I've noticed a disturbing trend among both people here on DKos and other progressives out there in the world. Many people put a lot of energy and hope into getting Obama elected. They worked tirelessly and made sacrifices to make it happen. And now that they've accomplished their goal, they're content to sit back and let Obama carry the ball from here.
Well, here's the bad news people:
THE CHANGE YOU SO DESPERATELY SEEK HAS TO COME THROUGH YOU!
Obama has said as much. He's said he can't do this alone. And yet when someone dares share a contrary opinion about a decision Obama has made, many on this site respond with, "Let the man do his job" or "Let's just see what happens."
The issue on which I find this most troubling is the appointment of Monsanto lackey Tom Vilsack to head the USDA. There are other diarists who have explained the problem with Monsanto and Vilsack better than I ever could. I encourage you to read those diaries, one the best of which is found here.
Here's the deal -- If we explore Maslow's hierarchy of needs, we discover that food is one of the most basic. In fact, it is at the bottom of the pyramid. According to Maslow, in order for us to become fully self-actualized, our most basic needs must first be met. If we don't have safe food to eat, clean air to breathe, and clean water to drink, we don't much care about what party we're going to next Saturday night, let alone seeking our Higher Purpose in life.
And here's the deal -- our food supply is under attack. Monsanto is doing everything it can to ensure the genetically engineered food is the only food available and they are also against any labeling that will tell you what it is you are buying. They also sue anyone who DOES attempt to label their foods free of genetically engineered foods. In 1994 Monsanto and state agriculture officials in the United States launched a similar intimidation campaign against several thousand dairies and health food stores in the US attempting to label or advertise their dairy products as free of recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH).
Are genetically engineered foods safe? No one really knows. But we DO know Monsanto's record. They are the manufacturers of DDT, PCBs, and rBGH, all of which have been shown to be highly toxic to the planet and to human health (rBGH has been banned by Canada and the European Union). And who can forget this story? Are we going to sit back and wait until 1 of every 3 Americans gets cancer? Oh wait, we're already there!
So, what can you do? Now is NOT the time to sit back and relax. Who knows how long this window of opportunity to make a difference will last? Call, write and e-mail Obama, your Congresspeople and Secretary Vilsack and tell them you are pro-choice when it comes to the food you put into your body.
You can also support Food Democracy Now.