The Traveler

Issue date: 10/13/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Larry Ash Walmart employees have been pushed to vote against the Democratic Party in the presidential election, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Ever since the first store opened in Bentonville in 1962, Walmart has become a dominant factor of the daily lives of millions of Americans. Its monumental size only can be matched by the grand inventory of its more than 4,000 facilities that operate every day in the U.S.

There is no doubt that Walmart is not only big, but also an important gear in the U.S. economy. However, this grand scale has people questioning the motives of Walmart, as it is at the forefront of America as the country moves into another presidential election.

Some are asking whether Walmart executives are getting their hands into politics for their own benefits - Ann Zimmerman and Kris Maher of The Wall Street Journal reported that Walmart is pushing employees to vote against the Democratic Party in November.

"The Walmart human-resources managers who run the meetings don't specifically tell attendees how to vote in November's election," according to the article, "but make it clear that voting for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama would be tantamount to inviting unions in, according to Walmart employees who attended gatherings in Maryland, Missouri and other states."

Stacie Temple, senior director for strategy and communication of Walmart Watch, a Web site devoted to reporting about Walmart's political dealings, said in an interview that "the prospect that Walmart would possibly be taking such actions is highly deplorable."

Others are concerned about "Walmart Moms," which some say are key players in this year's election.

"'Walmart Moms,' or 'Walmart Women,' are the new 'it' demographic this election cycle," said David Nassar in the Huffington Post.

"These 'Walmart Moms' are going against the political views they were expected to have, and because of this, many are angry at Walmart for trying to fit them into a political peg," Temple said.

Around the UA campus, some students said that even if Walmart is conducting such actions, it does not matter which candidate it is supporting, because both parties are taking in so much money from corporations.

"Both parties are guilty of this, and it doesn't make Walmart any different," said Jacob Holloway, president of Campus Greens.

Around campus, many students are unanimous that Walmart executives are trying to get involved in presidential elections. Out of more than 20 students asked about Walmart during the presidential election, not one said he or she felt like Walmart wasn't trying to do something about the upcoming election.

"It's hard to vote for any candidate at this time," said Erik Northfell, a sophomore art major. "They are all endorsed by corporations that you almost have to vote for the lesser of two evils."

Whether Walmart executives actually are endorsing a candidate, the results will come down to November of this year, when UA students and others flood the polls.

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