McDonald's CEO Charlie Bell Dies From 'McDonald's' Diet
Charlie Bell, former CEO of McDonalds Restaurant chain, died from colorectal cancer at age 44. He is the second CEO to die in a row from preventable disease caused by the type of diet that the fast-food chain peddles. Former CEO Jim Cantalupo died of a heart attack in April of 2004. Bell was from Australia and last month McDonald's spent $300,000 to fly Bell and his family back to Australia on a private medically equipped jet, paid for shipping their belongings, bought the Bells' Illinois home and agreed to pay any tax bills related to the benefits. The company also amended a stock options agreement with Bell, enabling him to transfer 1.44 million stock options to his wife and allowed 655,000 of those options to vest immediately. The lavish treatment of its executives is in stark contrast to its treatment of its workers, most of whom get no benefits and only minimum wage.McDonalds has a long history of enriching i's executives on the backs of its workers. In 1972 McDonalds founder, Ray Kroc, funneled $250,000 to Richard M. Nixon in exchange for a 20% reduction in the minimum wage for teenagers.Even though McDonalds sells food which is unhealthy and of low quality, it is the largest restaurant in the world. [more]