Fast Food Nation

A few weeks ago I was able to enjoy one of the biannual perks I receive as a teacher; 25% off at Borders! This particular weekend as I was lollygagging around the store I came across Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation. After I read the back cover I was intrigued. I promptly flashed my CDS nametag and received the discount.
Today as I was wasting time as my current residence was being shown to a new family I came to a series of conclusions about the text. First, this is one of the most disturbing books I’ve read. One of the most disturbing trends portrayed in the text is the federal government ignoring its own restrictions on corporate trusts.
Paralleling the growth of fast food chain restaurants have been the consolidation of many American industries; specifically the consolidation, the creation of monopolies, of the potato and meat markets. This growth has led to many abuses of public funds, decreasing safety among factory employees, and corporations having more control over the state and federal government than any single entity should. Examples consisting of corporations petitioning for tax breaks, receiving them and promptly leaving for a state with lower taxes. Once they leave a once thriving town becomes little more than a ghetto or ghost town.
The most disturbing trend noted, but not explicitly, throughout is the logical conclusion of capitalism. Restrained and responsible capitalism may be the best we can do as a people, but once the restraints are removed corporations become little more than Kurtz in Apocalypse Now. This man was a good soldier but as he continued to live without restraint he began to lose his original duty to his nation and his duty was only to himself. His own name was lifted up no matter the cost to the people that followed him and to the people in his way. Unbridled capitalism does the same. It looks only to its own interest without a second glance at the people in its way and wake.
This book follows the rise of capitalism following the rise of the fast food industry and the decline of federal restrictions on trusts. It’s an engaging, albeit disturbing, read. So the next time you need a challenging look at your own life and the Bible won’t do, pick up Fast Food Nation and enjoy!