UPDATE: The Elected Representative School Board (ERSB) referendum will appear on the ballot in 38 wards in the February 24, 2015 Municipal General Election, the result of a successful campaign by the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Grassroots Education Movement, United Working Families, Grassroots Illinois Action, SEIU HCii and scores of volunteers throughout the city of Chicago. There were no objections filed to challenge the approximately 66,000 signatures on the ERSB petitions, which will appear on ballots in all of Chicago’s wards except for 2, 9, 11, 13, 18, 23, 39, 41, 42, 43, 44 and 48. (SOURCE Chicago Teachers Union: http://www.ctunet.com/blog/elected-school-board-lands-on-2015-municipal-election-ballot) The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) Board—appointed by the mayor— is not accountable to the people it is supposed to serve. The Board is failing our children. Lack of focus on proper education creates a population unequipped to face the challenges of the competitive world and also has been known to contribute to increases in crime. We must stop the corporate management and data reliance driven approach towards reforming and maintaining our school structures. We cannot have political appointees who who have no accountability to the parents and children of Chicago. Students are not just data and teachers are not just parts that need to be managed. The Board should be selected by the people, the voters of the city of Chicago. The ultimate goal must be that resources are exhausted so that every neighborhood school is a quality school. This can only be achieved through an Elected Representative School Board. Election requirements could mandate specific qualifications and cap campaign expenditures, thus reducing the nasty side of politics. While the actual makeup of this board can be up for debate (half appointed/elected, fully elected, district wise breakdown, parental involvement, Local School Council member involvement); the debate NEEDS to start, and it needs to start NOW! We live in a Democracy, and we need true representation! Another great source for info: http://ilraiseyourhand.org/content/elected-representative-school-board-campaign

Enact the Gun Safety Act and protect all Americans

Enact the Gun Safety Act and protect all Americans

The GCNJ NAACP demands all states that have passed and enacted " Stand Your Ground Laws " take immediate action to repeal these laws and replace them with common sense gun control legislation. In light of all the violent incidents and tragic loss of innocent life from guns lately, we must act now! This level of violence is unacceptable and it must stop.

CEO Schultz is forcing his employees to lobby customers to support corporate tax breaks by writing "come together" on cups to "avoid the fiscal cliff" and "learn from" a corporate lobby, CEO-friendly group "Fix the Debt" which is for tax breaks for the rich.

Our leaders have been incompetent in working on issues that effect Americans. their work ethic should include that they cannot leave Washington until their work is finished and if they do there should be repercussions like there are for other Americans

We want – Gun Control Legislation !

We want – Gun Control Legislation !

To dissolve House and Congress. What have they done for all Americans during this emergency regarding the Fiscal cliff ? As far as I know,during the last four weeks they have left Washington either on Wednesday or Thursday and come back the following week on Mondays to make plans to leave again in two or three days later. They make around $ 200,000.00/year, with first class health benefits. This is the reason they do not care for the rest of Americans

Piers Morgan, the host of CNN's Piers Morgan tonight, in a recently televised debate on CNN, defended gun control measures and slammed NRA and gun lobby for provoking violence.

The President is limited to 2 terms. Many states and municipalities now have term limits for state and local offices. This reduces the likelihood of elected officials who establish themselves as a dynasty, complete with a full retinue of lobbyists, rigid agendas or positions, and an increasing inability to compromise to make good laws. The U.S. Congress needs people willing to serve, compromise, make difficult but necessary choices, then return to private life. There is no indication that "experience" from holding an office for decades produces better legislation or outcomes. The past 50 years show the opposite, particularly with regard to Congress' inability to act on a huge number of critical issues due to politicians' fear of taking a stand that might affect their upcoming election.

There is on average 10 dogs per day dying in San Antonio, TX. We have to step up and hold the city responsible.