Arkansas belongs to the Walton family, the richest family in the U.S., which runs the state like its personal plantation. If the Waltons cared about children, they might focus their spending on child health and well-being in Arkansas, but instead they spend $200 million a year spreading charters where they are not wanted. The family claims credit for launching one of every four charters in the nation. And of course they are very generous to Teach for America, which supplies the low-wage, non-union, short term employees needed to star charters.
Max Brantley, former editor of the Arkansas Times, is not afraid of the Waltons. He writes fearlessly about their domination of the state.
Their latest outrage involved the Waltons’ swift and secretive purchase of Little Rock’s Garland School. The sale was not advertised. There were no bids other than the Waltons’. Brantley assumes they mean to use it for charters.
The Waltons recently maneuvered to have the entire Little Rock district taken over by the state, even though only 6 of 48 schools didn’t meet state standards. This was a power grab. It removed the elected board, making it easier for the Waltons to pick over the bones of the district.
For their contempt for public education, their lust for power, and their determination to impose their will on others, I add the Walton family to the Wall of Dhame.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Everyone listed on this Wall of Shame should be marched out in front of that wall in front of a firing squad.
Lloyd,
AGREE. Wish we could do that. I’d hold the camera and click away.
I’ll know the tide is turning when stories like this one are front and center in major news media.
And, again, folks, boycott Walmart and Sam’s and any other business (they have gas stations with some of the larger Walmarts, don’t know if it’s the same with Sams) associated with them.
Spread the word of the Walton’s being on the receiving end of millions, some estimates over a billion, of government handouts, tax breaks, etc. . . . For more information see: http://www.walmartsubsidywatch.org/
At first I paid no attention to talk like this. But over the years I am beginning to think that it might be the proper thing to do. For many of us is easy buying at Walmart, but conscience is beginning to dictate another path.
“If the Waltons cared about children, they might focus their spending on child health and well-being in Arkansas …”
I’ll go one better. They should pay their taxes in full and the government should ensure it is spent properly on those who need it. Enough of corporate “philanthropy”.
I stopped patronizing Walton family businesses that I’m aware of about a year ago. That includes WalMart, Sam’s Club, and online retailer Jet. There also is a cell phone company, Wal-Mart Family Wireless. Although Straight Talk is apparently owned by TracFone, their products are only available at Wal-Mart.
You do realize it is THEIR money to spend and not yours!! Right???
All that is being said is that it is hard to justify tax breaks for a company that obviously does not need them. It also is hard to justify special treatment for a company that advises its employees how to get the public assistance they are fighting to reduce. Their money?! Yeah, made off the backs of people they refuse to pay a living wage and the small businesses that have been driven out of business.
Much of the Walton wealth comes from decades of a form of corporate welfare.
Report: Walmart Workers Cost Taxpayers $6.2 Billion In Public Assistance
Walmart’s low-wage workers cost U.S. taxpayers an estimated $6.2 billion in public assistance including food stamps, Medicaid and subsidized housing, according to a report published to coincide with Tax Day, April 15.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/#6be5d977720b
Walmart has used this form of corporate welfare to give them an edge to run any competition out of business.
I think that most of the people who loyally shop at Walmart are the same ignorant deplorables that rely on the Alt-Right Media for their fake conspiracy theory news, and they also support #FakePresdient Trump.
I think that most Wal-Mart shoppers are also the same deplorable and ignorant people that voted for #FakePresdient Trump, and they will not boycott their favorite store.