Walmart Chairman giving big $$$ to Obama SuperPAC

[ParkieDem]

I know this is coming from a RW rag, but just wanted to see what people's opinions were.

Most of the arguments he makes here are BS (Walmart benefits from a HIGHER minimum wage? Really?!?), it doesn't change the fact that I'm uncomfortable with this billionaire retail hack giving tons of cash to our candidate.

http://washingtonexaminer.com/wal-mart-boss-sam-walton-funding-obama-big-time/article/2511391#.UIXQ52fDuuA

[dorkzilla]

1. I don't buy it

He's likely giving the same amount to Rmoney. A lot of them do that. Hedging their bets.

[elleng]

2. Uncomfortable w Obama SuperPAC having $ to spend?

Why would THAT be???

And why wouldn't Walmart benefit if its customers received higher wages???

[tblue]

3. Giving money is fine, what it's buying is what concerns me

The Walmart brass is not dumb. They don't give money to a candidate just cuz they like him.

[bluestateguy]

4. It's an insurance policy

While he probably prefers Ramney, it's a way to maintain access to Obama should he win, and perhaps to "encourage" him not to exert too much effort on the Employee Free Choice Act.

As for the minimum wage, Wal-Mart benefits from a higher wage given how wealthy that company is. If a higher wage makes life more difficult for their less lucrative competitors, then Wal-Mart wins in the long run.

[liberal N proud]

5. Sam Walton died in 1992

The article makes it out like Sam donated money.

Other things in the article just sound like it is meant to be a hit piece.

Wal-Mart endorsed the employer mandate in ObamaCare?

Wal-Mart has lobbied for and profits from higher minimum wage? BS!!!!

This line makes it sound like one of those, right wing statements that they do it to

"So, yes, Mitt Romney is cozy with Big Business and big donors. But don’t pretend Obama is any different."


Here are the current executives of Wal-Mart: http://corporate.walmart.com/our-story/leadership/executive-management

No one even named Walton on the list, there are however 3rd generation Waltons involved.

Sam Walton biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Walton

[Drunken Irishman]

6. I think it's Sam Robson Walton...his son.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._Robson_Walto

[liberal N proud]

10. That could be

But then is it the Chairman of the Board donating or Wal-Mart?

My guess is as Chairman.

Here is a list of donations by Rob Walton:

http://www.opensecrets.org/usearch/index.php?q=Rob+Walton&cx=010677907462955562473%3Anlldkv0jvam&cof=FORID%3A11

[Akoto]

7. Here's what I think, assuming the article is accurate ...

As someone has already said, Walmart's leadership isn't stupid. Evil, maybe. Stupid, no.

1. They see which way the wind is blowing, and like any good opportunist, that's where they're heading.

2. Much of WM's profit comes from the poor and middle class. Romney's policies sound as though they'll do economic harm to the company's primary shoppers. People need money to shop, and even Walmart can only mark prices down so far.

3. A big donation to Obama is a big donation, and we need the money when we're up against a party funded by the RL avatars of Scrooge McDuck and Thurston Howell.

I don't have as much against WM as some people, I admit. I am disabled, and I can get enough to make it through the month with them, so it's not entirely optional for me.

[Drunken Irishman]

8. It's true. Sam Robson Walton, son of Sam Walton, and chairman of the company gave to the SuperPAC

https://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/pacgave2.php?cmte=C00495861&cycle=2012

He gave $300,000...

He also gave directly to Barack Obama in April ($2,500)

[DrToast]

9. Walmart benefits from Obamacare

True they have to offer health care to their competitors, but their competitors have to as well. Given their size, it's easier for Walmart to do so.

[ncgrits]

11. The idiots leaving comments at the link are not sure where to shop now!

Can't shop at Walmart anymore. Or Target. Or Costco. Poor things are freaking out.

Example:
"HollyRae101 • 2 days ago ?
List of companies that support communism (and should be avoided):

- Walmart

- G.E.
- Costco
- Microsoft
- Asylum Records/Dreamworks
- Samsonite
- Warner Music
- Sony
- AARP
..."

[busterbrown]

12. I live a couple miles from the San Fernando Mission in Los Angeles. They have a little gift store

in the back.
Thats a fucking commie joint too!

[ncgrits]

17. I love the local consignment shop. Obvious socialism! nt

That's the other thing. I'd hate for any of those a-holes to shop locally. But that's another fight.

[TroyD]

13. Good

[upaloopa]

14. So what do you think he wants in return

[lunasun]

16. No movement on Employee Free Choice Act

[JackN415]

15. It's common for business to give $ to oboth side and Walmart...

actually likely to do well if the 47% do well.

Have you heard of Walmart shoppers who go to the store midnight the 1st day of the month? when they receive benefit checks. These folks struggle to live paycheck to paycheck

[Springslips]

18. It hasn't been mention....

But the Walton's and the Clinton's are like this: (holding fingers curled on each other.)

One thing we forget here: 90-percent of politics are personal relationships.