The Incredible Stuff Machine
Lew Rockwell
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/incredible-stuff.html
Maryland is making Wal-Mart pay more for their employees' medical insurance. The free market, if there were one, would do a much better job of this, and everything, says Mr. Rockwell. Of course. [lew]
So those scurvy bums at Wal-Mart are finally getting what is coming to them! The state of Maryland will force all companies with more then 10,000 employees to spend at least 8 percent of their payroll on health insurance. Lots of companies have that many employees, but only one falls under the 8 percent threshold, which is you know who.
It is only the latest legislative blow dealt against the company that is finally accomplishing what everyone throughout all of human history dreamed of: plentiful food and goods available to all people in all places at low prices. What's to complain about? This is the mystery that cries out for investigation.
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It is doubtful that in a truly free market business would normally provide any health benefits at all, anymore than they provide you shoes, movie tickets, or scotch delivered to your door. These are things that you buy on your own. Medical benefits tied to employment originated as a scheme to get around government wage controls.