Hostess, maker of Twinkies and Ding Dongs, says closing business

Ohhh no!!!
What will all of the fat people DO!?!?!

Consider this....perhaps it is time to stop shoving poison in our face 24/7. Most fast food is just flat bad for you as are most snack foods. Sure, a little indulgence is wonderful...but in true American form...we don't just occasionally indulge...we are damn gluttons!

Snack food and fast food should be a once or twice a month thing. Not because of price, but because...well...they are not good for you!

We have the fattest and most obese nation on the planet...does that not alarm anyone but me? Why is that? Well...part of it is because they have decided that things that are good for you should be more expensive. I was walking through the store the other day and noticed something that was alarming to me. It costs 1.99 for a gallon of "spring water" (if you want to believe it is actually from a spring)...it was 1.00 for a 3 liter of generic soda....wtf? How can water (which is still a prime ingredient of soda pop) cost more than the soda pop? it is because they want the poor to have limited choices...they want the poor to nutritionally starve in a marketplace full of food.

Folks often say it is because of choices...and that is partially true...but if someone has a limited amount of money to make their stomach stop growling...they going to buy as much "cheap crap" as they can to stretch those dollars....the bastards running the consumable markets know this...and they are poisoning them. Elitism is not reserved to cars and homes...apparently it is prevalent in food as well.

I hate this... I hate all of this. I said in another thread that as a Libertarian, I understand the rules of a dog eat dog world...but I cannot accept collateral damage. There are people out there that just want to live modestly and in as little pain as possible...and the pricks in charge are allowing them to eat toxins...hoping that they assist in "thinning out the herd"...yeah baby...I am a conspiracy theorist...and the biggest conspiracy I see is in the realm of population control....controlling how many people there are and controlling how healthy their bodies and mnds can be...it sickens me.

Let them close. The employees shouldn't have to pay for poor marketing and product development. Products have moved far from those kind of products 2 decades ago.

I think it bears repeating here what another member said in a thread that was closed:


Member aethertek had this to say:

Some creditors question Hostess pay raises approved in late July.

Brian Driscoll, CEO, around $750,000 to $2,550,000
Gary Wandschneider, EVP, $500,000 to $900,000
John Stewart, EVP, $400,000 to $700,000
David Loeser, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
Kent Magill, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
Richard Seban, EVP, $375,000 to $656,256
John Akeson, SVP, $300,000 to $480,000
Steven Birgfeld, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
Martha Ross, SVP, $240,000 to $360,000
Rob Kissick, SVP, $182,000 to $273,008

Maybe if the lazy blankety-blanks who sit on their backsides all day doing nothing didn't take so much the company could make a profit.

But sure blame it on the people making 10 bucks an hour working their butts off.

And I couldn't agree more.

Thank you for posting the information which I suspected was true. This is absolutely disgusting and proof that these heartless corporate scum-suckers would rather let their company perish, and let THOUSANDS of low-wage workers lose their jobs, than to have to lose their own big bonuses.

I mean, didn't this supposedly start because they proposed a wage-reduction for workers, to the union? And meanwhile they think they deserve RAISES? Many to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollars? All together, that probably means the low-wage workers could have taken pay RAISES and still had the company operate as normal, if these suits up top were willing to be satisfied with the SIX FIGURE salaries they were already making.

The level of greed I'm seeing here is disgusting. I feel bad for the workers, but kudos to them for taking a stand.

And I hope these suits have hell finding a new job after pulling THIS bonehead move.

Originally posted by TheAngryFarm
God only knows some losers, degenerates, criminals, and lazy jackasses just cant manage to get a job without unions.

...like cops, firefighters, even blue collar workers whose union dollars were spent locally, adding to the regional economy. Getting paid a fair wage so one job can support a family and add to the good ol' American dream.

I guess that's what's called 'fair and balanced'...lol

Originally posted by JohnnyCanuck

Originally posted by TheAngryFarm
God only knows some losers, degenerates, criminals, and lazy jackasses just cant manage to get a job without unions.

...like cops, firefighters, even blue collar workers whose union dollars were spent locally, adding to the regional economy. Getting paid a fair wage so one job can support a family and add to the good ol' American dream.

I guess that's what's called 'fair and balanced'...lol

Is a "fair wage" $25 an hour for writing down the numbers on train cars?

Your idea of a "fair wage" seems to be overpaying mostly uneducated fools so they can remit their "dues" to the union houses.

reply to post by OkieDokie


Thank you for that recipe!!! awesome.

reply to post by iwilliam


Interesting numbers for sure. Here we have a look at 'entitlement" from the "other" side. We have a company that had done extremely well in the market place for decades...but suddenly...they were no longer profitable. I would like to see more research on this. I will not claim one side or the other is correct without full disclosure. How much did employee wages rise over the last decade compared to the executives and management proper? You have to digest all the facts just to be sure.

It was not a marketing or name recognition issue...EVERYONE knew who Hostess was...be serious....

There is an issue here that we are not privileged to. Was it worker demands or was it opulence on the side management? Without all the facts, it is impossible to say. I will not pass judgement until I know the facts...I won't even postulate. I completely understand a dog eat dog world....sometimes you have to lower prices to compete...but you generally lower salaries and wages accordingly...did management do this? or did they dumpt the losses on the workers while maintaining their current income structure....

Look folks...I am totally for freedom and success. if you are doing well and have a corner of a market in your pocket...then...work it damn it!...work it for all that it is worth! However....when the shiz hits the fan...everyone needs to share in the downturn...not just the workers....that means...bosses AND owners need to expect less. If you have commited to a $50,000.00 a month mortgage for a monstrosity of a residence...you should be taken out and shot...that is poor planning and poor management.

I have been watching the series "the men who built America" on History channel. Seems to be an excellent series. There are some interesting points made in this. Most of the progress we have enjoyed were driven by pure greed and egotism...how f'ing sad is that. Not to knock the motions or outcome...glad they happened....but if some of the things postulated as to "why" certain individuals did what they did...what a sad statement.

Humanity...it seems...has reached a terrible crossroads. Do we continue to advance for the benefit of the few? Do we advance for the benefit of the many? Or do we do the opposite and retract....retract into smaller, more close knit communities where we look out for each other and each others children...which is what we did ages ago....

We have a lot of questions ahead of us folks...I hope we have level heads when we confront them. I think we have it within our capacity for excellence...but we also have it within us to be terribly ugly. I hope we choose the light.

I am a child of light. I am a mind of thought and prudence. I believe we can be excellent...I also know we can fail horribly. I want the best for me, my children....you...your children...and everyone else. I am not a vulture capitalist and I am not a selfish human being. All I ask for is freedom...allow e to live as I see fit and I will allow the same for you. I will do my utmost not to have an impact on your life choices and I ask no less from you. Let us all be free and let us demand the Gov retract to where the constitution says it belongs....

OK ... I too was once a twinkieholic. But 20 - 30 yrs. ago they were not up against the same economic and social factors as today. I think that the consumer market moved on and their corporate thought did not. I'm sure the upper management didn't take any cuts to pay, perks or benefits to show their true corporate loyalty either. Maybe if they had reinvented themselves to portray their product line as more "healthy" than it was before they may have had a kick at the can. ( Think " Twinkie-lite" would have been a seller? ) Fact is most of the western worlds populations are just plain fat due to poor dietary choices and the convenience of fast, crappy foods. Lack of mandatory physical activities enforced in the education system added to the mix and - poof - fat kids make fat adults. Last of all ... no more perfectly preserved corpses.

reply to post by TheAngryFarm


What is your problem? Most people that work in a unions are hard workers. Take your doom and gloom elsewhere. Just because people work in a factory or wallmart are not losers. Treat people the way you wanted to be treated. Your tone says it all. Nuff said.

That really sucks because OF COURSE Hostess sold out long ago to another company, who bought out "Buttermaid" doughnuts-which if you live here around Chicago you may remember what I am talking about. Now they go bankrupt and I am out of Hostess and Buttermaid-WTF???

This is going to hit my local economy hard. I lot of people I know and have known have worked at the Hostess factory. Unbelievable!

FYI-The name Twinkies was inspired by a billboard ad for a pair of shoes called "Twinkle TIme Shoes" that the creator of the Twinkie saw one day.

reply to post by TheAngryFarm


You do realize that health care providers and workers are part of unions? Government employees? Nice to know we're all "losers"....do your research before insulting people.

reply to post by sonnny1


Twinkies are noe up to $25/pack on eBay.
www.bloomberg.com...

reply to post by sonnny1


I sure hope the Unions are proud of themselves. You played high stakes poker, and called Hostess' bluff. (SPOILER ALERT: The unions and Hostess both lost, and so did consumers.)

I just got back from the local market and bought up every last box they had of each.

Not to violate ATS's T & C but come 2013 I'll be selling them on a certain location that rhymes with C-Bay

reply to post by sonnny1


I guess I will have to learn to make my own twinkies and ding dongs.
We will still have Little Debbies right? If not,then it is game over folks!

OK OK I confess....

I've not actually EATEN a Twinkie in the past decade... but still!! I loved them and they're part of my nostalgic childhool

Sorry guys, don't see them closing their doors. All I see is a corporation who is using threats to get their way, instead of actually making working conditions and compensations better for their employees.

I don't eat this stuff at all, but I think america would be willing to pay a quarter more for this food in order to compensate there employees and such.

Hate to say it, but the majority of the people that buy this stuff on a regular basis are on government food stamps anyways, so it's not like they are paying for it, let's be honest here.


But back to the issue of them closing. I am willing to bet that Hostess is trying to get the American people on their side in order to win in court against the unions fighting for better jobs and workplace environments. They are going to extremes and threatening to close if they don't get their way. Kinda childish if you ask me.


Sorry to be blunt here, but think about it.

Originally posted by Charmeine
reply to post by TheAngryFarm

 

You do realize that health care providers and workers are part of unions? Government employees? Nice to know we're all "losers"....do your research before insulting people.

Ah yes, the fabled rockstars called government employees, who believe they actually have a right to collectively bargain for more of the taxpayers money.

I never stated all union workers were degenerates or losers, I said the majority of.

Yes, I am aware that healthcare workers can be parts of unions. I am also aware unions drive up the costs of every industry they have infected.

We currently have a crisis in this nation regarding the costs associated with healthcare. While unions are only one piece of that complex puzzle, they are in fact a part of it, thereby creating higher costs for every consumer.

Sorry those people thought a union was a good thing to belong to. They made their bed now they get to sleep in it. The economy was not in shape for them to do this. Same with Wal-mart. But here is what you will be missing if they somehow do not continue to make these under a different company name (same owners) or sell the brand to some other company in exchange for shares in that company.

www.divinecaroline.com...

Yummy golgen goodness...

Five ingredients come from rocks. This got my attention. However, it only got worse when I discovered that the ingredients come from phosphate mines in Idaho, gypsum mines in Oklahoma, and oil fields in China. Okay, so now I was wondering if I was watching a real news story—come to find out, I was. The Twinkie, which was created during the Depression, contains thirty-nine ingredients. One of those ingredients is a preservative, sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is an ingredient I see on many packages, and I have never thought twice about it. But author Steve Ettlinger did. He found that sorbic acid is actually derived from natural gas. If that isn’t shocking enough, he goes on to talk about other ingredients like cellulose gum, Polysorbate 60, and calcium sulfate. Apparently, these ingredients are also used in sheet rock, shampoo, and rocket fuel. No wonder Twinkies make kids run around like crazy and have even been used as a defense for murder! Mr Ettlinger also found that the vitamins, artificial colors, and flavorings in Twinkies come from petroleum. I started to wonder how this tasty treat made from gas and rocks can be so light and airy. In comes Mr. Ettlinger again. Apparently, it’s limestone that makes Twinkies light. And that tasty cream center—it’s got to be milk, right? No. It’s made of shortening; there is absolutely no cream in the cream. I have to say I was curious to know what Hostess, the makers of the Twinkie, thought about Mr. Ettlinger’s claims. Well, here’s the quote that ran in my newscast: Deconstructing the Twinkie is like trying to deconstruct the universe. We think the millions of people … would agree that Twinkies just taste great.—David Leavitt, Vice President Snack Marketing at Hostess. The news story was inspired by Steve Ettlinger’s new book, Twinkie Deconstructed. Ettlinger uses the Twinkie to demonstrate where our processed food ingredients come from. Since the Twinkie is the product leader—yes, it’s a product and apparently, barely a food—it served as the perfect tool to show consumers what goes into our food. Another newsworthy note—since so many of the ingredients come from overseas, there are hardly any regulations placed on them. We are all familiar with the recent paint issues from China. As for the Twinkie, many of the vitamins listed on its label come from China and are not regulated. There were a few other ingredients Ettlinger sourced, but he was unable to communicate with the agricultural or chemical manufacturer of those ingredients. They simply do not need to make themselves available. To read more about the Twinkie and Steve Ettlinger, you can buy his book or see his Web site. One last word for all of us who fried a Twinkie at some point in our lives … I guess we didn’t make it any less healthy.

www.classroomtools.com...

These delicious hockey pucks...

Hostess Ding Dong Sugar, partially hydrogenated vegetable and/or animal shortening (may contain one or more of: soybean oil, cottonseed oil, palm oil, beef fat, lard), enriched flour (niacin, iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin), water, cocoa, skim milk, corn syrup, eggs, mono- and diglycerides, starch, whey, leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate), salt, sodium caseinate, lecithin, cellulose gum, polysorbate 60, artificial color, artificial and natural flavors, sorbic acid

The only thing I might miss is the wonder bread.

I do feel sorry for the kids of these families, they had no choice in the matter and they will be greatly affected by this, but not eating free twinkies and ding dongs is not a terrible thing.

Ascension211