Mr. President, This letter is to let you know that I support your decision to hold your ground in the current round of budget negotiations. I am appalled by the tactics being utilized by some in the GOP to use the funding of the government as leverage against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). My issue is actually beyond the ACA. What is at stake are the fundamentals of how laws are made, challenged and upheld in this democracy. This is critical to the operation of our government as we know it. The ACA was created from the result of a collaboration of efforts in Congress, and subsequently passed by Congress and signed into law in 2010. This is the typical route a bill takes to become the law of the land. The ACA was further legitimized after it was challenged and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012. We understand that the law is legitimate. We also understand that many people may not support the law. This is part of the democratic process and is to be expected. However, detractors in Congress should not be able to hold the government hostage just to express dissent against a law they disagree with. There are other avenues to propose alternative bills to modify the one that is already in place. What the GOP is advocating sets a dangerous precedent for our democracy and for our country. Therefore, I ask you to not cave to the pressures of the GOP. While they are entitled to their opinions, their tactics are wrong, not American, and might even be considered treason. Stand your ground and fight to keep the law (in its entirety) that was properly upheld by both branches of Congress and the highest court in the land. We are ready to hunker down and fight. We support you. Your courage at this most pivotal time will ensure that the democratic process remains intact for our posterity.

Why Am I starting this petition? As a physician, I have met literally thousands of men who resent having been circumcised. Any alleged advantages are far outweighed by the disadvantages. No one, and especially not a doctor, has the right to remove normal body parts without the express written consent of the individual person. None of them gave their permission.

My son,who is 6 years old,has been abused by his father..I am trying desperately to keep him safe..the court wants me to bring him,against his will to 2 supervised visits a week with his abuser,and wants me to ENCOURAGE contact..my son is afraid of his father,and is begging me not to take him..if I don't,I'm held in contempt of court..legally a child can't decide not to see his or her abuser until they are 13! We teach our children at a very young age the difference between right and wrong. We teach our children that if someone is hurting them,to speak up..then find out no one is listening? Making a child see their abuser is only furthering the trauma they have already experienced..please help to give these children the voices they need to feel safe..

The recent death of an innocent working college level female killed on a sunny afternoon by bullets fired in court yard from a gun operated by a neighborhood "Thug" is cause for Alarm. The safety and security of our communities in New York City has been jeopardized, by the repeated "public shootings" that continues to claim innocent lives. Further proof that New York State Prisons have become an adaptable place of rest; no longer serving as a deterrent, for Juvenile and adults committing "public" firearms related crimes.

Congressmen and women who implement irresponsible government shut downs need to suffer consequences for their recklessness. No work, no pay--Members of Congress must bear the same responsibility for their decisions as those who are most affected by them.

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, who voted repeatedly to shut down the federal government, refused to forgo her congressional pay in solidarity with federal workers. Why? "I need my paycheck," she said. "That's the bottom line." Rep. Ellmers, if you vote to shut down the government, you should pay for it. We all need our paychecks, including the 800,000 federal workers who are going without their paychecks this week, as well as the millions of Americans who are going without federal assistance of all kinds. Your votes have consequences, Rep. Ellmers. Either forgo your salary until this shut down is over, or vote to end it. That's our bottom line.

You are all guilty of trying to take down our government, from without or within--that is called TREASON.

Congress members should not be paid when they've shut down the government.

Trying to reduce BCCS student homework load.

If the lawmakers had to feel the full effects of their actions, they might not be so inclined to do things that negatively affect their constituents. Since we can't easily hold new elections to oust them, let's ask them to share our pain.

Our country is facing many challenges that, if not addressed with good will,courage and intelligence, threaten to greatly impact our quality of life. It is with increasing frustration and disgust that I watch our elected officials play partisan politics,line their own pockets and spend inordinate amounts of time raising money for their reelection campaigns while ignoring these challenges. Now as we embark on our second partial government shut down in my adult life, I say ENOUGH ! We, the people, deserve better representation.

Congress is broken.