This last election showed the effect uncontrolled money can have on our Democracy. Vast sums of money were spent to sway voters, and truth in advertising was noticeably absent. Money flowed into elections from out of state, from corporations, and special interests. People should only be able to contribute to campaigns where they are able to vote for the candidate.

"The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) shields the gun industry even when it makes guns that are unnecessarily dangerous and sells them recklessly" Most other manufacturers can be brought to change through legal means if they refuse to do it on their own. Think air bags and seat belts.

Growing up in the 1990s, I was an over-acheiver - same as hundreds of thousands of other Americans who worked hard to attain an advanced degree. I took out federal loans without batting an eyelash because there was no other way to pay for my public university education. Now, more than a decade after earning my BA, I am saddled with crushing student loan debt. As 30-somethings, we can stimulate the economy if our debt was eliminated or lessened. We could buy houses, have weddings, go on vacation, make investments, start businesses, and have children. Right now, we are drowning in a sea of endless payments that make those dreams hard to reach.

Big Banks are not modifying mortgages as agreed upon. Only a small percentage of struggling homeowners are receiving permanent modifications.

in a democracy we depend on information to allow us to make our decisions. Fox news has demonstrated that they habitually distort facts to further their own agenda. Let's remove this impediment to our mutual good

Tim Moffitt (R-NC House) is chairing a committee to make it state law that the states larger cities lose control over their water systems and have it incorporated into the Sewerage Departments. The effort by the state legislature is to simply turn over the ownership without any compensation to the City of Asheville, NC, stating that the system is "owned by it's customers". If that be the case then that can be said about every "utility" in the United States. Does Tim Moffitt think his constituents are so dull as to just take him at his word on matters so greatly affecting the citizens of Asheville/Buncombe County? The City of Asheville, NC hired an independent firm to study this and it shows the system is worth at least $177 million. Another estimate shows a value of $55 million. Is the new republican-controlled NC House attempting to eventually privatize these system and then sell them off to private contractors which would net the State a staggering sum into it's coffers? Tim Moffitt (R), chairman of the "Committee" says there is no plan to privatize these systems, but where there is a sum of money that could amount to BILLIONS in the future, you simply cannot trust a politician's "promise". Rep. Tim Moffitt says this move would save the system $10 million in operating costs. That is a ridiculous statement since his next statement is that there will be no change in personnel. Moving this department to another department and having no personnel changes cannot possibly result in a $10 million savings. The two systems have different requirements in personnel and equipment and cannot be somehow combined - unless water supply and water discharge are one-in-the-same. As I remember, these are handled by different "plumbing". I'm sure attempted takeovers by state governments on municipalities probably have been tried before. What is the true bottom line loss to local municipalities if the state takes over sewage systems, which "discharge liquids" into rivers in our state? When a system discharge into a body of water is determined by the "state" (which controls and enforces this law) to be handled improperly, it opens the door to the state "taking over" the system, thus taking ownership. At that point, and with a stroke of the pen by deceitful state politicians, the systems, now consolidated, can be sold to private parties, with the simple overused explanation that the private sector can do it "cheaper", and the State is the recipient of a substantial amount of money, as I said before, Billions. It would take several years to accomplish these manipulations since the legislature first has to "capture" the water systems and roll them into a system that they can takeover, but the outcome of recent elections now shift control of the NC House to the republicans for the first time in twenty years and they certainly have no intention of losing it next election.

The gun and arms lobby is now trying to silence their critics! Show them and the world that their bully tactics no longer work

Ownership has privilege and the ownership of American media by 5 or 6 media monopolies has narrowly focused the attention of the TV and radio industry using our public airwaves on a small, thin population band of young white men between the ages of 18 and 25. Most of this media is right wing and attempts to have a more diverse political media have been reversed by large industry owners switching left or politically moderate radio talk stations into sports coverage only. At least four or five left wing talk stations on the West Coast have been switched to sports radio focusing on the 18-25 white male demographic by the industry monopolies who appear to have absolute ownership of our public airwaves. Women, minorities and those who hold political views that are not extreme right wing are shut out.

"If it's crazy to call for armed officers in our schools to protect our children, then call me crazy," LaPierre said defiantly. "I think the American people think it's crazy not to do it. It's the one thing that would keep people safe." If this is what The National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre truly believes then there is something totally wrong with the NRA. Like Piers Morgan says "unbelievably stupid man."! This is a horrendous representation of Americans. To have armed officers, security officers and teachers with guns in our schools. Imagine going to the movies only to have armed security patrolling the isles, a basketball or football game, even the local mall when you approach the cashier behind them an armed officer. Isn't this why our ancestors came to America to get away from this. Isn't this why many come to America today to live getting away from this very thing. If the VP of the NRA strongly feels this way send him to Afgahnastan, Iraq or South Africa. We need to stand strong against such mindless, reckless people like LaPierre and the NRA needs to impeach him!

As a volunteer attorney, I'm trying to help two different families whose homes were foreclosed due to Wells Fargo failing to do its job. Public pressure could drive the bank to do what it should now.

Yes, I have not recieved enough money in dividends to declare to the IRS!! I have about $250k invested! I strongly believe these large Corporations should have to have my permission to spend my investment dollars on political campaigns and bonuses. After all wouldn't healthy Dividends encourage us to invest and improve the economy?

Pay and bonus packages for top corporate CEO's has escalated to the point where something must be done to reign in this blatant transfer of wealth to the already rich. The corporate boards of directors who approve these pay structures must be held accountable to society, and in addition corporations should be threatened with revocation of their charters for failure to reign in corporate pay.