Friends of the Earth tested “bee-friendly” garden plants from Home Depot, Lowe's and Walmart in 18 cities across the U.S. and Canada. The tests found more than half of the plant samples tested contained neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides at levels that could harm or kill bees--with no warning to consumers. So, instead of helping bees in our gardens, we may be unknowingly poisoning them. Thousands of people across the country have signed petitions, sent letters and taken to the streets. They've asked retailers, including Home Depot and Lowe’s, to stop selling neonic pesticides. While we are making some progress and are in dialogue, these and other garden retail giants have yet to publicly commit to getting neonics off their shelves. Pledge to only purchase neonic-free, organic garden plants and seeds. We’ll deliver these pledges to Lowe’s, Home Depot and other top retailers and demand that they listen to sound science and their customers and give bees a chance!

Millions of Americans depend on Pell Grants each year to be able to make college more affordable. Research has shown that need-based grant aid, like Pell Grants, increases college enrollment among low- and moderate-income individuals. But with college costs skyrocketing over the last three decades, Pell Grants have lost much of their purchasing power. The Middle Class CHANCE Act, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Mary Landrieu (LA) and Mazie Hirono (HI), and the House by Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-16) seeks to combat the financial hindrance on college access for these individuals by increasing the purchasing power of Pell. The bill increases the maximum award of Pell Grants, and restore year-round Pell Grants, among other things. Read more http://bit.ly/chance-act

Tired of watching women's rights being whittled away under the guise of others' "freedom". At what cost?

UCONN's Board of Trustees just approved a 6.5% tuition hike to attend Connecticut's flagship public university. For in-state students, that means a rise in cost of $1,000. With fees, room and board, the price to attend UCONN for an in state student is now $24,774 a year. For out of state students, the price will go up to $44,698, which is more than many private colleges. UCONN is also planning on raising tuition prices by 6.8% in 2016. Such a large increase in tuition means many students will not be able to attend UCONN in the coming years because they cannot afford it, or fall further in to debt. These tuition hikes are in response to underfunded government grants. If UConn needs more money, the state should fund it, not workers, who have already made concessions, or students, who can't afford to pay more. Public schools should be affordable to any student who wants to attend and qualifies to get in. The state should bare extra costs, not students. Tell the Board of Trustees and the Connecticut Legislature that if they want to raise UConn's budget, the state should pay, not students or workers.

3,600 residents in Detroit are already without water. Why? Because they have bills of $150 or more, or are 60 days past due on bills in a city that is bankrupt. Soon, half of the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department's 323,900 local residents will be out of water. It is unacceptable to withhold our citizens' basic needs like clean running water. We need to call attention to this unacceptable violation of human rights, and quickly -- before more homes run dry. Sign our petition to demand that the Detroit Water and Sewage Department restore running water to the residents of Detroit.

Illinois tax revenue tax's Illinois citizens 6.25% for things that are considered "luxury". Luxury items in their eyes are things that could be lived without, therefore they do not need a lower tax rate. The lower tax rate is 1%, this 1% applies to things that we need like certain medicines (that fall under their guidelines) and other items. Why are feminine hygiene products considered a luxury? Is it our choice to have a period every month? Could we live without them? I don't think so, and think that the women of Illinois agree with me. Please sign and let's make a change!

Because Congress must act when a branch of government fails to do so.

Because I want to make really sure Hobby Lobby is not promoting abortions among its customers.

It is vital African Americans receive Reparations for damages sustained from slavery that continues to affect African Americans today. Slaves were sold, families were destroyed, making it almost impossible for African Americans to find distant family members, creating the possibility of one to marry a distant family member. Many African Americans unknowingly suffer PTS, due to the constant beatings, lynching and intimidation that took place. African Americans were treated like animals, and not allowed to read. African Americans continue to make less than white people who work in the same position. Jails are full of blacks who never committed the crime. The movie Birth of a Nation depicting African Americans as savages still lives in the hearts of the racist today. African Americans were tricked out of their land and homes, they were taught to distrust one another, African Americans have been humiliated and degraded. Slaves were beaten until they stop using their birth name and use the name of the Master. No other race of people were made to forget their name. African Americans history ends for many at the plantation. Slave children were used as feet warmers or worst. African American woman were use to feed white babies until they had no mink to feed their own babies. We are in 2014 and racist people continue to walk the fine line of injustice and impose fine line sanctions on African Americans. Most African Americans have a low self esteem. African Americans did not ask to come to this country. Our ancestors were placed in chains and forced. Slaves were stripped and sold on auction blocks like chattel, after laboring in the hot sun some were beaten for mare entertainment. African Americans fought in the war for this country. The African American community deserve Reparations. Ta-Nehisi Coates summed it us best; 250 years of slavery. 90 years of Jim Crow. 60 years of separate but equal. 35 years of state sanctioned redlining. I don't care if it is $5,000 to each African American, the injustice needs to be acknowledged monetarily. I ask God to let this bill pass. Let the healing begin. PJPM

Parents at Premier Martial Arts should bring there kids to a karate school and park their car up to the building and come in. Unfortunately Enterprise Car Rental business next door takes up majority of the parking in the shopping center, therefore the children and parents have to park very far making it very difficult to the children to make their classes.

To help fund our state heroes in their time of need to help pay medical co-pays, medicine, medical bills of time missed from work after their vacation or comp time runs out.

H.R. 2286: MOMS Act provides comprehensive solutions, including a national consumer education campaign, so that families can make more informed decisions; federal research and national databasing of the most current, scientifically supported best practices; and improved education for maternity care professionals across the disciplines. It will also help to open up access to proven safer, less expensive options for maternity care, including birth centers (with a 6% national C-section rate), professional labor support (shown to decrease the incidence of Cesarean by 28%), and appropriate midwifery led care. The cost savings – including to taxpayers, who pay for about half of all U.S. births – are enormous: around $5 billion each year by cutting the national Cesarean rate in half, to the safer levels suggested by the World Health Organization and other health organizations! I urge you to support and cosponsor H.R. 2286 for all our families. Let’s end this maternity care crisis!