The CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, requested Washington DC to lead the country out of the recession with long-term solutions in a conference call today. The coffee king would probably like the economy to get moving again so people can afford Starbucks coffee! Things like lattes and frappaccinos — luxuries, a little over-priced and unnecessary — are the first to go when finances are tight. Brewing your coffee at home instead of running to your local coffee shop or nearest Starbucks is a great way to save money.
The Upward Spiral
This isn't the first time that Schultz has gone after Washington. The Starbucks CEO has been putting pressure on lawmakers for some time. He even developed a website over the summer, Upward Spiral, to call on business leaders to stop campaign contributions until Congress and the President take action to improve the country's 'long-term fiscal footing.' He also asks business owners to pledge to hire more employees. Every new hire is a chance for a more productive society, a chance for someone to be an active consumer.
Howard Schultz's Relationship with Washington
What exactly did Schultz ask Washington to do today? The leader of the largest coffee company in the world is asking for reductions in the deficit and unemployment. He also asks for politicians to make decisions based on what would be best for the country, not based on what may win a re-election. Wouldn't that be a dream? As Schultz clearly excels at running a coffee company, not at making policy decisions, he has not outlined a recommended plan for Congress. In a perfect world Washington would be able to figure that out themselves. In the mean time, many of us may be enjoying our coffee at home or opting for a tall cup of jo rather than a venti mocha with an extra shot of espresso. Not as sweet and luxurious, but enough to fuel us through our day.
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