The process to decide our next president is just as important as who is ultimately elected. For our democracy to have real meaning, the process must have integrity - not only to trust the results but to build trust with the next generation of voters. The DNC's responsibility to protect this trust, and its unjustified penalties targeting the essential tool of grassroots voter data damages this trust. Not only does it look favorable to the leading candidate (who would like to win the nomination with the support of the whole party), but it looks like the DNC does not want data breaches reported. Protecting voter data is also essential for building within the party and with potential supporters. Punishing the messenger damages the entire nomination process. Let's hold the DNC & NGP VAN accountable! (For background on the data breach and the DNC's response: go to the NYT reporting http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/12/18/sanders-campaign-disciplined-for-breaching-clinton-data/)

I believe in democracy. I believe that the primary system should not be rigged to favor one candidate over another one. I believe that my party should live up to the rot of its name and stand for democracy, not oligarchy.

Because Jerry, homie. Jerry.

We are launching this position because we believe the actions of the DNC are a blight on and an affront to Democracy itself. We should be working to mobilize and turning out voters. We should not be working to act like Republicans in 2002 who jammed phone lines in an attempt to stifle voter turnout.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who heads the Democratic National Committee, undoubtedly made the call to suspend Bernie Sanders' access to the DNC's 50-state voter file in the wake of a software glitch that a Sanders staffer had previously reported on multiple occasions. With just 6 weeks to go before the Iowa caucuses and less than 2 months before the New Hampshire primary, the Sanders campaign needs this voter file more than ever to reach a maximum number of voters. Withholding access to this critical information at such a critical time for the campaign is equivalent to sabotage.

The Confederate Naval Jack flag hangs in Summerall Chapel-- a church-- on the campus of The Citadel. We, the members of the Take It Down Now Campaign are calling for its immediate removal. It has no business in a house of worship-- a sacred space. Further, we are also calling for the establishment of a Commission on Racial Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity to address the ideology of the flag and the way that it negatively influences the campus experience for African American cadets, others at the school, graduates, and the larger Charleston, S.C. community. #TakeItDownNow!

The proposed change in hours will force pedestrians and joggers off the safe zoo paths onto the streets. The change in hours will have a direct negative impact on working professionals, women, senior citizens, and school-age children. It is now possible to enjoy the zoo before and after work. With new hours most professionals will be unable to enjoy the zoo at any time during the week. Women are primary users of the zoo as a safe and secure place to exercise. Changing zoo hours will force women to choose between unsafe paths in Rock Creek or not exercising at all. Senior Citizens are able to walk in a pedestrian-friendly environment. School-age children are able to enjoy the zoo after school hours. The change in open hours would make all these activities impossible.

To save an entertainment medium from vanishing.

Many cities across the country and our own state have changed local laws and ordinances to allow for the raising of a small flock of hens. It is time for Cicero, NY to join this movement. With proper education and a little research it is very easy to raise chickens in an urban setting without fear of noise, smell or disease. At the same time you can provide your family with a very healthy choice in home grown eggs. Factory farming is failing us in many ways. This will relieve the pressure on factory farming, while giving residents the right to provide a much more humane, and safe environment for backyard chickens. Let's join cities like New York, Baltimore, Rockville, Silver Spring, Bethesda, Potomac, and many more to put food production into the hands of city residents.

Americans already know we have a big money problem. In a recent WSJ/NBC poll, 69% of respondents said they “feel angry because our political system seems to only be working for the insiders with money and power, like those on Wall Street or in Washington, rather than working to help everyday people get ahead.” This sentiment is backed up by research showing that when the preferences of the wealthiest 10 percent of Americans conflict with that of the rest of the population, the 10 percent trumps the 90 percent. Despite this, big money interests have continued to dominate our elections and in turn, our national agenda. All of the Democratic presidential candidates have acknowledged the problem of big money in politics. But acknowledging the problem is the easy part. That’s why we need to hear what specific actions these candidates will commit to taking to get big money out of politics, and on what timeline.

I have repeatedly reported Donald Trump and those on his page on FB for hate speech. His posts insight rhetoric that is a catalyst for violence against Muslims. One reader even suggested they should all be killed. Even this was rejected by FB as hate speech. Enough.

Decent and innocent people are being attacked in part because of reckless rhetoric in the name of shameless self promotion of people like Donald Trump. It must end now. Donald Trump owes it to all Americans and all Muslims to help put an end to this type of ugly violence here in America and all Americans(including those in Washington and on every major news network) need to stand up and put immense pressure him to do so.