"the hungry don't have much of a lobby"

Ouch!  That's what I thought when I first read that (subject) line in this otherwise potent and necessary editorial in today's New York Times. 

"Excuse me, New York Times?  Is this seat taken?  Yes, this is Bread for the World, I'd like to introduce myself and some of my friends.  I like long walks in the park, romantic candlelit dinners, and playing ultimate frisbee in my free time...but unfortunately I don't have hardly any free time because all my time is taken up being a hunger lobby."

So said my prideful, bitter inner voice at first.  But then I mulled it over - in a larger sense, whether the Times' Editorial Board has an awareness of Bread for the World (or other anti-hunger lobbyists) or not, they have a point - especially when talking about the farm bill. 

It's a cruel reality that money = what political priorities get passed in...well, the history of humanity.  But human history is also rife with stories of the 'little guy' or the 'right cause' taking precedence because truth spoke to power more compellingly than money ever can (this is getting heavy and deep).  And Bread for the World and its partners often strive to influence change using tools used in the latter tradition:  faith and voice. 

The 2007 farm bill - and the "change in the nature of the debate" that's already happened this year on said bill - is one of those opportunities.  Read the editorial above - even though it's timing might seem pointless giving the "stall" we've been in the past several weeks, there are rumblings coming out of DC that the debate could be renewed any day now and a bill (chock full of opportunities for pro-reform amendments) be passed.  Which means...you guessed it - a perfect opportunity to raise your voice now and this weekend! 

Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper - the timing couldn't be better - learn how and what to say here!  Let your senators know that the hungry have a lobby.  You.