I would use the line from Willy Wonka: “so shines a good deed in a weary world” but this isn’t a deed that comes from whatever substitutes for a heart among Wal-Mart executives. This was forced, but all Corporate America knows is force. So be it.
Example:
A former Wal-Mart employee who suffered severe brain damage in a traffic accident won’t have to pay back the company for the cost of her medical care, Wal-Mart told the family Tuesday.
“Occasionally, others help us step back and look at a situation in a different way. This is one of those times,” Wal-Mart Executive Vice President Pat Curran said in a letter. “We have all been moved by Ms. Shank’s extraordinary situation.”
Absolute lying bullshit. What Wal-Mart was “moved” by was sixteen tons of overwhelmingly negative publicity, the charge led by Keith Olbermann, who vowed to lead his “Worst Person of the Day” feature with Wal-Mart’s CEO Lee Scott until he relented.
Surprisingly, CNN even linked to this blog in their blog reaction piece. I got a few hits from it. So don’t think that individual bloggers can’t make a difference.
In fact the only people who seemed to be talking Wal-Mart’s side were the truly heartless bastards over at Lone Star Times, who must be puking in their bitter coffee this morning because, for once, predatory American capitalism had to retreat.
Again, my point from an earlier post still stands - there are many Debbie Shanks’ out there in the decaying American heartland and you won’t ever hear about most of them. But today, just for today, we can celebrate the one time where a flower breaks above the concrete, metaphorically speaking. Just once when the collective force of the people can make a corporation do the right thing.
In fact, corporate America backing down is so rare, Jim Shank thought it was an April Fool’s prank:
On Tuesday, Wal-Mart said in a letter to Jim Shank that it is modifying its health care plan to allow “more discretion” in individual cases.
Watch Wal-Mart reverse its decision ยป
“We wanted you to know that Wal-Mart will not seek any reimbursement for the money already spent on Ms. Shank’s care, and we will work with you to ensure the remaining amounts in the trust can be used for her ongoing care,” Curran said.
“We are sorry for any additional stress this uncertainty has placed on you and your family.” (You oughta be - ed.)
Wal-Mart’s reversal came as shock to Shank.
“I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” he told CNN.
The only fool(s) here are Wal-Mart executives. Perhaps, just perhaps, this will set a new standard of decency. I won’t hold my breath.
ONE MORE THING: I see I’m getting a lot of visitors from CNN this morning. Thanks for checking me out and hang around and read some more. I update this blog quite often with what passes for my commentary. But do one more thing for me: e-mail Keith Olbermann and thank him for what he did. NOTE: I THINK the right e-mail is countdown@msnbc.com.
6 responses so far ↓
Cherie T. Littlestown // April 2, 2008 at 9:47 am
Like they said, Wal-Mart was backed into a corner and had to back down or lose more money than what they were fighting for. It is a shame that they can not first put themselves in these people’s shoes and try for one seconde to feel what they are going through. They had to divorce in order to come up with enough money for care. That should not even be a factor…. it is amazing when and where God chooses to teach his next lesson. My prayers are with Debbie and her family…………..
Stephan // April 2, 2008 at 9:58 am
Walmart’s policy of recouping money from victims of tragedies when they receive a settlement for their care is no less than despicable. They’re one of the richest companies in the U.S. and STILL they have their hands out. You make me sick and I’ll never step into another Walmart as long as I live.
sue // April 2, 2008 at 10:23 am
I will do everything in my power to convince everyone I know not to shop at Wal-Mart! There is no excuse for their original actions, they made this family’s life mierable and tragic. People critize the Media and sometimes rightfully so, but it certainly helped in this situation. Wal-Mart executive should be ashamed of themselves and their stockholders should demand their resignations!
God Bless you Debbie!
Joe // April 2, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Well I am glad they get their money for needed medical help. I don’t shop at Walmart unless my wife drags me in and I only get a handfull of things from sams like once a month. I know I am evil and stuff for getting things from sams, but when you look around at my five things once a month and you see all the other cattle stuffing their faces with thousands of things in their carts. I am not so bad.
K // April 2, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Frankly, I am ashamed of all of you.
Where did 58% of the settlement go?
To A FUCKING LAWYER!
Get your heads out of your posteriors!
Subrogation is quite common, even if it is rather repulsive. (You pay your premium, THAT is supposed to cover the insurer’s costs. Isn’t it?) Wal-Mart was doing what every other insurer does. Go look at your insurance policy and tell me I’m wrong. The whole idea of subrogation being a good thing or a bad thing is quite debatable, really. It should have the effect of keeping premium rates down.
Instead of pointing at the bastard that took the MAJORITY of a brain damaged woman’s settlement for little real effort, you point at a big corporation (who admittedly has a pretty poor track record) doing what they all do.
Wal-Mart is an easy target.
FIFTY-EIGHT PERCENT! What a hero!
Use your damned heads.
kegbot1 // April 2, 2008 at 9:39 pm
Lawyers suck too.
Hey if Olbermann had put the name of the attorney out there I would have gone after him/her too.
You’re right, but hey, we get so few moments like this.
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