For 20 years, I have worked in public service, teaching underprivileged youth in low income districts. I received my B.A. in Secondary Education, then my graduate degree in addition to an Elementary Education certification. My total borrowed was $17,000 in federal student loans during my undergraduate years. The rest I paid out of pocket. When I married, my then-husband and I consolidated my $17,000 undergraduate loans and his $117,000 loans. As a couple, consolidating our loans gave us a lower interest rate and lower monthly payments. But, in 2005, we divorced, splitting everything between us -- everything except these consolidated loans, which are illegal to split. For years since my divorce, I have contacted the company owning the loan and finally ASA (once they acquired the loans) about deferments and forbearances, only to be given the run-around. Continually, ASA habitually “lost” or “never received” my paperwork. Later, ASA informed me that both my ex-husband and I had to defer for the exact same reason or the deferment would be denied. Since I had very limited contact with my ex, coordinating to file paperwork for us to defer for the same reason was impossible. Later when I contacted ASA, I was informed that since my ex-husband was listed as the primary holder on the account, no information could be divulged to me personally without his permission, even though I'm equally responsible. My ex-husband stopped payment on this consolidated loan years ago and ASA was not sending any mail to me, which caused the loan to default in both our names - a loan that had grown, with added interest and penalties, to almost $300,000. Since the default, my once-perfect credit score is now destroyed and over $1,000 a month is garnished from ONLY my paycheck; yet, ASA refuses to even discuss the loans with me. To date, I have paid over $13,000 toward our joint student loans. Additionally, despite the fact that it’s MY wage being garnished, ASA sent my ex-husband the 2012 1098-E, as if HE were the one paying on the loan. ASA continually refuses to give me information for an account that I pay for and, even though there have been multiple efforts on my part, I cannot get any information to allow me to fix the situation. I am a single mother raising two teen daughters. I have tried desperately to work with my lender to separate this student debt, to negotiate, or to offer any sort of relief. Now I am asking for your help. Please help me reach 50,000 signatures to be delivered to ASA demanding they separate my consolidated loan. I was granted a divorce eight years ago. Shouldn't our loans be separate, too? I am asking that these loans separate so I can move on and help support my two daughters with their college careers now and in the future.

Last week Representatives Alan Grayson and Mark Takano released a letter promising to "vote against any and every cut to Medicare, Medicaid, or Social Security benefits," and asked their colleagues in Congress to join them in taking a clear stand against efforts to cut America's social safety net.

The state of New Mexico is consistantly rated as one of the worst 5 states in regard to animal abuse and neglect. Every year hundreds of animals are neglected, abused and starved. And thousands of other animals are euthanized. It is time to try to put some bite into the law.

Just like many of us, I was deeply affected by the tragedy in Newtown, CT. After Governor Cuomo passed the NY SAFE act, I was incredibly proud to be a resident of NY state. However, recently, I was troubled to learn that our Putnam County Legislators do NOT support the NY SAFE act. Please join me in letting them know how we feel.

I bought a brand new home built by a "Reputable" large builder. Within 3 years I noticed cracks and structural damage. I asked the builder to buy the house back.The Builder walked away told me to sue them. 3 years and $200k later I am nowhere. NHIC (National Home Insurance Co) also refuses to pay on the structural policy I have with them. They agreed the house is structurally not sound and accepted my claim only to later change their mind...?...

The congress keeps saying they want to cut social securiy and medicare. they want to make cuts in every thing, including education. All congressmen and senators should only have two terms, and when they leave they will no longer receive their pay or benifits,. Wellcome to the real world. Also effective immediatly they should all take a 25% cut in pay and pay 25% of their benifit package. In 90 days all that have left the congress or senate should stop recieving any pay or benifits. If my math is correct this should save at least 25 millon dollars a year. Yes it's a small amount but it's a start.

Many signature gatherers are from outside California or paid by the signature.

My adult son is autistic. Doctors and hospitals refuse him care and attempt to redirect us to institutional care. Every time he is in the emergency room, doctors want him sent to a state psycniatric hospital that has a history of deaths, not from natural causes. If I agreed to have him sent, he would be shackled and transported in a sheriff's car. I just called to have him transported to the ER, because he appeared to become increasingly agitated with a medication change. The police came with the paramedics and roughed him up. It must stop. We have to come up with humane ways to deal with mental handicaps. If the handicapped are not discriminated against and receive appropriate medical care, they are less likely to need crisis treatments.

Museum 44 is a youth violence prevention program named in honor of the "44th President Barack Obama. The desired program format is the use of TV & internet to reach our targeted audience and curb youth violence in urban communities nationwide. We feel this program not only should be acknowledged, but supported, endorsed and promoted by ALL legislators NATIONWIDE!

China & Korea actually BOIL dogs & cats alive! We should boycott their products till they stop this sick & inhumane practice!

We request that the Board of Trustees seriously re-examine the reasons behind Dr. Boyle's denial of tenure. What we have read suggests he has been treated very unfairly and not with the best interest of NEIU students in mind.

Why has Kansas voted for ruining the unions and teacher rights? It may very well destroy the qualityt education system we presently have in Kansas. I have been a teacher for 27 years and am proud of the work I have done and the excellence to students Kansas schools has provided. Teachers have asked very little for their level of education, time and commitment and have definitely not received the monetary rewards they deserve. But to now trying to silence them and take away their rights will be the ruination of public school system and perhaps this is what many legislators want, but as a community, this is NOT what the public wants. I am surprised by the recent legislation and actions and will be watching closely to see who votes against education, unions and public education.