Over 70,000 phone calls have been made to stop Congress from taking the Farm Bill behind closed doors.
But they were ready to do it anyway.
All 300 million people in this country eat. How can FOUR people - 2 leaders of the House Agricultural Committee, and 2 leaders of the Senate Agricultural Committee - make decisions about our food for us? Yet they put forth a proposal to the 12-member Super Comittee. Here's the summary: http://bit.ly/veNduv
At Live Real, we believe in justice, and justice depends on regular people - all of us - having our voice heard - NOT the corporations that influence a few of our legislators.
The next Farm Bill won't get written until 2017 --- we need to make sure that Congress REJECTS any backroom deal, and that the voice and the needs of the people are heard.We all need to call our Representatives today.Here's a sample script to use - feel free to modify and make it your own!
Hi, my name is _______ and I'm a constituent from ________. I'm part of the 100% of Americans that eat, and I want to make sure that my voice is heard in the Farm Bill process.
I just learned that Agricultural Committee leaders put forth recommendations that cut essential programs like food stamps and conservation programs.
I'm calling to urge Senator/Congress(wo)man _______to reject a Secret Farm Bill, and any deficit reductions that are made on the backs of the people who are hurting the most in this broken economy. We need a full, fair, democratic process on something that matters to all 300 million of us.
For a fairer food system, I want (her/him) to co-sponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act, which would improve community food systems, increase access to real food for everyone, and create jobs through local and regional food systems infrastructure. (If they haven't heard of it, let them know its HR 3826, introduced by Chellie Pingree and S 1773, introduced by Sherrod Brown)
Can I count on Senator/Congress(wo)man ________ to reject the Secret Farm Bill? Can I count on Senator/Congress(wo)man ________ to co-sponsor the Local Farms, Food, and Jobs Act?