A recent study gives New Jersey the dubious distinction of ranking 11th in the country for income inequality, and a big part of the problem is that the state’s minimum wage is just too low. Right now the state wage is $7.25 an hour, or around $15,000 per year. If the minimum wage had been keeping pace with inflation, it would be well over $9 by now. Even raising the wage to $8.50 would bring in $439 million in wages to working families -- and give the state's lagging economy a much needed jolt. The legislature is considering proposals that would raise the minimum wage and tie it to inflation. Tell them that now's the time to give New Jersey a raise!

I think it's time we ask the President to push Congress for change on allowing Church involvement in politics without their being taxed. The people who sign this petition do so knowing it's not about the church or being religious but about the National separation of Church and state as it is in the Constitution and mentioned in the Bill of Rights, Upheld by the Federal Supreme Court Numerous times.

Extend middle-class tax cuts; raise taxes on the 5%; re-write the tax code to close tax loopholes and unjustified exemptions and credits that prevent the US Treasury from collecting more tax revenue from the richest Americans and from corporations.

Re: The US Postal System - Stop the flow of losses and red ink from the US Postal System.

Hugely damaging across-the-board education cuts will occur, causing increased class size & loss of essential services to kids, unless the President & the Congress agree on a budget which raises revenue and saves expenses. Please urge them avoid this outcome by raising taxes on the wealthiest Americans, who should be paying their fair share, and by cutting non-essential & even damaging programs, like "Race to the Top" and other competitive federal grants, promoting more high-stakes testing, merit pay, school closings, mass teacher firings, and the expansion of online learning, which replaces the personal attention that children need to succeed. None of these programs have any evidence to support them and are creating havoc and rising discontent among parents, teachers & other concerned citizens throughout the country.

As a retired citizen, I do not feel I should pay more tax than the rich in our society. Basic economic principle suggests that if the poor and middle class - the 98%, does not have the money to spend, the economy crumbles. The 1-2% are not the only job creators in this country, so this idea being touted by the Republican Congress, that if the rich were fairly taxed, it would prevent job growth, is ill conceived. The rich supports paying a bit more to generate revenue.

Religious institutions enjoy the same constitutional rights as private and corporate citizens, but don't have to pay for those rights through taxes like the private and corporate citizens. Churches are businesses too, and very successful ones at that, they should pay their fair share,and help ease our tax burden, and lower the deficit.

We lost our home! Work is Slow! I need more work to met the everyday rising costs of living in America where Utilites get more than needs. Many of our friends are in the same situation. CEO's getting golden parachutes while my 401 has tanked. Where has the idea of shared sacrfice gone? I'm fend up with Washington politics singing the same tune.

I would like to see President Obama make a strong statement, in these difficult fiscal times, by forgoing his Inaugural Ball on January 22 (or Jan. 21?) and asking his donors to give the money to those who lost so much in Hurricane Sandy.

We have to find a way to fix our deficit and if we all pay 10% no refunds no audits needed because there are no deductions no forms to file we will pay our deficit down and cut federal spending.

The Government is running out of money to manage it's departmental budgets, and then expects the middle / lower class workers to accept a pay freeze to help manage The Budget. If legislators are so concerned, perhaps they should consider cutting their own salaries first. Give back to the American public that which they have taken over the years, and preserve their congressional dignity. A Congress that would Serve American would earn my respect.

A tax hike on the middle class could result in slowing retail sales for the holidays, and could affect business planning and hiring. "We could go back into recession. It would be a bad thing," If lawmakers fail to agree on the tax and spending issues associated with the "fiscal cliff" by year-end deadlines. Can we get 1 millions signature before the year is out?