Wal-Mart is preparing for a 'corporate takeover' of a Southern California city, writes columnist Steve Lopez.
"In one community after another, the discount giant has crushed opponents like cockroaches. But in Inglewood, rather than battle obstructive public officials and squawking union bosses, Wal-Mart has pulled an Arnold Schwarzenegger and appealed directly to the public in a $1-million initiative campaign to win hearts and minds... Wal-Mart would need just 5,001 residents of Inglewood to say yes to Measure 4-A. That's $200 a vote, a small price to pay for the right to do virtually whatever the chain pleases without city interference. Routine traffic and environmental reviews will be tossed aside, and... Wal-Mart will reign." The related news article appears here: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ingle4apr04,1,4753047.story
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Inglewood May See a Corporate Takeover

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