Arthur,
This is, perhaps, an example of the difference between the market and the mob.
The mob has its own reasons for attacking MacDonalds. McDonald's has it's
reasons - it wants to make a profit.
The only way they'll make a profit is to provide consumers with the things
they want. They no doubt have rules that are designed to attain both
objectives.
Now, if employees don't like the rules they should refuse to work for the
company. That's easy enough, isn't it.
I suppose the retort is that they need the job. But the job wouldn't be
there without MacDonalds.
But, we must decide to choose a side. The mob which is acting for all kinds
of reasons, from philosophical to venal - or the company that is providing
a desired service to millions of citizens, investing in communities, and
providing jobs for 15,000.
Seems pretty clear to me.
In this country, where a MacDonalds occupies every second corner - I can't
remember ever having had a MacBurger. I'm sure I must have - but I can't
remember.
Consumer Reports found the meat in the MacBurger to be of top quality but
smaller than other chains. They approved.
On the rare occasions I have an outside hamburger, I get it from a small
chain "In-'n-Out" which sells magnificently juicy and tasty burgers, which
food would definitely not be approved by Consumer Reports.
Harry
_____________________________________________________
Arthur wrote:
>International news / Italian protesters beef about hamburgers / Rory Carroll
>in Rome
>
>
>
>Italian protesters beef about hamburgers
>
>Rory Carroll in Rome
>
>Riot police were mobilised on Monday to protect McDonald's restaurants as
>thousands of demonstrators in 20 Italian cities declared war on the
>fast-food chain.
>
>In Milan marchers flung raw meat through police lines, splattering
>restaurant windows with blood. But most of the protests around the country
>were more peaceful, with crowds in Rome, Naples, Palermo and Turin chanting:
>"Better a day of tortellini than 100 days of hamburgers."
>
>Organisers of the protests have said they will intensify their campaign,
>predicting that Italy will over take France in the strength of its
>opposition to the chain.
>
>The government promised to draw up a charter of principles for multinational
>companies. The charter, to be agreed with trade unions, was intended to
>defuse hostility by acting as a "civic defender", said the industry
>minister, Enrico Letta. But, he added, "it would be a mistake to create a
>climate of tension. McDonald's is one of the few foreign companies bringing
>investment to our country."
>
>A coalition of leftwing radicals, family-run bars and trade unions hopes to
>reverse, or at least slow down, McDonald's planned opening of 200 outlets in
>the next two years. It says the chain is destroying con sumer choice,
>exploiting staff and selling unhealthy food.
>
>McDonald's says that it is employing 15,000 young people and has become
>hugely popular with families since opening its first restaurant in Rome 15
>years ago.
>
>The countrywide protests were bolstered by controversy over the chain's
>treatment of staff. Last week 20 employees in Florence walked out in protest
>at an "intimidating" work climate.
>
>The chain, which has 272 restaurants in Italy, suffered another blow when
>trade unions mobilised to defend five employees reprimanded for eating
>chocolate chips.
>
>The Turin-based Slow Food move ment, which champions traditional cooking and
>eating, joined the protests. Its spokesman, Silvio Barbero, told the
>Corriere della Sera newspaper: "It forces consumers to taste the same
>hamburger in Tokyo, New York, Helsinki and Palermo. A McDonald's hamburger
>doesn't evoke regional tastes or sensations, and its gastronomic origin is
>impossible to define."
>
>Ghettoised for years with a combined market share of 5%, McDonald's and
>Burger King resolved to bring Italy up to the European average of 25%. Food
>purists said Italians would never succumb, but they were wrong, with pasta
>salads and pizza slices boosting the chains' popularity.
>
>The Guardian Weekly 19-10-2000, page 2
***************************************
Harry Pollard
Henry George School of Los Angeles
Box 655
Tujunga CA 91042
(818) 352-4141 -- Fax: 818 353-2242
***************************************
