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Impeach Florida Governor for intentionally surpressing the black voteWe must not tolerate blatant suppression of minority vote by elected politicians. We should petition for the impeachment of Governor Scott as well as the republican legislators who changed the voting law to eliminate early voting on the Sunday before election day, which was the biggest single day for black voter turn out in 2008. Next, we should petition both the US Dept. of Justice to investigate, and the US Congress to hold hearings through their broad subpoena power.18 of 100 SignaturesCreated by mart bowe
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Simple Stepped Income TaxI have been in the highest income bracket and I think the wealthy should indeed pay a larger share of taxes. However I have a problem with our absurd tax code, wasting everyone's time every year. My federal income tax return last year was almost an inch thick, cost me hundreds in accountant's fees, and took many hours of record keeping. Yet the government certainly had all the information already! Deductions should be eliminated: for example the mortgage interest deduction encourages people to stay in debt and favors the rich with bigger mortgages; better instead to have a lower tax rate than have to report mortgage interest every year.1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Keith Logan
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Remember who elected you, Mr. PresidentEnsuring that President Obama governs in a way that reflects who elected him, carries proudly forward the mandate we have given him and refrain from compromising too much72 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Eva Schiorring
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Remember who elected you, Mr. President -- hint: it was not the suburban swingers.Ensuring that President Obama governs in a way that reflects who elected him, carries proudly forward the mandate we have given him and refrain from compromising too much1 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Eva Schiorring
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Do not cut social security benefits for anyone.Social Security is a vital lifeline for seniors, the disabled and handicapped and children. Corporations are trying to destroy the public good and privatize government by creating a myth of a bankrupt country. America is the wealthiest country and social security ensures that Americans live in dignity.3 of 100 SignaturesCreated by cheryl smith
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Raise the Minimum WageI work for less than $8.00 an hour. I rely on the government to help me meet basic needs to survive and many people are in the same boat. Lessen the amount of tax dollars paid out in food stamps, stimulate local economies and give people the ability to support themselves by raising the minimum wage to $9.50.67 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Lisa J Jenkins
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Support mandatory labeling of genetically engineered foods (GMOs).We deserve to know what our food is made of.77 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Dani Zerbib
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Stop using disposable cups!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!57 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Leslee Goodman
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IRS Failing to Separate Church and StateLiving 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.22 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Patricia B.
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Photovoltaic electricitygovernment rebates expiring soon, new rebates needed.7 of 100 SignaturesCreated by kelly tash
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Stop predatory lending practices in Missouri!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!269 of 300 SignaturesCreated by Jon Griffith
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Changing the voting structure in state of FloridaFlorida 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.14 of 100 SignaturesCreated by Kerry Marshall