• The Wall Street Journal reports on how Walmart has won the support of dozens of Chicago ministers in its quest to expand its presence in the Windy City.
“The ministers, most of them African-Americans together representing thousands of congregants, are pressuring the city council to grant approval for a Wal-Mart ‘supercenter’ - a store with a full grocery that also sells general merchandise - on the city's South Side.
“Some of the same ministers as recently as last year opposed bringing the discount giant to the South Side, concerned that the company's pay was inadequate and that the store would hurt nearby businesses. But the need for jobs and tax dollars in the recession - along with a big push by Wal-Mart - has changed their minds. The shift sets up a showdown between the ministers and another community group, largely financed by unions, that opposes the proposal, which remains stalled in the city council.”
“The ministers, most of them African-Americans together representing thousands of congregants, are pressuring the city council to grant approval for a Wal-Mart ‘supercenter’ - a store with a full grocery that also sells general merchandise - on the city's South Side.
“Some of the same ministers as recently as last year opposed bringing the discount giant to the South Side, concerned that the company's pay was inadequate and that the store would hurt nearby businesses. But the need for jobs and tax dollars in the recession - along with a big push by Wal-Mart - has changed their minds. The shift sets up a showdown between the ministers and another community group, largely financed by unions, that opposes the proposal, which remains stalled in the city council.”
- KC's View:
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It does not seem like a big leap to suggest that the ministers may be more in touch with the needs of their communities than the union leaders. Can I get an “Amen”?
