Legislators today constantly submit amendments to legislation under consideration that have nothing to do with the bill they are working on, hoping to slip something through. This happens frequently with 'must pass' bills so things that would have no chance of passing on their own get through. This seriously subverts the democratic process and must be stopped.

This year the DNC limited the number of debates to six and excluded candidates from participating in independent debates. This follows the RNC's examples and is not acceptable behavior for Democrats. Also there are rumblings that the DNC will exclude Sen. Sanders from the debates even though he has gained in popularity and is proposing solutions most Americans agree with.

I started this petition because I was diagnosed with T1D in 1972 at the age of 14 and have lived with this disease for 43 years. From December 2014 to May 2015 I had noticeable improvement in glucose levels when I was given a 6 month opportunity to use CGM. The acute implications associated with T1D lessened. I had constant awareness of my glucose levels and therefore was able to treat the highs and the lows prior to a major medical event that could have put my life in jeopardy. This biotechnology makes a difference because it improves lives and decreases healthcare costs associated with the management of this illness and the medical complications that result from chronic high glucose levels.

On Thursday, July 23, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a law that takes away the authority of local governments to move an “object of remembrance” from, for example, the courthouse square to a county museum. The heated debate in the General Assembly focused on protecting the prominent display of Confederate flags and monuments. Lawmakers ignored the fact that nearly all these monuments in North Carolina were erected between 1905 and 1925 to reaffirm white supremacy and Jim Crow segregation. The Moral Monday Movement led by the NC NAACP is holding a rally on Monday, July 27, at 5 PM at the old Capitol in Raleigh to call on McCrory and legislators to “Protect People, Not Monuments.” (The Capitol is at 1 E. Edenton St., Raleigh.) We need lawmakers to focus on improving public education, health care, a fair criminal justice system, the environment, voting rights, and economic security. Please attend the rally and bring a friend – but also sign the petition and forward it to your friends and neighbors. We all have pressing concerns, often different priorities, but let’s send a strong message that we do not want to whitewash the past or move our state backwards. There is not much time before Monday’s rally, so please act now and circulate this petition. Thanks!

PETITION BACKGROUND I have first hand knowledge that most if not all judges in both state and federal level, across this great country of ours, have systematically invested in bogus mortgage and asset backed so called securities and bonds. I also have first hand knowledge that most if not all judges are literally stealing people's assets and properties for their own greed and label those theft of our assets as foreclosures when the banksters who are in partnership with judges, have not invested a single cent into these bogus bonds. For example, according to a research, every California county court employee at any and all levels participates in a benefit system that is minimum 60% invested in mortgage and asset backed securities, other bank and financial products tied to mortgage and asset backed securities. [Ref: http://www.scribd.com/doc/99125513/Calpers-Annual-Investment-Report-2010#scribd] which confirm judges' bias and court's clear conflict of interest, violating all 6 Canons of CALIFORNIA CODE OF JUDICIAL ETHICS which essentially means there is no difference between most California county court judges and the debt collectors, they both have consistently terrorized this nation. THIS CRIMINAL CONDUCT MUST STOP NOW.

On July 23, the New York Times published an op-ed by Shmuel Rosner, political editor at The Jewish Journal and a senior fellow at The Jewish People Policy Institute, which claimed that “There are American organizations (such as J Street) that support goals that barely any Israeli agrees with, that nevertheless flaunt the pro-Israel label.” [1] No explanation was given of what these goals are, nor was any evidence given that “barely any Israeli” agrees with these goals. The New York Times fact-checks its op-eds; indeed, they fact-check letters to the editor. People are not allowed to say whatever they want in the New York Times, even in an opinion piece. If Rosner was talking about J Street’s support for the Iran nuclear deal, which seems like the most plausible explanation given the context, his claim was both outrageous on its face and deeply misleading. Senior members of Israel’s national security establishment have spoken in favor of the deal. [2] Moreover, the majority of American Jews back the deal. [3] So if Rosner’s standard for “pro-Israel” is opposition to the Iran nuclear deal, then according to Rosner’s standard, the majority of American Jews would not be “pro-Israel,” which shows that this standard would be absurd. Urge the New York Times editors to examine why this unsubstantiated and misleading attack on J Street was allowed, and to pledge not to allow such unsubstantiated and misleading attacks on J Street in the future, by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/opinion/shmuel-rosner-testing-the-us-israel-bond.html 2. http://forward.com/opinion/312158/this-man-explains-why-iran-deal-is-good-for-israel/; http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/israel-iran-nuclear-agreement-netanyahu-obama-bad-deal.html; http://www.timesofisrael.com/ex-mossad-chief-some-aspects-of-iran-deal-are-good-for-israel/; http://jstreet.org/israeli-validators-for-the-iran-agreement 3. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/1.667593; http://www.jewishjournal.com/IranSurvey

Working families are represented and protected by the unions. The benefits gained during the collective bargaining process positively affects working families directly. Collecting union dues does not violate our first amendment rights.

We have a right to know whether our food contains genetically modified organisms. But the so-called Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act would do nothing to make our food safer and would prevent consumers from getting more accurate information by blocking states from labeling GMO foods. That’s why it’s so alarming that the U.S. House just passed a bill intended to keep consumers in the dark. Among the public, a strong bipartisan majority favors GMO labeling. Blocking state labeling laws is not only anti-consumer; it’s undemocratic as well. We have the right to know what we're eating. Tell the Senate to block the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act.

We are losing a voice that will be hard to replace, Lets send a message they can not ignore.

While not paying a ticket is highly irresponsible it certainly isn't criminal. We are wasting space in our city and county jails housing traffic offenders.It also provides a tool used for discrimination by officers who have ulterior agendas and has been for decades. This is a civil matter, not criminal. People driving on a suspended license should not be sent to the same place as people who steal, kill,rape, sell drugs, and carry guns. There are other options available to collect debt. Incarceration is not the answer, furthermore incarceration doesn't even clear the debt. Once released, violators still owe the city. This perpetuates a vicious, unproductive cycle. More affordable payment programs should be in place to help offenders correct the issue. Instead, GC services , the DMV and Court Divisions make it virtually impossible for a person with low income to recover from even a small infraction, which leads to a suspended license , a towed vehicle and imprisonment. Even the funds obtained from the sale of the towed vehicle are not applied to the debt owed.This is unacceptable and has been going on too long. Lets change it

The working class in America has very very few allies in corporate media, and when we finally find one ... shortly, MSNBC (which is the only station working class heroes find their way into) ends their program, ie Dylan Ratigan, Martin Bashier, and now Ed Schultz, who's being replaced by corporate hack and extreme middle-roader who challenges nothing of consequence, Chuck Todd. Tell MSBNC to bring Ed back!

From our friends at ThinkProgress: The Equality Act Introduced Today in Congress, Would Allow LGBT Americans To Live Free From Fear Jami and Krista Contreras of Michigan found out the hard way about the lack of comprehensive legal protections for LGBT Americans. Jami and Krista were married in Vermont in 2012, and two years later their daughter Bay was born. When it came time for their baby girl’s first checkup, her doctor refused to provide her care simply because her parents are gay. The unfortunate reality is that the Contreras’ story could have happened in the majority of states across America. Despite the progress that has been made in ensuring marriage equality, there are still over 30 states that lack clear and comprehensive legal protections for LGBT people. In these states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, or evicted from their apartment simply because of who they are. As the Contreras family learned, even the children of LGBT couples are not safe from discrimination without explicit federal law prohibiting it. Thankfully, many members of congress recognize this reality and are working to change it. The Equality Act, introduced today, is a historic bill that would ensure comprehensive non-discrimination protections for LGBT people regardless of where they live. Under The Equality Act “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” would be added to protections for employment, housing, public accommodations, public education, federal funding, credit, and juries. The bill would also expand and enhance existing protections for people of color, women, and Americans of all faiths. The Equality Act was introduced by Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Tammy Baldwin (D-OR) and Corey Booker (D-NJ) and Rep. David Ciclline (D-RI), along with a long list of co-sponsors including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Lewis. Its support among congressional democrats and LGBT advocates is huge. Not surprisingly, support for the bill is not as high among conservatives in Congress, many of whom oppose any non-discrimination legislation and are actively working against it. In fact, just last week, Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Raul Labrador (R-ID) introduced the so-called First Amendment Defense Act, which the ACLU has described as Indiana’s religious freedom bill on steroids. BOTTOM LINE: The last decade has seen huge progress in the recognition and attainment of LGBT rights. But in 31 states, LGBT Americans are at risk of being fired from their jobs, refused service from a business, and much more, just because of who they are. LGBT Americans deserve to live free from fear. The Equality Act will ensure that they can.