Not sure about you, but here at AFA, we’re a bit tired of seeing certain big money interests influencing our lawmakers while the average American, you and me, isn’t really benefiting — particularly when it comes to our food system. That’s why it’s so important we remind our Members of Congress that their constituents not only demand reform, but require it.
Why should you care
It’s no secret that campaign financing from private donors affiliated with everything from Big Pharma, to Big Oil, to Big Ag, etc. heavily influences federal legislators. This naturally creates a substantial disconnect between elected officials and many of the people they represent when a small number of wealthy donors are essentially running the show. For our democracy to thrive, we need a more level playing field where the voices of regular folks — the real America — are amplified. In order for that to happen, we must enact laws that support public funding of elections. When raising money from private donors is no longer a factor, it frees politicians to do the right thing — which is to implement AFA legislation that promotes healthy, fiber-rich food policy and a more climate-friendly future.
Check out this quick video highlighting the problem and what legislation reform, such as HR1/S1: For the People Act, will address. Although it generates some laughs, it couldn’t be more accurate:
What you can do?
1. If they haven’t already, urge your Senators to support the Senate component to HR1: For the People Act (S1)
Introduced by the Senate in March 2021, “the bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.”
Find your senators here
Check to see if your your Senators already cosponsored the bill here
Example email:
Dear Senator _______,
I’m writing to ask you to please cosponsor S1: For the People Act because we need a government that is reflective of the average American. For far too long, wealthy special interests have been able to dictate our democracy. That isn’t working out too well, especially with policy that involves a fundamental, every day necessity: what we consume.
We have a food system that favors unhealthy, zero-fiber foods even though the USDA recommends a diet that is mostly made up of plant-based, fiber-rich foods. As a result, this leaves us with a healthcare system that spends billions every year on treating diet-related diseases that could be prevented.
That’s why we need a public financing system that will expand donor disclosure rules, prevent dark spending, and will enact a voluntary small dollar matching program for congressional and presidential races. If passed, S1 will allow the broader base of community members to be more fairly and accurately represented, give farmers more opportunities to grow lucrative, sustainable crop commodities, and create a more cohesive (and healthier) America.
Thank you for your consideration in supporting S1.
Sincerely,
_______
2. If your Senators have already cosponsored S1, send them a thank-you note.
This is important because the more people who express interest in bills like this, the higher your MoC will prioritize this kind of legislation.
Example email:
Dear Senator _______,
Thank you for cosponsoring S1: For the People Act. As you know, we need a government that is reflective of the average American. For far too long, wealthy special interests have been able to dictate our democracy. That isn’t working out too well, especially with policy that involves a fundamental, every day necessity: what we consume.
We have a food system that favors unhealthy, zero-fiber foods even though the USDA recommends a diet that is mostly made up of plant-based, fiber-rich foods. As a result, this leaves us with a healthcare system that spends billions every year on treating diet-related diseases that could be prevented.
That’s why I’m so glad you’re in favor of a public financing system that will expand donor disclosure rules, prevent dark spending, and will enact a voluntary small dollar matching program for congressional and presidential races. If passed, S1 will allow the broader base of community members to be more fairly and accurately represented, give farmers more opportunities to grow lucrative, sustainable crop commodities, and create a more cohesive (and healthier) America.
Thank you again for supporting S1 and please continue to urge your Senate colleagues to do the same.
Sincerely,
_______
3. If your Representative voted in favor of HR1: For the People Act, send them a thank-you note.
As mentioned above, this is important because the more people who express interest in bills like this, the higher your MoC will prioritize this kind of legislation. The House passed the For the People Act in March 2021.
Find your representative here
Check to see if your your Representative supported the bill here
Example email:
Dear Representative _______,
Thank you for supporting HR1: For the People Act last year. As you know, we need a government that is reflective of the average American. For far too long, wealthy special interests have been able to dictate our democracy. That isn’t working out too well, especially with policy that involves a fundamental, every day necessity: what we consume.
We have a food system that favors unhealthy, zero-fiber foods even though the USDA recommends a diet that is mostly made up of plant-based, fiber-rich foods. As a result, this leaves us with a healthcare system that spends billions every year on treating diet-related diseases that could be prevented.
That’s why I’m so glad you’re in favor of a public financing system that will expand donor disclosure rules, prevent dark spending, and will enact a voluntary small dollar matching program for congressional and presidential races. If passed in the Senate, the For the People Act will allow the broader base of community members to be more fairly and accurately represented, give farmers more opportunities to grow lucrative, sustainable crop commodities, and create a more cohesive (and healthier) America.
Thank you again for supporting HR1.
Sincerely,
_______
To further strengthen the argument
A watered down version that builds on the original HR1/S1, the Freedom to Vote Act (S2747) was introduced by the Senate in September, 2021. Like HR1/S1, the Freedom to Vote Act “addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.”
However, since it’s all but guaranteed that Senators Manchin and Sinema will not support bills that propose campaign finance (and voting rights) reform at this point, S2747 is effectively DOA. But that doesn’t mean we give up on letting our MoC know this is a top issue for us.
How you can help
1. Organize your friends to contact your MoC, encouraging them to keep fighting for an equitable + fairly represented electoral and voting system. If your MoC aren’t on board, demand they come around.
2. If your MoC oppose, urge them to lean in on gerrymandering provisions. As this article points out, partisan gerrymandering is in full effect for the 2022 election cycle. But it doesn’t have to be, nor should it, and all the more reason why bills like HR1/S1 and S2747 must be passed. Discriminatory redistricting does nothing to further the greater good of ANY political party, much less our democracy.
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