The deadliest mass shootings happen when dangerous people get their hands on military-style assault weapons utilizing high-capacity magazines. We saw it in Orlando when a single gunman was able to murder 49 people. These weapons are designed first and foremost to wipe out enemy combatants on the battlefield, not for hunting or self-protection. They should have no place in our neighborhoods. We can't wait around for the next mass shooter to strike. We need to act urgently to protect our people.

It is time to end the war in Afghanistan. In this election year, you would expect that those hoping to be the next Commander in Chief of America’s military would be putting forward their plan to end America’s longest war. Yet none of the candidates have put forward a clear, actionable, public plan for peace. This is unacceptable. Please take a moment to demand that all candidates release a plan that will finally end America’s longest war, bring all our troops home, and put forward a plan for peace in Afghanistan.

Our elected officials should be beholden to the people, not wealthy special interests. But the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) undermines that principle every day. ALEC sells corporations private access to lawmakers so they can push their extreme agenda -- while claiming to be a charity so its corporate donors can write off their donations on their taxes. ALEC is committing tax fraud, and it’s weakening our democracy. So today, we’re releasing even more proof: hundreds of documents showing how after funneling millions of dollars to ALEC, oil giant Exxon received private access to legislators to push its anti-environmental agenda. In 2012, Common Cause filed a whistleblower complaint with the IRS to expose ALEC’s abuse of its charity status. Then, last year, ALEC threatened legal action against Common Cause -- accusing us of lying when we said ALEC was denying climate science. But we won’t be intimidated, because we have the facts on our side. We’re releasing hundreds of documents that show how Exxon used ALEC as a vehicle to secretly push its extreme legislative agenda and undermine the scientific consensus on climate change. Between 1998 and 2014, Exxon contributed over $1.7 million to ALEC -- and in return, ALEC lobbied for more than a dozen bills that directly benefited Exxon, including blocking and undermining climate science, renewable energy, and environmental and health safety rules. This is undeniable proof that ALEC is a lobby group -- not a charity like it claims. The IRS doesn’t have any more excuses for inaction -- it’s time to hold ALEC accountable.

Hundreds of thousands of Rhode Islanders are being denied the full benefits of necessary chiropractic care due to limitations on the number of office visits and phantom co-pays that are often more expensive than paying out-of-pocket. Medicaid patients have zero coverage for chiropractic. This is a violation of the Affordable Care Act.

As Hurricane Matthew makes landfall today in Florida, millions of people face uncertainty and danger in the days ahead. Unfortunately, due to climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, catastrophic weather events like this may now be part of the new normal. Yet, at both the vice presidential and first presidential debates, there wasn't a single question about climate change. For the first time, ABC and CNN have both agreed to consider questions submitted online by the public for inclusion during the debates, and several of the top vote-getting questions are related to climate change. Voters deserve to hear the candidates answer a straight-forward question climate change. We must ask a question that cuts to the heart of the issue and exposes just how ill-prepared a Donald Trump presidency is to address the reality of climate change. CNN has a promising history of questioning candidates on climate change. In March, CNN anchor Jake Tapper questioned both Sen. Marco Rubio and Gov. John Kasich about their plans to address sea level rise at the Republican presidential debate in Miami. With one candidate who tweeted that climate change is a hoax perpetrated by the Chinese, the American people deserve to know the candidate's true plans to deal (or not to) with climate change. For the upcoming town hall debate, the responsibility to ask these critical questions lies in the hands of the moderators and the networks who have agreed consider questions submitted by the public.

Just as we're gearing up for the second presidential debate, Hurricane Matthew is set to be the first major hurricane to make landfall in the United States in 10 years--and its rapid intensification, sustained strength, and torrential rainfall are all consistent with climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution. It's time to make climate change a top priority of the debates and check in on the climate policies and positions of the presidential candidates. Tell the Commission on Presidential Debates to ask the top-ranked internet question on climate change: "As president, what are the steps you will take to address climate change?" This question has received the most environmental votes and it is top 10 overall on PresidentialOpenDebates.com—a site that ABC and CNN moderators have agreed to consider as a source for questions for the upcoming town hall presidential debates. Hurricane Matthew reminds us, yet again, that catastrophic weather events are no longer infrequent occurrences—they are the new normal. We know Donald Trump has denied climate change is even real, tweeting: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive." Will he stick with his climate denialist stance or will he concede that scientists are correct? Alternatively, we know that Hillary Clinton understands the science that shows us climate change is a pressing issue that must tackled. However, we need to hear more on the specific steps she will take to address the issue. Will you join me by signing and sharing the petition change the latter part to the Commission on Presidential Debates to make sure that the top-voted internet question on climate is asked during the upcoming debate?

We do not want to see Gears TV go nor Gears of War build. We stand behind omar and will support him in anyway possible!

Syria is a sovereign country that is no threat to the U.S. By international and US constitutional law, an occupation or an invasion of a sovereign state without a declaration of war is strictly prohibited and therefore illegal. These actions by the U.S., NATO, and Allies place many more innocent civilians lives at risk and poses a major war with Russia and Iran. Russia and Iran were asked to assist by invitation from the Syrian government, whereas the U.S. was not invited. There is no declaration of war with Syria, therefore there is no legal reason for the U.S., Allies, or its proxies to be in Syria. The U.S. has placed itself as above the law which, by definition, sets itself above all other nations. Theses aggressive acts by the U.S. in Syria are promoting even more destruction, violence, and chaos that are compromising world peace and the unthinkable, a nuclear confrontation. The U.S. has placed our military personnel in harm's way and is utilizing our men and women to advance this illegal action. As a military person, you have taken the oath to secure and defend the laws of our nation and international law. If given orders that contradict or challenge your promise to secure and defend the Constitution or international law, you have the right and are compelled to reject those orders. The phrase used often by those in authority, “I was just following orders,” does not give you immunity from those illegal and immoral actions no matter what position or status you hold. With the recent uncertainty of the U.S. fueling attacks on Assad and on Syrian/Russian forces, Russia and the U.S. are set for a direct confront. Moscow has recently opened their underground shelters in preparation for a war with U.S. and NATO (which is controlled by the U.S.). The Western news and presidential debates are a deliberate distraction from the matters that need to be exposed for what they are -- the aggressive and unwarranted actions of the U.S. is a threat to the quality of life for millions and even the extinction of life on Earth. Being complacent, doing nothing, you have made a decision. I can say, I did my best to make the public aware so that action can take place by the thousands to help save humanity. I am not a special person, I’ve just set aside the time to construct this petition as a call for action. Like you, I’ve spent thousands of hours on my computer. However, without a doubt, this is the most important thing this machine or myself has been tasked to do. May you also realize the utter importance of this call to action.

Working at a fast-food restaurant like McDonald’s means dealing with rampant sexual harassment. A new report finds that four out of every ten women working in fast-food face sexual harassment on the job – more than 60% higher than other industries. Not only do fast-food workers get paid too little to live and support our families – we’re forced to face sexual harassment on the job. McDonald’s has the power to crack down on sexual harassment at their stores. They can increase punishment for offenders and make reporting easier for targeted employees. Instead, they keep silent. Worse, they IGNORE the people brave enough to come forward and reach out for help on their own. It’s wrong – and it needs to stop now.

A provision in the Senate’s defense authorization bill (S 2943) would limit the information the Pentagon is required to report about its use of private contractors. [1] If the Senate's provision were passed, the Pentagon's reported figures for the number of private contractors it is using would be so underestimated as to be useless. A House-Senate conference committee is now writing a final version of the bill. Whatever emerges from that conference will almost surely become law. An unaccountable army of private Pentagon contractors doesn't just waste taxpayers' money - that's bad enough. According to one estimate, the Pentagon could save more than $20 billion per year just by reducing its contractor work force by 15%. [2] But just as privatized prisons establish an unnecessary financial incentive for creating more prisoners, privatized Pentagon services establish an unnecessary financial incentive for wars of choice - like the current U.S. participation in the civil wars in Yemen and Syria. Urge your Senators and Representative to oppose any provision in the defense authorization bill that would reduce the transparency and accountability of the Pentagon's use of private contractors by signing our petition. References: 1. "Pentagon Reports Sharp Drop in Use of Contractors," John M. Donnelly, CQ Roll Call, Oct. 4, 2016 2. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/blogs/world-report/2015/10/08/pentagon-needs-to-cut-shadow-contractor-work-force

At Emerge America, we’re fighting to elect more Democratic women to stand up for the change we need to move America forward. Our board member and Moms Demand Action founder, Shannon Watts, knows exactly why we need more women in office: “It’s proven that women are more likely than men to support the kinds of legislation that Moms Demand Action promotes, such as stricter laws governing gun sales.” Where should we start? We start by closing the loopholes that allow stalkers, abusive ex-dating partners and people with emergency restraining orders to legally buy and own guns. It’s common sense.

We had a big win in June. The Supreme Court ruled against a law that was aiming to shut down abortion clinics in Texas. This landmark decision affirms that imposing undue burdens on women seeking abortions is wrong. It confirms that women have a right to access a safe and legal abortion. What does that mean for Arizona? It calls into question practices like forcing women to travel hundreds of miles to access reproductive health care, enduring 24-hour waiting periods, and preventing Medicaid from covering abortions. It’s time we follow the Supreme Court’s lead and take action.