H. Lee Scott, Jr., CEO
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611.
Dear Mr. Scott:
I just read your speech to the United States’ governors in which you ask them to cut you a little slack with regards to the whole health care issue. It seems that a few public officials and their constituents are miffed that the states (and thus the taxpayers) have been stuck with the bill for Wal-Mart employees’ health care.
Certainly health care in America is in a sorry state to begin with. And from your speech it seems as though the United States is letting you down with its shoddy educational system. Your employees are doing fine in entry-level positions, but do not have the education to move into higher-level jobs.
I have a solution for your problems. You have already presented a program in which you plan to have clinics in your stores, which will offset a good deal of the health care costs for your employees and customers. You simply need to take this idea a little further. I propose a Wal-Mart Bio-Dome. You said in your speech that you are committed to sustainability. This is the perfect way to show it! It won’t be an actual bio-dome, of course, but people are very trusting, and I think if you call it a bio-dome, people will believe it is one.
The main idea will be that you are providing for your employees so well, they will never have to leave! I understand that you ran into a bit of trouble a while back by not letting some employees leave at night, but this will be certain to redeem you in the public eye. You have food that the employees and their families can eat, you are installing clinics, and I’m sure you have something for them to sleep on. All you really need is to start up some schools. This way you can also provide the proper education to ensure your employees’ future success in the company (and their offspring!).
Feel free to use my idea to any degree you wish. I only ask for a small plaque on the first aisle-marker that reads “school.” If you find this plan unworkable, I’m afraid you will have to resort to Wal-Mart prisons.
Truly,
Liz Mann
