Food Wrapped in Paper

In the news today, so-called fast food workers in some locations are planning to strike as a protest against low wages 

"Workers at the nation’s best known fast-food restaurants in seven cities across America are planning to walk off the job Monday to protest what they say are wages that are too low to live on. In a move orchestrated with the help of powerful labor unions and clergy groups, the workers plan to strike for a day to demand their wages be doubled."   (Foxnews)

I am generally against strikes of any kind, since they are disruptive to the customers instead of to Management - with whom the beef resides.  I see it as a mild form of terrorism, where you inflict pain on innocent victims, because you are too weak to fight the source of your aggravation.

But the thing that grabbed my attention was the phrase "Fast Food."

In my recent experience "Fast Food" is an archaic term which refers to a past era.  Sort of like "records" and "drive in movie."
I recall the time, perhaps a decade ago, when you would stop into a Mickee Dees or Burger King and the cashier would be asking for your order before you had decided what you wanted.  Several registers would be manned and the line moved like a hot knife through ice cream.

But that is not the way is is now.  Granted,  I do not go to one of these establishments unless I am travelling.  (Whatever else you might rightfully say about the food, McDonald's brews a pretty good cup of coffee.) 

In virtually all of my recent visits to such places, the "drive-thru" line is usually at least half a dozen cars deep; I go inside.  Actually I prefer being inside, rather than eating in the car. Invariably,  I have found a line of people ahead of me, with only one beleaguered cashier taking orders. A dozen or so workers are feverishly scudding around the kitchen area.  Yet, my order usually takes at least 5 minutes to arrive, sometimes closer to ten.  Usually there is enough time to strike-up a conversation with other waiting patrons and come to a consensus about the acceptable number of tattoos that the employees should be allowed to display. 

This is is not what I call Fast.

But, back to the subject at hand: Low wages.
I am in favor of upping the wages for people who work in restaurants.  McDonald's has an annual employee turnover rate of 75%.   I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for my Big Mac if the price increase allows them to attract a better quality employee.
It is always a bit disturbing to know that your food is being prepared by the least educated, lowest paid and least motivated people on the planet.

Competing Agendas

You have probably seen images of various cities where the Occupiers are brandishing signs "Sorry for the Inconvenience, We are trying to Change the World."    This is a weak attempt to diminish the rage many of the other 99% are feeling when the protests cause traffic gridlock,  making them late for work, or shut-down their workplace, or ruin their plans for a day in the city.

Don't shoot the messenger shoot the bankers!

The arrogant attitude of the Occupiers is clear:  OUR AGENDA is more important than your agenda.  If you don't want the world to be changed, then, you are wrong.  If you think it is a crime to block traffic and interfere with other people's rights, then you are the enemy.

Think about it:  this is pretty much the same rationale embraced by terrorists, who believe that THEIR AGENDA trumps your right to not be blown to smithereens just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

It is only a few bus stops on the same trolly line from Occupy to Suicide-Bomber.  It is only a matter of the degree of chaos you are willing to inflict on the innocent bystander.  The mentality is the same:  We are so right that we claim the authority to override your rights. Another parallel to terrorism: The targets of the protest suffer the least, rather it is the innocent bystander who is most inconvenienced, or maimed.

Don't get me wrong.  I am not being critical of the message. Some of the points are well justified.  I just don't like the method.  We are still a free society and I don't believe that  trampling of other people's freedoms is justified by your agenda, however righteous.

On the other hand, I recognize that revolutions are messy, and I will not be surprised to see some political heads rolling.  Because terrorism has proven to be an effective way to get attention.