The main issue from the first section of this book seems to boil down to the capitalistic way that the factory farms are run. The general theme is that the farmers, whether they are chicken, cow, or pig farmers, they all agree that more humane methods would be better but more expensive. “We can be more environmentally sound if we want to pay more for our food. Right. But what mechanism is supposed to bring about that outcome? Even if Jake and Lee were willing to pay more for their meat in order to protect the environment in Nebraska, how could they be sure- or even reasonable hopeful- that the extra dollars they were spending were having this effect?” (65).

This, I think, is the major dilemma. They go on to talk about major corporations like the fast food industries that took steps to make their businesses and the food that they sell more environmentally sound. However, these steps are small, and although they are on a large scale, they may not be enough. The real changes that have to happen are large changes happening on large scales, changes happening in the way McDonalds and Wal-Mart buy their food. These changes, unfortunately, do not seem to be likely to happen.

These large scale changes would mean that they would have to implement severe changes in the way that animals are treated and slaughtered. This would not only mean that the prices would go up on meat sales. This would then mean that the basic idea of both of these corporations would be in danger. There would be no more ‘Dollar Menu’ not more ‘Every Day Low Prices’. Neither of these institutions is going to risk profits for animal welfare, unless the government declares it illegal first. While the idea of these corporations being pressured by civilians and then forcing change onto farmers seems like a way to avoid the government getting involved it does not seem like it is the true fix, just a band-aid.