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Fast Food Nation

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Intro to Political Science 5/12/2013

Fast Food Nation

The investigative journalist, Eric Schlosser, has written a book to illuminate an epidemic that started in America and is now becoming one of the world’s largest problems. In Fast Food Nation, Schlosser frames today’s Fast Food giants in history,American entrepreneurialism, and over consumption in respect to consumer and employee wellbeing. The power of all modern Fast Food giants combined have eclipsed the power of any one government. Marketing has become a key component to luring consumers to fast food. Schlosser makes the argument that a once All­American ideal, fast food has grown too big to control.

Schlosser highlights the freedom right philosophy of make your own luck through the story of Carl’s Jr. founder, Carl Karcher. Karcher did not grow up in the restaurant business, rather a string of opportunities and risk created a perfect storm for Karcher. At a young age Carl went to work for family in California. After 3 years he delivered fresh bread for a bakery. He was now married and took out a loan to buy a hot dog stand. 4 years later he opened his first restaurant Carl’s Drive­In BBQ. This was

all happening at the same time McDonald’s was becoming big in Southern California. In 30 years Carl’s Jr had over 300 restaurants. By managing risk and a good business model, Carl Karcher thrived using freedom right philosophy. He also happened to be a political conservative.

Order left philosophy is brought to life in Fast Food Nation in the horrific plight of Kenny Dobbins, a factory worker. Kenny suffered a herniated disc in his back from catching a box. Kenny was hit by a train. Kenny was chemically burned inside and outside his body. Kenny had a massive heart attack on the job, and while recovering in the hospital, he was fired. Other than Job, Kenny may have the worst luck of any human being.

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