Seems like a simple enough request, doesn't it? After all, most food items bear exhaustive labelling, telling us to the microgram almost, how much cholesterol, carbs, etc, etc, we're consuming.
But Monsanto and their grubby allies in the food business (and Congress) are desperate to prevent voters in Washington State from passing a simple Measure to get that information to shoppers - desperate to the tune of record numbers of Millions of dollars.
According to Food Democracy Now!, "... the Grocery Manufacturers Association is continuing to pile on millions in illegal contributions to defeat GMO labeling. Already, the opposition has smashed the record for the most amount of money raised by a ballot initiative in Washington state history with a $21 million war chest. Last week’s $3.7 million dollar contribution from the GMA and Monsanto’s additional $540,000 proves that they’re nervous about the results and that we have them on the run.
Just like last year in California, the opposition is bankrolled by out-of-state biochemical corporations and Big Food companies and they’re using $21 million dollars to blanket the airwaves with misleading and deceptive ads."
[I've blogged about GMOs before - to read the earlier posts, Please go to the Search box.]
Here's the full communique from Food Democracy Now! -
"Monsanto and the GMA are running a dirty money campaign to Kill GMO labeling - Help us fight back!
Double your impact today - for every dollar you donate Yes on 522 will receive $2 to win the fight for GMO labeling!
Dear Richard,
All that’s standing between GMO labeling and Monsanto is YOU!
At Food Democracy Now! we wanted to thank you for your incredible willingness to stand strong against the most powerful corporations on the planet and those who are desperate to try to steal our basic democratic rights all in the name of toxic profits.
As we reported yesterday, the Grocery Manufacturers Association is continuing to pile on millions in illegal contributions to defeat GMO labeling. Already, the opposition has smashed the record for the most amount of money raised by a ballot initiative in Washington state history with a $21 million war chest. Last week’s $3.7 million dollar contribution from the GMA and Monsanto’s additional $540,000 proves that they’re nervous about the results and that we have them on the run.
Just like last year in California, the opposition is bankrolled by out-of-state biochemical corporations and Big Food companies and they’re using $21 million dollars to blanket the airwaves with misleading and deceptive ads.
Yesterday, we put out a final call to raise money for Washington and we’re only $8,349 from our goal.
Anything else you chip in can help us reach our goal by the end of the day will be spent on getting out the vote in the final hours to win GMO labeling! If we win in Washington, Monsanto knows it's day of deceiving the American public are over!With your help, we can win this!
Please, Richard – don't miss this chance to have your gift matched by pitching in whatever you can.
Double your impact before time runs out - we need to hear from you today!
http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/1007?t=7&akid=1044.198452.h5iBqn
Chip in today to stop Monsanto and the GMA's lie machine. We need to hear from you today! Chip in $5.20, $52.20 or $522 or whatever you can to help win GMO labeling! Today your donation will be matched 2 to 1! Every dollar counts!
“This is the Largest Amount of Money Ever Concealed in an Election," claimed Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson. And unbelievably he’s right!
On Thursday October 24th, the GMA wrote a check to the opposition for $2.9 million dollars.Less than 24 hours later, the GMA wrote another check for $877,000
Incredibly, this illegal multi-million dollar donation comes barely a week after the Washington state attorney general’s lawsuit against the GMA, where he alleges that the lobbying front group conspired behind closed doors to illegally launder money for America's largest food companies to keep their brands safe from consumer backlash.
The GMA, and companies that it represents, like Monsanto, DuPont, Pepsi, Coke, Kraft, Kellogg’s and General Mills, have now illegally funneled more than $11 million dollars to kill GMO labeling on Washington.
We have 6 days to show the world that we’re not going to be silent and allow this to happen. The opposition has already raised more than $21 million compared to $6.4 million for the Yes on 522 campaign. At this point, every dollar we can raise can help turn out more voters to win GMO labeling!
Help us get the word out today!
What your contribution today will help accomplish:
- $5.20 will help us reach 10 voters in Washington to defeat Monsanto and the GMA's deceptive ads.
- $52.20 will help us reach 150 voters in Washington.
- $522 will help us reach 2,000 voters in Washington.
http://fdn.actionkit.com/go/1044?t=10&akid=1044.198452.h5iBqn
Monsanto and America’s big food companies already label their products in 64 other countries around the world, why not the U.S.?
Together we can overcome the opposition’s dirty tricks campaign – help put us over the top by giving what you can today!
Dave, Lisa and the Food Democracy Action! Team
Sources:
1. “No on 522 breaks fundraising record for Washington initiative campaigns”, The Seattle Times, October 28, 2013
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/1062?t=12&akid=1044.198452.h5iBqn
2. “Junk Food Lobby Forced to Disclose Donors to Its Secret 'Defense of Brand Strategic Account'”, Huffington Post, October 23, 2013
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/1060?t=14&akid=1044.198452.h5iBqn
3. “Grocers Set Cash Against Labeling: D.C.-Based Group Adds Millions More to Fight”, The Columbian, October 26, 2013
4. “Attorney General Ferguson files suit against Grocery Manufacturers Association” October 16, 2013
http://action.fooddemocracynow.org/go/1056?t=18&akid=1044.198452.h5iBqn
Food Democracy Action! is a 501(c)4 allied organization of Food Democracy Now!, focused on grassroots lobbying and legislative action.
Donations are not tax-deductible. Thank you for your support!"
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