Why give shoppers this . . . . . . if they already have this? -...

D riving down the Dan Ryan one recent day we passed a Wal-Mart semi headed south on its way out of Chicago.

[johnp]

Chicago is better off with huge vacant lots all over town. Just think of all the tax revenue that just flows in from that site! And the jobs, how many people does that lot employ?
Yes, Chicago is better off without a Wal Mart there.
(I think I'll go apply for a job at the lot)

[Anderson]

This is not journalism. Provide an analysis that shows how big box retailers drive others out of business and can actually cost jobs and ask people what kind of city neighborhoods they want. That photo comparison does not belong at the top of a web site for a supposedly respected publication.

[Dave]

Could it be any more obvious that Daley has connections and is receiving funding from what used to be called 'the mob'? Daley and organized unions keeping a very beneficial retailer out of Chicago? Corruption, anyone?

VOTE DALEY OUT. VOTE DALEY OUT.
VOTE DALEY OUT. VOTE DALEY OUT.

[Bill]

Maybe wal-mart should hire Daley's newphew or son

[baldy]

Anderson wrote:

This is not journalism. Provide an analysis that shows how big box retailers drive others out of business and can actually cost jobs and ask people what kind of city neighborhoods they want. That photo comparison does not belong at the top of a web site for a supposedly respected publication.

I guess you prefer higher prices, less service and money flowing out of the city to dozens of surrounding Walmarts. That is why Chicago is in such good financial condition.

[Tired of it]

Most of the employees at the WalMart on 95th and Western allow shoppers to steal. I see more customers walking out with stuff in their baskets not checked out, than any other store I have shopped at. Sure give some more "employees" $12 an hour to abet shoplifting.

[BoBo The Builder]

You all don't want black folk (some rather poor) getting food any cheaper now do you?

As a Northside Yuppie (living in the 49th Ward of Joe Moore, the protector of hard working union men and woman), I am impressed with Dominick's increasing addition of organic produce and other products that suit my sophisticated taste buds just fine. Indeed, it was a dreary day in our household yesterday when I discovered to my chagrin that my local Dominicks on Broadway ran out of Saba Hummus, which Dominick’s normally stocks. Saba is so very much better than other hummus brands. If this is what happens with union help, can you imagine the turmoil in my life with non union help.

So why should I give a care about Mr. Brookins pragmatism in bringing good jobs and inexpensive groceries to his ward as well as renovating a site that has stood fallow for far too long?

Let these people eat hummus!

[In the Middle]

On one hand I'm not a Wal-Mart supporter. On the other hand when 2000 people show up to apply for jobs, I'm not an idiot either.

[Tired of it]

Many of the employees at the WalMart on 95th and Western allow shoppers to steal. I see more customers walking out with stuff in their baskets not checked out, than any other store I have shopped at. Sure give some more "employees" $12 an hour to abet shoplifting.
Sure build another WalMart in the city. Good Luck!

[ABG of Chicago]

Well just think about when the taxes go up. This weekend, I went to the super Wal-Mart in Indiana. Normally, I would have balked at the drive but realized driving to Merrillville was not that bad at all. So you know what, I will do it again as will other Illinois residents. While I hope the Lowes at 83rd makes it, I doubt that it will. The lot and store is never full. In fact, I don't think many people even know it's there. And the Potbelly's that recently opened -that was a waste. Not only is there no foot traffic, but there is hardly any traffic; and it is highly unlikely that the nearby residents will go there.

So it's apparent that a vacant lot is so much better...

[reader1]

Bring on the WalMart...put one on the Far North Side.There are plenty of people that need jobs.

[Obama Nanny State]

Anderson wrote:

This is not journalism. Provide an analysis that shows how big box retailers drive others out of business and can actually cost jobs and ask people what kind of city neighborhoods they want. That photo comparison does not belong at the top of a web site for a supposedly respected publication.

Yeah, and the fact that many small businesses would likely pay less, provide less jobs, charge higher prices, and provide workers with less benefits. Thats awesome too.

The people have spoken. They like buying cheap Chinese cr8p at Wal Mart. Not saying its wrong or right, just sayin its true.

I am still amazed that Daley stood up against something that has poor economic rationale (union and min wages).

[More]

The UNIONS are crying RA RA RA RA.. UNIONS "STICK IT". You have destroyed America by your "GREED".. So because of that you hold Chicago hostage. And Mayor Daley has no "BALLS" to tell the UNIONS to go to "H E L L". So again Chicago turns into slum.

[djpt]

Anderson wrote:

This is not journalism. Provide an analysis that shows how big box retailers drive others out of business and can actually cost jobs and ask people what kind of city neighborhoods they want. That photo comparison does not belong at the top of a web site for a supposedly respected publication.

You make a valid point on Wal Mart economic impact. Anderson and Bill as well make good points and bring to relief my main concern. Wal Mart has market penetration everywhere, but not in Chicago. Something is wrong here.
There is no doubt in my mind that if Wal mart would 'play ball' with the Dem's, there would be a Wal Mart on the first floor of City Hall.

[Alz]

A couple of points:

People complain about Wal-Mart's ruining small towns, but super markets and, before that, the Sears Catalog set things in motion. A Wal-Mart just brings in more savings for people and jobs.(Read up on how super markets hurt the small grocer and read up on how the Sears Catalog affected things. The book "The Long Tail" devotes some pages to this.)

If the jobs were so bad, people wouldn't rush out to line up.

As for the union arguments, why don't we make the minimum wage something like $50k or $100k??? We don't because we know it won't work. We also know that some people don't deserve that amount of money for the work they do. As a few other people mentioned, not everyone working there is supporting a family - and they don't expect to work there the rest of their lives.

This is one of the biggest lies about our labor force. The fact is people have tremendous financial mobility in this country. It used to be that people were stuck in the same job for many years. Now a days, people move up and out all the time.

The places where people have lifetime employment and high minimum wages are in Socialist countries. I know there are lots of liberals here who seem to love Socialism, but the fact is people race to escape these ideas and come to the United States. Liberalism and Socialism have never worked and they have hurt and killed so many people.

Wal-Mart is doing everyone a service. People get experience so they can start to move up. Customers save money so they can decide where else to spend it. And Wal-Mart makes a profit so they can sell things even cheaper and bring the savings to more people. Wal-Mart is a Win-Win-Win.

This high minimum wage or living wage angle of the Socialists is a huge mistake because the very people that can't find jobs may not be worth the relatively high hourly rate and thus it is even harder for them to get started! Remember, it all comes back to how the Liberals/Socialists ASSUME that people with these jobs never move up. People should wake up and realize that these Liberals/Socialists (meaning Democrats) are the very people who really hold people down.

It's companies like Wal-Mart that can afford to hire people and train them. The mom and pop stores just don't have the resources or money to take many chances. As I said, Wal-Mart is a win-win-win for all of us.

[Mike]

Its called rent seeking- a small minority (unions + Jewel/Dominicks) seek protection from competition and since they can never hope to compete in the market- they make sure they have the money seeking politicians in their back pockets- but over time this can slowly destroy a city's economy- see Detroit.

And with no actual competition in politics in this city- alot of mediocre men/women of questionable ethics and ability become politicians (Stroger, Burke, Moore, etc)

[George]

Thang goodness the unions stand for the people! Otherwise, what could we expect? Prosperity for those who haven't seen it for years, if ever?
Get rid of the unions. Their day has come and gone.

[Chicagoan]

BoBo, the word is "Folks"...with an "s". And don't get me started on "I should give a care."

[Socrates]

Because that would have reignited Mayor Richard M. Daley's still-smoldering battle with organized labor
-
But making this happen requires political courage from the mayor and from aldermen not beholden to labor.
-
Which is it? Can the Trib make up its mind? Oh that's right, they have, they hate Unions.

[Christine]

Keep this evil empire out of out town!!! We do not need to be homogenized any further. All of these products cheaply made in China are an environmental disaster. Not only are they clogging up our landfills here with dangerous chemicals, but the Chinese are now dying in record #s from cancer. There are no regulations in China and certainly no human rights. It is immoral to purchase goods made from slave labor. It is immoral to demand prices too low to pay a livable wage to the sales clerk assisting you. It is immoral to support a company that is such a bad corporate neighbor it sues a permanently disabled woman to recoup her medical fees. That story was on www.cnn.com yesterday. It is immoral to support a company whose workers qualify for medicare / medicaid because they never work enough hours to qualify for benefits. Our tax dollars support Wal Mart's workers to the tune of million of dollars a year. We are better off with our unions, our livable wages and our dignity. Daley got this one right. Wal Mart demanded huge huge tax breaks to build on this site. They don't deserve it. Keep them out!