Fast Food Nation

I find writing like Schlosser's Fast Food Nation fascinating. To go into a situation and see what it's really like to be there, not just rely upon what you read (as in the public statements from the companies themselves) truly gives a unique and, in my opinion, more honest perspective. I rather liked Schlosser's style a bit better than Ehrenreich's, probably because Schlosser's somewhat more objective writing style appeals to me. However, Ehrenreich does a great job of making hers a more personal experience, allowing her readers to understand it from a very real and experienced perspective of actually having-been-there-and-done-that. I also liked Schlosser's ability to set up a situation, such as painting the picture of Colorado before and with the fast food businesses. He puts in the workers' own stories, telling us through not only an observer's eyes but the people themselves.
I was surprised at how much the companies really do not care about their workers. Not in an oblivious sort of way, but in a disgusted by corporate America sort of way. In a world where a large number of chain businesses (be it restaurants, Walmarts or the like), one might believe that the worker would matter, that in such large, successful businesses managers and upward would try to care about the thousands of peoples' welfares that are in their hands. Rather, they're more convinced that they'll always have someone to fill the shoes of the next person they fire/who quits. This attitude, that people are indispensable, is a real drain on the value of the individual, both personally and in society. What kind of person wants to believe that he/she can be replaced at any moment? This does not make for success; it makes for unmotivated and less productive and efficient workers. They'll do enough to keep their jobs, granted, but why work hard for someone who doesn't care if you get dinner and can pay your rent?
My hypertext, the second one about a low-wage lifestyle, is going to be somewhat similar to that of a McDonald's worker, except not in a large chain. The place that I've worked for two summers, now, with the same people (more or less) isn't a large chain- but the girls working there definitely subsist on a very low income, living the low-wage life. Often, they're well-liked by their customers; but the disrespect I've encountered while working there, only as a part-time college student, is appalling. Society forgets that the people serving their coffee are people too, who deserve the same respect you'd give a person who's providing you with any other service.