When the Senate is stalled by the phony filibusters it is shameful. It is time to make the Republicans hold the floor to block votes.

In a democracy, the people are only part of the democratic process when they participate in it. As we have one of the lowest voter turnout rates among first world nations, we should give our citizens every chance possible to participate in the process. Many of our citizens do not live in states with early voting. Some of our citizens live in states where voter suppression is a real problem. Still others have to wait in lines for hours. Making national elections a national holiday would do several things. First, it should be a source of national pride to engage in the democratic process through voting and could become an occasion similar to Independence Day. Second, the poorer Americans who have work-related issues and cannot vote or get stuck in lines would have much more time and therefore be more likely to engage in the process. Finally, having a holiday dedicated to voting might encourage our citizens who rarely engage in the process to become more active as their friends and neighbors vote. Also, over time it may become as much a national pastime where individuals and families or groups of friends develop traditions as they have for other holidays. In a nation with as much national pride as the United States, we must increase voter turnout any way we can! As more Americans engage in the process, the national perception of our government may improve as well. Making Election Day a national holiday is the logical starting point for increasing voter participation!

The Republicans have unequivocally refused to work with Obama for the past 4 years in order to make him a "one term president." This obviously didn't work, yet Senate Minority Leader McConnell still says, 48 hours after the election, one thing is certain: He is in no way chastened by Tuesday's results. "Let me put it very clearly," says the five-term Republican senator from Kentucky. "I am not willing to raise taxes to turn off the sequester. Period." Then, Boehner held a news conference on Friday where he declined to wade too deep into specifics, saying it could restrict his options at the negotiating table. They have not heard the demands of the middle class to raise taxes on the wealthy and quit giving them a carte blanche pass to do as they please. We do not agree with their policies or reasoning to keep the Bush tax breaks for the rich, which did nothing but put us on the road to ruin during his 8 year residency. Sign this petition to let the House and Senate Republicans that we are watching them and expect results. They are not in office to work for their own political party but to represent the citizens of the United States.

As soon as pundits called this election for Pres. Obama, they started talking about "open season for the 2016 presidential election." Enough already! We need elected officials to solve our problems, not continuously run for election/re-election. The perpetual campaigning contributes to our divisiveness. Campaigning for any office shouldn't start more than 18 months before the election.

The amount of money spent and the length of time the campaign was conducted is embaarassing.

I am disgusted by the money and the messages religious organizations pour into political campaigns. I am a firm believer that religion is between you and your God. If churches can sponsor referendums, pay for lobbyists and spend millions trying to influence the votes of their parishioners then they can assist in paying down the U.S. deficit.

The abysmal performance of the elections officials of the State of Florida during the November 6, 2012 election is an issue that needs to be fixed. I am a Florida voter who was effectively disenfranchised by Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature during the election . The voter ID laws will go into effect for subsequent elections and will further serve to suppress the vote. Governor Scott has the ability to repeal these laws and to correct the voter suppression rulings he made during the November 6, 2012 election. We're calling on him to do right by the Florida electorate.

The policies of education secretary Arne Duncan have been a disaster for public education. His policies have directly led to and increase in standardized testing and a narrowing of the curriculum for students.

Usually we ask our representatives to take some concrete action on a specific issue, however, this petition is about asking our Congressman to evolve as a leader. We have all been profoundly affected by Republicans who have eschewed sound policy judgment in favor of political posturing. Without a change in perspective and attitude, the same obstructionist mentality will prevent meaningful action out of Congress! In the wake of the Presidential election, we must urge Frelinghuysen make a shift in his understanding - this is imperative for the country and won't hurt him either! Our 11th district is a new one and we have the numbers to give him a strong incentive, to make a change.

Gridlock congress serves no one. Congress members should only get paid if they pass substantive laws.

Yes, and all AMERICAN PEOPLE have been affected by the status and behavior ot the Congress

The recent Presidential election made it obvious that the corporations funding much of the advertising have plenty of cash, unlike many of the citizens they want to influence. Individual donations are limited to $2,500 per election to a Federal candidate or $30,800 to a national party committee, but unlimited for corporations. This petition asks that donations over this limit made by any corporation or union be matched dollar for dollar, with matching money held in a fund to assist those in financial distress caused by natural disasters or other situations beyond their control.