This is about the reality on the ground and not the 1% of people that manipulate all the workings in this "democracy. The sooner we state the true nature of our social, economic, and national problem the quicker we will address inequality and justice and return to democracy.

Former NY Senate Majority Leader Skelos has just become the second legislative leader to be convicted on corruption charges in the past two weeks. However, justice for New Yorkers won’t be served until we change rules that make such abuse of power possible. Elected officials should serve the people of New York only.

Donald Trump recently called for a ban on all Muslim immigrants coming to the United States. Mr. Trump has said some shocking things throughout his presidential campaign, but this is really beyond the pale. For more than 235 years, we have upheld the freedom of religion as one of our country's core principles. It's one of the many things that makes America exceptional as a nation. We must say ENOUGH to this divisive rhetoric.

Donald Trump is a racist and a bigot, but the political committee that works to elect Republicans to the Senate has been profiting off of his name by selling Trump-branded merchandise since May. Ohio Senator Rob Portman (R) has criticized some of Trump's remarks, but he's still accepting support from the sale of Trump merchandise to help his 2016 re-election campaign. In a recent email, a Republican committee encouraged supporters to “claim” the “perfect gift” — a Trump koozie for $12 — “just in time for the holidays!” They’re also selling bumper stickers that read “I’m with Trump,” further proof that Republicans like Senator Portman are willing to stand with Trump and his divisive ideas when it leads to a payoff for their campaigns. It is absolutely hypocritical for Republicans to denounce Donald Trump while accepting campaign contributions raised in his name! If Rob Portman truly represents the values of Ohio, he will demand that the National Republican Senatorial Committee stop using Donald Trump’s racism as a fundraising tool and refuse any donations made in his name. Please join with me in demanding that Ohio Senator Rob Portman reject all funds raised by Trump’s racism and bigotry!

Donald Trump is a racist and a bigot, but the political committee that works to elect Republicans to the Senate has been using Trump’s inflammatory language to attract small-dollar donors since May. Recently, Republicans distanced themselves from Trump’s outrageous and racist comments but that hasn’t kept them from using Trump’s brand for fundraising. In a recent email, a Republican committee encouraged supporters to "claim" the "perfect gift" — a Trump koozie for $12 — "just in time for the holidays!" They're also selling bumper stickers that read "I'm with Trump," further proof of how Republicans are willing to embrace Trump’s policies to raise money Ultimately, the money raised by these committees will fuel the campaign of the Republican candidate looking to fill Marco Rubio’s vacant Senate seat. It is absolutely hypocritical for Republicans to denounce Donald Trump while accepting campaign contributions raised in his name! Any Republican who is serious about representing the state of Florida in the Senate, should demand that the National Republican Senatorial Committee stop using Donald Trump’s racism as a fundraising tool and refuse any donations made because of his racist comments. Please join with us in demanding that Florida Republicans off Trump’s racism and bigotry!

Mayor Emanuel lacks the integrity to be open and honest, as well as distribute resources to assist the communities that supported his reelection.

When Donald Trump says he wants to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, he is using prejudice and hatred to build support. This is not who we are; these are not American values. Donald Trump and the Republicans who echo his message are playing into the strategy of ISIS, who wants to paint their atrocities as a war between the West and Islam. It's time for Republican leaders to do the right thing: Reject a Trump presidency, without caveats or reservations. 

This kind of hate speech has no place in a race for President of the United States. And nobody who spews it is fit to represent America as our head of state. 

 America needs a president that will embrace citizens of every religion and unite our country together against terrorism. Let’s stand up to divisiveness and discrimination together. Sign the petition: Stand up to dangerous, hate speech and bigotry -- and tell Republican leaders to reject Donald Trump.

We know that efforts to alter voting laws are nothing more than a political attempt at manipulating the rules to maintain control and continue stacking the deck in favor of wealthy special interests and against ordinary Michiganders.

Mitch McConnell is trying to sneak a provision that gives the wealthy even MORE control over our democracy into the must-pass government funding bill. If Senate Majority Leader McConnell gets his way, a billionaire could donate an unlimited amount to a Super PAC -- which could then coordinate directly with candidates who, once in office, will owe that donor favors. And because he’s using a rider -- an unrelated provision attached to the spending bill -- to get it done, the only way we can stop it is by speaking out! Help us stop this legislative trickery today. Congressional negotiators are also considering riders that’d make it even easier for wealthy donors to hide their identities by blocking the IRS and the SEC from shining a light on secret campaign spending. Yet another rider would prevent the President from requiring federal contractors -- who receive hundreds of billions in our tax dollars -- to disclose their campaign-related spending. And those are just the ones about money in politics -- this deal is full of poison pills and unrelated ideological riders. This attempt at gaming the system to pass policies that the public would never agree to is outraging Americans of every political stripe. Sign the petition today and tell Mitch McConnell to cut every last rider and special interest giveaway from the government funding bill!

Donald Trump espouses views that are anti-American, racist, bigoted, and mysogonistic.

Providing Trump a national stage in the face of his latest rhetoric would make the GOP complicit in it. He now fits the classic definition of a "demagogue: a leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises to gain power." His behavior reflects on us as a country, hurts our standing in the world, and negatively hinders our legitimate efforts against extremists. We must speak out against it.

Maryland’s districts are comically gerrymandered. These maps are drawn behind closed doors, with no meaningful opportunity for public comment or review. As a result, they slice and dice counties, communities, and neighborhoods. Your legislators now need to hear from you that Maryland needs a change in how we draw our districts.