Oh, no doubt. Sucking up to a drug dealer can be helpful too, if you need a few Gs on the side or perhaps an ex knocked off. Doesn't make it right, and it doesn't change the company you keep, or your actions around them. What you call "networking."
But I understand for a guy like you, it's a skill in your vocabulary to slob and suck. For a guy like you. As for me, the only way WalMart would enter this equation between you and myself, is if I bought the company, you applied for a job, and I told you "not just no, but hell no." Followed by,
"We don't hire ass kissing politician-wannabes without principle at WalMart. I know you're used to doing that in one uniform, but it won't be the WalMart uniform."