Legislative districts determine who represents us and the boundaries of the districts. A bi-partisan committee of New York State’s legislators are currently holding hearings on the redistricting that occurs every 10 years following the census results. They have passed a resolution for sensible districts but it won't go into effect until after 2020! Now they are trying to "run out the clock" for this process in an effort to protect incumbents.

Political ads cost millions of dollars to spread misinformation, exagerations and quotes out of context. The public hates them. The televised debates provide what we need to know about the candidates. So, why not call for a ban on political advertisement, similar to the ban on tobacco advertisement? Fellow citizens, please demand an end to all political ads.

Background: The Voter Photo ID law was the first assault on voter rights in SC - that's the law the US Dept of Justice recently blocked and Governor Haley just vowed to fight for in federal court. She's taking a controversial law that already costs ~$1million, and committing another estimated $1million in legal fees (1). That's double-or-nothing gambling, with our (taxpayer) money on the line. And yet, there still are no documented cases of voter impersonation in SC - not a one. Now, certain members of the State House of Representatives are doubling their assault on voter rights by introducing legislation that will restrict voter registration drives (2). One proposed bill targets non-profits, teachers and volunteers who help others register to vote. House Bill 4549 would add cumbersome requirements for community-based voter registration (with fines up to $1000 for not meeting them). The similar law in FL caused the League of Women Voters and Rock-the-Vote to suspend all voter registration drives. Teachers in FL have been fined just for helping their students register to vote. We don't need or want that in SC. This bill (H. 4549), also called the "Third Party Voter Registration" act (3) will cause community-based voter registration drives to be a thing of the past if it passes. If you agree that's not good for our democracy, please sign today. (1) "State's Lawsuit Over Voter ID Could Cost $1 Million", Renee Dudley, Post and Courier, January 29, 2012. (2) "Lawmakers Eye 2 More Strict Voting Rules", Robert Behre, Post and Courier, January 29, 2012. (3) The lead sponsor of H.4549 is Rep. Alan Clemmons (R-Myrtle Beach), who also sponsored the controversial Voter Photo ID bill. (4) "The War on Democracy," Will Moredock, Charleston City Paper, Feb 15, 2012 (5) "Vote on Voter Drive Bill Set for Today," Robert Behre, Post and Courier, Feb 21, 2012 (NOTE: they adjourned the vote until Tuesday, Feb 28, 2012)

Valid candidates from all parties are often times overlooked or dismissed due to our 2 party system and nominations. Without the backing of big money, the hopes of our country having any lasting change will require an enormous effort on the part of the American people. This petition is a way to demonstrate the will and desires of the American people. I am calling for your support to initiate a change to our electoral system. If you are in favor of the American people deciding who will be best to champion their interests for the next four years- please sign this petition and show your support. We owe it to ourselves and our future generations to ensure the choices we make now will promote a positive environment to live in. By signing this petition you agree that you are in favor of expanding the presidential nominations to include a system whereby the American people will hold a secure online vote, where the winner will be nominated as a third presidential candidate for election.

Removing the Cuyahoga County Executive in charge

Currently Clark County Commissioners in the State of Washington receive $80,000 - $90,000 annual salaries. This is way too much, if we reduced their salaries by 60 or more percent, this would help to resolve many of the budget issues currently facing Clark County, WA. Why should Clark County Commissioners receive this type of salary when our school teacher salaries are being reduced and there is currently an 11 percent unemployment rate in this county? If we reduced these salaries by this much those funds could be put to good use like improving our transit system, providing employment services, supporting small businesses to grow by giving them a reduced tax. This is horrible use of our finances in this county.

Excesses in government spending could easily start in their own back yards. Paying legislators huge sums for life is not only not a financially sound policy, it is immoral.

America has become increasingly less democratic as corporate interests, Party interests, and other special interests have dominated the political arena and alienated voters. What this country needs is a National Initiative and Referendum process, to increase the power of citizens/voters and bring democracy to America.

I think that the Occupy sites that have tents should post a sign indicating that they are calling the site "Groverville" to advertise the fact that Grover Nordquist is holding the country for ransom by his "Taxpayer Protection Pledge" that most Republicans have signed.

It Is to count the president votes only. Making votes from one state worth more that a vote from another state. It Is time to have one Vote count the same. One vote, one person all votes count. In more than one election the person running for President won the popular vote and lost the election ? This makes NO sense... We are the only place in the world, That can happen. We mush change this law.

The revolving door in politics is the movement of personnel in the public sector to the private sector, or vice versa. This creates a dangerous opportunity for politicians to exploit their public (government) platforms in exchange for lucrative private sector jobs once they leave Congress or a similar position of power. Lobbyists- often former public servants themselves -take advantage of this revolving door every day to court our elected officials. The American public cannot afford to allow this corruption to continue. We are faced with a broken system, one where our elected leaders no longer speak for us, but for the corporations who have bought them. Eliminating the revolving door is the first step to fixing this problem.

Today, the average portfolio of members of Congress far out perform the portfolios of average Americans. The reason for this is because Congress is legally allowed to trade based upon insider information. President Obama asked the members of Congress to send him a bill ending insider trading in Congress, and unless they feel the pressure from "We The People", nothing is going to get done.