Whole Foods CEO Mackey is a Right Wing Hippie

[one...two...tree 2,762]

John Mackey, the co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods Market, raised a few eyebrows over the summer with a Wall Street Journal op-ed trashing health care reform. He equated Democratic proposals with "socialism," all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding. Given Whole Foods' reputation, the right-wing missive came as something of a surprise to Mackey's clientele, and there were various efforts to organize boycotts. In time, the controversy faded.

Nick Paumgarten's new profile of Mackey, however, seems likely to reignite criticism. The Whole Foods CEO rejects the Keynesian economics that ended the Great Depression, admires Ayn Rand, and in a particularly interesting note, rejects the science of global warming.

One of the books on the list [of books Mackey has been reading] was "Heaven and Earth: Global Warming -- the Missing Science," a skeptical take on climate change. Mackey told me that he agrees with the book's assertion that, as he put it, "no scientific consensus exists" regarding the causes of climate change; he added, with a candor you could call bold or reckless, that it would be a pity to allow "hysteria about global warming" to cause us "to raise taxes and increase regulation, and in turn lower our standard of living and lead to an increase in poverty."

One would imagine that, on this score, many of his customers, to say nothing of most climate scientists, might disagree. He also said, "Historically, prosperity tends to correlate to warmer temperatures."

Mackey, Paumgarten said, is a "right-wing hippie."

I suspect the more progressive, engaged members of Whole Foods' customer base will be less than pleased.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

[mawilson 2,133]

I will continue to support Mr Mackey's business.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

people don't shop at whole foods because they love the ceo, they do it because they enjoy the products.

this wont matter.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

people don't shop at whole foods because they love the ceo, they do it because they enjoy the products.

this wont matter.

He's already stepped down as Chairman of the Board, where he would have more influence on the direction and policies of the company.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

He's already stepped down as Chairman of the Board, where he would have more influence on the direction and policies of the company.

he had influence before and his influence ended up creating a business that offered products yuppies loved

that is a good thing, not a bad thing.

you fuckin hippies need to stop with the ideological witch hunts

[one...two...tree 2,762]

he had influence before and his influence ended up creating a business that offered products yuppies loved

that is a good thing, not a bad thing.

you fuckin hippies need to stop with the ideological witch hunts

LOL...for the record, I've never shopped there.

His political views are relevant to consumers as they should be, especially if he's making company policy that reflects those views.

[Dan J 277]

Whole Foods has good food, but it is a little expensive to shop at regularly. Trader Joe's FTW.

[Anna C. 4]

I love Wholefoods and sort of agree with the CEO on most things. I guess I'm a conservative hippie (attachment parenting, organic foods, yet politically conservative). My kind is rare

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

I wish we had a whole foods where I live.

[chri'stina 190]

I'm kind of a conservative hippie too, at least in my own mind. I just watched Food Inc recently and afterwards I bought cage free, organic eggs oh yes I did...from walmart. And bought other hippie stuff. Like, peace dudes.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'm kind of a conservative hippie too, at least in my own mind. I just watched Food Inc recently and afterwards I bought cage free, organic eggs oh yes I did...from walmart. And bought other hippie stuff. Like, peace dudes.

...just don't go burning your bra.

[alienlovechild 75]

LOL...for the record, I've never shopped there.

His political views are relevant to consumers as they should be, especially if he's making company policy that reflects those views.

Never heard of Whole Foods. I usually don't mix politics with food. Why his views are relevant to his products it's reflected in your posts.

A better example counterexample is boycotting leftwing Hollywood movies that expressly push their views and make money at it so they make more leftwing movies.

[Richard90027 1]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/

Way to go John Mackey, keep up the good work. A true patriot!!!!

[mawilson 2,133]

I wish we had a whole foods where I live.

Long Island?