Okay – this blog is supposed to be about creating positive change in the world….so why a blog title with such a negative implication? Well – in order to achieve positive outcomes and promote positive change into the world – we must look at the bad. Here are some of the most profitable companies in the world and some of their crimes – educate yourself, do the research and ask yourself these questions: Do you want to continue to support this kind of business? Are their products really promoting good health? Do these companies really have the consumers best interests at hand? Are they environmentally conscious? How are they treating their workers around the world? Is the company really promoting an inclusive, positive and healthy planet? Keep these questions in mind as we take a closer look at just how these corporations run their business.
COCA COLA – Yes, it is THE REAL THING but not really what you think.
Coca Cola has spent millions of dollars marketing Coke (and many of their other soft drink brands) as delicious and sometimes nutritious. Tell me, how can they sell their brands as nutritious and delicious when evidence has shown that aspartame, phosphoric acid, food dyes, other additives and toxins are not conducive to good health. Yes, it is the consumers obligation to ensure they understand the consequences of their actions but Coca Cola has to take some responsibility – just as the tobacco industry has done. Should they add more labelling in addition to their caloric values? I believe so – as I mentioned, the tobacco companies have all included ‘warning labels’ on their cigarette packages such as how addictive they are, links to cancers and chronic respiratory illnesses. Is it so difficult to have a label indicating that some of their products are addictive and may cause obesity and diabetes?
According to the group Killer Coke – they have claims that Coca Cola Corporation is responsible for many human rights violations not to mention tax evasion and breaking environmental laws. Here are some examples of their crimes listed on http://killercoke.org/about.php:
India: Pollution of water sources, deception and cover-ups and pesticides in Coca Cola beverages.
Kenya: Public health fears and pollution.
Mexico: Breaking laws, defrauding Mexican workers and government.
Pakistan: Extortion/blackmail, abductions and death threats.
Philippines: Smuggling, tax evasion.
Tanzania: Worker health and safety issues and child labor.
Turkey: Workers fired for organizing union.
You can review all of the above issues and more on this groups website. These allegations are serious and if true, Coca Cola should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Just because you amass such outrageous profits – shouldn’t exempt you from violating human rights, environmental and federal laws. I am grateful that I do not support this company and any of its softdrinks including; Vitamin Water (which has no nutritional value), Coke Zero (which includes aspartame – proven not to be good for our bodies) and Dasani Water. Stop filling landfills with these products and look to other healthier beverage choices. Support local business that are organic and water depots that award you for being environmentally conscious and give you safe and clean water.
McDONALDS – Who’s LOVIN’ IT?
Many people have complained about the lack of proper nutrition that fast-food chains serve, what did they expect? Here are some facts about the most noticeable fast-food chain in our existence:
- 179 restaurants in India, where most people don’t eat either beef or pork.
- 24 billion in revenue, yet they pay their workers minimum wage. (Most workers employed by McDonald’s don’t make enough money to eat there).
- 700,000 workers in the USA, with 150% turnover rate.
- Americans consume one billion pounds of beef at McDonald’s in a year.
- Next 3 years, McDonald’s plans to open one restaurant everyday in China.
So what is wrong with McDonald’s? Well, like Coca Cola – they have been known to exploit children by offering toys to eat their food that lacks any sort of nutrients for their bodies. They have been in the public eye for the inhumane treatment of animals – McDonald’s is responsible for the mass genocide of five and a half million head of cattle each year, not to mention the environmental implications that factory farming has on our planet, water and food supply. We all know that McDonald’s isn’t serving healthy and nutritious meals or beverages to their consumers – they depend on this fact to keep them raking in their mass profits so that they can continue their abuse on their workers, the planets animals and the planet itself. I am so glad that my addiction to fast-food was suppressed so long ago. There was a time where my health was directly affected by consuming unhealthy burgers and beverages from McDonald’s. I strongly believe that the mind-numbing migraines I used to get was from eating this processed food. So glad those days are behind me.
More detailed information can be found on the following site: http://www.mcspotlight.org/campaigns/translations/trans_uk.html
WAL-MART – The lowest price is the law (and it’s greedy).
Here is what is know about Wal-Mart:
- 2.1 million full-time employees.
- 405 billion dollars in revenue.
- Sold more bananas than any other item (most-likely, non-organic).
- Largest overall employer in the USA.
- All Wal-Mart parking lots would make up the size of Tampa, Florida.
- Battling 1.6 million employees in the largest class action discrimination law suit.
- Walton Family has given away about 2% of its net worth to charity. Bill Gates gave 48% and Warren Buffet (78%)
Not only is Wal-Mart an eyesore – it is allowed to build in small towns rendering local business useless. Now that it is selling food items – many local farmers are forced to file for bankruptcy.
These corporations hide behind the mask of tolerance and compassion and would like us to believe that they care for their consumers. This could not be further from the truth. The shareholders and CEO’s of these mega corporations don’t support their workers, their products, the environment, the humane treatment of animals, the laws of other countries, human rights issues and they certainly do nothing to promote positive change in the world. We know the truth and we have to stop making the following excuses; “I’m too busy to shop anywhere else”, “I can’t afford organic food”, “it’s so convenient to buy everything in one store”, “the products are cheapest here”……When we keep telling ourselves these things, we buy into their brainwashing tactics. If we continue to be fooled and leave our ‘blinders’ on – this world is going to be one that supports corporations that will continue to force small businesses into bankruptcy, they will continue to promote a world that supports obesity and diabetes, they will support a society where we allow mass genocide, economic inequality, discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, environmental disregard and human rights violations. If this is a world you want to be part of – they keep your blinders on because as they say – IGNORANCE IS BLISS! Personally – I can’t be part of this and will continue to do my best to inform people of the injustices of BIG CORPORATIONS because without exploiting this negative energy, there can never be a positive outcome.
COALITION OF POSITIVE ENERGY 