An Insider's Perspective On Wal-Mart Wars

A San Francisco Chronicle columnist embeds herself in the war to keep Wal-Mart out.

1 minute read

June 27, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"I embedded myself in the Wal-Mart wars that have recently broken out in Contra Costa County. What I learned, in a nutshell, is that Wal- Mart's nonunion, big-box stores drag down other workers' salaries, destroy downtown businesses, prevent smart-growth development and increase traffic congestion. What really surprised me though is that we, the taxpayers, end up subsidizing Wal-Mart stores by paying for the health and retirement needs of its workers."

Thanks to Congress on New Urbanism

Thursday, June 26, 2003 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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