We deserve to know what our food is made of.

Ever been to Starbucks, Peets, or Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and seen patrons sitting there drinking their coffee in disposable cups, complete with plastic lids and hand protectors??? What a phenomenal waste! Please join me in telling coffee purveyors to serve their coffee to in-house customers in reusable cups! You know, the kind you wash, dry, and re-use. The kind that leaves trees growing in the forest and saves hydrocarbons for more essential uses than plastic lids!

Living in the state of Florida and reading the constitutional amendments on our ballots this year was a far different experience than voting in other states previously. One of our constitutional amendments was intended to provide religious organizations with tax payer dollars. Luckily for us, the bill failed. Not only were we on the verge of paying religious organizations our hard-earned dollars, but said organizations are breaking rules and continuing to maintain tax-exempt status. Part of the responsibility of the IRS is to monitor and govern non-profit organizations to maintain that they are adhering to federal laws that allow their tax-exempt status to apply. Some of the criterion for maintaining tax-exempt status are: ■ the organization must be organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, scientific, or other charitable purposes, ■ net earnings may not inure to the benefit of any private individual or shareholder, ■ no substantial part of its activity may be attempting to influence legislation, ■ the organization may not intervene in political campaigns, and ■ the organization’s purposes and activities may not be illegal or violate fundamental public policy http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1828.pdf On October 7, 2012, churches took to the pulpits and streets to persuade people to vote in opposition to such topics as abortion. As you can see from the list provided above, churches may NOT participate in influencing legislation to maintain tax-exempt status. There have also been reports made that church leaders had been coaxing their parishioners to vote for specific candidates. Per the IRS requirements, this is also a violation. As several news agencies are reporting, "However, Russell Renwicks, a manager in the IRS Mid-Atlantic region, recently said the agency had suspended audits of churches suspected of breaching federal restrictions on political activity. A 2009 federal court ruling required the IRS to clarify which high-ranking official could authorize audits over the tax code's political rules. The IRS has yet to do so.'' http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/irs-enforcing-rules-churches-politics-17633236#.UJwr15jA8qw http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019596822_apusirschurchpolitics.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/04/irs-church-state_n_2069009.html It is time that, after 3 years of complaints made to the IRS, they do the job they have been hired to do and follow the law. We pay our fair share of taxes. If religious organizations choose to violate the requirements of maintaining tax-exempt status, then they should be forced to pay their fair share of taxes, as well. It is time to wake the IRS up and tell them, ''Do your job or be replaced with employees who will!'' Stand up for our rights as a community and vocalize to the IRS that those who are willing to break rules, must be subjected to forfeiture of special privileges.

government rebates expiring soon, new rebates needed.

This petition is to encourage State legislators in Missouri to set a limit on interest rates for home loans, to help reduce predatory lending practices. Two of my siblings- hard working people who pay their bills on time and always have- lost their homes within the last two years, due to their lenders raising interest rates. And raising them, and raising them again. Until the payments became so ridiculously high that they had no hope of paying off the loans, at which point the lenders seized and kicked them out of homes they had been faithfully paying on for YEARS. This has to stop!

Florida has a history of conducting haphazard elections. Therefore it is incumbent upon the citizens of that state to change the system to one that insures the integrity of the vote while making the ability to vote more widely and easily accessable and amkes the results of that vote more readily accessible.

Kansas needs to support our veterans.

Just today 11/08/12 gasoline has rose .20 , why ? Can anyone tell us ? I believe there is price fixing and a huge monopoly at work here and the last 40 years.Any time big oil wants to get their share holder a couple billion dollars they raise the prices.This is not fair to the American public that is now just out of a ression.Our politicians will not protect us from this illegal business practice.The big oil lobby is too big in Washington. I will not vote in the next election unless this matter is addressed.

San Juan county just became the first in our state to become GMO free. Farmers united with locals to make it so. If we do not protect the integrity of our farms, we cannot insure the safety of our children's futures. GMO's are a corporate intrusion we cannot afford. Let's make Skagit County the second GMO free county!

With the advancement in technology and education, as well as enlarging our citizens the time has come to be rid of the Electoral College. I studied various forms of government and politics while in school and I have come to the conclusion the Electoral College is antiquated and may be a driving force in apathy among young voters. By moving to a percentage system (or other worthy system) we could truly invigorate the youth to be an active participant in our democracy. Living in Texas many feel their vote does not add their voice in major elections and thus decide to not vote, therefore hurting local elections where they could be the real difference in who wins and who loses.

Obama proposed High Speed Rail be created throughout the United States. Somehow or other, it has been side tracked, and/or killed (as by the Florida Governor). I would like to see it prioritized and created throughout the United States as quickly as possible. This is part of the infrastructure that needs attention throughout the country.

Making sure any Representative or Senator who serves on a science related committee in either body has appropriate or related scientific background to do so..