McDonald's in New York City's Times Square. The slogan states that billions have been served, but it should probably be changed to billions jerked!
Has anyone looked at the ridiculous revenue numbers that McDonald’s and Starbucks generated over the last several years? The figures have been off the chart! According to published reports on Wikipedia, in 2008, “Mickey Dees” pulled in $22.6 billion and Starbucks bagged a measly $9.4 billion in 2007. Even in a jacked up economy, people are still willing to shell out their hard-earned money for Big Macs, fries and the brewmeister's wildly popular lattes, which I’ve dubbed liquid crack. People all over the world have literally become hooked on what these franchises are peddling, and I’m completely astounded.
The argument could be made that both companies produce exceptional products and are entitled to every penny they’ve earned since launching their operations. I agree. As a matter of fact, I would be the first to congratulate anyone that was able to develop a concept and turn it into an enormously success venture. However, what burns my ass is the fact that McDonald’s and Starbucks continue to rake in billions of dollars every year while ripping off the general public by charging them to use the Internet, even if they have a wireless or Wi-Fi laptop.
The G-Man has a few questions for “the suits” over at McDonald’s and Starbucks. Now, when I refer to the suits, I’m not talking about the lower-level lackeys with butt-ugly spouses or the “Mad Men” who have nothing to do with decision-making or policy implementation. Having said that, here’s my first question. Were you people sipping “Madoff Juice” when you decided it would be a good idea to charge the public for this service? Let me break it down for you, folks. McDonald’s and Starbucks are banking on the fact that you’ve become so hooked on the product and atmosphere they’ve created that you wouldn’t mind paying for Internet service. Sorry, but I have a problem with that.
In my honest opinion, McDonald's and Starbucks executives don't give a rat's ass about people at the lower end of the economic spectrum. You want proof? Well, consider the fact that people are being charged up to $8.00 for a Big Mac meal and damn near $4.50 or more for a latte. I think it's safe to say that these companies aren't looking to cater to people who have to use EBT cards to eat or those barely making $18,000 a year. They’re aiming for the folks with very deep pockets or disposable income.
The Starbucks franchise has gone global. This one is located in Korea. The sign probably translates to...."We make you pay for Internet service here, too!"
Without question, there are people out there that can easily afford to frequent these establishments, in some cases with co-workers, family and friends, and pay the Internet service charge three or four days out of the week. This leads to my next series of questions. Where does that leave the people who love McDonald’s but are working two minimum wage jobs just to survive? Where does that leave the single mother of three who loves Starbucks and wants to use the Internet to look for greater career or employment opportunities? I’ll tell you where it leaves them. It leaves them ass out!
More often than not, this is what happens when you corporate officials allow greed to take hold. You lose sight of what’s important, forsake people’s basic needs and focus solely on ways to increase profit. The greedy bastards responsible for “cyber-raping” the public should be kicked in the ass with Ronald McDonald's shoe or smacked in the face with one of those awful Starbucks scones! What the hell? How much of an increase in revenue do you need? It’s not enough that your companies continue to reap astronomical profit? Must you follow the Madoff playbook and bilk the public for all it's worth?
You wealthy, corporate bigwigs may not think the Internet service charge amounts to much, but tell that to someone living from paycheck to paycheck and struggling just to get their child a “Happy Meal” or a Starbucks cookie. Do you see, folks? Do you see how corporate greed reared its ugly head, yet again, and how you are being taken advantage of as “loyal customers”? That’s some serious bullshit, and I'm challenging the Chairman, CEO and CFO of both companies to do something about it...right now!
If you corporate weasels truly and sincerely appreciated the fact that the public is largely responsible for your success, you would contract with AT&T, or some other major Internet service provider (ISP), have McDonald’s and Starbucks pick up the annual tab, and allow your customers to have free Internet access. Oh! Here’s an even better idea. Take a percentage of the billions you earn each year, start constructing Internet cafés at many of your locations and contract with an ISP to provide free Internet service. Stop shoving your grubby hand in people's pockets and let them cyber-up for free.
Author: Smurfy
Permission: GNU Free Licensing Documentation
Starbucks Photo Source: Wikipedia
Author: Kenneth Han
Permission: Public Domain
2 comments:
Super Size Me, Fast Food Nation! Have a seizure, there's shit in the meat. The Coke is in the Cola. Most dealers initially give free hand-outs, to get you hooked. I wouldn't call them 'whores'. A dealer is more like a pimp.
sup double gg, how u been, i been cool just laying low, i hate the economy thanks to it i got fired from a good job this july because of haters that were my bosses and they fired me and hired thier kin folks, so im back in school, i just hope this nation can prosper and stand out
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