It has become obvious that congress has no accountability to the people of these United States of America. I suggest We The People call hearings where We The People as a solid Civic group get to ask questions of our governing representatives on matters that are of interest to The People, such as and not limited to: Why pass a law that restrains the government from getting the best price on drugs from big Pharma? Why are we subsidizing Big Oil? Why the drone program and how exactly does it work? Why do we need to spend a Trillion dollars annually on defense? Why is there so much Lobbying money allowed in politics? These, and many other questions that We The People have no answers to. Once elections are over, our representatives get ingrained in a system that locks in many would be good intentioned people into a slow process of change that is neither good for the country nor does it solve many of the bigger issues. I want more clarity as to who, why, where these decisions are made and by whom so I can better understand who our congress is serving.

I have been personally researching this "private" highway since last April. I can see no long-term benefits to Mainers. We are simply the easiest way for way for big investors to get products out to foreign markets, while opening Maine up for resource extraction to those same markets.

Public school funding is always an issue. I was personally affected when RIF was brought into play and the school public school system has not been the same. Too many children have gotten their little hands on guns. There should be legislature to pursecute those who are careless with leaving guns around unattended. Trace the guns to the owners and prosecute them for being careless.

I use a very small amount of energy per month of electricity and gas, however the minimum “customer charge" is often at or more than half of the bill. This regressive charge penalizes those who save energy. This charge should be modified to be based on the amount of energy used, proportionately placing the burden on those who use more energy.

If enacted, this would provide single payer health care for residents of the State of Washington.

The wolves of Minnesota are being threatened by an ill-conceived and possibly illegal hunting season.

Professionals were encouraged to enter into the teaching profession when, in particular, there was a shortage of math & science teachers. Now the thanks they get for helping the children and state of California is they cannot collect all the money they put into Social Security.

Two bills in the Alabama Legislature will impose regulations that are totally unnecessary and can not be met by the current clinics in our state. These bills are an attempt to shut down every clinic in the State of Alabama and have nothing to do with patient safety. The regulations in these bills are duplicating regulations that Reproductive Health Clinics are currently meeting and Governed by the Alabama Board of Health.

The United States Postal Service has just announced that due to budget shortfalls, mail will no longer be delivered on Saturdays starting in August. It's true the post office faces financial challenges. But the financial problems are in large part a direct result of an onerous and ill-considered 2006 law called the "Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act" (PAEA) that mandates pre-funding the postal service retiree health care and pension benefits for 75 years — something that no other government agency or private company is forced to do. The vast majority — 85% — of the budget red ink comes from this pre-funding mandate despite the fact that, according to the post office Inspector General, the pension is over-funded and reserves for retiree health care are far higher than the federal government as a whole, the military and almost all Fortune 1000 companies. The PAEA was created by Republicans intent on goal: Killing a government service for the sake of proving that government can't work. Tell Congress: Don't let Republicans kill the post office.

Teacher Pensions I have worked for over thirty-five years teaching. During that time, I have spent much of my own money to buy supplemental supplies. I have done that willingly. I am looking forward to my pension but know that even if it stands as it is now, I will have to supplement that with part-time work. Please do not change what I have coming to me.

After I was the victim of domestic violence, my abuser was not prosecuted because my local law enforcement chose not to follow the Illinois Domestic Violence Act guidelines and refused to take any actions preventing further abuse. The police decided to ignore my case, which did lead to further abuse, and there is nothing I can do because they have the right not to act. It is unacceptable to allow abusers get away with violence because the police can hide behind immunity. That's why I created a petition on SignOn.org to the Illinois Legislature and Governor Pat Quinn, to fix the loophole that allows police to choose to not fully follow the Illinois Domestic Violence Act.

Capt. John Cota has been blamed for causing the worst oil spill in San Francisco Bay in two decades when he crashed the cargo ship Cosco Busan into a tower of the Bay Bridge in 2007. He has sued the U.S. Coast Guard in an effort to regain his mariner's license so he can sail again. He should not be allowed back on the water because of the damage he has done to this ecosystem.