Shop at Wal-Mart? Not Barack Obama
President Obama Says Wal-Mart is Anti-Union
President Obama's views on Wal-Mart are brought forth in the book "Michelle Obama: First Lady of Hope," written by Elizabeth Lightfoot and published by The Lyons Press in Guilford, Connecticut.
Author Lightfoot reports that in 2004, "Michelle took a little heat when she accepted the (board of directors) position at TreeHouse Foods, a Wal-Mart vendor. ... She later resigned after her husband said he would not shop at the anti-union store, although TreeHouse said the resignation was due to Michelle's 'increased demands.'"
Michelle said: "As my campaign committments continue to ramp up, it is becoming more difficult for me to provide the type of focus I would like on my professional responsibilities. .... It is in the best interest of the family and the company" that she resign.
Lightfoot reports that tax reports show Michelle Obama reaping $51,200 from TreeHouse during 2006 from serving on the board of directors.
Based on the mutual love that the Obamas show in their public appearances and interviews, it seems that this apparent difference of opinion over Wal-Mart has not affected their marriage.
SOURCE
Michelle Obama: First Lady of Hope, by Elizabeth Lightfoot.
Published by Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson is a retired newspaper reporter who lives in Saginaw, Michigan. Main topics are political and social justice issues, with occasional escapism into sports and so forth. View profile
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10 Comments
Post a CommentI have chosen not to shop at Wal-Mart because they treat their customers badly.I would go out of town before I would buy anything from them.
Good for them. I haven't bought anything in Wal-mart in more than 10 years and wouldn't - they treat their employees (and customers!) very badly. Couldn't pay me to shop there.
This is a neat little story. My wife love's Starbuck's. I hate 'em. We get along fine.
Obama is very astute and INTELLIGENT! ... he says what he thinks ... we need more politicians like him that don't kiss the butts of the rich, greedy corporations in this world. Wal*Mart is nothing but a selfish, big bully!
My son is a college student who use to work for Walmart several months ago. He worked the over-night shift from 10p to 7a. He quit because gun toating theives were secretly robbing the store. He spoke to management about the problem and even requested that security is needed mostly during the over-night shift. One of the robbers threatend him and tried to pull him into their scheme, asking for his help to steal some televisions. He was terrified! Walmart gave him a death ear and would not hire over-night security because they said there weren't many shoppers over-night to keep on security. So he quit for fear of his saftey...I was glad! I even call the police and they said, "shame on Walmart for putting their employees at risk, they have the money for over-night security." That's only one of the reasons why I hate Walmart...they DON'T care about their employees!!!
Good to know! Thanks for the info!
Will never shop at any Walmart. This companies legacy will forever be that of a bully company that does not respect workers and their families. Also as a retailer they have had a lot of power to push our manufacturing jobs and companies to other shores. Truely Walmart is an anti American/Canadian company.
We would be better off not having it on our shores.
Alex from Canada
Nice article. I don't shop at WalMart either (though I frequent many non-union establishments and am not a 'unionist'). Two of my family members work there, trapped by lack of higher education. Walmart eats up local and small business and it preys on low income folks - now extending its web to government check cashing to get poor folks in the store if they are unbanked and likely to spend much of what little they have at WalMart.
Michael Nice Piece I watched a documentory on walmart and would agree with our new Presidents Views
Kind Regards
Steve Simmonds
Very interesting and informative. I didn't even know about that. Thanks. :-)