In 1791 we passed the right to bear arms, but we need stronger controls and back round checks as well as a ban on automatic weapons. The NRA is wrong, support the Brady amendment allowing the right to own guns. Stop the killing of innocent children and adults.

America agrees that bullying is not acceptable on the school yard. Let's extend that to the Senate and the Cabinet Member confirmation process. Ambassador Rice had nothing to do with the attack in Benghazi. The withdrawal of her name for consideration as Secretary of State is the direct result of Republican bullying aimed at getting John Kerry to vacate his Senate seat to serve in Ambassador Rice's stead. Though Senator Kerry would be a brilliant Secretary of State, let's ensure that we have the right people in the best positions to help the USA navigate these perilous times. It's time to break the power of bullies, both here and abroad.

Santa Ana, CA Judge Derek Johnson admonished a rape victim in court for "not putting up a fight" and said, if someone doesn't want sexual intercourse, the body "will not permit that to happen." People with these types of beliefs shouldn't be deciding cases of sexual violence.

Our government is at a complete standstill due to the inability of those involved to compromise for the good of the country.

All public servants, including local, state and federal congressmen and women, should have Social Security as a retirement plan. There is no reason for Congress to have a different plan than the one that it votes for the rest of the country.

Why is Congress in gridlock? Because lobbyist Grover Norquist holds promises signed by 279 Republican Senators and Representatives that they will not ever vote for anything that would raise taxes. [CBS 60 Minutes, 11/20/2011] That’s why a Congressional majority votes as a solid block against many different kinds of bills—debt and deficit reduction, equal pay for women, clean air…anything, if they think it might raise taxes. When compromise is essential, they can’t do it because of Norquist’s pledge. Why did a majority of our Congress sign that pledge in the first place? Because Norquist uses his organization’s funding power not only to help elect candidates who sign it. He also blocks the re-election of any incumbent who breaks or doesn’t sign his pledge. How? Buy funding an opponent in the primary. That exactly how independent-minded Republican Richard Luger lost his Senate seat, even though he was admired on both sides of the aisle. Wrong as it is, more than half of our national representatives—279 out of 536—have nevertheless sold their votes to get that campaign money or avoid that threat. We never elected Norquist to anything. He has no right to control our Congress. We can break Norquist’s lock on how our Congress functions, because we voters have far more power than he does. Sign this petition to outlaw all such pledges.

With his recent multiple change of stance on the casino issue, Mayor Alex Morse has severely damaged his credibility with the residents of Holyoke and thereby significantly reduced his effectiveness as a leader. His inability to make a decision and his ultimate repeated change of position, bowing to internal and external forces has left our city economically disadvantaged as we believe it will now be near impossible to attract any major development or developer who will be willing to negotiate with his honor for any project. Mayor Morse has not been transparent in the process of the casino issue and the recent needle exchange program. He has repeatedly mischaracterized his positions publicly, while privately made back room deals that have significant appearance of conflict of interests. We no longer have faith in his stewardship and seek to immediately have him replaced.

The filibusters are boring and it would help organize their arguments.

There is only one opportunity for the Senate to change its rules concerning filibusters and that is on the first day of the next session. Senator Reid needs to hear from everyone about how important it is that one Senator not be allowed to shut off voting just by saying "I object."

I am concerned by the extent of control and power exerted by Grover Norquist on our politicians who have signed his anti tax pledge over the last twenty years.

The Electoral College is an antiquated system that should be abolished; it is no longer relevant and limits the power of each vote.

The only way congress can remain fresh and effective is to have a constant infusion of new blood every few years. Incumbents have too much of a campaign advantage and become entrenched and out of touch with regular people. They spend all their time trying to get re-elected rather than legislating.