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At a time when America is facing an obesity epidemic, crushing debt and a weak economy, billions of taxpayer dollars are subsidizing junk food ingredients. In this report, we find that in 2011, over $1.28 billion in taxpayer subsidies went to junk food ingredients, bringing the total to a staggering $18.2 billion since 1995. To put that figure in perspective, $18.2 billion is enough to buy 2.9 billion Twinkies every year - 21 for every single American taxpayer.
Olympia, WA — Federal subsidies for commodity crops are subsidizing junk food additives like high fructose corn syrup, enough to pay for 21 Twinkies per taxpayer every year, according to WashPIRG’s new report, Apples to Twinkies 2012. Meanwhile, limited subsidies for fresh fruits and vegetables would buy one half of an apple per taxpayer.
Doctors, nurses, and public health officials agree: carbon pollution spewing from power plants fuels global warming, which threatens our health through dirtier air. Left unchecked, the deterioration of air quality triggers asthma attacks, heart attacks and other fatal diseases.
Want to join the fight to make textbooks affordable? Download this resource for everything you need to know to organize the textbooks campaign on your campus.
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Tell Congress: Don't Double Our Rates
On July 1, student loan interest rates on federal student loans will double, driving up loan costs for 8 million students by $1,000 per loan.
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JOBS FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
If you are ready to dig in and start solving the problems that confront our country, consider a job with U.S. PIRG.
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JOIN OUR TEAM OF INTERNS AND VOLUNTEERS
Meet new people, get involved in your community, learn important skills, and make a difference.
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A crash course in effective citizenship.
Get the basic tools necessary to run strong campaigns and service projects and win reforms both on and off campus for students and the public interest.
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YOUNG PEOPLE TURN OUT TO VOTE
Young people turned out to vote in big numbers in 2012 bucking predictions of decreased engagement.
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