The American government has had information on Russian involvement in the 2016 US presidential election for months yet they seem incapable or unwilling to investigate further. I would ask that the Russian and American members of the council recuse themselves from any vote on the matter. Domestic and international unrest will only continue to grow until we get definitive answers on Russia's involvement.

I am starting this petition because I am saddened to see my family and neighbors worry about losing their medical care almost to the point of making themselves sick because there is no decent or affordable replacement even offered, about all we hear is "it's in the works". Well, a lot of good that does to alleviate our concerns, and I myself rely on Medicare. It is frightening to know that so many of our government leaders could care less about if we live or die or have any kind of quality of life. Mitch McConnell and Paul Ryan have much to answer for. So, for the continued forward progress and health of our great nation, these people need to resign their posts.

Iraq war architect and Iran war advocate John Bolton is reportedly one of four candidates being interviewed for National Security Adviser. [1] CNN says there are "signs of strong support inside and outside the administration for Bolton." [2] Foreign Service veteran Greg Thielmann calls Bolton a "prime mover of the Iraq WMD fiasco." [3] Senator Rand Paul calls Bolton a "bad choice" who contradicts Trump's criticisms of the Iraq war, noting that "Bolton still believes the Iraq War was a good idea, he still believes regime change is a good idea." [4] J Street says Bolton is a "completely inappropriate choice" for "any role related to America’s relations with the rest of the world." [5] Urge President Trump and Members of Congress to oppose the nomination of John Bolton to be National Security Adviser by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/18/us/politics/trump-candidates-national-security-adviser.html 2. http://www.cnn.com/2017/02/17/politics/donald-trump-nsc-foreign-policy/index.html 3. http://lobelog.com/bolton-a-prime-mover-of-the-iraq-wmd-fiasco/ 4. http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/320282-rand-paul-john-bolton-would-be-a-bad-choice-for-national-security 5. http://jstreet.org/press-releases/j-street-statement-on-reported-picks-to-lead-state-department/

We, the undersigned members of the UMass Boston community express our opposition to the recent executive orders of the Trump-Pence administration banning refugees and other travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries--Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. *This so-called "Muslim ban" is a shocking affront to our common values of equality, intellectual freedom, multiculturalism, and basic human decency. *This executive order is discriminatory on racist and religious grounds, and blatantly denies individuals due process, making it unconstitutional as well as unjust. *Moreover, it is counter-productive to even its stated aims of "protecting national security" as its state-sponsored bigotry does more to inflame resentment and hatred towards the United States around the world. *These executive orders have already proven immediately harmful to individuals in our UMass community, separating families, and denying scholars re-entry from travel abraod. This cannot stand. We call upon our UMass Boston and UMass administration, including Chancellor Motley and President Marty Meehan, to join us in publicly denouncing the "Muslim ban." While Chancellor Motley has publicly registered "concern" about the recent executive orders, he has not to date spoken out publicly against them, as have university presidents at other institutions, from the University of Michigan to UMass Dartmouth. It is time for him to do so. In December 2016 the UMass Boston Faculty Council overwhelmingly passed a resolution calling upon the administration to proclaim UMB a "Sanctuary Campus." We call on Chancellor Motley once again to take up this Sanctuary Campus call. In addition, we call for our local campus administration and the UMass system as a whole, to: *Mobilize resources to provide legal aid and financial support for those members of our community who are in the crosshairs of recent assaults by the Trump-Pence regime. *Establish and publicize a 24-hour hotline for those in our community who are directly targeted by ICE, and that can connect callers with available campus and off-campus emergency legal resources. Targeted members of our community, in particular undocumented people and persons from newly "banned" countries, must not be left to fight their legal battles alone. UMB and the UMass system should once again follow the lead of institutions, such as Tufts University, who have pledged such legal support. At times like these it is crucial that our community unite, assert our shared values publicly, and turn back the tide of xenophobia, intolerance, and racism before it reaches our campus gates.

Senator Blunt's office is extremely hard to get through to and often the lines are busy and the voicemail is full. Several groups of his constituents have had talks with his staff at his mobile offices asking for town halls and have been told that he just does not do them. When further questioned by one constituent as to why he does not hold them they were told: "he just doesn't". Senator Blunt is a public servant and needs to be accountable to the people who voted him into office

There is more going on in the news then President Trump's constant attempts to get himself on TV 24/7. CNN should be covering significant new and news worthy events. "Breaking News" should not be giving free air time to non substantive events done in the style of a reality TV show. Please bring important and real breaking news back to CNN.

We want to be able to speak to our elected officials and hear what they have to say.

The hundreds of millions of dollars in free TV advertising provided by mainstream media to Donald Trump was a contributing factor in his election. It is ludicrous that Trump began his 2020 campaign today (2/18/17), but it is even more ludicrous that CNN and MSNBC are broadcasting it live. The undersigned believe that media outlets should report on campaign rallies but SHOULD NOT BROADCAST THEM IN THEIR ENTIRETY because doing so is providing an unethical and years-long election advantage to Mr. Trump over anyone else who may choose to run against him.

Funding for the NEA, NEH and CPB combined account for just 0.02 percent of the federal budget. We spend 1/40th of what Germany does on government funded arts programs--they average $20 per citizen, we a measly 41 cents. And it is not only Western Europe where the arts are deemed crucial to the continuation of their culture and society. Mexico, Uzbekistan and the Balkans all spend a greater percentage of their national budgets on arts education and programming or allow artists to pay their federal taxes through the donation of a work of art for the benefit and education of their citizens. The country currently faces great uncertainty and fear given the bullying and fascistic governing style of Donald Trump and his appointees. At a time when so many of us are worried about access to healthcare, the need to combat and solve climate change and the disturbing erosion of our civil rights, protecting the arts and humanities may not be at the top of your list. But the arts and humanities not only remind us what it means to be human but also provide us with inspiration, joy and a much-needed respite from the chaos of Trumpism.

Trump's family business trips and vacations cost taxpayers over $11 million in just his first month in office. That $11 million paid for security on Trump's children's business trips on behalf of the Trump business organization and for Trump's three trips to the Mar-a-Lago resort, which he owns. By contrast, the Obamas' personal travel expenses averaged $12 million per year through eight years in office. In light of this exorbitant spending, Representative Earl Blumenauer introduced the No Taxpayer Revenue Used to Monetize the Presidency Act, or, the No TRUMP Act, to prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to pay for events, overnight stays, food, and other miscellaneous expenses at hotels owned or operated by a president or his or her relatives. What's worse, while the taxpayers continue to pay millions for him to play golf, Trump recently unveiled his cruel and immoral budget plan that would cut funding to PBS, NEA, Meals on Wheels, heat assistance, and other important social services. Essentially, we, the taxpayers, are paying exorbitant sums for the wealthy Trumps to further enrich themselves personally. It's hypocrisy and it's unfair to taxpayers. Lawmakers must find a way to limit extravagant spending by this administration—especially when it profits the president personally—and prevent similar behavior by future administrations and presidents.

Rep. Don Bacon is not doing his job. We, his constituents, are affected by his choice not to meet with us. We are denied access to Rep. Bacon and cannot ask him questions or tell him what we, his constituents, see as issues impacting us and asking him to address and fight for the needs of his constituents in DC.

This is a particularly precarious moment in the new Congress. Tom Cole must hear the concerns of his constituents before taking up legislation, not wait until the August recess to hear responses to previous legislation.