I think there is something distasteful about boycotting businesses simply because of the political views(and contributions) of their officers. Rich people and corporate leaders have a right to their opinions--even when they differ tan mine.
And I sure hate the practice I'm seeing of people asking for boycotts on no evidence (starbucks) or to get even with policies that are prudent at law (Costco).
You know...your political opinion is suppose to be a private issue. If this man had kept his mouth shut and just ran his business peacefully...then this wouldn't be happening to him.
I refuse to financially support the opposing candidate with my hard earned dollars by buying products sold by someone who so blatantly announces he is voting for the enemy!
It's hard to imagine what's "distasteful" about boycotting a company over the kinds of things they use their money and/or their name to support. Yes, they are free to spend their profits as they please, but I am equally free to spend my money elsewhere. I no longer buy Levi's jeans because of their support for both the abortion and the homosexual lobbies. To me, boycotts are as American as apple pie, baseball and free markets.
I haven't bought Starbucks since 9/11 when the NYC Starbucks refused to give free water to firemen who needed it for people in distress. They insisted on being paid. Of course it was rotten coffee long before that, but that cinched it for me. Tulleys and Seattle's Best are far better coffees.
As for Costco, if you go to www.opensecrets.com and type in 98027 (the zip code of Costco corporate headquarters), you'll see it packed solid with dozens of huge contributions to Democrats by Jim Sinegal, Jeff Brotman and nearly all corporate execs at Costco. It's their right to put their money into any jerk they choose, but it's my right not to help pay their salaries.