In a state where most operational revenues are derived from property taxes, in a city where most essential public services are authorized by bonds and levies, a statistical decline form these likelihoods could be significant. Whether you rent or own, however, it's clear that it is becoming damned expensive to live in the City of Subdued Incomes. Nearly one out of five households in even the middle income bracket experience the squeeze. The problem, as we've suggested, spills into other problems. Households that spend close to half of their incomes just to keep a roof over their heads effectively have no discretionary income.
Discretionary income is what allows people to dine out, see a movie, buy new clothes.
Lack of discretionary income is what fuels a Wal-Mart style economy, where the hunt for low prices beats out other concerns. With their aggressive marketshare, chain stores equal death to local businesses. Local businesses are, in aggregate, the largest employers in Whatcom County. And, in a sickening spiral, death to local businesses means dollars shoot out of this community faster than ever. The chains, he argues, operate on a saturation strategy.