The Jungle, 2002
For anyone who has read The Jungle, please read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser. Your views on fast food and the current food industry will change. Did you know that the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA] cannot fine or seek any monetary damages from the meatpacking industry. The process of leveling fines is one of the government's most effective tactics of law- enforcement. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman comments, "We can fine circuses for mistreating elephants, but we can't fine companies that violate food-safety standards." [Fast Food nation, Schlosser. Pg 214] During the years of 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999, the Clinton Administration proposed bills to congress that would allow the USDA to seek monetary fines and the ability to order recalls of contaminated beef. Who stopped this? Well the Republicans of course. Of the top 10 recipients of money from Agribusiness, 8 are Republicans [source]. During the 1996 Election cycle, members of Congress that received money from Agribusiness, Republicans received $22.5 million while Democrats received a paltry $8 million. [source] The so-called Contract With America that Newt & Co. lauded as a victory for the common man was really a victory for business and cronyism.Trackback Pings
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This is the permanent home of The Jungle, 2002. I wrote this post at 15:15 on August 31, 2002. This post is part of grubbykid.com, a weblog. If you liked this entry, why don't you read some other posts such as Quotable Quotes or Bliss & Congratulations? Or you could go to the site archives or return home. All are good choices.
