Stories by Stacy Mitchell
Stacy Mitchell is a senior researcher with the New Rules Project, a program of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. She is the author of "The Hometown Advantage: How to Defend Your Main Street Against Chain Stores and Why It Matters."
Wal-Mart's commitments to become more energy efficient are not without substance, but what can't be ignored is that big-box retailing is intrinsically unsustainable.
Posted on Apr 2, 2007
A growing number of communities are fighting back against the rising power of large retail stores like Wal-Mart. But real change won't come until we stop thinking of ourselves as consumers and start thinking of ourselves as engaged citizens.
Posted on Dec 7, 2006
Known for squeezing every last dime out of employees and suppliers, Wal-Mart has even managed to get a rock-bottom deal on corporate green-washing.
Posted on Apr 21, 2005
People looking for an alternative to Wal-Mart may need look no further than their own community, to the growing number of successful community-owned retail enterprises operating around the country.
Posted on Mar 17, 2004
Wal-Mart and its ilk are muscling small businesses aside. But mom and pop are mad as hell and they're not going to take it anymore.
Posted on Sep 8, 2003
Far from becoming obsolete, public libraries still operate at the heart of their communities. They're fighting, on behalf of their patrons, to prevent private companies from passing legislation that restricts the right to read free of charge.
Posted on Feb 20, 2001
Higher graduation rates, less violence, a sense of belonging instead of alienation: the case for small schools is overwhelming. Then why do so many state and local governments insist in creating more and more giant schools?
Posted on Jul 21, 2000
