Discussion about the harm of big-box stores
Sincerely,
Dan MatthewsTo: oconee@yahoogroups.com
From: ppriest@charter.net
Date: Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:18:49 -0400
Subject: [oconee] Discussion about the harm of big-box stores
Hi!
The community book group sponsored by the Oconee Democrats will discuss
"Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for
America's Independent Businesses" on Wednesday, September 28th, at 7 PM.
This is a terrific and important book that provides historical context
for the decline of the middle class in our country, as big-box stores
such as Wal-Mart and national drug store, hardware, and bookstore chains
(and others) cause countless locally owned businesses to fail.
The author, Stacy Mitchell, argues that "our communities are becoming
ever more dependent on a handful of corporations that have no allegiance
to the places where they do business." You find that out quickly when
you want to post an announcement for a community event at a store, and
it's the local businesses that allow that -- and when local businesses
are so very generous with charity auction items.
Mitchell details the job losses -- rather than job gains -- that occur
in places around the globe when these mega-stores spring up, but,
incredibly, big-box stores actually receive subsidies from local
governments. Mitchell reports that "since the early 1990s, Wal-Mart
alone has grabbed over $1 billion in local and state subsides to fund
construction of its new stores and warehouses."
The group will meet to discuss this eye-opening book -- and its
implications about supporting and protecting local businesses -- in the
small room called the "Dawg House" at Buffalo's Southeast Cafe on Alps
Road in Athens. We often arrive early to order dinner and chat.
Hope to see you!
Pat Priest
The community book group sponsored by the Oconee Democrats will discuss
"Big-Box Swindle: The True Cost of Mega-Retailers and the Fight for
America's Independent Businesses" on Wednesday, September 28th, at 7 PM.
This is a terrific and important book that provides historical context
for the decline of the middle class in our country, as big-box stores
such as Wal-Mart and national drug store, hardware, and bookstore chains
(and others) cause countless locally owned businesses to fail.
The author, Stacy Mitchell, argues that "our communities are becoming
ever more dependent on a handful of corporations that have no allegiance
to the places where they do business." You find that out quickly when
you want to post an announcement for a community event at a store, and
it's the local businesses that allow that -- and when local businesses
are so very generous with charity auction items.
Mitchell details the job losses -- rather than job gains -- that occur
in places around the globe when these mega-stores spring up, but,
incredibly, big-box stores actually receive subsidies from local
governments. Mitchell reports that "since the early 1990s, Wal-Mart
alone has grabbed over $1 billion in local and state subsides to fund
construction of its new stores and warehouses."
The group will meet to discuss this eye-opening book -- and its
implications about supporting and protecting local businesses -- in the
small room called the "Dawg House" at Buffalo's Southeast Cafe on Alps
Road in Athens. We often arrive early to order dinner and chat.
Hope to see you!
Pat Priest
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