----- Original Message ----- From: "Gautam Mukunda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Killer Bs Discussion" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, May 13, 2004 10:51 AM Subject: RE: Beheading Avenges Prison Abuse
> Indeed, let's praise Wal Mart. In my lifetime (again) > no one has done more than Sam Walton to make sure that > the American poor and middle class can get > inexpensive, high-quality food and clothing. For that > his company has been demonized. Wal Mart has done > more to improve the lot of the American poor than any > government program that I can think of. While I think Sam Walton actually did some very nice work, I think you overstate your case. The inflation adjusted purchasing power of the poor and middle class really boomed during the '60s. There was still widespread malnutrition during the '50s, which mostly ended in the '60s, due to government programs. Before that, SS, the CCC, etc. did a great deal to help the poor in the US. A wise man once said that SS saved capitalism. That has got to be more important than anything Sam did. Indeed, IMHO, Target has often provided better value than Wal-Mart. I've been shopping there for almost 40 years. The prices are slightly higher, but I feel that the better quality of the material is worth it. (e.g. the clothes last enough longer so that the price per wearing is lower). Before it went downhill, doya think its Martha's fault? :-), even K-mart had decent value. So, I cannot see why Sam gets more credit than FDR's programs. I do consider Wal-mart and Sam's vastly superior to the NE department chains that went bankrupt trying to compete. I consider their investment in inventory control very much on target: a real investment in productivity. But, I think that you overstated your case....unless of course you meant "in my lifetime" to apply to "Wal Mart has done more to improve the lot of the American poor than any government program that I can think of." If that's what you meant, and you mean improvements over the last 25 years, then its a closer call. It would depend on whether one calls Bill's fiscal management qualifies as a program...and whether you trust Brad's or JDG's economic judgment more. Dan M. Dan M. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
