To the editor:

The letter in the Journal-World Dec. 23 by Stanley Rasmussen compliments Wal-Mart about its recycling program. However, he overlooks the problem Wal-Mart has created for all citizens. Those stores require shoppers to drive their cars several miles on each trip.

I am reading a book, “Sprawl World,” which describes how big retailers have affected the lives of all U.S. citizens. The book tells us that “we are allowing large corporations such as Wal-Mart to limit our self-determination and become our new feudal lords. The money we spend there deprives small shops and farmers of the revenue they need to survive. We can keep the spirit of freedom alive by shopping at farmers markets and local stores. This will keep local small farmers and shopkeepers economically viable and help them to make a stand against the oligarchy of corporate feudalism that is dominating our country.”

I believe citizens of Lawrence should pay close attention to where they do their shopping so that our city will become a more healthy and friendly city.

Lester C. Marsh,

Lawrence