"This is the place..." for cheap retail

Its a funny thing how we Utahns define place. Retail and commerce are words used to describe the exchange of goods in a place. It seems it doesn't matter where the place is, if the chain store or big box is cheaper and better, "lets get it here", is the sentiment of our Utah City Councils.

If this is all a place of retail is good for than lets knock down all places like the Sugarhouse Granite block. Lets knock down the 9th and 9th area and replace it with a Megaplex and a Burger King. How about we take out 15th and 15th, Kings English Books and Massa and put up Costco. Imagine the savings and convienience those folks would enjoy. Lets fill our valley completely full of Wal-Marts and Home Depots, McDonalds, and Taco bells. Lets offer our community the most ease, comfort and convienience so big macs and 7 layer burritos are everywhere!

However, I have a crazy idea. What if there is actually more to the exchange of goods than just the cheapest place to buy what we need? What if there is more to our central shopping areas than going in getting what we need (for cheap) and getting out. I must be crazy because our elected experts would never agree with me.

Our City Council in Salt Lake would think I'm nuts for such an asinine idea. To sacrifice potential tax revenue of a big box or chain for local merchants? "Ha Ha", they would say.

No, they voted in favor of commerce, more tax revenue and growth at the expense of local merchants. They voted to rezone Sugarhouse to tare it down an build condos and a new, better, mall in the interest of what is "best for the community?". Then why was the community so angry because of their decision?

Sandy's city council would never agree with me otherwise they wouldn't have voted to convert what was supposed to become a nature park into a Wal-Mart and Lowes development store. Davis County would probably put me in a straight jacket for such a waco idea.

I don't hate corportations, I don't believe they are evil. I'm not an anti-capitolist, communist, socialist, eco-terrorist. I'm actually more Conservative minded. I believe in free-markets. Adam Smith and Milton Freedman economics. But where does it say in a "free-market" that City Councils should be bending over backwards to bring more chain stores to fill the city coffers? If you don't want a Wal-mart in your neighboorhood, they like to brand you as a socialist wacco. I don't think I'm a wacco, I'm just in favor of common sense and preserving the good things in our local society and culture.