If you can believe it, one Congressman from New Jersey has said he may vote against the bulk of federal aid to rebuild his own state next week. Scott Garrett said he may vote against the rest of the New Jersey delegation and try to block the majority of federal aid for disaster victims citing 'wasteful spending.' Rebuilding roads and bridges. Helping families get back in their homes to start putting their lives back together. That's hardly waste. If Garrett were alone, that would be bad enough. But he’s joined by a Tea Party caucus that would rather see families suffer than admit that we actually have obligations to each other. So every vote will count. The House will vote on the Sandy relief package on Tuesday, January 15. Sign our emergency petition to Rep. Garrett not to block relief for Hurricane Sandy victims.

From camping under the stars at Big Bend Ranch to exploring the cypress swamps of Caddo Lake, our state parks make life better here in Texas. They protect the clean water we depend on and provide a home for some of Texas’ most wondrous wildlife, from the black bear to the leatherback sea turtle. They're also a major economic engine for the state, generating more than one billion dollars in economic activity for local communities. But budget cuts may force the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to close twenty state parks, cancel critical repairs, and fail to restore Bastrop State Park after devastating wildfires. We can do more to keep our parks safe and open. In fact, our parks already have a dedicated funding stream—sales taxes on sporting goods—but for too long, the Legislature has raided the fund, diverting the money for other purposes and leaving just the bones for our cash-strapped parks system.

The NRA has refused to enter the discussion about reducing gun violence in our society. They have recommended that schools have armed guards to insure safety. Unfortunately, no funding source for this plan was discussed. Gun owner must realize that their second amendment right does come with responsibilities as well.

The westbound street from 65th Place and Stony Island to South Dorchester currently serves as a perilous throughway for cars trying to get around traffic jams on Stony Island. It is an extremely narrow ,single lane, one way street. Last spring our family dog was crushed by a car going at an excessive speed down the street. As our block continues to flourish, more families are moving in with small children, making it ever more likely that a child will be injured by a car using this street as a way to get around traffic.

If car owners must carry insurance, why not gun owners who can do more harm with a gun than most do with a car. Also, car registration must be renewed each year with a fee, so should gun owners registration.

Its time to get a real Economist in the position of authority. Mr Krugman says what he knows is helpful for our economy and he is not tied to Wall Street...

We the People demand a $12.00 per hour minimum wage. The current minimum wage amounts to economic enslavement. We will not be slaves of the top 2% any longer!

More than two months after Hurricane Sandy, 11,000 Far Rockaway residents still lack heat, hot water and electricity. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and the ones left standing are infested with mold that can cause serious health problems for residents. Nearly 30% of Rockaway Residents surveyed had no heat and 80% still have wet sheetrock in their homes, or paid out of pocket to remove it.

More than two months after Hurricane Sandy, 11,000 Far Rockaway residents still lack heat, hot water and electricity. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and the ones left standing are infested with mold that can cause serious health problems for residents. Nearly 30% of Rockaway Residents surveyed had no heat and 80% still have wet sheetrock in their homes, or paid out of pocket to remove it.

Nearly two months ago, Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the East Coast, causing destruction of unbelievable proportions in New York City, Long Island and New Jersey. Today, as the weather turns colder, 11,000 Far Rockaway residents still lack heat, hot water and electricity. Homes and businesses have been destroyed and the ones left standing are infested with mold that can cause serious health problems for residents. Nearly 30% of Rockaway Residents surveyed had no heat and 80% still have wet sheetrock in their homes, or paid out of pocket to remove it.

The bus stop waiting areas and stopping locations along State roads in Florida and elsewhere are appallingly unsafe. It is horrible to see people standing in the grass, in ditches, in the mud etc. Also, there are almost no bus pull outs and buses stop in the moving traffic lane on state roads where the speed limit is 45-55 mph. There have been numerous rear end collisions with buses. Every week across the US there are State road projects yet they are not making them safer for people who need to ride the bus. Everyone is in favor of more bus ridership and less private vehicles yet it is extremely dangerous and unsafe to get on and off the bus on most state roads.

Easy way to eliminate semi-automatic and high capacity magazines.