While neighboring countries in the Middle East and The EU have reluctantly taken in refugees, they often find themselves in either inhumane conditions or stuck in the bureaucratic web of Europe's immigration debate . No one is better equipped to assist the Syrian people more than The United States of America. Our nation has a singular tradition of support and opportunity for all those seeking a better life, be it temporary or permanent. We have the heart, and we have the resources. Our nation's citizens are good people and will help in every way we can. Our country has proven it's heart time and time again, and now at this most crucial moment we should answer the call once more.

Maryland Senator Ben Cardin was one of only four Senate Democrats who voted against the Iran nuclear agreement. [1] Reports from Washington have indicated that Senator Cardin plans to introduce new legislation on Iran soon that could undermine the agreement. [2] In the past, opponents of diplomacy with Iran have tricked Senators into becoming original co-sponsors of anti-diplomacy bills -- before the bills were introduced and subject to public scrutiny -- by claiming that the bills were not anti-diplomacy. Urge your Senators not to become an original co-sponsor of Cardin's secret Iran bill by signing our petition. References: 1. http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/senate-roll-call-vote-iran-nuclear-deal-33671047 2. http://livableworld.org/cardin-draft-iran-bill-undermining-white-house-diplomacy-and-opportunity-to-head-off-iranian-nuclear-capacity/ http://www.lobelog.com/inside-cardins-anti-iran-deal-legislation/

I am not directly affected by this petition except that I am a human being and I feel the pain other humans are suffering. For this reason I simply cannot quiet my conscience and go about my life without thinking about the terrible circumstances and the suffering of these people

Some Republican Senators like presidential candidate Lindsey Graham [1] and Senate Armed Services chair John McCain are calling for the deployment of U.S. ground troops into Syria's sectarian civil war. So far, the Obama Administration is opposed. [2] But pressure on the Obama Administration for “action” is increasing with the Syrian refugee crisis in Europe, reports that military officials “spun” intelligence reports to suggest that the anti-ISIS war was going well, and reports that only a handful of U.S.-trained “anti-ISIS rebels” are operating in Syria. The alternative to U.S. military escalation of Syria's civil war is diplomacy without preconditions, for which there may now be a new opening. Russia has proposed new talks with the U.S. about Syria, and the Obama Administration has agreed to the Russian proposal for talks. [3] Urge the Administration and Congress to oppose the use of U.S. ground troops to escalate Syria's civil war by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.washingtonpost.com/video/politics/lindsey-graham-pledges-ground-troops-in-syria/2015/09/16/1ebd0df0-5cb5-11e5-8475-781cc9851652_video.html 2. http://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/u-s-general-only-handful-of-syrian-fighters-remain-in-battle-against-isis/ 3. http://news.yahoo.com/russian-moves-syria-flummox-us-072357525--politics.html

My reason for starting this petition is entirely personal: if the roles were reversed, and I was forced by civil war to flee my country with my children, I would want other nations to help me. One of the things I love about the U.S. is that we are, as individuals, extremely generous. I cannot stand by silently while our government acts in such a miserly, halfhearted way. We can afford to take in more than 10,000 refugees, and we should.

Refugees from the Mideast.

I still remember the pride I felt when I first learned this quote: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

Images of dead refugees washing ashore, including a 3 year old boy, have deeply affected us all. But while Germany is accepting 800,000 refugees, we have only accepted a few thousand. We claim to be a compassionate, Christian nation - let's show it. We have the size, the wealth and the resources to do it - let's do it! And let's have Wisconsin's congressional delegation lead the way.

To persuade our government of the dire necessity to admit and resettle thousands more refugees in this tragic period of world reordering.

As a former Foreign Service Officer I know that the greatest obstacle is the year long delay in getting security clearances--almost impossible with a war going on. Let's speed up the process by giving US consular officials In Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq authority to admit those with no obvious risk.

The Iran deal is a strong agreement and an achievement of vigorous diplomacy. It has the support of nuclear security experts, our allies around the world, and Americans like me. No Senator who believes in the importance of American leadership should oppose this multilateral agreement. To those members of Congress who continue to oppose this deal because of politics and misinformation, we urge you to reconsider your position. By continuing to divide our nation, you are dragging America’s reputation through the mud in another partisan spectacle that will not succeed in killing the deal. All members of Congress should now come together to ensure that this verifiable deal is fully implemented. This deal not only blocks Iran’s pathway to a nuclear weapon, but it demonstrates precisely how America can win without war. The national debate about the Iran deal has been about more than a nuclear agreement. This fight has tested our nation’s ability to resolve international disputes through diplomacy – not war – and diplomacy has prevailed. We urge you, our leaders, to build upon this diplomatic victory to advance a more progressive foreign policy rooted in diplomacy, not war.

The tragedies that happen overseas cannot be ignored just because they aren't happening at our doorstep. The first step in changing minds is changing lives. Not by weapons this time. Not by invasions or through conversions. But through kindness. A kindness that costs so little to us personally. I create this petition because I want the world to see the United States the way that it should be. As an entity for good in the world.