Sadly, the government agencies that we count on to keep massive factory-farming businesses in line are being bought and sold by the very corporations that they’re supposed to be monitoring—and with tragic consequences ("How the Government Fails to Protect Animals, Workers, the Environment, and the Public").The meat industry donated $140 to politicians from 2000 to 2005; these politicians, in turn, fought against tougher regulation for the meat industry. To make matters worse, many government agencies that are supposed to keep the meat industry in line are filled with employees who have worked for or plan on working for major agribusiness corporations ("How the Government Fails to Protect Animals, Workers, the Environment, and the Public"). The obvious implication here is that these people are more concerned with serving their own interests and, in turn, those of agribusiness, rather than protecting consumers. Knowing that the people in government that are supposed to protect you are selling your health for personal gain is an incredibly disturbing thought:
The consequences for workers, the environment, public health, and animals can’t be overstated. Changes in the food-safety system have turned inspectors into paper-pushers who spend much of their time signing forms instead of inspecting animals and their carcasses, so filthy meat ends up on our dining tables. Inspectors are no longer required to monitor the “killing floor” for cruelty, so according to workers and inspectors, animals are routinely scalded or hacked apart while they are still alive ("How the Government Fails to Protect Animals, Workers, the Environment, and the Public").Sure, some of this is probably exaggerated to make a point, but it is not an uncommon theme in government: politicians get money from a corporation or group, work to protect that group's interests, and retire to work as a lobbyist for that group. Suddenly, food no longer seems like an important part of our culture; it has become something to be marketed and forced on us. Perhaps this is another form of violence; only we, unlike the meat industry workers, are completely oblivious to it. Agribusiness treats us as consumers to market as much food as possible to; we, in turn, buy it up endlessly and justify their actions every time we eat at McDonald's (sorry, it's just so easy to pick on fast food, and McDonald's is the first to come to mind). Meanwhile, the government makes sure we remain ignorant.
Works Cited
"How the Government Fails to Protect Animals, Workers, the Environment, and the Public." GoVeg.com. PETA. 04 Dec. 2008
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