WalMart and shit...

[SheepishLord]

One Small Town's Battle

Against China-Mart

By Ted Twietmeyer

[email protected]

5-5-6

 

NOT IN MY TOWN?

 

One year ago, I wrote two articles here on rense.com which were based on an MSNBC investigation of Wal-Mart's business. Incredibly, even MSNBC did an honest documentary even though everyone I spoke to never watched it. Perhaps to most people, they think these documentaries are like watching CSPAN. The articles last year covered how they used various techniques to expand their chain and how bad they treat their employees. [1]

 

One may think that a Wal-Mart story is a local matter. Before you dismiss this, be assured that this same drama you are about to read about can be, and will be most likely will be, repeated in your town if it hasn't happened already.

 

Like standing out in a golf course holding up a 10ft. metal pole during every thunderstorm, sooner or later Wal-Mart takeover lightning will strike a town near you.

 

And indeed, it just has here. That cursed town-killing big-black-box store chain is planning on buying up a 56 acre parcel of prime farm land, about 15 minutes away from me. The town of Lima, NY has numerous frowning yellow smiley faces standing on many of the front lawns up and down Main St. in the town, protesting the takeover attempt.

 

 

 

Frowning smiley face like those on front lawns on Main St.

(courtesy of Google images)

 

Tonight there was a town board meeting - and I am eternally sorry I didn't bring a camcorder. I figured I'd see a small room in the basement with a handful of people.

 

Was I ever wrong! This meeting was held in a local mega-church which was almost filled to capacity. About 1,000 people were there, along with at least three local television stations and the R News Network. On past television documentaries, we have been led to believe that only handful of people get upset when the ChinaMart store attempts to move into a town. Often the protesters are portrayed as standing outside with placards like striking auto-workers. Not this time.

 

Several spokespeople were there, though none were from ChinaMart. One can be certain that the store's "intelligence agents" were out there in the audience. There were some present taking notes like mad, and they left half-way through the meeting. When millions of corporate dollars are at stake, no company on earth would miss this.

 

PRESENTATIONS

 

There was a powerful, fact-filled presentation based upon the real facts that go with accepting the big-black-box into a town. I'll summarize some of the high points here:

 

* The store receives 10 YEARS of tax breaks in any town it goes into, which almost always requires a zoning law variance

 

* Store does NOT pay for added infrastructure into the community, such as increased fire and police protection

 

* Most small Businesses DIE soon after the store is opened. It has a serious impact on grocery stores, florist shops, hardware stores, gift shops, pharmacies and more

 

* Taxpayers must pay for additional road maintenance and repairs caused by increased traffic

 

* School taxes RISE and business and home property values DROP. Would you buy a home beside a ChinaMart or within eye-shot if you were moving out into the country?

 

* The store's con-men state that "480 new jobs will be created." But in reality, history has shown they may only create 70 new jobs.

 

* Only 8% of the store's revenue benefits the local economy

 

* Communities lose more jobs as all the local businesses die, with a typical net increase of just EIGHT $9.80 per hour jobs with little or no real benefits. In fact, most store employees receive public assistance for health care since their salaries are BELOW the poverty level and they cannot afford health insurance premiums.

 

* If the store FAILS to generate the anticipated revenue, it will be closed. By that time, the town already stripped of it's important small businesses and their tax revenue - leaving a big, ugly empty big-box store that no one will ever buy or rent. Does any startup business need 500,000 square feet? The town's tax revenue base is destroyed, and Main St. becomes desolate with boarded-up storefronts. And the chain moves on to wreck yet another small town.

 

My comment: Whether or not the store closes in the future, the small businesses destroyed won't be restored. Most of small town America's successful family-owned small businesses were created decades ago. That was when the average CITIZEN could realize the dream of owning their own business and doing well at it. Today, startup capital to begin any business (especially in manufacturing) is almost non-existent. And it's well know among entrepeneurs, that banks only loan money to people that really don't need it.

 

But wait - this big-black-box story is about to get even more interesting....

 

TOWN BOARD CORRUPTION BY WAL-MART?

 

It appears that perhaps the one person that could be behind disolving the town's Master Plan planning board may be the town's attorney, although it wasn't specifically stated. And here's why - it was announced in this same meeting that this attorney has "stepped out of the decision-making process because of his past ties to Wal-Mart" according to the board's chairman. Is it also a coincidence that the store wants to come to this town?

 

WHAT THE PEOPLE HAD TO SAY

 

The last segment of the meeting allowed anyone to come up to the stage and speak for a few minutes. I live in a nearby small town, and I didn't want to take precious time away from those who are impacted by this incursion. My purpose there was to see what actually unfolds at one of these meetings, first-hand. Most of the people who spoke had brilliant, well thought out remarks. No stone was left unturned and I salute them for it.

 

The town's Master Plan planning board was working for 7 years on a Master Plan for residential and business development.

 

One woman who spoke which lives in the town, announced the dissolution of the town's Master Planning Board. Everyone was shocked, in disbelief and quite upset. Hundreds yelled out demanding answers with "Why? WHAT? HOW COME?" The entire town knew that countless hours were spent on creating that plan.

 

The board chairman then literally yelled over the sound system "now calm down, I'll explain. We're going to hire a consulting firm to review the 7 years of work." Another woman then yelled out, "is that going to be a local firm?" He wouldn't answer her, and everyone knew what that meant. She asked again and the people demanded an explanation. The zero-tolerance chairman then threatened, "I'll close this meeting right now if you don't keep quiet." Incredibly, some people clapped at that threatening remark. Apparently some enjoy that warm, cozy feeling that only a high-voltage shock from a cattle prod can give.

 

Is it a coincidence that 7 years of planning work was just tossed out like last week's milk? It doesn't appear to be that way -especially that now is the time for board members to make a decision. All the surrounding towns already have plans in place to prevent this kind of corporate takeover. Someone should be watching all the board member's bank accounts for large deposits, and their yards for new pools, SUVs and RVs. Several residents looked right at the board only a few feet away on stage and called dissolving the Master Planning board "criminal."

 

Many testified of the damage the store would do to their property values. The lost property equity could never be recovered, even if the store were to close. Many others could easily see a sharp increase in property and school taxes, as the multi-billion dollar store chain will receive 10 YEARS of tax breaks. TEN YEARS!

 

Only one person talked about how "wonderful it would be to have the store in Lima." She was repeatedly booed by everyone.

 

Another man spoke, and closed his remarks with "we have found the weapons of mass destruction, and it is Wal-Mart."

 

Many who spoke received standing ovations accompanied by a deafening applause.

 

Another lady however, had it all thought out. She proclaimed to the board, "if you approve this, then there is no reason to give them a tax break. You should tax them at the HIGHEST possible rate." That created a loud applause.

 

Testimony went on into the late evening, with many voicing their concerns over the many negative factors associated with this attempt at a corporate takeover. One man noted that the land is a protected area under NY State Dept. of Environmental Conservations regulations because of streams and creeks in the immediate area, and cited the law chapter and verse.

 

Of course, if you or I wanted to build a home on any protected land, we would never receive a building permit.

 

In THREE different directions from the town of Lima, NY, there is already a ChinaMart and two of them are "super-centers." Each one is only about 10 to 15 minutes away from where the new store will be. Will Mars have one on it, too?

 

THE BATTLE ISN'T OVER YET

 

This coming week, the big box chain will have their 15 minutes of fame at a local country club (tonight's meeting was held in a very large church.) I'm planning on attending, if they allow my trouble-making self past their sentries. I will attempt to obtain some digital footage of the big store's BS session. I'm willing to bet they will be serving "refreshments" to butter everyone up, complete with Sam's club aspartame-laced diet soda. Perhaps my wife should be home to receive my one phone call when they haul me away. I'm one of those weird people that doesn't carry a cell phone - I've read the research reports and know what RF does to people.

 

This isn't just about a small town's battle - it's a battle that will come to everyone's door sooner or later. The chain has big plans to cram one of these small town killing stores into almost every town in America, whether they want it there or not.

 

If the US is taken to condition red and rationing is started - would not the military step in and take over the biggest national store chain for their own purposes? They already have the distribution system in place. There is also a special section in the mile-square headquarters of the chain, which is off-limits to most employees. The sign says "Homeland Security." Is it any wonder that they will try to put one of these stores in every town - just for that terrible day?

 

For more about saving small businesses see [2].

 

Film at 11...

 

Ted Twietmeyer

 

Please help support the ground-breaking work of www.data4science.net by buying your copy online of the book with more than 160 images, "What NASA Isn't Telling You About Mars" at www.bookonmars.info

 

[1] Article links to documented stories about Wal-Mart:

 

Part 1 - http://www.rense.com/general65/lips.htm

 

Part 2 - http://www.rense.com/general65/mart.htm

 

[2] - http://www.newrules.org/retail/

[sean]

Funny coincidence, I just had a conversation with Lozen about how much I hate Walmart yesterday.

[Lozen]

Funny coincidence, I just had a conversation with Lozen about how much I hate Walmart yesterday.

 

Confessions of Lozen in the Year of the Dog

 

1) I love this country.

2) I support the troops.

3) I sometimes shop at Walmart.

 

No, I didn't vote for Bush.

Edited May 7, 2006 by Lozen

[thelerner]

Confessions of thelerner

 

I love this country

I don't agree w/ the Iraqi war

but support the troops there

I did (and do) support the Afghanstan war.

I shop sometimes at Walmart

(and sold them 10's of thousand of used boxes)

but think they're poison in small/medium town locations

I regretfully voted for Bush

received boos from various friends for it (deserved)

I need to lose 25#'s

Practice more

Write more

Cook the ravioli for dinner (whole wheat w/ sun dried tomato and chicken)

etc.

 

more confessions

 

I'm optimistic about America

I'm old enough to see history as a pendulum of opposing forces

and see pessimism as youngsters seeing the now and

concluding current trends will only get worse.

My children love America's Funniest Videos

 

I don't believe in;

phantom reptilian ovelords & there compatriiots reds and greens

chemtrials

illuminati theories

all fats are bad

science and technology are inherently bad

astrology

tarot (though I like to get my cards red once a year as a rorchach test)

palmestry (again rorcschacian)

communism (good in theory, doesn't work in practice)

Exteme socialism (see communism)

Extreme capitalism

 

I think:

Most people are good

though it doesn't take many bad people to make a real bad scene

Enlightenment in this lifetime is possible

 

 

 

Michael

Edited May 6, 2006 by thelerner

[Lozen]

More confessions:

 

Yesterday I ate two large pieces of cake

Once I stole half an avocado from my friend's fridge

I didn't remember her name even though I was staying at her house

My body fat percentage is at 28% and I weigh 140 even though I tell everyone 135

My kitchen is filthy right now and my house is a mess because I'm moving.

I didn't meditate this morning.

Oh yeah, and I really really like guns even though I don't own one. Yet.

[Cameron]

I don't believe in;

phantom reptilian ovelords & there compatriiots reds and greens

chemtrials

illuminati theories

 

Are you questioning Max? Did you not see the reptillian overlord photo I posted on this very site several months ago?! Open your eyes man!!

 

Here is a top secret behind the scenes photo of the Bush Administration!! That's GW in front and Rumsfeld on right. Possibly Codeeleeza on left but unconfirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

[thelerner]

I notice Max knows quite a bit about these scaly invaders. Yup, he seems to have some pretty intimate knowledge about them. Maybe a little too intimate. What am I saying? He's either one of THEM or sleeping w/ one of the sexier slithering types. Thats why he's Smile.

 

 

On some level, non belief has its benefits. Not believing in my laundry list of boogie men, makes me much less likely to see them, whether they are there or not. Ofcourse the reverse is also true. A true believer will see/feel/sense the object of their obsession.

 

I think there is one Reality, and its probably a good one. But our interpretations, preconceptions, cultural biases & human predicaments create filter after filter.

 

Thankfully my piece of elephant is undoubtedly the real one.

 

Michael

[Smile]

i've got to send some reptilians on you to make you a believer....

[thelerner]

Maybe some slithering sexy green ones to make hybrids with (cause they get the best mileage)

 

Michael

[SheepishLord]

Maybe some slithering sexy green ones to make hybrids with (cause they get the best mileage)

 

Michael

 

The show "Farscape" depicts reptillians very well IMO. They are called "Scarrans" in the show:

 

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_latp3.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_wgfa.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_sod.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_incubator1.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_incubator2.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_ip.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_fractures.jpg

http://www.farscapeweekly.com/images/scarran_istia.jpg

[Smile]

Hacker fears 'UFO cover-up'

[thelerner]

I loved Farscape, fantastic sci fi show that redefined the Flash Gordon Space opera of yesteryear. But for all the good story telling and special effects, Ming the Merciless and Scorpius don't exist, and the Scarrans are guys in lizard suits.

 

We we we need enemies So so so badly. Demons, devils, people across the boarder, skin type or which end of the egg they crack. Its one of those pathological diseases of mankind.

 

As a one time martial artist I learned to imagine a circle around me, that moved as I moved. An opponent within the circle was a real threat that had to be dealt with. Drawing the circle too far out, makes for impotence and paranoia. Beyond a certain point, it's hard to distingquish between figments, fragments and projections.

 

Peace and tranquility have to happen now. Right now, I am fine. There will be a near infinite amount of moments where I can relax completely because there is no opponent within my circle right now. I have a crystal ball that is never wrong. It always predicts change.

 

In the very very unlikely chance Reptilian Overlords exist, then lets hope bad guitar playing scares them away. Because in that case they'll stay far away from me

 

Michael

Edited May 7, 2006 by thelerner

[voice]

I haven't experienced aliens on earth, and so I don't believe in aliens on earth.

 

But since my three spiritual teachers, all from different traditions, have seen them and do experience them, I don't disbelieve in aliens on earth.

 

Chris

[Cameron]

LOL@people who beleive in Aliens! There are NO alien life on other planets. In fact I DARE an alien intelleigence to show up and say they are from another planet to my face! It won't ever happen since they don't exist! If they do exist they have NO BALLS for staying hidden and not introducing themselves properly!

 

But they don't exist so don't have an imaginary fantasy about aliens with no balls.

 

*eagerly awaits alien showing up and giving tour of solar system and hanging out like in 80's movies*

[Smile]

LOL@people who beleive in Aliens! There are NO alien life on other planets. In fact I DARE an alien intelleigence to show up and say they are from another planet to my face! It won't ever happen since they don't exist! If they do exist they have NO BALLS for staying hidden and not introducing themselves properly!

 

But they don't exist so don't have an imaginary fantasy about aliens with no balls.

 

*eagerly awaits alien showing up and giving tour of solar system and hanging out like in 80's movies*

You sure are talking about BALLS alot. Oh, wait a minute... You started your BJJ training. That explains...

[Cameron]

You must have alot of balls talking to me like that...

 

*pwns self*

[Smile]

You must have alot of balls talking to me like that...

 

*pwns self*

 

Why? Are you looking for a lot of balls? And since when you became so sensitive all of a sudden?

[Cameron]

LOL. Ime just kidding man .Though I suspect you secretely upset with me for choosing BJJ instead of Aikido and denying aliens existence..

 

Cam(who doesn't think the US economy is going to collaspe and the world won't end in 2012).

 

[thelerner]

bump.

 

 

an old thread.  funny how we got from Walmart to aliens so quickly.  

Fear of Walmart, we didn't know nothing.. wait til Amazon took over..

[Lost in Translation]

What could possibly go wrong?

 

Quote

Amazon Seeks Entry to Your Home to Solve Package Theft

Amazon is introducing a new program called Amazon Key, which allows deliveries to be dropped off inside a customer's home. The online retailer said that it will launch a service next month called Amazon Key that would allow delivery people to walk into your home and drop off a box when you’re not there. (Oct. 25, 2017)

Matthew OrmsethContact Reporter

 

Amazon is trying to conquer the final potential pitfall in a package’s journey from warehouse to customer: the hours it spends on the doorstep, vulnerable to passing thieves, a cue that a home is empty and ripe for the burglarizing.

Beginning Nov. 8, Amazon began offering a service it calls Amazon Key, which allows the company to unlock your door remotely and grant access to a delivery person, who then is recorded with an indoor security camera depositing parcels inside a residence.

The service requires a $250 kit that includes a “smart lock” and camera, but the delivery service itself is available to Prime members at no additional cost. Thirty-seven metro areas across the country are eligible for Amazon Key; none, however, are in Connecticut.

Amazon Key has raised concerns, including the safety of allowing strangers into an empty house. A national poll conducted by Morning Consult, an online research company, found that 68 percent of more than 2,000 U.S. adults surveyed were uncomfortable with the idea of letting delivery drivers into their homes.

 

Amazon has said delivery personnel will be “thoroughly vetted, with comprehensive background checks and motor vehicle records reviews,” and the indoor security cameras are intended to offer transparency and a record of any transgressions committed by a delivery-person.

Hartford Deputy Police Chief Brian Foley said his department had some initial concerns about letting delivery personnel into unoccupied homes, but their misgivings were similar to those that preceded Uber, a system of putting people in strangers’ cars, which has proved “wildly successful” in Hartford.

“At first glance, we had some concerns of the vetting of the people delivering the packages,” he said. “But it’s the consumer’s choice. If the consumer trusts it and likes it, then we support it.”

Package safety is a chronic problem in Hartford, especially during the holidays.

“Major concern. Major, major concern,” Foley said. “It’s probably one of our biggest complaints around Christmastime. It’s hugely problematic for us.”

Last January, a Hartford man was caught stealing packages off the porches of West Hartford homes just a month after being arrested for the same crime. A rash of doorstep thefts last year prompted Hartford police to publish a holiday package safety tipsheet.

Foley said he “absolutely supports anything Amazon, or any other retailer or shipper, does to make sure packages get into the right hands.”

Amazon Key is not the Seattle retailer’s first attempt at improving package security. In July, it unveiled The Hub, a 7-foot-tall locker intended for apartment building lobbies that would hold tenants’ packages until they were free to collect them.

For property managers, keeping track of tenants’ packages can be a headache and a worry. Deliveries can pile up in entryways, and the more cluttered a lobby, said Tasha Ramos, an apartment manager for Westside Properties, the easier it is for people to walk off with something they shouldn’t.

Ramos implemented a new system at a complex she manages in Frog Hollow, where she keeps packages in her office and makes residents sign to collect them.

“At the end of the day, it boils down to us feeling responsible for our tenants’ property,” Ramos said.

The Amazon Hubs, which cost about $20,000 to install but require no regular payments to maintain, are marketed as reducing the lobby clutter Ramos sought to avoid. It is likely landlords would offer them as a perk to potential lease signees, much like a pool or in-house gym.

Though giving strangers access to your home can be disconcerting for some, Uber has in recent years convinced millions of users to step into strangers’ cars, and Amazon is hoping to expand its in-home delivery service beyond package delivery. In a press release, the company announced it was partnering with cleaning service Merry Maids and Rover.com, a dog-walking and pet-sitting company, raising the possibility of coming home to find your home clean, the dog walked and packages piled neatly by the door.

 

http://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-amazon-package-delivery-20171030-story.html

 

[redcairo]

Walmart was in the city where I live (~15K pop) before I moved here in 2000. They upgraded to 'super walmart' (now just walmart again, but ridiculously large) I think in 2001.

 

We lost five grocery stores, couple clothing stores, auto shops, sporting goods, a pharmacy, and probably several other things I'm not aware of. WM simply put them out of business. Nobody could compete with their prices -- or with the convenience of having everything in one place.

 

One tiny grocer just a few doors down from me survived, because they were on a frontage road from Main St and it was kind of rectangle. So if you wanted milk, you could just run in and get it and run out. It wasn't like you had to hike to Guam at the opposite side the way you do with the big WM. It survived and gradually even expanded and moved across the street. Their prices are significantly higher though. In some respects they focused on the stuff WM didn't, like gluten-free and so on, which made people go there for that. Now even walmart has coconut and almond meal and GF everything, cauli and zuke frozen stuff for grainfree noodles or 'rice' and so on, so I'm not sure if that's helping them anymore.

 

I shop there, because options are limited here now, and because the price of real food is high enough without making it worse. I make myself shop at the other store sometimes, just to support its existence.

 

For the complaints about employee stuff though, I have to say, I know a couple people who have worked there for years. They pay 2-3$ more an hour than any of the other retail in town, there's a % off card, and the conditions aren't any more psycho than any other retail job (often better just because larger environs and formal HR policies reduce the personal-tyranny small places can experience).

 

It bothers me that walmart and amazon (which pretty much have the majority of my non-bill paychecks for the last 15 years) are taking over everything though.

 

There is this (IMO total propaganda) movie called 'The Circle.' It has this ending which apparently many watchers thought was a happy ending, and I thought was the summation of a nightmare. Having some global corp utterly controlling and monitoring your existence is slightly nauseating.

 

RC

[silent thunder]

Torrance where we've lived since 2000 has been resisting WM for decades.  Each new election cycle they send in their jackass influence peddlers to blow money up the ass of local officials.  Our residents formally declined them a place in every single referendum until the most recent officials opened their back door and snuck/allowed a WM grocery to open, saying "it's not an actual WM."

 

Folks here acted livid, then bent over and went quiet.... sigh.

 

I've yet to set foot in one.  They are parasitic in my opinion through their lack of paying livable wages, undercutting small business and demanding absurd perks from local authorities.  Severely parasitic.  Capitalist disease at its worst.

[silent thunder]