It is important to legalize medical marijuana. Bill HR1818, which would legalize marijuana has bipartisan support but Governor Dayton is expected to veto it. It is expected there will not be enough 'yes' votes to override a veto. It is also important to free prisoners whose only charge is marijuana and to expunge all records with marijuana offenses.

hi

To bring this to the attention of my congressman in Ilinois.

We appreciate that President Obama has opened the door part way for travel to Cuba. His remarks in Miami in November suggest he is preparing to take the next step: “we have to be creative. And we have to be thoughtful. And we have to continue to update our policies” Ten days later Secretary of State Kerry, speaking to the Inter-American Dialog at the hall of the Organization of American States, added specificity: “We are committed to this human interchange, and in the United States we believe that our people are actually our best ambassadors. They are ambassadors of our ideals, of our values, of our beliefs.” One year ago Cuba gave greater freedom of travel to it citizens than Americans possess when it abolished rules requiring government authorization to come to the US. The President has the power by granting general licenses to enable non-tourist purposeful travel (with no application required) for every organization, travel agent and tour operator, as well as for individual Americans who cannot afford or do not like group tours or who wish to make additional trips independently for professional or personal reasons. This is the same freedom he has already given to Cuban Americans, universities and religious organizations. By extending it to the rest of us, President Obama will embrace the convictions of two-thirds of Americans, including a majority of Cuban Americans, and liberate US policy from control by a diminishing minority. [for further background: http://thehavananote.com/2013/12/maximizing_potential_travel ]

Voting is a basic right of all citizens, won with much effort & blood over the ages. Political gesturing to cripple this right is evil.

I attend National Louis University I am a student in their Graduate program, and during the last semester I discovered that National Louis University have been deducting $110 from my students loans for CTA Venture cards. I did not request a Transportation card or consent to such deductions because I drive to school and pay for parking. I requested reimbursement from school administrators and was given an appeal form that stated " If your reason to not receive a Venture card is because you do not use it, your request will be denied, due to the agreement the University made with the CTA". This agreement is not in the students interest, especially when student will have to pay these students loans back, with intrest. The automatic deductions should stop immediately and students should be given the option to apply for school transportation. In addition , refunds given to students retroactively, who were denied the options to op-out the venture card program since it's enactment.

Siham has deeply impacted the lives of everyone around her, especially that of her son, Naseem. If she is deported, her friends, community and son will all suffer an immense loss. Naseem will be most deeply affected, as he will be left alone, placed in state care and subjected to the uncertainties of life in foster care.

You probably know someone with such diseases, or soon will. These diseases are growing rapidly, and the lack of adequate tests for the various disease states is urgently needed. From multiple personal family experiences, I know that these diseases are either dismissed or mis-diagnosed; AND are under-reported, and as a result are too often NOT treated promptly. As a scientist, myself (currently undergoing treatment), and from observations of family members and friends who have or are suffering from one of these illnesses:: It is clear, that the voices of a broader representation of those involved in the actual practice of treating chronic tick-illnesses, as well as patients and patient advocates must be heard, to provide a more balanced input so that proper public health policies and guidelines can be forthcomming. Let's not waste billions on wars, and armaments... Let's work with other governments, to address this widespread publich health menace. It could make people well, promote the public good, and further the understanding or antibiotic resistant threats.. Please join in this effort to make the world a better place.

I know many people--family, friends--who have inadequate health care because they have no insurance. Also I cannot see why legislators would want to pass up this golden opportunity to increase jobs and income for the state.

I ALMOST GOT ARRESTED !

I moved to Concord, North Carolina from New Jersey with my husband, 6 year old daughter and 3 year old son in 2009 for a better quality of life in general and to Cabarrus County in particular for its excellent public school system. Five years later, I am now worried that with North Carolina ranking 46th out of 50 States for teacher’s salaries, the quality of this system will decline and force caring and highly qualified teachers, Principals and staff out of the state or the profession. Studies show that a quality public school system correlates with high student achievement, which is directly dependent upon high quality teachers. Our teachers, Principals and staff have not received a raise in the past 6 years and as of July 1st, 2014; our Master’s level teachers coming out of school will no longer receive the 10% salary incentive. All of this sends the message that our legislators do not value our public school educators or the concerns of constituents with school-aged children. It is our hope that all of the Cabarrus County PTAs will work together to convince our legislators to give our educators a substantial raise and bring back the 10% salary incentive to our Master’s graduates. Our children’s education should be a top priority. One of the ways to accomplish this is by offering a competitive salary that allows us to attract and retain the best available educators. Please sign this petition by February 12th, 2014 so that I can bring it to the February 17th 2014 County Commissioner’s meeting to show our collective support and concern as parents for our educators; who’s hard work significantly impacts the future success of our children and should be compensated.

The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations found that some 75 percent of plant genetic diversity has been lost as farmers turn to genetically uniform, mass-produced crop varieties. In 2010, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) warned that the loss of biodiversity will have “major impact on the ability of humankind to feed itself in the future.” Small farmers and grocers feed America and help to meet the growing demand for wholesome and organic foods. Without the transparency in labeling that, truth be told, many Americans expect from grocery manufacturers, small farmers and grocers are at an unfair disadvantage. We want to serve our customers on a level playing field. Misleading American consumers by failing to disclose controversial ingredients is anti-free market, and prevents Americans who want to avoid that ingredient from doing so. For example, many Americans prefer to purchase foods that contain less saturated fat, less sugar, or more fiber. Consumers are able to do so, but are left in the dark when it comes to GMOs. This is unacceptable for consumers, and unacceptable for farmers and grocers competing against huge agribusinesses and grocery manufacturers.