General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDear Starbucks
So Manny gave us a heads up. Now take action. Here is the link to tell Starbucks what you think: http://customerservice.starbucks.com/app/contact/ask_company_info/
I put my letter under "social responsibility." Note that the 1st time you try to do it, a pop-up of questions will appear. I hit cancel on in, started over and was able to post my letter.
Dear Starbucks,
I understand that your CEO is proposing that we "come together" to "fix the national debt" by joining "fixthedebt.org"
This is so wrong-headed I hardly know where to begin. I'm sure you're aware that "fixthedebt.org" has proposed cutting Social Security earned benefits by 22%. So let me start there:
1. Social Security did not cause the national debt. As I'm sure you are aware, it is a self-funded system. Cutting seniors earned benefits when so many live in poverty would be just plain stealing, absolutely shameful and would harm the economy.
also #1. The national debt was caused by 2 unfunded wars started under the Bush administration, combined with drastic tax cuts for the wealthy, also started by Bush, and sadly continued by the current administration. If people feel an urgent need to fix the debt, they can start by restoring the tax system that had us in good fiscal shape before the irresponsible and immoral, not to mention illegal, squandering of our treasury by an unelected President appointed by a Supreme Court that chose to override our constitution.
also #1. Numerous leading economists, including Nobel prize winners Stieglitz and Krugman, have repeatedly and strongly recommended focusing on stimulus over concern about national debt. As has been proven time and again in our history, government stimulus, as the "buyer of last resort" in a recession or depression, both alleviates the misery to those at the 'bottom' and puts a floor under the economy until it cycles back into growth. After the economy has recovered, then we can address the national debt. Also, as we saw during the Clinton administration, increased tax revenues through high levels of employment go a long way to restoring our national balance sheet.
The bottom line is that the national debt is not a problem; unemployment and lack of discretionary spending by the un and underemployed is the problem.
I strongly suggest you reconsider your recommendations. I will not support your proposition, plan to boycott *any* company that supports "fixthedebt.org," and recommend the same action to others.
iemitsu
(3,888 posts)And that's why we put up with so much diversion. So we treat symptoms and never recognize the root of the problems.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)it's obvious the solution is dumping out all of Starbucks coffee and buying Folgers or Dunkin Donuts coffee.
iemitsu
(3,888 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)iemitsu
(3,888 posts)caledesi
(11,903 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)by working.
BlueStreak
(8,377 posts)How about everybody who spends the ridiculous amount Starbucks charges for a mediocre cup of coffee served up by mediocre staff and instead go buy their morning coffee for $1 at the convenience store next door. Then take those savings and add them to the amount you pay the IRS when you file taxes.
I am completely sick of these business owners who try to push politics along with their product. I have only been in a Starbucks about one time a year recently, but now it will be zero times, I guarantee that. Right up there with Chick-Fil-A, Papa Johns, and all the rest.
And this inspires me to go to my favorite coffee shop this AM. It has been in business about 10 years. 5 years ago, Starbucks opened up about 50 yards away. My shop is still in business. Anytime I am in that part of town, I make a point of patronizing them. And I part in front of the Starbucks so they can see me go get my coffee.
I really hate these jerks.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)savebigbird
(417 posts)I ditched Starbucks a loooong time ago, and I get my coffee from a local shop instead. The coffee is worlds better, and poor politics aren't shoved down my throat.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)onethatcares
(16,172 posts)Keep hammering them with the consequences.
lunasun
(21,646 posts)AnnieK401
(541 posts)At least progressive among other CEO's. Guess I was wrong.
TinkerTot55
(198 posts)...are who they MARKET to.
But not what Starbucks practices, apparently.
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)"Find other places to get coffee that are usually much better than Starbucks and more affordable."
There should be an app for that, just so Starbucks gets it straight that many areas have wonderful, (even locally-owned) coffee shops to go to. Brand and image are not everything in this revolution of the mind.
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)We need an app builder person.
Newest Reality
(12,712 posts)and a great way to protest and have a cup of coffee with your easy activism.
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)outside every Starbucks there should be a large poster saying 'Starbucks wants to cut your social security'.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)Maraya1969
(22,483 posts)cut it in 1/2 for everyone, (except for you, Mr. CEO, who should take 1/3 of your 28.9 million and accept a measly 9.63 million) and then take the 28 million left and divide among your baristas so they don't have to ask for tips to make ends meet. Also you can cut out things like the 11 million you spent to take your executives to a special company picnic and the cash bonuses to your top executives and give your hourly employees a living wage.
Then they will have more money to spend and that will stimulate the economy and decrease the deficit.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)TinkerTot55
(198 posts)fleabiscuit
(4,542 posts)Even CEO's can have brainfarts. Perhaps with the new report correcting the debt/austerity push Starbucks will change direction. If not, f'em.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)fleabiscuit
(4,542 posts)Just because someone is wealthy or successful doesn't not make them all knowing or incapable of being duped. However, if he/Starbucks can not see the light... f'em.
CrispyQ
(36,478 posts)It doesn't matter if it doesn't pass this time, a precedent has been set & set by a dem. It was offered once. It will be offered again.
firenewt
(298 posts)avoid Starfucks.
sarge43
(28,941 posts)But there's the bagged coffee beans and the bottled iced coffee, so those can be lined off the list.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)SalviaBlue
(2,917 posts)rickyhall
(4,889 posts)GFYS
RebelOne
(30,947 posts)they had a lot of nerve for even proposing such a cut.
caledesi
(11,903 posts)LiberalLovinLug
(14,174 posts)Too busy to respond.
handmade34
(22,756 posts)Report b CTJ on CEOs backing fixthedebt.org
http://www.ctj.org/pdf/notax2012.pdf
Bernie Sanders' report (about CEOs backing fixthedebt.org)
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/102512%20-%20JobDestroyers3.pdf
"Do you really trust these people to fix the debt????"
savebigbird
(417 posts)Not.
Wednesdays
(17,380 posts)It's merely a case of guilt by association. And a way for wingnuts to score points against a progressive organization. Way to play dirty tricks, buttfaces.
Yes, I said PROGRESSIVE. Don't believe me? Just Google them up, and take a look at their overall track record...gay rights, health care, and on and on.
wilsonbooks
(972 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)Dear Kurtz:
Let us be blunt. You are a company that relies on the middle class having disposable income. The rich swells may go to your place once in a while, but they would prefer the expensive, pretentious places so that they can avoid mixing with the common folk. You do not realize you are slitting your own throat. Yes I know, Asia is giving you and your fellow billionaires promises of a large, docile middle class that will replace those grouchy customers in America, but if you think that once we are gone, that you have get to keep those customers, you are a fool. You see, India, China, Russia, they realize that government can and should work with business, because it gives them an edge.
All it took was 10, 20 years at tops for America's prestige to go down the tubes, thanks to people that kept wanting to cut government for a debt that Dick Cheney claimed did not matter when the GOP were in office. The consumers are already clutching their wallets, because of the rampant insecurity caused, and that was before the "Third Rail" of politics lost it's juice. Of course, we also know from the last GOP president that our wars will ensure that every time someone wants to cut spending, they will be shouted down, so why not spend on the sorts of things that put money in all our pockets. Let's face it, when Clinton was being accused of spending like a sailor, we had money, that was the very era you changed from a Flea Market operation in Seattle to being one of the most recognized brands on the planet.
Let us be blunt, you are not a necessity. Even for those of us who do appreciate a good coffee, and a place to specialize, you are NOT the only game in town. Other places, even good old Dunkin Donuts, realized that if they moved in the wi fi, the flatscreen TV, and stereo, they could beat you . Frankly, since you have let customer service go to shit, there is nothing you offer that cannot be done at many places. Hell, a K Cup has made making good coffee idiot proof, cheaper that that device you tried selling. The point is, we made you, and if we go down, you will go down with us.
Bonobo
(29,257 posts)Your coffee tastes burnt.
Oh, and you fill it up too high. Stop doing that.
....nasty burned coffee!
Bigredhunk
(1,350 posts)This boycott shit just gets to be about too much anymore. You could go crazy trying to figure out who deserves your $$ and who doesn't. We boycott some places/brands, but it's impossible to boycott them all. Our list of no-no's:
Mall-Wart - We haven't stepped foot or spent $$ one in 10 years. This is fairly tough to do in small town Eastern IA, where there aren't a lot of options. Something else that makes it difficult is that I/we like to shop at night when people aren't out. They're the only store of their type to be open 24/7. Everyone closes too damn early.
Papa John's
Domino's
Jimmy John's
Dunkin Donuts
Nestle - Although it's hard to COMPLETELY boycott them.
Home Depot
Lowe's - Not sure about the whole outfit, but they brought in non-union labor to build the local store.
I'm sure there are plenty more we boycott (including local assholes), but I'm drawing a blank right now. Reading all the posts on progressive forums makes me feel like giving up. Let's face it, there are very few left-leaning companies (let alone progressive ones). Most businesses are cut-throat and do only bottom-line thinking. It's easy to shop as a righty, everyone has your interests at heart. As a lefty? There's almost nowhere.
Costco is pretty good (although I don't think they're big union fans). I'm the biggest Costco nuthugger on the planet. I'd love to spend most of my paycheck there. Unfortunately, their (very successful) business model is to build around affluent larger cities. It works well for them. It doesn't work for me. We've been paying members for 10 years. The first 4 of those years, we didn't have a Costco in our state. We'd drive to Minneapolis...stay a few days...load up our car beyond belief...haul it all home. Then they finally built one in Des Moines in '04, but that's still way too far (200-250 miles). Then came Madison, WI (120 miles). The newest is Coralville, IA...but that's still 100 miles away. We don't have the vehicles or the $$ to drive 100 miles one way to get our supplies. We get there as often as possible and spend a bunch (usually about every 6-10 weeks...$400-$700). The median income of a Costco family is something like $77k per year (and that was years ago, might be more now). We don't make that much. Throw in $40 in gas to get there and back...it's just hard.
But we spend plenty at places we should boycott for one reason or another. Target is bad for various reasons, so they should be boycotted (we don't). They're our alternative to Mall-Wart. Menard's is the big home improvement shop around here. They were very pro-Walker, so we should boycott them (we don't). Amazon has had there share of problems (ALEC, bad warehouse conditions), so we should boycott them (we don't). Whole Foods has a jerkoff of a CEO, so we should boycott them (we don't -- they have great produce...are good about no artificial sugars/GMO's).
I've always counted Starbucks as one of the better ones. I know they knocked out mom and pop stores. I don't like that. But people don't go to mom and pop stores. It's the same with the giant booksellers knocking out the indies. Yeah, I hate that B & N did that. But are you telling me the cheap fucks in America are going to go indie and pay $35 for a Stephen King book? I don't like if Schultz thinks cutting SS is a smart move. I'll let them know that. But Starbucks is for raising the minimum wage. They try to bring attention to joblessness. They provide HC to employees working 20 hours per week or more (I've read Mall-Wart covers a higher % of workers -- no idea if that's true). Every time they have shareholder meeting, some asshole that owns 1 share raises a stink about their stance on gay marriage -- Schultz shoots them down every time (check Youtube).
People always talk shit about their overpriced coffee. We've spent tons there over the years. We never coffee at the stores. We get their coffee drinks (or actually, espresso drinks) and Frapps. We love their drinks. There aren't many alternatives around here either. There are a few Caribuou's, but Caribou sucks. Their drinks are way too sweet...and even worse, they taste fake sweet. And pretty much every place charges $3-$5 for drinks. We also drink their VIA, which we think is great. We load up when the price drops. 1 packet = 1 big cup of coffee. That's how we do our coffee at home now.
Anyway, you can't boycott everyone/everything you disagree with. There's just nothing left. And it's especially tough if you don't make a lot of $$. Fair trade coffee costs more, fair trade chocolate costs more, etc... Nike is bad, so we don't get them. Was always proud of the made-in-USA line of New Balance. Then you find out their CEO is a big republican backer. I will write Starbucks if this is true though.
I thought B & N and Bed, Bath, & Beyond were good. Not sure where I read that. Here's an older list:
http://www.goodguide.com/contributions#sector=All%20Categories&sort=-leaning&query=
Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel
(3,273 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)I hope you don't mind that I copied and pasted most of your post.
I should have asked first..
Thanks for taking so much of your time to write and post your letter...
allan01
(1,950 posts)i was using our local starbucks at safeway. will boycott them now . hey starbucks ,,, with out us , there is no u !!!!!