Wal-Mart news story shows coastal bias

Funny how small things can irritate you from time to time. I was casually reading an Associated Press report this week on the state of the economy and one simple little phrase brought a rise in my blood pressure. The news story was summarizing the retail sales reports for May and said that Wal-Mart stores were having lackluster sales increases because their "low-income consumers are feeling the squeeze from $3 a gallon gasoline."

Low-income? Now wait just a minute my friends from New York. Just because the Big Apple doesn't host Wal-Mart stores doesn't mean all of their shoppers are low-income. What the press reporter from New York was implying is that the red states located between New York and California are inhabited by low-

income rubes who flock to Wal-Mart for their weekly bargains.

Well kiss my grits you East coast elitists! I'm not about to defend Wal-Mart but the coastal inhabitants have this misguided impression of the midwest and they aren't ashamed to share their disdain for most of us in farm country.

To add insult to injury, the New York writer also noted that Gap and Sharper Image - two pretty pricey shopping venues - are also experiencing lackluster sales. But their business is harmed because of "merchandising strategies". I'm surprised they didn't imply that the trust funds of the East coast phonies were harmed by the stock market decline and so they couldn't visit Sharper Image for that $500 nose hair remover!

I get so sick and tired of the East and West coast idiots implying that we drive our '72 Pinto to Wal-Mart and cash in our food stamps on beans and jowl. Had they visited a Wal-Mart - by far the largest retailer in the world - they would have surely found something that would not insult their liberal attitude. But then they would have to mingle with the inbred hillbillies they believe we are.

If someone from New York were to propose their state form its own separate country, I would be the first to support their effort. Those fine folk look down their noses at we in the middle of this great nation and I've had my fill of their attitude.

I don't know the writer of this New York-based news report but I'd be willing to compare my low-income paycheck with his any day. And I'll meet him at the checkout lane at Wal-Mart for that comparison. But then again, maybe he would have trouble affording the $3 a gallon gasoline to travel way out here in the boondocks!