The state of Iowa is giving even more tax breaks to the Orascom fertilizer plant. The state is considering offering the plant over 100 million dollars to bring in only 165 jobs, despite fierce opposition to the plant from both liberal and conservative citizens groups.

I am really upset that one side of the political advertising we see on any media, is outnumbered almost 10 to 1, of the other side. After hearing the same thing over and over on the one side and hardly ever hearing the other side, I begin to think , how could anyone not believe the one you hear over and over. I think there should be a law that the amount spent on political advertising, cannot be more on one side than the other. Then, they would actually have to think about what they say, carefully, because the other side would have equal time. And we wouldn't have to hear the same thing over and over ad-nauseum.

Labeling GMOs in California/nationwide

Warehouse workers in Southern California went on strike this Wednesday, following months of high tension, high temperatures, and extreme pressure in a major Walmart-contracted warehouse. These courageous workers walked off the job to protest retaliation by their warehouse employers. Their plight is not uncommon in Walmart-contracted warehouses, which I learned from firsthand experience. After five years of lifting heavy boxes every day in the warehouse, my body aches. I am 31. Walking is difficult, lifting my son is nearly impossible, and I frequently have very painful back spasms. I finally left my job at the warehouse after I seriously hurt my back. But I had to fight for medical attention. The managers of the warehouse didn’t care about my health or safety. They tried to prevent me from seeing a doctor. I fought and I won medical care, but I have seen a lot of my coworkers fired for similar injuries. They leave the warehouse hurt, with no job and no health care. We move goods for Walmart, but we are treated like we are disposable. To this day it makes me angry. That’s why I am joining with other workers and people who support us to end these inhumane working conditions. Together, we can improve the lives of the thousands of people who live with these conditions on a daily basis. Support warehouse workers and sign our letter to Walmart. We will deliver it to Walmart executives when we arrive in Los Angeles at the end of our march.

I recently watched the TV news program that described the huge food stores that the Mormon church maintains. Every day I see more reports that food pantries all over the US are empty and people are being sent away with nothing. The Mormons have a chance to make a huge difference for families that are suffering-even if they only donate a portion of the food they have stored.

Corporations are not the same as people, as the Supreme court ruled and, this unjust ruling needs to be overturned immediately. As it stands now, corporations are contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to the republican presidential campaign in an effort to "buy" this election. Actually, the corporations and their billions of dollars are attempting to steal the election from the American people by "buying" their politicians. If elected and once in office "their" politician will not have the best interest of the people nor of the country in general but, yes you guessed it, he will have the best interest of the corporations.

Until money does not equal free speech once again and corporations are not people we need this remedy.

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