Simple Living Works! #11 - August Digest

Simple Living Works!  #11 – August Digest

In this issue. . .

* How Voluntary Simple Living and Jubilee Economics Work Together: July Podcast

* The Practical  Side, August 1st

* Simplifying Fall Celebrations

* Free Simpler Living Videos

* Need I.T. Help?

Read e-x-p-a-n-d-e-d versions of these fascinating articles here.

How Voluntary Simple Living and Jubilee Economics Work Together: July Podcast

In The Common Good Podcast for July, Lee and Gerald find common ground in the micro-economics of voluntary simple living and the macro of Jubilee Economics.Listen or subscribe for free here. Or use iTunes (search for The Common Good Podcast). Like our podcast on Facebook here.

The Practical Side in August

In part 2 in August, Ed and Gerald go beyond the concepts to the practical. Listen or subscribe here.

We wrestle with these topics. . .

1. When do we realize that stuff has too much power in our lives? When we move! Hear the harsh reality and ways to deal with it.

2.  How can our little personal choices really have any effect on the big decisions made by governments and corporations? You may be surprised. . . and annoyed.

3. Advertising is designed to keep us dissatisfied, to make us feel that we’ll be better or more popular when we buy a particular product. How can we resist that pressure? How do we help children?

4. Will Jubilee Economics or simple living make any real difference?

When we’re through, or even while we’re still talking, you can respond easily and quickly to what we’re saying. And your ideas and comments – in your own voice! – can be part of a future ‘cast. Jubilee Economics – or JEM – is about building community that will find, develop and use economic models large and small that are sustainable on ONE Earth.

You can join this community by joining the conversation.  When an idea strikes your imagination, put the podcast on pause. Pick up your phone and call 858-480-6855.  Leave a message of up to three minutes. Or go to either of our web sites –http://Jubilee-Economics.org  or http://TheCommonGoodPodcast.com. Click the microphone in the red bar on the right of the page and record a message of up to 10 minutes using your computer’s microphone (Flash Player required.)

Or drop us email - Podcast@Jubilee-Economics.org

We’re listening.

Simplifying Fall Celebrations

Here’s help.

Join JEM

Receive blog alerts from Jubilee Economics, view simple living videos and more – all for free. Subscribe here. 

Like JEM on Facebook here.

Free Simple Living Videos

Simple Living’s recent free videos on JEM’s new YouTube channel have generated a lot of response. Dedicated to faith-based voluntary simplicity, Simple Living Works! provides many free resources for personal growth, as well as church groups. View the videos here.

More coming this fall! Plans include classic Christmas videos – Alexander Scrooge and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, plus a sing-along version ofCarols with Justice.

Need I.T. Help?

Need help with social media or anything internet? Consider Ed Lucas Social Media Services. Ed works minor miracles for Jubilee Economics and for Simple Living Works! on a regular basis. He can do the same for you personally, for your church, organization or business. No matter where you live, contact The Artist Presently Known As Ed at TAPKAE@TAPKAE.com. Very reasonable rates.

What’s Happened to Simple Living? Subscribing-Unsubscribing and other disclaimers here.

Peace,

Gerald Iversen

National Coordinator, Alternatives for Simple Living, 1995-2007

Send us your Simple Living action. Please attribute it: "For a free monthly eNewsletter, contact SimpleLivingWorks@Yahoo.com."

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Proposition 37 California Right to Know from Andrew Kang, PHP

ESSAY OF THE WEEK

Why a Major Food Organization Is Teaming Up With Monsanto and Friends to Block Your Right to Know What's in Your Food

The powerful Washington D.C.-based Grocery Manufacturer’s Association (GMA), a multi-billion dollar trade association representing America’s $1.2 trillion “Big Food” industry, has contributed $375,000 so far to defeat Prop 37, the California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act. Its members are pitching in, too, led by food conglomerates like ConAgra Foods, J.M. Smucker, Hormel Foods, Kellogg Co., Coca-Cola North America, PepsiCo. and others.

How many more thousands – or millions - of dollars will the GMA spend in its desperate attempt to keep Californians from knowing what’s in their food? And the bigger question: Why?

Read the article here

Food Week of Action and World Food Day

Sunday, October 14-21; October 16 (World Food Day)

National Day of Action September 1

Dear Friends, The prophet Isaiah proclaims God’s coming promise of well-being for human community saying “they shall not labor in vain” (Isaiah 65:17-25). And Presbyterians have been witnessing to God’s vision for work that is dignified, productive and up-building of human community through the Campaign for Fair Food. The Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program is a collaborative, working program between farmworkers, Florida growers and willing buyers to ensure that Florida tomato pickers have fair wages and working conditions. This summer has been a very active one for the Campaign for Fair Food as across the country Presbyterians have been rallying, dropping off manager’s letters when they shop at grocery chains and participating in the Chipotle day of action. Read on for how you can urge supermarkets and restaurants to make the standards ensured in this program the norm for their business. And mark your calendars for the Sept. 1 National Day of Action! Peace, The Rev. Noelle Damico PC(USA) Campaign for Fair Food Recipe for Change National Day of Action - Sept. 1 This summer, faith-based human rights organization International Justice Mission launched a summer campaign in support of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food, entitled Recipe for Change. The campaign features weekly tomato-based recipes from food justice leaders (this week’s is from Michael Pollan) and raises awareness about the continued struggle to eliminate exploitation and forced labor in Florida agriculture. Most importantly, it offers ways to take action -- including a Recipe for Change National Day of Action on September 1, which promises to be huge -- to encourage supermarket leaders Publix, Kroger, and Ahold to do their part to eradicate modern-day slavery and the conditions of poverty and powerlessness that enable it to exist by joining the Fair Food Program. Read more and plan to take part! International Day of Action at Chipotle a Success! Don’t miss the news and photo essays from the wildly successful national day of action at Chipotle Mexican Grill that became an INTERNATIONAL day of action as consumers in London fanned out to Chipotle stores across “the pond.” You can encourage Chipotle to join the Fair Food Program by sending postcards (email Noelle Damico to order), dropping off a manager’s letter at your local Chipotle restaurant, and signing this online petition to Chipotle CEO Steve Ells. Read more about how Chipotle has tried to wiggle out of committing to the Fair Food Program. → What about Kroger? With nearly 2,500 stores in 31 states under two dozen banners and annual sales of more than $70 billion, Kroger supermarket and its brands ranks as one of the nation’s largest retailers. But for years, Kroger had steadfastly refused to join the Fair Food Program. This past June, over 75 fair food supporters rallied outside Kroger’s annual meeting. Read more about Kroger’s 2012 Annual Meeting including the rally, the shareholder resolution and Kroger CEO David Dillon’s response to the question “When will Kroger seize this opportunity to mitigate human rights abuses in its supply chain?”

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | 100 Witherspoon Street | Louisville, Kentucky | 40202-1396 (800) 728-7228 | (502) 569-5000 | Website | Email

Fair Food Update Rev. Noelle Damico

Dear Friends, On Mother’s Day we remember the commandment to “honor thy father and mother” and give thanks for the many ways mothers promote well-being within families.  But farmworker mothers, who labor in the Florida fields providing food for families across America, struggle to feed their own families. You can help change this. This Mother’s Day weekend, mothers have come together — from both ends of the supply chain. Farmworker mothers and consumer mothers, bound by their universal desire to provide for their families, are uniting their voices to invite Publix Supermarket to become a part of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program.  You can support their call by signing the  “Publix: Support farmworker mothers” Petition on change.org . “On Mother's Day, we ask that you, Publix executives, recognize our affliction and the necessity of just wages for us as farmworkers, who as mothers are responsible for feeding our children," said Immokalee mother Carmen Esquivel. The Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas, a Publix customer and Presbyterian minister explains, "As a mother it is important to me that the food I put on the table is planted and harvested while maintaining farmworker dignity.  I cannot very well ask the Lord to bless the food and forget the farmworker." This Mother’s Day, pray that mothers everywhere would be treated with dignity.  And sign the petition to help make that possibility real for mothers picking in the Florida tomato fields.  Learn more about the PC(USA)’s support for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Campaign for Fair Food. The Rev. Noelle Damico Associate for Fair Food Presbyterian Hunger Program Mobile: (631) 371-9877 noelle.damico@pcusa.org https://community.pcusa.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pcusa.org%2ffairfood&srcid=7384&srctid=1&erid=6859473

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) | 100 Witherspoon Street | Louisville, Kentucky | 40202-1396 (800) 728-7228 | (502) 569-5000 | Website | Email

Dear Friends, On Mother’s Day we remember the commandment to “honor thy father and mother” and give thanks for the many ways mothers promote well-being within families.  But farmworker mothers, who labor in the Florida fields providing food for families across America, struggle to feed their own families. You can help change this. This Mother’s Day weekend, mothers have come together — from both ends of the supply chain. Farmworker mothers and consumer mothers, bound by their universal desire to provide for their families, are uniting their voices to invite Publix Supermarket to become a part of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Fair Food Program.  You can support their call by signing the  “Publix: Support farmworker mothers” Petition on change.org . “On Mother's Day, we ask that you, Publix executives, recognize our affliction and the necessity of just wages for us as farmworkers, who as mothers are responsible for feeding our children," said Immokalee mother Carmen Esquivel. The Rev. Tricia Dillon Thomas, a Publix customer and Presbyterian minister explains, "As a mother it is important to me that the food I put on the table is planted and harvested while maintaining farmworker dignity.  I cannot very well ask the Lord to bless the food and forget the farmworker." This Mother’s Day, pray that mothers everywhere would be treated with dignity.  And sign the petition to help make that possibility real for mothers picking in the Florida tomato fields.  Learn more about the PC(USA)’s support for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and the Campaign for Fair Food. The Rev. Noelle Damico Associate for Fair Food Presbyterian Hunger Program Mobile: (631) 371-9877 noelle.damico@pcusa.org https://community.pcusa.org//page.redir?target=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pcusa.org%2ffairfood&srcid=7384&srctid=1&erid=6859473

Action Alert - Presbyterian Office of Public Witness

Action Alert: House Bill (HR 4970) is NOT a real VAWA Last Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee marked up and passed the Adams (R-FL) version of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization, HR 4970.  This bill fails to live up to the bipartisan Senate-passed bill (S 1925), which provides improved protections for particularly vulnerable populations. In fact, this House bill turns back the clock on the Violence Against Women Act and is NOT a real VAWA reauthorization.   The full House is expected to vote early this week. Tell your Representative to vote NO on HR 4970 – it’s not the VAWA reauthorization we want.   The PC(USA), together with our interfaith partners, has been working to support the Senate-passed VAWA reauthorization (S 1925) and to defeat this harmful House bill that hurts and excludes certain survivors of violence from protections and access to the help and services they need. In some cases, the Adams bill gives more rights to perpetrators than to victims.   The Violence Against Women Act, enacted in 1994, recognizes the insidious and pervasive nature of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, an stalking, and it supports comprehensive, effective, and costs saving responses to these crimes. VAWA programs, administered by the Departments of Justice and Health & Human Services, give law enforcement, prosecutors, and judges the tools they need to hold offenders accountable and keep communities safe, while supporting victims.   The Senate-passed bill includes provisions that provide new protections for Native American women, immigrants, and LGBT victims. The Adams bill (HR 4970) approved by the House Judiciary committee not only fails to include these new provisions, but actually rolls back important protections, including confidentiality, for immigrant victims. In essence, this bill is picking and choosing which victims of domestic and intimate partner violence should get help.   Write to your Representative today! Tell him/her to vote NO on HR 4970- it’s not the VAWA reauthorization we want.   We applaud members of the Judiciary committee who attempted to improve the Adams bill by offering amendments (all of which failed) to include vulnerable communities, such as Native women, LGBT victims, and immigrants. Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI) even offered a substitute amendment that closely mirrors the bipartisan Senate-passed bill, but that amendment was not allowed to be considered or debated. In the end, the improving amendments were not adopted, and Committee members who stand with ALL victims of violence voted NO. Find out if your Member is on the Committee and how he/she voted below.*   Despite these disappointing results, we are not giving up. The VAWA Reauthorization is essential! Instead of the Adams bill, the PC(USA) supports HR 4271, introduced by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI) -- a bill that mirrors the bipartisan Senate-passed bill. The first step is to urge the full House to vote NO on the Adams bill, HR 4970, and to support instead HR 4271, an inclusive VAWA that is a real step forward for all victims of violence.   WE NEED TO FLOOD REPRESENTATIVES’ OFFICES WITH MESSAGES!   For more information, check out www.4vawa.org. _____ *Members who voted in favor of HR 4970 in committee: Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA), Rep.  Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep.  Darrell Issa (R-CA), Rep.  Randy Forbes (R-VA), Rep.  Steve King (R-IA), Rep.  Trent Frank (R-AZ), Rep.  Jim Jordan (R-OH), Rep.  Tim Griffin (R-AR), Rep.  Thomas Marino (R-PA), Rep.  Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Rep.  Mike Ross (R-AR), Rep.  Sandy Adams (R-FL), Rep.  Mark Amodei (R-NV)   *Members who voted against HR 4970 in committee: Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX), Ranking Member John Conyers (D-MI), Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA), Rep. JerryNadler (D-NY), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA), Rep. Pedro Pierluisi (D-PR), Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)