Dear Senators Clinton, Obama, Dodd, and Edwards, Governor Richardson, and Rep. Kucinich:
I greatly enjoyed having the chance to watch you respond to bloggers' questions live and in person last week at YearlyKos. Unlike most Americans, I am physically unable to watch TV due to a disability, so you truly entered the Presidential Leadership Forum with clean slates in my mind and I used your answers to form impressions of you. However, one topic that all Americans care about (and I'm saying all because we all eat) was not addressed: food policy.
Please take a moment here to read through some issues I care about and the ideas that we as bloggers support as solutions. I would be flattered if your names showed up in the comments of my diary, but I'm also a realist; answering me in the form of a diary or - better yet - a progressive vote when the Senate takes up the farm bill next month would be much appreciated.
Note: I'm excluding Sen. Gravell here because Gravell (in my opinion) was a nuisance and a distraction during the Forum.
Sen. Clinton, you appeared far more likable than I'd expected, even though I disagreed with some things you said. You brought charm, femininity, and star power to the stage; it's nice that you haven't risen to power in a man's world by becoming more like men - even if the word on the street is that you won't admit your mistake in voting for the war because you feel that as a woman you must appear extra tough.
Sen. Obama, I must admit, I still don't know what the fuss is about. You're good looking, for sure, but so is Russ Feingold and he's more progressive and willing to stick his neck out than you are. I liked your ability to hit back immediately when one of your opponents took a swing at you - you'll need that skill during the general election and in the White House to get your agenda passed, if you make it that far.
You don't represent the "establishment" as much as Sen. Clinton does, but you also aren't the populist progressive I want to install in the White House to clean up the mess left by Bush & Co. For example, your position on healthcare is hardly ideal, but it's a better health plan than the current one: "Don't Get Sick." If Gore doesn't enter the race and I had to choose between you, Clinton, and Edwards, you'd have my vote.
Sen. Edwards, all I have to say to you is that it's not enough to pander to the blogging crowd with lines you know will get us on our feet applauding. You've mastered that, but where's the substance? The one bit I appreciated was when you placed Hillary's feet squarely in her mouth - but you sure didn't have a good response when Kucinich came back and did the same to you.
That said, I was raised to understand that actions speak louder than words. Of all the candidates on stage, Rep. Kucinich, you won me with your words - but you won me over even more with your actions. You're not waiting to make changes from the Oval Office - you're doing the people's business now, as a Congressman. How many times did your answers include the letters "H.R."? You told us your plan as president, and showed you keep your word by telling us the exact bill you've already introduced to see your plans through.
To turn to the topic at hand - food policy - Rep. Kucinich, you once again showed the American people where you stand by proposing several amendments to the House version of the Farm Bill last month. Your amendments sought to research the risks posed by biotechnology and the economic losses suffered by farmers as a result.
(Not only that, Rep. Kucinich, but you are a vegan. I don't wish to make moral judgments based on individuals' dietary choices, but your lifestyle shows that you've given much thought to the American food system and you don't approve of the status quo.)
The Senate will take up the Farm Bill debate after the August recess, so Senators Clinton, Obama, and Dodd each have an upcoming opportunity to show us where they stand on food issues. Remember, the farm bill does not only affect farmers; it affects eaters and taxpayers too. In other words, it affects all of us.
As a progressive, here is what I hope each of you fight for once the Senate farm bill debate heats up:
(Follow the links for better explanations of each item)
- Mandatory funding for the Conservation Security Program (CSP), a program that rewards farmers practicing sustainable farming techniques.
- At least $5 million in mandatory funding for Community Food Projects (CFP), a competitive grants program that gives one-time funding to projects around the country, helping them grow and achieve financial independence. One example of a grant recipient is a community garden farmed by juvenile delinquents who deliver their fresh produce to the elderly and the disabled.
- Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling, effective ASAP. Congress initially passed this in 2004 and a 2005 survey showed that 85% of Americans support it. With all of the press about poor food safety inspection standards for food entering the United States, why is it that we can see where our T-shirts were made but not our food?
- Forbid the inclusion of mandatory arbitration in livestock contracts. When individual growers feel they've been wronged by a meat processing company, mandatory arbitration (the requirement to submit to arbitration instead of going to court) stands as a roadblock in the way of justice for the grower.
- Exempt small farmers and pet owners from the National Animal ID System (NAIS), or just scrap NAIS altogether. NAIS, as it is currently designed, will put many small farmers out of business - small farmers who don't represent much of a threat to our food safety. (As for those who do threaten our food safety, like factory farms responsible for past E. coli and salmonella outbreaks, NAIS won't do much to fix the problems they create.)
- Help food stamp recipients gain easier access to aid, raise asset limits, and increase food stamp benefits. Currently, applying for and receiving food stamps often requires filling out a lot of paperwork; any decrease in this burden will help more recipients receive benefits. Also, food stamp recipients currently must have less than $2000 in the bank; let's increase this asset limit to encourage saving as a responsible habit. Last, by increasing benefits (currently $1/meal), we will allow recipients to choose healthier foods if they wish.
- Don't infringe on state and local rights. The last Congress tried to pass a law forbidding states and localities from requiring higher labeling standards than the federal government. Now there's talk of forbidding states and localities of outlawing any food (i.e. GMOs) that is legal on a federal level. You might be in the pockets of Monsanto, but when we can pass a law locally, don't impose frankenfoods on us!
- Remove the newest 38 items from organic standards! Now Anheuser Busch can put conventional hops in USDA certified organic beer when organic hops are unavailable. Likewise, industry can put conventional beet juice (used as a natural food coloring) in USDA certified organic foods when organic beet juice is unavailable. As organic consumers (and voters!), we oppose this. Organic should means organic - can you tell the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) that in this farm bill?
The elephant in the room here is commodity policy and subsidies. My recommendation is to listen to the National Family Farm Coalition and those who call for a return to policies that historically worked, such as those put in place during the New Deal.
As I stated earlier, unfortunately I was unable to ask any questions relating to food policy during YearlyKos, but for those of you in the Senate, we at DailyKos will know where you stand by September 30 anyway. I only ask that you use this time now to engage in a dialogue with us. If you'd rather not chat with us here on DailyKos, don't worry - we'll keep your office staffs busy with our phone calls!
Sincerely,
OrangeClouds115