More on Wal-Mart's Spending in Rosemead

$75,000. You already know that was Wal-Mart's *direct* political spending in Rosemead in the last municipal election. The Wal-Mart sock puppets made much of the fact that various labor unions combined to spend slightly more than that amount in that same election.

What you may not know is that the $75,000 in direct spending represents the beginning, not the end, of Wal-Mart's efforts to buy the loyalities of Rosemead voters. Some examples: Those ugly yellow t-shirts worn by the Wal-Mart sock puppets at last night's city council meeting? Paid for by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending. The food at their buffet before the meeting, and rental charges for the rec room at Rosemead Park? Also paid for by Wal-Mart, but not counted among its "political" spending. The phone bank and post cards they used to publicize the free food and to turn out their potential supporters to the city council meeting? Paid by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending. The glossy, colorful Wal-Mart "good deeds" flyer that appeared in your mailbox late last week? Again, paid for by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending.

So do not pity "poor" Wal-Mart. The $75,000 they're forced by state law to declare as "political" spending is just the tip of the iceberg.