The new budget proposal has $1.5 million taken away from sidewalk infrastructure and the Eviction Advocacy center, and it needs to be returned.

Government power can take away a person’s freedom, privacy, livelihood, and even life.  The people entrusted with that power must be held to a higher standard—not protected by a lower one.  Civil-rights violations are not paperwork errors.  They include unlawful arrests and detention, excessive force, torture, illegal surveillance, retaliation against protesters and journalists, evidence fabrication, and deliberate denial of constitutional protections.  When officials commit these acts and later obtain another badge, government contract, security clearance, or sensitive position, the system exposes the public to the same danger again.  I previously held a Top Secret–Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance while supporting national-security programs.  Clearance holders can lose eligibility for dishonesty, criminal conduct, poor judgment, or unwillingness to follow rules because those behaviors demonstrate that they cannot be trusted.  An official who intentionally violates someone’s constitutional rights has demonstrated those same disqualifying traits in the most direct way possible.  Federal law already makes willful deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law a crime.  But conviction does not consistently create a permanent, government-wide prohibition against holding another position of authority or trust.  Losing one job is meaningless if the offender can simply move to another agency, contractor, police department, correctional facility, or sensitive government position.  This proposal applies only after a criminal conviction and allows eligibility to be restored if that conviction is overturned and the person is acquitted or the charges are dismissed.  It protects due process while protecting the public from proven abusers.  A government that returns coercive power to convicted civil-rights violators is telling victims that their rights matter less than an offender’s career.  Constitutional rights must carry real consequences when government officials deliberately violate them.  If you cannot be trusted with another person’s constitutional rights, you cannot be trusted with the nation’s secrets, weapons, surveillance systems, detention authority, or public power. 

It affects children worldwide and also gives parents access to free valuable information

## THE MORAL AND FISCAL CASE FOR A DISABILITY LIVING WAGE The current Social Security Disability system is built on an inherently flawed "pay-to-play" model. By basing monthly payments on prior work history and "work credits," the government effectively penalizes those who become disabled at a young age. These individuals never had the chronological opportunity to build a career or pay into the system, yet they are forced to survive on significantly less support than those injured later in life. This creates a systemic "youth penalty" that traps our most vulnerable citizens in a cycle of lifelong poverty. The financial logic of the current system is also deeply counterproductive. When disability payments fall below the actual cost of living, individuals are often forced into state-funded nursing homes or long-term care facilities. These institutions cost taxpayers significantly more than a direct living wage would. By providing a livable income, we allow people to live independently in their communities, which is not only more humane but a far more responsible use of public funds. Beyond the financial savings, a living wage provides the foundation for true autonomy. Those disabled early in life lack the 401(k)s, home equity, or personal savings that older adults may have accumulated. A guaranteed living wage levels the playing field, ensuring that a person’s ability to afford food, accessible housing, and medical necessities is based on their human dignity rather than their previous tax contributions. Providing a living wage also acts as a direct stimulus to local economies. Unlike high earners who may save or invest their income, disabled individuals living on a fixed budget spend their benefits immediately on essential local goods and services like groceries, rent, and healthcare. This keeps wealth circulating within the community and supports small businesses, turning a social safety net into an engine for local economic stability. Ultimately, America must decide if its disability program is an insurance policy for the lucky or a safety net for all. We demand that Congress eliminate the work-credit requirement for those with permanent disabilities and establish a universal benefit floor that meets the modern cost of living. It is time to end the administrative complexity of the current tiers and replace them with a simple, dignified, and livable standard for every permanently disabled American.

The USPS is sounding the alarm: without action, it could run out of money and stop deliveries before we know it.  And we don’t need to tell you: that would be the WORST possible timing for the millions of Americans who vote by mail. This was no accident. Trump and his allies have spent years trying to gut the USPS – pushing cuts, downsizing, and privatization schemes to dismantle a public service that millions of Americans rely on every day.  If Congress doesn’t step in, they may finally succeed. Trump has never hidden his goal: he's hell-bent on taking away our right to vote by mail, and seems to believe that any government function that isn't about making him or his fellow billionaires richer just isn't worth it. But we know the truth: the USPS is a vital, dependable, and all-American public service that’s crucial to our democracy. If Trump thinks he can take it away from us without a fight, he's got another thing coming. Sign The Petition: Tell Congress to act now and fully fund the USPS before it’s too late >>

HB211 in Louisiana would criminalize homelessness, imposing penalties and mandated “homelessness courts” instead of providing access to housing or supportive services. Such measures do not address the root causes of homelessness and further destabilize vulnerable individuals. We must prioritize housing-first solutions and comprehensive support rather than punitive policies.

Rodney Dutch has served over 28 years in prison for a robbery—yet he was recently denied parole and given four more years, despite doing everything required to rehabilitate himself. This campaign is about more than one man—it’s about fairness, accountability, and a justice system that honors rehabilitation. Under the New Jersey Parole Act of 1979, individuals are supposed to be granted parole unless there is clear evidence they pose a risk. When that standard is not applied fairly, it affects everyone. By joining this campaign, you are: *Standing up against excessive sentencing *Supporting second chances and true rehabilitation giving a voice to families impacted by long-term incarceration *Helping hold the New Jersey State Parole Board accountable to the law. Your signature is more than support—it’s a statement that justice should be fair, consistent, and humane. Together, we can push for the second chance Rodney has earned.

"The unchecked proliferation of data centers is already causing irrevocable public harm to our communities across economic, social, and environmental fronts. We need to stand together because state and county leaders continue to incentivize and approve these projects without a full accounting of their true costs. This is a matter of fairness for every resident. While our residential electricity rates have risen by nearly 50%, data centers continue paying less than half the rate per kilowatt-hour that we do. This gap forces our families and small businesses to subsidize infrastructure like the $200 million Hillsboro substation. Our schools are paying the price, too. In 2024 alone, the Hillsboro School District lost $128 million due to data center tax abatements. These facilities generate among the lowest number of permanent jobs per acre of any industry, yet they are being gifted enormous tax breaks. This is not economic development—it’s a giveaway. Beyond the money, the environmental toll is staggering. Large-scale facilities can consume as much as 4.5 million gallons of water per day, straining our supplies and driving expensive new infrastructure costs that will be passed on to you. We recently defeated Senator Sollman’s SB 1586 to protect our farmland, but that was only one battle. We need you to join us in calling for an immediate moratorium to hold our elected leaders accountable, ensure corporations pay their fair share, and safeguard our world-class farmland from irreversible destruction."

We are told that as a 21st-century superpower, we are the most "developed" nation in history—ethically, legally, and mentally. Yet, our leadership's current actions suggest a total collapse of that very development. This is important because: Silence is Complicity: As citizens of Haymarket and the United States, our tax dollars and our "strategic interests" are being used to justify the slaughter of innocents and the leveling of entire cities. The Loss of our Moral Compass: We have traded our role as a "model for the world" for a seat at the table of hypocrisy. When we operate on assumptions rather than humanity, we don't bring peace; we bring disaster and chaos. The Reputation of our Nation: Our leadership has turned a great country into a target of global scorn. We are no longer respected; we are viewed as a bully that has lost its soul. We are better than this. Our leaders in Congress must stop using "strategy" as a mask for inhumanity. We demand an immediate end to the support of activities that destroy infrastructure and take innocent lives. It is time to restore the dignity of the American people by choosing human life over political leverage.

It’s with (probably unwarranted) love and dedication that we, the fans, demand more of the owners of the teams we love and support. We’re there through wins and losses, a lot of losses,  and need them to stand with the community in our current moment.  Team owners signed on to a notoriously tepid letter from Minnesota-based companies, which was little more than word salad. The letter cites “recent challenges facing our state” and calls for an “immediate de-escalation of tensions.”  “Recent challenges” hardly describe the brutality and trauma of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign.  Team owners should follow the lead of athletes and coaches who've had the courage to speak out:  Former Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns tweeted, “These events have cost lives and shaken families — and we must call for accountability, transparency, and protections for all people.”  Vikings legend John Randle posted on Instagram, “Many fans have been scared of backlash, losing friends or followers, but I am saying clearly: I am NOT okay with people being taken from their homes and families being ripped apart. I am NOT okay with people being denied due process. I am NOT okay with reckless violence condoned by the Trump Administration. I am NOT okay with people being murdered in their own communities. I love Minnesota and stand with my entire community. #iceout” Now it’s time for the Minnesota Twins and every Minnesota pro team to find the courage to speak up for their communities when we’re under attack. 

Douglas County residents are united in a deep sense of care for the wellbeing of our families and community.  Our petition is rooted in that shared commitment. 

Palau is not a large country with vast land, infrastructure, or unlimited resources. We already face challenges related to housing, healthcare, education, and employment for our own people. Introducing a population from a completely different cultural background—one with histories, customs, and experiences unfamiliar to us—raises serious concerns about our capacity to integrate them safely and responsibly.    Historically, Palau has welcomed people from within the Pacific who share Pasifika values, traditions, and ways of life. The people of Echang are a clear example of this—welcomed, integrated, and now a valued part of our community. This was possible because of shared cultural understanding and regional ties. The current proposal does not reflect the same circumstances.    We do not know the full backgrounds of these refugees, including prior involvement in criminal activity, trafficking, or drug-related issues. As a small island nation, we are uniquely vulnerable. What may be manageable for larger countries could have irreversible consequences for Palau.    We need only look to other Pacific nations, such as Fiji, where unchecked migration and foreign influence have led to social strain and loss of local control. Palau must learn from these examples and not repeat them.    Our ancestors fought tirelessly for Palauan independence and self-determination. Today, many of us fear that decisions like this move us backward—placing foreign interests and short-term financial gain above the long-term safety, culture, and future of our people.