At the state level, Republicans have been eroding child labor laws across the United States within the last year—which has mainly looked like shifting guidelines on work hour restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds. In the past fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour division reported 835 cases of child labor violations affecting 3,876 minors, and 688 minors employed in violation of hazardous occupation, a 283% increase from nearly 10 years ago in 2015.

 The Department of Labor has called for employers to follow national labor law, but the department’s wage and employment division remains understaffed to take up cases to hold employers accountable, with the list only growing from shifting guidelines.
Many Republican-led state legislatures copy and paste their state-led strategy. If it happens in one state, it has the potential to be adopted by another—to the detriment of working people everywhere. In 2024, news of Republican dedication to tearing down and taking away any benefit working people have is commonplace. There's a reason for this: It's yet another part of Republicans' larger desolate vision for the future of America. Another push from the same MAGA Republicans who routinely try to rob senior citizens of Social Security, restrict access to domestic and social programs, and block Medicaid expansion This is part of a long-term plan to make labor cheaper while empowering corporations and CEOs to undermine workers' rights simultaneously.
The impact of these laws is just going to negatively impact children, particularly children of migrants who are often forced into the workforce early because of circumstances out of their control. The push to roll back these standards is just beginning, and we need to stop it in its tracks now. Image Credit: More Perfect Union

It is unacceptable that in the 10 years after lead contaminated water was discovered in Flint, Michigan—exposing millions of people to serious illness—the city still hasn't replaced the lead pipes that caused the crisis. But this isn't just an issue in Flint. Though the use of new lead pipes have been banned since the 1980s, it's estimated that there are 9.2 million lead pipes used in public water service lines across the country. Even just a tiny amount of lead can cause serious, lifelong damage to those exposed. Lead contamination in children is associated with learning and behavioral issues and long-term exposure can result in lifelong disabilities. And for adults, lead exposure is linked to high blood pressure, heart disease, decreased kidney function and even cancer. This is about more than just clean drinking water—it's about environmental justice. In Flint—a city with a majority Black and working class population—the water crisis has shown how easily government mismanagement can expose marginalized communities to environmental hazards.

The RNC and EX-RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel has promoted LAWLESSNESS and the destruction of Democracy by promoting Trump. It was highly irresponsible for NBC executives to hire EX-RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel. McDaniel has steadfastly stood by & promoted Trump, the WORST, most LAWLESS and CORRUPT President in History who incited riots & violence, causing 5 deaths by his brainwashed MOB of Supporters to make himself an UN-elected Dictator by stopping the certification of Democratically Elected Joe Biden. Here's a list of some of Trump's outrageous behavior: • Pathological Liar: Fact finders claim Trump made over 30,000 False & Misleading Statements while President. Invented the ‘Big Lie’ by claiming that he ‘Won the 2020 Election’ and the election was ‘Rigged’ & ‘Stolen’ without ANY proof. Accused Democrats of ‘Stealing the Election’ when it was HE & REPUBLICANS who tried to STEAL the election & subvert the will of the people • Threatened Election officials demanding they “find votes” to help him STEAL the 2020 election. • Obstructed & Blocked Congressional Investigations to prevent the American People from learning how he Violated his Oath of Office using unjustified claims of Executive Privilege and ordered Witnesses & Federal Employees not to comply with Congressional Subpoenas • Mob Boss Style Quid Pro Quo: As a smear tactic to preemptively destroy Biden as a potential 2020 Democrat candidate, Trump pressured the Government of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations of former Vice President Biden, before Military Aid would be released • Campaign Finance Violations: Hush Money Payment to Porn Star Stormy Daniels by personal attorney / fixer, Michael Cohen “in coordination with and at the direction of” Trump days before the 2016 Presidential Election. • Mob Boss Threats; ‘If you come after me, I’m coming after you’ • Threatened “Death and Destruction” if he’s criminally charged in New York for Campaign Finance Violations • Implied General Mark Milley should be executed • Falsely accused Georgia election workers of stealing votes causing them to receive death threats • Corrupt Pardons: Used his pardon powers to reward political allies, corrupt public officials, accused war criminals and other controversial figures. Reportedly told officials he’d Pardon those who Broke the Law to build his Border Wall • Obstructed Justice on numerous occasions as detailed in the Mueller Report • 91 Criminal Charges; 34 felony counts (Campaign Finance Violations) in connection with hush money payments to a porn star… 40 felony counts for hoarding classified documents and impeding efforts to retrieve them….four (4) felony counts for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election and 13 felony counts for election interference. [source: politico.com/interactives/2023/trump-criminal-investigations-cases-tracker-list] In addition, if re-elected Trump & his cronies have made it clear they intend to turn the Presidency into a Presidential Dictatorship using plans outlined in ‘Project 2025’. Trump and his cronies have openly stated they intend to “terminate rules, regulations & articles, even those in the Constitution”, invoke the “Insurrection Act” & declare “Martial Law” to Quash Protests, use “Shock Troops” to take over the government, replace 50,000 Federal Employees with Trump loyalists, eliminate Freedom of Speech and shut down media outlets which have been critical of him. He promised to ‘root out’ those who he thinks are ‘communists, marxists and ‘the radical left’. This means anyone who opposes him. Trump’s statements prove he intends to violate his Oath of Office, the United States Constitution and Citizens rights. Trump has proven to be a lawless pathological liar, narcissistic psychopath and a clear & present danger which the RNC is recklessly unleashing onto the American public by enabling, sponsoring and promoting on they’re ticket. This is just a sample of the outrageous behavior which EX-RNC Chair Ronna McDaniel steadfastly stood by while doing everything possible to put Trump back in the White House as President. McDaniel's conduct should not be rewarded or given legitimacy by being hired by a reputable News organization like NBC. NBC Executives who hired Trump supporting EX-Chair of the RNC, Ronna McDaniel should be fired.

Ronna McDaniel, a 2020 election denier, Trump ally and former Republican National Committee chair, has just been hired by NBC to be a political commentator. Ronna McDaniel actively attempted to sabotage the 2020 election results and continues to sow doubt about the integrity of the 2020 election, claiming that the election was rigged and that mail-in voting allowed for fraudulent ballots to be cast, despite investigations proving this false. Being an election denier has literally paid off for McDaniel. Election deniers should be held accountable for their attempts to undermine our democracy, not rewarded with high-profile jobs. Upon the announcement, Carrie Budoff Brown, who oversees NBC News political coverage, claimed that McDaniel would provide “an insider’s perspective on national politics and the future of the Republican Party.” Election deniers should not be being platformed as trustworthy sources. It’s both irresponsible and wrong to reward her with this role. Sign the petition to demand NBC fire Ronna McDaniel as a political commentator now!

Having backpacks in class is a way to make everything more organized and it’s faster to go to classes

So students have more time to do all the basic necessities before their next class.

The Thirty-Two Hour Workweek Act, a bill introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders and allies, would shorten the standard workweek from 40 to 32 hours and increase overtime pay—doubling it for days that last over 12 hours. This bill is an opportunity to end the exploitation of working people and build an economy where the American dream is accessible to everyone. A 32-hour workweek isn't just about working less; it's about living more. And the evidence is clear—it's good for people and the economy. Studies show businesses flourish and workers' health improves with shorter workweeks. Less time spent working means healthier lives, stronger communities, and an economy where everyone thrives, not just the 1%. Sign the petition to shorten the workweek to 32 hours and make our economy equitable!

Section 1: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. Section 2: The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. Section 3: This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of ratification. The Equal Rights Amendment passed Congress in 1972 and since 2020 has met the three-quarters state ratification requirement necessary for it to go into effect. But because it was not ratified by states within a specific window of time, Republicans in Congress are blocking it from going into effect. Champions in Congress, including Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush, founded the historic Congressional Equal Rights Amendment Caucus and are working to pass the ERA and have it enshrined into our Constitution. They introduced a joint resolution between the Senate and the House that would affirm the ratification of the ERA, but with Congressional Republicans blocking its passage, we need to show the overwhelming public support for the ERA and demand it be passed THIS YEAR. The ERA would not have gotten to where it is today if it weren’t for the tireless efforts of everyday people over the past century—and we have to keep up the fight to demand Congress do its job and recognize the ERA as the 28th Amendment.

The ocean is hotter than ever. Burning fossil fuels for energy, industrial processes, and transportation is trapping greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere and causing Earth’s temperature to rise—and whales are suffering the devastating consequences. Every degree hotter the ocean gets, whale food sources, habitat, and health are threatened. When temperatures rise, populations of salmon decline, leaving orcas without the food source critical for their survival. A study looking at humpback whale populations in the Pacific Northwest estimates that the impacts of marine heat waves in the area have resulted in the death of 7,000 of this already endangered species. Of all the sea creatures, whales—orcas, humpacks, belugas, blue whales, and more—are some of the most beautiful and intelligent creatures on our planet. As the largest mammals in the sea they support marine biodiversity, population control, and more. Protecting whales and their habitats isn't just crucial for the conservation of these majestic creatures but also for the overall health of marine ecosystems. If we don’t take action NOW to slow the effects of climate change and save the whales, we risk destroying our oceans entirely. Add your name to demand that Congress move fast on climate change to protect whales and the integrity of our oceans.

Require states to report child safety data at the federal level and enforce existing child care safety regulations

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary committee voted to subpoena Leonard Leo and Harlan Crow as part of an ongoing ethics probe into Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito … but then never issued the subpoenas. It’s been over two months. What’s the hold up? Around the initial vote, Republicans like Lindsey Graham and Josh Hawley promised messy, vendetta-filled retaliation if Democrats voted to subpoena their conservative allies. Leo is the chief architect of the right-wing Supreme Court and Harlan Crow is a billionaire GOP mega-donor and close friend of Clarence Thomas. Democrats must continue their SCOTUS ethics probe and issue the subpoenas for Leo and Crow. Leo and Crow’s shady involvement with SCOTUS and certain conservative justices has been heavily reported on, and must be officially investigated. A recent ProPublica expose revealed just how central Leo is to the right-wing’s domination of United States courts. From his post atop the conservative legal think tank The Federalist Society, Leo guided Supreme Court appointments under Bush Jr. and Trump, organized luxury trips for Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito, oversaw well over $1.6 billion in funding for right-wing dark money groups, and much more. Then there’s Crow. Over more than two decades, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas reportedly accepted luxury trips virtually every year from GOP mega-donor, and billionaire Dallas businessman, Harlan Crow without disclosing them. Between the two of them, Leo’s injection of huge sums into our legal system has led directly to our current right-wing court that’s gutted our reproductive rights, decimated environmental protections, and more. And Crow’s involvement with Thomas raises extreme ethical concerns. Senate Democrats must continue their investigation into Supreme Court corruption and hold Leo and Crow accountable. Sign the petition to Senate Democrats: Issue the subpoenas for Leonard Leo and Harlan Crow. Investigate the extent of corruption on the Supreme Court!

CNN and The New York Times are two major news outlets who largely control narratives and public perceptions on any given topic. We deserve fair and honest coverage. CNN and The New York Times must stop the journalistic malpractice NOW. Recently, a freelance Israeli journalist for The New York Times was exposed for liking a social media post that called for Israel to turn the Gaza Strip “into a slaughterhouse” and other horrific content. This exposes a clear bias in traditional news media, and they must do better. And The New York Times' language to describe the killing of Israeli people versus Palestinian people has been damningly passive. The words "slaughter," "horrific," and "massacre" have been used in relation to Israelis 86 times but only three times for Palestinians. And when discussing the prisoner exchanges, The New York Times referred to “Israeli women and children” being exchanged for “Palestinian women and minors.” Since October 7, news outlets have been partially responsible for messaging to the American people about what's happening, and some of the facts are just not adding up. CNN agreed to terms that condition that in order to enter Gaza, they'd have to submit all materials and footage to the Israeli military for review prior to publication, giving the Israeli military the opportunity to suppress content and materials that might showcase Palestinian suffering. CNN also hired a former Israeli military soldier, who was a member of the IDF’s Spokesperson Unit which is responsible for public relations, to report on CNN’s war coverage. There are record reports of increased acts of hate against Muslim, Arab, and Jewish communities throughout the country. Outlets’ choice to publish articles that inflame tensions and increase hatred against communities already experiencing a record number of hateful threats is irresponsible and dangerous. The media plays a huge role in public perception and opinion. Media outlets have a responsibility to publish factual articles and to act with journalistic integrity that promotes the peace and safety of all peoples. CNN and The New York Times have staff that are sounding the alarm about journalistic malpractice. We must come together in solidarity to hold CNN and The New York Times accountable and to demand that they report fairly and honestly. Will you take action now and sign the petition?