The Cards on the Table

William Mueller's report will likely be made public soon, and those who have seen it say Mueller's verdict is "no collusion."

I am surprised, but not shocked. I, though, think the more important thing to come out of the report, coupled with the New York investigation, will be the amount of corruption encircling and committed by the president. Having read an excellent biography of the president, one hardly can take in one immoral or illegal activity before another one slaps you in the visage.

I could be wrong; hopefully I'm not.

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The NRA and the Long, Slow Refrain of "I'm Melting!"

Recently in the news a breakthrough came for gun-control advocates. There is a case in Connecticut that will be heard concerning the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. It will center around the firearm used by the killer, Adam Lanza, and whether the manufacturer, Remington, specifically marketed it to troubled youth, like Adam Lanza.

Though, the most exciting news related to this story, for me at least, is that the companies may have to make their internal communications known during the trial. I think the truth will unfold once these documents are shown to the masses.

When the cigarette companies had to show their hands, they eventually found themselves eviscerated. I think the same thing will happen to the firearms manufacturers. Yet, the fight might even be more robust than what happened with the cigarette companies; the reason is, the NRA will levy all their muscle to mitigate any change against the status quo.  And by "muscle" I mean funds, fundraising, and lobbying.

Those three things that are attempting to eviscerate our democracy.

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Walmart Greeters

Walmart will be getting rid of their greeters in their stores. This policy was actually approved a few years back, but now I guess a tipping point has been reached, in that various greeters who had handicaps will be losing their jobs. The greeter position will instead becomes a position that includes more tasks, such as lifting items and cleaning up spills. And the new job will pay a bit more.

Walmart did a worthwhile thing in hiring these handicapped greeters, and Walmart has, at times, given generously to communities that are dealing with crises.

But is saving a small percentage of their total revenue really worth the pain it will cause these workers, their families, and the customers they've served? According to moneynation.com, Walmart makes about $15,000,000,000 a year in profit. That's about $40,000,000 profit per day. The average Walmart worker makes about $22,000 per year.

Is that pittance of savings really worth it? Won't it just tarnish a name that has been frequently tarnished?

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