A Stitch in Haste

Back in April I briefly noted an obnoxious bill of attainder passed by the Maryland Legislature against Wal-Mart that would have required it, and it alone, to offer certain health care benefits to its workers. Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed the bill. It is now up for an override vote in January.

Wal-Mart is lobbying, quite intensely, to defeat the veto override, as the Washington Post documents.

I have no doubt that Wal-Mart executives are undertaking this intense lobbying campaign because they think it’s worth it (i.e., the benefit of the lobbying will exceed the cost). Still, I wonder what would happen if Wal-Mart took a different approach, something closer to the nuclear option:

Dear Maryland Legislature,

If you override this veto, then we will close all our stores in your state 24 hours before the law takes effect. We will lock our doors and lay off all our employees. We will not return unless and until you revoke all legislation specifically and exclusively targeted at our company.

Love,
Wal-Mart

It’s not as if Wal-Mart hasn’t done it before. And it would be oh so refreshing.

Businesses need to stop apologizing for their own existence and asking permission to employ people, pay taxes and provide goods and services. The Maryland economy is not a plaything for local hack politicians to kick around like a soccer ball.

More thoughts at defcon:blog.

Similar Posts:

• From the Archives: Wal-Mart’s Fight-or-Flight Decision
• Wal-Mart Responds to Maryland Law
• Two Down, One Gazillion to Go
• The Wal-Mart / Health Care Slippery Slope
• NYC Wal-Mart Opponents Try the “Health Care” Maneuver

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