The bad news is…after a lot of grueling work, we narrowly lost CA’s Prop 37 to label genetically modified foods. It may have been the easiest chance we’ll ever have had in our lifetimes to deal a blow so large to Monsanto and the agri-chem giants. Their endless budgets, government ties, and routinely-employed top lobbying firms are notoriously impossible to touch. What happened?
- The largest chemical companies on the planet put $45 million of pocket change into the anti-37 campaign to keep their GMOs a secret—against the $6 million we raised.
- The No on 37 campaign committed act after act of fraudulent, unlawful advertising, voter manipulation, and impersonation. And of course, there were questionable ballot mishaps.
- Most people will buy hot shit off the sidewalk if it’s marketed right. Voters were spoonfed an opinion and ate up every steamy bite.
- Most every media host I heard that briefly mentioned 37—both right and left—gave more air to opposition claims than to the Prop’s facts.
- People don’t read. The information on the sample ballot and on http://www.Yeson37.org was simple and clear.
- People don’t vote. Voters are still a minority amongst America’s 300 million people.
While we are sickened by the results, as activists, we’ve got to keep it moving (though it took a yoga class and a lot of breathing this morning to even begin to feel that way). See, Justin and I weren’t fighting for information we need ourselves—we already know what we’re eating. We were fighting for info we believe everyone has a right to know. But if people don’t want free knowledge, then let them eat GMO cake and suffer the very real and inevitable consequences. We’re moving forward. Who’s with us?
We’re ever-committed to getting GMOs labeled. But we’re ever-more committed to rewarding the tried-and-truly committed: non-GMO/organic farmers, restaurants, food and product manufacturers. The next best move is to focus on voluntary “NON-GMO” labeling for companies who supported 37, rather than trying to get non-supporters to comply with a “GMO” label.
Monsanto can stop our Prop, but they can’t stop our purchases. So vote with your dollars. Occupy your mouth.
To continue supporting the movement, visit www.CaRightToKnow.org
Tags: #carighttoknow, #yeson37, CA Prop 37, GMO, Monsanto, organics
November 7, 2012 at 12:33 pm |
So sad it never got passed it would have been a great start! But yes we still have the right to put only in our mouth what we chose so baby the educated ones that care will do just that as we try to educate the rest!
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