Where Would Jesus Shop?

The United Food and Commercial Workers union has been running a frantic campaign to discredit Wal-Mart, mainly due to the fact that Wal-Mart is not unionized, and therefore not paying huge amounts of union dues to the UF&CW. They commissioned a cutesy little poll which is now being questioned (see posts here and here), now they're trying this:

Where would Jesus shop?

According to union-backed critics of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., not at the world's largest retailer. WakeUpWalMart.com on Thursday unveiled a religious-themed campaign Thursday asking shoppers whether God wants them to buy things from the Bentonville, Ark.-based company.

The group, funded by the United Food and Commercial Workers union, launched a TV ad and released a letter signed by 65 clergy members and religious figures. The group says Wal-Mart's policy over wages, health benefits and other issues harm families and communities.

The 30-second TV spot, starting Friday in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Texas, is part of the latest seasonal-themed campaign against Wal-Mart. The TV ad starts with a picture of a Bible-like tome and an off-screen narrator who says, "Our faith teaches us 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' If these are our values, then ask yourself: Should people of faith shop at Wal-Mart this holiday season?"

Is this really going to pursuade anybody not to shop at Wal-Mart? Oh sure, you might find some weak-minded ninny who melts at the very thought that Wal-Mart might not be sin-free, but c'mon, this is silly. The union isn't trying to help anyone but themselves. The increased costs related to unionizing Wal-Mart would drive up prices for millions of Americans who can't afford the luxury of being waited on by a union clerk. There is no net benefit to the country in having a unionized Wal-Mart.

Once again, if you doubt Wal-Mart's value to the economy, look here.

And just in case someone reads my Wal-Mart posts and thinks I'm a shill for the company, I don't even shop at Wal-Mart except on very rare occasions. I prefer Target or Costco because I think the quality is much better. My objection to the Wal-Mart attacks is not based on my shopping preferences, but the fact that I hate to see a highly successful American business unfairly persecuted.