Walmart and the Race to the Bottom (from The Nation)

This article from The Nation is reprinted on the BlackCommentator website. Corporations have a tried-and-true strategy of fomenting dissent within communities by buying certain segments off. In Washington, I can't name names because that's libel, but think of the names of people associated with the original slots effort and you get an idea...

One of my jokes is that Washington is a great place for business and developers because we sell ourselves for so little--a $50 donation to a block party and you own people...

This article discusses how WalMart is systematically working the African-American and Hispanic communities to build support for stores in urban areas, which are often opposed because of their negative impact on small businesses, and the fact that their non-union wages provide a competitive advantage compared to supermarkets and drug stores (sometimes) that are unionized, and pay higher wages and benefits including health insurance.

The BlackCommentator is a great publication in and of itself. Check out this series "Wanted: A Plan for the Cities to Save Themselves" to get some alternative thinking on local economic development.

Click here to read Part 1 of this series.
Click here to read Part 2 of this series.
Click here to read Part 3 of this series.
Click here to read Part 4 of this series.
Click here to read Part 5 of this series.

As #4 says: Seize the Initiative -- Take the Cities. It's Time for a Movement for Democratic Development.