When "Local" Isn't

Jim Hightower observes that the concept of buying local has been perverted by large international corporations who are jumping on the bandwagon. He writes:

"'Local' is a growing movement in American commerce. Some 30,000 small businesses have organized themselves into 'local business alliances' in more than 130 cities. The movement is phenomenally popular with consumers, who like the personality and uniqueness of homegrown enterprises and prefer to buy from people who keep consumer dollars moving through the local economy.

As a result of the movement's financial success, many more businesses are joining the local push. For example, such down-home outfits as Barnes & Noble, CVS, Frito Lay, HSBC, Starbucks, Unilever and Wal-Mart are trying to get in on the action."

What's more, he finds that local economic development officials have been involved in promoting the notion that buying from a chain store qualifies as buying local.