NEA's obsession with Wal-Mart reached bottom last week when the union participated in a national "back to school boycott" against Wal-Mart.

FORBES

The Wal-Mart screeds contain the usual union twaddle about the hell that happens when individuals choose freely, whether that's working at Wal-Mart or sending the kids off to private school.

FORBES: Dunce Of The Week: The National Education Association

President Obama is due in India after the U.S. election, and even though Wal-Mart is still anathema to some of his union backers, a presidential push on behalf of the American giant can be expected.

FORBES: Opening Doors in India for Wal-Mart

The rising numbers of part-time workers, anti-union legislation (in some states it is easier for workers to opt out from a union) and the strong anti-union disposition of firms like Wal-Mart all discourage membership.

ECONOMIST: The shrinking power of America's unions

Two days later all 17 workers of the car-maintenance department at a Wal-Mart in New Castle, Pennsylvania voted against joining the union.

ECONOMIST: A labour union's pyrrhic victory

The political left loves to see the Bentonville Union Bashers suffer a bit, but does Wal-Mart's bad February herald another recession?

WSJ: Rich Karlgaard: Wal-Mart's Sales Problem��And America's

The most optimistic Americans are Hispanics (84%) and African Americans (86%), liberals (84%), moderates (57%), 18-29 year olds (57%), 30-49 year olds (59%), Catholics (61%), union members (67%), Weekly Wal-Mart Shoppers (61%), Investor Class (61%), NASCAR Fans 57%, Catholics (60%), and Creative Class (61%).

FORBES: The Great Optimism Divide

For more than a year two union-backed groups, WakeUpWalMart.com and Wal-Mart Watch, have run a campaign against the Bentonville giant.

ECONOMIST: The store everyone, except shoppers, loves to hate

The efforts mostly flopped--consumers just don't turn to Wal-Mart for nice clothes and expensive plasma televisions, and the company has made little political headway in union-heavy cities.

FORBES: Wal-Mart Needs A Plan