologize. In case it’s not apparent, I am opposed to minimum wage legislation.

That’s that. Let me know of any inconsistencies I might hold, or of any evidence you might have to sway my opinion the other way. I’ll be looking forward to it. Until then, I’ll be buying my Axe deodorant spray, Colgate toothpaste or halloween costumes at Wal-Mart for about half of what the same product costs me at Rite-Aid or CVS or Wal-greens.


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