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Whole-Grain Health Reform
Washington Post ^ | August 19, 2009 | Kathleen Parker

Posted on 08/19/2009 9:38:51 AM PDT by La Lydia

Now is the time for all good capitalists to shop at Whole Foods. Not only will you get great produce, fresh meat, fish and healthy to-go meals, but you'll irritate those who think that President Obama's health-care plan isn't quite progressive enough. John Mackey, co-founder and chief executive of Whole Foods Market -- green missionary and exemplar of corporate compassion -- has riled hard-core reformers by endorsing free-market principles over government-managed health care.

Well, knock me over with a wakame frond. (That's seaweed for you tofu-averse.) ...If you're unlucky enough to live in a city without a Whole Foods store, you may not be able to fully appreciate the deliciousness of this food fight. When it comes to corporate responsibility, Mackey's company's core values read like a Happy Face Manifesto, pledging allegiance to sustainability, caring about our communities and environment, even "delighting our customers." But also -- brace yourself -- "creating wealth through profits & growth."

Is there room in a post-compassionate-conservative nation for a caring capitalist? Whole Foods...is what we used to call a "health food store," though Mackey's creation feels relatively mainstream compared to the early granola boutiques that made you feel like you have to assume the lotus position to gain entrance...

"Comprehensive" may be the scariest word in the English language when it tumbles from the lips of a politician. Instead of trying to revamp every aspect of the health-care system, Congress should follow Mackey's lead and tackle a few fixable problems with consensus and support from Americans, who, though frustrated with the status quo, aren't quite ready to surrender self-determination.

Mackey's ideas aren't necessarily the only route, but they offer a path that is pro-market, pro-individual and pro-choice -- all concepts that are organic to America and, like spinach, good for you.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bhohealthcare; commonsense; employers; mackey; obamacare; wholefoods
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To: La Lydia

Hey, you accused ME of wanting to censor her and I never did such a thing. We should, however, label her and add either a “barf alert” when she says something incendiary or “Boring Alert” when she mumbles dully.


21 posted on 08/19/2009 12:15:25 PM PDT by BertWheeler (Dance and the world dances with you...)
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To: BertWheeler

How else am I supposed to interpret “There should be a “no post” rule for Kathleen Parker’s boring article”? A no-post rule means her column is not allowed, that is, it is censored. I do plead guilty for omitting to post a barf alert.


22 posted on 08/19/2009 12:19:01 PM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

Sorry to you for my original post. I meant there should be some form of descriptive post for Kathleen Parker’s articles. Either “Barf Alert” or “Boring Alert” and, for the record, I have a small garden in my back yard with over 11 trees that I planted myself. I’m green, just not red on the inside, you know what I mean?


23 posted on 08/19/2009 12:44:14 PM PDT by BertWheeler (Dance and the world dances with you...)
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To: BertWheeler

Ooooh. What kind of trees? The only productive tree that grows where I live is a fig. Where I grew up, we had lemon, orange, apricot, cherry and avocado trees in the yard. I loved those trees and no fruit has ever tasted as good.


24 posted on 08/19/2009 12:50:21 PM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

The garden is already producing really great tomatoes and green bell peppers. I have one peach tree - the fruit is still too small, and two apple trees that need another six to nine years or maybe less to produce apples. The rest of the trees are maples, oak and evergreens.

These were trees I planted after buying a new construction home. About four trees died in the first year. So, the total trees planted is 15.


25 posted on 08/19/2009 2:24:31 PM PDT by BertWheeler (Dance and the world dances with you...)
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To: Dudoight

I had just remembered a thread and the word boycott associated with Whole Foods...thanks.


26 posted on 08/19/2009 4:12:46 PM PDT by Kackikat (There is no such thing as a free lunch, because someone paid, somewhere.)
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To: sinanju

Congress already passed FOOD SAFETY ACT of 2009, that allows corporations to grow foods, and limits our right to grow our own organic foods..several months ago, and there was not enough concern on FR about it. There should have been a huge protest against the bill.


27 posted on 08/19/2009 4:15:25 PM PDT by Kackikat (There is no such thing as a free lunch, because someone paid, somewhere.)
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To: La Lydia

Guess what? Just yesterday my wife picked out four more trees to plant!


28 posted on 08/24/2009 8:06:30 AM PDT by BertWheeler (Dance and the world dances with you...)
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To: BertWheeler

What kind? Fruit? I have been thinking about attempting a tree peony. No fruit, but they are beautiful. Am trying to figure out if they will grow here. My regular peonies do very well.


29 posted on 08/24/2009 8:10:39 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

Where do you live? I’m in southern Illinois and the four trees are of the “Evergreen” family - they will provide a lot of privacy... And they smell great and in the winter we’ll probably dress them up like Christmas trees.


30 posted on 08/24/2009 8:14:55 AM PDT by BertWheeler (Dance and the world dances with you...)
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To: BertWheeler

Northern Virginia. I have some lovely pines behind my deck. When I sit in the room that opens out to the deck with the french doors open, that wonderful fragrance wafts in. It is one of the most beautiful and oddly calming aromas in the world.


31 posted on 08/24/2009 8:17:33 AM PDT by La Lydia
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To: La Lydia

http://www.earthfare.com/

We have one in Raleigh, it is an NC chain. They have stores in NC, SC, GA and TN.


32 posted on 08/24/2009 8:23:34 AM PDT by kalee (01/20/13 The end of an error.... Obama even worse than Carter.)
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To: kalee

Looks nice. I liked the tone of their website. Next time I’m in the area I will check them out.


33 posted on 08/24/2009 8:27:28 AM PDT by La Lydia
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