Nation Topics - Business | The Nation

The article comments on current events and world politics. Socialist Party leader Michelle Bachelet, Chile's first woman president, is not expected to bring economic reform to the country. A quote from Al Gore focused on warrantless wiretapping in the United States. The Maryland legislature passed a bill that requires Wal-Mart to provide health insurance to their employees who have relied on Medicaid programs. Two economic studies, by Scott Wallsten of the Brookings Institution, and economist Joseph Stiglitz with Linda Bilmes of Harvard, indicate the costs of the Iraq War will be more than $1 trillion. An essay contest sponsored by "Nation" is mentioned.

The article presents letters to the editor in response to articles published in previous editions of "The Nation." Included are responses to the articles "Before School," by David Kirp and "On the Wal-Mart Money Trail," by Liza Featherstone in the November 21, 2005 edition. Also includes are responses to the article "Arnold Show: Canceled," by Marc Cooper and "Cornbread and Roses," by Bob Moser in the November 28, 2005 edition.

The article focuses on the charitable giving and political influence of the Walton family, the heirs of Wal-Mart Stores founder Sam Walton. The retail company is facing various employee rights lawsuits. Public relations at Wal-Mart is facing a crisis. The U.S. National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy released a report titled "The Waltons and Wal-Mart: Self-Interested Philanthropy," regarding the relationship between the Wal-Mart and Walton philanthropy and the company's image problems. Wal-Mart and the Waltons have increased the funds they give to the Republican Party. The article points out that philanthropy provides an alternative to taxation. Wal-Mart plays a role in lobbying against estate tax and for tax giveaways to the rich. Wal-Mart supports education privatization.

Presents an editorial discussing the use of asbestos by Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp.. Dow Chemical Co., Pfizer Inc., and Viacom International Inc. Review of how the companies continue to use the toxin, exposing employees and consumers long after it was known to be harmful; Overview of claims filed by asbestos victims; Discussion and analysis of the Fairness in Asbestos Injury Resolution Act (FAIR).

Comments on a settlement made by Citigroup and JP Morgan Chase that will give Enron investors about $4.2 billion. View that the settlement is not enough to cover the $40 billion lost in the swindle by shareholders and pension funds; Opinion that criminal behavior seems to be part of the business profit structure; Opinion that American democracy has created a system for absolving fraudulent collaborations; Other investigations related to Citigroup in China, Britain, and Japan; Investigation of CitiFinancial for predatory lending; Why the author blames the Democrats for the Citigroup and Enron scandal.

Looks at the impact of a lawsuit in which the Unocal oil company was charged with human rights abuses in Burma. View that lawsuits against companies accusing human rights abuses have become significant barriers to profitability; Discussion of action taken against multinational corporations that are complicit in political violence in protection of their business interests; Impact of the Unocal case in the establishment of legal liability in U.S. courts for a corporation's violations of human rights; Changes made to corporate conduct in overseas operations due to legal liability for corrupt practices.

The article presents information about "The Nation" articles on the Internet. David Corn explains why Paul Wolfowitz's nomination to be the next World Bank president is a win for the Pentagon but a loss for the world. Plus, Michael Blanding highlights the student movement against Coca-Cola.

This article focuses on the public relations campaigns run by Wal-Mart in the interests of expanding into urban, African-American areas, despite its ethically questionable policies. In January, Wall-Mart launched walmartfacts.com, a website to counter criticism of the kind you may have read in this magazine. The new campaign materials feature many smiling African-American faces; the website explains, accurately, that Wal-Mart is a "leading employer" of Hispanics and African-Americans. As Jesse Jackson and other black leaders have pointed out in response to this boast, the slave plantation was once a "leading employer" of African-Americans as well. But this ad campaign was only the latest salvo in Wal-Mart's fervent battle for the goodwill of black America, inspired by the difficulties the company is having as it tries to move into urban areas. Much like that of the Bush Administration, Wal-Mart's image-making strategy includes not only advertising but paying for positive media coverage from black journalists. Wal-Mart even gives money to civil rights organizations fighting racism.

Offers a look at boycotts that target corporations for environmentally destructive behavior. History of anticorporate activism in the United States; Reference to boycotts against Ford Motor Company and Victoria's Secret led by the grassroots groups Rainforest Action Network and Forest Ethics; Report that anticorporate campaigns are meant to push an entire market sector in a more environmental-friendly direction; Discussion of a campaign against Home Depot, a lumber retailer, that led to the protection of forests; Competition between Staples and Office Depot to be the most environmentalist-friendly office supply industry.

Focuses on the results of the Iraqi elections. Report that the Iraqis voted for the United Iraqi Alliance, which supports a timetable for the withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from Iraq; Pledge of the United Iraqi Alliance to write off Iraq's debt, cancel reparations and use the oil wealth for economic development; Suggestion that the U.S. will be slow to recognize these democratically chosen demands; Role of Adel Abd al-Mahdi as Iraq's finance minister; Report that al-Mahdi is favorable towards U.S. investors.