'Tell Washington to Stop Playing with Food Aid'

Oxfam America today released a very clever video urging Congress to make some changes to agriculture legislation to make food aid programs more effective.

Here is what Oxfam America says about its campaign:

This is a call-to-action for Americans to speak up and tell their members of Congress that we’re sick of these special interest giveaways that cost lives and tax dollars. Thousands have already signed our petition calling for reform. The push is part of Oxfam's GROW campaign to tackle the politics behind hunger.  We grow enough food on this planet to ensure everyone has enough to eat, but political obstacles, like unnecessary food aid regulations, get in the way.

Life-saving food aid represents a tiny fraction, just .05 percent, of the federal budget. Yet every year, millions of dollars end up in the pockets of special interest groups instead of helping to feed hungry people.

And here's the pitch:

Right now Washington is playing with our global food aid programs, with regulations that protect special interests at the expense of hungry people. These regulations cost taxpayers up to $500 million per year. It’s time to put an end to the wasteful special interest deals by reforming food aid programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. If we cut the red tape we can reach up to 17 million more people with life-saving aid at no additional cost to taxpayers. Save millions more lives, without spending a dime. It’s a no-brainer.