By now you’ve likely read about the hubbub and scandal swirling around the CEO of Whole Foods, John Mackey. Mackey’s Op-Ed in the Wall Street Journal last month, declaring that health care is not an intrinsic right, enraged customers around the country.

Source: ilovemypit @ Flickr

Now, who did he think he was talking to? Based on its target demographic, the Wall Street Journal surely has plenty of readers who share his outlook. But Whole Foods customers? Earthy crunchy yuppie tree-hugging liberals (some of whom are my very best friends)?

Now, I’m not going to come out for or against anyone here, except to point out that Michael Pollan believes a Whole Foods boycott hurts their small farmer suppliers. But this whole fascinating story really underscores my basic premise/question: who do you think you’re talking to?

Does Mackey have the right to express his opinions as separate and differentiated from that of his company? Perhaps. But geez Louise, man, did he not see all of this coming?

See the Whole Foods social media responsa:

Mackey’s blog

Whole Foods response on Facebook

Whole Foods on Twitter

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