Whole Foods Market Article

[Guest guest]

The Whole Story About Whole Foods Market

Many organic food fans trust stores that sell largely organic produce.

However, the merger of Whole Foods and Wild Oats may be a sign that it's time

for

the rose-colored glasses to come off.

It is growing harder to make the case that shopping at Whole Foods is

socially commendable. Whole Foods has faced well-deserved criticism for its

effects

on the environment, and its employees.

Whole Foods is an " industrial organic " company that has done away with the

local distribution that was the center of the 1960's back-to-nature movement.

There is nothing environmentally friendly about Whole Food's practice of

importing asparagus in from Argentina in January.

Whole Foods is also the second largest union-free food retailer, right

behind Wal-Mart. Whole Foods has taken the position that unions are not valid.

Many of Whole Foods’ canned or boxed items contain MSG, even though it is on

Whole Foods list of unacceptable food ingredients. Their dairy products may

or may not contain rBGH.

Whole Foods is a Fortune 500 Company that owes its allegiance to its

shareholders. It is exploiting a niche market, and has now cleared the field of

major competitors, leaving it free to raise prices and reduce quality.

Sources:

* _Natural News March 25, 2008_

(http://www.naturalnews.com/z022881.html)

(http://store.mercola.com/b/abmc.aspx?b=209 & z=2)

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

_Whole Foods_ (http://v.mercola.com/blogs/publi

c_blog/Great-Interview-With-Whole-Foods-CEO-and--Pollan-7180.aspx) , the

largest premium natural and

organic supermarket chain in the United States, first entered into a merger

plan with its chief rival Wild Oats in February 2007. Their plans were halted

by the Federal Trace Commission (FTC) at the time, who contended that the

merger violated federal antitrust laws by eliminating the substantial

competition between the two close competitors. They also said it would give

Whole

Foods unilateral market power resulting in higher prices and reduced quality,

service and choice for consumers.

Well, money spoke the loudest again, it would seem.

Certainly, Whole Foods Market has helped bring organic healthy and

unprocessed foods to the mainstream market, but, like most large corporations,

it will

have to contend with its shareholders, even if that means cutting corners

here and there in order to make a profit.

Are Large Corporations Friend or Foe in the Organic Market?

The creation of the organic market niche is a double-edged sword. On the one

hand, the involvement of large corporations has turned organic food into a

$16-billion business, with sales growing by as much as 20 percent per year.

What this means for many Americans is access to more organic foods, likely at

lower prices.

Large corporations also have big advertising budgets, which means the idea

of eating foods free from pesticides, genetically modified ingredients and

raised in sustainable, humane ways is getting a lot of publicity, whereas just

a

couple of decades ago it was next to unheard of.

The downside, however, might outweigh the benefits.

Because as soon as big corporations dip their hands into a project, it

automatically becomes about maximizing profits by churning out the largest

amount

of product for the least expense. If this means sacrificing some ethics and

skimping on some quality, that’s a price they’re willing to pay.

As a result of organic going mainstream in national super-chains such as

Wal-Mart and Whole Foods, the term “organic†has virtually lost its

meaning,

and it is no longer a guarantee that the food is any better for either you or

the environment.

You can now buy organic versions of ice cream, potato chips, crackers, soda

and just about anything else, but _these foods are STILL not good for you_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2003/03/26/organic-foods-par\

t

-one.aspx) ; they’re still junk foods with little or no real nutritional

value. And, from an environmental aspect, at least one study has found that the

transportation of organic produce causes an _environmental impact large

enough to cancel out any environmental benefits_

(http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-You-re-Better-Off-Buying-Local-Than-\

Organic-19673.aspx) .

So, when you take all these factors into account, buying local is often

_better than buying organic_

(http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Why-You-re-Better-Off-Buying-Local-Than-\

Organic-19673.aspx) , because you get fresher

foods that didn't use up excess fuel to be transported long distances.

They’re

also likely to be somewhat less expensive since the rising fuel costs

inevitably get passed down the line to the end consumer.

How to Get Your Money’s Worth When Shopping at Whole Foods Market

A _2007 Money Magazine article_

(http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/moneymag/0706/gallery.whole_foods.moneymag/\

index.html) highlighted the problems of

Whole Foods Market and gave several pointers to keep in mind, so you don’t

end up spending your whole paycheck on not-so-great foods. Among them:

* Whole Foods offers only a limited supply of local produce, meaning

the environmental damage it causes in transportation is just as high as most

other supermarkets. Even in summer months, only 30 percent of the produce in

your average Whole Foods store is grown locally. On the upside, they’re

clearly labeled, which can help you in your purchasing decisions.

* Although Whole Foods doesn't carry products with trans fats or

artificial coloring, everything else is fair game, including MSG and rBGH, so

being a vigilant label reader is still a necessity. For a great resource on how

to find hidden MSG, please see the website _www.MSGMYTH.com_

(http://www.msgmyth.com/) for detailed listings.

* The in-store prepared foods do list ingredients, but there's no

nutritional information provided.

It remains to be seen whether Whole Foods’ CEO Mackey holds true to his

word to develop a new multi-tiered system for rating organic farms and meat

producers this year, as _he discussed it with Pollan_

(http://v.mercola.com/blogs/public_blog/Great-Interview-with-Whole-Foods-CEO-and\

--Polla

n-7180.aspx) in February 2007. Mackey said he’d like to create more

transparency in the food chain, which he believes could become the basis of a

new

national system.

Why and When to Buy Organic

Conventionally grown food is often tainted with a multitude of _chemical

residues_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/11/28/the-dirty-dozen-f\

ruits-and-vegetables-containing-the-most-pesticides.aspx) , including

_chemical fertilizers_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2002/06/08/toxic-waste-part-\

two.aspx) , _insecticides_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/05/19/insecticides.aspx\

) , and _herbicides_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/07/24/herbicides-water

..aspx) . These pesticides can cause a wide variety of health problems,

including:

* Neurotoxicity

* Disruption of your endocrine system

* Cancer

* Immune system suppression

* Male infertility and _miscarriages in women_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2001/02/28/pesticides-miscar\

riage.aspx)

However, you can easily overspend on purchasing organic now that everyone is

jumping on the organic bandwagon, so let me give you some tips on how to

prioritize your spending.

Meats and Poultry -- Since animal products tend to bioaccumulate toxins,

concentrating them to far higher concentrations than are typically present in

vegetables, it would make sense to make sure all your meat choices are

organic.

When choosing organic beef, you should also go the additional step and make

certain the cows are_ grass-fed exclusively_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/11/10/at-last-new-rules\

-set-for-grass-fed-meat.aspx)

, especially the three months before they are slaughtered, as this is when

they are typically given grains to fatten them up.

For chickens, it would be important to make sure they are cage-free, or

free-range, chickens.

Fresh produce – When it comes to produce, buying local may be more important

than buying organic since freshness is so very important. You’re better off

buying fresh, vibrant, conventionally grown produce than wilted organic.

As a side note on this issue, I am currently in the process of examining

some VERY interesting technology that can destroy all the pesticide residue on

produce in less than a second. It is really amazing, relatively inexpensive

and may become a virtual necessity for all of us. I hope to report on this by

the end of the year.

That said, organic produce has been shown to have a much _higher

nutrient-content _

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2005/04/13/organic-diet.aspx\

) than conventional fresh produce, which should be a pretty good

motivator to locate organic produce that has also been grown locally. On ave

rage, conventional produce has only 83 percent of the nutrients of organic

produce.

Personal care products – As reported in the article above, many personal

care products contain ingredients listed on Whole Foods’ unacceptable food

ingredients’ list. Remember: if it’s not safe to eat, it’s not safe to

put on

your skin either as it is absorbed directly into your blood stream.

An additional concern that was recently raised by the Organic Consumer’s

Association is that a whopping 50 percent of “natural†and “organicâ€

products

were found to be contaminated with 1,4 Dioxane – a petrochemical carcinogen.

The results of their testing of 100 “organic†personal care products are

_listed on their website_

(http://www.organicconsumers.org/bodycare/DioxaneResults08.cfm) and worth

checking out to make sure you’re actually getting what

you think you’re paying for.

The only way to ensure your personal care product is truly organic is to

look for the USDA Organic seal, which certifies that it complies with organic

standards and is free of petrochemicals.

Essentially, although you may spend more money on organic food and personal

care products, your payoff of good health should more than make up for it –

and reduce your health care costs in the future.

It makes sense to me to invest a little bit more now so I can avoid paying

LARGE hospital bills later on, but more importantly, I can avoid the

disability and dysfunction from not being healthy. (If you don’t believe me

on this

one you simply must see the _video of J. Fox_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2007/10/11/9663.aspx) to

show you what is possible

if you consistently violate this principle.)

Where to Buy Organic and Locally-Grown Food

To assist you on your way to _Taking Control of Your Health_

(http://www.takecontrolofyourhealth.com/) , here are some great resources to

help you obtain

wholesome food that supports not only you, but the environment as well.

Combined with the tips on how to prioritize your spending, these resources can

help you to put the very best food money can buy on your table.

Farmers’ Markets

* Farmers' Markets -- _www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets_

(http://www.ams.usda.gov/farmersmarkets)

A national listing of farmers' markets.

* Local Harvest -- _www.localharvest.org_

(http://www.localharvest.org/)

Find farmers' markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown

food in your area.

* Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals --

_www.eatwellguide.org_ (http://www.eatwellguide.org/)

The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat,

poultry, dairy, and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, and hotels,

and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

* _Chicago's Green City Market_

(http://www.chicagogreencitymarket.org/) -- Chicago's only sustainable market

with the highest quality locally

farmed products. May through October. (Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7 a.m. to 1:30

p.m.)

Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSA’s)

* Alternative Farming Systems Information Center, Community Supported

Agriculture (CSA) -- _http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/_

(http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/csa/)

* Weston A. Price Foundation -- _www.westonaprice.org_

(http://www.westonaprice.org/)

* FoodRoutes -- _www.foodroutes.org_ (http://www.foodroutes.org/)

The FoodRoutes “Find Good Food†map can help you connect with local

farmers to find the freshest, tastiest food possible. On their interactive map,

you

can find a listing for local farmers, CSA's, and markets near you.

* Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) --

_www.buylocalfood.com_ (http://www.buylocalfood.com/)

Grass-Fed Beef Ranchers

* Panorama Meats – Black Angus and Red Angus -- _www.panoramameats.com_

(http://www.panoramameats.com/)

* Country Natural Beef – Hereford and Angus --

_www.countrynaturalbeef.com_ (http://www.countrynaturalbeef.com/)

* Tallgrass Beef -- _www.tallgrassbeef.com_

(http://www.tallgrassbeef.com/)

* Niman Ranch – A network of more than 600 independent farmers and

ranchers, and probably the easiest to find locally -- _www.nimanranch.com_

(http://www.nimanranch.com/)

* Pacific Village – Entirely grass-fed cattle since 2002 --

_www.newseasonsmarket.com_ (http://www.newseasonsmarket.com/)

Related Articles:

_The Selling of Organic_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/3/20/the-selling-of-org\

anic.aspx)

_Which Giant Corporation Owns Your Favorite Organic Food Brand?_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/01/which-giant-corpo\

ration-own

s-your-favorite-organic-food-brand.aspx)

_Cracking Down on Organic Food Fraud_

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/02/23/cracking-down-on-\

organic-food-fraud.aspx)

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/Newsletter/NewsLetter-Archive.aspx)

_Next Article » _

(http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/04/17/are-cell-phones-m\

ore-dangerous-than-smoking.aspx)

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HealthCoachG

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Apprentice User

It's time for people to stop expecting corporations, manufactures, the FDA,

the EPA, the USDA, etc etc etc to look out for the consumers best

interest. Whole Foods Market is simply providing a place to purchase organic

and

whole foods, supplements and clean products. I've never seen any where in the

store that Whole Foods is in business to do all the filtering for you, and you

can safely consume everything in the store. A large corporation like this

has to think of the bottom line first.

The popularity of Whole Foods is certianly a message that people want to eat

healthy and this message should be taken seriously by our regulating bodies.

However, as unfortunate as this may sound (since marketers are sneaky), it

is up to the consumer to understand what they're buying and consuming. Maybe

some day this will change, but for now, we need to know how to read a label

and know where our food is coming from (at least whole foods tells you the

veg came form Argentina and you can vote with your dollar).

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4Hand Healthy

[ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 6 Points

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Apprentice User

Amen!!

geminga

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Novice User

I thought the FDA,EPA,USDA were paid from public dollars to protect

public interest, so that we would not have to wonder if there are harmful

ingredients in the foods we consume. The fact is that certain chemicals in

foods,

dairy and meat have a consensus from those with no conflict of interest to be

harmful to humans. In fact you are probably better off eating and buying food

in a Eurpoean country than here in the states. Untill unbridled free

wheeling of corporate behavior, unchecked by non accountable publicly funded

agencies became corrupt the American food supply was among the safest in the

world.

I feel strongly that the public agencies we pay for need to divest of their

corporate bedfellows and start their love affair with the American people. It

is we not they that by law they must protect. About the only path to that

end as far as I can determine is term limits of politicians.

Barbiec1953

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 1, 2008] 15 Points

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Novice User

I think that this one of the sad results of a school system that

encourages memorization of facts and teaches to the test and in the process

does

away with critical thinking. We need to learn that life is like a chess game

and we need to consider ten steps ahead. If I do this or eat that the

consequences may not show up for twenty years.

I met a diabetic coach who told me that most people don't realize that they

have type II diabetes for ten years and that damage starts being done the

moment you have it. We need to read labels and start learning about our

bodies.

God gave us an amazingly intricate and

complicated body that is a universe in and of itself. I know that we have a

lot more to learn... it was only just recently that they discovered that the

appendix does have a job, DUH !!! Why would God put useless things in our

body ? Dr Oz on Oprah Winfrey has started to teach us about our organs and

Discovey channel has a lot of good programs teaching us about muscles and

organs. So let's teach ourselves and

our children critical thinking and responsibility and not always depend on

marketing and advertising which only lulls us sleep in many cases.

Jonny_

[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on April 1, 2008] 21 Points

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Apprentice User

Government schools are doing exactly what they were designed to do: dumb

down the masses and indoctrinate.

Non-Big Pharma

[ Joined on 12/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 7 Points

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Novice User

Right, you are! Folks, it's time you learn that the government allows

certain levels of contaminants in your food, water, etc. Don't believe it?

Check

out the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 21, Part 130 (Food Standards:

General). Do a Google (or whatever search engine you like) search on " CFR

or Code of Federal Regulations. It is in your best interest to read and learn

about the CFR as it applies to you (i.e. read between the lines!!). In

21CFR there are 169 subparts. Just skimming the subpart titles should be a

little bit scary! As you read the CFR titles, you'll discover that the gov't

allows some toxins and contaminants in food/water. Albeit small amounts, but

things like PCBs, rat excrement, bugs and bug parts, heavy metals, etc. In one

of the subparts there is a table listing many, many contaminents and the

levels that the FDA considers to be " safe " . How much inspection do you think

occurs? How many USDA and FDA agents do you think there are? Farmers Markets

are

probably the best source for food especially if they make efforts to be

" organic " . I forgot to mention, the FDA also allows for levels of pesticides

that are " acceptable " in your food supply.

brinogordon

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Novice User

I really don't understand the Whole Foods bashing. I shop there. I find lots

of organic produce and staples (beans, rice) sold at discount under their

store label. They aren't tricking me into buying anything I don't want. Read

the labels. They've got the same stuff as our crappy local health food stores,

just unexpired dates and much, much superior selection. No one is forcing

you to shop there.

Corporate organic is a nice resting point in between conventional and

locally grown organic. Local is great, if you want a small slice of the

populace to

have access to organic food. Even with concessions in the organic standards

for big producers, you're saving millions of pounds of pesticides from the

food chain, and you're saving millions of pounds of synthetic fertilizer from

the ecosystem.

Dissing Whole Foods for using diesel trucks to ship around organic produce

is silly. The infrastructure of the US is the result of years of government

planning gone wrong.

Now, a response to the requisite public school bashing. We have lots and

lots and lots of great public schools. Find one you like, rent a house there,

send your kids. Then, when your kids get home, talk to them and teach them more

stuff. The resources in a good, modern, public school are something that

most kids should not be missing out on. There are severe problems with

inner-city schools and some schools in poor districts, no doubt, but in those

cases

you're often asking a school to be a substitute parent, which will always fail.

mrose

[ Joined on 09/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 2 Points

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Novice User

TupeloHoney: calling someone a Jack Ass just because you disagree with

them, only brings to attention your inability to articulate your disagreement

in

an intelligent manner. You, at some level, are seeing something in Jonny,

that you see in yourself.

C Ed

[ Joined on 06/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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Savvy User

geminga, you need to buy, borrow, whatever, the book, " The Principle "

which explains a number of things about why things go the way that they do.

A few years ago I attended the early performance of a show by political &

social commentator Mort Sahl, who said in his discourse that " ...there doesn't

seem to be much difference between the two major political parties in this

country anymore... " refering to the nuts on the Left and neocons on the

so-called Right. So I visited him between shows in his dressing room. After

standard pleasantries I reminded him what he'd said and told him there's a big

difference: The Republicrats are GENERALLY faithful to their wives, and the

Democlicans think that's abolutely hilarious. " (He thought it was very funny.)

The point I want to make here is what I forgot to tell him then: " The other

main difference is that the Republicrats generally come from business, to

visit briefly in government, in order to improve business, while the

Democlicans

have no business in government whatsoever. " Whether or not you think that's

funny, what the point is, is that Big Business has an annoying habit of

hijacking governmental regulation, to the point where you could say that EPA

stands for Economic Protection for Alcoa. To put it another way, Socialism is

where government invests in and controls Business, and its inverse Capitalism

is

where Business invests in and controls government. Like the man said,

" Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. "

As for term limits, they are utterly ineffective because they send no

message, carry no force, and simply become part of the background scheme of

things.

There is a movement starting called VAIP: Vote Against Incumbent

Politicians. The idea is, every election, if things haven't been markedly

corrected

since last election, " throw ALL the bums out. " VAIP 'em. Sure a few good

ones will go out too, but they were completely ineffective anyway, so what good

were they really?

NieeMA

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 5 Points

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Apprentice User

I agree with most of the comments from the dumbing down of the masses, to

the understanding of the need to be more involved in our own lives in general.

I think that having all of that information, we need to do a big campaign

regarding local foods and the value of it!

If you get the local farmers to grow the food and support that decision,

things will turn around for many industries.

I lived in St. MN where there were coops and two Whole Foods within

driving distance..( that was back in 2002 when the price of gas was not as

high!!!)

I now live in South Dakota and I shop with local farmers. I can tell them

what I want and how much and they grow it for us. We have also turned our big

yard into a cornucopia of different types of fruits and veggies.

It is really not hard work once you get an agreement with the rabbits.

We get raw milk locally and my husband makes fresh yogurt weekly.

Now I know that is not what all of you will do...some live in apartments and

such but I am sure we all know someone that has the room and we can share

the time to work, just like community gardens. There are other ways like

gardening out of pots...use your imagination.

When I realised organic food sometimes is put in a warehouse and is gassed

to stop the bugs and rodents from getting to the food until it gets to the

store. They also gas to reduce spoilage. I went crazy, all of that work

getting good food to have it messed up!

I buy locally all veggies and our meat too.

We have a butcher that gets his meat from places he knows has great quality.

He makes things using-natural spices to get the taste right. He uses no

MSG or anything that is harmful.

If we band together as a group of people that: gets good food, has no need

for the Dr., will settle for nothing less we can change things from the inside

out.

Let the children experence real food out of the ground, not off the shelf.

If you think the farmes are far away, just drive and not use the freeway,

they are there!

skysi

[ Joined on 11/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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Novice User

All the troubles in this country, including the one we are discussing stems

from the mixed economy and government regulating business, ridiculous

anti-trust laws and absence of political philosophy that would value personal

liberties and freedom of enterprise above all. We need a true laissez-fare

economy!

Mom2BandC

[ Joined on 07/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 2 Points

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Novice User

The FDA, EPA and USDA are indeed paid for with public dollars, But

unfortunately they do not act on behalf of the public interest per se, instead

they're

accountable to whom ever is in power.

As for Whole Foods or any store, we need to be proactive - read labels and

choose foods, supplements, personal care, cleaning products, etc. that don't

have ingredients that may be harmful. Bottom line, it's up to us.

Wilde1

[ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 5 Points

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Novice User

I agree that checking labels is important but as we know, some of the worst

foods are those sold as no or low fat, sugar, cholesterol, trans-fats, etc.

The other problem is the deception used by the manufacturers and sanctioned by

government. MSG goes by a dozen different names. Numerous products in health

food stores contain genetically modified ingredients such as soy and canola

-- but does the label state that?

Check a package of Yves tofu dogs or any of their other so-called

'nutritious' meat alternatives. The label states they are cholesterol free,

high in

protein, low in fat, blah, blah, blah. But no where does it indicate if the soy

protein or the canola are certified organic. (as is the case with the Sol

tofu product line). When I questioned an Yves customer service rep about the

absence of such labeling --which would give some assurance the product was

wholesome, she stated " the ingredients are organic but there's only so much

room

on a package so not every descriptive can be included " . She also assured me

the company's marketing department would look into it. I assured her I wouldn't

touch their product with a 10 foot pole.

Anyone familiar with Amy's? They used to be a trusted source for quality

vegetarian 100% organic ingredients. If you look closely at the packaging on

the

front of their boxes now, you'll see in small print the fact that the

contents range from between 65 and 90% organic -- mainly due to the dairy and

other

key ingredients being replaced with conventional sources.

What about the recent revelation that some organic products contain known

cancer-causing elements or that cloned meat is going to be marketed to

unsuspecting consumers? I guess there's just no room on the package to state

so.

" You're all liars and you've been telling me lies,

Yeah you're liars and I caught you with your finger in the pie " .

" Liars " - Canadian singer/songwriter Ian .

Skupe

[ Joined on 01/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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Savvy User

They are in " in bed " with Big Pharma and the oher corporations. They don't

have time to look after us as they have their handouts for kick backs.

I go to WF for certain things, but I have started to go to the coop more.

The stuff they sell is higher quality and not loaded with canola oil.

Barbiec1953

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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Novice User

READ THE LABELS EVERY TIME...even if you've bought it many times before.

Clorox bought Burts Bees so you know that if they haven't already they

will change the ingredients. Keep a list of what ingredients are...

MSG has at least 10 different names. Do you think the FDA is as concerned

as you are about what goes into products ? Be wise and use your brain...

don't be a lemming, even if the product has an organic label ! You vote

every time you purchse something... use your power to change the companies.

They won't make it if we don't buy it !

lively*

[ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 1 Points

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Apprentice User

Meaning TAKE CONTROL?

Yes, know how to read a label, know where the food is coming from... and

then realize you have to grow your own. And then realize that this will be

prohibited soon.

Demand that your " elected " officials disclose to whom they've sworn

allegiance.

Twiggy328cb

[ Joined on 10/07 ] [ Posted on April 18, 2008]

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Novice User

Non-BigPharma, can you tell me where in the Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR) Title 21, Part 130? I looked at Part 130 but didn't see the list of

contaminants (PCBs, rat excrement, etc). Part 130.___

Thankyou

(http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/)

samurai

[ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on March 27, 2008 ] 41 Points

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Savvy User

The author of this article has some sort of personal beef against WF. To

mention that WF is not Union is a good thing! Unions are very outdated, and

wasteful. Did you know that you wouldn't be paying the very, very high price

for a car if it weren't for unions??

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Dekalb

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on March 27, 2008] 33 Points

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Apprentice User

I agree, unions are outdated. They served well back in the day, but

they've become a " business " no better than insurance companies.

Business' where people are " forced " to buy what you're selling should be

illegal. (http://products.mercola.com/inner-circle/)

SpartyOn

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] -5 Points

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Novice User

As soon as there are no longer unions, or the threat of employees

unionizing, the companies will go back to the same behavior that created the

need

for unions in the first place. I work for a union advocating and negotiating

for employees. I am very proud to represent the working people. And because

it's March Madness, I also have to say this: GO STATE!

SpartyOn

Jonny_

[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] -18 Points

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Apprentice User

Even stewardesses are unionized. Stewardesses were supposed to be young

girls who wanted to see the world and earn money for school.

I don't have a problem with unions per say, but the owner of the company has

the right to hire, fire, or pay whomever he pleases. At least that is the

way it should be in a free country.

I see the myths about unions keeps getting told.

bmc

[ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 6 Points

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Apprentice User

I am discussed by the corruption in unions, but watch the movie fast

food nation which trys to bring light to the horrible working conditions for

meat packers. I think that you may find a union or something similar is very

much needed.

Jonny_

[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 15 Points

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Apprentice User

If the conditions are so " horrible " then don't work there and tell

others. They won't stay in business long if they don't have quality employees.

heilmikaal

[ Joined on 04/07 ] [ Posted on March 28, 2008] 5 Points

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Novice User

I would rather have to pay more than have exploited workers.

Ferlie

[ Joined on 12/06 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] 36 Points

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Apprentice User

Jonny, your use of the insults " fat old hags " to describe modern

stewardesses is neither useful nor entirely correct. Please describe your

feelings

and opinions without resorting to insults that denigrate fat people, old

people and hags- or anyone else. I'm sure you can find ways to express

yourself

that are not mean and will be more informative to all of us.

I have some experience with flying. I don't care what my steward/ess looks

likes or her/his age as long as they treat me respectfully, can pour a drink

without putting it in my lap and help evacuate the plane in case of

emergency.

Jonny_

[ Joined on 01/08 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] -13 Points

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Apprentice User

My description is very accurate, Ferlie. I don't care what they look like,

but I do care if they can fit down the aisle or not.

bmc

[ Joined on 02/07 ] [ Posted on March 30, 2008] 5 Points

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Apprentice User

Ferlie, thank you for your comments.

Galt

[ Joined on 06/06 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 14 Points

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Novice User

Yeah, imagine how successful the Detroit auto companies would be if they

weren't required by US law to be union. The importers aren't required, just GM

and Ford, due to laws passed decades before the importers arrived.

TupeloHoney

[ Joined on 04/08 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] -22 Points

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This user is BELOW novice level and all their comments need to be

reviewed with great caution.

Jonny, you're a jackass.

Gehman

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Novice User

There's nothing wrong with collective bargaining in a truly free market. The

problem is, we haven't had a free market in a long time, and the government

has tipped the balance strongly toward the unions with a variety of laws. If

the employer could still simply fire those who unionized - assuming the labor

market made that practical - and hire those who were willing to work

according to terms the employer was willing to give - then unions wouldn't be

such a

destructive force. They'd simply be one more input into the labor market,

along with supply and demand. But when employers are forced by the government

to negotiate and cannot fire unionized labor for anything other than gross

negligence, and sometimes not even then, it tips the balance way too far in

favor of the unions.

The fact that unions have been on the decline for a long time, DESPITE all

the legal advantages the government gives them, is proof that their time is

past. That doesn't mean their time won't come again sometime, but for now

they're far more of a negative than a positive.

healthnutmom

[ Joined on 09/07 ] [ Posted on April 17, 2008] 3 Points

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Novice User

How right you are!

" Ms. Michele "

**************Need a new ride? Check out the largest site for U.S. used car

listings at AOL Autos.

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