Whole Foods = Whole Paycheck, For Some That Is

An Open Letter to John Mackey, CEO, Whole Foods

RE: WSJ Article and subsequent "explanation" on Whole Foods company blog regarding Health Care Reform

I’m a fan of Whole Foods, have one less than a mile from where I live, and while I can see the distinction between a personal opinion and a company policy, you are who you are, and you are blogging on a corporate web site. It isn't Blogger, WordPress, MySpace, nor Twitter, is it?

I’m not sure what your “other credentials” are to be "invitied" to do a piece with the Wall Street Journal, so with all due respect, when you write or speak, and are introduced with a title that bears your company’s name, you are in fact, a representative of such company. I’m not a CEO of anything, and it’s comical that even a lowly director such as myself would know that.

To back track and start with a quote on socialism is hypocrisy. I think the Wall Street Journal editors got it, and used the new title quite accurately. Or did you actually think that the extent of comprehension of the reading public starts and ends with the title? Oh wait, maybe you're on to something....

BUT

Contrary to what maybe your own belief, not everyone in this country is an idiot ("get the government out of my Medicare!", and other hilarious, idiotic and utterly ignorant quotes), nor rich enough to only have issues with “transparency”....hey, maybe there is something to that "whole foods, whole paycheck" phrase - not to worry, I'm no fool, I find the quote funny, even if it has some reality to it - notice that I said "reality", not "truth", since the latter somehow denotes a lie was in place - no, its a case of "it is what it is".

With all due respect, might your cluelessness to the concept of using your company blog, and subsequently your title, to be invited to do a piece for the WSJ, extend to the reality of “lesser folk"?

John, can I call you John? I can’t complain about my bill if I don’t get one – not because I don’t have health care insurance, I do, but because my coverage doesn’t include some procedure. Do I blame my employer? No. I understand fully what the company can afford. I’m not screaming “entitlement”. Here's a term for those who have everything: inadequate.

Nobody is asking for a free ride, just a shot at security.

And that’s the bottom line. I too agree in less government intrusion, they should stick to the basics – security. And contrary to most alpha male idiots, security isn’t just about an army. It starts with ensuring that it’s people, it’s members, is secure, from within. Yeah, a person's core.

Your company strives to do that, with health and wellness, security from within – I would expect it’s CEO to understand that.

I’m not foolish, I will shop at Whole Foods, because of what it offers - quality. Yes, I’m not clueless to equate one fool at the top, to the excellent meat, produce and groceries coming from people and producers who know better.