For the past two days here and here I have been writing about my decision to join former Rep Tony Hall (D. Ohio) 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. This is my last update on my progress and it will be short.
I didn't sleep well last night and woke up hungry. I'm thinking about food most of the time especially a bowl of Lentil soup or a plate of pasta. I had wondered if meat would seem more attractive to me if I was really hungry but it does not. I guess perhaps if there was no end in sight to this voluntary fast that I would be lusting after the ducks in my neighborhood. A word of caution! If you ever do something like this plan ahead to have transportation available and don't try to drive yourself anywhere or even ride a bike, especially in traffic. I'm sure my responses are a bit hindered at this point..though it's hard for me to tell exactly by how much. Another word of caution! Don't try to do this alone. I have the support of my family and friends and have been joined in this project by some co-workers.
My work brings me into contact with many very bright young people who seem to be at a crossroads politically. They are another of my motivations for this project. Cynicism is developing rapidly among this group who don't remember much before the time of GWB and see their future prospects slipping away. I think it helps them to see some commitment and hopefully some success in activism.
In my two previous diaries on this subject I have been listing many of the cuts that the republicans are proposing in H.R. I for the 2011 budget. But now we have even more evidence of the devastation that this bill would bring to the most vulnerable. The head of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) told lawmakers Wednesday that the GOP version of the budget bill would result in the deaths of at least 70,000 children who depend on American food and health assistance around the world.
"We estimate, and I believe these are very conservative estimates, that H.R. 1 would lead to 70,000 kids dying," USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah testified before the House Appropriations State and Foreign Ops subcommittee.
"Of that 70,000, 30,000 would come from malaria control programs that would have to be scaled back specifically. The other 40,000 is broken out as 24,000 would die because of a lack of support for immunizations and other investments and 16,000 would be because of a lack of skilled attendants at birth," he said.
"[T]his would lead to a significant amount of reduction in feeding programs, medical programs and food and water programs for people who are incredibly vulnerable," he added.
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), said that national security is threatened by instability in other parts of the world as well.
"Drastic cuts to USAID would risk a great deal in stability and security around the world which could spawn the kinds of threats that cost this country the lives of men and women in uniform and billions in treasure," she said.
We must stop this republican insanity from doing more damage not only in the US but around the world. contact your member of congress here and ask them to reject the republican madness.
For April Fools Day from the BBC h/t Mark Bittman (I wish I had a tree like this especially now!)