Lee Scott Gives Final Thoughts

A couple weeks before the announcement Lee Scott would be succeeded by Mike Duke as CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Scott shared his thoughts with associates on Barack Obama’s election as the 44th President of the United States.

While we have no doubt the vigorous union opponent Wal-Mart is closely watching the recount in Minnesota and the run-off in Georgia that could swing Democrats to a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate, Scott reemphasized his outreach to Washington first extended at the 2008 shareholders meeting.

Scott singled out affordable health care and energy, areas where Wal-Mart is already lapping the public sector with $4 generic drugs and high-efficiency stores and trucks.

“If America can make its health care system better, more affordable, and more accessible, it will make our country more competitive and, over time, reduce the increased costs of health care for you and our company,” Scott wrote on Nov. 12. “If we can pass an energy bill that significantly reduces our dependence on foreign oil, and encourages conservation and renewable energy, it will ultimately help moderate the rise in the cost of energy for all of us and improve the environment.

“And if we can rebuild our economy and put more money in the pockets of our customers, we will all benefit.”