As we have seen in the 2012 election, Democracy is: 1.Threatened by those with power and wealth, who can buy votes through advertising; 2. Often unrepresentative, since it only reflects the agenda of those sufficiently motivated to actually vote; and 3. Weakened by the almost immediate need to consider re-election, distracting the president and forcing the government to embrace short term and often ineffective solutions to complex problems.

Recently, I joined the unemployed workforce like millions of Americans. It is hard emotionally and financially to be out of a job. Healthcare Reform, though improving, still seems years away from true reform.Our national budget needs balancing. Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, which many senior citizens and the poor depend on, is in danger. Our climate has been effected by mass pollution. These are many more issues that need addressing. Yet, we have a Congress that seems uncommitted to working together. We, as Americans, have the opportunity to change that and insist on cooperation, commitment, and compromise. We need to join together, in a bi-partisan stronghold, and send a message to Congress that we "are one nation, under God." No longer will their lack of cooperation, which is hindering the country from moving forward, be tolerated. We, the people, aren't taking it anymore! This is a new day and we are insisting on high expectations from our Congressional members in regards to the above issues.

With "malice aforethought" lobbyist Grover Norquist has secured sworn oaths of allegiance from Senators and Representatives of Congress to refrain from ever raising taxes. This is in violation of Article 1, Section 8, and Article 5, Section 3 of the US Constitution. We are calling on the Department of Justice to begin legal proceedings to remove from office any member of the US Congress who has signed this pledge. These Senators and Representatives are in violation of their sworn oath of allegiance to uphold the Constitution of the United States; and are hampering the Government's ability to "pay debts and provide for the Common Defense and general Welfare of the United States." For more information go to http://www.politicususa.com/norquist-pledge-signers-violate-constitution-removed-office.html and for the Constitution: Article I, Section 8, and Article VI, Section 3 of the Constitution: http://www.constitution.org/usconsti.htm#art1sec6

For well over 18 months we have been bombarded on radio and TV by ads for candidates running for political office, or with ads for and against questions on the ballot. We have been publicly lied to, harassed, confused, annoyed, and just downright disgusted by the lengths candidates will go to in order to discredit an opponent.

Contributions to candidates and propositions (everything voted by public in elections.)

equal access to voting

We obviously need to explain to the Parties why the Majority voted the way it did.

The US Senate is steeped in tradition. One of these traditions is keeping old rules and regulations that hinder the country as a hold. The worst of these rules is the US Senate Filibuster. In the Republic of the United States, we vote for Majority Rule, not SUPER MAJORITY. If the founders wanted SUPER MAJORITIES, it would have been included in the constitution. The over use of the US Senate Filibuster, by both parties is gridlocking the country and holds everyone hostage to a rouge group or to one single Senator and the end result is nothing gets done.

Our country is being torn apart by partisan politics. We need to work together, capitalizing on the different parties' respective strengths and respecting our differences, to create a united plan for our country's future. We are not the "Divided States of America!"

The GOP has blocked a number of legislative initiatives by merely threatening filibuster. That has been enough to get the Democrats to back away from their own proposals, and has led to gridlock in Congress. Why should the threat of filibuster be enough? The fallout from televised coverage and news coverage will be so negative, it will lead to them backing down. Make the GOP actually do it, Jimmy Stewart style. They will have to put up or shut up.

It's time to put an end to campaign lying. Let's get together on this now, so the next round of campaigning can be clean and clear of all BS. This petition puts forth a call for congress to pass a bill that requires all campaigns for house and senate congress positions as well as presidential position campaigns to run honest ads and debates. It invites a fine of sizeable amount (5% of gross amount in campaign account) be taken from the candidate who supports an ad that is false or gives false information during a debate. This money is then to be given to reduce the national debt or into a campaign finance reform fund for a committee to utilize for establishing a new campaign finance law.

The corruption of our Democracy by Money.....