Fast Track is a procedural trick created by Nixon in 1974, to by-pass the Constitutional provision in Article 1-8, which states that “Congress shall have the power to regulate Commerce with foreign nations.” Fast track erases the representative power vested in Congress to debate bills on their merits, or amend, and instead, cedes this power to the president. Both so-called free trade agreements, TPP, and TTIP, undermine United States sovereignty by creating binding agreements set by some 600 trans-national corporate advisors, and would nullify many of our laws that protect citizens, consumers, and the environment, if these very laws stand in the way of projected corporate profits. Corporations are suing today in anticipation of setting precedents on cases ranging from drug patent extensions, which would eliminate affordable generics, suing over countries banning a pesticide that kills bees, to suing over product labeling of GMOs. Every area where a corporation will earn less, will be on the chopping block, among them, labor rights, and minimum wage requirements, patent and copyright issues, food safety, product safety standards, clean air and water, buy American procurement policies, healthcare, energy, internet freedoms, and service sector regulations. TPP and TTIP, sweeping Free Trade Agreements, while having been negotiated in secret for three years, will, if passed into trade law, do extreme damage to the citizens of this country. We already know from experience, the damage free trade agreements like NAFTA have caused: mass shutdowns of U.S. manufacturing, soaring unemployment, deep decreases in wages, huge budget deficits, enormous trade deficits, and increased immigration rates, among many other negative impacts. With so very much at stake for the citizens of this country, shouldn’t we openly debate the bill on its merits, and amend, instead of limiting floor debate to 20 hours and only an up or down vote? Fast Track is outdated, and there is no reason to subject the citizens of this country, and your district to such an onerous procedure that severely limits representative government, handing it instead to “foreign and corporate advisors.” Representative Castor, please vote against fast track, and in favor of government of, by, and for the people.

The town is in an outrage about the recent action taken against Dr. Gangi's Halloween decorations.

The recently passed HR 2775 that reopened the US government and lifted the debt ceiling includes (in section 1002) what had previously been referred to as "The McConnell Rule" but which is now formally known as the Default Prevention Act of 2013. Essentially, it lets Congress pass a budget and puts the responsibility for raising the debt ceiling on the President. The President can raise the ceiling, Congress can object with a simple majority, the President can veto the objection, and Congress can overrule it with a 2/3 majority. It makes very good sense and should satisfy all but the most extreme partisans.

When Shari Hutchinson of Ohio started a new job, she set up her desk the same way that many of her-coworkers and millions of Americans do: she placed a framed picture of her spouse on her desk. But Shari’s spouse is Diane, and after Shari’s co-workers and managers learned that she is lesbian, they targeted her with homophobic taunts, ridicule, and harassment. Over the next few years, this Ohio employer also repeatedly passed Shari over for promotions that went to significantly less qualified applicants, even when Shari had the highest score on the promotion exams. Shari unfairly lost one promotion to a straight woman who did not even pass the test required to even interview for the promotion. Sadly, Ohio is one of the many states that has not yet passed a state law protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) employees from discrimination. That’s why Congress must pass federal LGBT workplace protections. The good news is U.S. Senate will soon take a vote on the LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) for the first time in 17 years, and this commonsense proposal already has 59 Senate supporters and counting. ENDA simply says a corporation can’t fire you, harass you, or deny you a promotion just because of who you are or who you love. We urge Congress to protect LGBT people from discrimination and harassment in the workplace by passing ENDA this year!

The 3 major credit bureaus have a large say in what services we may procure what kinds of credit we can get and homes we can buy. In addition the credit bureau stores and banks store all of our personal information our financial identity. When we contact banks or the credit bureaus for services or disputes we are most likely calling people outside of the country. Those individuals are not citizens of the United States that can be held accountable for their actions regarding an American's financial identity. The sensitive nature of this information should be protected better. We would like laws which prevent the three major credit bureaus Experian, Transunion, and Equifax from outsourcing their customer services outside of the United States of America.

TV Media has been too restrictive of accepting progressive stations

We feel everyone has a right to know what they're eating. Given that polls show as many as 95% of the public favor this labeling, we believe that a decision by HEB to take the historic step to join this movement will benefit consumers and HEB alike, making HEB the leader among major food stores in responding to the growing demand for truth in labeling. JUST LABEL IT!

As we have seen only too dramatically over the past several weeks, the actions of members of Congress have an impact not only on the people in the districts and states they represent but on hard-working people throughout the United States. It seems only fair that their compensation should reflect their responsibilities to both groups.

In 2012, County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver established a voting convenience center at UNM and it was one of the busiest of the entire election. But in the recent city elections, UNM students wanting to vote found their regular polling place in the Student Union Building empty. City Councilor Rey Garduno will introduce a measure to add a polling place on campus, just in time for the November 19th runoff election and vote on the controversial abortion ban ordinance.

In 2012, County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver established a voting convenience center at UNM and it was one of the busiest of the entire election. But in the recent city elections, UNM students wanting to vote found their regular polling place in the Student Union Building empty. City Councilor Rey Garduno will introduce a measure to add a polling place on campus, just in time for the November 19th runoff election and vote on the controversial abortion ban ordinance.

Let's get positive!!! When was the last time you rallied in favor of a corporation? Costco give us a reason to celebrate. Watch how. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fse-eSVZgXM

The appropriate time to discuss the level of government spending is at the time of budget negotiations. The need to increase the debt ceiling has become a dangerous tool in the hands of a small minority who have shown themselves capable of harming not only our economy but also the world economy in order to achieve their goal of small government.