Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Support Financial Reform

We already saw what happens when we don't hold corporations, big banks and credit card companies accountable for reckless behavior: millions in lost jobs, billions in taxpayer-funded bailouts and trillions in lost retirement savings.

Now's the time Congress must finally stand up and put a check on the reckless behavior on Wall Street, close the loopholes that helped cause the financial crisis and pass strong financial reform that protects consumers.

Message

Dear [Decision Maker],
The reckless behavior of big banks on Wall Street, credit card companies, mortgage lenders and irresponsible consumers caused a financial crisis that cost Americans millions in lost jobs, billions in tax-payer funded bailouts and trillions in lost retirement savings.

I'm writing you today to ask you to support financial reform that will rein in this behavior and finally hold these corporations, big banks and individuals accountable by:

- Setting limits on pay for CEOs and executives whose companies receive government assistance;

- Cracking down on the abuses and deceptive practices of credit card companies;

- Increasing stability for small businesses; and

- Preventing predatory lenders and irresponsible borrowers from entering into loans they know cannot be paid back.

Financial reform will close the loopholes that big banks on Wall Street have taken advantage of over the past two decades, and which economists say helped cause the financial crisis.

A full 70% of voters believe America's financial system is in need of major reform. It's time to protect Americans who play by the rules, help small businesses, prevent future bailouts and job losses, and lay the foundation for a financial system that promotes stability and long-term economic growth, rather than greed and short term-profits.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]financial reform come send the letter

Mrs. M Obama and her national Campaign against Childhood Obesity

Politico Contributor
First lady Michelle Obama today is announcing a national campaign to combat the epidemic of childhood obesity through what her office calls “a comprehensive approach that builds on effective strategies, engages families and communities, and mobilizes both public and private sector resources.”
“The ‘Let’s Move’ campaign will focus on reaching a national goal of solving the childhood obesity challenge within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight,” the first lady’s office said.
The issue will be her legacy as first lady, friends said.
At 9:15 a.m. in the Oval Office, “the President will sign a memorandum on childhood obesity as part of the First Lady’s nationwide campaign to combat childhood obesity. The First Lady will attend the signing. There will be a pool spray of the signing.”
"Let's Move," a campaign against childhood obesity led by first lady Michelle Obama, is scheduled to debut today.

The program includes a pledge from 40 executives of major food producers and agribusinesses, some from the Chicago area, to help promote healthy eating.
Among the signers: Irene Rosenfeld, the CEO of Kraft Foods, based in Northfield, and Brenda C. Barnes, the CEO of the Sara Lee Corp., based in Downers Grove.

"Too many of our children are seriously overweight, and our companies stand ready to work with you to address this health crisis," they wrote in an open letter to the first lady.
In recent years, the executives noted, they "have changed the way we develop and market more than 10,000 products, reducing fat, trans fat, sugar, salt and calories without sacrificing the convenience and taste consumers demand."
The first lady is to launch her signature initiative at mid-day with six Cabinet secretaries, providing they aren't kept away as the capital digs out of a blizzard and prepares for more snow.t noon in the State Dining Room, the First Lady by members of the president's Cabinet, as well as media, sports, entertainment, and business leaders, alongside mayors, the medical community.

Participants include Tiki Barber, NBC correspondent and former New York Giants running back; Dr. Judith Palfrey, president of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Will Allen of Milwaukee, who is a leader in the effort to bring fresh produce to inner cities and urban areas; Mayors Chip Johnson of Hernando, Mississippi, and Joseph Curtatone of Somerville, Massachusetts, who are leading efforts in their communities to reduce childhood obesity; and local students, including a student from D.C.’s Bancroft elementary school, and members of the 2009 national championship Pee Wee football team -- the Watkins Hornets, from Watkins Elementary in Southeast D.C.

The administration provided these two examples of the program:

1) Parents across the nation understand the impacts of unhealthy food choices and inactivity on their child’s health, but they are often overwhelmed and confused by conflicting information or just need some tips and tools to make some simple changes that can have a big effect without creating more guilt or aggravation. The Administration, in partnership with public health professionals and the private sector, will address these issues in several ways:

--Front of Package Labeling: By the end of the year FDA will begin working with retailers and manufacturers to adopt new nutritionally sound and consumer friendly front of package labeling providing 65 million parents in America and other caregivers with easy access to the information they need to make healthy choices for their children.

--The ABA: The American Beverage Association has voluntarily committed to put a clear, uniform front of pack calorie label on all of its cans, bottles, vending and fountain machines within two years. The label will reflect total calories per container up to 20oz. and 12oz serving size in multi-serve containers. This marks an important first step in ensuring parents have the information they need to make healthier choices, but there remains much work to be done across industry.

The Charleston Gazette is a member of the Politico Network.

National League of Cities Commends First Lady's Work to Reduce Childhood Obesity

Below are the Speakers at the press conference for Michelle Obama National Campaign on Childhood Obesity

Tiki Barber speaks at First Lady's launch of childhood obesity campaign in Washington.

NBC correspondent and former NFL football player Tiki Barber speaks at an event to launch First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative "Let's Move," a campaign to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on February 9, 2010.

Judith Palfrey speaks at First Lady's launch of childhood obesity campaign in Washington.

Dr. Judith Palfrey, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, speaks at an event to launch First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative "Let's Move," a campaign to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on February 9, 2010.

Michelle Obama Discusses Surgeon General's Report On Obesity
Event on Obesity with First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama

Will Allen

Chief Executive Officer

Food Justice in the City :: Will Allen takes on an Urban Food Desert

Growing Power Will Allen , CEO

Mayor Hernando speaks at First Lady's launch of childhood obesity campaign in Washington.

Mayor Chip Johnson of Hernando, Mississippi, speaks at an event to launch First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative "Let's Move," a campaign to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on February 9, 2010.

Chip Johnson Mayor of Hernando Miss.
Mayhor to share stage with First Lady

Mayor Curtatone speaks at First Lady's launch of childhood obesity campaign in Washington.

Mayor Joseph Curtatone, of Somerville, Massachusetts, speaks at an event to launch First Lady Michelle Obama's initiative "Let's Move," a campaign to combat the childhood obesity epidemic, in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington on February 9, 2010. .