Greetings!
A few issues combine this month to illustrate ways our society is damaged. We are systematically being deprived of the information we need to function as a democracy. To people who don’t know that Social Security isn’t broken, draconian cuts intended to “save” it may make sense. To people who don’t know where their food comes from, they can’t make the choice NOT to buy the GMO “Frankenfoods” that profit corporations like Monsanto. Informed citizens are critical and democracy no longer seems to function when it comes to making laws…
Inability to get vital information caused Washington’s initiative 522 to fail. 522 would have required labeling of GMO products so consumers could make informed decisions about what they eat. It looked like 522 was headed for a win when it started, but money talks. Opponents dumped $20.1 million into the campaign (.003% came from in-state contributions) against supporters’ $7 million (22% came from in-state contributions), and the measure was defeated 55-45. It’s too late to do anything about it now, but we’re still left with the (now less informed) choice of what to eat. Our Health Notes this month may be helpful. People who know the food industry, from cancer researchers to biotech specialists, will tell you what foods they avoid. It’s not the comprehensive information we need, but maybe it’s the best information we can get.
KPOJ was Portland’s sole Progressive talk station before it was unceremoniously closed three days after Obama’s re-election. In “Little Beirut”, KPOJ was the only outlet for Progressive thought in a sea of conservative noise, and with its voice silenced PDX is left with Limbaugh, Hannity, Michael Berry, and even less talented shills to learn about the issues that affect our lives every day. KPOJ, like every other broadcast entity in America, is licensed to “broadcast in the public interest” and faces license renewal in 2014. In this Information Age nothing is more “in the public interest” than an open exchange of relevant information, but despite KPOJ stifling this flow their license will be renewed. I think this is too important an issue to just let it slide by quietly, so I’m asking you to help raise awareness on the issue. We have started a petition against the license renewal, and I hope you will join me in this easy way to make our voices heard.
Laws are no longer written by our representatives, and government barely even pretends that our opinion matters anymore. Thomas Jefferson said “information is the currency of democracy”, but that’s only important if democracy matters. If the decisions are being made in the interest of private profit rather than public good, than an informed citizenry isn’t important… it’s a hindrance. In current politics, informed citizens aren’t viewed as an asset… they’re nettlesome.
