Nothing will make this nation stronger than a purposeful focus on developing the best character values in each citizen. We need our government to 'lead by example' and help establish a significant awareness of how good and strong character values can unite us and make us better. We are calling on the White House to 'Commit to Character' by officially identifying each month of the calendar year as being a different character trait. By instigating this 'movement' you will inspire individuals, families, communites, companies to talk, share, discuss and learn about each of the chosen character values.

This petition is to call for an end of politicians holding up formation of State Banks. Billions of dollars could be saved to help get the State out of red ink

This petition is to call for an end of politicians holding up formation of State Banks. Billions of dollars could be saved to help get the State out of red ink

We live in Dorchester; a community that for some is full of danger and to others is full of hope and peace. To those of us who live with this in constant fear, peace of mind is a must. Today, many teens feel unsafe, and are looking for a means of protection. So far they have turned to blades (also known as a hawk, shank, shiv, blade, or the most common term knife). We fear that this is only a stepping-stone towards acquiring a gun. This is an important issue because aside from the Trayvon Martin controversy, many teens are looking for protection, and are liable to turn to a gun because it offers easier protection. Now some Massachusetts state legislators are working on adopting the "Stand Your Ground" law, which in simple terms states that a person may use force if needed in self-defense without any responsibility to retreat. This law would allow anybody (including already paranoid teens) to justifiably use deadly force to protect him or herself. By signing this petition to reject "Stand Your Ground" law, you would be doing your part in helping not only Dorchester but also Massachusetts move one step closer towards obtaining peace and hope through reasonable and sound gun control laws.

In 1984 most states changed the legal drinking age to 21 to not lose out on federal highway funds. Twenty eight years have passed and it is time to revisit the issue. It seems that a consequence of changing the drinking age to 21 is that underage drinking has been pushed underground and binge drinking is now on the rise. Kids “pregame” (drink as much as they can), before they go out because they can’t drink once they get to where they are going. When the drinking age was 18, there was no urgency to drink mass quantities before going out. College students are going to drink no matter what the law says, but now they are doing it undercover and unsupervised. Kids are not learning how to drink socially, they are learning how to binge drink and are dying of alcohol poisoning. Alcohol will always be in our society, we have the opportunity to teach kids how to drink responsibly instead of forcing them underground. Eighteen year olds are treated as adults in most all other cases: they can marry, males must register for the draft, they can smoke vote and be charged as an adult in the court system. They only thing they can’t do is purchase and drink alcohol. If society has decided that 18 year olds are adults, they should also be allowed to drink. Kids are also getting blemishes on their records making it harder to get into college and more difficult to be hired into the work force. In many colleges they can be kicked out if they are caught drinking. The law also costs parents and kids financially, legal and court fees for underage drinking tickets can run hundreds to thousands of dollars. We hear that there are fewer alcohol related car accidents now, many believe that is due to the fact that drinking and driving is no longer tolerated at any age. Kids take turns being the designated driver or get in a taxi. In that respect they are much smarter than previous generations. It seems that we spend a lot of time, effort and money trying to make sure kids under 21 don’t drink. It would be more constructive to to educate the public about the problems of binge drinking. Changing the drinking age to 21 has not deterred drinking and has triggered many other problems.

This petition is about the historical bullying and unethical behavior that has taken place at Verizon, for too long now. Verizon receives over 100,000 EEO complaints a year, which is 400 a day. Many ignored, covered-up and too many are slipped under the rug. It is now time to demand change in behaviors at Verizon, in the best interest of the Company and the Country.

I would like to see statewide petitions_ particularly here in Missouri and Kansas_ to ban reparitive gay therapy. Hundreds, if not thousands, of gay teens have been forced_ in most cases, by their own parents_ to be treated by quack therapists in hopes of praying away their homosexuality. I find this barbaric and often wonder how many youths have committed suicide because their parents reacted in such a way to their sexual orientation. As an aside, it is an issue that would really piss of the Religious Right because I think it could win at the polls.

With patriotism comes the responsibility of all American citizens to care for the ones in need. We should bring up the issue of taxation as a shared responsibility by all alike. The United States was built on the backs of ALL Americans who would risk their education, their health and their capital. The taxation system has helped those who failed through, bannkruptcy laws and such. Those that succeeded did so with the help of a work force that contributed to the dream. With this shared sacrifice of the worker and the investor, taxation then becomes a patriotic right for all, not only for the middle class.

For too long this American hero and his actions were never given the Highest military decoration and it is time for our President to award this honor posthumously to his family.

We should expect all politicians to tell the truth - we know longer will except lies, only truth should get our vote.

A gate once existed in the Dam West fence adjacent to The Shores to allow for safe walking access for members of the Shores neighborhood to Polton Elementary School. Children and families walking to the school must now walk along Parker Road or Yale Ave. We are calling on The Dam West to re-open the gate for safe walking access to the school. The Shores is willing to help with the financial costs.

Harbor Heights in Sag Harbor Village plans to dramatically expand its gas station while side-stepping over a dozen zoning rules meant to protect the neighborhood from overdevelopment. Village boards can insist that all zoning rules are strictly followed, and therefore limit the threat of noise, traffic, and light on the residential neighborhood and historic village. We are urging all village boards to protect the rural character of our village, and apply all building size, setback, landscape, and other requirements as written in the code. Sign the petition!