Politics and Solving the Nation's Problems - You are right, it IS all about money. The wider scope solution is to Support the National Employment Recovery Act (NERA). The export of jobs overseas is at the root of most of our issues and here is the solution.

The United States Congress is putting internet users' privacy at risk. Again. Congress is about to vote on the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA) which makes it easier for private companies to share sensitive personal information with federal agencies. That’s troubling enough. But CISA lacks any privacy or human rights protections. CISA allows federal agencies to use data it collects in Espionage Act investigations — a move that could silence whistleblowers who seek to expose the truth about illegal government programs. While President Obama has openly called for a civilian agency to lead U.S. cybersecurity efforts, CISA would allow for the automatic transfer of our sensitive information from private companies straight to U.S. intelligence agencies. And get this: Corporations that participate in these programs would get full immunity from any legal challenges. President Obama should take a stand against this bill, which attacks our basic human rights, and should promise to veto CISA if it crosses his desk.

The band program in our community has a longstanding tradition of excellence. Please help us to maintain that tradition by keeping the band program alive at Southlawn Middle School which feeds into G.W. CARVER HIGH SCHOOL. With the loss of this program, students at Southlawn MS will not be able to enter an instrumental music program until their 9th grade year at best. Can you imagine starting to do math, reading or science as a 9th grader? A program cannot survive without a thriving feeder, which currently exists at G.W. CARVER HIGH SCHOOL. G.W. CARVER HIGH SCHOOL takes pride in its Choral and Band program which is a tradition. Mr. Terry has cultivated so many students into budding artists. Former band director, Mr. Curtis Hollinger and Mr. Smart also have many students who have received scholarships to college and went further in their career because of them. If there is no band or choral curriculum offered at Southlawn which feeds into GW Carver HS. These schools will ultimately lose the best program offered in this county. If there is no band or choir at GW Carver HS the participation at football games will also be affected because many people will stop attending the games. We believe that these young people and all students in Montgomery County deserve access to quality music education in their schools. Sincerely, [Your name]

The fact that the highest appointed court in this country decided that multi-billion dollar corporations have the right to freely spend untold amounts of money to influence peoples opinion using "public" airwaves in an election is tragic and absurd. Corporations don't go to war and fight, maybe get wounded, maybe die, yet they can profit from it and support politicians sympathetic to the Military Industrial Complex. Corporations don't breathe the air, yet they can pollute it and buy the influence of politicians that only care about money and power to pass bills allowing them to do just that. Corporations don't eat the food, but they can feed us the bottom of the barrel and then buy a politician who'll not only say it's fine, but offer them subsidies. I understand that politicians have been bought and sold since the first politician arrived and I understand that in the modern world, it's the corporations that are doing the buying, BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT ALRIGHT AND IT SURE SHOULD NOT BE MADE LEGAL!!!! Sure, they can't put the money right into the politicians campaign fund and of course they can't have any contact with the candidates election committee, because, well that's illegal ( nudge, nudge, wink, wink, say no more, say no more), but to act as if these " Super -PACS" are without an agenda is moronic and they've already proven that they're more than happy to sink to the lowest common denominator.Overturn Citizens United, it's your duty to your constituents. Remember us? We're those little creatures that are still allowed to vote ( and even that privilege seems to be on rocky ground). Do your duty to your country, it's what you swore to do.

On June 19, President Obama notified Congress that he was sending U.S. troops to Iraq to serve as advisers to the Iraqi military. Press reports have indicated that these troops could be used for offensive military action, including calling in airstrikes. These are different troops than the troops President Obama sent earlier to protect the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Congress has not authorized the U.S. use of military force in Iraq now. Nearly 200 Members of the House are on record saying that the authorization for the use of force in Iraq passed by Congress in 2002 should not be used to justify the use of force in Iraq today. Under the War Powers Resolution passed by Congress in 1973, Members of Congress have 30 days from the President’s June 19 notification to introduce a “privileged” resolution – a resolution that can’t be buried in committee, but must go to the floor to be voted on – which would require the troops to be withdrawn. Using this provision of the 1973 War Powers Resolution, Reps. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Walter Jones (R-NC), and Barbara Lee (D-CA) have introduced H Con Res 105 to force a debate and vote on the buildup of U.S. troops in Iraq. H Con Res 105 would bring home the U.S. military advisers and prevent any direct U.S. military intervention in Iraq. The resolution would allow for the U.S. to continue protecting its embassy and diplomatic personnel. Urge your Representative to co-sponsor and vote for H Con Res 105 by signing our petition.

This would help restore our democracy which has been falling apart due to the influence of the very rich and corporations! It would also free up time for candidates to do the job they were elected to do!

After the news spread that 12,000 house aholds are without water, it's time to ACT. This is a humanitarian issue and it should not be ignored! We the people have to look out for one another on something so vital to ones health and well being.

QUEST (Quality Education for Every Student) is a group of parents who have come together to fight for quality, equity and transparency in the Boston Public Schools. We can be found at facebook.com/questbps and can be reached at [email protected].

The recent beating of a mentally ill woman by a CHP officer that was caught on video is being investigated by the CHP without any independent review. The CHP is the largest highway patrol police force in the U.S., with nearly 10,000 officers. When the police police themselves without any independent oversight, there is no check on their power and authority. Independent civilian oversight is the check on that power.

As a Gainesville Village resident for over 10 years and a parent of an active 3 year old boy, the safety of the village streets and the poor current condition of the village playground are a growing concern for me and local families. The village has had an increase of children and young families in the last couple of years that enjoy outdoor activities including walks to the park, community sports events at the park and use of the playground which is in disrepair. Safety is our number one concern and I would like to see our Village Board share and hear our concerns and support the community's needs by installing a new playground, crosswalks across Main Street and 'children at play' traffic signs for Main Street and East Street.

Members of the group Sandy Hook Promise (Families of the children murdered in Sandy Hook Elementary) traveled from Connecticut to Governor Christie’s office in NJ last week to deliver a petition with 55,000 signatures asking him to sign a bill . The Bill was passed by both houses of the State Legislature, the Bill was to reduce magazine capacity from 15 rounds to 10 rounds. The Governor refused to meet with them, saying his mind was made up. An hour after Sandy Hook Promise left the State house, Christie vetoed the bill. If the bill was passed it would prevent future tragedies just as these families endured. If the gunman at Sandy Hook were forced to reload more often, a greater number of those children would still be alive, which is why this bill is extremely significant. Governor Christie talks about mental health reform when it comes to gun violence, if he truly wanted reform it would include the mental health reform he proposes PLUS the limitation on high capacity magazines. .

I am a railroad worker, and just like you would want 2 people in the cockpit on your next flight, you should want to have 2 people on the trains rolling through your towns and by your homes.