What is adoption? When a child is adopted, the adoption ends the legal relationship between that child and his or her birth parents and creates a new and legal family relationship with the adoptive parents. There are many different kinds of adoptions: Private, Interstate, Public Agency, and Family Adoptions. Then you have what is called an open or closed adoption. This is what tells how much the birth parents and adoptive parents share information about the child. Section 63-9-350: Withdrawal of Consent or Relinquishment states that the withdrawal of any consent or relinquishment of rights can only be undone by the order of the court. One must prove that the court finds that the withdrawal is in the best interests of the child and that the consent or relinquishment was not given voluntarily or was obtained under duress or through coercion. In South Carolina after the relinquishment of parental rights is signed you cannot go back and change your mind or any sort. Twenty-eight (28) states have laws providing a waiting period before relinquishment of parental rights is irrevocable. Multiple states have a set up time frame whereas the relinquishment of parental rights form may not be signed until so many days or hours after giving birth. South Carolina adoption laws need to be changed in regarding the time frame of a waiting period after signing the form. At least thirty (30) days should be in affect after signing relinquishment of parental rights before the form becomes irrevocable. Why is this so important to me? On August 18, 2012 I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl named MacKenzie Grace. I was unaware of the pregnancy until I got to the hospital; I thought I had food poisoning. My parents had just dropped me off at college earlier that day this was my first time away from home, I did not know anyone, I was alone, and young (18 as of April). Within the three days I was at the hospital they had me sign a bunch of forms one of these forms were a relinquishment of rights form. This form took my rights as a mother away. I was unaware of the effects of signing this form and was unaware of any of the papers I was signing. My three day's in the hospital were 'blurry dreams', I am unable to remember much about those days. I started fighting for my child immediately after becoming aware of what happened. After three months I was granted a temporary hearing. At this hearing I was granted visitation for four hours once a week. I had to drive from my home three hours away and rent a hotel room for four hours all at my expense. September 5, 2013 we had our final hearing; it was a two day trial. The judge ended up making his verdict almost three weeks later. He sided with the people who were fighting me for my daughter. They will now be able to adopt her since I lost and will not be able to contest their adoption. I now need to raise money to get to the next court which is the Appellate court. This court will be the next action to fight for my daughter.

There needs to be a pathway to citizenship for the immigrates already living and working in our country.

I am Native American Mexican I know about the injustice that Mexicans have suffered in history and I am tired of the continuation of denial from the self proclaim elite that continue to oppress and dishonor our people.

The bullying (of students, parents and staff) has gone on far too long, and the Board of Education won't do anything about it. In fact, they do it during board meetings! While a FREE workplace bullying assessment WON'T fix everything, it is a START. It means the Board of Education is LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY - a community that is deeply hurting from rampant bullying - not just of teachers but of parents, students and other employees.

We need to pressure these corporations laying off part time workers and trying to end obamacare...Trader Joe's presents a progressive, earth friendly image. Also I enjoy their products but will no longer shop there until this policy changes.

Earlier this summer, a New Yorker article revealed that public television pulled the documentary Citizen Koch from a planned national broadcast, out of fear of upsetting major PBS donor and right-wing billionaire David Koch. This petition was started to counter such intimidation and urge New Orleans's local PBS station to air the documentary.

We all know how the gridlock in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate is affecting America. Like an ineffective management team in a company that needs to be fired and replaced with a new team, this is what we need to do in Congress! By pledging to NOT re-elect all of the incumbents, not only will this send a message, it will bring fresh air and new blood into Congress. We need to take action and elect individuals who will focus on what is good for the whole, rather than what is good for themselves! By taking this action, it will start the change that is needed!

Immigration reform in order to keep families together and not torned apart for such a inhuman treatment. Majority of these individuals are honest people and do not cause any harm to others.

Professional sports organizations, as defined in 28 USCS § 3701(3), have enjoyed certain privileges, immunities, and tax exemptions normally accorded to traditional 501(c) 3’s. Understandably, such privileges were awarded in 1966, in the context of the NFL's merger with the defunct AFL, in order to promote a) growth in the league, and b) to disallow the NFL from shrinking the number of competing teams and organizations under its corporate umbrella. Certain types of organizations inferred to in the tax exemption have outlived the tax exemption's purpose: to ensure growth and stability. In light of the NFL's $50 million executive payroll, the players' salaries, the billion dollar contracts awarded to various media - all of which have been virtually tax free and paid to the NFL - we, the United States Congress' constituency, in promoting fairness and integrity, are demanding that Congress act with all due expedience in accordance to the NFL's - and all professional sports organizations' - current financial portfolios.

I cannot understand that the USA, a country that protects human rights all over the world, doesn't respect them at home.

We are the future of this Nation as Latinos and Immigrants. We have passed through difficult times in this beautiful country with God's help, so now you, as members of the House of Representatives, you have the power to approve the petition for an Immigration Reform with a path of citizenship. Thanks for your help in advance! We love this country!

The country is being held hostage by the Republican House's unreasonable demands for their laundry list of right-wing pet projects. John Boehner said they will refrain from causing a global economic crash if the President allows more oil drilling, drops various environmental regulations, defunds the Consumer Protection Bureau, and halts the implementation Affordable Care Act. We must not let Obama give in to these extremists' ultimatums!