[Chicago] in defense of wal-mart...

[jon. kelland]

...is Dennis Byrne, in an opinion piece in the May 10
Tribune <http://byrne.notlong.com>

"I assume that those who oppose Wal-Mart will have
some other, perfect alternative lined up to take
Wal-Mart's place as an economic and job generator in
those neighborhoods. Or even a not-so-good
alternative. Or any alternative.

"You know they won't, because they're too busy hanging
onto their jobs as "activists," by creating a monster
and then turning a mob on it."

Byrne is cleverly trying to make concerned activists
into an anti-job, anti-poor mob.  the "not-so-good
alternative" byrne claims the "activists" don't have
is entirely what the debate is focused on - making
wal-mart a more accountable employer, not shutting it
down.

byrne also states that "[t]The Chicago City Council,
or no municipal government for that matter, should be
in the business of deciding who gets to set up a
business where and when, favoring one over another,
beyond the standard zoning, health and other
requirements."

activists often reason that issues of low wages are
intimately tied to personal and community health. 
wal-mart (and casino) boosters tend not to consider
the social costs of these policy decisions.  the
bottom line is that these activists are engaging in a
discussion that always ought to be occurring - instead
it is being questioned as legitimate discourse.

byrne and other wal-mart supporters rightly have
concern for jobs and economic development, but this
should not mean that accepting wal-mart, as is, is the
best that Chicago should expect - or can get. it does
not mean that Chicago will not eventually get these
jobs. it does not mean that we should avoid having
discussions about what kind of business and cultural
climate Chicago should nurture through policy.  

jon. kelland
pilsen/25th ward


        
                
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