Welcome to Greeley

Chapter seven has the same familiar theme that Schlosser has made in all the previous chapters.The large supplier to the evil fast food giants and the faceless employees who are abused.The workers are individuals who want to work ,but are limited in skills except manual labor. The jobs that are being offered are redundant manual labor jobs. Even though Schlosser is making a point of the abuse, these are the only jobs they are qualified to do. The Mid-Western areas mentioned are not as populated as eastern states and employment is limited. Colorado, Kansas, Wyoming ,Texas are cattle states and working in meatpacking houses are the primary jobs offered in these states. The education level goes hand in hand with the pay level. Lower education results in a lower income. The crime rate also follows the lower paying job market. Schlosser States that in Lexington, Nebraska that this small town had an increase in the crime rate that was the highest in the state within one year of opening a meat packinghouse. The workers that were hired to work took over Lexington and the locals moved away. The work is hard, the pay is low and the individuals who Schlosser mentions that work in the fast food industry and the workers who work for the suppliers are part of the ongoing cycle of abuse that will never have a happy ending.

schlosser interviw

This is my first book, and I had no idea how people would respond to it. Given our political climate and what the book argues, there just was no guarantee that people would respond or be interested in it. I've had friends who've written wonderful books, really beautiful books, that don't even get reviewed. I had no sense of what would happen (Schlosser qtd. in Gavin, n.d.)

As a first-time author, I've been writing for years, but really haven't encountered people en masse who've read or been interested in the work. You write these things in a room, it's a real privilege to be able to write about what you care about. At the same time you have no idea if other people are going to care at all! don't even get reviewed. I had no sense of what would happen. (Schlosser qtd. in Gavin, n.d.)

So far, so good. I haven't seen heads nodding off in the middle. One of the good things is that the question and answer part afterward has been as rewarding and interesting as any of it -- because I really don't need to hear myself read. It's a chance to get feedback, and to engage in a dialogue about the work, which, when you're off writing something, you don't really get the opportunity to do (Schlosser qtd. in gavin, n.d.)

On the range

Chapter 6 is the same format as chapter 5 ,with the exception that beef and poultry is the subject. Schlosser again points out how they monopolized another industry that supplies them. I can't blame these industries for meeting McDonolds demands because their in business to be sucessful and profitable. Larger corporations have always hurt the underdog farmer, mom and pop retailers because they are interested in growing and being the biggest. McDonalds and the other fast food restuarants are growing and their suppliers can see that supplying the giants with what they want will make them giants in their industry. The small beef suppliers can not compete with a corporation out of fear of being squeezed out completely as stated 0n p.143. The other problem Schlosser pointed out in this chapter was the land in Colorado will taken over by real estate developers who will also squeeze out the farmers and ranchers. Corporations have the money and political clout to control different markets to their benefits and the little man can only watch it happen.

Hot Potato

J.R.Simplot, a character out of a movie, an American tale of rags to riches. J.R. Simplot the man behind the curtain of french fries that made fast food industry grow. He was a self made man who could see beyond the day and invision the future. The partnership he formed with Ray Kroc was sealed with a handshake and expanded both their businesses. Walt Disney turned down an opprotunity when Ray Kroc offered a chance for the two companies towork together. J.R. Simplot used simple business dealings and compouned one deal after another. The Evolution of the frozen potato through better chemistry was an eye opener. I did not realize that chemist were the ones making our food taste good. The study that found that the color of food plays a big part of how the food will taste to people was an interesting point made (p.125). The same flavor, but different color effected which food tasted better to people. Pictures of food in vivid colors would be more appealing and would make individuals desire a burger or fries. The fast food industry has just as much of an effect on the U.S. economy as the housing or automotive market. J.R. Simplot and Ray Kroc built their dreams on the American public wants and created their own personal wealth on those dreams.

success

success seems to everyone's dream in this chapter.Kabong dreams of an electrical engineering degree and owning a Radio Shack. David Feamster dreams of making his Lil Ceasars pizza shops successful. Fredrick Deluca also wants to be succesful by making his Subway Shops into the new McDonalds. Success is what was the greatest desire in all three of these individuals wants. Franchising is a solid way of entering a market and being a frachisor is a successful way of expanding your idea.

Behind the counter

The most amazing information I read in this chapter was the blatent abuse that most fast food workers took. I personally never worked fast food and would have walked out if treated in such a manner. I have worked in a machine shop making pieces parts for a family owned business who did not follow labor laws for required breaks every four hours. Everyone worked ten hours a day with only a lunch break and that was it. Osha did not seem to myself to take the workers safety seriously as I thought a occupational safety enfocement agency should. I understand that fast food workers do not rate a safe work enviroment and most definitly any respect as human beings. The paragraph tittled "Making fun of it" (p.87) the keynote speaker, David Novak wanted the work places in his restaurants to be fun and employees to be motivated by awards programs. Norman Brinker was the next speaker and made comments about the increase in minimium wage. Brinker's comment " That'll be fun,won't it? Ilove the idea of that. I sure do-Strike me dead!" expresses the corporate mentality the fast food workers are shown.