URGENT - Corporations Are Not People

The United States Supreme Court is allowing corporations to be considered natural persons by law. This is very bad and very important.
The decision is ludicrous, but it affects everything, from our drinking water to our basic human rights. It must not be ignored. If there was a time to take a stand, it is now.
Please please take five minutes to contact your senators and representatives. Make them aware that you do not support the new legal designation. Tell them that corporations are not people. Tell them that you will not tolerate the decision and that it must be reversed immediately.
It is quite easy to make contact with elected officials in America. Contrary to popular belief, they listen and respond. The following website had direct email, phone, and mailing addresses for each state's government officials. A letter counts as two thousand citizen voices, and email and phone are counted below that number somewhere. It is up to us to stop total corporate domination over ecosystems and communities, which has been steadily growing, but this right here is the big one. We can't allow this.
Capitol Switchboard:
202-224-3121
Mailing Addresses & Emails:
http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml
MORE INFORMATION:
http://www.uspirg.org/consumer-blog/consumer-blog/pirg-to-supreme-court-corporations-are-not-people

Sample Letter

Dear Member of Congress,

The Supreme Court’s ruling in Citizens United vs. FEC would allow corporations to spend money directly on attack ads supporting or opposing Congressional candidates.

This decision was made under the pretext that because a corporation is a “person,” they should be allowed to spend their massive aggregated wealth to influence elections.

A corporation is not a person with voting rights. Giving corporations the rights of people would fundamentally change our democracy.

Rep. Van Hollen, Sen. Schumer and the White House are working protect our democracy from the implications of this decision.

I urge you to take swift action in support of this effort.

Sincerely,

_________________________(your name)

MORE INFORMATION:

Stop the corporate takeover of democracy - OSPIRG

Clean Water & Air Is a Basic Right We Have to Protect - Here's What You Can Do

So I work at a nonprofit office, and I'm daily made aware of shifts and achievements in the Environmental movement. Today it was announced that Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has put forward an amendment to the Clean Air Act that was written by industry lobbyists representing air polluters! It's obvious that she's been paid off, but by letting our Senators know we are aware of and opposed to the amendment she's been paid to propose, our clout can (is usually what) put a stop to big destruction of Clean Air Act protections. If you call 202-224-3121 you can tell your Senator's office that you want her or him to oppose the Murkowski amendment to the Clean Air Act. Actions like this do make the difference! Please take two minutes out of your busy day to make this call. Also on the chopping block is the Clean Water Act! In 2001 and 2006 two Supreme Court decisions created a loophole that has since then allowed major polluters to pour toxins into waterways not classified as "navigable." The obvious thing here is that streams and other waterways not navigable by ships are source feeders to major water bodies. The impetus for action is that millions of people get their drinking water from lakes and rivers fed by the tributaries being polluted. Please take a minute or five out of your packed schedule to voice your support for the Clean Water Restoration Act. You can call the number above and ask for the offices of your Representatives and Senators. This legislation restores the original 1970's Clean Water Act to protect all water in the United States. It is our only protection for drinking water in the country, so it's vital we restore its protections. Thank you so much.

Representative Ben Cannon Writes Back

Hi Jadene,
Thank you for your email about farm animal welfare. I support sustainable agriculture, which includes the humane treatment of farm animals.

While Oregon has not enacted all of the policies that you suggest, we have adopted at least one. In 2007, the state banned the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs. Here is a link that bill as passed: http://www.leg.state.or.us/07reg/measures/sb0600.dir/sb0694.en.html. That bill was introduced with a ban on veal crates also included, but because there is no veal industry in Oregon, that piece was removed.

In 2009, we also passed legislation on behalf of horses. Horses were treated like livestock and not eligible for protections under anti-animal abandonment laws. The economic downturn had led to an increase in horse abandonment and neglect, so we changed the law to make it illegal to abandon or fail to provide minimum care for horses. Here is a link to that bill, if you are interested: http://www.leg.state.or.us/09reg/measures/sb0300.dir/sb0398.en.html.

On my commute on I-5 to and from Salem, I oftentimes see the trucks filled with chickens packed together like sardines. Every time, it reminds me why I try my best to only eat free range poultry, and rarely. While I am not the best person to the take the lead on a bill banning battery cages because of my committee assignments, I would most likely support such a concept.

I appreciate your email and hope that you will continue to be in touch on this and other issues.
-ben

---
Ben Cannon
State Representative - District 46
900 Court Street NE, Room H-487
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 236-3351
rep.bencannon@state.or.us
www.repbencannon.com




-----Original Message-----
From: Site Administrator [mailto:webmaster@farmsanctuary.org] On Behalf Of Jadene Fourman
Sent: Monday, December 07, 2009 9:17 PM
To: Rep Cannon
Subject: Farm Animal Welfare


Dec 7, 2009

Representative Ben Cannon
State Capitol, Room H-484
900 Court Street, NE
Salem, OR 97301

Dear Representative Cannon,

Farm animal welfare is of increasing concern to members of the public, including myself, and my friends, family and neighbors. We have been happy to see laws passed in several states to eliminate the cruel confinement of farm animals, and to allow them at least enough room to stand up, lie down, turn around, and extend their limbs.
I'm writing to encourage you to please consider introducing similar legislation this session to ban battery cages for egg-laying hens, gestation crates for pregnant pigs, and veal crates for young calves.
Such legislation would help prevent needless animal suffering, and please the majority of your constituents.
For further information, I encourage you to read Farm Sanctuary's Legislator Brief and their Resource Guide for drafting such legislation. You can find both at www.farmsanctuary.org/get_involved/alert_cruel_confinement

Thank you for your time and thoughtful consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Ms. Jadene Fourman

Asking the White House to Protect Downed Animals

Greetings Mr. President and Administration Staff,
I appreciated Mr. Obama's compassionate and responsible action to protect downed cows from being further abused in Confined Animal Feeding Operations. I am deeply concerned about other factory farm animals being excluded from these protections. Pigs, chickens, turkeys, and all other animals feel pain and emotional stress. While I strongly support humane reform for all CAFOs in the United States, I am writing today to urge the current administration to extend protection and compassionate care for all downed factory farm animals.
This issue is very important to me. I would really appreciate hearing back from the White House as soon as you are free to get back to me. Thanks so much for your attention to this key matter.
Sincerely,
Jadene Fourman

Earl Blumenauer Writes Back

Dear Ms. Fourman,

Thank you for writing me regarding H.R. 1326, "The Great Ape Protection Act". I am a co-sponsor of this legislation, which would end the use of chimpanzees in medical research and retires those currently in federally-owned medical laboratories to permanent sanctuaries.

The decision to continue to use animals such as Apes in medical research is difficult both for the medical and moral concerns. I have consistently supported legislation that requires that animals not be used in research, when other research options are available. I was a co-sponsor of the ICCVAM Authorization Act (Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Method), legislation that established, wherever feasible, guidelines, recommendations, and regulations that promote the regulatory acceptance of new and revised toxicological tests that protect human and animal health and the environment while reducing, refining, or replacing animal tests and ensuring human safety and product effectiveness. It is important to continue to reduce and replace animal tests whenever possible, while still ensuring continued safety and effectiveness of our medicine.

I'm proud to be a member of the Congressional Friends of Animals. I am a strong supporter of the Endangered Species Act and am committed to protecting both domestic and wild animals from harm. I was voted Humane Society Legislator of the Year, reflecting my strong support for legislative initiatives for animals, from banning steel jaw leg hold traps, to ending the suffering of downed animals, to preventing the cruel and inhumane practice of dog and cockfighting.

Thank you again for writing with your thoughts on animal testing and the use of Great Apes. I will follow this legislation closely and keep your thoughts in mind should it come up for a vote on the House floor.

Sincerely,
Earl Blumenauer
Member of Congress

Does Trader Joe's Source Any of Its Animal Products from CAFOs?

Hello,
I am writing to inquire about the source of Trader Joe's animal products. In particular I would like to know if TJs gets any animal products, specifically meats and milk products, from Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs).
I am alarmed at the treatment of animals in these facilities as well as the significant food safety dangers they pose. If TJs does procure some of its supply from CAFOs, I would like to strongly urge TJs to immediately replace its contracts with farmers who use humane animal rearing and slaughtering procedures, allow animals to eat green grass and breathe fresh air, see the sun, move about naturally, and receive adequate treatment if ill or injured.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter. I will gladly continue to patronize TJs and encourage my social network to do so if TJs has or makes a commitment to sustainable and humane animal product sourcing.
Sincerely,
Jadene Fourman

What Is the USDA's Responsibility Regarding CAFOs & Their Effect On the Environment?

To the USDA,
I am writing because I'm alarmed about Confined Animal Feeding Operations. The USDA is allowing animal abuse in the millions. These places brutally harm and create disease and suffering in animals used for food. Why is this allowed? I understand that there are laws for humane animal treatment that do not "cover" animals used for food, and that the USDA does not make laws. However, it is a huge food safety issue that CAFOs confine animals in their own fecal waste for extended periods. It is a serious pollution of the food supply that animals in CAFOs are fed "corn" that is not actually corn anymore, and forced medicines to try and keep them alive on the unnatural "food" they are fattened on. Infections that go untreated for the life of food animals isn't healthy as far as food production goes. Cages that do not allow natural movement do not constitute healthy and safe food production conditions. Animals not allowed to breathe dust and particulate free air, see the sun, or eat green grass are not healthy or natural, and they do not make a healthy or safe food product. Also, environmental pollution is heavy, with livestock waste pouring overland and into waterways from these facilities. Pollution on this scale affects other food sources negatively.
I feel these facts should be obvious to the USDA. I furthermore would like to hear the USDA's explanation for its inaction regarding the issues of food safety posed by CAFOs. Third, if the USDA feels that conditions in CAFOs are outside of its responsibility, I want to know what governmental or private body the USDA leaves this responsibility to.
Sincerely,
Jadene Fourman