CEOs normally don't take a month off at a time, but Scott doesn't really run Wal-Mart. Thousands of people run Wal-Mart. The captain of a naval carrier can sleep a bit while the crew works.

Wal-Mart listens to consumers and will only alter its behavior if you alter your behavior. Customers are the ones who give Wal-Mart its power.

The interesting question is not just Hillary Clinton's history at Wal-Mart, but why it's delicate for her to talk about Wal-Mart. Plenty of Democrats denounce Wal-Mart, but there are also plenty of people who need it, love it and rely on it.

People understand the whole low price idea, they know where to get low prices. But if they're looking for something that has a little extra quality, a little extra design, a little extra service, they're looking at places besides Wal-Mart.

I know Wal-Mart will have a six-month honeymoon where all the traffic will go their way and it will be tough for us. But I think it will benefit us in the long run with more traffic through our doors.

Wal-Mart's future in 2006 will not look any brighter unless Lee Scott realizes that Wal-Mart must change into a more responsible employer.