Take Action Now! 

In the British Medical Journal December 2004 (1), a strong relationship was shown between democracy and health. As citizens in a democracy, we believe in our right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness", yet our daily experience of health is being eroded by irresponsible governmental decisions allowing our bodies to be slowly poisoned by unregulated industrial pollution.

Do you as a citizen believe that it is your right to breathe clean air? drink clean water?  know what is being added to the foods you eat? The Bush administration is dismantling decades of environmental and health protections.  These decisions leave us increasingly more vulnerable.

1. Recent studies have shown that the costs of pharmaceutical drugs have doubled since 2000, a giveaway to the drug industry that makes it virtually impossible for a majority of Americans to access medicines they need. Ironically, many of our chronic health issues are a result of irresponsible industrial pollution, making us "Fat, Fuzzy, Frazzled" (2) or worse! The Bush administration has taken steps to make it more difficult for us to know which toxins are being added to our food, and which hormone-altering chemicals are being released into our air and water.
2. Government support of industrial pollution is at an all-time high.  Not coincidentally, so is the occurrence of metabolic disorders, including diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, cancer, heart disease, and a variety of auto-immune illnesses. For an administration that opposes assisted suicide and abortion, it is ironic that fetal damage and decreased longevity are a direct result of their decisions!

What Can We Do?

As concerned citizens we must demand government accountability, insist that every vote be fairly counted and take positive action starting at the local level. Below are a few suggestions:

1. Pay attention to scientific and health issues in your community including decisions about hospitals, freedom of choice in health care and even discussions about fluoride (an industrial pollutant being promoted despite its harmful effects).
2. Write letters to the editor regarding issues of health and safety at the local and national levels.
3. "Bloom where you're planted!" Become more informed and outspoken with friends, loved ones and co-workers on issues that affect our collective wellbeing. Organize!

There is strength in numbers - consider joining such groups as: Canaryclub.org, Global Footprint Network , and others created to help you maintain greater health.

As Thomas Jefferson told us "Eternal vigilance is the price of democracy".

Lynn Larkin, Concerned Citizen
Karilee Shames, PhD, RN, Advance Practice Holistic Nurse

BMJ 2004;329:1421-1423 (18 December), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7480.1421
(2) Feeling Fat, Fuzzy or Frazzzled? (Hudson St. Press, NY2005)