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Had to jump in and state that there are a few of us out there who pride ourselves in being "Indie". Independent as opposed to IP (Independence Party) and there IS a strong line of delineation in my mind. First of all, let us just state that all of us are hypocritical, (I know I am when it comes to purchasing goods). I have been seen and sighted in many Wal-Mart stores throughout the nation. No, I don't own stock, although I am a thoughtless heathen when it comes to getting a good bargain, which I attribute mainly to my thrifty or (cheap) Scottish/Swedish heritage. I know, a double-edged sword, "cheap and stubborn". There are worse things out there than buying cheap. Oddly enough I support fair trade stores too. Anyway, I think whether you hail from the Left or the Right or somewhere in between, we have all patronized organizations that may have them same if not as successful tenet as Wal-Mart. Get the most for the least and put the savings in savings. Whether you go to Cub, Rainbow, Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart, Pamida, Sam's, CostCo, Home Depot or other discount places, they all work around the same principal. I hate to remind you of the harsh reality that people go where the deals are. And guess what, I am sorry for the small businesses that cannot compete with the big box operations, but even though Home Depot did not go into the Midway area, that does not deter me one bit. I still take care of my home improvement needs through Home Depot, or Menards, I just have to drive to one a little further. That's what makes me Independent. I DECIDE. I thought that was what freedom was about. The larger complaint that I have is regarding the relationship between the private sector and the government sector in that there appears to be NO LINE of delineation. We are becoming as Nader stated in 2000 and earlier, a corporate oligarchy. Call him Left, call him radical, I call him completely accurate on this count. It appears that our economic philosophy (Capititalism) has so overshadowed our governing philosophy (Democracy) that we cannot even separate the two. Have you heard of any forthcoming punishment for Enron? Or for some of you Right wing folks would that be too communistic for you all to absorb. Would it only bother you if it affected a loved one, or you? If not, then how could anyone be expected to think the practices of Wal-Mart would be under the scrutiny of anyone high up on the political food chain? Have you thought about what you would have preferred to have in the old K-Mart space other than Wal-Mart? In addition, I hate to say it, but I think there are far too many City, County, State and Federal elected officials, on BOTH sides of the aisle, that find it much easier to roll over for any private corporate issue than to fight in the trenches for the health and safety of the good citizens that elected them to protect THEIR interests. One only need look at the article mentioned in the Star Tribune today earlier by John Birrenbach to see the disingenuous nature of what is going on here when it comes to environmental hazards. If you happen to be 3M, or GSE you are required to take responsibility for your mess. If you are Ramsey County, any stupid endeavor you uneducatedly get into is protected and sanctioned by law? So it follows that all citizens who have been harmed by the ethanol plant should be able to sue GSE for damages, but if the same occurs by sanction of the government you are SOL. http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4288530.html Seems to me that something is rotten, in Ramsey County, and it isn't just compost. Again, do any of you care? Do you all realize that if you are in within twelve miles of a compost site your property and your health can be compromised? Where Ramsey County came up with 300 feet as the measurement of safety for properties around a compost facility is unclear to me, because the science of composting will tell you this. Where are the Ramsey County Commissioners on this issue? It seems to me that although Wal-Mart has been an interesting discussion, there are bigger fish to fry in Saint Paul and in Ramsey County. If you live near any of the compost sites you should be watching their operation. Since I have started touring the sites on a regular basis, I do not compost. I mulch my grass and let it lay on the lawn. It is dangerous!!!!!! Think about it. Pamela Ellison Como Park Saint Paul ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Kuettel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 28, 2003 12:22 PM Subject: [StPaul] Re: Walmart and the Left Elite > St. Paul E-Democracy Links > http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/links.html > _____________________________________________ > > Hi All! > > This is just a clean-up post. When I have time to delve, I may offer more > substance. > > I have been called on a couple of things which I wish to clarify: > > By Left Elitism I don't mean to imply wealth and/or over-education. I define it > more as a "I Know What's Best for the Unwashed Masses" attitude. Or, > "Government is best for solving social and economic problems." > > Capitalism is the great equalizer. An unfortunate way of stating what I meant, > which would be more accurate if I were to say capitalism is the greatest > democratizer and prosperity engine extant and has worked everywhere it has been > tried. I know that many hate to hear this, but a rising tide DOES raise all > boats, certainly not in equal proportion, but as far as opportunity to prosper > and the general living standard of the US is something I wouldn't trade. > > And don't start bringing up the homogeneous, small countries like Switzerland > and Luxemborg, etc. who may come out higher on the scale, but have alot less > "diversity" to deal with. > > Well maybe this was a mess-up post after all. Shouldn't shoot from the hip, but > isn't that what you lefties like about Dean? ;-) > > Cheers and Happy New Year! > > PK > Falcon Heights > > > _____________________________________________ > NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul > > Archive Address: > http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ > _____________________________________________ > For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html > For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract > _____________________________________________ NEW ADDRESS FOR LIST: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul Archive Address: http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/ _____________________________________________ For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract
