GOOD NEWS FROM HAWAII

This report, linked via Rense.com, is dated May 25th. It’s written by Jan TenBruggencate for the Honolulu Advertiser.

The Hawaiian island of Kaua’i, through it’s County Council, voted unanimously on Thursday the 24th to ban all so-called “big box” stores bigger than 75,000 feet. The Council voted 5-0 to stop building any more stores like Wal-Mart or Kmart, which are already on the island. Main reasons given were to preserve competition for mom-and-pop stores, protecting the local character of the rural community and reducing infrastructure costs. The Honolulu City Council is also considering a similar measure.

Though supporters of “big box” stores claim this will “reduce consumer choice”, they are again in the wrong. Consumer choice is expanded by having more competitors for the consumer dollar, not less. Giants like Wal-Mart destroys consumer choice and market competition by undercutting small shops and cooperatives. In a Distributist society, “big box” stores - whether owned by big government or big business - wouldn’t exist at all or would be severely restricted.

Another part of America now leans toward a Distributist society. It has a long way to go, economically and socially. But just as ancient Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither will a Distributist America. Let us learn from these Hawaiian’s example, and apply it to our neighborhoods.

Congratulations to the Council on their vote, and the people who fought for it!