Domestic Policy

Md. Legislature Overrides Veto on Wal-Mart

January 14, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

There is a race going on, and the outcome of this race will have a great effect on the life you lead. The race is known as the ‘Race to the Bottom’, and this is one race where you don’t want to be on the winning team.

Many believe the Maryland decision regarding Wal-Mart is just the first of many that will soon be heard in states throughout the country in what is now being called, the battle against “The Race to the Bottom.”

The General Assembly in Maryland supported a previous decision by legislature which requires businesses, with a certain amount of employees, be responsible and spend at least eight percent of their payroll on employee health care benefits. The policy is known as the Fair Share Health Care Plan.

Many feel the legislature was mainly enacted as a measure to control Wal-Marts ability to affect change throughout the work industry. However, supporters of the legislature say this is one of the only defenses left against companies involved in the ‘Race to the Bottom.’

What is the ‘Race to the Bottom?’ It is a term that organized labor uses to refer to the afflictions organized labor has incurred as a result of free trade agreements, and globalization of American businesses. These organizations state that companies are fighting hand over fist in a race to find the lowest, and cheapest, form of labor in the world. Many of these companies now employee individuals in foreign countries that have criminal pasts, criminal presents, and criminal futures. The companies utilizing this type of workforce provide no healthcare, or benefits, and now many of these same companies are trying to bring these policies back to America.

Organized labor believes lobbyists, such as Jack Abramoff, gain control of political influence and wield it in support of big businesses pursuit of winning the ‘Race to the Bottom.’ Organized labor points to the recent rise in health care costs to individuals, as well as the freezing of pensions, and 401K plans, at many large American companies.

Is this the first case of many to come, or is it just an anomaly? Only time will tell. However, it is reassuring to know that not everyone is going to just lie in the face of a changing business climate. Whether you support the policy or not is not really important. It’s the questions the issue brings up that will benefit all Americans the most.

We at Voteswagon urge you to utilize our government contacts link to find out who your elected officials are and ask them what they are doing to protect your current standard of living because you do not want to be on the winning team in the Race to the Bottom.

Md. Legislature Overrides Veto on Wal-Mart Health Care

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