Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

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  1

  Mike_Kemp

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  OTOH, maybe all the PR will be positive in the long run. There are plenty of conservatives who are planning to visit the stores. Folks who are boycotting now... how many viable alternatives do they really have? How willing will they be to break their habits? My bet: most will return.
  
  Mike
  www.yourbusinessoftware.com

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  2

  pauldgpmp

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I applaud Mackey as a man who stands up for what he
  believes is RIGHT and not necessarily what is EXPEDIENT.
  
  I agree fully with his position on health care and have sent
  off his article in the WSJ to my elected officials.
  
  FWIW, I am a Libertarian and I too shop at Whole Foods.
  
  BR,
  Dr. PDG

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  3

  troyscheer@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I have not been a Whole Foods shopper in the past. Mackey just changed that. It's great to see someone who actually has a backbone and is willing to bring forth solutions. That's what a leader does.

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  4

  MSaintmomo

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  This is supposed to be America, home of free speech, not home of abuse by the White House.

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  5

  jjudah

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Bravo for the CEO.

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  6

  NURREDIN

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  He's just shown he's dumb as a rock. You don't alienate your
  core constituents by mouthing off politically. He ain't Buffet
  and he ain't George Soros. If he po's his base,I hope he's
  saved enough money for retirement. I don't care if you're a
  Democrat or a Republican, if you mouth off and your core
  customers don't like it,you're in trouble. His focus should be
  on what's best for the business and the shareholders,and
  leave his personal opinions at the ballot box. Wall Street
  doesn't care for dummies at the helm. He needs to keep his
  mouth shut,rake in the profits,and make donations to the
  politicians and causes he espouses. This was not a smart
  move. All those left-wing yuppies can get whatever he sells
  somewhere else,and he needs to remember that. The core
  Republicans in the red states ain't going to Whole
  Foods,they're going to Wal-Mart,which is where he'll be
  working if he doesn't shut up.

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  7

  drgenevieve

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I wholeheartedly agree that our healthcare system should be revamped in a way that does not cost us taxpayers trillions of dollars!!! Good for him for making a stand, and I agree that WF bottom line probably won't be harmed.
  
  However, I avoid the store whenever possible and use my small neighborhood health food store mainly because whole foods fired both my sister and her boyfriend for rather unfair reasons (if they are telling me remotely the truth). My sister had a LOT of seniority and noticed that there was a lot of turnover with the seasoned staff who had the greater benefits and salaries, and shortly thereafter her boyfriend stopped a shoplifter making a citizens arrest and was fired for breaking company policy against touching a customer.

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  8

  tramky

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  So lefties are blathering about boycotting because someone expressed an OPINON?! This is why left-wingers are NOT considered to be rational people by anyone. They are so engrossed in their own importance--and the superiortiy of THEIR ideas over anything else--that they have become nothing less than bigoted zealots.
  
  We saw this with California's Proposition 8, where the identities of campaign contributors in favor of Prop 8 (the same-sex marriage initiative) were identified, publicized, and attacked by left-wing gay rights zealots who think that pillage & burn is acceptable public disocurse. Even moderate gay rights activists were dismayed.
  
  And one other thing, it is NOT the case that Democratic politicians can do anything they want because, to quote the mental aberrant Nancy Pelosi, "We won." Not by a long shot.
  
  The Democratic majority in Congress and the Democrats who now run the White House and the Executive branch of the Federal government are NOT trusted by most Americans. Yes, they were elected to office, but it was understood that they were NOT ready for prime time, as Obama, Pelosi, Reid & a host of others have shown time & again.
  
  As for the so-called health care overhaul, Democrats push it alone at their GREAT peril! there is NO need for a government option in health care. Listen to the Republican proposals on health care--they have most of it right.
  
  And as far as I'm concerned, Democrats in Congress who did NOT hold town hall or other meetings with their constituents don't deserve to be reelected and should probably be recalled as quickly as possible & tossed out of office.

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  9

  verycold

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I am one of those conservatives that never shopped there and now I will. I applaud him for his voice. This is serious stuff. This will impact generations to come and he as a respected businessman and citizen has moral responsibility to speak up when moved to do so. I have already told many about this story and they too will now be customers when possible.
  
  As I recall, it was reported shortly after Paul Newman died that there were times he wanted to go against the liberal tide on certain issues, but feared that move would impact his businesses that charities depended on and thus he fell silent. I remember feeling so sad that my country that loves to tout transparency and tolerance would stop buying his products because they disagreed with ONE issue or just even a different POV.

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  10

  jjudah

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  For Heaven's sake Tobak it isn't flipping IBM back off the guy and by the way, the goal of any firm is to first maximize profit not shareholer value. Shareholder value is increased by maximizing profit not the other way around.

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  11

  toddx

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Mackey's article did anger some on the left, but I would suspect it had the opposite effect on some of his customer base (he probably changed some minds). Both the Obama administration and the most vocal opponents have taken offense at anyone proposing an alternative to the current approach.
  
  If the President and his supporters truly want reform, wouldn't they be open to alternate approaches?

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  12

  Michael DeShane Hinton

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Of course, he should have criticized Obamacare -- because it's a dumb idea, poorly conceived. As Mackey proves, the market solves problems better than a government mandate does. He used the market to give us better food. It's profitable because the people are not stupid! Entitlement programs are based on the suppostion that people are stupid. Obama insults me every time he opens his mouth. Mackey should run for public office to bring sanity back to the system.

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  13

  Campy1

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Mr. Mackey,
  
  Wish your store was in my town? I applaud you!
  
  The reaction you?re being ?treated? to is just another prime example of the extremely intolerant left. Someone doesn?t agree with you? How dare they! A single person?s opinion ?enrages? and they feel ?betrayed??
  
  Here?s true tolerance: May the offended feel free to shop elsewhere with more palatable politics; just wonder where that would be? They might as well give up their tech toys, Subarus and lattes too?
  
  Damn those evil capitalists! (SARC!)
  

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  14

  christopher.ree

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  customer for life

  I am going out of my way to go to his stores now. He has more leadership than most of our gutless wonders in Washington.

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  15

  17204

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Good for Mr Mackey. I'm an old 'Harry Truman Liberal' -- not a counterfeit like today's left-wingers. So I admire Mr Mackey's individualism and courage.
  
  I live in L.A. and I will now shop Whole Foods as much as I can -- if I can find a parking place.
  
  
  

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  16

  Courtesytravel@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Certainly, Mr Mackey and Whole Foods can make a good run for their dime. They are in a good position of turning this issue to their benefit.
  
  Whole Foods and Mr Mackey can play a very nice marketing game and end up making a good case to both supporters and detractors of the Obama Heath Plan. Perhaps the Obama Health Plan should be be to keep everyone healthy and not get sicker in the doctors offices and in the hospitals.
  
  Perhaps everybody, including the poor will do better, not supporting the proposed health plan.
  

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  17

  martykz

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Firstly, it is Mr. Obama or President Obama. A little respect, please. Secondly, The term Obama Care is a creation of the far right saboteurs who simply wish to scorch the earth, not do anything constructive. We have socialized medicine for the elderly - Medicare. And for veterans - the V.A. And socialized highways and bridges and police and firefighters and unemployment and workers' compensation. And tell me, who has run a better Cash for Clunkers program then the U.S. government?

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  18

  scubajeff

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  what a load of cow manure like is sold at wholefoods. Mackey tries to push the claim that his stores purvey whole foods, with no additives. What an absolute liar. Corn Syrup, Artifical sugars, synthesizers, propylene glycol, esters, etc. Go see for yourself.
  Mackey wants publicity for his stores- to make profit- as it clearly states on their websites. Money for their shareholders. The prev deceitful actions that resulted in convictions may be fading in peoples' minds, but the lies and the people are still the same.

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  19

  doctor_rick

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Seems to me that food and medicine are both pretty high up there on the human needs chart. We know how well the market system works to satisfy the former, courtesy of men like John Mackey. The market would do just as well with the latter if we *let* it. We need less government involvement in health care, not more. WFMI may gain as much traffic from sympathizers as it will lose from the boycotters in its so-called core demographic. At the end of the day, everyone respects someone who stands up and speaks his truth, so I expect a neutral to mildly positive outcome of all this for WFMI and Mackey.

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  20

  despeer

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Yes, it was appropriate for him to have made comments, especially with offering his own ideas on ways to repair the health insurance problem. I applaud him and can only hope that there are more powerful and bright folks who will step up with opinions and ideas as well. Our very brightest usually aren't directly involved in politics, but maybe this mess will encourage more of them to step forward...we can only hope.
  
  Denise S

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  21

  bjdonkerbrook

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Accolades!, to personal courage to speak, even when it
  may not be PC...

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  22

  mcao42@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Brilliant move on the CEO's part. When liberals whine and
  boycott, conservatives do just the opposite just out of spite. A
  whole new wave of loyal shoppers will be introduced to the
  organic food in Mackey's stores!

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  23

  Campy1

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  martykz, do you mean King O?
  
  Tell me how long you've been in the Medicare or VA system?
  
  Enlighten me with your insight into the MSNBC (most liberal of MSM) article that just this evening states: Cash for Clunkers success limited by its flaws
  Bureaucracy, poor planning may mar the overall impression of the program
  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32497875/ns/business-autos/
  
  Oh yeah... it's gonna get better when it comes to living, breathing human beings.

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  24

  pnkearns

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  All he did is explain what works for Whole Foods. He is to be commended, both for providing health care to his employees and providing an example to the nation.
  
  If people pollitically cannot handle the commendable actions of Whole Foods, they have shown themselves as spoiled children that are to be pitied, not coddled. Ignore the whining children in a time out and eventually they'll stop their silly tantrums. I'm amazed and saddened that such infintile people have been allowed to grow to adulthood without being taught some level of maturity and basic manners by their parents.

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  25

  JDarley

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Any PR is good PR as long as they spell your name right.
  
  Since a little more than half of the country (according to the latest polls) disagrees with ObamaCare, perhaps Mackey will attract a "Whole" new demographic. In any case, I applaud him for speaking his mind and proposing a different solution that he feels has merit.
  
  I'm a conservative and I shop at Whole Foods.

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  26

  mcao42@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  NURREDIN, your posts on Huffington are leftist, so why do you
  call yourself a conservative? Help me out here, I'm confused.

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  27

  Campy1

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  NURREDIN,
  At what point do you say 'Enough is enough.'?
  
  I'm all for my fellow man, as long as he/she is doing their VERY EQUAL share too.

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  28

  dsroth

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  Good for him...

  I applaud Mr. Mackey's actions on several grounds. Anyone, even those we don't agree with, should be able to voice their opinion. Period. That is what this country was founded on. Second, you have to welcome not only his civil resistance, but his suggestions of an alternative. Too many people don't like things and say so without offering any options. Congrats. Finally, he is right! For those that disagree and think the House is offering an elixer to cure all healthcare ills, are sadly mistaken. I offer the Post Office, Amtrak, Canadian and EU healthcare as examples of how government is not capable of actually running anything.
  
  Oh, and BTW, we have been reforming healthcare for the last 60 years to get where we are. Instead of just saying "it's broken" and offering a government-run socialist-based solution, look for the 'bright spots' of which there are way too many to count. I offer Grand Junction, CO as an example! I'll let you look up the details. It is very efficient, cost-effective and affords citizens with some of the best coverage in the country. And this did not require the US government to get involve.
  
  

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  29

  dsroth

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  Martykz

  You're kidding, right? Really? You are going to highlight the cash for clunkers program as a standard of government programs? Really - you are kidding, right??

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  30

  stockflyer

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Kudos to Mackey for standing up for what he believes. People need to be more responsible for their own lives.
  
  He is right, health care is not a right. You need to understand that you don't have a right when you must first take something from someone else to get it. That means when you take my effort (hours expended and transferred into $) to pay for your health care, you have taken my right to my own effort.
  
  (Any liberals who are reading this, please write me and give me some of your effort for a right given to me in the Constitution, pursuit of happiness. In fact just give me the value of a 100 hours of your effort for my rights.)

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  31

  venicementor

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  The people who chide Mackey and people like him who may
  not agree with the new administration and their cocamamie
  self righteous indignation, are hypocrites. They are those
  who say they believe in freedom of speech and yet
  constantly "look out" and bad mouth anyone who is not as
  PC as they are. It has become disgusting trait of todays
  "liberals". I have avoided Whole Foods as most people in my
  area are always "turning to the left" so that they are always
  going around in circles, as they trip over their Birkenstocks.
  So now that they are boycotting the place, looks like I'll
  become a customer. Hear hear!

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  32

  Blossom600

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I think perhaps that people are not shopping at Whole Foods based on what the CEO thinks or writes about. Isn't it about the product they deliver?

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  33

  binkybarnes

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  The U.S. health care and insurance system has a systemic pre-existing condition: greed. ANYBODY who believes it is reasonable and defensible for the most expensive health care system in the world to leave many millions without any coverage, allow massive medical bills to bankrupt even those with coverage, and deny coverage to those who are in need, is deluded. For the average American it is one of the worst systems in the western world, and will continue to get worse if changes aren't made. I have many friends in foreign countries and while they complain about their taxes, none wants our health-care system.
  We have great health technology in the U.S., but access is controlled by the most avaricious health insurance industry in the world whose real business is investing, not health.

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  34

  Blossom600

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I seriously doubt that people shop at Whole Foods based on the opinion, albeit a well-informed and well thought out one based in practice, of its CEO. Are they not shopping there based on the product and service the company delivers?

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  35

  arvanro@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  It's quite amusing, actually.
  
  That "core" opposes free markets on emotional grounds and denies that money ever has an incentive value.
  
  Yet when they are offended, they resort to boycotts, hoping to use the incentive value of money against the Whole Foods CEO.

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  36

  Campy1

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  dsroth,
  You're kind. Seriously.
  
  What I'm not getting is, how was it 'liberal' to be suspicious of 'big government', be it when the Constitution was written, or, during the 60s?but that it's now indicative of "conservative' and a mark of honor to be spoon-fed Soylent Green today?
  
  To get back on point, Mr. Mackey should have the freedom to voice his opinion. And indeed, customers have the right to vote with their pocketbook... this is not at argument.
  
  But the virulent attack on those who voice opinion, on EITHER side, is chilling at best, and, dare I say, totally UN-liberal.

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  37

  osweetlilredhead

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  HUGE MISTAKE!! It does NOT show leadership, it shows ignorance.

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  38

  ladaddy

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  Another CEO Bites the Dust

  Sorry to all you moronic conservatives, but... whoops, you lost the last two elections. And now you're paying for it. Just like Dennis Miller lost his comedic following, once he went to the 'dark side' and has disappeared, this fool will also disappear. Smart people who shop at his stores will knock him out of his current position. It might be slow and quiet, but he will go away. Boycotts don't work 'work', but in this case... they will. Just like most conservatives, he's not that smart and will pay the consequences.

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  39

  Campy1

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Gonna repeat:
  
  Here's true tolerance: May the offended feel free to shop elsewhere with more palatable politics; just wonder where that would be? They might as well give up their tech toys, Subarus and lattes too.
  
  Almost ANYthing you have tangible and concrete was likely produced (remember that word?) by?eeek!?a business person who actually did something.

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  40

  ronibe

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I always shop at Wholes Food but I will lay off of it now. There are alternatives such as Farmer Mkts that have fresher organic veggies. In Miami we also have Epicure.
  
  I just can't wait to see the folks who claim they will shop Wholes Food....see their prices...We will see how long they last

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  41

  NURREDIN

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I'm a pragmatic Libertarian.Never said I was a democrat.I call
  'em as I see 'em whether the stupidity is caused by a
  Democrat or a Republican. I only care about about one
  thing,and that's keeping the money flowing in AMERICAN
  hands. If you do something dumb that alienates potential
  customers here or around the world,I say so. Wall Street has
  only one party, and that's the Benjamin party(as in Benjamin
  Franklin). Calvin Coolidge once said the "Business of America
  is Business", and if you do anything to deter us from
  maintaining our superior position(Like invading Iraq and
  turning it over to pro-Iranian Shiites (Bush) or refusing to
  turn over the Shah for trial and killing any chance of having a
  secular government in Iran (Carter),I say something about it.
  Both Democrats and Republicans are responsible for the mess
  we're in now. If Reagan hadn't helped Ben Laden and the
  Taliban fight the Soviets,there never would have been a
  9/11. He was too dumb to realize we were #2 on the hitlist.
  Carter let his religious beliefs get in the way of maintaining
  order in the middle east. He should have given up the Shah
  for trial. Eisenhower never should have overthrown a
  democratic government in Iran. When the Vietnamese wanted
  an election the French promised them,LBJ thought it was
  going to be pro-Soviet,so he made up an excuse to
  invade.There's enough stupidity in both parties to go
  around,and all the decisions alienated foreign customers from
  buying American products. We need a President that doesn't
  pi** off potential customers, and right now Obama is the
  best chance we have to get people buying American again.
  We can't maintain our military might without a viable middle
  class,and we need every person we can get to buy our
  products. The hateful rhetoric doesn't help. And neither does
  invading countries that haven't attacked us. We could have
  used that TRILLION dollars we spent invading Iraq, and we
  could sure use Saddam Hussein right now in fighting the
  Iranian attempts to go nuclear. Do you understand now?

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  42

  LdrshpMgmtGuru

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  This thread has clearly turned into a partisan sounding board rather than answering the question posed in the article. A few posters have made the point, but the question was whether it was a good BUSINESS decision for Mackey to jump in the fray as the CEO of a publicly traded company. The question was NOT what side of the aisle you sit on.
  
  IMO, I think it was poor form for him to speak out on this subject in the manner that he did. Were he simply offering some "helpful" suggestions to add to the debate rather than trying to critique, it would have been a (slightly) less stupid move. I still think it was inappropriate and unfair for him to potentially threaten the livelihood of his employees b/c he felt like shooting off at the mouth. I'm at the executive level in the public sector and have learned that I can't air my opinions as freely as others b/c I have a different level of responsibility and even my personal opinions carry more weight--no matter how much I try to separate them from my professional self.
  
  Last point: I would take caution in assuming that insuring hundreds of millions of people nationwide is as simple as ensuring a few thousand employees, any one of whom you could get rid of whenever you wanted to...

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  43

  mguymon

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Before anyone goes off and decides to boycott Whole Foods, keep in mind that the remedies that John Mackey is proposing--tort reform, making healthcare costs transparent, Medicare reform, insurance portability across state lines--are not left-wing or right-wing. They are simple, common sense solutions that hopefully most of us can agree on. So those that say that don't agree, are you saying that you are in support of more healthcare lawsuits, healthcare costs that are less transparent, letting Medicare continue to fall into an even deeper abyss, not allowing people to retain their healthcare coverage when they move to a new state? Hopefully, not.
  
  Mr. Mackey's proposal simply speaks to him being a clear-minded leader who is not afraid to speak his views. Gee, if we had more people like him in business and in Congress, perhaps we wouldn't be facing the challenges that we are.
  

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  44

  Avi Fertig

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  The great Bill Bernbach once said, "A principle isn't a principle until it costs you
  something."
  
  Mr. Mackay certainly took a principled stand, even if he doesn't have to worry about
  reversing stock prices or angry stockholders. He must know that as "outraged" as
  his customers claim to be, they won't forgo their favorite eco, organic smorgasbord
  over anything as recyclable as a principle.

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  45

  L10_Chris

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Should he have done something that could be a poor business decision no; however I think boycotting someone because they have an opposing view is ridiculous. It looks like from this post that for every who boycotts he probably picked up 2 new customers.

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  46

  CoServe

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Have to agree with "osweetlilredhead" the article demonstrates colossal ignorance.

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  47

  Philr

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Free Speech is still guaranteed in our country, the USA, isn't it? If so, why should "any" person -- CEO or Clerk -- be somehow shamed for speaking his opinion. And, for simply providing some alternatives to a major issue in this country that has no easy solution?
  
  When Bush was President, did the people who disagreed with his policies (who are probably a large segment who now agree with Obama's policies) go silently into the night without expressing their own ideas and potential solutions?
  
  No, they did just like people, like Mackey, are doing now. They offer their thoughts and ideas and opinions. Some do that task very well and actually provide sensible alternatives, and others are so filled with emotion that they cannot speak intelligently. They are likely similar to several in this thread, who may not have even read Mackey's article, but yet speaking their mind so freely.
  
  I encourage all of you on this thread to engage in the debate and to fully express yourself. But, maybe a useful tack to take (if that is a proper expression) would be to brainstorm along with Mackey, stick to the points he made and see if we can come up with something workable that maybe improves, maybe changes, maybe adds additional reforms, etc., and creates something of value -- rather than engaging in the same kind of "politics" or "political discussions" that so many of us seem to despise of those who are actually holding an office.
  
  Let's set the example for the folks in office and come up with solutions that beat the pants off the politicians. Let's show why we have been a great nation, by actually working together and not alienating each other like many other countries have done throughout history and are doing now.
  
  Wouldn't that be a better approach than engaging in so much of this verbal fighting that really leads to nothing of use?
  
  Idealistic? Sure.
  
  Worth doing? Absolutely.
  
  (You have a choice. You can shoot me down, or you can play a part in the solution. It sounds like a lot of you are way smarter than me and probably have some great ideas that can help out all of us in this nation, so I look forward to hearing some great solutions. What's your next move?)

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  48

  RodSchwartz

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Roy Williams famously observed, "The Risk of Insult Is the Price of Clarity."
  
  Bravo, John Mackey!
  
  How refreshing to see someone willing to take a clear stand based on clear-headed thinking, even though it may be unpopular with some of his core constituency.
  
  Thank God there are still a few "liberals" in this country who are unwilling to sacrifice neither principle nor truth on the altar of political correctness.
  
  Obviously, you have both brains and guts, sir.
  
  
  

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  49

  kandice.eames

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Bravo!!! I agree wiht his eight ideas, and will continue to be a loyal Whole Foods customer.

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  50

  tahlman

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I think he has the right to express himself and he has a great point. Freedom to choose is just like shopping for groceries. Hopefully, political views won't disturb shoppers from shopping there. It is simply an opinion!

•  
  51

  rabblebabble

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Whole Foods isn't just a haven for Liberals. As hard as it is for the Left to believe, those of us who want the government to keep its mitts off the healthcare it hasn't already grabbed also want wholesome, healthy food and food supplements. We also know a leader when we see one. Obama isn't. Mackey is.

•  
  52

  Fishdaddy

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Mr. Mackey, you have my vote! Great Americans speak up
  regardless of risk or insult. I for one love whole foods but I
  hate the two party (or is it three?) politics that has divided
  this country of ours down the middle. Long gone is the day
  where we just work hard to get the job done instead of
  taking advantage through trickery and tainted words. Our
  country forgot about taking care of their neighbor, sticking
  up for our rights instead they let their morals slide and let
  greed prevail. Corruption is the result. I support Americans
  that support the constitution as it exists to protect us from
  these things that you speak out against!
  
  The stock market is corrupt and rigged by our Federal Gov't
  so focus on what your store delivers and less on the whining
  shareholders. If Americans are willing to risk their money
  by investing in the stock market then you would want to
  believe that they should be more angry about the taxes they
  pay on income, death & estate and all the other trumped up
  spread the wealth ideas going around! Support the FAIRTAX
  and resolve the corruption!
  
  If you are not real careful Big Government will figure out a
  way to devalue your stock and bankrupt your business! Then
  the long legged pimp mack daddy from Kenya will add your
  organic foods store as part of his growing diversified
  businesses as a new unit along with the banks, auto
  manufacturing, insurance companies, train service and
  freight delivery. To run it he'll appoint the FDA to stock the
  shelves with approved foods processed and inspected as
  safe for Americans to eat. We will all be forced to buy our
  groceries there which will be rationed to us under marshall
  law.
  
  May God keep us protect us from further harm and help us
  all to realize the blessing that we have as Americans under
  one God.

•  
  53

  alphagrl@...

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  The sheer number of posts to this blog is mind-bloggoling!
  
  Why hasn't anyone mentioned that our nation's health care is totally disfunctional and needs to be reformed? Why hasn't anyone mentioned the ranking of the US in world-wide health care for it's citizens. See Reuters article from Jan. 2008, "France Best US Worst in Preventable Death Ranking", http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSN07651650
  (for one).
  
  Get over it people. Obviously most of these posts have been written by Mackey level execs who have never seen suffering in their lives, have never been stuck with one particular insurance co. for life because of some odd pre-existing condition, have never experienced insurance co. abuse.
  
  Has everyone forgotten why Health Care Reform is on the table?
  Puhlease!!!! Breathe, while you still can.

•  
  54

  Bearjeep

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  While Americans as a whole need a radical change in diet; I doubt all of his workers get 40 hours a week and fully paid health care. Until this is available to all Americans, we have a problem when GREEDY, Gluttonous CEO's take advantage of workers and WTF their customers. Look at the insurance industry that makes a profit off not doing whatever is necessary to maintain a quality of live for each of their customers. It is simply wrong and needs to stop. Single Payer, Medicare for All, Everybody IN, Nobody Out. That is a civilized selfless national health care plan.

•  
  55

  Steve Tobak

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  To Summarize ...

  To summarize, if the majority response from this post is any indication of Whole Foods' demographic, then the company should actually benefit from Mackey's op-ed piece.
  
  Wouldn't that be nice.
  
  I guess we'll see ...
  
  Steve Tobak

•  
  56

  shanayres

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Just scanned old Mackey's piece. I was born and raised in the
  UK. Lived there till I was 30 years old and neither I nor
  anyone I knew or know, had their healthcare rationed. The
  only thing I ever had to wait for was elective plastic surgery
  (breast reduction). I've been living here for the last 27 years,
  always had health insurance, and I find the UK system to be
  far superior to the USA system both in quality and quantity.
  
  Maybe it's changed radically in the last 27 years, but then I
  think I'd have heard something to this effect, from my family
  and friends.

•  
  57

  Prof. J

  08/20/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  No one, I think, would challenge Mackey's right to state his opinions. And few, if they are truly honest about it, would argue that the current health care system in the U.S., which provides measurably poorer overall health than that of other competing nations while it swallows 16% of the GDP while those of the competition run only 7-8%, is not a problem.
  
  But, the issue is whether speaking out inthe WSJ was good business. And Whole Foods is not a typical profit-maximizing corporation. It has built a brand catering to a particular upper middle class group in the population by not only offering natural and organic food but by championing environmentalism and social responsibility as well as its role as a "socially responsible company." This includes substantial donations to community groups and charities beyond the norm. And, if one looks at both this effort and where the stores are located, the company clearly has catered to a customer base that both has supported Obama and has shopped, at least partly, based on its values.
  
  So, was it a good business decision to speak out? I would suggest that the jury is out but that I would bet against that being the case given both location and the current customer base.

•  
  58

  Manabozho

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  How better to broaden the base?

  Mr Mackey's statements seem to have overcome the resistance of a significant number of brand-skeptics who are politically center-to-right leaning, and are going to visit their nearest WF store, even if it's miles away. This may be the chain's next growth area. Once the center-to-right crowd gets used to the nice food, they'll be back for that, even tho their first visit was prompted by the WSJ piece.
  
  Existing customers gonna boycott? Do we really think that the elite foodies have much choice? Where will they go? We'll soon find out their true priorities, when the CEO's politics part company with their daily expectations of California-cuisine levels of quality and variety.

•  
  59

  RBSandoval

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Don't believe in his point of view. There are so many
  Americans that are not employed, underage or retired and do
  not fit his model. And those that are employed definitely do
  not work for progressive companies like Whole Foods that
  promote wellness. As a vegetarian health nut, I realize there
  are many Americans in the dark, many insurance providers
  scamming the system and many employers cutting corners.
  The victims of course are hard-working Americans.
  
  Besides, much of what is being proposed in Washington is
  Insurance Reform and not Medical Reform and much of what
  Mr. Mackey touched on was to address some type of reform.
  
  I'll continue to shop at Whole Foods. Someone has to pay for
  those great progressive employee benefits. Isn't that why
  they call it Whole Paycheck?

•  
  60

  smesser

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Bottom line; Mackey?s position is cogent. Obama is yet to get
  there.

•  
  61

  helpmeunderstand

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  He is my hero...I now search out his stores in my travels to spend money. BTW, his thoughts on healthcare reform were actually well thought out and could be implemented in the short term to benefit all. "Reform" is what we are looking for...not another government run entitlement program that is not well thought out. Oh yeah...cash for clunkers ends Monday because the program was "more successful" than they imagined. Translate that lack of foresight to heathcare and it spells d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r.

•  
  62

  Mike Shaffer

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Whole Food's ... hmmmm... I hope the products they offer are sold in North West Ohio. I will give them a lion's share of our food budget.
  
  Yes we have a problem, but government run anything has never been a solution. Are the people in media inherently more healthy than the rest of us? Why does the author who wrote this story "major in the minors". Why do any of us think that because the government is a behemoth that can and will spend our country right into certain financial disaster and ruin that we should all just sit by and let them? Wake up media. Wake up!
  
  Good job Mr. Mackey.

•  
  63

  Jay McClung

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  "Mouthing off"???

  To the writer who said that the CEO should not have been "Mouthing off" - He has the right, as you do, to exercise his First Ammendment right to free speech. His comments need to be brought into the public debate. GOOD FOR HIM for speaking out. As it stands, The health plan is designed to be huge power grab reaching into our personal lives in an unprecidented scale. There are alternatives that are not being considered, because they don't buy votes and increase the power of government. This plan is not about lowering cost or improving the health of our citizens any more than the "stimulus package" was about actually boosting the economy. Both bills are designed give the government more power over businesses and the lives of American citizens. I hope that we can all respect those who speak out and share their ideas. When we give up our rights to the government, you can bet that we will never get them back.

•  
  64

  sbollinger6

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Mackey has jumped on the "Tort Reform" band wagon. We can not replace litigation with nothing. There is a lot of malpractice out there. I used to know an anesthesiologist and the stories he told made your toes curl. He made it clear that the medical profession does not police it's own. If you want to get rid of malpractice litigation, suggest a replacement.
  
  Conservatives keep saying they want government out of their lives but "Tort Reform" is the government stepping in to interfere with an established legal right. "Tort Reform" is government interference, plain and simple.
  
  I am not a lawyer and I believe jury awards are out of control. Unfortunately, the only defense the public has against doctor malpractice is through the bloated legal system.

•  
  65

  theresasm

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Go to http://www2.wholefoodsmarket.com/blogs/jmackey/ to see John Mackey's reply to the article. You can read the unedited article. The journalist edited the article which through things a off balance for the public. When reading "any" article one should consider the source, both sides to the story, and not become reactionary.

•  
  66

  TomGrinley

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I would think that at this point, it should be quite clear that dissenting opinions are not welcomed by the Democrats. If you dare speak against the Annointed One you open yourself up to personal attacks. We are seeing a very scary war on dissenting opinions and they fight back with disclosures of your personal finances, past history, and even the medical history of your spouse. Seems like it might be safer for everyone to keep their mouth shut.

•  
  67

  Loraine Antrim

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Leadership at the CEO level should be above these type of tactics. I'm sure some PR staff thought this would be "cute" but in the end it will cost the company dearly. The role of the CEO is to lead and provide direction and strategy; it should not include hawking. Loraine Antrim

•  
  68

  voyer

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I applaud Mackey for speaking out and making good, constructive suggestions on an important topic. It speaks ill of the lefties who apparently shop at his stores that they cannot stand a bit of constructive dialogue about an important issue.
  
  I've never shopped at Whole Foods, but I might just start. Maybe I'll offset some of those silly left-wing "boycotters."
  
  John Voyer, Portland, Maine

•  
  69

  Mark Norato

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  What I think is getting lost in all the emotionalism and
  hyperbole at every level is a dialog and exchange of ideas on
  this vitally important topic. While you don?t have to agree
  with everything in Mackey?s article (I don?t), he was simply
  sharing strategies which have helped his organization control
  health care costs while expanding coverage to more
  employees.
  
  From this perspective, his suggestions are worthy of
  consideration as part of the broader set of solution
  possibilities.
  

•  
  70

  verycold

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  What I find fascinating is that the "angry left" doesn't even bother to actually address the points Mackey made. His many points just make good sense. You can argue emotionally about the entitlement of everybody to have access to health care, but that doesn't really address the problem.
  
  Today there will be protesters at the Austin and NY stores as I understand it. I have no problem with that because people should have the right to voice their opinions. However this group now is calling Mackey a bad man because he opposes this particular piece of legislation and thus according to this group keeping people from having access to insurance. They stand by that 45 million number which has been shown to encompass many different groups some refusing to buy insurance even though they can.
  
  The president was asked yesterday if the plan will include illegals. He said no, BUT that illegals will not be turned away from any medical facility. So exactly who will be paying for their care? He says it is compassion that should make us continue giving out free care to those that are illegally here. This is why we are bankrupt. Our desires, our actions never consider the financial realities that giving away health care except in hospitals that are funded expressly for that purpose with charitable donations is NOT SUSTAINABLE.
  
  We need to hear from more CEOs. We need to nurture an environment that allows all voices to be heard without shaming and wrath.

•  
  71

  river79

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Spot on Mr. Mackey! I too appreciate a CEO who isn't afraid to speak out. Afterall, the President invited feedback, ideas, and proposals for consideration in health care reform. Why wouldn't someone like Mackey with successful experience and credibility in a plan that works put in his two cents??

•  
  72

  mselliott

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  People are missing the point, if healthcare is an issue - are his points and ideas valid. That is one of the biggest problems right now is everyone is focusing on who said what and whether it is inline with their "sides" views. When we start assessing ideas for there thru merit and not who they came from or what hidden agenda's are associated with them - only then will we ever get to a point where we focus on solving problems together and truly have bi-partisan efforts.
  
  And by the way, I happen to think he has some great ideas regarding healthcare that should be reviewed, discussed, explored to determine if they could help.

•  
  73

  get8329

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I admire the man. He is a man who has consistently given back to the community for years.
  
  His entire salary goes to charity. He pays 90% of his employees healthcare costs.
  
  At least he understands how this will impact businesses. Unlike Obama he has actually run something more than just a campaign.
  
  Obama should be listening to him and others like him.

•  
  74

  plymouth

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Mackey heads up his essay with a good assessment of the
  impending problem with Thatcher's quote and a synopsis
  of the existing socialist programs facing doom. The failure
  of Great Society programs is starkly evident and we need
  to be making plans to dismantle these failed attempts at
  social engineering and return peoples' money and liberties
  to them so they can make the choices they are best equipped
  to make.
  
  Let's be clear, Whole Foods is NOT a philanthropy or
  hippie coop in northern Vermont. Whole Foods is a business and as accurately pointed out, as chief executive of a public company, Mackey?s fiduciary duty is to his shareholders.
  
  The job of the government is to govern per the instructions outlined by the U.S. Constitution. The spate of social programs foisted on the people of this nation since 1964 having but nothing to do with governance and everything to do with intrusive statism which Americans do not need.

•  
  75

  dhorine

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  I think it's interesting that a lot of people are complaining about it, but sales haven't dropped. Personally, I know much more about Whole Foods today than I did a week ago. Maybe that's a good thing.

•  
  76

  jroley

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Thank you Mr. Mackey! I applaud his leadership and boldness. I do not think this will negatively affect Whole Foods. In fact, I think there are more conservatives in Whole Foods customer base than you might expect "Crunchy Cons".
  

•  
  77

  Michael DeShane Hinton

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  America was never more prosperous than during the Gilded Age, which occured after a great moral struggle in this country to right the worst economic wrong ever conceived by man -- black slavery. With the Abolitionist movement came a new kind of being -- the Christian businessman. These men became civic leaders after the war and America prospered on free market principles such as Mackey is promoting. The idea that liberals have a lock on social justice is cracked. It was the Republican Party that freed the slaves while the Democrats wanted to keep the wicked status quo. The Chicago thugs that make up the Obama administration have come out in full force this week -- some of them targetting Mackey and appearing here. Obama talks a religious game but he is wrong. We are each personally repsonsible for "keeping" our brothers and sisters -- which Mackey does, personally, by providing jobs, a good product, a compassionate work environment, and charitable giving. There are some us investors that specifically seek out moral companies like Mackey's. Business is not always about the bottom line. Kant said the question is not whether one is happy but whether one deserves to be happy. Money alone does not bring the best and deepest kind of happiness. Mackey is a good businessman because he is a good human being.

•  
  78

  DataDude1

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  Wow, this thread has taken on a life of its own. First, I do believe we have a right to freedom of speech and should exercise it as Mackey chose to do. As a marketing person, however, it is scary when CEOs take a stand that is counter to the customer-base. I saw this happen when I worked for the Los Angeles Times. Only in time will we know if his remarks alienated enough shoppers to have an impact on sales.
  
  As for Whole Foods itself, or as I prefer to call it "Whole Paycheck" their profits are up because of the outrageous prices they charge. Their product mix and store locations are chosen specifically so they can maximize profit margin. This fact has nothing to do with political-orientation, but is simply a business strategy WF has adopted.
  
  So all you arm-chair conservatives, libertarians, and liberals alike, have a knosh and enjoy the weekend.

•  
  79

  KrisAnthony

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  First, I must say I am neither liberal or conservative...I am progressive. I believe there needs to be a lot of changes in this country and actual SOULUTIONS to our problems; not the back and forth political arguments, greed, and sole concer for profit maximization.
  
  I admire Mackey for speaking up about logical ways to help solve our health care issues. It is very close to the financial guru who came up with a rather solid plan on solving the mortgage crisis, even sent it off to government officials, yet the government paid $700B to bail out (in my opinion) the wrong people without any kind of actual REFORM for mortgages or toxic assets. I understand the "too big to fail" syndrome, and I work in finance; however, there comes a time when irresponsible people have to be held responsible...and help needs to be given to those who are responsible. If you keep bailing out the repeat offenders, they never learn.
  
  I find it absurd that people would threaten to not shop at WF because the CEO spoke up about something he believed in; it just proves to me yet again that too many people are concerned with their own agendas and have no inkling of what working together for common and beneficial goals is about.
  
  If more people would speak up, and stop being led like a flock of sheep; there might be actual change in the world. I understand we live in a profit driven society, but the bottom line has become more important than anything else. People in general need to shift their thinking and take real steps for change...and stop hiding behind left wings, right wings, self righteousness, and a general disdain for anyone different from themselves.
  
  People have lost sight of community, sharing, and helping one another...not for self gain and personal agendas, but because it is a good thing to do and is beneficial for everyone involved. We have also forgotten a lot about accountability; and I applaud Mackey for noting that we should also be responsible for our health. Yes, there are some things we cannot control in regards to health and disease, but there are plenty we can control.
  
  I could go on and on about this topic and others in general; however, the bottom line is that people need to wake up and realize what is truly important in life. I am not one to determine what is important in anyone's life but my own, but I am willing to go out on a limb and say that boycotting a store for a man willing to voice is opinion that is against your political agenda...is not one of the more important things in life....
  

•  
  80

  Dan Boos Top 100 Change Consultant

  08/21/09 | Report as spam

  RE: Should Whole Foods CEO Have Taken on ObamaCare?

  It's interesting how this article's premise is based on stereotyping Whole Foods customers. I live in an affluent community in Ohio and travel 60 miles to go to a whole foods store located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As do many others from this community. I'm the president of a professional services firm so I and so many others do not fit into Tobak's stereotype of the Whole Food's customer. I'm neither republican or democrat in my politcal persuasion. I am right of center on most issues. Most likely, John Mackey has not hurt his company, but has likely helped it. The common and enlightened citizen is not a drone and does not adhere to a blueprint created by politcal parties or the media. Both entities have lost their way and their credibility with Americans. John Mackey is not only an e

  

  
  

  

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