Animals are living, breathing things that people consider their family, and I think a lot of people would agree with me on this.

It is time to restore our representative democracy. Today 87% of Americans are deeply troubled by the corrupting influence of money in politics. Our elected officials no longer represent the people who vote for them, they represent their donors. We need to get money out of politics, and the biggest step is overturning the 'Citizens United' supreme court case and banning corporations from contributing to elections. To do that, we need our state legislature to call for a constitutional convention. Vermont has already called for a convention, and California isn't far behind. Connecticut should join them. Tell your elected officials you want a constitutional convention to get money out of our politics.

Hawaii County's ineffective recycling programs are no excuse to burn valuable resources. Although the developer will pay the costs upfront, taxpayers will foot the bill over the long term; this money is better spent investing in a sustainable future that provides access to reclaimable materials as a means to create jobs. Although he is Native Hawaiian, the mayor approves siting this plant adjacent to a low-income Hawaiian community clustered around a beautiful oceanfront but surrounded by an airport , sewage treatment plant, unlined landfill and major port with heavy traffic as well as oil and gas storage facilities.

As a tax paying citizen, I object to you using my tax dollars to fund your lawsuit against President Obama. I disagree with the lawsuit as it does not appear to have a sound basis. As an American, natural-born citizen, I do not want my money used to fund it.

Their level of personal hatred has caused cruel and unusual harm to innocent American people.

We, the citizens of the United States of America, wish to initiate a Class Action Lawsuit against the Tea Party and Senate Republicans for the misappropriation of our tax dollars with the Government Shut Down, the 51 Repeal attempts against the ACA, and now this lawsuit against the president. This doesn't even begin to address the fact that they have been getting paid while doing nothing. We want a refund on their paychecks as well as removal of their ability to give themselves raises, days off and their ability to set their own schedules. Finally, we want the salaries cut to $100,000 annually.

In the first place, huge 18-wheelers hauling containers to the port terminals do not belong on a street that bisects residential neighborhoods, including my own, the ODU campus and two school zones, as the public made clear when this issue last surfaced in 2007. Furthermore, those trucks expose residents and homeowners to disturbing noise, vibration that undermines the foundations of homes and businesses, raise public safety issues, especially for students at Larchmont Elementary, ODU and Taylor Elementary and expose people to toxic diesel soot that can penetrate deep into the lungs, which has been linked to severe respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses, chronic bronchitis, cancer, and premature death. Mayor Fraim and the Council have a primary duty to protect people’s right to the quiet, peaceful enjoyment of their homes and neighborhoods, while not being poisoned by noxious fumes and suffering life threatening gridlock. The needs of the neighborhoods and the community come before corporate profits and the convenience of the Port Authority.

Climate change is real and is already causing harm. We are already seeing more extreme weather, and scientists predict we will continue to see more intense heat waves, more superstorms, and lower air quality from unchecked climate change. And who is harmed most from this extreme weather? Those least able to cope: communities of color, the poor, children, and the elderly. Communities of color are more vulnerable to heat related deaths and are also more likely to live near coal plants, contributing to higher asthma rates. It is time to fight back, and the Obama administration is doing just that. The EPA has taken a historic step and, for the first time ever, is proposing to limit carbon pollution from power plants, which emit 40% of U.S. carbon pollution. Power plants will be required to reduce their pollution by 30% by 2030. You can bet Big Coal will fight tooth and nail to stand in the way of a clean energy future. Congress itself is the last refuge for ignoring reality, with a whopping 160 climate science deniers who took nearly $60 million in dirty energy contributions. With the forces of the status quo rallying, we need to have the EPA’s back and stand up for bold action to control dangerous carbon pollution from power plants. Join me in standing behind EPA to stop polluters from emitting unlimited carbon pollution.

The American people need relief from the excessive and intrusive barrage of political ads and phone calls that are starting earlier and earlier all the time. Politicians are increasingly focusing on the campaign, fundraising, and the machinery of political advancement rather than service to the American people.

Tired of obstructionism and wasting taxpayer money

Primary challenges to some of the IDC senators and a threat by the Working Families Party to endorse another candidate for governor have resulted in Gov. Cuomo being more vocal in his opposition to a Republican-controlled State Senate. Since Jeff Klein, the IDC leader, has promised to rejoin the Democrats, Gov. Cuomo should take action now, rather than wait until the new session convenes in January, when the election is over and promises can easily be ignored.

My nephew JaCoy Nixon was wrongfully convicted of a sexual assault of a Minor and given 41 years with no parole. He was railroaded by the District Atty Office of Montgomery County. The jury selection was not a jury of his peers , there was no physical evidence supporting the charges against him.