Letters ŚLetters (September 24, 2004)

Lopsided editorial

Editor,

There were three or four speakers (at the Sept. 7 City Council meeting) who had an issue with not allowing the Wal-Mart expansion. In contrast, I've received numerous responses from the public thanking me for my stand, mostly in person at the grocery store and at the Farmers Market, but also phone calls and e-mails, and even tonight at the Ridge View Commons candidate forum. Realistically, I've had at least in excess of 50 such responses. I think your editorial (Sept. 17) was a little lopsided. Jennifer HostermanCouncilwoman Hosterman was right

Editor,

If indeed Jennifer Hosterman and Matt Sullivan were alone in attempting to slow down the Wal-Mart express train at the last City Council meeting, then I wish to apologize to them for not being there to lend them support. Our few remaining local businesses, if they are to survive, must be protected - by local government - against the political and economic might of giant corporations. Who else is going to do it? The playing field is hardly level, and to contend that such businesses can compete without protection against the likes of Wal-Mart is to salute an absurdity.

If we allow giant corporations to drive out all of our local businesses, do you really think those corporations will not, in the end, recoup that 15 percent discount they now give us on the price of their goods? The fact is, they'll have no choice: Their stockholders will demand that they maximize profits in order to stay competitive. The companies will pay workers what they must, and no more; and if it's not enough for the workers to live on, then taxpayers will just have to make up the difference in welfare payments. If we the taxpayers don't like that, why then, the corporations will just finish the job on which they've already made heady progress: simply buying the government itself.

Jennifer and Matt: We've never met, but I very much appreciate the work you've been doing. Maybe it's time I did more than cheer from the sidelines. Greg DunnCranwood Court

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