The North Carolina State Legislature should abandon G.O.P.-inspired efforts to force North Carolinians to present photo I.D.'s when entering voting locations. Being lawfully registered to vote is enough; voting is a constitutional right for legally registered citizens of this (and every) state, and there is VERY little evidence of so-called voter "fraud". This is simply an effort to suppress voting among certain groups.

Naked short sellers trade what amount to counterfeit stocks, bonds, mortgages, and other investments.* They profit by running down the value of investments, flooding the market with as many as one billion phantom shares a day. Hedge funds and some of the nation’s largest banks are a part of this widespread fraudulent practice. The predatory, illegal activity takes advantage of a gaping hole in regulations, left open by a lack of oversight of electronic trading that can often occur in microseconds. Regulations and actions at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have only served to make victims more vulnerable while letting the illegal predators off the hook. Small businesses—the heart of the American entrepreneurial dream—have been the easiest targets, and naked short sellers have gotten away with attacking larger and larger companies, some of which were critical in the 2008 financial meltdown. But the dream of all Americans is hurt by naked short selling, from business owners to retirees, from homeowners to the now homeless, from workers to the unemployed or underemployed, and from retirees to their children and grandchildren. That’s because millions of American workers’ pensions, 401(k) savings, mortgages, and jobs have been the ultimate victims, and the entire financial capital structure remains vulnerable. We, the American people, will not stand for it anymore! It’s time to do something about bad Wall Street practices. The second Obama administration, new leadership at the SEC, and the new Congress must act. We call on the White House, legislators in both houses—including the Senate Banking Committee and the House Committee on Financial Services—the SEC and other regulators to immediately take all actions to stop naked short selling. Those actions should include, but are not limited to, the following: —Halt any and all trading that allows the predatory practice of naked short selling, and institute a “pre-borrow” rule to ensure that short sales are covered; —Create regulations that close all loopholes that allow or enable this practice; —Develop the means to immediately identify, flag, and stop traders and institutions who are practicing naked short selling; —Closely regulate and make transparent the institutions that execute and oversee the trading and clearing of stock, bond, and futures transactions, such as the Depository Clearing & Trust Corporation and hedge funds; —Work with exchanges globally to stop this practice; —Investigate, prosecute, and punish—at a level commensurate with the harm created—all traders and institutions that have and continue to practice naked short selling; —Provide real compensation for victims, including companies, investors, and workers. * Normally, short sellers borrow stock (or bonds, etc.) and sell it at market value. Then they wait for the price of the stock to go down and buy back the same number of shares. They return them to the original lender and make a profit on the difference in value. Naked short sellers sell fake shares that they fraudulently pretend to have borrowed, diluting the value of a company's stock (or bond, etc.) from the get-go by flooding the market with additional fake shares. For more information about naked short selling, and to help spread awareness about this predatory practice, please see and share the film about its history and efforts to stop it. Trailer at http://thewallstreetconspiracy.com

We need very strict guns control in the state of texas like in the rest of the country. it is time to be more responsible with arms policies and attitude.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Federal and state governments give financial help to home owners to insulate their homes. This program is not afforded to owners of rental property and thus the renter is paying more for heating and cooling than their home owner counterparts. Not only is this not a fair share use of tax monies but also raises the carbon foot print. Renters pay taxes and in many cases more than their home owner’s counterpart as renters do not get a home owner tax write off. Insulating of rental property program will lower the carbon footprint and create jobs.

Gays do not have equal rights, which all Americans are supposed to be entitled. They are discriminated and persecuted.

The Sequestration Cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid. The Congress comes to a compromise. It will affected million of people all over the word. Why not stop your pay, your staff's pay or Congress??? Let's hold the pay checks of all House and Senate members and see how fast they resolve this mess.

Jeb Bush used to get it. For the last few years, the former Republican governor of Florida has been a voice of sanity in his party. He's consistently made clear that the GOP needs to stop demonizing immigrants and get on board with real immigration reform that includes a path to citizenship for undocumented Americans. But in an interview this morning, he appeared to throw that all away -- saying that a path to citizenship isn't necessary for reform! Jeb Bush is wrong, and we need to remind him why. Our community has made clear that immigration reform without citizenship won't solve the problem and we don't support it. Use the form on the left to tell Jeb Bush: Listen to the immigration community. Immigration reform must include a path to citizenship!

The Democratic White House is poised to cut Social Security, Medicare and other hard earned benefits. The deficit was caused by Wall Street fraud and endless wars.If they choose to abandon working people, we need to abandon them and re-register as independent voters.

There are too many people that allow their dogs to roam free and breed causing an over population of feral dogs and disease. Also, they are a danger to children, adults and other animals. Passing a State wide leash law would give NC more control on an out of control issue.

Millions of dollars in New York State speeding-ticket surcharges meant for spinal cord injury research are instead disappearing into the state general fund. These funds are needed to do the important work they are supposed to be used for - spinal cord injury research.

Across the board spending cuts have recently been instituted by our Government, I believe it is time we actually go across the board and slash their salaries as well.