Completely breaking the link between free speech and money is the only foundation on which we can base the necessary reforms to eliminate the abusive power of BIG $$$ Interests. Success in all other reforms from the environment to taxes to bribing our representatives... is almost impossible until we first achieve establish this basis. "We don't have free speech. We can't afford it."

President Obama announced a number of executive actions this week designed to keep guns out of the hands of criminals and dangerous people. While these are important measures much more needs to be done to stem the tide of gun violence in this country. Our legislators need to do their job and pass meaningful, commonsense gun laws to protect our communities. President Obama has pledged that "I will take every action I can as a citizen. I will not campaign for, vote for, or support any candidate, even in my own party, who does not support commonsense gun reform" and advises us that "all of us need to demand leaders brave enough to stand up to the gun lobby's lies. All of us need to stand up and protect our fellow citizens. All of us need to demand that governors, mayors and our representative in Congress do their part." We know the only way to change the epidemic of gun violence in this country is to make this a “single issue” during the next election, so I stand with President Obama to demonstrate that "the way Washington changes is when people vote."

As former students and concerned citizens of Mashpee we stand united and demand that the Mashpee School Committee take immediate action to terminate Brian Hyde. The public record has proven that Brian Hyde is unfit to serve in his current role as superintendent.

At a town hall forum on Maine's heroin epidemic on January 6, Gov. LePage said: "Now the traffickers ... These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty, these types of guys. They come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, and they go back home. Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave." These blatantly racist comments are unacceptable in today's political debate and do not represent the views of me or most Mainers.

At a town hall forum on Maine's heroin epidemic on January 6, Gov. LePage said: "Now the traffickers ... These are guys with the name D-Money, Smoothie, Shifty, these types of guys. They come from Connecticut and New York, they come up here, they sell their heroin, and they go back home. Incidentally, half the time they impregnate a young, white girl before they leave." These blatantly racist comments are unacceptable in today's political debate. I urge Gov. LePage and the Maine GOP to apologize for and repudiate these deeply offensive comments. UPDATE (JAN. 8): The governor gave a news conference in which he blamed the media for covering his remarks and claimed they were a slip of the tongue. He also said he apologized to "Maine women," who he made a point of saying were virtually all white. It's not clear what he was apologizing to them for. Because of the fundamental insincerity of this statement, we're continuing to urge the governor to give a full and honest apology for his racist statements without blaming others for his actions.

Senate bill 571 that Snyder has signed prohibits local officials from publicly discussing ballot proposals or millage issues in the 60 days leading up to an election. It is essentially a gag order and is a violation of our free speech. He has willfully poisoned our citizens' drinking water in Flint for over a year, and is now infringing upon our right to free speech. Recall him now before he does more harm.

There has been a growing conflict on the San Mateo County Coast between families, hikers and off-leash dogs and their owners. These conflicts have resulted in injuries to children, adults and pets. The potential for violent confrontations between hikers and dog-owners are escalating. Our parks should be safe places for all our citizens to enjoy. We simply ask that our Rangers enforce existing law.

My name is Ana Sol Gutierrez and I am an immigrant from El Salvador. I was the first Hispanic elected public official in Maryland. I am a professional engineer and a long-serving, experienced public servant. I am now running to be the first Salvadoran-American in Congress, seeking to fix a broken and inhumane immigration system and to be a voice for the millions who have no voice in our current political system. I will not let Democrats stand idle to the xenophobia and the fear-mongering of Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, FOX news, and the Republican Party.

According to Human Rights Watch, Saudi Arabia has deployed cluster bombs in Yemen which violates international law and causes horrific civilian casualties. United States provided these cluster bombs that were used. The United States has also refused to accede the Convention on Cluster Munitions. More information on this can be found at noclusterbombs.org and hrw.org

Our teenage son was given a very harsh sentence outside the mandatory guidelines for his “first” offense. Both the Judge and the Prosecutor stated in the newspaper “We will make examples of all”. The court appointed lawyer provided counsel for both teenagers involved, which is a conflict of interest that was never addressed. No appeals and Writ of Habeas was ever filed by the court-appointed attorney. Our children, regardless of age, are our priority, even when the courts treat them just like a number.

I'm starting this petition because I am an individual targeted by gang stalkers, so I know what it feels like to live in fear. I know what it is like to feel hopeless and wonder if there is any way to escape all the pain and suffering. Innocent people are being sought after by people who have absolutely no regard to human life and they must be stopped.

I believe that if kept clean and safe, chickens are a good source for food as well as natural fertilizer. Hens are extremely quiet and produce no more waste than the average dog or cat. As a tax paying resident of Farmington Hills, I should be allowed to keep these quiet farm animals in the privacy of my own yard. I have been contacted by Councilman Lerner. He has informed me that a resident May in fact keep chickens, but they must be a minimum of 175' away from the neighbors. I appreciate this information, but feel as though that makes it mostly impossible for most residents to in fact keep a coop. After all, how many of us live 175' apart? Perhaps that was the whole point when coming up with this number as a zoning guideline.