We have witnessed the endemic poor performance of the regulators in government. Nominating Tom Wheeler, lobbyist and venture capitalist for two of the industries he will now be regulating is another example of the revolving door where industry insiders pose as regulators whose decisions are at the very least loaded with conflict of interest. Such a nominee cannot have the general public's welfare in primary focus.

Most independent doctor practices are small businesses. In total, small businesses create about 65% of the nation's net new jobs. [1] In every industry, competition is an important check against higher prices, diminished quality, and loss of consumer choice. In the medical field, the presence of independent doctors is an important factor in our nation’s ability to sustain affordable and high quality care, and preserve patient choice. In this regard, the trends are not encouraging. According to a research firm, the number of independent doctors as a percentage of total doctors has declined from 57% in 2000, to a projected 36% in 2013. [2] More than 100,000 independent doctors have exited the practice or become hospital-employed. [3] This may be the steepest decline for small business, in any American industry. During the same period, there has been a surge in hospital-employed doctors. Today, very large hospitals have a much larger market share, and less competition, than they did 10 years ago. This dynamic – in which big hospitals have become bigger, and independent practices have declined -- has coincided with another unfortunate trend: During the past 10 years, health care costs per family of four, have more than doubled, and in 2012 exceeded $20,000 per year for the first time. [4] Recent press reports indicate often substantially higher rates charged by hospitals than by independent practices -- for the same or similar procedures. [5] When competition is diminished, all Americans pay a price. For these reasons, we support legislative efforts to ensure the continuing viability of independent doctor practices -- to preserve competition, and promote affordable and high quality health care for patients. If you agree with us, we would greatly appreciate your support, by you agreeing to the following statement/petition. While we will not disclose your identity concerning this petition, we would like to disclose the number of citizens collectively who have signed this petition. We believe this would be helpful in achieving our legislative objectives. _________________________________________________ [1] See http://web.sba.gov/faqs/faqIndexAll.cfm?areaid=24 and http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203914304576630973840478808.html [2] See http://www.accenture.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PDF/Accenture-Clinical-Transformation-New-Business-Models-for-a-New-Era-in-Healthcare.pdf [3] Id. (Statistic for the period 2000-2013.) [4] See http://www.forbes.com/sites/danmunro/2012/12/30/2012-the-year-in-healthcare-charts/ [5] See Wall Street Journal article dated 8/26/2012, Same Doctor Visit, Double the Cost – Insurers say Rates Can Surge After Hospitals Buy Private Practices; Medicare Spending Rises, too. Available at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390443713704577601113671007448.html. See also http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-04-03/health/os-doctors-unite-20130403_1_orlando-health-doctor-partners-independent-doctors-independent-doctors

need to stop the harassment retaliation no one will speak out because of the retaliation .again the work environment becomes toxic

I retired from the US Navy after twenty six years of service and believe military veterans like myself should weigh in on the movement to ban assault weapons and high capacity magzines based on our knowledge and experience using these weapons. There is no logical reason for civilians to own these weapons for hunting or some deluded sense of "home protection". There are plenty of hunting rifles, shotguns and handguns to fill that role. Trained military professionals and law enforcement should be the only legitimate users and owners of these weapons, which I consider to be weapons of mass destruction.

Every Day airplanes by the dozens dump toxic chemicals "Chemtrails" and compounds into the air we breath. It is responsible for many of the illnesses we face today & needs to be seriously addressed!

Lakota descendents of Wounded Knee should be given back the Massacre Site land that is now up for sale by a non-Indian. Return the two 40-acre Wounded Knee tracts of land on public sale beginning May 1st for an unaffordable $4.9 million (worth $14.000) for commercial and tourist development. Call South Dakota Governor, 605-773-3212 to stop this sale for the sake of Wounded Knee descendents. Appeal to President Barack Obama at www.whitehouse.gov to reach out to the Lakota people and work on helping them regain their original native land of the Wounded Knee Massacre Site. The voices of the Lakota descendants need to be heard in honoring their 300 beloved grandfathers, grandmothers and tribal family members murdered by US Cavalry soldiers in the 1890 Wounded Knee massacre. Don’t hesitate to give your words, spoken and written, to prevent its commercialization. The public sale has begun. Sign this petition, contact Lakota spokesman on this sale, Nathan Blindman, at [email protected] or call him at 605-867-5690, write letters to the editor, reach out to polititions, do something now in support of returning Wounded Knee to the Lakota People!

According to the 2011/2012 SARC (School Accountability Report Card) for Bear Creek High School, African American students were 16.4% (approximately 317 students) of the total school enrollment of 1932 students. However, they received 640.5 days of suspension; more than a third of the 1,833.7 total days of suspension. AB420 is currently trying to amend Education Code Section 48900 as it relates to pupil discipline. Members of our legislature recognize how the overuse of 48900 (k)1 disproportionately impacts minority students.

Unpaid taxes by big banks using robo-signed documents have foreclosed properties fraudulently, impacting the county budget for police, fire and education services.Big Banks must prove they own the note/mortgage according to AB1602 and SB 1470, laws effective on 1/1/13. Fraudulent foreclosures must be reported to the CA Attorney General by the Recorder.

Not yet, but definitely will if it is put into tax law.

It's time to make our legislators work for Americans who voted them into office.rather than their politcial careers. I suggest we start a petition to vote any one who does not work together for solutions out of office. Stop the politics.

Hello my name is Christina. I am a student currently enrolled in Central High school of Philadelphia, which is about to lose alot of teachers and funding for activites due to the upcoming budget cuts. We as students would like a representative from the school district to come to our school and discuss the financing on the serious issues that will affect the future of our education!

Redistricting is happening in towns all across Connecticut. In Stratford, we are facing a move to isolate the two minority town council districts.