My sister Angel and I do not have a lot in common. But we have a bond strengthened by shared experiences and her three perfect daughters. Angel was the sole provider for her family until she was injured. That injury and subsequent unemployment put her family in a scary situation. Since then, she has used food stamps to fill in the gaps that temporary employment and family cannot fill. She has done more with less than anyone I have ever seen. And she isn’t alone. Republicans point to the hysterical caricatures of “lazy, surfer dude, moochers” as the typical food stamp recipient. But you’ve met a few of the 4,000 DFA members that shared their experiences of food stamps already — Sharon, Dan and Tesha. We know that this can happen to anyone. Busting the myth behind Republican stereotypes about food stamps is central to flipping the frame around the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (which administers food stamps) before Congress votes on potentially devastating cuts to SNAP. One way to do that is by sharing stories from our friends, family, neighbors and others over social media. We need to change the conversation about food stamps in America. That’s why several DFA members who have been on food stamps have courageously shared their experiences and photos with us. Please click here to read and share their stories with your friends on Facebook. So many of the stories shared with us expressed shame for using the program. There is no shame is receiving help and there is no honor in suffering. Millions of families face food insecurity everyday. Folks like David I., a son and brother from Palmyra, Tennessee, who shared his experience with us, along with more than 4,000 other DFA members who sent us their survival stories:

“My father passed away in 2005 and my older brother got laid off from a very good job he had held for 6 years. He had to take a minimum wage job when he had been making 60k. I also had a minimum wage job and was taking care of my disabled mother. We needed food stamps until my brother and I got better jobs several years later.”

People like David and their families are why this program matters. Let’s make sure they don’t get caught up in Republican hysterics. Click here to read the stories of these courageous food stamp recipients and share their stories on Facebook to help beat back the stereotypes used to justify cuts to the SNAP program. Even though their family is struggling now, thanks to a determined mother and SNAP, I know my nieces have bright futures ahead. As I watched my eldest niece practice her signature, I couldn’t help but think that she could one day be signing bills in the Oval Office. Whether she becomes President, an electrician or something else entirely, her future shouldn’t be jeopardized by Republican hysterics and ignorance. By changing the narrative, we’ll make sure it won’t. Thank you for all you do. — Monique
Monique Teal, Campaign Manager Democracy for America

Problems with Tobacco Products? Tell FDA

 Kellogg’s Company: Reinstate Memphis Employee Health and Life Insurance Benefits

American consumers may not have noticed that there are fewer Kellogg’s products on their local grocer’s shelves.  If they haven’t noticed yet, it will soon be obvious because warehouse quantity is running low, as the company has locked out employees at its Memphis, TN plant since October 22nd.
The news shared here has been reported in various local Memphis markets.  What has NOT been reported is that Kellogg’s has cancelled all of the Memphis employees’ health and life insurance benefits.  To clarify for the Change.org audience, Memphis workers have no health or life insurance at this time. Scheduled surgeries and appointments were cancelled.  That means employees with severe conditions no longer have access to refills on medications and can’t see their physicians.  Individuals badly in need of surgeries and chemo treatments are going into the Christmas season praying for miracles.

In an effort to illegally force union workers to change the 50+ year old Master Union Agreement, Kellogg’s locked out its own employees.  Based in Battle Creek, MI, Kellogg’s is trying to replace their current employees with “casual part-time” employees”.  This would mean less pay and fewer benefits. The company had been planning this lockout for over a year…called “The Special K project”.  It had already laid off 70 employees in early April of this year. If Kellogg’s  gets what they want, what is to stop them from permanently firing their regular workers and keeping these new “casual” employees?

A spokesperson for Kellogg’s says that the current costs of the Memphis plant are putting the company as a competitive disadvantage in a “tough cereal category”.  However, that disadvantage didn’t stop the company from acquiring Pringles for $2.7B cash in February 2012. Nor has it restricted $6.5M (total package) compensation for CEO John A. Bryant.  In fact, his pay increased by 7.7% in 2012, with a performance bonus of a mere $1.1M.  Imagine what his bonus will be if he’s successful in hiring new employees with fewer benefits and less pay.

Sign the petition and show Kellogg’s that they may be one of the global big ten brands, but they can’t treat people this way.
Vist their Facebook page and let them know how you feel.
Boycott all Kellogg’s products until they decide that treating their workers with simple compassion and human dignity is the right thing to do.
Negotiations don’t need to make workers suffer!

Kellogg’s Owned Products

• Crispix
• Crunch Mania
• Corn Flakes
• Froot Loops
• Frosted Mini Wheats
• Fruity Snacks
• Kellogg’s All Bran
• Kellogg’s Apple Jacks
• Kellogg’s Cinabon
• Kellogg’s Corn Pops
• Kellogg’s Cracklin Oat Bran
• Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut
• Kellogg’s Eggo
• Kellogg’s Fiber Plus
• Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes
• Kellogg’s Honey Smacks
• Kellogg’s Krave
• Kellogg’s Low Fat Granola
• Kellogg’s Nutri Grain
• Kellogg’s Raisin Bran
• Kellogg’s Rice Krispies
• Kellogg’s Scooby Doo Cereal
• Kellogg’s Smart Start
• Kellogg’s Special K
• Kellogg’s To Go
• Mueslix
• Pop Tarts
• Pringles
• Product 19
• Smorz