Freedom fries? Don't you mean *Friedman* fries?

     In directly mimicking the wording of Ben’s question, I hope to make my stance crystal clear for readers:  based on what we’ve read of The Omnivore’s Dilemma, it’s clear that a neoclassical/neoliberal (indeed, that school of thought extolling the virtues of Milton Friedman) better describes the “reality” of the contemporary U.S. industrial food economy.  

     Friedman preached the innumerable values of a free market—a system of economics advocating little to no intervention.  Although one may point to the plethora of hubbub occurring in Washington as 'classic Keynesian,' most of the activity occurring aims to repress further activity.  How?  Specially placed lobbyists with one goal in mind:  a free market (that is, an economic system which caters to their organization's interests).  Indeed, the majority of lobbyist strategy lies in hushing bills centered on bettering the health of citizens and letting consumers choose what’s ‘right for them’ (and what good conservative doesn't love the ability to choose?). 

Here's an exercise: picture the typical lobbyist—he/she probably represents organizations such as Monsanto (which Pollan—among other sources—are fond of investigating) or The American Beef Council (after all, “Life is good at the top of the food chain”).  And rest assured, they’ll vie for their interests (oh, rest assured), but they may also appeal to legislators by begging to give consumers the choice he/she deserves, not just as an American, but as a human being.  Why?  Because, in the end, you don't need a college degree to know that the tastiest food around is the stuff that you’re not ‘supposed’ to be eating.  

     Friedman’s belief of an essentially negative correlation between price inflation and supply of money can be seen in the millions upon millions of consumers entering McDonald’s every day—such a consistently high demand has forced the price of a burger down to a bare minimum.  As a result, the poor/less well-to-do of society are more apt to feast on junk food rather than the fresh produce they need—further perpetuating a system which widens an already large income gap.