LISSA’S: Wal-Mart has some explaining to do.

Wal-Mart has some explaining to do.

As the United States' biggest importer of Chinese products and the number one seller of toys, Wal-Mart is at the center of the recent scandal involving millions of recalled toys from China.

Our nation's children have been put at risk -- and parents have lost confidence in the safety of the toys they buy for their children this holiday season. It is our duty as a nation to find out how this happened. That means investigating the dealings between Chinese toy suppliers and American retailers like Wal-Mart.

This investigation would fall under the charge of the Senate Subcommittee on Interstate Commerce, Trade and Tourism. Wal-Mart Watch has teamed up with leading consumer and environmental groups to call for hearing on Wal-Mart's role in the product safety -- and we need your help. Click here to send letters to the entire Senate subcommittee, urging them to investigate how Wal-Mart's relationships with its Chinese suppliers affect consumer safety:

http://action.walmartwatch.com/WeWantAnswers

Wal-Mart's involvement in the toy recall scandal is no accident. The retail giant's cutthroat business practices set the stage for these dangerous products to make their way onto its shelves and into our children's hands.

When it comes to choosing between product safety and increasing profits, Wal-Mart picks the latter. The Miami Herald reported in August,

"As Chinese companies are pushed by toy companies to do more internally on safety, they're being pulled in the other direction by giant retail cost-cutters like Wal-Mart..."

This company-wide fixation on the bottom line leads Wal-Mart to put heavy pressure on its suppliers -- like those in China -- to cut corners. Because of Wal-Mart's massive size and influence, the suppliers are forced to comply. That means using cheaper and more dangerous materials, like lead paint.

It is the height of irresponsibility and greed for Wal-Mart to put its profit margin above the safety of its products -- and the health of our nation's children. Tell the Senate Interstate Commerce, Trade and Tourism Subcommittee that we want answers:

http://action.walmartwatch.com/WeWantAnswers

Wal-Mart's dealings with its overseas suppliers are especially disappointing because, as the world's largest retailer with tremendous marketing power and influence, Wal-Mart could be a leader in advocating strict safety standards for imported products.

Instead, Wal-Mart has led a race to the bottom in which the safety of our children is sacrificed for even greater profits. While that may mean more money in the pockets of Wal-Mart's executives and shareholders, it is American consumers and their kids who are paying the price.

Help send a message that the American people will not tolerate Wal-Mart's shameful choices. Tell Congress to investigate how Wal-Mart's pressure on its Chinese suppliers led to millions of product recalls in the U.S.:

http://action.walmartwatch.com/WeWantAnswers

Sincerely,
David Nassar
Wal-Mart Watch