I've decided to join Former Rep. Tony Hall (D-Ohio), the head of the Alliance to End Hunger; Rev. David Beckmann, the president of Bread for the World; Jim Wallis, the president of Sojourners; Ritu Sharma of Women Thrive and Ruth Messinger of American Jewish World Service and at least 4,000 other people including Mark Bittman of the New York Times to protest proposed GOP Budget Cuts to domestic and international food programs
Yesterday I wrote about my first day of fasting here. so updating on how it's going. I did wake up hungry today but otherwise feel fine. I did have a mental obsession about chocolate last night which is strange because I like chocolate but really don't obsess about it. It must be the fat in chocolate that is calling out to me. I've been drinking water and lots of tea and feel pretty normal. I'm usually very active with running and sports etc. but have decided that until my fast is over on Saturday morning I will not do as much aerobic activity but will continue with my light weights morning workout which misses me if I don't do it. Mentally I feel very clear but thank god for spell check because my spelling is always the first thing to go.
My motivation in this project has come from Mark Bittman of the New York Times whose authenticity shines through his writing and whose passion for protection of the environment and less meat consumption matches mine. But my main inspiration has come from the voiceless and vulnerable who are being unfairly affected by the draconian budget cuts which are outlined in H.R. I
The house passed H.R. I in February. It failed in the senate and as it is still being debated and negotiated we may still have time to influence the final outcome. The bill asks for $61 billion in cuts to the 2011 budget.
Programs most at risk include:
Early Childhood Programs
Low-Income Housing Programs
Supplemental Nutrition of Low Income Families (WIC)
Teacher Teaching and afterschool Programs
Job Training for unemployed and new workers
Low Income Home Energy Assistance(LIHEAP)grants to poor families
Community Health Centers
Legal Services for the poor
Title X Family Planning
Total Programs at risk combined = $44 Billion
One year cost of extending Bush Tax Cuts for the highest earners FY2012=$42 Billion
Yesterday I talked about the cuts to Food Programs
House cuts would result in food being denied to up to 18 million more people.
This is no contest folks, the republican burden of reducing the deficit falls on the backs of the most vulnerable in our society. This is unconscionable...totally depraved.
We can fight back by contacting our representatives and telling them we will not stand for this and expect them to make the right moral decision. contact your member of congress here.