American workers pay into Social Security and Medicare every pay period during their working years with the expectations that U.S. Government will make good on its promise to provide guaranteed, monthly benefit checks during their retirement years. Now retirees receive devaluated dollars with no buying power because the high cost of living and the INFLATION the U.S. government support.

Dear Mr. President and distinguished members of the senate & house. We the People of the United States want you to reduce the retirement age to 50 & generate more revenue to support our great Social Security program. Please contribute all taxes collected from the lottery & all other gambling-gaming profits & winnings to our Social Security program so that ALL retiring Americans win.

The people at the bottom of the wage scale -- like myself -- in the U.S. pay Social Security tax on their entire income. Why should the wealthy and the super wealthy not do the same??? It is time the cap was removed! The debate about possible cuts in Social Security would be over!

They have voted to give themselves a raise for 'Cost of Living Increase' yet they want to eliminate all future 'Cost of Living Increases' for those on Social Security.

Vote NO on the Parent Trigger Bill (SB 862)

Huge number of homeless people die of exposure every winter in the cities in the north part of the country. In many of the cities, such as Detroit, New York, etc. there are hundreds of vacant and abandoned houses, factories, or warehouses. that could be used to house them, and protect their lives. This petition is to ask our federal government to step in and save the lives of hundreds or even thousands of homeless men, women, and children by purchasing these buildings and making them into viable shelters for these forgotten citizens of the United States that have been victims of the economic catastrophies brought on by the economic collapse in this country.

I am on Social Security Disability, Medicare and Medicaid. I need these programs just for my survival. I live in poverty. If you make cuts in these programs I am afraid of what will happen to my life. I have no family to care for me. All I have is Social Security Disability, Medicare and Medicaid. Plus the millions of other vulnerable Americans who will be devastated too by any cuts in these vital programs.

Chicago's West Loop and Greektown Neighborhood is home to families and businesses, who enjoy a dynamic and rapidly growing urban environment. The West Loop is one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Chicago. It is home to thriving restaurants, shops, galleries, and spacious residential lofts. The West Loop is a vibrant community with major interstate highways to the east and south of us. Walking south down Halsted from Greektown, you might not even notice the thousands of cars passing by just yards away, down below on the Eisenhower expressway. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has proposed the construction of a major “flyover”, or overpass, to be built over Halsted Street and I-290... connecting the northbound Kennedy to the westbound Eisenhower. It’s part of IDOT’s massive 4.5-year-long project to rebuild the Circle Interchange and rebuild the aging street bridges. This proposed flyover ramp will feature two 12’ lanes and two 10’ shoulders, plus, the necessary guardrails and infrastructure required to handle 40,000 cars a day. It will be massive. We oppose the inclusion of the flyover ramp for a variety of reasons. This flyover ramp will negatively impact West Loop and Greektown business owners, Halsted Street pedestrians, CTA Blue Line commuters, property owners, and residents. Aside from the 4.5-year construction timeline, the result will be an eyesore that not only separates the West Loop and Greektown neighborhoods from our neighbors to the south, like UIC; it will become a dark and dangerous blight to a thriving neighborhood. Noise Traffic noise will increase because the bypass ramp will come over the top of Halsted Street (just south of Van Buren) instead of going under the road. Noise increases when traffic is doubled (two lanes instead of one lane), there is a steep slope, and speed is increased. Flyover roads also broadcast noise over greater distances. Dirt/Pollution Building the ramp over Halsted Street will increase the amount of dirt and particulate pollutants (from diesel fuel combustion, materials produced by tire, brake and road wear, and dust) that will accumulate on the sidewalks and street in the immediate area. Overpass structures create a darker and dirtier environment for pedestrians. This ramp will also be located outside the Halsted Street Blue Line station where people need to wait for buses and enter/exit the station. Safety/Walk Ability Overpass structures create a darker and dirtier environment. Threatening to pedestrians. This ramp will also be located outside the Halsted Street Blue Line station where people need to wait for buses and enter/exit the station. Separation of communities The flyover structure will be located at the south end of Greektown and creates a separation from the UIC neighborhood. It will greatly impact the restaurants and businesses that are currently thriving in a resurgent Greektown.

I live in fear that I'll be without healthcare and shelter because you keep voting to threaten seniors by taking away their care.

Older Americans are a neglected population in the US. Their rights need to be protected also. The Notch Fairness Act allows seniors who turned 65 after 1981 but before 1992 to receive their fair amount of social security benefits.

Closing state offices for "Holy Friday" or any other religious holiday violates the law and costs all taxpayers (of all beliefs and non-believers) millions to promote the Christian Religion and that simply is not FAIR!

License Driver for those who had it,but couldn't renew it, due to 9/11.