"Coca-Cola" is one of THOSE companies. It is entrenched in the American culture. It is like the big three car companies, it is like Crayola Crayons, it has always been there and it isn't going anywhere. At least so long as Vulture Capitalists don't have it under their radar like "Hostess."
In realizing it is one of THOSE companies the leadership at Coca-Cola has made a huge leap to participate in the wellness directive in the USA. Now, the message is good to the extent it is valid and brings about a new cultural focus, but, there are issues. I have issues with some of the message. These are children and the message children receive in 'their greater world' is important.
I'm going to depart from the subject at hand for a reference point. If I may?
My youngest son has educational issues and while that might seem like a specialized issue and one food manufacturers should not have to deal with that is not the case. Today, at the age of 31, he is an independent businessman dealing with the public. We had the best learning plans for him. He is fine and he is entitle to be fine. My son's education was based in 'being like everyone else.' His dietary needs were examined as well for allergies and the like. Chemicals in the environment was even looked at.
So.
There are also issues with elements within the adult and child society that may cause cancer. In the past saccharin was a horror causing brain cancers.
Low calorie substitutes carry chemicals that may not be natural and/or processed by the body well and that is a problem when exposing children to them. If we are asking children to watch their calories we have to ask whether that is a burden they are capable of understanding and whether they should be carrying that burden at all. Sometimes preparing for the Spelling Bee is all they can cope with. Okay? Children are under stress these days and that stress level has to be understood and dealt with, so, to ask them to deal with chemical content of a food manufacturer in their daily activities is unfair and in my opinion completely unrealistic.
Not really separate from that understanding is the fact parents should not have to worry about chemicals in their children's environment either, so WARNINGS is a hideous idea.
This is a dialogue the country has to have. It has to be complete and not exclusive to a Wall Street Steering Committee.
Do I think Coke is protecting itself from lawsuits? Yeah, sure. They have a right to do that because this is a burgeoning culture and they don't know where they are headed. Do I think Coke is negligent in their 'protectionism?' No. I don't. I think Coke, with these commercials, is cutting edge, brave and honors the people of this nation.
Now. Do I think they are late to the game? You betcha, but, at least they're here now.
