In 2012, there were 506 people killed in Chicago. More people than the number of Allied Forces killed in the war in Afghanistan. January in Chicago was the bloodiest month in 10 years. In one week alone, a mother lost her fourth and final child to gun violence, and a 15 year old girl, who a week prior had performed for the President’s, Inauguration, was gunned down in the rain, on her way home from school. Most of these victims, like this young girl have been innocent bystanders, caught in the crossfire. Unemployment among youth in Chicago, is greater than 70%. Too often, these young people are left standing on the mean streets of our city.is greater than 70%. Employed youth are less likely to be victims or perpetrators of gang and gun violence.

Subject: Fiscal Cliff Issues Hi, Resolving the fiscal cliff by 12-31-12. That's why I signed a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, which says: "I expect the congress to work with the President to avoid the "fiscal cliff" & increase taxes for those making over $250,000 as well as reduce spending without affecting Medicare or social security benefits." Will you sign this petition? Click here: http://signon.org/sign/fiscal-cliff-issues?source=s.em.cp&r_by=516170 Thanks!

If Congress doesn't extend tax cuts for 98% of Americans & 97% of small businesses by Christmas, taxes will go up for them by at least $2,000/year on 1/1/2013, resulting in (1) less income for food, gas, & medicine, (2) less revenues for businesses, (3) hundreds of thousands of layoffs, (4) triggering a new recession, & (5) worsening the global economic crisis.

I run a small business and make less than $250,000/year and significantly less than Congressman Barletta's combined salary and allowance of more than $1million for 2012. It should be the top priority of our Congress to pass legislation that ensures that those of us in the "98%" group making less than $250,000/year will not see a tax increase of any kind come January 2013. Otherwise we should petition to have Congressman Bartletta removed from office in favor of someone that WILL vote in our favor.

Our top priority is education for our children , public education the american value we can't afford to lose it means our teachers, we need the economy to boost up and job growth. please those cuts should be stopped GOP move the country forward not backward.Let the president does his job.

A majority of Americans support increasing taxes on the top 2% of earners. A return to Clinton-era taxes will not hurt the wealthiest Americans who are paying the lowest taxes in 50 years. If we want to reduce the deficit, this is the right place to start. It is time to cooperate with our just-re-elected president and the Senate to get something done in Washington. Republicans in the house will rightly be blamed if the country goes off the so-called "fiscal cliff" It is time to stop stonewalling and grandstanding and to do what is right for the country.

Republican's can't cross the aisle to help move our Country forward. Republicans must break Norquist's insane hold on their party. More Republicans must put their country before someone else's agenda, and their Pledge of Allegiance before "The Pledge" to Norquist.

Go to link: http://wh.gov/IYtl to sign petition at WhiteHouse.gov. Promote an Amendment to the U. S. Constitution to guarantee unbiased tax-payer funded Elections for all of our Citizens. Promote an Amendment to the Constitution to rectify, guarantee and create a Unbiased Tax-payer funded (a minimun fee) Federal Elections and Polling Commission (similar to the Federal Reserve). All other moneys would be illegal with a minimum fine of 100 times the amount of the contribution/gift (including to Incubents and Challengers). All Elections and Polling (Federal, State and Local) would a month long and would be done on-line based on a combined data-base of the States, IRS, Social Security, Medicare ,Medicade and Re-election Committees. There would be a Federal Holiday on the final day once a year. The State/Local Election Commissions would be become part of the new Federal Commission. Influence of Lobbists would be marginal-ized and Citizens-United made mute. A real Legacy!!

During the presidential campaign, the difference between President Obama and Mitt Romney on dealing with the "fiscal cliff" could not have been clearer, and now that the American people have spoken, it is equally clear whose position they favored. As negotiations proceed in Congress, our representatives should hold the line on letting the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% expire and protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Ask the well-off to pay their fair share and help keep the safety net in place.

Let's follow Roosevelt's policies after the Great Depression. We need to get the economy moving again, just like he did.

The Senate has passed an extension of the middle class tax cuts, but the GOP controlled House has refused to allow a vote on the measure. If there is no vote prior to Dec 31, then taxes for all will go back up. The President has asked the House to take up the Senate bill and indicated he would sign it. Minority Leader Pelosi has initiated a discharge petition that requires 218 signatures to force a vote--that means that all Democrats and 25 Republicans need to sign this discharge petition before a vote can take place.