As a retired teacher, I worked for 37 years and paid into the Teacher Retirement System with the understanding that the state would also do the same, and that one day I would get 75% of an average salary for my retirement. Sadly, the leaders in Illinois don't keep their promises. Now the state wants to cut my retirement while the governors and legislators, both past and present, even if they served only one term, keep receiving 100% of their salary for life as their retirement. And if they 'served' in more than one office, their get their salary from each one! There's the financial drain for the state, NOT the teachers, state troopers, and other state employees whose salaries and retirement percentages don't compare to the governor and legislators.

The sequester, a series of self-imposed, unfocused cuts will impact a wide array of government agencies and services, from the Social Security Administration to national security to education. This wrongheaded and indiscriminate use of the austerity ax will harm the economy, the public, and the future capacity of the government. It will undermine the growth of the economy. We must not allow the sequester to be used to force unpopular cuts to Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits through the Congress. The only responsible thing to do is to completely cancel the sequester through legislative action. Representative John Conyers understands that and released "The Cancel the Sequester Act of 2013 (HR 900)." It is a simple one sentence bill that, if passed, would completely eliminate the sequester. We need every single office in the House to hear from their constituents, tell them you are sick and tired of these self-imposed budget crises, tell them they need to get out of the way and let America work and tell them to vote yes on HR 900 The Cancel the Sequester Act of 2013!

UPDATE: Spa World posted a statement on their facebook page referring to the backlash as "ignorant comments", told the Washington City Paper that this was a "miscommunication," and that "SpaWorld does not, and never has refused entrance to our facility based on sexual orientation." In order for Spa World to be truly welcoming of its LGBT customers, we are asking for a policy of non discrimination and gender inclusion developed with local organizations and activists. -- Spa World recently issued a statement that they do not allow "abnormal sexual oriented" and transgender customers into their facility, going as far as to remove someone who didn't fit conventional gender norms. All people should be allowed to use this facility without fear of discrimination. Many LGBQT people have been loyal customers of Spa World for years, and no longer feel comfortable going. Many others may have avoided going for fear of discrimination. And while it is news that this is official policy, LGBTQ people have long complained of Spa World staff assigning gender at the door through different colored uniforms. Beyond a new policy, there are many ways Spa World could become welcoming - training, family rooms, gender neutral rooms and clothing - we look forward to working on solutions in partnership with Spa World. Life is hard enough - let's enjoy Spa World together. A recent story is here: http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20130222/NEWS/130228867/0/fairfaxTimes&template=fairfaxTimes

Congress has become a non functioning body that has stopped working for the American people. It has become a congress for special interest groups and lead by only a few who don't belong to congress. It's no longer a government of the people for the people.

Gov Bentley, why won't you take federal dollars to implement the Affordable Health Care Act in Alabama? As a retired Air Force nurse I know what a community receiving preventative health care looks like because in the military everyone has government subsidized health care.

Time magazine article March 4 2014 by Steven Brill reveals all. Most hospitals are making exorbitant amounts of money while claiming to be "Non Profit". Their huge profits should be taxed to help pay our debt.

I want the At-will Employee to be eliminated. What is At-Will Employee? http://employment.findlaw.com/hiring-process/at-will-employee-faq-s.html I believe that employers should have a valid reason to fire you...Please sign the petition & help our economy get back to where it use to be.

Stop-GOP and Republicans from Hurting this Country any Further. Stop the Sequestering, and Stop Hurting America. Force them to do their Jobs, or be releived from duty. This is not about them, and their Taxes, its about the American People, their hurting Children, Disabled, Elderly, Veterans, and Low-Income Families, their Stagnating Jobs in this Country, and Business Progressing. No More Whinning! Do your Job, or Be Releived of Duty, and Mr. President enforce this Law! Holding America Hostage is not an Option never was, and losing their Job will be the en result, an Executive Order is required.

Please take a look at the following petition submitted to Whitehouse.gov. The intent is to restore democracy within the Congress. I request that you help move this petition forward and help restore democracy and sanity to the Congress of the United States. It is anti-democratic, a concentrated abuse of power, and a frustration of the will of the American people to allow a minority of Congress to prevent bills and appointments from being voted on in Congress. A simple remedy is clearly needed. https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/law-restore-democracy-senate-and-house-representatives/X3Q1TfMn we petition the obama administration to: A Law to Restore Democracy in the Senate and the House of Representatives 1) Any Senator or group of Senators may call a final vote on any bill before the Senate in the last 30 scheduled days of every annual session of the Senate. 2) Any Congressman of group of Congressmen may call a final vote on any bill before the House of Representatives in the last 30 scheduled days of every annual session of the House of Representatives. 3) Any Senator or group of Senators may call a final vote on a Presidential appointment any time 30 days or more after the President submits a Presidential appointment. Created: Mar 01, 2013 Issues: Civil Rights and Liberties, Government Reform, Human Rights

I am a mother of three babies who unfortunately had to seperate and I find myself going through hard times and not being able to pay for my student loans. A month after I turned 18, I enrolled in college and was introduced to student loans. I finished my associates with a balance of $26, 000 in 2008 and I havent been able to finish my Bachelors. I am afraid of bringing the balance to a higher amount. I can not even afford this loan how would I be able to pay it all. I would love to finish my bachelors because I can not find any well paying positions that does not require a B.A. I feel like I am in a country full of opportunites but why cant I continue growing being a born USCitizen. I have friends who are not even US Citizens and they obtain money through FAFSA and gov't grants without even having loans to pay back. And I am not approved through FAFSA because I work witjout considering the fact that I have three babies and I am single. I qant to finish school and fulfill my dream of obtaining a Masters Degree. Please help.me give my children the opportunity of having an education.

We believe that service north of Castleton Square Mall is vital to the community. This loop will become even more important as a feeder to the new 86th Street Crosstown bus. Many people either depend upon our buses for work, shopping or simply getting around or enjoy the freedom of not having to own and drive a car or asking others for a ride.

•WE NEED 21 CENTURY EDUCATIONAL TRADE SKILLS: INVEST IN EDUCATION = CREATE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY o creating a leading nation of skilled workers & job creators (NOT) INVEST IN INCARCERATION = CREATE/SOCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL DISINTEGRATION o draining our nation of tax dollars by creating unskilled workers that lead to recidivism