This is the first move to start legitimizing the collection of genetic data on American citizens. This is a repeat of the early 1920s Eugenics' movement which sought to identify races for purposes of categorizing them as pre-determination for treatment and social consideration. It is opposed by the American Society of Human Genetics which states "this bill would fundamentally undermine the privacy provisions of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)."

The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced Bill 610. This bill will effectively start the school voucher system to be used by children ages 5 to 17, and starts the de-funding process of public schools. The bill will eliminate the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) of 1965 which is the nation's educational law and provides equal opportunity in education. It is a comprehensive program that covers programs for struggling learners, AP classes, ESL classes, classes for minorities such as Native Americans, Rural Education, Education for the Homeless, School Safety (Gun-Free schools), Monitoring and Compliance and Federal Accountability Programs. The bill also abolishes the Nutritional Act of 2012 (No Hungry Kids Act) which provides nutritional standards in school breakfast and lunch. For our most vulnerable, this may be the ONLY nutritious food they have in a day. The bill has no wording whatsoever protecting special needs kids, no mention of IDEA and FAPE. Some things the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA) of 1965 does for Children with Disabilities: -ensures access to the general education curriculum -ensures access to accommodations on assessments -ensures concepts of Universal Design for Learning -includes provisions that require local education agencies to provide evidence-based interventions in schools with consistently under-performing subgroups -requires states in Title I plans to address how they will improve conditions for learning including reducing incidents of bullying and harassment in schools, overuse of discipline practices and reduce the use of aversive behavioral interventions (such as restraints and seclusion). Please call your representative and ask him/her to vote NO on House Bill 610 (HR 610) introduced by three Republican reps. Please copy and paste this post (rather than hitting "share") so it isn't limited to the friends we have in common. Thanks for advocating on behalf of our nation's youth and their families. See the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/610

Issues and cost of healthcare, need to be experienced by all, especially by those who decide for the rest of us.

The Mesoamerican Reef is located in the Caribbean Sea and touches the coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras. As the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, it stretches nearly 1000 km from the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down through the Honduran Bay Islands, and provides a home to hundreds of fish species, marine turtles, and sharks. On June 5 of 2017 we will celebrate 20 years of the Tulum Declaration, by which the heads of state of the four countries, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, committed to promote the conservation of the Mesoamerican Reef System (MAR) through its sustainable use, thereby contributing to the wellbeing of present and future generations. Over the past 20 years, the four countries have taken important steps, as envisioned. Now, Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras need to take their commitment to the reef a step further. Currently, four threats drastically hurt the health of the MAR: discharge of effluents and contaminants, including sewage; unsustainable coastal development, including mangrove destruction; chronic pressure on fisheries and insufficient enforcement, and climate change impacts on the reef. To address these threats, the Governments of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras must pledge to protect the reef through renewing the commitment to the Tulum Declaration and take the following actions to ensure the health of the reef and the people that depend on it: 1. Follow Mexico’s lead in putting the MAR ecosystem waters completely off limits to oil exploration and extraction. 2. Support municipalities in developing and maintaining the infrastructure needed to effectively treat sewage to levels agreed to in the Cartagena Convention, which should be ratified and implemented by all 4 countries. 3. Promote and facilitate the creation and improved enforcement of fish replenishment areas. 4. Protect blue carbon sinks: mangroves and sea grasses, and explore potential new financing mechanisms based on blue carbon. These actions will preserve the resources and natural processes that are the basis for propelling the Blue Economy as the foundation for development of the four countries and the region. Ask the heads of state of the four countries to renew the commitment to the Tulum Declaration and carry out these critical actions.

On March 10, 2017, Governor Rauner went on record stating publicly that Illinois and the country "should cherish our diversity and cherish our inclusion and always be a welcoming state as well as nation. We should make it much easier to come here and become citizens." We are encouraged by these words, yet troubled by his actions. Governor Rauner has yet to publicly support legislation that would make Illinois welcoming including HB 3099, 0426 and 2394. He has also zeroed out the Immigrant Integration Line Item from the state's budget which includes funding for refugee resettlement, and services that help Illinois residents become US citizens. Sign this petition to ask the Governor to back up his rhetoric and make Illinois welcoming by supporting these bills and an equitable budget now! Sign up to get involved with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights at www.icirr.org/riseup

Our legislators don't live in the real world with their coverage. They've never suddenly found out that the facility you had been going to is no longer in your plan. With the attempt to repeal and replace the ACA, they plan to give tax credits under Trumpcare, what good are tax credits to people who already get all their withholding back.

We need to know exactly where our members of Congress stand on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and we need to know that they're listening . It's easy for Congress to reach out directly to their constituents who sign this petition. If enough people sign in a 48-hour period, they will be sent a clean breakdown of how many constituents in their district or state have signed this petition, and it provides a link for them to reach out directly to those signers. They should use that link to let us know exactly how they will vote on the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.

Trumpcare will take back all of the progress we have made for genetic testing, privacy, and cost.

End the corruption of moneyed influence on career politicians.

The Paul Ryan American Health Care Act would eliminate approximately 15 MILLION people that currently have healthcare insurance to once again being WITHOUT healthcare insurance. The Paul Ryan American Health Care Act would ELIMINATE federal monies designated to each State's Medicaid program to help cover the cost of citizens in that state being added for healthcare coverage. The Paul Ryan American Health Care Act would FORCE local hospitals to treat individuals ONLY through the emergency rooms across American and in rural communities would FORCE hospitals to close. The Paul Ryan American Health Care Act includes an "age tax" that would force Americans age 50 to 64 to pay THOUSANDS more for health care. The Paul Ryan American Health Care Act weakens Medicare – that could open the door to benefit cuts or turning Medicare into vouchers that would NOT provide enough funds to actual receive health insurance coverage. Between the age tax and the reduced tax credits, premiums will soar, especially for persons 50 to 65 years of age, and rate hikes could be as high as $8,000 more just to keep the same coverage. And, the Paul Ryan American Health Care Act takes the LIMITS off how much MORE insurance companies can charge older Americans going from 3% to over 5% for the cost of the monthly premiums. Finally, the Paul Ryan American Health Care Act DOES NOT REQUIRE that mental health services be provided, nor preventative health services. These are just a few of the problems in Paul Ryan's American Health Care Act. Does this sound like it going to help or hurt you, or someone you love?

Please don't overlook the special election coming up on April 11th in the Kansas 4th Congressional District, the Koch brothers' home district. PLEASE ENDORSE JAMES THOMPSON! I live in Kansas (but not in the 4th Congressional District). Notwithstanding that I can't vote for James Thompson, a progressive civil rights attorney and veteran, with an inspiring story of rising up out of homelessness to make a difference in the lives of many Kansans, I have badgered and cajoled my friends and family (including my KC-area friends) to support his candidacy and share his story. My network is responding, as are many others around the state and country. Don't assume because Kansas is a deep-red state that we are monolithic. There is a strong, historic progressive movement in the state (evidenced by the support of Bernie Sanders), fueled by strong opposition to the regressive Brownback policies and Trump's dangerous incompetence. Please don't assume there is no chance to flip this seat in the upcoming special election; Dems, Independents and disillusioned Republicans can be motivated! We need your attention and your help to coordinate our movement to resist the Brownback acolyte running against Democratic candidate James Thompson. Please help us! Please shine your spotlight on the Kansas 4th Congressional District race. Best regards, Andrea Thomas Ramsey, Esq. William A. Ramsey (COL, Ret. USA)

My forefather fought in the American Revolution and I want the values he fought for upheld, namely liberal democracy.