Working at McDonald's got me to college, for which I thank the world's largest restaurant chain. I worked there for three years, beginning at about $1 an hour, during the middle of the 20th century. Back then, a buck bought something. I consumed tons of hamburgers and fries and gallons of milkshakes for free -- unconscious consumption. Bliss on the farm. Photo: metroactive.com I have not thought much about McDonald's in the 40 years since I worked there, during which time I have never eaten there again. But McDonald's and restaurants of its ilk are in the news with this …