The Schools have been neglected for decades and is in a state of disrepair. These children are the responsibility of the state and the governor's recent veto sent the wrong signal to the residents of the Schools. They deserve a quality education in a safe environment.

After decades of promises from the biotech industry that genetically engineered (GE) food would feed the world, cure the sick, reduce agricultural dependence on toxic chemicals, and save countless crops from imminent collapse, USDA has just approved a product they think will solve a problem humans have struggled with for centuries… an apple that doesn’t brown when you slice it… Seriously; we couldn’t make this stuff up. While these GE apples are a waste of time and money, we don’t want to downplay the real concerns about them. Pre-sliced apples are actually a frequently recalled food product. Once the whole fruit is sliced, it has an increased risk of exposure to pathogens. Since browning is a sign that apples are no longer fresh, “masking” this natural signal could lead people to consume contaminated apples, which is why some folks are calling it the “botox apple.” Further, since FDA does no independent, pre-market safety testing of GE food there are several unanswered questions about the safety of GE apples. “Silencing” the genes that make apples turn brown when exposed to oxygen could have unintended consequences that will only be tested by hungry consumers. Although these “botox apples” are primarily targeted to the fresh-sliced apple market they could also find their way into non-GE juice, baby foods or apple sauce at the processing level, all products predominantly eaten by children and babies who are at increased risk for any adverse health effects. Like other GE products in the U.S., no mandatory labeling would be required. While Okanagan (the manufacturer) says they’ll require growers to label their whole apples as “Arctic variety,” the government has announced no plans to require labeling of these apples as GE. If approved, Okanagan’s non-browning “Arctic” apple would be first commercialized in Granny Smith and Golden Delicious varieties, with Fuji and Gala on the horizon. Even the apple industry has opposed this genetically engineered product. The U.S. Apple Association, Northwest Horticultural Council (which represents Washington apple growers, who grow over 60% of the apples in the U.S.), British Columbia Fruit Growers Association and other grower groups have already voiced their disapproval of these GE apples due to the negative impact they could have on farmers growing organic and non-GE apples through contamination, and to the image of the apple industry as a whole. McDonald’s, Wendy's, and Gerber have already indicated that they don’t plan to use these GE apples. If the apple industry doesn’t want GE apples, and consumers don’t want GE apples, who do these apples really benefit? As usual, this product only benefits the biotech industry and big food processing companies. Tell food companies parents do not want to feed their kids GE apples! We’ll send your signatures along with a letter to the top fast food restaurants, supermarkets, and food companies to secure commitments from them that they will not sell or use this risky new product.

Drones open the door to an unparalleled invasion of everyone’s privacy, and create a great potential of false identification. Historically drones are used to commit to acts of war. We are a free people, with rights given to us by birth. We deserve and require that those rights be recognized. We will not be spied on by police drones. We have the right to privacy!

When I wanted to discuss a parking matter with the Chief of Police, It was incredibly difficult to get into the building with so many stairs. The law requires public buildings to be accessible and it is unbelievable that a person in a wheelchair can be denied access to a GOVERNMENT building! A private business owner would've NEVER been able to get away with this.

My daughter and her husband now have a baby boy, because they had the money to have IVF. Many others have no chance! This is a medical condition and should be covered by insurance.

There is a lot to do here in Maine other than provide huge tax breaks for the rich. I want my governor to focus on funding education, infrastructures, job creation, increased wages and poverty reduction. Maine must move forward.

Women who conceive from rape and choose to keep their children can be forced to choose between pursuing prosecution for their attackers or dropping rape charges in return for full custody of their children. Or, perhaps worse, must face the possibility of sharing parental rights with someone who has assaulted them. Tell Iowa lawmakers that this is unacceptable and legislation is needed to protect victims of sexual assault in our state!

If we don't act now, we will continue to wreak havoc on our food supply by destroying the micro-organisms and worms in the soil, eliminating milkweed (monarch's food supply) and potentially losing our pollinators through poisoning of our soils in general. There has been extensive research now which is available to everyone that may not realize the importance of this.

All citizens deserve equal rights. The citizens of Huntington County should stand up and DEMAND that out legislators vote the will of the people, not the will of special interest groups that fund their campaigns!

I suffer from chronic back and neck pain and I am forced to either live in pain or take addicting and potentially deadly pain killers. I know that marijuana is much safer and it isn't addicting at all. It helps with my pain, but I can't legally use it. I am personally affected, and I would get off all of the pain medication if I could legally use marijuana. Also, I know at least 10 more people in my same situation. It is also wonderful for treating insomnia which I also suffer from. I also just read about a man with COPD or chronic obstructive pulminary disorder who is now able to work and not be on oxygen anymore all because of medical marijuana. I have also been diagnosed with COPD.

New Jack City, The Wire and Scarface did not help their respective cities. More recently, when VH1 released Sorority Sisters, the African-American Sororities acted with such swift action, it resulted in a cancellation of the show. We have to do the same. Portraying our city, our neighborhoods and our residents as violent reinforces bad stereotypes in and around our community. The film will make it more difficult for us to attract high-tech industry, businesses, shops, cafes, gyms and programs for our youth. A movie like this will create a new audience of people that currently do not think of our communities as bad places. We do not need this. Sign the petition to stop the filming of "Chiraq".

I have too many clients struggling to make ends meet, and now our government is blocking much-needed Medicaid expansion. Grandparents raising grandchildren, as a guardian and not as an adoptive parent, are hit particularly hard. The government wants to use the grandparents' income in some cases when determining Medicaid qualification, and this holds up the process for children to get braces and the other medical assistance they need.