Walmart wins big with California initiatives

[alp227]

In a push to expand across California without interference, Walmart is increasingly taking advantage of the state's initiative system to threaten elected officials with costly special elections and to avoid environmental lawsuits.

The Arkansas-based retailer has hired paid signature gatherers to circulate petitions to build new superstores or repeal local restrictions on big-box stores. Once 15 percent of eligible voters sign the petitions, state election law puts cash-strapped cities in a bind: City councils must either approve the Walmart-drafted measure without changes or put it to a special election.

As local officials grapple with whether to spend tens of thousands or even millions of taxpayer dollars on such an election, Walmart urges cities to approve the petition outright rather than send it to voters.

While most development projects don't attract much controversy, Walmart has become controversial across California. Backers of organized labor have demonized the company for opposing unions and paying low wages, while other critics say its superstores cripple local businesses and increase sprawl.

full: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/24/BA0O1M3DNR.DTL&ao=all

[JDPriestly]

1. I don't think Walmart is wanted in California.

[secondwind]

3. Looks like it's winning though... I hate WalMart

[JayhawkSD]

14. And I think you would be mistaken

Because where the initiatives have been voted on the voters have routinely voted in favor of the establishment of Walmart stores. They may not like the low wages or non-union policy in principle, but they love buying products at low prices.

[xchrom]

2. I hate that damn initiative system. Hate it. Nt

[NBachers]

5. I hate that damn initiative system. Hate it.

I hate that damn initiative system. Hate it.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

15. Intiatives are a form of direct democracy, championed by OWS

[Bennyboy]

4. I live in CA and I can see

a Walmart from a Walmart.

[They_Live]

7. Are they right in between

the Starbucks?

[certainot]

6. i wonder what would happen if the local rat wing radio blowhards came out against walmart instead

[The Genealogist]

8. I hate Wal-Mart

They're rotten to the core. Greed, greed, greed.

[Confusious]

10. Cheap Cheap Cheap

If they sold any quality goods, I might go there. But they sell crap. Selling quality would cut into profits.

Seems to me the two are mutually exclusive. no quality, greedy. Quality, may be greedy, but at least I feel like I got something for my money.

Oh, I guess I should say, I'm really hard on things. worse then a child. If it lasts with me, it's well built.

I should work for underwriters laboratories.

[The Genealogist]

12. Today's paper announced the closure of a small neighborhood store

The grocery store is "small," meaning that it was built in the 1960s, and there has pretty much always been a store there. I think it went from the original store directly to new ownership. Mom and pop kind of place, they might have another store or two, but that is it. The current owners have had it for about 20 years. They deliver groceries, customers know the staff, the staff knows customers. A lot of people are sad to see the store. But, it will close in at the end of August, when its lease is up.

Oh, did I mention that in the very near future, Wal-Mart will be opening a store across the street and north a block? This is Wal-Mart's own grocery store, "Neighborhood Market" I think they call it. Not a Super Center, just groceries. No coincidence there. I'm furious about it. I'm tired of seeing that behemoth steamroll small businesses. Fed up with it.

[Paka]

9. I have never set foot in a Walmart...

and you can print that on my tombstone. :hippie:

[Citizen Worker]

11. The closest I've been to a Wal-Mart was carrying a Union picket sign. I will never go in to one of

their stores and I discourage friends from patronizing them.

[Tikki]

13. Me, too.

Wal*Mart....the feeder program for your local dump.


Tikki