The very idea behind American democracy is that citizens have the opportunity to make their voices heard in the action taken by our government. Now is the time to let your voices be heard. Currently the senate is facing a vote that would make major cuts to the International Affairs Budget, effecting the poor across the world. According to World Vision ACT:S website the proposed cuts “include slashing U.S. food aid programs by 41 percent, Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance funding by 67 percent, development assistance by 30 percent, and global health and childhood survival programs by 15 percent. I understand that in the midst of the financial crisis the United States is facing currently, cuts are important to balance the budget but I don’t think these cuts should endanger the lives of the poorest of the poor across the globe.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
During my internship at World Vision I learned that as little as 10 calls to your state senator or representative can make a huge difference. 10 people calling in can make the issue a priority in governmental offices. Force them to take a stand. your representatives need to know that poverty issues are important to you.
Calling in sounds frightening but don’t let fear be paralyzing. It’s as easy as calling and saying, “I’m asking Senator ________ to support the International Affairs Budget.”
You can find YOUR senator’s contact information through this link from the One Campaign.
Also click here to sign the One Campaign petition to tell senate that budget cuts could cost lives.
World Vision’s Director of Advocacy and Government Relations Bob Zacharitz on the importance of the International Affairs Budget
