Whole Lot of Nonsense

Are you going to Boycott Whole Foods?

Ten days ago, John Mackey CEO of Whole Foods, took to the Wall Street Journal’s editorial page to come out against Obamacare. Normally, the only people who read the WSJ Editorial page are those who have onanistic fantasies involving a three way with Ayn Rand and Margaret Thatcher – in this case, through the power of linking, Mr. Mackey’s opinions on health care initiatives were quickly disseminated to non-traditional WSJ readers.

Mr. Mackey’s op-ed contained stupid, reused and untenable solutions. For instance, arguing that his employees’ insurance doesn’t kick in until a $2500 deductible is exceeded, Mackey believes this means individuals are more careful with how they spend those first $2500 (I guess individuals could opt for a 1/2 of an MRI or wait 5 years to get a physical as to wisely avoid exceeding their cap). Other tired ideas involve shifting tax burdens, eliminating mandates for insurers, improbably repealing laws in all 50 states simultaneously and of course, tort reform - because the first thing insurance companies will do without the threat of lawsuits is pass the savings onto consumers.

Rather than argue with his ideas, some sprung to their keyboards, urging a boycott of the company. The net here – Whole Foods pays better, insures about 90% of their employees and offers workers a chance to invest in their company. Whole Foods buys from regional growers, raises money for local charities and has articulated standards for their products, which means when I want a piece of fish, I go to Whole Foods rather than having to worry about what is being over-fished. This is annoying when I want to buy cornstarch but the Genetically Modified Organism Police won’t let me, but overall, someone is working to ensure the values I am concerned about are being met.

In the past Mackey has improperly cheered his company on in chat rooms, bragged about forming a monopoly on natural foods (1/2 as big as Trader Joe’s and really can’t touch the nations 2,500 co-ops but sure why deprive a man of his delusions). This in part, has led to an expensive battle with the Feds, one that has stifled the company’s growth. In the course of their federal case, Whole Foods attempted to subpoena proprietary records from Portland-based New Seasons. From all outward appearances Mackey appears to be a douche bag, which, you know leaders of Multi-billion dollar corporations tend to be. Mackey may be Napoleonic in his vision but he will end up in Elba if his quest for world domination exceeds his ability to deliver it.

There seems to be two issues going on with the backlash against Whole Foods. One of displacement: Obama promised transparency, reform and change in regard to health care. He has ignored his pledge and the people who voted for him to curry favor with people who think he is a Kenyan-born, secret Muslim. This has little to do with John Mackey - hold Obama to his promises; not boycott a grocery store. Second, relativism people: seriously, Whole Foods the bad guy? Look at Wal-Mart. How about Ralph’s? Kroger? Have you ever been in a Safeway, have ever seen a happy worker in a Safeway? Whole Foods is consistently ranked as one of the top 100 companies to work for. They are still good citizens, despite a half-ass, unoriginal essay on health care solutions. Actually, even including the WSJ editorial, they are still the embodiment of corporate responsibility. The issue here some shoppers have branded Whole Foods as the do-good, green-friendly and urbanely hip paradise, when in fact it is just a grocery store.

One that I am still going to shop at.