In a recent speech, Pope Francis suggested he wants bishops who are "close to the people ... animated by inner poverty, the freedom of the Lord and also by outward simplicity and austerity of life." Meanwhile, the archbishop of Newark, New Jersey has decided that his existing weekend residence -- a 4,500-square-foot house with five bedrooms and an outdoor pool -- isn't big enough for his retirement. The archdiocese is spending at least $500,000 on a 3,000-square-foot addition, including an additional indoor pool, hot tub, three fireplaces, and a second elevator. Archbishop John J. Myers has had a controversial career -- he allowed priests accused of sexual abuse to continue working and he once issued a pastoral letter demanding that supporters of marriage equality refrain from receiving communion. Many New Jersey Catholics say this is the last straw, and they'll stop contributing to the archdiocese fundraising appeals unless Archbishop Myers drops his plans for a huge retirement mansion.

I'm a working mother of 2 with a full-time job, but because I'm at 155% of the poverty rate I no longer qualify for assistance—even though someone who isn't working can get full childcare. Monroe County's child poverty rate in the past has ranked as the seventh highest in the U.S. When the need is greater, you're going to spend more money.

Despite the raising of the minimum wage in New Jersey this past election, those such as myself working for the minimum wage or in pay structures based on the minimum wage have suffered for too long. The minimum wage should be enough to live on, not one to keep someone in poverty. Join me in showing support for raising the minimum and sending a message loud and clear to Rep. Leonard Lance of New Jersey and other Republican Congressmen and Congresswomen who don't have the courage to help those in need.

We are opposed to overdevelopment of the U Street area. We know growth is desirable but wish to have all future growth comply with current ordinances.

The Tax Reform Act of 2014 section 1207 proposes to tax student loan debt forgiven under Public Service Loan Forgiveness as income. That means someone who has spent 10 years of their career serving the public will have to pay taxes on "income" they never earned. Many individuals taking advantage of PSLF would have to withdraw from the program because they simply could not afford the tax bill.

Have you often wondered why there are Bus Cams but not classroom Cams? I am a parent of a child who was verbally, and emotionally abused by a teacher, it's a horrible feeling seeing your child go through something like this. When my son was 7 years old a 2nd grader he would come home saying how dumb he was and said he wish he was dead, all because of misguidance from a teacher. Many times and like my case the only action that would take place was that my son was removed from the classroom to another. Years later we are noticing similar behavior from our son and he would come home in tears. We took action yet again and are currently dealing with another situation of bullying and belittling from one of his teachers. Unfortunately the schools are ultimately one-sided in discipline and punishment. It is difficult to defend a child in this position since the school professionals tend to band together and tell a one-sided story which usually ends in the child being blamed wholly for any "disturbance". Cameras in Classrooms is a bright solution to many of our bullying cases! Issues with a child misbehaving in class rooms or teachers misbehaving/abusing, when having meetings for concerns it will no longer be he said she said, this will create problem solving and a less stressful environment for everyone involved! Why are there cameras on buses and NOT in our classrooms! Bullying is growing fast this would be a great way to identify the problem at the beginning and not when it's to late! We as parent should have the right to know what happens behind closed doors!

Cub Scouts Pack 459, of Lee, NH, is an active member of the community and has been for many years. On February 21, 2014, the day after a pack meeting held at the Safety Complex, the leader of Pack 459 was informed that the cub scouts would no longer be able to use the facility for its monthly meetings. These were the reasons: 3 issues were brought up. 1. Safety 2. Noise, and 3. Not leaving the facility clean. What is particularly frustrating is that at no time prior to the town’s decision were the scouts made aware of these issues surrounding their use of the complex, and therefore, no opportunity for a course correction was given. In response to the 3 issues: 1. The group was unaware of safety issues, and the boys are supervised at all times, 2. The scout meetings are held in the evenings after business hours, and were unaware of disturbing others in the building. They are children participating in group activities, which lend to some amount of noise. Never were they informed that their noise was too much, nor were they asked to lower their volume levels, and 3. Each time the scouts used the facility it has ALWAYS been cleaned and straightened and returned to its original order, or better. During an appeal by the Scouts Pack Leader, an offer of community service as reciprocation for use of the complex was made at the Town meeting which would have been great learning experience and lesson for the Pack, but that option was rejected by the Chairman and Town Administrator. Scouting teaches these boys about good citizenship, responsibility and that being a good citizen means listening to and being engaged with your community members. These scouts participate in Town parades and activities and events, community food basket drives, clean up days, and so much more. These trainings in giving back will follow them through their boy scouts careers and adult lives to become valuable, useful, ad positive members of this wonderful community, and to the larger world community. The town officials have denied them the ability to be engaged and the opportunity to listen. Now that they have been made aware, they want to be given the chance to redeem themselves and right the wrongs the officials have claimed to have been made. But the Town Administrator and Chairman of the Board have refused to give the boys that learning opportunity. This ban of the scouts and the use of our community's public facility by the town administrators of Lee is sending a message to our scouts and all of the children who live here that they are not welcome participants of the community. As voting members of the Town of Lee, tell Julie Glover, the Town Administrator, and John LaCourse, the Chairman of the Board, and the Board of Selectmen to remove the ban and show their support for the future leaders of our town.

A select group of graduate students enrolled at the University of South Carolina College of Social Work started this petition for the purpose of promoting social advocacy on behalf of the citizens of this state.

Members of my family are working hard every week while struggling to get by on poverty wages. Increasing the minimum wage would help thousands of workers pay their bills and feed their families. Rep. Steve Southerland should do the right thing and side with working people over big corporations.

I want the Administration and the Congress to keep their promise to make re-instatement of unemployment benefits a priority as they said they would do late last year. Once again, ordinary Americans are being forgotten in the "recovery" our lawmakers like to rave about. I, and other productive Americans, who were adversely affected by the economic downturn are quickly losing the ground we were beginning to gain with the 'hand up' of unemployment benefits. Yet, the issue has faded from the news and it appears our legislators are hoping no one will notice that they appear to have moved on. I want to bring this issue back to the forefront. I want the Administration and Congress to act on this issue with the same dispatch they have demonstrated in responding to the needs of moneyed corporations and financial institutions. Much damage has already been done to the lives or people who thought this issue would have been addressed early in January. Congress needs to vote to restore unemployment benefits -- NOW!

I’m a hairstylist and under the Labor Law Act hairstylists are allowed to be paid below minimum wage. Hairstylists should be exempt from the tipped wage ACT because we, unlike any other tipped employees, are different. We are required to have 1500 hours of school and be state licensed. In addition, we also are required to have continuing education hours in order to maintain our licenses. We supply all our own tools. Our scissors alone, cost anywhere from $100 to $500. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE for the future of those attending beauty school and having to pay school loans of up to $15,000. PLEASE HELP US TO BE EXEMPT FROM THE TIPPED WAGE ACT UNDER THE LABOR LAW.

The working poor need help being lifted out of poverty. Shame on the GOP for not helping hard-working Americans.