A cost-free program to open up good jobs - no subsidy required from the government - by allowing people who would retire except for the lack of health insurance to buy into Medicare, paying a fair price similar to what they would pay for COBRA insurance, but without the 18-month limitation. The only requirement is that they retire from their current job. No "shovel-ready" requirement - this could be done right now and some good jobs would become available almost immediately.

We need to provide a livable wage to the people in this state. Big corporations are making record profits and hoarding all of it except for a select few. Having a tiered minimum wage will stimulate the economy and help level out the playing field for small businesses.

Bill Maher, on Apple: "... if they made everything here in the United States, they'd still make 50% profit, which is like what cocaine dealers make." Apple was just named the most valuable company in the nation, and is wealthier than the United States government. I'm calling for a nationwide boycott of their entire corporation until they show their support for our country by restoring their manufacturing jobs to the US. They can easily afford it, it'd be fantastic PR, and it would help our country in a way that's desperately needed.

It is within our US Congress's power to correct the injustice to the American people. The poor and middle classes bear the brunt of an unequal and unfair tax burden, while the very rich are left untouched to acquire ever more wealth.

There is a solution to the jobs problem and it could quickly put hundreds of thousands of people back to work. It is not pro left or right. It is not from any corporation, it's outside the government control, it's totally voluntary, works in about one week, and helps all with little sacrifice from anyone. National Hiring Day - This is a day that corporations are encouraged to hire new employees. Corporations are called on to put patriotism first and help their country in hard times. Those corporations that cannot hire, are asked to stop firing for that month. http://wp.me/p5S9X-nv Political bickering doesn't buy groceries. Let' go beyond a wish list for a stale mate congress, and get the jobs people need in a win win for everyone.

According to Binyamin Appelbaum and Helene Cooper, writing in the New York Times, "White House Debates Fight on Economy" (published: August 13, 2011): "Mr. Obama’s senior adviser, David Plouffe, and his chief of staff, William M. Daley, want him to maintain a pragmatic strategy of appealing to independent voters by advocating ideas that can pass Congress, even if they may not have much economic impact. These include free trade agreements and improved patent protections for inventors. "But others, including Gene Sperling, Mr. Obama’s chief economic adviser, say public anger over the debt ceiling debate has weakened Republicans and created an opening for bigger ideas like tax incentives for businesses that hire more workers, according to Congressional Democrats who share that view. Democrats are also pushing the White House to help homeowners facing foreclosure." Our goal is to persuade President Obama to listen to the advice of economists who have sound ideas about putting this country back on the path of prosperity. In order to achieve this, he must be willing to fight for what is right instead of persistently caving in to those whose primary adenda consists in nothing more than appealing to "independent voters" (read: those who don't have a clue about what needs to be done).

Power corporations could sell 30 year bonds to pay for installing solar power and solar water systems on homes to be paid off by current power bills. As noted by one of the signers a version of this has already passed in New York State recently, and in smaller communities in different forms. http://www.longislandpress.com/2011/06/23/new-york-passes-historic-green-jobs-financing-law/ We need the political demand to supply the answers to our economic and energy challenges. Government should mandate this happen. Current 30% government incentives could help pay for this. A program called PACE in California finances energy upgrades through property taxes. http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Renewable-Funding-Solves-Solar-Financing-Problem/ Many States are adopting this type of approach to make it easier for homeowners to adopt clean energy. http://www.dsireusa.org/solar/solarpolicyguide/?id=15 Maybe now what we need most is a massive public education campaign to enlist homeowners to take advantage of the programs like this that already exist, and to continue to encourage Local, State and Federal officials to adopt more user-friendly ways for homeowners to create jobs by applying for clean energy upgrades.

Illinois Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky is proposing two bills that will go far in helping the middle class and poor get jobs. The "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act" would create 2.2 million jobs needed in our communities. It would be paid for by Schakowsky's proposed "Fairness in Taxation Act," which creates higher tax brackets for millionaires and billionaires and eliminates subsidies for Big Oil and tax loopholes for corporations that send American jobs overseas. We can get on the right track starting in Illinois--support the "Emergency Jobs to Restore the American Dream Act" and the "Fairness in Taxation Act."

WE ARE ALL TIRED OF THE GRIDLOCK IN WASHINGTON AND ATTEMPTS TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR ELDERLY, DISABLED AND POOR. WE HAVE BEEN AT THE BRINK OF DISASTER AS WE WERE HELD HOSTAGE BY THOSE WHO FEEL THE BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE SHARED BY ALL AMERICANS. THE REPUBLICANS HAVE SENT THEIR MOST CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS TO THE SUPER COMMITTEE. WE WANT TO WORK WITH THOSE WILLING TO COMPROMISE, NOT OBSTRUCT.

As the number of foreclosures have increased, more and more investors are attending foreclosure sales in order to purchase properties for a reduced price. The Investors are leaving the foreclosure sale and going straight to the foreclosed home in order to serve a 3/90 day notice, to begin the eviction process. The purchase of the home at a foreclosure sale does not transfer legal ownership of the property. Legal ownership is given only when the Trustee's Deed is recorded in the county in which the foreclosure sale is held. Therefore, investors are jumping the gun with the evictions proceedings, moreover, the courts are not requesting proof of ownership prior to processing eviction papers for the unlawful detainer.

The Columbia Falls Aluminum Company originally provided more than 350 good-paying, union jobs. But it was shut down because of the dramatic rise in electricity costs following utility deregulation passed by the Montana state legislature. Now, the Bonneville Power Administration is proposing to enter into a power sales agreement that would provide affordable power service to the company beginning April 1, 2012. This agreement will allow the company to reopen its doors, creating renewed opportunities for jobs in the Flathead Valley, a region with an unemployment rate of 11.4 percent.

Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick ran for office on a jobs platform. But since getting elected, he has done nothing to address our jobs crisis. Instead, he voted to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. And then, he wasted months on the manufactured debt ceiling crisis—forcing cuts that will kill jobs. Rep. Fitzpatrick needs to be held accountable for his actions. So we’ve created an accountability petition we’re delivering by hand on Aug. 18. Will you add your name?