Should Wal-Mart Locations Be Decided By Voters?

"Wal-Mart has become such a divisive, hot-button subject ... that perhaps the populace is better suited to decide whether it wants the store in its backyard... If anything, the vote in Inglewood showed that residents are capable of making up their own minds on this complicated issue. And Wal-Mart is complex... So far, Wal-Mart has a mixed record with voters in California. Two counties supported stores, while Inglewood said "no." Outside the marketplace, Congress and the federal agencies are the best places to settle the macroeconomic issues swirling around Wal-Mart. But when it comes to location, it's obvious that local populations have strong feelings. They should be allowed their say."