Corporations
Now, one of my favorite things about Portland is the plethora of small businesses and lack of national conglomerates. Still, that doesn't mean that all corporations are bad. Here is a list of corporations I like and then a few I can't make up my mind about.
Good Corporations
1. Starbucks: I don't even drink coffee, but I think Starbucks has been a good thing. What annoys me is people knee-jerkedly hating it just for being big. From what I hear Starbucks invests in their local communities, has great health care for its employees, and usually improves neighborhoods. If you're going to despise the corporations who actually try, what could possibly motivate the others to be any good?
2. Coca Cola: I'm sure Coke is evil and I can't really think of any reason to support Coke other than that I love it and would be most unhappy if it was to disappear from this earth.
3. Oprah's Book List: Not a corporation per se, but an institution at the least. I hate people who criticize the O. I don't really know what she puts on her lists, but I don't really care. In a country where 50% of the populace didn't even read a book last year, I don't think you can really blame her for dumbing our reading habits down. If Jonathan Franzen doesn't want her name on his book that's fine, I can understand it, but let's not criticize someone who actually is increasing reading habits in this country.
4. Quizno's: Hmmm, heated sandwiches, hmmmm pepper bar...
Corporations I'm Not Sure About
1. Borders: That this city of nerds has so few Borders is a testament to just how powerful the independently owned book store is in P-Town. But I'm not sure that Borders is necessarily a bad thing. Hey, they push books and music, 2 great things, and they do it without being too tacky. I think I like Borders, but am glad we have other options. But is Borders a reason so few other places have no other options? Or would they just have no bookstores if Borders wasn't there? Not sure...
2. Taco Bell: I don't why, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Taco Bell. I kind of wish the fast food empires would have a giant war and that only Taco Bell would come out on top. On the
other hand, there are plenty of local Mexican joints that are also cheap and better. Also, I hate how all those meal deals insist that you get like a 40 ouncer of cola and give it to you in an unnecessarily thick plastic container that you're just going to throw out. I guess the world would be a better place without Taco Bell, but since its not going anywhere...
Good Corporations
1. Starbucks: I don't even drink coffee, but I think Starbucks has been a good thing. What annoys me is people knee-jerkedly hating it just for being big. From what I hear Starbucks invests in their local communities, has great health care for its employees, and usually improves neighborhoods. If you're going to despise the corporations who actually try, what could possibly motivate the others to be any good?
2. Coca Cola: I'm sure Coke is evil and I can't really think of any reason to support Coke other than that I love it and would be most unhappy if it was to disappear from this earth.
3. Oprah's Book List: Not a corporation per se, but an institution at the least. I hate people who criticize the O. I don't really know what she puts on her lists, but I don't really care. In a country where 50% of the populace didn't even read a book last year, I don't think you can really blame her for dumbing our reading habits down. If Jonathan Franzen doesn't want her name on his book that's fine, I can understand it, but let's not criticize someone who actually is increasing reading habits in this country.
4. Quizno's: Hmmm, heated sandwiches, hmmmm pepper bar...
Corporations I'm Not Sure About
1. Borders: That this city of nerds has so few Borders is a testament to just how powerful the independently owned book store is in P-Town. But I'm not sure that Borders is necessarily a bad thing. Hey, they push books and music, 2 great things, and they do it without being too tacky. I think I like Borders, but am glad we have other options. But is Borders a reason so few other places have no other options? Or would they just have no bookstores if Borders wasn't there? Not sure...
2. Taco Bell: I don't why, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Taco Bell. I kind of wish the fast food empires would have a giant war and that only Taco Bell would come out on top. On the
other hand, there are plenty of local Mexican joints that are also cheap and better. Also, I hate how all those meal deals insist that you get like a 40 ouncer of cola and give it to you in an unnecessarily thick plastic container that you're just going to throw out. I guess the world would be a better place without Taco Bell, but since its not going anywhere...
posted by chuckdaddy2000 at 7:33 pm
6 Comments:
Taco Bell, ChuckDaddy, is but a division of PepsiCo. You can't love both Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, my friend. Something, somewhere, has to give.
Sorta off-topic, but did you see the 60 Minutes story on Whole Foods? For other cities, the idea of Whole Foods would be new and groundbreaking. But not P-town. As I understand it, the concept of a socially responsible organic-only supermarket here was pioneered many years ago with Natures. The founder of Natures then sells out to Whole Foods, only to open New Seasons and is slowly pushing Whole Foods out. Brilliant.
I love the Eco-Grocery Store Wars. Only happen in Portland...
Actually, it happens a lot. Natural food is a really competitive industry. Wild Oats tends to be the predator -- Natures sold to them, not Whole Foods -- replacing local, interesting stores and chains with their bland, overpriced OK-food-in-a-shopping-mall-atmosphere thing. Some sort of natural grocery war has happened in every town I've ever lived in. Wild Oats wins about half the time.
Ah right. Thanks for setting me straight.
holy crap, I've never seen such passion and knowledge for organic markets.... I just logged on to vote for Pepsi and TacoTime (it's those damn crisp bean burritos and stuffed mexifries).
PS. totally with you on Starbucks. They're big, but act small. I have friends that work as barista's and for Corp and they love it --> there is no better judge of character.
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