Because it's wrong to profile segments of society.

I am a semi-retired, licensed mental health counselor who spent 35 years in the public system: the courts, the prisons, the involuntary system, the community clinics and group homes, Red Cross disaster programs, programs for combat vets, programs for immigrants and refugees. Mental health care in general and public mental health in particular has never been adequately supported, funded or represented for what it truly is--an utterly necessary service intrinsic to modern societies. It's time--

Be an ADVOCATE in the 21st Century for the 3C's for the 3 E's Have our young world citizens and future leaders will be Educated, and Employed to save our Environment for generations to come - for more bang for our buck! * EMPLOYMENT & JOB CREATION is the number one concern of AMERICANS! * Many American Citizens are one paycheck away from being HOMELESS! * Today's youth are struggling and many are leading lives of quiet desperation - we may be losing this generation! * Our unskilled youth and war veterans need dignity in work and the United States Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) would be a viable solution for more bang for our BUCK!

I am starting this petition because it is time that people who pay the least in taxes are running this country and banking industry. It is time that the people who pay the most in taxes collectively have the right to control and regulate industry.

Oahu was recently in the national spotlight for a pilot program converting streetlights to a light-emitting diode (LED) system. The initial project installed 180 LED lights in four locations: Manoa, Mililani, Nuuanu, and Waialae-Kahala. The City and County of Honolulu determined that this new system saved $50 per light per year. LED conversion is a common-sense solution that saves both costs and energy. As an island state, we are particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and are already seeing its effects on our eroding beaches. We need to model energy efficiency for the country and for the entire world. LED lamps also produce brighter directional light that dramatically improves the safety of our streets. It is up to us to show leadership on this critical issue. Mayor Caldwell proposed converting all 51,700 streetlights on the island to LED, representing a potential savings of $3 million per year. While the City Council initially cut the $80,000 in funds needed for this project, I fought to restore this funding, and the cut was reversed at the final Budget Committee hearing earlier this month. I am calling on my fellow members of the City Council to approve the budget that restores funding for LED conversion across the island. The full council will meet on June 4 for this crucial vote. Please add your voice to this movement for environmental sustainability and improved public safety!

As teachers of Jewish values, we hazzanim of the ACC should project the power of our pension investments for health and not for destruction. We should join the universities and religious institutions that are divesting from fossil fuels, and we should invite our congregations to follow our lead.

Like Comcast before it took over Time Warner, AT&T has the power and resources to offer new and better services to their customers without purchasing another company. The telecommunications industry needs more competition, not more mergers.

As a Georgia state representative, Michael Boggs made a name for himself with his anti-choice, anti-women, anti-health crusades. And now he's up for a lifetime appointment as a federal judge.

It's one thing to believe space exploration is important — it's another to put examining other planets above keeping us alive on this one.

We can't let the GOP keep slashing crucial food programs for kids, only helping the children of conservative voters.

New Dawn Charter High School is using fear and delay tactics to break down their teachers union. Ask New Dawn's board members to put their energy into collaborating with their teachers and supporting their students.

Why should BDC close? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbids state governments to discriminate on the basis of disability in delivering programs and services. The 1999 US Supreme Court decision in Olmstead v L.C. defines unnecessary segregation as illegal discrimination under the ADA and requires states to serve people with disabilities in the most integrated settings appropriate to their needs. The Olmstead decision and federal regulations also require that evaluations to determine what is “appropriate” must be professional, objective, and impartial. BDC is also extremely expensive to maintain ($450,000 per person per year). People can receive integrated community-based services for a third of that cost or less, while experiencing a much improved quality of life that supports their dreams and goals. What about all the job loss? NY’s Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has stated that it does not plan to lay anyone off as a result of closing BDC. They say equivalent jobs will be available in community service programs. Nearly all of the residents leaving BDC will move to more integrated settings in Broome and surrounding counties. New programs will be created, and others will be expanded, to serve them. Almost all of the current BDC staff will find jobs in those programs. What should happen to the people who live in BDC? OPWDD has already closed several similar institutions, moving people into other more integrated settings. Services already exist to support people in the community. We call upon NY OPWDD and public officials to close BDC as scheduled, and ensure that those transitioning into the community have adequate supports to assist them with housing, employment, recreation/socialization and behavioral issues. Please sign this petition and send it to your friends, so that people with disabilities can be freed from segregation and enjoy the rights and independence to which they are entitled.