Is there a Facebook driven protest in Texas against Whole Foods for the op-ed piece by their CEO that he does not support Universal Health Care in the form being presented by President Obama? I’ve seen news reports of such protests in other areas, but not here. Just wondering…..
If there is such a protest, I’d sure like to know because Whole Foods and Central Market are two of my wife’s favorite stores and since she cooks great food purchased from those stores, I kinda like ’em too. I first started going to Whole Foods in north Austin quite a while ago. It’s right on Research Blvd. sorta close to Golfsmith, sorta close to Smith & Hawken, and sorta close to lots of other places I enjoy. There used to be a CompUSA in the same shopping center and I would go there some and do my computer shopping and some repair. I also know where the Whole Foods store in San Antonio is down in the Quarry Shopping Center. And several other places too.
So, I’m interested in observing some certifiable dumbasses out protesting at Whole Foods because the CEO had the audacity to speak out against a proposed health care system that would bankrupt our entire country, pay for abortions, pay for illegal aliens healthcare, and increase our national debt by trillions more, and do real harm to Whole Foods Health plan and millions of others. If those dumbasses protesting thought George Dubya was bad, have they looked at the bill President Obama and his group are running up lately? It is more than all other presidents combined…….ever. Why don’t they protest that? And the policies they support?
It is all much worse than I feared it would be.
Instead, they protest against a guy who takes $1 a year in salary, employs 50,000 great workers, provides health care for all full time (30 hrs. or more) employees, includes same sex benefits for domestic partners, and numerous other benefits, and has, through his experience as a business person built a billion dollar company. He is a very socially conscious employer and these dumbasses will potentially drive business away, causing the employees harm….not CEO John Mackey. He’s already got his sack full. That’s why he only pays himself $1 a year. He donates huge amounts of profits of the company to charity.
He is a far cry from being a right-wing nutcase.
Whole Foods also donates huge amounts of money to Democratic candidates, green initiatives and of course, organizations that want to end global warming. And these dumbasses want the CEO to shut up.
Here is the corporate response to persons raising an issue over John Mackey’s op-ed piece straight from the horse’s mouth:
Response Statement: John Mackey’s Op/Ed in the Wall Street JournalThursday, August 13, 2009 at 3:19pmWe would like to thank our customers and shareholders who have let us know their thoughts regarding John Mackey’s op/ed in the Wall Street Journal. Many people, including John, feel passionately about this important issue.
First off, whether you agree with John or not, our 50,000+ Team Members who live and work in your communities will continue to work hard every day to bring you the best natural and organic products available. We hope you will continue to give us the opportunity to serve you.
While there are differing points of view on this issue, John believes certain aspects of the current proposals before Congress would jeopardize our company’s ability to continue providing our sustainable health insurance plan. Whole Foods Market pays 100 percent of the premiums for our full-time (over 30-hours) Team Members, about 89% of our workforce. Additionally, those Team Members get to vote for their new plan options every three years. John does not want to see that changed.
Finally, John absolutely does care about his fellow citizens who do not have health insurance, and he is in favor of health care reform. He believes that the proposals he put forth will provide access to sustainable health insurance for more people.
We recognize that there are many opinions on this issue, including inside our own company. As we all sort through this together, we thank you for sharing your opinions with us.
Now I ask you.
On this issue, who is more likely to have an informed opinion based on real life business experience: The protesters, or the CEO of Whole Foods who has built a billion dollar socially conscious business? OK. which one? Take a stand on this.
I rarely speak out on political issues here in Real Texas Blog, but this one takes the cake. I am sick of these dumbasses who continue to support everything I am NOT for and will NEVER be for.
There’s a saying we Texans have for policies such as those being proposed by President Obama and his minions.
“That dog won’t hunt.”
Wake up Amer’cuh! I am sick of people who have never even agonized over meeting a simple payroll telling everyone else what is best for America.
I am so thankful I live in the Republic of Sherwood, far removed from A.C.O.R.N., SEUI, Obama, Olberman, Axelrod, Biden, Rahm, Rahm’s brother, Dodd, Reid, Boxer, and Pelosi.
I am far removed..aren’t I?
If I were a senior citizen, I would be truly concerned. Wait….I am dern near a senior citizen. No, not quite, but dern near.
If a lot of people like me, who are so sick of the whole mess Obama is making of our country do nothin’….like me,….what’s going to happen? I try to turn off the TV and be disinterested, then another outrage against our country takes place.
We’re gonna have to take a broom to Washington, D.C. and clean the whole mess out and start over. OK, report me over THAT.
I am coming out with a detailed Texas Secession project that will strengthen Whole Foods. I’ve touched on it before, but it’s about time to get that ball rolling. It will strengthen Central Market. It will strengthen many other companies right, left, middle, democrat, libertarian, and others…….Stay Tuned.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Right on! You have said it all.
I agree with you and stand behind you in all you said.
You ain’t just whistlin Dixie!
Give them HELL for me too
I am staying tuned…. ready to rumble!
GOD BLESS THE REPUBLIC OF TEXAS!!! An old notion [for me], whose time has come.
“organizatons that want to end global warming”???
Global warming is a myth. It does not exist.
The temperature varies, by God’s design, over the
years. It has “cooled” more in the last several
months than it “warmed” in the last 50–100 years.
Yes, we should conserve our natural resources, and
be kind to the earth, but “global warming” is just
another liberal ploy to push for a godless 1-world government!!
David, I am a senior citizen and it’s killing us with what they are doing. There’s not going to be a cost of living raise for Social Security for the next 2 or more years. What the hell my expenses haven’t gone up like everyone elses??????? I agree let’s get a real BIG BROOM and head out to DC…
You shouldn’t waste time at the Whole Foods in the north of Austin. Downtown is the only place to go. John Mackey is right – go buy something at one of his stores. I go all the way to the 6th and Lamar store from my home in Hutto at least 2x each month, and spend a lot…
Andy-
Yes, we’ve been to the Lamar location many times. Ramona loves to go when the Hatch chili’s are being roasted,or in season….I didn’t realize you were in Hutto…Go Hippopatumuses!
If we had a Whole Foods near here…I would definitely shop there!
Agreed! The problem with this healthcare debate in Washington, as well as, these Whole Foods protestors is they’re all a bunch of dumbasses(David’s term). Thank God I still live in Texas where there is still a good amount of common sense still around. Thanks David!
Not only that, y’all, but the idea of NATIONAL health care (including Medicare) is blatantly Unconstitutional. Those members of Congress who swore to uphold the Constitution should read about what the federal government can and cannot legally do. John McKay is a generous, intelligent guy who cares about people, understands both economics and human nature. Nobody forces his employees to work for him. They choose to. And I’ll keep buying at Whole Foods to support him and because the food there is tops. I know when I buy perishables that they are raised without toxins and are fresh. P.S. If McKay is “heartless,” then so were the Founding Fathers and every president since Washington.
God Bless you, John McKay!
Uhmmm, excuse me, but, I think you mean John Mackey,
not John McKay (coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, famous for his irreverent quotes on his football teams).
And while we’re on spelling of common names & foods,
it’s “poblano” pepper, not “pablano”,
at least that’s the way it is at Whole Foods, Central Market, HEB, Sun Harvest, Fiesta, & NewFlower Markets.
Here’s some fun by John McKay:
* On the execution of the Bucs offense: “I think it’s a good idea.”
* On why he rarely had bed checks: “You usually wind up staying up all night, or until your best player comes in.”
* On the significance of experience: “If you have everyone back from a team that lost 10 games, experience isn’t too important.”
* On the weaknesses of linebacker Hugh Green: “He’s not twins.”
* On Bill Capece, who was waived in 1983 after missing a field goal and extra point: “Capece is kaput.”
* On place-kicker Pete Rajecki having a bad camp with the Bucs because McKay made him nervous: “I don’t think he’s got much of a future here, because I plan on going to all the games.”
* On the Bucs’ 42-0 loss to Pittsburgh on a very cold day: “I remember in Pittsburgh we had no players and the ones we did have wanted to stay at the hotel by the fire. I was ticked because that’s where I wanted to stand.”
* On the importance of an older quarterback’s mobility: “As a person gets older he doesn’t get faster. Our quarterback will run from fright or lack of protection.”
* On fan mail he received as a Tampa Bay coach: “It was about three-to-one that I was not an SOB. But there were a lot of ones.”
* On why coaching an expansion team is a religious experience: “You do a lot of praying, but most of the time the answer is `No.’ ”
* On the Bucs early games: “Every time I look up, it seems we’re punting.”
* On O.J. Simpson carrying the ball 47 times in a USC game: “ He doesn’t belong to a union. Anyway, the ball doesn’t weigh that much.”
* On blocking strategy: “Hold when you’re at home and don’t hold when you’re on the road.”
* On his disdain for the Packers: “If a contest had 97 prizes, the 98th would be a trip to Green Bay.”
* On opening days: “Opening games make me nervous. To tell the truth, I’d rather open with our second game.”
* On training camp: “It’s shattering when a player loses interest in camp. When you lose your desire to stand around and eat steaks, you lose everything.”
* Asked if Lynn Cain of the Atlanta Falcons was ready to play against the Bucs: “Let me know if Cain is able.”
At a Dallas area Whole Foods, there was BuyCot in support of the CEO. Dang, I am glad to be in Texas