Fix The Debt

This week, Starbucks employees are adding a simple handwritten message on the cups at Washington, D.C. area Starbucks locations: "Come Together."  

With Congress and the President at an impasse on negotiations around the impending fiscal cliff and a solution to put the national debt on a downward path, the hope is that this simple message will serve as a holiday reminder from Starbucks of the spirit that has always bridged differences in our country.

We agree with the need for our leaders find common ground, and are grateful for Starbucks' effort urging our Members of Congress to overcome their differences and work together for the good of our country as a whole. 

In a blog post this morning, Howard Shultz, President and CEO of Starbucks said:

In the spirit of the Holiday season and the Starbucks tradition of bringing people together, we have a unique opportunity to unite and take action on an incredibly important topic. As many of you know, our elected officials in Washington D.C. have been unable to come together and compromise to solve the tremendously important, time-sensitive issue to fix the national debt. You can learn more about this impending crisis at www.fixthedebt.org.

Rather than be bystanders, we have an opportunity—and I believe a responsibility—to use our company’s scale for good by sending a respectful and optimistic message to our elected officials to come together and reach common ground on this important issue. This week through December 28, partners in our Washington D.C. area stores are writing “Come Together” on customers’ cups.

It’s a small gesture, but the power of small gestures is what Starbucks is about! Imagine the power of our partners and hundreds of thousands of customers each sharing such a simple message, one cup at a time.

Congress is headed back to work this week in an attempt to overcome past differences and to address the impending fiscal cliff.  You can join the effort by urging your Members to "Come Together" by sending a letter, or making a phone call.  Just dial 1-888-436-6478 and you will be connected to your Senator.