WE DO NOT NEED TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ANY OF OUR CHILDREN OF COLOR. STOP THIS CRIME BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF HAND. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE.

Democrats in congress must show all their supporters that they have a spine and decide that they are ready to go "Off the Cliff". The cliff comes into place on December 31, 2012 when the Bush budget tax cuts are set to expire and the Defense budget is automatically set to be reduced by $500 billion. As I watched Lawrence O'donnel yesterday carefully explain why Democrats in Congress and Senate must call the Republican bluff by allowing the Bush Tax cuts to expire and the Defense budget cut to take effect, I was reminded that these are critical areas of interest to Republicans. Where these actions to take effect Republicans they will find themselves in a bind. As Republicans have always claimed, by allowing the Bush Tax cuts to expire, Congress will in effect be allowing a tax increase on all Americans because tax rates will go back to what the rates during President Clinton's presidency. And we know how resolute the Republicans are regarding any tax increase. Secondly, The Department of Defense Budget has always been a sneaky way for Republicans to direct government spending to their friends and allies in the military industrial complex. By allowing the Defense budget cut to take effect, Republicans will come under from their allies. President Obama has presented a tax bill to maintain the Bush tax cuts for all Americans except those 2% of Americans making in excess of $250,000 a year. But the Republicans have indicated that they will not allow tax cuts for 98% of Americans unless Millionaires also get the tax cut. The strategy outlined by some Democrats in the Senate to counter the Republican bluff is for Democrats to do nothing and just sit on their hands and allow the Bush Tax cut to expire and the Defense budget cut to take effect as of January 2013. After that they can represent the President's tax bill once again and challenge the Republicans to vote against tax cut for 98% of Americans. As much as this is a brilliant strategy, my fear is that some democrats in the Senate will play chicken and not stick with their other colleagues to call the Republican bluff. Please send the following simple message to all Democratic elected officials to let them know that we are taking a pledge that is even stronger than the pledge that their Republicans colleagues made to Grover Norquist: " Democrats all over the country will be watching and keeping a score of the actions of Democratic Representatives in Congress. Anyone of them who refuses, or bows to pressure against the President or the Democratic strategy to combat the Republicans in this latest Strategy to "go over the cliff", will find themselves a target for a brutal attack and determined opposition to their reelection". It is about time that Senate Democrats grow a spine and stick together.

Often times, opponents of gay marriage say that "marriage" carries a certain religious sanctity. If ALL unions between two people are recognized ONLY as civil unions, then individuals will be left to determine whether or not their union is a marriage. This will allow any two people the ability to enjoy the societal benefits of joining together in the eyes of the state without having to infringe upon people's views on marriage and the religious connotation it may or may not carry.

H. J. RES. 20 has been introduced for possible congressional consideration. It will enact term limits for congress, but it allows them to be re-elected one year after they've reached their 12 year limit. This is insufficient. Fight to have this resolution modified to enact permanent term limits and pushed through congress!

Allowing persons with student loans to have the same rights as corporations when they go bust. A none person corporation is not greater then future of our students.

Illinois Governor Quin restricted medicaid to 4 prescriptions a month to save the state money, without considering the effect it will have on the poor,elderly and disabled! There are hundreds of thousands of people that depend on medicaid due to the high cost of medicine, Dr. visits and hospital costs and life support systems to stay alive with without being in a nursing home.

I would like 2 c a program put in place similar 2 Medicare, but 'optional' 4 all those who r working & paying into Soc Sec, etc. Vet bills have become so exorbitant/outrageous that I believe anyone willing 2 adopt a homeless pet should have access to PETICARE -- a progam established nationwide thru the Federal Govt or State, if necessary. There w/have 2 b safeguards re a limit of adopting only 2 pets, etc., & offering help only w/their medical needs. The time has come 4 us 2 step up & look out 4 the animals -- even the timing is not good obviously when there r those in our govt who r currently trying 2 eliminate SS & Medicare 4 HUMANS. What do u guys think? I've never done this be4. Concerned Animal Lover/Citizen

Take the power from the global elite.

My petition is about the Flag of the United States of America. Our military personnel fight for our country using the stars and stripes of the USA flag as their banner for freedom and liberty for all. Citizens of the USA pledge their allegiance to the flag. Don't you think that Flag should say "made in the United States of America"? It is time to take back our outsourced manufacturing jobs and our USA Flag should be our number one priority.

We need to repeal the capital gains exemption in the federal tax code. The capital gains exemption reduces the tax rate of income from capital gains. This raises the value of money and reduces the value of people's labor. This tax exemption distorts values by inflating the value of capital items and diminishing the value of labor.

We, the residents of Johnstown Pennsylvania do hereby petition the Johnstown City Council, Mayor and City Manager to enact legislation to establish a democratically elected Civilian Board of Control of the Johnstown Police Department. This board will be empowered to make policy, hire, and fire police, review and investigate any and or all complaints against officers and petition for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute police accused of crimes such as battery, unlawful arrest, racial profiling, torture, murder, and the use of force to suppress the democratic rights of the people to organize and protest. The Board of Control would be directly responsible for conducting investigations into allegations of the use of excessive force, police shootings where an officer’s discharges his/her weapon and strikes someone, deaths in custody, domestic violence, verbal abuse including bias and coercion. The board would also investigate allegations of off duty misconduct relating to excessive force and discharge incidents. These investigations would include but are not limited to conducting interviews and formal statements with complainants, witnesses, accused and witness officers, and the analysis of all forms of evidence including video, forensic and documentary. This legislation is due in part with the murder of Elip Cheatham on June 25, 2012 and for all the other instances of police abuse, brutality and or abuse of power. We feel the Johnstown Police Department needs to be policed and we the citizens of this community respectfully wish to be heard and these issues addressed.

The lack of respect of our politicians for the sancity of our sexuality.