The 112th Congress is the most unproductive group since the 1940s but they are slated to receive pay raises beginning March 27, 2013. Since the start of the recession in 2008 most Americans have not received a pay raise, or have been furloughed. Congress has only passed 219 bills into law and can't keep America from falling off the "fiscal cliff" but they are getting raises? I think not.

Elected Federal officials have access to quality healthcare at affordable prices or paid in full by the taxpayers. They also receive a full pension after serving only one term. Yet the american public works for 20 years for a pension that is not guaranteed by the Gov't and is at the sole discretion of the employers. Elected officials must pay into Social security, just like the american public, and not have that contribution stopped when they earn $250,000 or more. If they can't balance a budget, or pass laws in a timely fashion they should forfeit their benefits.

A fossil fuel subsidy is any government action that lowers the cost of fossil fuel energy production, raises the price received by energy producers or lowers the price paid by consumers. In the United States, credible estimates of taxpayer money invested in these subsidies range from $10 billion to $52 billion annually, and that's only from the United States itself. World oil subsidies have been credibly estimated at $409 billion in 2010. While money is poured into foreign countries to protect their oil supplies, funding for sustainable and home-grown fuels is minimal to none. The foreign oil industry is a finite industry. Oil is becoming more and more expensive to produce as costs for production, finding, and obtaining oil are rising. This will only cause a greater need for subsidies and more taxpayer money. Limiting the United States' dependence on foreign oils by putting subsidy funds toward development of dependable and sustainable fuels, will allow our economy as well as the environment, to also become dependable and sustainable.

Members of Congress should not be paid until they perform their basic job responsbilies such as passing a budget. By not passing the budget long-term research projects cannot be started, recent graduates cannot be hired to work on such projects, businesses cannot plan for future expansion and hiring, the economy will not contunue to slowly improve.

This raise was slipped through, despite the terrible fiscal problems faced by middle income Americans at this time. Shame on our elected officials for voting themselves another salary increase, and double shame on Pres. Obama for allowing it to proceed.

Ensuring that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. I have been paying taxes for more than 50 years and I'm tired of the wealthy not paying their fair share. This petition would require Congress to define "Fair and Equitable Taxation" as 15% of gross income with no exemptions at all for anyone one. Its time the rich paid their fair share!!!

Under the "fiscal cliff" deal reached by the White House and the Senate on January 1, 2013, taxes will go up on ALL Americans who work for a living. The payroll tax hikes under the deal amount to $1000 in extra taxes for families making $50,000 a year.

Planned in secrecy, without any warning or notice to any of the victims, desperate students and staff were traumatized and struggle today with the aftermath. Hundreds of stories have emerged of teachers holding doors down to save their students while calling loved ones to say good bye. Staff falling to the floor in prayer. And brave acts of protection and heroism. Some arrived at hospitals for heart pain. 300 fragile students, starting at the age of 12, who have worked all their lives to be strong and overcome emotional hardships were terrorized by this action, and most do not have the voice to respond! Or even to tell their parents!

How it is, the first year,the President is in office figures things out,2nd and 3rd trying to get things done 4th year re election takes place.Six years we would have his or hers undivivded attention to getting things done.

Duffy's is petitioning to have outdoor seating and wants to show support from local residents.

Representation in our U.S. Congress has become a career. No longer are our Senators and Congressmen common citizens sent to Washington to represent us. Let's end "career" representation with two-term limits. This affects all of us!

AS A LONG TIME HUNTER AND THE OWNER OF MANY LONG GUNS AND SEVERAL PISTOLS,I KNOW FIRST HAND THAT SPORTSMAN DO NOT NEED ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE CAPACITY CLIPS.FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS MORE THAN 3 ROUNDS IN A SHOTGUN WHEN HUNTING DUCKS,GEESE OR WOODCOCK WITH LITTLE COMPLAINT FROM TRUE SPORTSMAN WHY SHOULD SMALL BORE, FLAT SHOOTING RIFLES BE ANY DIFFERENT?