The new voter ID law in Rhode Island is described as 'flexible' and not really discriminatory. It only requires a government issued photo ID and will not become mandatory until 2014. I have voted in every election since 1968 and never had to produce more than my signature. The right to vote is basic to our democratic republic and no law - not even a benign one should stand in the way of that right.

Isn't it about time that--the people-- demand our government officials to come clean about issues, and not voice their opinons designed to win votes, and keep their jobs.

All of us are barraged everyday by campaign ads from both major parties that are big on hype, but light on substance. Such ads frequently profess to do more and better about major issues such as education, job creation, and Middle East policy, but rarely tell how more and better will be achieved. We're calling on Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to pledge that at least 33% of their television, radio, and web-based ads will include clear and focused explanations of how they will act on major issues.

The American people do not want to hear horrible things about the other candidate, we want to hear about what you will do. We cannot tolerate another horrible commercial.

This is the time for Lousiana to even the playing field with Texas and Florida for the long term. State income taxes is currently less than 15% of State reciepts for a bloated budget that can be balanced without an income tax. The incredible growth that would ensue in Louisiana, and the public fisc, would be outstanding for multiple decades.

"I could end the deficit in five minutes. You just pass a law that says that any time there's a deficit of more than three percent of GDP, all sitting members of Congress are ineligible for re-election." (Warren Buffett)

My granddaughter Destiny is currently in a foster home in Wilmington, NC. I feel that the court was wrong at giving custody to a non family member and not her grandparents. I feel that the laws in North Carolina should be changed where grandparents have the right to raise their grandchildren even if the parents has lost all parental rights. Governor Perdue has the authority to let the state decide and not the local counties in North Carolina.

1. No Tenure / No Pension. A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. 2. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system,and Congress participates with the American people. It may not be used for any other purpose. 3. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do. 4. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%. 5. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people. 6. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people. 7. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.

The "equal time" requirement for the press and public airwaves reporting on political opinion was taken out, very quietly, by congress during the Reagan years. It has allowed the dramatic increase in "hate politics" without any refutation, that is undermining American democracy. This petition calls upon Congress to restore a much needed means of civility.

Voting on entitlements, pay raises, health insurance plan, retirement plan, for Congress. Congress will no longer be aloud to vote in pay raises for themselves. we the people will vote for their entitlements.

In a time where health insurance is at an all time high, and some people stay at jobs just to ensure health benefits, is it right for our lawmakers to receive free healthcare, guaranteed pensions, three weeks paid vacation and unlimited paid sick days? Shouldn't the lawmakers of this country have to pay into and receive social security like everyone else? Why are they given better benefits than those they are representing on top of large salaries?

I'm sick and tired of our congressional representatives holding to party lines at the expense of the American people. We are being held hostage by their intractibility, ideologies, greed and stubbornness. I say this: if a representative or senator is resistant to compromise and if important legislation is stalled by that person, her or she should be voted out. It's simple to keep track of who is working across the aisle or not -- let's hold their feet to the fire if they don't cooperate, and let's start with this upcoming election.