I have sat on the sidelines observing the ObamaCare debacle, specifically the protests, AKA town hall meetings, and I must first say, protesters, leave your freaking guns at home! Watching the volatile situation unfold which has included so-called AstroTurf, mobs and racists, pull-the-plug-on-grandma "death panels," Hitler sightings, swastikas and the like, has been quite amusing, yet very frustrating.
Protesting (peacefully, of course) against the government is one of our constitutional rights and is a great way for American citizens to communicate our grievances, so why is it when the left does it it's considered honorable? Who can forget the loud voice of Hillary Clinton, back in 2003, “I am sick and tired of people who say that if you debate and you disagree with this administration somehow you're not patriotic and we should stand up and say, we are Americans and we have a right to debate and disagree with any administration!” Why then, when the right protests or disagrees with the government, it is demonized in every way possible? The obvious hypocrisy coming from the left over ObamaCare opponents (and even those who are confused and concerned) is quite shameful.
Now the left is attacking and punishing one of their own because he disagrees with the Obama administration. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, a progressive retailer, is being pilloried over the article he wrote on August 11th in the Wall Street Journal about his stance on, and alternatives to, ObamaCare.
The criticism of Mackey’s article was swift, Mark Rosenthal, a 39-year-old playwright in Massachusetts, was so angry that he started a Facebook group called Boycott Whole Foods the next day. Rosenthal’s beef apparently wasn’t just the health care portion of the op-ed. It was Mackey’s suggestion that “if you’re sick, it’s your fault,” that really got him fired up. “For anyone who has ever had a friend or family member get sick and you watched them die even with a good diet and exercise, it’s really insulting. I don’t know that [Mackey] considered the consequences of this statement”.
This is over Mackey's attempt to bring attention to the types of diseases that are preventable, and how these diseases affect health care costs in America today. Prevention is an important tool in cutting the risk of certain diseases and health care costs at the same time — something we are not discussing enough in the health care debate. Mackey wrote, “Rather than increase government spending and control, we need to address the root causes of poor health. This begins with the realization that every American adult is responsible for his or her own health.” I can’t agree more–-many on the Left want to claim that health care is a civil right, but first and foremost, it is an individual responsibility. There are exceptions: birth defects, children’s health, the handicapped, elderly and the extreme poor, as well as health issues resulting from accidents and unforeseen circumstances like war, pandemics and natural disasters, and of course, diseases that manifest despite every effort to live a healthy lifestyle.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Clavos
Ironic, isn't it?
Never underestimate the foolishness of American politics.
2 - Lumpy
We ought to be looking at whole foods as a model for reform but that obvious fact is lost on these blothering idiots.
3 - Cindy
Not that I expect anyone to dig any deeper than image--comes from watching all those advertisements. But Mackey is automatically supposed to be a 'good' guy, champion of the left, because he started a health food store? Like most other Capitalist megacorps, Whole Foods is based on personal greed. Mackey's personal greed. Once you are on the stock market you are off the hook for having to have a conscience.
I am not surprised that the left took so long to catch on. But, then, liberals trust and support Capitalism as much as right-wingers. In fact their more foolable, just dress someone up in a label that says all natural and they can fuck over their employees until the cows come home. Capitalists have one thing that is foremost in mind--profit. I don't give a rat's ass if they call themselves whole foods or Save the Children (Yeah, it's a non-profit--hard to tell by the CEOs salary. Interestingly, you even have companies that are watchdog's like Charity Navigator, whose CEO take almost 20% or income for himself.)
If Mackey is so interested in the health of people (indeed if all the corporate health food manufacturer's are) why are the children's breakfast cereals at Whole Foods loaded with sodium? Look at the labels. It's the same crap, just 'all natural' and 'organic' crap.
If Mackey is such an environmental champion then why does he support huge agribiz. Whole Foods made it clear that they are in a position to dominate the 'organic' market. They are TERRIBLE on environmental and sustainability issues. They do not support local markets. They present the 'image' of supporting local markets.
They are TERRIBLE on issues of employee rights. Mackey: 'The union is like having herpes. It doesn't kill you, but it's unpleasant and inconvenient, and it stops a lot of people from becoming your lover.'...He personally intervened in the attempt of a Wisconsin store to unionize, asking workers to instead 'expand into love.' ...Whole Foods passed out fliers against the United Farm Workers, and declined to sign on to a pledge ...decrying conditions for strawberry pickers."
Whole Foods is worse than the standard Capitalist megacorp, in my eyes, they use their image to gain people's trust. In fact, there is a whole market of innocent, irrational victims on the left just waiting to be plundered by anyone who slaps a label that says natural, healthy or spiritual on it. And when irrational leftists become Capitalists they will exuberantly sell their rightist counterparts under the table whilst chortling melodies of love and peace and happiness. If you are naive, there are all manner of nice self-deluded people willing to rob you--for your own good, naturally.
You can't trust Capitalists. It doesn't matter what kind of shining armor they wear. I don't care if they're selling spirulina or spiritual oneness with the universe. I'm glad the left finally has a reason to wake up and examine this company. It took them long enough!
4 - Cindy
The link for my second quote.
5 - roger nowosielski
Mackey on health care.
6 - roger nowosielski
another entry
7 - Cindy
Roger,
Here is a comment posted to the article at your first link. Looks like Mackey and Whole Foods is getting a whole new kind of supporter. Sort of a funny way of thinking for a person calling her/himself MLK65, don't you think?
The world is full of lunatics; Christians and Catholics who don't seem to have a single care about what Jesus taught (unless Jesus said something about worshiping profit and hoarding wealth. Or maybe Jesus said--'just go to church and I'll let you into heaven". Seems to me what most Christians/Catholics seem more interested in.), people who nickname themselves after a great spiritual leader calling human beings 'criminaliens'.
MLK65
1 hour ago
Report Abuse
I'm buying twice as much now at Whole Foods.
With the 'public option' where do I go to make an appointment to see a Dr..... the Registry or the Post Office. If you like the way the Pike and the T are run you'll love socialist medicine (nobamacare).
On second thought, if the illegal criminaliens are getting it for free.............then sign me up!
8 - Cindy
I think Gary Larsen could do a new cartoon, like that one he did about dogs--you know, what Jesus said vs what most Christians hear.
The Kingdom of Heaven is like a corporation. Though you see it's right hand, you know not what it's left hand does. ~ Republican Jesus
Blessed are the rich,the corporations, for they shall become much richer, and shall keep their riches to the last penny. ~ Republican Jesus
(posted by setv on Twitter)
9 - roger nowosielski
Yeah, just noticed it. But it's no different than many voices on BC.
10 - roger nowosielski
So have you given some further thought to the Foucault-Chomsky debate, Cindy?
I've just finished reading a body of works and found it depressing. I'm going to look at subsequent, post-modernist thinkers (Lyotard, Habermas, Derrida and Rorty) for positive applications. Wish me luck!
11 - roger nowosielski
Here is one example.
12 - Christine
Jesus was very concerned with the poor, sick and the orphans and widows, of which I have been 3 of the 4, however, Jesus wasn't "Robin Hood" taking from the rich to give to the poor. He called for his believers to do their part voluntarily! And yes, each Christian will be judged on how they treated the poor, sick, orphans and widows!
And since we are quoting scripture, money is not evil..it is "the LOVE of money that is the root of all evil", which, in this case you many be right...greed abounds. But it's not JUST capitalism that breeds greed. Government and others have their share!
And it is the rich that pay the most taxes!
Why do you think making money is not Godly, money is needed to live. And how do we make money, we WORK. Keep in mind there are different types of poor, those that can't work, those that work and are still poor, and those that refuse to work!
Jesus taught and also led by example as well as his disciples, that laziness is not Godly...2 Thessalonians 3:10 "..we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat." In the Greek "work" is Ergazomai which means "acquire by labor", "to be employed in or about".
And I'm sure Liberals NEVER work for profit and actually sell their products and services for free! HMMM
FYI...BEATITUDES OF JESUS
"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Gospel of St. Matthew 5:3-10
13 - roger nowosielski
On Habermas.
14 - Baronius
Christine - In a saner world than this, politicians of both parties would sit down with that editorial, and write it out as legislation. And we'd debate its merits without bigoted digressions about capitalism and Christianity.
15 - Cindy
Roger,
I am looking for something basic, on the internet, as far as your recommended readings. That link in 13--Holy BeJeebers! Reading that seems about as appealing as swallowing a bucket of nails.
I don't have all millennium to study philosophers. (Half of the millennium in question would be spent falling asleep while reading.) Isn't there some sort of cheat sheet for this?
Let me just find something and see what you think about it.
16 - Cindy
Baronius,
When the ideology you and Christine promote is eliminated , then the world will be saner. We wouldn't have to debate about it. How ironic.
17 - roger nowosielski
You don't need the millennium, Cindy - perhaps a month at most. I feel it's necessary to be up-to-date on the most current debate. And the people I mentioned define the cutting edge.
When I come across what I regard as indispensible texts, I will provide the references. Thus far, Foucault's "Knowledge/Power Essays" and Eco's interpretive essay are a must-read. A starting point.
The key is to understand the basic concepts and the terms of the debate - not the details. It's the key ideas that matter, and once you're understand the terms, it's smooth sailing. Later then.
18 - Christine
Thanks Baronius, looks like Cindy thinks the world would be saner without those of us that would like to see us get along and try to come up with ways to do that. But then again, maybe her ideology is all about putting us down no matter what we do!
19 - Clavos
Baronius,
When the ideology you and Christine promote is eliminated , then the world will be saner.
And much poorer. For everyone.
20 - roger nowosielski
Cindy believes in the possibility of a better world, Christine, just like you do. She just doesn't think that either Christianity or the free market system have done such a great job.
21 - Cindy
And much poorer. For everyone.
Well, I doubt it could be much poorer for the poor. They're poor as a result of such ideology. Sure it would be much poorer for the people who hold that ideology. But, like the saying goes, fuck 'em if they can't take a joke.
Besides, they've been so busy fucking everyone else with their free market gang bang, it only seems fair to reciprocate.
22 - Dave Nalle
Cindy, when are you going to get over this bizarre delusion that unions are the good guys? In the real world they're vicious, destructive monopolies far worse than most of the corporations you revile.
Dave
23 - Christine
Roger, glad to hear that about Cindy. These two entities may have their issues and their share of evils attached, but there have been a lot of good that has come out of the free market. Christianity on the other hand is more complex due to the fact that many that call themselves Christians, don't act like it! However, we have had some great ambassadors like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King Jr., and ones you don't hear about in the news, but they do exist!
Just wondering why we have to "throw the baby out with the bath water".
24 - roger nowosielski
Why worse, Dave? Just as vile as the corporations, and they meet force with force. Whether that's the best tactic is another matter, but there would be no combinations if there was no need for them.
25 - Cindy
Christine,
I shouldn't be let out to talk to other people when I'm working on articles about child slavery. here's what I think about what you do and what you think and what you try.
Your beliefs are responsible for child slavery. Your beliefs, Baronius' beliefs, Dave's beliefs, etc. Your ideas are misguided. You're wrong. And because you refuse to look at that possibility seriously, you will cause people suffering beyond imagination.
That what causes it. That's why I'm mad.
My being mad probably won't change your beliefs. I don't think anything will do that though. They come from the same mold as religious fundamentalist beliefs. They're fanatical. A danger to the whole world.
So, can you see why I'm sorta miffed?