Posted on 11/24/2011 10:09:03 AM PST by Navy Patriot
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
However when Walmart goes directly to the people with a voter initiative, they are overwhelmingly approved by the general electorate.
Note that every leftist complaint about the negative effects of Walmart is less truthful that if the exact same charge was leveled against the government or unions.
The only reason liberals literally hate Walmart is because the company’s non-union.
The liberals want their “labor” union/political war-chest funds now!
Anyone who opposes Walmart must "hate" poor people.
As a mere citizen and consumer, and not a public official or union thug, I really like the superstores - you can get everything you need, from lettuce to kitty litter to a flat screen TV, in one place without running from little store to little store and having to pay high prices at each.
The ban on big box stores is political and to stifle competition. Wal-mart has managed to expand in a state that has one of the most adverse business climates in the country and costly regulations to comply with. Few companies bother with opening up stores in California. Its just too much hassle for too little return.
I propose an initiative to enact 100% import tariffs on Walmart’s imports from Communist China.
And every other retailer.
Enough is enough. America first.
Just what we need...More Chinamarts...
Sure, because Smoots-Hawley worked so well. We should try to learn from our mistakes, not repeat them.
Exactly.
Hi yankee...haha...you no want tariffs...How we sell tainted poon jab doggie yum yums? You go shop yankee...Be happy...Make you proud...hahha...bye bye now...
Ah, resurrecting the “Smoot-Hawley” tired old canard.
You do realize of course, we were then the world’s exporting powerhouse.
So naturally, tariffs only encouraged our competitors to enact them against us.
Now, we export almost nothing. We have nothing to lose anymore.
We gave it all away already. Let’s go for it.
America first.
OK the comrade on the right, is rather “ke-ai”. :D
That’s Mandarin for not guilty.
Just saying.
The electorate agrees with you.
In California, crooked DemoRat politicians and "public servants" have a well engineered extortion based pay to operate system in place where crony business and unions funnel graft to the Rat party and in favor NGO's. They return the favor by obstructing anyone who will not pay to play.
Walmart is despised simply because they will not pay these extortionists.
It is simply local Fascism, and I have seen it in my own small town.
OK, I’ll allow the importation of “the comrade on the right”, It’s probably safe as China no longer enforces economic communism, just tyranny.
I’m fine with the 100% import tariff.
Well worth it. :D
Mei Nu...
Chinamarts are a symptom of the American socialist left's doing, not China's.
The “left” are free traders?...
Do tell.
Those who oppose Walmart certainly love to keep poor people poor, and they "love" black people, or so they say.
Look what they've done for the black family by keeping blacks poor.
Until voters really educate themselves, they will suffer for Dem policies. They continually vote in people who do things they hate, simply because they are attached for some strange reason to the “D” next to their names.
The Dems have used referendums and initiatives, and constitutional amendments to push their agendas for years. Nice to see them hung up by them a bit.
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