Big Box Stores (i.e. Wal-Mart Super Centers)... Should Towns BAN them?

I so wish that my small town had not gotten a super walmart. We went from having Food City, Kroger, Winn Dixie adn a local grocery. Now, we only have a super WalMart and a Food City. I don't look for Food City to be alive much longer. When super WalMart moves in, it forces all the other places out of business as they can't match WalMart's price. Sadly, we lost variety and jobs. The Kroger had a wonderful rare produce section (that WalMart doesn't have)the Winn Dixie catered to some area folks desires for some natural produce (WalMart won't) It really does stink.

If small businesses are enough to keep the economy going and competetive in a certain town, then by all means, there should be measures to protect them. However, there is definitely more at play here than just protecting small businesses. The vocal sections of Livermore, to me, seem to be comprised of more or less people of upper-middle class standing who can afford to not shop at places such Wal-Mart and who can afford not having the extra jobs available in the town. The entrance of a Wal-Mart Supercenter would then signify that more people of lower socio-economic classes are moving in and "invading" the town. It would be similar to a "there goes the neighborhood" sentiment. By shutting out the Wal-Mart Supercenter from being built, the city is more or less stating that they want the socio-economic composition of their citizens to remain the way it is, like an old boys club. The downside to this ban really comes to the economically middle and lower class. A Wal-Mart Supercenter would stimulate the economy for these classes by giving them more purchasing power. They would be able to afford more things at a lower price. A Wal-Mart Supercenter would also provide a lot more jobs and job-stability for the working classes of that area. Small businesses can't afford to keep a large amount of full-time employees, especially while providing benefits such as health care. Wal-Mart's employees may be making minimum wage or slightly higher than minimum, but they are also receiving a comprehensive benefits package for full-time workers. I think there are other and better ways to protect small businesses outside of banning big box stores like Wal-Mart supercenters. Instead the ordinance could put an ordinance in effect like, big box stores must keep a percentage of 85% full-time workers with benefits packages...or something to that effect. By the way, isn't there already a Wal-Mart in Livermore? It's just not a supercenter? Or, is that another city in the bay area...