I’m not surprised that WalMart did this at all. Perhaps if more of us would send letters explaining that we cannot contribute money to retailers who encourage employees to practice discrimination – and companies whose own policies regarding all employees and customers is controversial, something might sink into their heads.

Businesses are not without creating controversy of their own – and certainly WalMart has created its share of that controversy with a slew of unpopular policies. As their market becomes increasingly beholden to the homophobic bigots who enjoy buying items made in China, the chain’s growth rate will stagnate. I already know too many people who have, for a variety of reasons, completely stopped shopping there or drastically cut back the money spent in their stores.

Any national retailer which attempts to create a niche market among fundies alone is going to struggle in the long term. WalMart already has a coalition of opposition among many types of Americans, including some conservatives who don’t like their cut-throat marketing tactics and the way they damage small businesses. Others will not support the retailer because of outrageous employment policies.

This gives us an opportunity to start questioning the company about their contributions to events supported by fundie political action committees disguised as “churches.” And an opportunity to spend our money in places which treat our lives as if they are own, rather than “controversial” simply because some yahoo across town can’t keep his nose on his own face.