Socially Responsible Advertising

I feel that it is the economic pressure of today's intense competition through capitalization and globalization that has ruined the good nature of many of the companies mentioned. Ben and Jerry's was started as a small company that I feel really did care about their community, but also about their employees who they still treat very well. I'm not sure what the exact ratio was, but when Ben and Jerry's first started, the lowest employee would always make 1/7th of the top executive's salary. If the company made more money, so would the employees, but most importantly the employees knew that the top executives were not raking in all of the profits while others are left behind at minimum wage under a successfully advancing company. This is an example of the company's idealism-i'm sure it's impossible to uphold today seeing how much they have grown. But it proves their responsible start.

The article talks about how McDonald's care for children. I agree that they do great things. But what about the products themselves contributing to child (and adult) obesity? At least they finally serve apples in kids meals. I greatly respect socially responsible companies. Starbucks buying beans for 2 cents a pound and selling them for 9 is disgusting. Annual donations of $100,000 does not make up for the poverty someone would live in because they're paid 2 cents a pound for their hard work. Why not support fair trade??? A knowledgable consumer could understand the difference this would make to the Guatemalan suppliers. They could easily market that. Their customers already pay $4 for a cup of coffee. Why not at least give the option?

There are rare examples of corporations with a "conscience," but I choose to support those have them. Patagonia for example. Their clothing is expensive, but you know where it comes from, and the people who made it were treated fairly. You know that the pair of pants you are wearing did not slap a sweatshop worker across the face for not making enough in their 7 am to 11 pm shift without restroom breaks (like Walmart). Luckily there is a large enough market of people who care- (and have enough money-which is an unfortunate aspect) to keep Patagonia afloat.

It's really too bad when a company is exposed for their hypocrisies. Their entire reputation can be ruined so easily when other large corporations who don't care at all about the environment or humanity stay strong because they offer a good bargain. Large companies have so much power to make a difference, but most are only concerned with money. So support the ones who have concerns for the "greater good."