HOW TO: Reduce spending, create jobs and increase revenue.

Illinois' pension-fund shortfall is by far the largest in the nation. Simply put, Illinois' unfunded pension liability is massive. Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn says the $96 billion of liability has been accumulating for decades, with the state's pension problems dating back at least 70 years. "There have been 12 governors, 13 speakers of the House and 13 presidents of the Senate that have come and gone, and the issue has kind of confounded our predecessors," he says. Over those many years, Illinois' teachers, state troopers, university professors and other state employees have been paying their share, contributing about 8 to 12 percent out of every paycheck to their pension funds. But the state hasn't. Illinois' governors and lawmakers have frequently shortchanged the pension systems. They've even skipped some pension payments altogether so they could more freely spend on things more popular with the voters, such as schools, highways, health care and prisons. The result, says Quinn, is a huge pension shortfall that is growing bigger by the day."Our liability every day goes up by $17 million, so we've got to deal with this," he says.

In the state of TN, Certified Nursing Assistants are very underpaid! We have the hardest job in the nursing field. We are more hands on than any LPN or RN. We deal with the mess. When the patient is nonresponsive 9 times out of 10 we are the ones who find them. Patient to CNA ratio is 1 to 15 patients or more. That is why it is poor patient care in nursing home facilities

The Governor has done so much to make sure Massachusetts pulls out of the recession faster and more robustly than the rest of the nation. Let's support his efforts by investing in Massachusetts' future and fund that investment in a balanced and equitable fashion.

Please help ensure Seniors are AUTOMATICALLY sent Double reminders AND complete forms to fill out IN ADVANCE to send in for Tax Exemptions from local Town and School Taxes.

After rejecting a contract offer that the workers' union believed could jeopardize their jobs, workers at American Crystal sugar plants have been locked out since August 2011. Since then unemployment benefits have expired and the union has rejected the contract three more times. According to the Star Tribune, this is "one of the longest work stoppages in Minnesota history" (Blog 1/29/13).

Tennessee is one of the states that has a high sale tax, and now that we have a Republican Governor we want a lower sale tax.

Recognizing that the major basis for military action around the world is to protect supplies of oil and other resources, the cost of that activity should be applied to the resources protected. This will provide a more accurate cost of oil when compared to alternatives such as solar and wind, and shift the tax burden away from the general public.

Applebee's fired Chelsea Welch when a pastor of a church scratched out an automatic 18% tip because there over 8 people in her party and wrote, "I give God 10%, why do you get 18?" on the receipt. Ms. Welch posted a picture of the insult on Yahoo and the photo went viral. Now, Applebee's has fired Ms. Welch for "embarrassing" the ungrateful pastor!

The Illinois Governor failed to pay out promised raises. I have downsized twice in last four years as a single mother, retired veteran, and I am a committed citizen to the betterment of all middle class. The state employees are being BULLIED by the Illinois politicians by trying to take from the employees who paid into their own pension. Our employer is making bad investments and are trying to tarnish the employees work ethic by claiming we, the workers, are the reason for the state debt. We, pay taxes, pay pension fees, pay union dues, we want the Governor to honor his signature on our contract suspended.

Scott Walker's administration cannot account for some where around $40 million in 'economic development' loans. Where is the the personal responsibilty for the governor on this issue? Any other public official would be nearly crucified, and hopefully, prosecuted for this action The Wisconsin media is giving Walker a pass on this, as is the DA who has jurisdiction over this.

We have not raised the minimum wage in Hawaii in 7 years. While our cost of living is higher than almost any other state, our minimum wage is behind 19 other states. Our people have a hard time getting by and most work two jobs. Raising the floor will help a lot of families do a little better.