Readers Respond... Last week's Dispatch, Wal-Mart: Tyrant or Servant? (Mar 2), generated a flood of comments. Like the electorate that voted for Wal-Mart in Contra Costa County, CA -- defeating county restrictions 46% Yes / 54% No -- and against Wal-Mart in the City of San Marcos in San Diego County -- overturning city approvals 39% Yes/ 61% No -- PikeNet readers split on the issue.

Meanwhile Wal-Mart opened its first 225,000 square foot Superstore in La Quinta, California (two hours east of Los Angeles) on March 3, 2004. Excerpts below and next week (Mar 18) outline the range of Dispatch reader opinions.

Dan Askins a commercial broker in North Carolina: "I think Wal-Mart is a very accurate depiction of America. We are conflicted -- loyal but cheap. ... I would rather trust my lot to the free market than to the government."

Jim Boyle with Trammell Crow in Boston: "The answer is to make it easier for workers to organize and encourage the unionization of Wal-Mart because any huge employer whose competitive advantage is premised, in part, on lower wage American workers without benefits is bound to destabilize the American labor/consumer markets in which it operates. If this is not done, Wal-Mart's gain (and the short-term gains it provides to consumers through especially low prices) will be America's long-term loss."

Larry McColm with Sperry Van Ness in Pleasanton, CA: "Very interesting article about 'Walmart: Tryant or Servant.' Another example of bureaucrats attempting to usurp free market trade, eroding more of our liberties in the process. When will Americans stop government intervention in every aspect of our lives, even to the extent of trying to dictate where and how we shop!"

Charlie Kuffner with Swinerton in San Francisco: "Wal-Mart, as well as all employers, should have to provide healthcare. Without it, they are tyrants! Existing businesses that don't have the buying power will still have to compete against Wal-Mart -- it's America. But if Wal-Mart is keeping costs down due to unfair labor practices and lack of decent healthcare, then those issues should be fixed, and they might have to raise their prices a little." ... (To be continued next week)

--Peter Pike