U.S. labor standards and Wal-Mart warriors

Re “Retail politics,” editorial, Aug. 23

Should we be afraid of Wal-Mart because it’s big, or because 74% of its money goes to Republicans, or because it has run the most effective anti-union campaign in American history? Those “low, low prices” come at a tremendous cost to the U.S. workforce, and that’s who the Democrats should be fighting for.

It’s the Republican candidates who should be ashamed because they no longer stand up for the American worker. For just one example, lobbyist Jack Abramoff and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) arranged it so that the Northern Marianas could put a “Made in USA” label on the goods produced there, but American labor standards did not apply. There’s the shame, not with the Democrats who are beginning to get their old courage back. Give ‘em hell, Democrats.

JIM HASSINGER

Glendale

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The Democrats may be reluctant combatants in the war on terror, but at least they’re keeping the country safe by launching an all-out assault against Wal-Mart.

Their anti-business plan of attack -- “We demand that Wal-Mart pay its employees more so the American people can reap the benefit of paying higher prices” -- seems destined to fail. How long will it take for the Democratic Wal-Mart warriors to admit their defeat and redeploy elsewhere?

PETER W. LEWIS

Trabuco Canyon