What Washington gridlock over the last several years has illustrated about the conflict that stalls our government is that it’s not about right vs. left, liberal vs. conservative; rather, the struggle lies between voters and the buyers of political influence. When push comes to shove, it’s usually buyers of political influence who come out on top (see the overwhelmingly passed Monsanto Protection Act, as well as President Obama’s consideration of cuts to Social Security as example of elite interests prevailing over voter consensus). What is at work to thwart our aim of self-governance is an influence gap between voters and a lobbyist/wealthy campaign donor syndicate. Through large campaign contributions coupled with lobbying efforts, they’ve wielded their considerable financial resources to disproportionately influence the decision making of elected officials. As voters, we take responsibility for this influence gap—because of apathy and our unwillingness to work together to hold elected officials accountable for selling their decision making to the highest bidders. By not demanding a limit to campaign contributions as a condition of electability, we’ve gradually allowed members of a small, exclusive establishment game the political process for their own advantage.

Thousands are losing their jobs or getting furloughed because of the cruel sequestration that congress voted in. The sequestration is the result of congress's inability to work together and agree on a budget. Congress is turning a blink eye to all the pain that sequestration is causing.

The U.S. FAA is funding an airport expansion project in the Marshall Islands that is dredging a living coral reef to get fill material. Coral reefs are important worldwide for food, recreation, erosion buffers, and more - this reef is worth much more alive than dead. Corals are already in precipitous declines globally and the U.S. should be directing money towards conservation efforts, not destruction. Not only is this project in direct violation of Executive Order 13089 (Coral Reef Protection), the silt screen the contractors were required to use is non-functioning and smothering adjacent sections of the reef with sediments and the screen itself. The local EPA has a history of mining coral reefs and serious steps should be taken to avoid this issue in the future. Alternative fill materials are available and should be used over the destruction of this valuable ecosystem. Other agencies (the Florida Deportment of State, for example) fine people for damaging and destroying coral (see the Florida Coral Reef Protection Act). Why is the FAA funding it? Please require the Department of State to apply the protection that is required by Executive Order 13089 and stop the U.S.-funded mining of a living coral reef.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES: WE HAVE NOT WON - WAKE UP, MAINE! DISALLOW THE 1 MILLION CU. YDS of DREDGING IN PENOBSCOT BAY - SOON TO START FOOLISHLY Waldo County is celebrating!

Prohibit the sale or transportation of equine or equine parts in interstate or foreign commerce for purposes of human consumption.

The residents of Chicago, Illinois, hereby petition Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City of Chicago to immediately do their fundamental duty and protect the citizens from this rash of senseless deadly violence we are in the grips of

Social Security cut-backs are frightening for me and all who depend on it. This makes me very upset.

Everyday in North Korea, men, women, and children alike are abused, imprisoned, tortured, and starved. It is our duty as human beings to be concerned about these individuals, and to prompt our government to take action and stop the inhumane practices in North Korea.

After Sen. Johnson's announcement that he supports marriage equality, we would like to thank him for continuing his legacy of fighting for doing what's right.

According to estimates from the Department of Defense, 19,000 service men and women are sexually assaulted while serving in the United States Military every. But 86% of them never report their assault—too often because seeking justice threatens their safety, their job security, and their future. It’s time to take action and ensure survivors of Military Sexual Assault are not invisible and receive the justice they deserve. Congress must amend the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and move the prosecution of Military Sexual Assault out of the chain of command. Survivors should not suffer retribution for speaking up, and rape should never be an “occupational hazard.” Only Congress can change the UCMJ to create a real, working system for prosecuting sexual predators in the military – and ultimately putting an end to Military Sexual Assault.

The Teamsters seem to have forgotten what solidarity is all about. They are attacking our union, the Transport Workers Union (TWU), just when we need support from the entire labor movement. Our employer, American Airlines is using the bankruptcy process to cut jobs and benefits. This is no time for the Teamsters to be dividing our members and attempting to weaken our union. Tell Teamsters President James Hoffa and Organizing Director Jeff Farmer to stop trying to take away our union and, instead, spend their resources to organize the millions of workers who don’t already have a voice on the job.

Marriage equality is not a Republican issue, a Democrat issue, or an Independent issue; it is simply a human rights issue. We believe every American has the right to marry the person he or she loves. As the majority of United States Senators now supports marriage equality, we respectfully request U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to publicly support marriage equality.