Community has larger problems

Editor,

Freedom of speech. What a concept! I thought I might throw my two cents in about the impending doom that those awful Wal-Mart people are proposing. What a horrible idea.

Think of all those people who could go on being unemployed that Wal-Mart will put to work. Think about all that tax money that will come into the community. How awful.

As far as the "Lake View" is concerned, who cares? I can see the lake fine when I come over the hill every morning and the only people who can get to it are the ones who own the lake frontage property. They could drain the thing and it wouldn't affect anyone but a few trout and the people who use it for financial gain.

I don't think this has anything to do with views or the "flavor of the area." I believe it's about what it's always about — money.

I am sure the basic wage in the area will go up if Wal-Mart opens a new store and I am sure that is causing concern with the local merchants.

I am also sure that profit margins will suffer with local merchants who are used to charging whatever they want and counting on the tourists to pick up the loss from the local economy.

I'll bet if someone wanted to open a bar/casino/restaurant on the same site, there would be no problem except possibly from the local churches and such.

Based on my personal experience, Wal-Mart is extremely community sensitive and they do donate money and time to local charities and causes.

They were one of the most active Meth Watch participants and have been for a long time now.

The fact is we have other much larger problems in this community that draw little, if any, attention and I have yet to hear of anyone dying or killing anyone after leaving a Wal-Mart store. No one has to allow anyone to open or start a legal business anywhere in this country and a lot of people have paid with their lives for the right.

Why all the noise? They have the same rights that the tavern and casino industry have. Let them exercise that right.

Chuck Ripley

Polson