CALL TO ACTION #819: Trump Cuts Food Stamps; Cruelty is the Point (December 10, 2019)


328 Days

Until the 2020 Election


TRUMP CUTS FOOD STAMPS

CRUELTY IS THE POINT


Trump’s Agriculture Secretary, Sonny Perdue, announced last week that starting next April, the government will end food assistance for more than 650,000 people in extreme poverty, including 19,000 in Oregon District 2. 

Where’s Walden? Job hunting.

Once known as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) currently supports 36.4 million people. The change targets able-bodied, adults under 50 without children. They will be required to work at least 20 hours a week. It makes no exceptions if they live in areas with few job opportunities or are providing unreimbursed care for needy family members.

Taking away nutritional assistance will save the federal government under $5.5 billion over five years. By comparison, Trump’s tax giveaway to the nation’s wealthiest totaled $1.5 TRILLION. Trump is also sending $14 billion to farmers to offset the damage of his trade war. Public assistance for the poor has long been a target of conservatives as Perdue made clear in announcing the change. “(G)overnment dependency has never been the American dream,” he said.

However, one poll found 58% of likely 2020 voters from both parties strongly support the SNAP program. Only 11% in the poll wanted cuts. Advocates for the poor called the move cruel, immoral and counterproductive. The change will also impose a greater burden on non-profits helping to feed the poor.

Save, Rebuild the Safety Net!

Stop the Cruelty!

Impeach and Remove Trump!


**ACTION ONE: CALL OUR SENATORS**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR SENATORS MERKLEY AND WYDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today . . . 

. . . because I support Trump’s impeachment. I am also shocked that Trump will take away food stamps from more than 650,000 impoverished people who are already identified as “food insecure.” It will increase pressure on food banks, which are overstretched. This is raw cruelty and it will exacerbate health burdens of those living in extreme poverty.

Thank you.”

SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY

Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129
https://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/

 

SENATOR RON WYDEN

Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact/

 


**ACTION TWO: CALL COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN**

SAMPLE SCRIPT FOR WALDEN:

“My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [town/city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling today . . . 

. . . because I support Trump’s impeachment. I am also shocked that Trump will take away food stamps from more than 650,000 impoverished people—19,000 of them in Greg Walden’s districtwho are already identified as “food insecure.” It will increase pressure on food banks, which are overstretched. This is raw cruelty and it will exacerbate the health burdens of those living in extreme poverty.

Through his actions and inactions, Greg continues to signal his full support for trumpism, regardless of how much damage Trump is doing to our democracy and to world stability. Know that we are still here and will continue working to flip ORD2 Blue in 2020.

Thank you.”

COMPLICIT GREG WALDEN

DC (202) 225-6730, Medford: (541) 776-4646
Bend (541) 389-4408, La Grande (541) 624-2400
https://walden.house.gov/contact-greg/email-me


**ACTION THREE: BE AN ACTIVIST**

Visit the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar on a regular basis to keep updated on local activities. Participate with us as often as you can. We also encourage you to submit events to be added to the ORD2 Indivisible Event Calendar and help us keep current with our event postings. https://ord2indivisible.org/submit-your-event/

Impeach Now! Gathering and Demonstration – Medford
December 12 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/impeach-now-gathering-and-demonstration-medford-3/

Postcardia – Wallowa County
December 10 @ 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/postcardia-wallowa-county-6/

Non-ORD2 Indivisible Sponsored Event: Town Hall – Jamie McLeod-Skinner for Secretary of State – Medford
December 15 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/non-ord2-indivisible-sponsored-event-town-hall-jamie-mcleod-skinner-for-secretary-of-state-medford/

Impeach and Remove Rally – Medford and Grants Pass
Date To Be Determined: The evening prior to the vote to impeach.
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/impeach-and-remove-rally-medford/
https://ord2indivisible.org/event/impeach-and-remove-rally-grants-pass/


ORD2 Indivisible 2020 Fundraising Campaign

As we approach what will be the most important election of our lifetimes, ORD2 Indivisible wants to be in a secure financial position to help engage as many voters in our district in the election process as possible. To accomplish this goal we are conducting the ORD2 Indivisible 2020 fundraising campaign. Click on the image below to donate.

 

To make a donation by check, please make the check payable to ORD2 Indivisible and mail to:
ORD2 Indivisible
P.O. Box 1242, Phoenix, OR 97535


ORD2 Indivisible is partnering with Jobs With Justice Southern Oregon and Washington Federal Bank to gather warm adult clothing for the homeless. We are also asking for tarps, throw blankets and sleeping bags.

Please donate generously!


SOURCES:

New York Times, Dec. 4, 2019: “Hundreds of Thousands Are Losing Access to Food Stamps”  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/04/us/politics/food-stamps.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Washington Post, Dec. 9, 2019: “The massive triumph of the rich, illustrated by stunning new data”     https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/09/massive-triumph-rich-illustrated-by-stunning-new-data/

Washington Post, Dec. 5, 2019: “Certain tweaks could boost the workforce. Cutting food stamps is not one of them.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/certain-tweaks-could-boost-the-workforce-cutting-food-stamps-is-not-one-of-them/2019/12/05/48d91864-178b-11ea-a659-7d69641c6ff7_story.html

USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Dec. 4, 2019: “USDA Restores Original Intent of SNAP: A Second Chance, Not A Way of Life” https://www.fns.usda.gov/pressrelease/usda-019619

Time Magazine, Dec. 6, 2019: “How Trump’s New Food Stamp Rule Could Impact Nearly 700,000 Vulnerable Americans”     https://time.com/5744647/trump-food-stamps-rule/

Oregonian, Dec. 7, 2019: “19,000 Oregonians will lose food stamp benefits under new Trump rules”   https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2019/12/19000-oregonians-will-lose-food-stamp-benefits-under-new-trump-rules.html

NBC News, Dec. 7, 2019: “Trump’s new SNAP rules threaten a food stamps program that is an American success story”   https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/trump-s-new-snap-rules-threaten-food-stamps-program-american-ncna1097296