Tim Moffitt (R-NC House) is chairing a committee to make it state law that the states larger cities lose control over their water systems and have it incorporated into the Sewerage Departments. The effort by the state legislature is to simply turn over the ownership without any compensation to the City of Asheville, NC, stating that the system is "owned by it's customers". If that be the case then that can be said about every "utility" in the United States. Does Tim Moffitt think his constituents are so dull as to just take him at his word on matters so greatly affecting the citizens of Asheville/Buncombe County? The City of Asheville, NC hired an independent firm to study this and it shows the system is worth at least $177 million. Another estimate shows a value of $55 million. Is the new republican-controlled NC House attempting to eventually privatize these system and then sell them off to private contractors which would net the State a staggering sum into it's coffers? Tim Moffitt (R), chairman of the "Committee" says there is no plan to privatize these systems, but where there is a sum of money that could amount to BILLIONS in the future, you simply cannot trust a politician's "promise". Rep. Tim Moffitt says this move would save the system $10 million in operating costs. That is a ridiculous statement since his next statement is that there will be no change in personnel. Moving this department to another department and having no personnel changes cannot possibly result in a $10 million savings. The two systems have different requirements in personnel and equipment and cannot be somehow combined - unless water supply and water discharge are one-in-the-same. As I remember, these are handled by different "plumbing". I'm sure attempted takeovers by state governments on municipalities probably have been tried before. What is the true bottom line loss to local municipalities if the state takes over sewage systems, which "discharge liquids" into rivers in our state? When a system discharge into a body of water is determined by the "state" (which controls and enforces this law) to be handled improperly, it opens the door to the state "taking over" the system, thus taking ownership. At that point, and with a stroke of the pen by deceitful state politicians, the systems, now consolidated, can be sold to private parties, with the simple overused explanation that the private sector can do it "cheaper", and the State is the recipient of a substantial amount of money, as I said before, Billions. It would take several years to accomplish these manipulations since the legislature first has to "capture" the water systems and roll them into a system that they can takeover, but the outcome of recent elections now shift control of the NC House to the republicans for the first time in twenty years and they certainly have no intention of losing it next election.

The US is spending over $1Trillion per on our military industrial complex! It's a waste of our money. Cut the spending by 50% and use the savings to expand social programs. Increase benefits for SS, Medicare, etc.

Unemployment is too high in US. I'm a former United Parcel Service Teamster who thinks this action, though drastic, is manageable for all involved....It's a decent compromise for these Quasi-Public workers.

The gun and arms lobby is now trying to silence their critics! Show them and the world that their bully tactics no longer work

Remember curbside pick-up of orange bags filled with recyclable waste? Montgomery used to care. Now, everything goes into a landfill. Let's bring back curbside recycling.

Rep. Peter Defazio has consistently voted against an assault weapons ban and other gun control measures like handgun registration and trigger locks. The Newtown massacre should have finally shown this otherwise smart and liberal congressperson that it is time to act, and act decisively to protect all Americans from the onslaught of senseless violence that has taken so many lives, but it has not. Defazio will only say it is time to begin a "national dialogue" on violence. Let's tell him that this is not enough - and there will be a consequence if he does not take a strong lead in helping us to end gun violence.

Fight the far right's 24,000 signed petitions threatening CNN and Piers Morgan, with the purpose of deporting him

Piers Morgan expressed his views, a First Amendment Right. To acknowledge a petition to have him deported would be an egregious assault on that Right. Ignore it, please.

Social Security and Medicare are benefits for which we have paid. Please cut politicians salaries and benefits before you make more cuts to these programs. Congress should have medicare as their health insurance.

The world's most useful plant should be cultivated in Minnesota, for medical and other purposes. Some studies have even shown that marijuana may stop cancer! We should allow doctors and researchers to utilize this common weed.

I have worked hard all my life& still workinghard,social security is not a intittlement we the people of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAVE RIGHTS AND THAT,S OUR MONEY PLEASE DON'T RAISE THE AGE OF SOCIAL SECURITY IT SHOULD BE LOWER TWO 55 YEARS

Soils are degrading as a result of poor agricltural practices such as overuse, single crop agriculture, and over use of synthetic fertilizers. This will lead to a decrease in agricultural productivity at a time when there is an increase in the world's need for food. I may also lead to problem like the "dust bowl" and increased desertification.