After a two-year-long knock-down drag-out fight, Congress is on the verge of holding their final votes on the Farm Bill. Unfortunately, it looks like the final bill will still include billions of dollars in farm subsidies, most of which will go to Big Ag. Since 1995, 75% of agricultural subsidies have gone to just 4% of farmers, with over 60% not getting a dime. Even worse, $19 billion of those taxpayer subsidies have gone to pay for junk food ingredients like high-fructose corn syrup. Given the nation’s obesity epidemic, it’s hard to imagine a worse way to spend our tax dollars. Some are claiming this new Farm Bill is real reform, but the truth is that most of the improvements are cosmetic. For example, in one creative sleight of hand, the bill eliminates one wasteful subsidy program only to replace it with another subsidy program with a new name that does the same thing. As our nation faces significant cuts to critical programs, it seems impossible to justify handing out billions of dollars to support profitable agribusinesses that don’t need our money and produce crops that get processed into junk food additives.

All Americans who work are taxed heavily on any overtime pay. If we where allowed to keep all of our extra earnings, then we could become more financially sound. All this taxation may fund the government, but it also does not allow us to invest our hard earned money for ourselves and our families.

More than 750 small businesses agree, LA's economy needs a boost! We can start in the hospitality industry, where the recession is over and business is booming. But workers like me still need two jobs or welfare just to get by. My coworkers and I want to keep more money here in our city. RAISE LA would give workers in big hotels a $15/hour minimum wage. When we earn more money, we spend it locally -- going out for dinner or buying my daughter a new bike. The local economy wins. And our campaign is gaining ground! We landed front-page coverage in the LA Times and stories in the Huffington Post, The New Republic, and more. Watch our video at: http://bit.ly/RAISE-LA Please add your name to this petition to show the LA City Council Members we want them to take action to build a stronger local economy.

US Corporations are not paying their fare share of US Corporate Income Tax and there is an easy fix.

The "growth" in the economy has only benefited those on Wall Street. The job market is still stagnant and now millions of Americans, including me, have had their lifeline cut off while they still seek employment. Homelessness is now a real possibility for many middle-class Americans who have no more options.

My husband and I love Utah, and we only want the same rights as everyone else in this state. We don't want to move away from our friends and family in order to be recognized on the same level as any straight couple. No gay or lesbian couple should be forced to leave or live as second-class citizens, and most importantly, the state shouldn't be spending the money taxed from everyone -- both gay and straight alike -- on hate. Tell Utah to do good with that money. Make our world a better place instead of trying to split up loving couples and creating second-class citizens.

I have been unemployed for 10 months, and will soon face exhaustion of benefits. I have been working odd jobs to try and supplement my income, but cannot find a permanent, living-wage job. If I don't find a job in the next 2 months, I will become homeless. I am already behind on all of my bills, including rent. I suppose the next thing I will have to endure is eviction. I have nowhere to go, and all of the surrounding housing authorities have closed waiting lists.

I am starting this because I am one of the honest ones actually looking very hard for a job to support me and my kids. I will be in big trouble if I lose this money. I just passed the nj civil service exam with an 85% to work in a court but I'm 246 on the list. That will never get me a good job. I'm so hurt and scared and frustrated. I just want a good job so me and my babies can live without struggling. Thank you for taking the time to listen to me. Melissa Brophy

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program ended on December 28 for 1.3 million jobless Americans. Unemployment benefits will be cut from as much as 73 weeks to 26 weeks. Democrats fought to include UI in the year-end budget plan. But the GOP war on workers knows no shame — three days after Christmas, in the middle of winter, 1.3 million families just lost a critical lifeline. The Senate will vote to renew UI in less than two weeks, but it won’t pass unless we make our voices heard. Demand that Congress renews unemployment insurance now.

Congress failed to act, yet again, and unemployment benefits that help millions of long-term unemployed workers and their families are expiring. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that this will cost the economy $37.8 billion and 310,000 jobs. Denying jobless aid isn't just economically reckless -- it's morally wrong. Unemployed workers are being dropped off the rolls daily. That's why we need to let Congressman Tom McClintock know that his district supports extending a lifeline to long-term unemployed workers.

Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, unemployment benefits that help millions of long-term unemployed workers and their families will expire. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that failing to act will cost the economy $37.8 billion and 310,000 jobs. Denying jobless aid isn't just economically reckless -- it's morally wrong. Congress doesn't have much time to act before the first wave of workers is affected. That's why we need to let Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth know we're counting on her to support extending a lifeline to long-term unemployed workers.

Unless Congress acts before the end of the year, unemployment benefits that help millions of long-term unemployed workers and their families will expire. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that failing to act will cost the economy $37.8 billion and 310,000 jobs. Denying jobless aid isn't just economically reckless -- it's morally wrong. Congress doesn't have much time to act before the first wave of workers is affected. That's why we need to let Congressman Bill Foster know we're counting on him to support extending a lifeline to long-term unemployed workers.