Naomi Bar-Yam Ph.D.wrote:
Well said Jennifer. So what do we do to get DHHS to stand by the
original advertising campaign?  The letter writing campaign didn't seem
to work.

Hi Naomi,
     Let's not say it "didn't work" - yet.  What's needed is a veritable flurry of letters, even short ones, that show support for the original text of the Ad campaingn and deplored the watering down of it. Formal letters, with scientific references appended, need to be sent as well - but a deluge of mail supportive of keeping the original text should get the message to politicians, community leaders and people at the political end of the AAP that ordinary citizens have a voice, and cashed-up companies are a minority with too much clout.  With elections coming up, an avalanche of mail from grassroots voters is going to get elected officials feeling nervous. It doesn't hurt to target, especially, candidates in areas where the vote looks like being close, and to target candidates from both parties.
    These people are aware (as is the media also) that for every person who writes there are 50 who had the same opinion but didn't write.  If the first wave of letters doesn't work, just keep on writing.  But *do* point out that a) the Ad Council ads were *scientifically based* and that b) claims that they aren't seem to come largely from vested interests.  If you win in the US, you'll show the rest of us the way.  If you lose, it's going to be harder to stand up to commercial pressures elsewhere.
    "People power" can work - there just needs to be enough of it.  Five women sitting round a table and writing four letters each, means 20 letters.  500 such groups of five or so people across the country doing the same means 10,000 letters.  Add to that individuals writing letters on their own.  Perhaps that still is not enough, and so every one willing to write needs to be encouraged to.  If letters are faxed as well as mailed, that should make sure they arrive quickly.  "People power" works when people decide they are not going to give up.
    There used to be an ad for house paint here in Australia, that stated, "B----- Paints keep on keeping on."  I think that makes a good motto!
    Virginia
    Feeling charged up with energy after a good long walk!

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