I am stating this petition to stop 400,000 people a year die. To stop Pregnant woman that smoke make more kids suffer from asthma, death, or behavior problems. To Stop people from getting effected by second hand smoke. To stop thousands of teens abusing it. To make United States economy will be better because more people will be paying taxes and stop the United States paying billions of dollars on tobacco companies. Give smokers 6 months to quit smoking and then ban it to care for people's lives

Mohamed A. Aden “Tiiceey”, a Somali-American and former governor of Himan & Heeb state of Somalia, was unduly arrested October 12, 2013 by the Belgium authorities accusing him of being complacent to piracy! Mr. Tiiceey is an honorable statesman and has been in Somalia to help find a lasting peace after 21 years of civil war. Mr. Tiiceey is a family man, married with 6 kids, and community leader. While in school, he helped establish number of student and not profit organizations including North American Somali Student Organization umbrella to help his fellow students. Tiiceey was known for his untiring support and advocacy for his fellow students and community. Upon completing his master’s degree from Mankato State, Tiiceey was called to serve his ancestral home as governor of Himan & Heeb State of Somalia. At the time, in an average, about 20 people were dying daily either from hostile or accidental gunfire. The people of the region lacked basic necessities. In response, Tiiceey reconciled warring groups, built schools, clinics, dug wells, and established a functioning government structure. In his tenure as the governor of Himan & Heeb State, he campaigned against both Al-Shabaab and Pirates. Tiiceey crusaded finding offshore solutions to the piracy problem in the region. He persuaded many young men to defect from these groups. Thanks to Tiiceey’s formidable efforts, the people of Himan & Heeb State of Somalia and its surrounding regions are now enjoying relative peace and stability. This arrest is the result of the Belgium authorities’ overreaction and lack of understanding of the power dynamics of this particular region of Somalia. Mr. Tiiceey ran this region politically and diplomatically but never had the military power to challenge or rid piracy from this region. We hope that you sign this petition demanding the release of Gov. Tiiceey, Belgium government afford respect for the Somali officials and the international community to put in place laws protecting individuals from such abuses. To: FREE TIICEEY NOW Sincerely, [Your name]

Meet Daniel Bonilla Maldonado. Daniel came to the United States in 2005 in order to escape extreme economic hardship and gang persecution in Honduras. Daniel has had steady employment for the past 9 years and lives with his wife and children including a US Citizen son. In 2012, Daniel was the passenger of a car that was stopped by police for a broken tail light. Though a background search on Daniel revealed no criminal record whatsoever, Daniel was arrested, along with the driver, and suffered abusive language, poor treatment, and ethnic slurs by the police officers. Daniel was transferred to ICE custody, where he was detained for 25 days before being released. After over a year of legal battles with expense but inadequate legal representation, he was denied a stay of deportation and ordered to report to ICE bi-weekly. Daniel says that he would be afraid to call the police, even if he was the victim of the crime. “After all that’s happened, I've lost faith in the strength of justice in this country. If I can be arrested for simply riding in the passenger’s seat of a car, surely I can be arrested for being a mere victim.” The TRUST Act would stop local law enforcement from turning people, like Daniel, over to immigration and help to restore the trust between immigrant communities and the law enforcement institutions they need to rely on for protection. Support the Maryland Law Enforcement TRUST Act Vote FOR HB 29

I've been the victim of the US Dept of Education for over 14 years and have been discharged temporarily because of my disabilities three times but they continue to transfer it over to another creditor instead of pursuing my ex husband who is very gainfully employed who's wife refuses he pay his portion on the joint consolidation. We jointly consolidated as newly weds and I subsequently suffered a disabling car accident, a second stroke, heart attack, open heart surgery, tumors, etc. I also have 10 year old special needs twins and am an only living parent-one is autistic. I must provide for us all while he enjoys suitable employment in a position my brother promoted him to. The government has given me the run around, I've contacted senators, aclu, congress, ombudsman and the attorney General. I'm desperate and being told that I am responsible for his portion because I signed the joint consolidation (not as a primary) and was sent a letter from the treasury informing me that I may face a garnishment of up to 15% monthly and further tax offsets. They informed me that they didn't have to pursue my ex husband because I signed first.

Last year North Carolina ranked 2nd (only to California) in terms of solar capacity added. But we still get less than 1% of our energy from the sun. Durham has a history of innovation and leading on the environment, so we should encourage the city to take the lead on solar, and commit to getting 15% of it's energy from solar power. We can clean up the environment AND create local jobs at the same time. So let's Grow Solar Durham!

The Venezuelan people have suffered for 15 years the imposition of a totalitarian regimen that progressively has limited freedom and peace. Gross violations of humans rights seen for the past two months have been well documented by the Venezuelan people through the social media due to the lack of independent media outlets. It is urgent for the US to stand with the Venezuelan people and to promote the universal values of freedom and human rights.

The schools contribute to litter in our communities. Our neighborhoods standards, respect and appearance is harmed by the amount of trash/debris, negligently left to blow or settle. Neighborhood gutters and sewers are clogged from the trash. Flooding occurs from clogged gutters. These schools are public and funded by our taxpayers. Shouldn't they give something back to the communities they are in...besides garbage?

Our son passed away from a Rare Disease called Leigh's Disease. It is so important in the Rare Disease community that research continue so that some relief can come to those who suffer. And by claiming a tax credit of only 50% we may see drug manufacturers find orphan drugs to help treat patients with rare disease. Shortly after our son's death in 2010, EPI-743 went into clinical trials for those who were in final stages of Leigh's Disease. I'm sure that this would have never happened had it not been for the Orphan Drug Tax Credit!!!!

my petition is about taking the greed out of our country and putting the humanity back in

Currently, Vermont pays millions of dollars in interest and fees to big out of state financial institutions and other entities. Most of this money does not come back to the state and is not available for use by the state to increase economic vitality and the quality of life for Vermonters. Some of these institutions have been found to engage in rigging everything they can for their own enrichment. Creation of a state bank would keep this money in VT The parent company of TD Bank NA, where VT deposits most of its checkbook funds, has derivative contracts which are valued at 5 times its total assets. In the event of another collapse like the one in 2008, it is possible that Vermont could see its deposits confiscated to "bail-in" TD Bank. Putting our public monies into a state bank would prevent this from happening. S.204 would create a "10 Percent for Vermont Program" and extend full banking powers to the Vermont Economic Development Authority. Initially, 10% of VT's unrestricted funds would be deposited in the state bank to be used in partnership with community banks to fund projects which would contribute to Vermont's economy. This is a modest start which would require capitalization of about $7 million. The bank would not be designed to compete with community banks. It would be designed to expand their ability to enhance prosperity in the state. The Senate Finance Committee must take up and approve this bill by the end of the day on March 21. Currently, it looks like it is unlikely that the committee is going to act on this bill. We need to let the committee know that there are a lot of Vermonters who support this bill. Please sign this petition and pass it on to as many people as you can. The more people who sign it, the more likely that the committee will act on the bill.

My brother was sentenced to life in federal prison for a first-time non-violent drug charge. This was his first offense of any kind. The federal courts took the words of 2 already jailed drug dealers to use against my brother. The jury found him NOT-Guilty of having a gun when arrested; yet the judge used it against him when determining his sentencing. The judge has told my brother's lawyer that he thought my brother lied on the stand and didn't like his attitude; so I guess that means he made it personal and thought he'd show him. The life-sentence for a first time drug offense is absolutely ridiculous and we need to put a stop to it!!!

If policymakers fail to make California more competitive, our local film and TV production industry will face permanent damage as hundreds of thousands of jobs leave forever to other. It is imperative that the Legislature and Administration take decisive steps to retain an industry that serves as a vital source of jobs, tax revenue and economic opportunity.