The War On Wal-Mart

Like most of the rest of the country, Vermont is waiting on Washington.  Waiting to see if the stimulus bill will pass and, if it does, what is in it for the states.  Or, more precisely, what is in it for my state.  California, it seems, will be sending out IOUs instead of proper checks for tax rebates and other obligations that are coming due.  The Golden State is out of cash.  The world’s eighth largest economy, reduced to this.  For those who remember the days (not that long ago) when California seemed the inevitable colossus, leading the world into a new epoch, this is sad and frightening. 

Vermont waits, too, on Washington.  But this does not mean Montpelier has been idle.  There is a measure making its way through the statehouse that is aimed at Wal-Mart.  There is an element in Vermont that hates Wal-Mart the way that Sox fans hate the Yankees. That is, without reason and remorselessly. 

In this case, Wal-Mart’s offense takes place several hundred miles away, in Virginia, where the big retailer proposes building a store near a Civil War battlefield.  The legislature stakes its claim in this controversy on the basis that soldiers from Vermont played a crucial part in the battle.  Wal-Mart argues that its store will be a mile from the battlefield and that homes have been built much closer.  This would seem an issue for Virginia to deal with and, failing that, for private, preservationists to take up.  And, one wonders, if there were a wind turbine farm going up where Wal-Mart proposes to build its store, would the Vermont legislature be butting in?

The Wal-Mart story is, of course, much larger than its Vermont component.  (The same could be said of almost any story, at all.)  Wal-Mart is, in the minds of its enemies, not much better than a 21st century sweatshop where workers are ruthlessly exploited in the name of ever-greater profits.  But as a writer who did a stretch as a Wal-Mart employee discovered, it isn’t a bad place to work. 

As the economy continues its sickening descent, Wal-Mart is one of the few bright business stories.  The company was one of two Dow 30 stocks whose price rose in 2008.  (The other was MacDonald’s.)  And the company’s business continues to improve as consumers take advantage of its low prices for essentials like food and drugs.

One suspects that there are plenty of Vermonters shopping at Wal-Mart these days, including some who are crossing the state line to do so.  Thus far, Wal-Mart has provided far more real and reliable relief in the midst of the economic crisis than those who were elected to do something about it. 

Comments

[Kevin Blakeman]

I hope that no one is testifying that this battlefield should be preserved as a battlefield for ever and ever, on the premise that our Green Mountain Boys didn’t leave their homes, their farms and their business-and give their lives- just so future generations would be free to build homes and businesses on a perfectly good battlefield? I know that is not exactly what you wrote but based on my experience that is the kind of testimony that I have heard at Vermont’s land use hearings so it wouldn’t surprise me.

I have heard statements given under oath that a neighboring artist would not be able to concentrate if housing was allowed to be build on adjoining land-zoned for housing- and because the world would then be deprived of his puppet shows- approval should be denied. And that dump trucks can cause cats to abort their kittens- so of course- having gravel-pit a mile from a dairy farm could have a similar adverse affect the dairy business. One neighbor-who also happens to be an assistant attorney general- advised a DRB that zoning regulation should not be taken literally and the DRB should interrupt them as they think might be the intent. Apparently she is correct- because that seems to be exactly how so many decisions seem to be made.

Some people despise Big Box Store like Walmart and fast-food restaurants like McDonald’s and will say anything to keep them out. But not everyone is of the same opinion as they are the only winners on the NYSX.

Unfortunately, some of this nonsense is hilarious- or at least it would be if it wouldn’t true. Maybe that is what makes it so hard to seriously oppose. Who wants to spend an evening debating a claim that “rocks have feelings too” and thier rights must be protected.

[Hunter Melville]

Wanna have some fun? Cruise the West Lebanon NH Wal-Mart's parking lot and see how many Vermont license plates you can find in a row. Extra points when you find one with a 'Buy Local' sticker. Warning! The traffic is horrendous getting off or on I-89.

No such problems on the other side of the river in White River Junction.

[Lazarus Long]

A link or article on a blog recently showed data that indicated that Vermont had one of the highest Walmarts per capita in the nation.

[Nick Michael]

Right on point. I guess the only thing the same people hate more is George Bush!

[Chris Campion]

Lazarus, Vermont is the most rural state in the nation (fewest people per square mile), so it stands to reason that even a few Wal-Marts (or a few "anythings" will put us at the top of the list. It also puts us near the bottom in per-capita income, which is a distinction I'd describe as less than ideal.

[diggs]

ummm... Vermont has the fewest people per square mile in the nation? How could that possibly be true? Wyoming has a lower population than us and is geographically much bigger. Without looking it up, it seems like we must be less rural than at least Wyoming, the Dakotas, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Alaska, and probably some midwestern states as well. Although your main point is still valid.

[Chris Campion]

Diggs, my bad - we're 30th based on population density. For reference, though, VT had 67.2 people per square mile in 2007. NH has 146.7 people per square mile, and is ranked 20th. That such a small state is so decidedly rural (Minnesota, Mississippi, and Arizona rank just behind Vermont at 31, 32, and 33, respectively) simply means we have the same challenges as larger rural states in terms of funding/providing education (as an example of a challenge), but far fewer tax revenue resources to
do so. I think that's the distinction I should have made.

Thanks for the feedback - I definitely had my stat wrong.

Chris

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population_density