Sponsored Links

[nebraska29]

I'm very liberal on a lot of issues, and those of you who have locked horns with me in the past, know this very well. When it comes to free trade and such, I waver quite a bit. Here is a partial e-mail from a liberal group in Lincoln that I received today. On the one hand, I feel total sympathy for the small business owners. On the other hand, I remember that competition against the big boys will make them leaner and stronger. I've even heard that it can make them wealthier if they learn how to create a niche and use it against the big chains.

Media Release
April 1st, 2004

“Local Flavor” Campaign Kicks off in Conjunction With
Starbucks Opening

Lincoln consumers will promote the importance of
supporting Lincoln’s local businesses by passing out
“Local Flavor” coupons near the new Starbucks in
downtown Lincoln on April 2nd, 2004, beginning at 7:15
a.m.  The coupons will encourage coffee consumers to
attend a local coffee house.  Different members of the
“Local Flavor” campaign will pass out the coupons most
hours of the business day and at 12:30 p.m. a formal
statement will be presented to the media.

As reported by National Public Radio, the Institute
for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) found that for every
$100 spent at a local business, $45 stays in the local
economy, but for every $100 spent at a national chain,
only $13 stays local (October 2003).

According to Malcom Miles, one of the organizers of
the Local Flavor campaign, “Support for local
independent businesses is good for our local economy
and our community.  Independent businesses allow for a
diverse and exciting environment and are more likely
to be connected to the community in which they reside.
  Downtown Lincoln should be distinguishable from
downtown Des Moines or downtown Dallas.”

Questions to debate:

1.)Do you think the people who encourage local buying over large, impersonal, corporations are just not with it and out of touch?

2.)Would a "buy locally" campaign in your area influence you where you spend your money??

3.)When you shop at Wal-Mart or Starbucks, do you feel guilty?