Just leave Starbucks alone, OK?

The online Wall Street Journal has an intriguing column today by David Boaz of the libertarian Cato Institute, who described what happened when a friend of his tried to have his Starbucks Card customized with the phrase dear to the hearts of free-market advocates: “Laissez-faire.” Starbucks rejected his request, saying the phrase violated company policy – which is odd, because the company’s success seems to be a prime example of the free market in action.

The explanation was that Starbucks prohibits “overtly political commentary” on its cards. But when Boaz’ friend decided to experiment by asking for the phrase “People Not Profits,” Starbucks accepted it, even though it’s arguably more “overt” political commentary than the French phrase (roughly, “Leave us alone”) used in economics for centuries. Starbucks also OKed the Hispanic farm-labor slogan “Si Se Puede” (“Yes We Can”), which Barack Obama has used as an overtly political campaign slogan since 2004. But not an innocuous phrase recognizing the existence of the free market? Just like Starbucks to serve up a cup of delicious, steaming, frothy irony.

Associated Press file photo