Student loan debt buries 37 million people in the United States and now exceeds $1 trillion. On average, students borrow $26,000 to pay for an education which is either free or of minimal cost in most advanced countries. Money going to repay banks and federal loan agencies could instead be going back into the economy. Higher education is increasingly treated as an individual commodity, rather than a public good or an investment in our collective future. As a result, millions are putting off major purchases and life decisions – especially graduates of color, who have disproportionately higher debt. This has crushing ripple effect on our economy: students and recent graduates are forced into low-wage jobs in order to immediately start making payments back to banks and lenders; instead of stimulating the economy by spending millions of dollars, many are pinching pennies to just try to keep up with the interest on their loans. Meanwhile, total public and private tuition costs are $170 billion per year – one fifth of what we spend on the military per year. We can afford to do better. This is NOT only a "young person's problem." Most of the student loan debt is owed by people older than 30, and they are forced to put dreams of a house, a family, a future, on hold. We can make student loan repayment simple and fair and provide a lifeline for student borrowers who have fallen on difficult times.

Unlimited, often secret spending from billionaires and multinational corporations has fundamentally changed the nature of elections and the focus and priorities of our government. If we do not act, money will continue to overwhelm the voices of individual Americans. If elections are determined by the highest bidder, rather than the individual voter, than we have failed as a democracy. If you still believe that our government is of the people, by the people, and for the people, then please sign my petition urging support for Congress to overturn Citizens United by introducing a Constitutional Amendment to clearly establish that money is not speech, and that human beings, not corporations, are persons entitled to constitutional rights.

Unlimited, frequently secret political spending from billionaires and multinational corporations, and shadowy, well-heeled foundations fronting for rich special interest groups has created a disaster for our democracy. If we do not act, corrupt money will overwhelm our election process drowning out the voice of the people. This system of government by financial racket is corroding and destroying our democracy, leading to government by the highest feudal bidder, rather than government of, by, and for the people.

Unlimited, often secret spending from billionaires and multinational corporations has been a disaster. If we do not act, money will continue to inundate our elections and overwhelm the voices of voters. This corrosive system can result in government for the highest bidder, rather that of, by, and for the people.

Under the Affordable Care Act, states can choose to cover more people. So far, about half the states have said they will do this. Indiana has not yet decided. Governor Pence should expand Medicaid so that thousands of uninsured Hoosier will be covered. Also it will create thousands of jobs in the state as well as bring in billions of dollars in economic development.

Nobody is more dedicated to making Kaplan a better place than Kaplan teachers. But Kaplan does not value its teachers. Instead of negotiating a fair contract that includes sick days, decent pay for prep time and health care, Kaplan representatives walked out of the last bargaining session shortly after it started.

Calling climate change a "hoax" is an obvious lie told with the purpose to deceive the American people. This purposeful lie, told to protect the monetary interests of the very few, could cost the country trillions (lost lives, lost crops, lost real estate, loss of all forests, loss of water resources, etc.). Such outrageous claims should be proven or the speaker censored.

Senator McConnell voted against students by voting "NO" to a bill that would have stopped student loan interest rates from doubling, on July 1st, and he voted "YES" on a bill that would see interest rates skyrocket. In the Senator's home state of Kentucky alone, 60% of students from have student debt upon completion from college; the average student loan debt is $22,270; and 123,382 students in Kentucky are Stafford Loan borrowers. Going to college shouldn't mean a lifetime of paying off crushing loans, and students in South Carolina (and the rest of America) can't afford more debt!

Senator Graham voted against students by voting "NO" to a bill that would have stopped student loan interest rates from doubling, on July 1st, and he voted "YES" on a bill that would see interest rates skyrocket. Now, on July 10th, the Senate is planning to vote on The Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, which would cut our current student loan interest rates in half -- from 6.8% to 3.4 % -- for a year. In the Senator's home state of South Carolina alone, 54% of students from have student debt upon completion from college; the average student loan debt is $25,140; and 111,601 students in South Carolina are Stafford Loan borrowers. Going to college shouldn't mean a lifetime of paying off crushing loans, and students in South Carolina (and the rest of America) can't afford more debt!

Senator Cochran voted against students by voting "NO" to a bill that would have stopped student loan interest rates from doubling, on July 1st, and he voted "YES" on a bill that would see interest rates skyrocket. Now, on July 10th, the Senate is planning to vote on The Keep Student Loans Affordable Act, which would cut our current student loan interest rates in half -- from 6.8% to 3.4 % -- for a year. In the Senator's home state of Mississippi alone, 54% of students from have student debt upon completion from college; the average student loan debt is $25,090; and 66,392 students in Mississippi are Stafford Loan borrowers. Going to college shouldn't mean a lifetime of paying off crushing loans, and students in Mississippi (and the rest of America) can't afford more debt!

Senator Alexander (R-TN) voted against students by voting "NO" to a bill that would have stopped student loan interest rates from doubling, on July 1st, and he voted "YES" on a bill that would see interest rates skyrocket. In Tennessee alone, 53% of students graduate with debt, and close to 132,000 are Stafford Loans borrowers. The average amount of student debt is $24,740. As the Ranking Member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Senator Alexander is in a key leadership position. He has a responsibility towards his fellow Tennesseans to make sure that everyone receives a fair shake at an education -- and that includes students being able to afford one.

Jessica was a loving, caring mother of three, who was ruthlessly hunted down and murdered by an ex-boyfriend. For weeks an application for an order of protection was ignored by court and police officials. Several phone calls the day Jessica died were inadequately responded to by local officials. Her death was tragic and unnecessary.