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I read about the Whole Foods boycott this morning on mashable. The boycott is also featured in today's New York Times. Apparently, there are over 22,000 members in a facebook group supporting a boycott of Whole Foods based on comments made by John Mackey, Whole Foods' CEO, about proposed government healthcare reforms. Mackey's comments in an August 11 Wall Street Journal piece are linked here.

For the record, I'm in favor of healthcare reform. There's just something inherently wrong with our system today. It's built to deliver profits to corporations, not to deliver care for citizens. I'm sure there is no such thing as a perfect new program but we have to do something. Inaction assures the status quo continued.

So the CEO of Whole Foods has an opinion that isn’t the same as many of his customers. Is this really a problem? Is this really a reason to harm the thousands of Whole Foods employees across the United States via a boycott? What do the boycotters expect from Whole Foods? For Mackey to step down? For Mackey to publicly state he changed his mind and has seen the healthcare light? It’s so silly it’s laughable. I appreciate Mackey sharing his thoughts. As a Whole Foods customer, I’m glad to see that the organization is led by a thoughtful, confident individual.

Social media makes it way too easy for an small inspired group to start something and then joining the cause only requires a click. It does not require going to a real meeting. It does not require actually speaking with anyone. It does not require researching the statement or issue. It just requires a click. The level of effort is so small that the emotional investment of joining the cause is zero. My take is that this is not 22,000+ people who are truly upset. More likely it is 100 overzealous cooks starting a pot of all-natural stew and 21,900+ sheep clicking "join"

John Mackey is one of thousands of individuals who are employed by Whole Foods. I’m sure Whole Foods is an organization filled with people with different opinions on everything from healthcare reform to what’s the tastiest summertime fresh fruit. I commend John on sharing his thoughts in a public forum and I’m glad his opinions are inspiring debate. Thoughtful debate will help generate the best outcomes for us all. I will not be boycotting Whole Foods. I’ll be shopping there. I sure wish they sold Red Bull Cola though...such a perfect product for them and still not on the shelves. Maybe I should find a few like minded people and start a facebook group...