" Of course, it'll eventually backfire since after the high of getting free food wears off, those employees will still want raises. Then Cat Communications will have to charge for the swill or water it down... "
... employees always want raises... so ?
That dosen't mean he has to give it to them or cut back on anything. I don't see your point. He can start to charge for the swill or water it down or go from two-ply to single-ply without asking their permission. Cat Commmunications does not HAVE to do anything...
I guess you lost the point of my comment. I was looking at part of the story from a liberal perspective to bring Mason's stupidy more into view.
Mason is a liberal, so it's hard to think that he'd not give in to a raise when his employees start to whine. Between the rising wages and other costs and the added "freebies" of the "free" food, something will eventually have to give... either his profits or the freebies. It can't go on forever.