Franklin McCain Dies, Part of Greensboro Four

Franklin McCain, who, with three other college students, helped touch off the American civil rights movement, has died of respiratory ailments. He was 73. The Greensboro Four sat down at a Woolworth's lunch counter, knowing that they would not be served, The Washington Post reports.

The four were college freshmen at the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina, and included Mr. McCain, his roommate, David Richmond, and their friends Ezell Blair Jr. and Joseph McNeil when they sat at the Woolworth's lunch counter on Feb. 1, 1960.

To read the entire article, click here.

House Approves Cut In Food Stamp Spending - How Did Your Elected Officials Vote?

In a vote that will adversely affect those relying on food stamps, House Republicans approved "a sweeping overhaul to the nation's food stamp program." The cuts would take $39 billion from the program, thus cutting aid to approximately 4 million people over the next few years, The Washington Post reports.

House Majority Leader Eric I. Cantor (R-Va.) orchestrated strategy to separate funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, of food stamps, from the farm bill. While Cantor acknowledged that many food stamp recipients need assistance, the cuts are required because many people "choose to abuse the system," adding "...[I]t's wrong for hard-working middle-class Americans to pay for that."

Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) stated that the stiffer work requirements would mean "you can no longer sit on your couch...and expect the federal tax payer to feed you."

The House voted 217 to 210.

So, who voted for and against the food stamp bill? Click here for The Washington Post's article on how the vote went.

Unhappy with how your representative voted? Call his or her office, make your voice heard, and remember to vote...