If you are like me, you have watched in horror as After more than Senate Democrats delayed passing rules changes that would demand the Republicans filibuster in person. Now, a proposal is being floated that does NOT demand the a republican continuously talk in order to maintain a filibuster.

This petition is about people who are ex-offenders whom have served their time in jail or prisons.They are leading a productive life. Who has changed their lives. We are talking about ex-offenders who are nurses, nurses assistance,. teachers, home health aides, students,etc.The state legislature continues to change the rules.In order for these ex-offenders to work they must apply for an exemption.It is hard to get this exemption because the state legislature what them to provide documents from 20-30 years ago.There has to be a cut off point to trying to locate the documents needed.There should be a 10 year cut off for documents. People should be concerned about this because if you apply for and exemption and can not get the documents needed then you will not be able to work. I personally have been affected by issue, I cannot work because of something I did 38 years ago, and I can not get the documents I need to get this exemption. This law has to change and be stopped. If not there will be a lot of you out of work. Lets make a change.

About 30 of the top Fortune 500 companies not only pay NO taxes, but they receive government subsidies. This includes companies like AT&T, Verizon, GE, etc. Others pay taxes, but tiny percentages, like Fed Ex, which pays a .09% rate. Their earnings are so astronomical that even if they paid a low rate, we would not have a deficit for long. Middle class people are carrying the tax burden for not only the poor, but often for the rich as well, and this is not right!

Republicans are talking of sending clinical patients to doctors' offices. This makes no sense in that if an office visit was affordable the clients would not be going to the clinic in the first place.

APPROVE VAWA NOW! The House did not authorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) before fleeing Washington D.C.which had been approved by the Senate previously.

From camping under the stars at Big Bend Ranch to exploring the cypress swamps of Caddo Lake, our state parks make life better here in Texas. They protect the clean water we depend on and provide a home for some of Texas’ most wondrous wildlife, from the black bear to the leatherback sea turtle. They're also a major economic engine for the state, generating more than one billion dollars in economic activity for local communities. But budget cuts may force the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to close twenty state parks, cancel critical repairs, and fail to restore Bastrop State Park after devastating wildfires. We can do more to keep our parks safe and open. In fact, our parks already have a dedicated funding stream—sales taxes on sporting goods—but for too long, the Legislature has raided the fund, diverting the money for other purposes and leaving just the bones for our cash-strapped parks system.

Social Security is solvent until 2038. But there are four things we can do to make it better:

The NRA has refused to enter the discussion about reducing gun violence in our society. They have recommended that schools have armed guards to insure safety. Unfortunately, no funding source for this plan was discussed. Gun owner must realize that their second amendment right does come with responsibilities as well.

The westbound street from 65th Place and Stony Island to South Dorchester currently serves as a perilous throughway for cars trying to get around traffic jams on Stony Island. It is an extremely narrow ,single lane, one way street. Last spring our family dog was crushed by a car going at an excessive speed down the street. As our block continues to flourish, more families are moving in with small children, making it ever more likely that a child will be injured by a car using this street as a way to get around traffic.

The US of A has not had a budget passed since 2001. It is time that the people of America demand that this do-nothing Government is held accountable.

If car owners must carry insurance, why not gun owners who can do more harm with a gun than most do with a car. Also, car registration must be renewed each year with a fee, so should gun owners registration.

Its time to get a real Economist in the position of authority. Mr Krugman says what he knows is helpful for our economy and he is not tied to Wall Street...