Unfortunately, we no longer live in the world that they taught us about in school. You know, the one where government works logically, transparently and we have three branches of government? It’s now a myth, however, a lot of history is still made by those who show up instead of those who sit and watch the latest Reality TV show and let the real reality go down the drain along with their children’s future.
On the right to eat food of our choice, we simply cannot sit and wait for someone else to take care of the issue for us. When they passed PL111-353, the language from S. 510, your right to eat became a permission from the federal agencies who proclaim that they are protecting us.
Sedgwick, Maine passed a local food ordinance that is excellent model legislation. This action should inspire the rest of us to take a serious interest in securing access for ourselves and others to the most basic of all necessities, that being food that actually has nutritive qualities and procuring this type of food from people who eat what they produce and take pride in their products….It also preserves the ability of those producing food to stay on the land that makes all of this possible. However, since this is law, you want to be certain to pick your words very, very carefully.
I will post links and more specific materials later, but for now, I ask that you steel yourself to become an advocate and activist for the most basic of human rights….The right to eat.
People Are People
It isn’t difficult to speak with elected officials, they are only people, just like you. They can’t be expected to know something if they have never come across it before, and just like you want to be spoken to with common courtesy, you need to speak with them in the same fashion. But first you need to understand the power structure in your locale. If you live in a city, you will likely have alderman, or some similar form of city government. You need to look in the phone book under the name of your city to find your City Hall, and then the Clerk can tell you who is your representative. If you are rural, you generally have less bureaucracy to contend with, and may deal with Commissioners or a Board of Supervisors. Again, a call to the Clerk (likely the County Clerk) will clarify whom you need to speak with.
Once you find out who it is that represents you, you then need to call and schedule an appointment to speak with them on this issue. Have documentation for your position, and do your homework to be able to answer questions. If you do NOT know the answer to a particular question, simply admit it, and make note of the question and tell them you will do your best to find the answer and get back with them on their query. Make certain that you are good to your word.
Employing the scriptural method of going by twos is a good practice. If you have a friend or associate who also has a passion for life and for freedom, ask for their help, and go as a team. Do not go as a gang into your first meeting with your elected representative! No one likes to be ganged up on, and no more than four should visit a representative on this type of visit. It also makes it difficult to stay on topic if you have too many people and you want to be certain that you are concise, clear and capable of articulating what you desire. This is where background material to leave with the rep is helpful for both of you. You use it as an outline for your request, and leave it with them to look over at their leisure. Be sure to include some contact information for yourself on the materials you leave.
Once you have articulated your desire and (hopefully) secured either their commitment to help or an interest in the subject, you should set a date to contact them again to either answer questions or move the issue forward.
Your questions should center around the process to be followed to bring a food freedom ordinance, or resolution (whichever is strongest) into being. Ask the elected official to explain the process to you if you are unsure of it, and always remember that they are indeed, just people. They have a duty to tend to the business of your locale and also to protect your rights, and if given the facts, one hopes they are a decent sort of person! You will know before too long.
I will post more links throughout the next 24 hours, and it’s my hope that this is encouraging and helpful to those who haven’t yet become involved in local government in the effort to preserve freedom…..Comments are welcome!
Truth Farmer 