Ronald the Philanthropist

The annual “anti-McDonald’s” protests on Shattuck and University deserve some rumination…

Why we hate McDonald’s:

1) Major contributor to rainforest deforestation

2) TRANS FATS

3) Unions not allowed

Not to mention issues associated with childhood obesity, animal cruelty, corporate culture, etc…

Statistics found in the San Francisco Chronicle last week:

1) Over 35 million people in the United States went hungry in 2006

a) This percentage does not including homeless

b) 12.6 million of these people were children

c) 18.1% of Mississippi’s population went hungry in 2006

Why we love McDonald’s:

1) Hot, filling meal for under 4 dollars

a) Price of McDonald’s Big Mac: $2.50

2) Between working two jobs and raising three kids, dinner can still be ready by 6pm

a) In working class neighborhoods in major cities, grocery stores are twice as far as the nearest McDonalds

McDonalds = Bad Food

BUT

McDonalds = One of few locations where some families can get an affordable, substantial meal

So in 2008, if McDonald’s disappeared or raised their prices to comply with international outcries of unfair labor practices and inhumane treatment of bovine, would there be more or less than 35 million people in the United States who go hungry in the same year?

Perhaps McDonald’s protests should also include petitions for more federal food stamp funds and investment in primary education.