If Sen. Kerry is nominated as Secretary of State to succeed Hillary Clinton, it would leave Massachusetts with an empty senate seat to fill and the the US Senate one seat closer to losing its democratic majority. Scott Brown's campaign machinery is still in place and although he failed to beat Elizabeth Warren for re-election, it was a close contest. His mean-spirited campaign was funded in large part by outside the state right wing SuperPacs, most notably Karl Rove's Crossroads. That means, if he ever was bi-partisan in his first term, he is going to be beholden to far right Republicans if he succeeds in regaining a Senate seat. All of us who worked hard to defeat Scott Brown and elect Elizabeth Warren would have an uphill struggle to do it again for a brand new democratic candidate in such a short period of time, given his campaign machinery is likely still in place just waiting for this opportunity.

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, thousands of children in NYS will lose weeks of instructional time in school. Many will have to transfer to different districts due to the loss of their homes or destruction of their own school buildings. The upheaval caused by the storm will negatively impact their ability to learn. Results from tests taken under such devastating circumstances cannot possibly be accurate and will be a waste of educational time and taxpayer money. We are calling on the Governor Cuomo, the State Legislature and the State Education Department to skip the state assessments this year.

Despite being elected by a minority of voters, Governor Paul LePage has consistently refused to listen to the wishes of the people. Instead, he has pursued radical policies that are completely out of touch with Maine's values. On November 6th, Mainers said "no" to LePage by voting overwhelmingly for candidates opposed to his agenda. But instead of signaling a willingness to work with the newly elected legislature, he's adopted a combative stance, continuing his rhetorical attacks on public schools, unions and green energy.[1] The people have spoken, and now Gov. LePage must listen. We're calling on him to get out of the way and allow the new legislative majority to do what voters are asking it to do. [1] http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121110-NEWS-211100329

The Republicans have unequivocally refused to work with Obama for the past 4 years in order to make him a "one term president." This obviously didn't work, yet Senate Minority Leader McConnell still says, 48 hours after the election, one thing is certain: He is in no way chastened by Tuesday's results. "Let me put it very clearly," says the five-term Republican senator from Kentucky. "I am not willing to raise taxes to turn off the sequester. Period." Then, Boehner held a news conference on Friday where he declined to wade too deep into specifics, saying it could restrict his options at the negotiating table. They have not heard the demands of the middle class to raise taxes on the wealthy and quit giving them a carte blanche pass to do as they please. We do not agree with their policies or reasoning to keep the Bush tax breaks for the rich, which did nothing but put us on the road to ruin during his 8 year residency. Sign this petition to let the House and Senate Republicans that we are watching them and expect results. They are not in office to work for their own political party but to represent the citizens of the United States.

As soon as pundits called this election for Pres. Obama, they started talking about "open season for the 2016 presidential election." Enough already! We need elected officials to solve our problems, not continuously run for election/re-election. The perpetual campaigning contributes to our divisiveness. Campaigning for any office shouldn't start more than 18 months before the election.

Papa Johns and Darden restaurants, and Jimmy Johns have claimed that they will cut their employees hours rather than provide them with healthcare under the Affordable Health Care Program. Papa John founder, John Schnatter claims it will add an additional $.14 per Pizza to their costs so he's going to cut his employees hours down to part time so that he doesn't have to pay it. Darden Restaurants, owner of Oliver Garden, Red Lobster, Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, Capital Grille, Eddie V's and yard house has claimed they will do the same. Jimmy Johns CEO has said the same thing. Boycott these restaurants until they change their stance!

Let's give Americans and our economy a gift for the holidays: Peace, Bipartisanship, Leadership, and Confidence as we shop

My pets have always been like family members to me. Currently in California, pets are merely personal property. Therefore, if somebody were to murder my dog, I would only be able to recover the value of my dog in a civil law suit against the murderer, and nothing for my emotional distress or loss of companionship. My dog is priceless to me, but being a rescued mixed breed, with health problems his objective, economic value is probably zero. I believe that the legislature should add statutory civil damages against those who purposely or recklessly kill pets. I'm not asking that pets be treated like humans, just better than some inanimate object (like a chair or tv).

Making national political elections a national holiday. I know far too many people who have been unable to vote due to long lines or some type of disenfranchisement related to voter suppression.

Despite the state of Ohio going blue for President Obama and rejecting Josh Mandel's extremist position on reproductive health, our representatives are not only plowing ahead with their plan to criminalize abortion without exception: defunding Planned Parenthood also remains at the top of their list, despite the fact that it does more to prevent unintended pregnancy - and therefore abortion - than any other organization in the entire country. Not only will the loss of Planned Parenthood lead to even more pregnancy and abortion, it's close relative known as the Heartbeat Bill would make abortion illegal as early as six weeks. Most women will not even know they are pregnant until it's too late - leading to dangerous illegal abortions claiming the lives of our loved ones. Ohio needs to focus on healthy prevention, not outdated shame and punishment.

Papa John's has announced that they will cut employees hours to less than 30/week to avoid having to cover them under the Affordable Care Act. I am going to boycott them until this policy is changed, and I think you should too.

Job creation in Wisconsin