My petition is about campaign financing. I - and all citizens, for that matter - have been affected by big-money organizations buying elections. The problem is that the very group that could bring this to an end is profiting off the practice. We need to control the accountability of our elected officials and candidates, and assure that to the greatest extent possible they are working for the good of all citizens and not serving special interests of a minority who can expect special interest or self-serving favors for huge contributions.

On Sunday, the Chicago Teachers Union announced the first Chicago teacher's strike in almost 25 years. They are fighting against school privatization, closures, and stagnant wages. Ninety-eight of our Chicago schools don't have playgrounds, and 160 schools don't have libraries at all. Forty percent of our schools do not have full time art and music programs, and the entire system is desperately lacking support staff, including counselors and school nurses. The lack of investment in schools is bad for teachers—but it's devastating for our children. As the parent of two children in the Chicago Public Schools, I stand with the Chicago public school teachers. As the teachers are out striking the parents are not we will stand with our children at home studying for hours every day till this nightmare ends and our kids are back in class.

The 2-party duopoly in the United States prevents third party candidates from participating in the presidential debates, which limits their exposure and publicity. Sign this petition to allow Justice Party Candidate, Rocky Anderson, debate President Obama and Mitt Romney on the issues.

I am a 60 year old widow. I lost everything from home to my health insurance.. I have pre existing conditions which preclude me from qualifying for individual health insurance unless I am rated much higher. In Mendocino Country California where I live ,the county subsidized program eliminates anyone who makes for than 1700 per month. I just started collecting my husbands S.S. which is just about that. I am a licensed RN, and work as a temp employee at our local health center. If I make more than a few hundred dollars in a month A. I do not qualify for health care at all. B- I loose a portion of my widows benefits. If I AM approved for county insurance, my deductible would be a share of cost of about $1000 per month. Any preexisting health insurance in California is unaffordable..payments approximately $500 per month, and that is after 6 months of NO county insurance. What happens to me and other people who fall between the cracks? Not old enough to receive medicare and too old to qualify for private, affordable insurance due to health conditions, ie. mild hypertension, high cholesterol. I have never been without coverage, and I am in a constant state of panic over this. I hear of many Americans moving to Canada just to have healthcare with a nominal premium. If I got ill, I don't know what I would do. It terrifies me. I live under the poverty level, but apparently I'm not QUITE poor enough. We need President Obama to address this issue . I believe it is urgent for me and so many other Americans.

For years, barn swallows have nested on the lamps at the recycling center where their babies are protected from the elements and predators. Recently, the county decided this is unacceptable and plans to use barriers to block the swallows from re-nesting at their chosen spot again next year. These beautiful, insect-eating birds do not pose any known health risks and state guidelines advise against interfering with their nesting. Please sign this petition urging King County to leave the site alone so that the swallows can return to their nests again next spring. For more details & answers to specific questions, please visit our webpage at http://205.210.189.26/swallows.html

Stop the State from criminalizing fathers in Child Support Enforcement Cases, do to economic hardships. Therefore Fathers who are in the arrearage to CSE will get a felony five or locked up in jail for a considerable amout of time.

Just last week, Chicago's last remaining coal plants went offline. Chicago residents can breathe a lot easier thanks to local community groups, environmental activists, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. But even with this victory, fossil fuels and nuclear still dominate the mix of energy that powers Chicago. The good news -- in November we can take the next step to ensure that Chicago's energy comes from clean, renewable energy! Chicago voters have the opportunity to pass a referendum that will authorize the city to pool our electricity demands and negotiate a better energy package. Like other Illinois cities, Chicago could ask suppliers to provide them with clean energy. Sign our petition--tell Mayor Emanuel that you support powering Chicago with affordable clean energy!

Newman Ridge is an untouched, gorgeous, two mile long, 475 foot high ridge of 200 year-old oaks and grasslands, with spectacular views of the surrounding Sierra foothills and valleys. Today, this ridge protects the Ione Valley in Amador County. A venture capital group has purchased the historic Howard Ranch that contains this ridge and now wants approval to strip mine it for the next 50 years. Additionally, this same group wants approval to build a new hot asphalt plant called Edwin Center North nearby, which will blow known cancer-causing toxins through the valley directly into the tiny country town of Ione. These projects would create tons of dust, high decibel blasting noise and vibration, diversion of scarce local water and could cause congestion from up to 200 trucks a day driving on two-lane local roads. Oak woodlands and rare habitats to dozens of species, some of which are threatened or endangered, would be permanently destroyed. The requested zoning change to Heavy Industrial will annihilate any chance this area has of attracting new clean business, as these developments would emit at least 100 tons of dangerous pollutants per year, and local air standards would never recover. These projects will cause nearby home and ranch values to collapse. The numbers of new mining jobs that have been promised are exaggerated in order to justify the project. The area is already served well by three local quarries and plants, running under capacity, so there is no business justification. The Environmental Impact Report did not investigate alternatives, failed to mitigate significant impacts and cannot be legally approved. Several State Agencies, including the Department of Transportation, Office of Mining Reclamation and Fish and Game are not supportive of this project, but their comments are being ignored. Local government needs to deeply consider the alternatives, such as expanding existing businesses which offer real jobs without massive environmental destruction, as well as developing this pristine land as a hiking, biking and equestrian Nature Park for all, working with interested large conservation organizations, to add revenue and value to the area. The local Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on October 9th at 10:30 a.m. in Jackson, California. We urge all Amador County Supervisors to Vote No on Newman Ridge and Edwin Center North Projects.

American Airlines is outsourcing to Bejing putting a thousand AA employees out of work! And it's called "American" Airlines?

As a Forty Year Resident of New Jersey, I am swhamed by the behavior of Governor Christie and Republican Congress Members to spread HATE amongst people for OUR bold and intelligent U.S. President.... I will NEVER vote Republican again.... Shame on your lies.... Look in the mirror and spit in your own face....

Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the past, present and future members of the US Presidents, House/Senate, Congress, Speaker of the House, Majority/Minority Leaders. Congress shall make no law that applies to current, past and future Senators or Representatives, which includes US Presidents, House/Senate, Congress, Speaker of the House, Majority/Minority Leaders that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States of America.

Contamination of the City of Pocatello and surrounding area, by cancer causing Elemental Uranium and it's daughter products derived from and spread throughout the city and region, by the FMC Corporation, utilizing the government's "Do Not Tell Rule." The FMC Michaud Flats Superfund site has denied clean-up and protection of contaminated homes and Pocatello Citizens and the EPA has refused to respond!