On last Sunday's "Meet the Press," Lee Scott, Wal-Mart's CEO and president, said his company had "reached out" to President-Elect Obama's team to work on the U.S. health care and energy issues, adding that people critical of Wal-Mart's involvement in political debates were "on the wrong track."
"These are not times to be self-serving," he said. "We have a responsibility to participate."
The issue came up after the new host of the NBC program, David Gregory, noted that Wal-Mart has been criticized on health care issues and on "driving down wages." He then asked Mr. Scott whether Wal-Mart should have a responsibility in helping the government with the employment picture.
Mr. Scott, who will retire in early 2009, first said, "Well, we've been fortunate with our business to have added 30,000 jobs here in the U.S." while also noting that health care options have been improved for its employees.
But he then elaborated on Wal-Mart's overall role in driving public policy.
"We get, quite honestly, some people who say we shouldn't push for this energy policy, for this reform in health care and that Wal-Mart shouldn't be involved in that, and I think they are just wrong," said Mr. Scott. "I think today, more than ever, we have a responsibility to participate and I don't mean on the negative side, participating by just being critical of what is proposed, but by being a partner in these solutions."
Mr. Scott noted that Wal-Mart customers have noticeably changed their shopping behavior with the downturn - including cooking more at home and buying fewer prescriptions - but have "faith" in the government.
"We're seeing that our customers have a great deal of faith that the government will ultimately take the right action and be successful in addressing the current situation but the number-one issue today is their concern about their jobs," said Mr. Scott.
Further backing up his comments, Mr. Scott on December 16 issued a statement on the hiring of former EPA head Carol Browner to the position of assistant to the president for energy and climate change.
"Wal-Mart applauds President-Elect Obama for his selection of Carol Browner to lead the new administration's efforts on energy policy and climate change. She has a proven track record of working across a broad spectrum and understands the role that government, NGOs and business can play in order to drive meaningful solutions on this critical issue. She is the right person to move the agenda forward and I look forward to working with her in her new role."
Discussion Question: Should Wal-Mart and other retailers be playing a bigger role in helping guide the country's energy, health care and environmental policies? What areas should they be involved in and which ones shouldn't they be?
- Wal-Mart CEO Talks Economy on ‘Meet the Press' - Women's Wear Daily (subscription required)
- Wal-Mart CEO sees recession change consumer habits - Reuters
- Lee Scott statement on the appointment of Carol Browner by president-elect Obama as his advisor on energy policy and climate change - Wal-Mart Stores, Inc./PRdomain