We have seen the labor movement starved by neglect from the White House over the last 12 years. No representative came to Madison, Wisconsin to support the worker/farmer struggles there 2 years ago. With only 8% of workers unionized, the middle class is losing its only tool for democracy in the workplace and the nation. Former Secretary of Labor and Professor of Public Policy Robert Reich believes in the rights of the 99% to have family wage jobs and to fight austerity.

Petition the Federal Government to make a plan to stop the Global Epidemic of violence. Create a plan to stop the massive gun violence, illegal gun trade, & protect those who become victims of domestic violence, rape & abuse. End the gun show loophole, make background checks mandatory for all gun sales including private sales. Develop a national database to track sale of guns, gun parts, and ammunition. Also pass the violence against women act and make it easier for people to receive mental health help. This is a Global Movement to stop the Violence. Who's in? http://resistviolence.com

It is going to cost a lot of money to put into practice any gun control measures, and the cost should be placed directly onto the people who want to acquire these weapons and any related purchases.

Colin Powell is one of the most sane personality the republican party is having right now, and in lot of people opinion, he does not belong to this "party of No" anymore, this obstructionist party of the right wing. Let' encourage him to get out of this "insanity" and change party either independant or democrat, so he can keep his legacy intact.

Los Angeles faces a severe deficit of public park space and natural habitats - that is space and place for nature to unfold, and for people to take in the sun and moon, and for children to play. We also face a health crises of obesity and stress, much of which can be traced to lack of time in nature & access to parks. In the next few years the Silver Lake Reservoir will go off line and be turned from the DWP's control to the city. This is the moment when Silver Lake will need a refined, overarching, publicly vetted plan for how to receive and interpret the reservoir space. There are old plans which were worked out many years ago about which very few know anything at all. These plans may not include Watershed, natural habitats, fish/bird/wildlife sanctuary, swimming, sailing or hiking. Without a modern, publicly vetted plan in place, we risk a least common denominator solution like sale for development, or continued closure to the public.

I am on Social Security, which borrows tens of billions every year from the U.S. Treasury to feed current retirees like myself, and which will not be around for my grandchildren unless it raises more of its own revenue and limits deductibility for high income retirees. As a benchmark, remember that the current rate is a flat 15.3% for all payroll income up to $110k, a very regressive schedule.

For individuals dealing with a mental disorder and trying to get better through mental health treatment, the costs can be and often are prohibitive. I am one of millions of Americans who have been diagnosed with one mental disorder or another who struggles to pay the bills associated with mental health care. Tell Congress and the President that the wealthiest country in human history can do better for its citizens who seek mental health care by lowering the costs associated with mental health treatment.

If a prerequisite for obtaining citizenship is being able to speak English, there needs to be financial support from public education funds. I teach English as a second language in California, and the county claims they can afford to pay teachers for only 2 1/2 hours a week instruction. The free classes for immigrants who are highly motivated, are inadequate. Surely we can help them more effectively.

I'm a gun collector, (including AR-15), a 15yr carry-permit holder, and 200 acre wildlife habitat/ hunting land manager. In addition to 100% background/ registration requirement and enhanced security and mental health provisions, I support, as an immediate STEP ONE: BAN HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES - Not Guns. No haggling over gun possession/ design*.. or 2nd Amendment**. Simply Outlaw Possession of any magazine/ clip (or other device) capable of feeding more than 10 bullets; (similar to silencer/ suppressor ban). 30 Days to turn in or destroy, after which federal/ felony; $10,000 fine, prison time, loss of gun ownership right. Results: 1. 40% to 75% fewer bullets fired per incident.. and numerous 'reload breaks' (Tucson) 2. Hundreds to thousands fewer gun deaths, injuries annually. 3. Over $1/2 Billion less cost to economy from gunshot deaths each year. * Semi-automatic hunting rifles, pistols and assault carbines have the same RPM (rounds per minute) firing rate if fed from high-capacity magazine; all are semi-automatic, auto-loading weapons. Auto feed drums of 6-50 rounds for shotguns also have no functional purpose other than mass-murder. ** 2nd Amendment permits individuals to possess a muzzle-loaded, single-shot, flintlock fired weapon. Revolvers didn't even exist until 44 years after the amendment; magazine/ clips, 100 years later. http://www.phillyburbs.com/my_town/warrington/second-amendment-written-with-flintlock-in-mind/article_e020f84b-2f47-52ac-8a2b-023cdcf95906.html

Enhancing our education system.

There is no reason not to enact meaningful federal gun legislation. If all members of congress would vow to reject contributions from the gun lobby they would be free to truly vote their conscience.

Ortiz used her position to bully Aaron Swartz, the computer programmer and internet freedom activist, on dubious charges. Swartz passionately believed in Internet freedom, civil liberties, making information and knowledge as available as possible. Ortiz pursued him for this reason, and no other. See Lawrence Lessig's blog: http://lessig.tumblr.com/post/40347463044/prosecutor-as-bully