As an essential component of culture, language functions as a vital facet of the Native American identity. The preservation and sustenance of indigenous languages is integral in ensuring the continued conservation of Native cultural sovereignty. Originally, 300+ Native languages were spoken throughout the United States: 75 of these have disappeared since European contact. UNESCO estimates that in the next decade, if swift action is not taken, approximately 74 more Native languages will disappear. In response to this issue, the federal government has been attempting to preserve Native languages before they disappear entirely. Implementing Native languages in the form of bilingual education programs into public schools will not only revitalize these dying languages, but these programs will improve student achievement as well. The state of education for Native students in Arizona is incredibly bleak. Native students make up 7% of the student body in Arizona public schools. However, this group of students is 117% more likely to drop out of school than their white counterparts. In order to improve student achievement for Native students, and for Arizona students overall, we urge state officials to implement bilingual education programs into public schools. Through these bilingual education programs, Native students are motivated to stay in school and renew their cultural identity. Help us preserve Native languages, and foster an empowering system of education!

The Television Consumer Freedom Act of 2013, introduced by Republican U.S. Senator John McCain on May 9, 2013, would allow Americans to buy cable & satellite channels separately, or “a la carte,” and give Americans more control over the content they receive and pay for. The bill would also require over-the-air broadcast companies (think major networks) to maintain the same programming over-the-air that they also provide to cable & satellite companies, and would eliminate blackouts of local major sports events if the venue or arena where the event occurs has received taxpayer funding.

Just what authority does the mayor, city secretary, city councilmember, judge, police chief, county sheriff, county commissioners, county & district attorneys & judges actually have? Have they properly complied with the requisites of Article 16 Section 1 of the Texas Constitution?

Our neighbor North Dakota has had its own state bank for over 100 years which has served the state well: has reduced cost of loans to businesses, supported community banks, returned profits to the state treasury and allowed the state to circumvent the problematic big banks of Wall Street. We should learn from their experience and adopt such a good idea.

State Senator Tom Casperson (R, 38th District) led the Republican effort in the Michigan legislature to initiate a wolf hunt in the state. His co-sponsored bills, SB 288 and 289, were passed in both houses with overwhelming Republican support, and were signed into law by Republican Governor Snyder on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. These new laws initiate a hunt that is unnecessary and unwarranted by science, permits steel trapping of wolves, and takes away the people's right to referendum on all future wildlife issues in Michigan.

Limiting the ability to filerbuster to one per member, per session. only to be used in person and once started must defend your decision to filerbuster B4 you spout gibberish until all others fall asleep.

Organized religions enjoy tax breaks that are outrageous. These tax breaks amount to at least 71 billion dollars annually and that's only what can be accounted for. Countless billions cannot be accounted for. These tax breaks violate the separation of church and state and it is time to end them. Follow this link and read the report http://www.secularhumanism.org/index.php?section=fi&page=cragun_32_4

13 banks did not place foreclosure victims in correct categories according to the Independent Foreclosure Review Remediation framework. Compensation amounts received beginning April 12th did not match the categories for individuals. We demand that banks send out supplement checks to those that requested reviews!

Every week, citizens are flooded with completely unnecessary and wasteful paper mail. I, myself have simply stopped opening paper mail, and instead throw the envelopes directly into the recycling bin. In the year 2013, there is no reason to waste paper and demolish trees by sending paper mail. Government entities and private companies will save thousands if not millions of dollars simply by emailing any pertinent information to the recipient. Only very few companies allow citizens to opt out of paper mail and choose to be contacted by email. I propose that the use of paper mail for the purpose of information delivery be entirely abolished and replaced by information delivery via email. Even items such as DMV registration stickers can be printed online with a password instead of being sent by paper mail. Utilization the free, simple technology of information exchange via email is environmentally responsible, undeniably fiscally advantageous, and saves citizens from wasting time opening or simply throwing away stacks of unopened and unnecessary paper mail. This changeover is also advantageous to those that are sight impaired, as their computers can read messages aloud through voice programs, whereas this is not possible with a piece of paper. Those who cannot afford computers, cannot type or navigate a computer could be offered financial assistance, free training classes, or an "opt in" to the paper mail alternative. Furthermore, citizens should not be held liable for any information sent to them via paper mail that is not received or opened. Information should only be sent via email and recipients should only be responsible for responding to information sent via email. There is no reason to continue to use an outdated, expensive, environmentally wasteful and less reliable paper mail system when the technology of instant communication and trackable messages can be sent by email. Save the environment, save money, and save time by stopping paper mail.

People have paid into the fund most of their lives and the monies have been spent on other things like war and now they want to take your funds away and continue the tax deduction...

Republicans and Democrats get pay hikes, but the public suffers while they bicker back and forth and nothing gets done.

The funding of Social Security can be enhanced and at the same time those who receive Social Security income can benefit. Social Security should let recipients have an advance equal to or less than one month of their Social Security income at a flat 5% fee. This should be repaid thru deductions in 10 months or less at no more than 10% of the total amount per month. The advance must be repaid in full before another can be given. No credit check is necessary and a request for the advance should be enough.