Our nation has in effect suffered a silent coup by federal security and law enforcement services, replacing Constitutional governance with a surveillance state. Only now, thanks to this courageous young man, are the American people becoming aware of this. Edward Snowden is a hero.

Our elected officials in Washington work only three or four days and spend the rest of the time fundraising. It is time for them to work at least five days a week like those they govern.

We need some basic operational improvements for our democracy to represent the voters

In recent decades, Congress too often has underrepresented the interests of the greater majority in favor of minority special interests. These interests can exert an unbalanced influence on legislative agendas, electoral processes, and free media, and they can undermine our democratic ideals. Recent attempts to remedy this situation include changing the filibuster rules in the Senate and campaign finance reform, but they have failed. This illustrates the difficulty of reforming Congress from within. Fortunately, the Constitution provides a method independent of Congress whereby two thirds of the governors may convene a constitutional convention, and three quarters of the states can ratify an amendment to change the Constitution. Today, citizens have the technology to directly participate in our democracy to an unprecedented degree. We, the petitioners, therefore ask the governors to convene a constitutional convention for the purpose of creating a third, virtual chamber in Congress called the Citizen Chamber (CC). The CC will have the singular authority of voting on legislation which moves through either the House or the Senate, thereby influencing the outcome of that legislation. Every voter will be able to cast an electronic vote over the Internet on any legislation moving through Congress. In order for the CC to influence a congressional vote, a quorum of one fifth of 1% of registered voters - or about 300,000 votes - must be cast, otherwise the vote in the House or Senate shall remain unchanged. If there is enough citizen interest in a particular bill to achieve the necessary quorum, the ratio of the yea to nay votes in the CC shall multiply the yea votes in the House or Senate, which will then determine the final vote outcome. For citizens without internet access, provisions for voting stations in public high schools will be made available every business day. The Citizen Chamber will have the capacity to act as a third and independent party, therefore more perfectly reflecting the will of the people in Congress.

After 25,000 people signed the petition, and after thousands of phone calls, emails, and faxes, the California DISCLOSE Act passed the State Senate on an overwhelming vote of 28-11. Now it's up to the Assembly to finish the job. The California DISCLOSE Act, SB 52, will strike a blow against the unlimited hidden money unleashed by Citizens United. It would shine a light on the shadowy interests that depend on secrecy to influence elections. The California DISCLOSE Act, sponsored by the California Clean Money Campaign and endorsed by Progressives United, local MoveOn.org counsels, and over 300 other organizations and leaders, would mandate clear and prominent disclosure of who is behind political TV, radio, print, and mass mailer ads -- on the ads themselves. Giant corporate interests are trying to kill SB 52. Join Progressives United and the California Clean Money Campaign by signing our petition urging state legislators to pass the California DISCLOSE Act today.

The unlimited political spending unleashed by Citizens United is drowning out the voices of voters. But there are bridges over these troubled waters – full disclosure on political ads, and Fair Elections public funding of campaigns. The exciting news is that public funding has a chance to pass in the third largest state in the country, with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo having just introduced a Fair Elections bill that would make big-money fundraising in New York a thing of the past. But time is running out, and many are questioning how serious the Governor is. In two weeks the Governor is planning to host a $50,000-per-person fundraiser featuring Paul Simon. Paul Simon -- a philanthropic leader -- can help make sure that Governor Cuomo really means it by saying that he'll only play at the fundraiser if the Governor passes this vital reform. Please tell him that people across the country will love him like a rock if he helps bring Fair Elections homeward bound.

State workers provide the basic services to fulfill the human rights of the people of our state - teachers, mental health workers, sanitation workers, bus drivers, housekeepers, transportation workers. Yet, the state General Assembly wants to take away all the resources they have to quality jobs, denying their ability to provide quality services. Many state workers have been visible as part of the Moral Monday Together Forward Movement and now need your support!

The people need a voice.

Why is there so little change in Washington? How do politicians get so entrenched in their offices? Seniority plays a large part. Senior members of congress hold unbalanced power over those that are supposed to be their equals in congress. To reward voters for voting for the same politicians over and over again with an increased presence in congress is counter to the ideal of equality.

Political television ads skew the playing field for our democracy. They unfairly favor the wealthy and corporations who can afford skyrocketing costs of running for office, due to tv ads. Also, there is nothing ensuring truth in advertising, which harms the voter and the integrity of our elections.

No more money for unsustainable use of resources and young people to support war. Change the focus to mediation, solutions, and education. We can do it!

I am concerned the United States is moving towards George Orwell's "1984." We are at risk of becoming as dangerous as the terrorists we are fighting. I believe we as a country need to investigate the surveillance activities conducted by the National Security Agency since September 11, 2001; the legal justifications for these activities; and decide what kind of country we want the United States to be.