[Spam] [Vision2020] I do not care about the economy
Pat Kraut
pkraut at moscow.com
Tue Jan 10 10:23:35 PST 2006
Are you counting the one in Lewiston or the one on the hill here? The old one will close so it cannot be counted. You could add the one in Lewiston and have three in this area and be quite right.
I also enjoyed the meeting Monday night. It was easy to see the different views of panelists and questioners. I agree with Jeff and others that we can make Wal-mart work for us and not against us if we control the zoning.
I'd like to ask BJ Swanson if Les Schwab has closed any stores in Spokane? She said that it was likely here as she said Spokane has three super stores and I don't find info that they have closed any in Spokane. My feeling is that Les S has a following that is loyal. And speaking of Les S when they opened we heard all the same doom and gloom about all our other tire stores closing. It is the nature of business.
Maybe Joe would give us the list of names of panelists here with a bio??
And next time get us out earlier?
All in all thanks to MCA
----- Original Message -----
From: Pat Kraut
To: vision2020
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 9:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Spam] [Vision2020] I do not care about the economy
Three walmarts?? Where!
----- Original Message -----
From: Shelly
To: vision2020 at moscow.com ; donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com
Sent: Monday, January 09, 2006 6:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Spam] [Vision2020] I do not care about the economy
Donovan - Have you seen the documentary? What do you HONESTLY think will happen to our economy with three Walmart's?
-Phil
-------Original Message-------
From: Donovan Arnold
Date: 01/09/06 17:32:27
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Spam] [Vision2020] I do not care about the economy
I am still waiting to hear any legitimate complaints against Wal-Mart. Everything I have heard is either;
1) Applicable to all other major chains in the country
2) Coming from a biased source, such as a liberal from Berkeley, or a Union Organization.
3) Flat out untrue
Complaint: "Wal Mart hurts the economy."
Response: " While an oil spill or natural disaster helps it."
Complaint: "Wal-Mart eliminates jobs."
Response "Wal-Mart eliminates unnecessary jobs."
Complaint: "Wal-Mart eliminates high paying jobs and replaces them with low paying jobs."
Response: "Wal-Mart replaces Kmart jobs with Wal-Mart Jobs that pay the same."
Complaint "Wal-Mart uses overseas labor."
Response: "Every one uses overseas labor."
Complaint: "Wal-Mart pays its overseas labors $70 a month."
Response: "$70 a month is more ! than what the teacher or police officer makes."
Wal-Mart eliminates high paying jobs in exchange for lower prices on daily living items like food, toiletries, paper towels, medications, automobile goods, and clothing.
As someone that makes $20K a year and am getting soaked with high rent because of property taxes, an unfair regressive sales tax on the dollar-even on groceries, and minimum wage has not gone up in 9 years, I do not care if we eliminate a few $80K a year jobs if it keeps prices lower for the rest of us. I have no sympathy for those that lose a job making $80K a year. I care about the poorer people that are living on 20K a year of less. Moscow has done nothing for the poor in our community. It costs more to rent an apartment in Moscow then a house in Boise. That is insane, and highly unfair. Wal-mart, ShopKo, CostCo, and other mega chains reduces the overall cost of living for the poor. To me, this is a good thing. I think saving ! money, pinching pennies, and buying as cheaply and as cost effectively as possible is the responsible way to handle personal finances.
When Idaho and Moscow does not raise wages, does not provide property tax relief for the low income, pushes for a 20% sales tax increase on food, clothing, and other items needed for daily living, it is no friend of the poor, or hard working men and women on the lower end of the economic end of this community or those dependent upon Social Security. Moscow has to let Wal-Mart in because the community has created such a need for a low discount store when it has assaulted their quality of life and ignored their needs for such a long time.
A head of household living in Moscow of a three person household would have to work 400 hours a month in order to rent a two bedroom apartment, at only 30% of their income before taxes at the current minimum wage.
$5.15 (minimum wage) x 400 = 2060x .30 (affo! rdable housing) = $618 a month (rent)
Now, unless you believe it is reasonable to work 400 hours a month, I do not see how anyone can ask someone to forgo shopping at the cheapest possible place or deny them that right.
I do not care about the economy. I care about the quality of life for the people on the bottom of the economic scale. I care that people on the bottom are not required to expend 100% of their income on the basics of life and still go without some others. It is not fair. Moscow has been no friend of the poor and disadvantaged.
-DJA
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