Maryland's Constitution mandates that every 20 years the General Assembly place a referendum on the ballot giving voters the opportunity to convene a state constitutional convention (con-con). If a majority of the voters approve, then the Assembly must provide for the election of con-con delegates (using the same electoral districts as the Assembly) and then another ballot referendum so the voters can ratify or reject the con-con's proposed constitutional amendments. The Framers of Maryland's 1851 constitution inserted this self-executing provision in the Constitution because they knew that the Assembly would have a conflict of interest in convening a con-con to implement democratic reforms that did not enhance their power. Prior to the most recent referendum on Nov. 2, 2010, not a single member of the General Assembly publicly supported a yes vote on the referendum. This was no surprise, as many legislators feared a con-con would lead to popular constitutional amendments that they strongly opposed, such as independent redistricting, legislative transparency, legislative term limits, and a balanced budget. On Nov. 2, 2010, 54.4% of Marylanders voting on the question voted yes to convene a state con-con. But members of the General Assembly have refused to convene it, despite their claims to respect the will of their constituents, the original intent of the Framers and Ratifiers of the self-executing con-con provision, and their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. Sign this petition to uphold Maryland's Constitution and the people's right to convene a state constitutional convention. For more information, see www.MarylandConCon.org.

Private campaign financing and electioneering, be it from corporations, unions, PACs or individuals, has skewed the nature and function of our government. This petition is to call on the United States to place an outright ban on private show-boat elections and to reform the system to a publicly funded, democratically based system of ballot initiative, petition and election rounds.

Candidates for public office should be limited to an equal amount of campaign funds and limited campaigning time.

Stop the revolving door between corporations and our government representatives. No one should be allowed to move from a government position into any industry or business that they had helped to regulate or legislate for, for at least 5 years. And no one from a corporation or lobbying group should be able to move into a government job for 5 years. This would put a big dent in the corporate takeover of our government.

Removal of elected officials

Unfortunately, both parties; Republicans and Democrats have failed us since they have become pawns of special interests. They are no longer protecting the interests of American citizens because they are too busy protecting the interests of the corporations for the sake of power.The only man standing up in the 2012 presidential race to up-hold the constituation of the United States of America and protect American values and our civil liberties is Dr. Ron Paul. Dr. Ron Paul has been consistent in his views as they relate to civil liberties, economy and the foreign policy AND has never compromised on them for the sake of just winning an election. Therefore, it is our responsibility to elect men of honor like him. It is also clear that mega interest groups are as always spending millions of dollars to keep the status quo and silence people like Dr. Ron Paul. Our press, as usual is serving special interests again and the system has piled up obstacles and hurdles for people like Ron Paul. It is up to us now. We should all contact Dr. Ron Paul and request him to break with his party and stand as an independent candidate so that Americans can get an option to vote for him. http://www.ronpaul.com/ Respectfully Arshad Waheed

The U.S. House of Representatives have recently passed a much weakened version of the STOCK Act legislation, which some representatives in the U.S. Senate find to be disappointing. We need to remind our House Representatives and Senate Representatives that the parts left out in the weakened STOCK Act need to be kept in the final bill.

Military whistleblower Bradley Manning, being prosecuted by the US Government for releasing details of illegal and immoral US actions, has been nominated for the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize.

A seat in the White house shouldn't be bought. Super PACs, by essentially allowing unlimited campaign donations, weaken our democracy. In his campaign against super PACs, President Obama needs to take the first step. In his campaign for re-election, he and his advisers should not solicit donations for Priorities USA Action or any other super PAC.

Once again the supreme court has proven that there tie's to corporations are more important then the law they represent. That any corporation can spend ,without disclosure of the massive amounts of money they can allocate to any politican to push the corporations agenda through congress. If the cry " I WANT MY COUNTRY BACK '' THEN WE MUST GET THE MONEY OUT OF WASHINGTON. Back Senator Bernie Sanders contact your representitive and senators support a constitutional amendement to put an end to CITIZENS UNITED.

Did you know that if a soldier fights in a "secret" mission and he is hurt or effected from that mission he can not receive the benefits he needs? The file is top secret, therefore he was never there according to the VA. A dear friend who was a career officer in the Navy did many tours in Viet Nam he lost his health to the spraying of Agent Orange. He is in severe dementia and he's barely over 70 years old. The dementia started over 10 years ago. His wife, a school teacher (another public servant) had to quit her job to care for him 24/7 because the VA will not help her with the benefits she needs to have him cared for in the manner he needs.

politicians profiting from earmarks they present to financially help themselves and / or family members and friends.