Gmail - UNDERNEWS OCT 31 T

The Problem, Fewer people can afford to feed themselves and their families since Bush took office.

HUNGER IN AMERICA UP 43% IN PAST FIVE YEARS SCIENCE DAILY - Hunger in American households has risen by 43 percent over the last five years, according to an analysis of US Department of Agriculture) data. The analysis, completed by the Center on Hunger and Poverty at Brandeis University, shows that more than 7 million people have joined the ranks of the hungry since 1999. The USDA report, Household Food Security in the United States, 2004, says that 38.2 million Americans live in households that suffer directly from hunger and food insecurity, including nearly 14 million children. That figure is up from 31 million Americans in 1999. California, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma and South Carolina all have food insecurity and hunger rates that are significantly higher than the national average. The lone bright spot in the nation is Oregon. Once considered to have the worst hunger in the country, Oregon has shown significant decreases in food insecurity and hunger since 1999-2001. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051029093925.htm

So, what does the GOP do? Show some of that 'Compassionate Conservatism' we heard so much about (but have not seen)? No apparently a 43% increase in hunger isn't big enough. Apparently they want more hunger. (I suppose it builds character or something).

GOP MOVES TO SLASH FOOD STAMPS, SCHOOL LUNCHES LIBBY QUAID, ASSOCIATED PRESS - The House Agriculture Committee approved budget cuts Friday that would take food stamps away from an estimated 300,000 people and could cut off school lunches and breakfasts for 40,000 children. The action came as the government reported that the number of people who are hungry because they can't afford to buy enough food rose to 38.2 million in 2004, an increase of 7 million in five years. The number represents nearly 12 percent of U.S. households. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/food_farm_programs

And just in case cutting school lunches and food stamps does not do the trick...

SENATE VOTES DOWN FIRST MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN EIGHT YEARS HELEN THOMAS, HEARST NEWS - U.S. senators -- who draw salaries of $162,100 a year and enjoy a raft of perks -- have rejected a minimum wage hike from $5.15 an hour to $6.25 for blue-collar workers. The proposed increase was sponsored by Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and turned down in the Senate by a vote of 51 against the boost and 49 in favor. . . All the Democrats voted for the wage boost. All the negative votes were cast by Republicans. Four Republicans voted for it. Three of the four are running for reelection and were probably worried about how voters would react if they knew that their well-heeled senators had turned down a pittance of an increase in the salaries of the lowest paid workers in the country. The minimum wage was last increased in 1997. http://www.wesh.com/helenthomas/5183628/detail.html

But some of our politicians do know right from wrong an feel obligated to do something about it...

LABOR -- ADMINISTRATION REVERSES DAVIS-BACON SUSPENSION: In the immediate wake of Hurricane Katrina, President Bush issued an executive order to suspend the 1931 Davis-Bacon Act, which requires federal contractors to pay at least the prevailing wages in the area where the work is being conducted. Yesterday, the administration reversed course, announcing it will reinstate the Davis Bacon rules on November 8. The shift comes days after Rep. George Miller (D-CA) announced that he would use an obscure law to force a congressional vote on the act's suspension early next month. Miller had strong bipartisan support, and was likely to win the vote. He cheered the White House reversal yesterday: "This wage cut was a mistake from the beginning and never should have been ordered. But today's news is a victory for workers in the Gulf Coast and all over America."

Even though the president tries to screw us over via executive order (which doesn't require a vote) a Representative finds the loophole that restores democracy. Thank you Rep. George Miller.