Whole Foods is beginning to feel what Walmart felt a few years ago. Apparently even a grocery store has gotten into the health care reform debate. Okay well more like the CEO, John Mackey, openly shared his opinion about Universal Health Care. Now, the largest grocery chain to sell organic foods, is starting to suffer the wrath by the very folks who have been committed patrons to Whole Foods for years.
Whole Foods is a mecca to people who care about the environment, the animals who end up on their dinner plate, and where the produce came from. They use wind and sun to power their stores, even selling back some of the electricity they’ve created back to the grid. They are careful to only purchase meat from farms that are free-range and organic. The company has also tried to do it’s part in bringing down the obesity rate.
I’ll admit that the food is a bit pricey. However, I can say that some of the best meat I have ever eaten has come from a Whole Foods store. In fact I have gone out of my way, driving half an hour, just to go to the nearest Whole Foods.
Articles about the CEO’s views on being against Universal Health Care are being written, he is being discussed in the news, and boycotts are being called against the store. I’ve gone through the forums on the Whole Foods website and people are so angry that they are willing to sell off their stock in the company.
I’m a bit torn about the whole deal. As you folks know by now I’m for the idea of Universal Health Care and am hopeful for a public option. I have been very disappointed in how people have not sat down as much as screamed out bullshit reasons as to why we should not have coverage for everyone on American soil. However, I have to say that this man did state his views in an honest and respectful manner. Granted, he alienated the majority of his company’s customers in the process, but he didn’t lay out a line of bullshit. So, should I join those who are boycotting the stores because of his views, or if I should continue to shop there because I like the product, and the friendly employees at my store?
I didn’t consider that the whole debate about health care would affect my choice in where I purchase some of my groceries. I just hope the CEO of Proctor and Gamble* (Bob McDonald) doesn’t make any statements against health care. I’m sort of happy with my toilet paper and would hate to consider their competitor for my choice in ass-wipe.
If you’d like to read the his Op/Ed for yourself, which I recommend if this is something you decide you want to discuss, feel free to click here.
*Maker of Charmin
Filed under: political morsel | Tagged: John Mackey, Universal Health Care, Whole Foods
OMG…you are cracking me up…..I love your humor, raw though it may be!!
I hadn’t heard this…..my daughter’s best friend is an executive at WF, so I’d love to hear her views….a lesbian woman, high up on the food chain, so I am surprised and a little confused…….can’t wait to get some feedback….more when I know more!!!!!!!
I read about that and the thing is, it’s a publicly-owned corporation and he did express his own personal opinion in a respectful way on his own blog. I may disagree with it, but he wasn’t mimicking Sarah Palin, and as a corporation, they are more progressive than most, in terms of civil rights and food safety. So I guess that’s the long way of saying I’m torn about it too.
Chris- I do keep in mind that there are other folks who work for the company, like your daughter’s best friend (is she single?… kidding… or not) who help make the company what it is. It’s like where I work at, most people are conservative, but I sure as shit am not.
RK- Good point about Whole Foods leading the way on so many wonderful issues. I disagree with the views of one individual, and I think that instead of hurting an entire company by boycotting, the respectful response is to just state that I disagree, which I guess is what I’ve already done in this posting.
She’s not single….but if she were, I’d send her your way for sure!!!!!!!! Hey you’d be my adopted DIL!!!!!!!!!!
I also think, as RK said, you can’t judge a company by a personal opinion, unless that company is running the business and conducting their hiring policies according to that opinion…..in this case, I don’t think it’s true……the jury is still out with me……….
I don’t know what the guy expected, considering the majority of their clientele are probably pretty progressive…. that was a little short-sighted, to say the least!
D- go vote!
http://action.firedoglake.com/page/s/keepthepledge