What is a Company You Will Never Support/Buy From Because of Their Political Stance?
In today's world, corporate political stances often become a crucial factor in our purchasing decisions. Consumers, especially those who are passionate about their values, now actively avoid certain brands based on who they support and how they operate.
The Case of Papa John’s Pizza
Take Papa John’s Pizza as an example. The founders initially claimed that Obamacare would increase the cost of health insurance by only 0.25 cents per pizza, which was misleading. Upon further analysis, it was found that the actual increase would be between 10 and 15 cents per pizza, a much more reasonable figure. Instead of addressing this with honesty and proposing a price increase to cover these costs, the founder preferred to complain about the added expense while maintaining high spending on luxurious residential properties. Many consumers, including myself, would be willing to pay an extra 20 cents for peace of mind, knowing that employees have access to health insurance.
Why Chick-fil-a and Hobby Lobby are Off-Limits for Me
Chick-fil-a and Hobby Lobby are two more brands that I avoid due to their conservative political stance. Chick-fil-a is known for its strong anti-LGBTQ stance, which is deeply troubling. Hobby Lobby, on the other hand, is a Christian organization that has been criticized for its anti-LGBTQ policies and discriminatory behavior.
Facing Similar Issues with Other Brands
Carl’s Jr., for instance, is owned by a far-right conservative, while Pepsi has a history of supporting long-time Republican politicians. Ford, which was owned by Henry Ford, published anti-Semitic tracts in his newspaper, making it a deeply difficult brand for me to support.
Special Cases and Brands to Blacklist
Consider the case of Nestlé, a company that engages in controversial practices regarding water allocation, despite being a life-sustaining resource. Monsanto, another company, is known for its use of harmful pesticides and weed killers, which pose significant ethical concerns.
When it comes to certain brands, I have either blacklisted them altogether or do my best to avoid doing business with them. This includes Home Depot, USAA, DuckDuckGo, American Greetings, Hallmark cards, Tesla, Blue Bell ice cream, Bob Evans Farms, Brawny paper towels, Angel Soft toilet paper, Quilted Northern toilet paper, Dixie paper/plastic plates/cups, Hershey’s chocolate, In-N-Out Burger, Krispy Kreme, MyPillow, Olive Garden, Subway, TD Ameritrade, Salvation Army, Papa John’s Pizza, New Balance sneakers, National Geographic Channel, King's Hawaiian breads, and more.
Intertwined Business Ecosystems
Unfortunately, the complexity of business ecosystems makes it difficult to completely avoid purchasing products from companies with controversial political or social stances. This is especially true in the food industry, where many products contain components that are sourced from or produced by conservative businesses. Even brands that may seem harmless, such as Hershey’s chocolate, which is known for its conservative stance, can be a bitter pill to swallow due to its taste and marketing.
Conclusion
In summary, while the consumption of goods and services is a necessity, the political and social stances of brands play a significant role in consumer decision-making. As consumers, we can actively choose to support companies that align with our values and boycott those that do not. By doing so, we can push for more ethical and accountable business practices.