Walmart Ordinance Repealed

The San Diego City Council, as predicted, repealed the big box economic analysis ordinance this afternoon, on a 7-1 vote. The VOSD has an editorial inveighing against the so called subversion of democracy this represents, because somehow Walmart had the temerity to pay for signature gatherers. News flash, they would have got the signatures with out without paid gatherers. I would have volunteered myself. Leftists trying to shut down Walmart underestimate the depth of loyalty of their shoppers.

Marti Emerald (District 7) was on the losing end of the vote and is reportedly angry:

Emerald accused Walmart of lobbing a “constant volley of attacks” on the council’s character and unfairly depicting the supercenter debate as a battle between labor unions and businesses. For example, she said the retailer urged elderly people to call her office to complain that the councilwoman was opposed to them having access to fresh food.

It was a battle between labor unions and business. The patina of "concerned small business owners" was never convincing and the speakers at council hearings did not claim to represent small business:

Numerous times, opponents identified themselves as "worker advocates" and stated, "I didn't vote for Wal-Mart to set policy in this city. I voted for you to do that. I can't fight Wal-Mart alone."

This doesn't mean that new Walmarts will be opening in my neighborhood, but it is a step in the right direction.