Starbucks cutting caffeine lifeline -- it IS the economy, stupid

Further evidence that the economy is taking a severe beating: Starbucks is closing 600 outlets and could cut 12,000 jobs as customer visits have declined. True addicts see Starbucks coffee as their lifeblood but for most people it's a luxury, and with the economy moribund and a gallon of gas costing more than a latte, people are deciding it's a luxury they can do without.

Now we're sure there will be snarky comments posted here about Barack Obama supporters going into withdrawals, shaking behind the wheel of their Volvos. But 12,000 cut jobs is a big hit, and judging by the staffs you see at the stores, it will put a lot of college kids, or young adults in that general age group, out of work. Add them to the already unemployed construction workers, auto workers -- just fill in the blank ________.

Yes, the Iraq war is a crucial issue for the nation, and the world. But poll after poll shows that at least for now, four months away from election day, it's the economy that has people's attention. And news like this will keep it alive until the picture improves.

The question for Obama and John McCain is who can forge the better -- or at least more convincing -- policy proposals.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Andrew]

Nah, Obama's supporters won't be feeling any heat until Whole Foods starts closing its doors.

/kidding

By the by: Google ads? On our comment boards? Ew.

[VJ Machiavelli]

No it still about Iraq, all roads lead back to Iraq and the terrorists. Plus in 2006 the Democ"rats" took control of congress, and ever since it has been down hill. Try to keep this in mind.

This election is all about "SHOES"
Do we keep taking them off every time we get on a plane, or do we start putting them back on and never taking them off again.

Obama and his supporters what you to keep taking them off.

McCain and his supporters want you to put them back on and never again have to take them off.

Think about that

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com

[BTphilly]

>>McCain and his supporters want you to put them back on and never again have to take them off.<<

That's only so McCain won't look silly when he "forgets" to take off his shoes. He knows that it's a downward spiral once people start getting all mixed up and forget about silly things like property taxes.

[Alessandro Machi]

Luckily we live in a corporate society where someone like myself can have an excellent concept that would help Starbucks out of their doldrums. I can post that I have a great idea for Starbucks on all of my blogs to the point where thousands upon thousands know "I have a great idea for Starbucks", I can even try calling Starbucks, and fortunately their front line of phone defense will make sure the idea never gets heard even as the Starbucks boat lists back and forth, leaking investor money to the last drop.

http://www.WALLSTREETCHANGE.com
http://www.HILLARY-WINS.com
http://www.FAIR-REFLECTION.com
http://www.SPLIT-THE-VOTE.com

[VJ Machiavelli]

BTphilly

If we keep taking them off. One day a mushroom cloud will appear over a city. Then you will have no property to pay taxes on. Once we get those shoes back on everything else will fall into place.

VJ Machiavelli
http://www.vjmachiavelli.blogspot.com
ps This election is all about shoes, yes shoes do we keep them on or do we take them off and never put them on again.

[Debbie]

I am donating my Starbucks money to Obama's campaign, but I was mostly motivated to do so by the poor customer service at the store near my work. Barristas serving people out of order, taking forever to serve a few customers, and getting snarky when people get impatient. Both motivated me to go the way of the French Press. Getting to support a cause is just a happy offshoot.

[Andrew]

....and the irony is lost.