I retired from the State of Illinois SURS pension system November 1, 2010, basing my benefits on a specific monetary amount, including the benefit of no-cost health insurance. On June 27, 2012, Governor Quinn signed HB1313, taking effect July 1, 2012, requiring some 78,000 state retirees to pay a portion of the premiums which Public Act 90-0065 of the 90th General Assembly states will be provided by the State of Illinois.

The safety of Police and Border patrol agents, as well as the entire nation is in grave danger from terrorists and drug cartels and the Federal Government and the Supreme Court are more concerned about political correctness, and offending people. Force them to do their jobs.

Grover Norquist has asked Republicans to sign a pledge to not raise taxes no matter what. This has brought the country to a standstill. I want every Representative and Senator to sign the pledge below to commit to putting the health, education, and wellness of the children living in the USA first among their priorities. My petition is asking people to send this pledge to their Representatives and Senators.

Emancipation Proclamation Day Why have we not pushed for the day the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) to become a national holiday? Every other nation that has gained their freedom have made that day a national day of celebration. We in America have July 4th has a national holiday because it was the day we became free from England's ternary, but yet we do not have January 1, 1863 as a national holiday. The day slaves became free. Lets let Congress and the President know that we want this day January 1st as a National Holiday (Parades and all) Showing that all Americans are free. free.

The one time single use of plastic bags is detrimental to our environment, wildlife, ocean and, therefore, ourselves. According to The Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. If we can encourage shoppers to buy reusable bags, we can protect the environment, reduce waste, as well as protect the animals of the ocean.

I believe that the software used for elections should be created by an independent government agency and needs to be reviewed by impartial parties to insure there is no bias in the software toward either party.

This issue is crucial and affects every person in our country! The 2012 Farm Bill is currently being considered for passage by our elected officials in Washington. Among other things, this bill will define what foods can be commercially sold at your local grocery stores. If you don't raise your own food, purchase from local farms or strictly buy organic then you owe it to yourself to read on and act now!!! Please look at the articles above (wikipedia and anh-usa.org) for more information .

History has taught us that boycotting is very effective and powerful as a weapon against those who conspire to prey upon the vulnerable for their own profit.

Stand for justice in Liberia! Let those who caused the deaths of over 250,000 innocent people not be allowed to walk freely.

Many states have passed "voter ID" laws to "curb voter fraud". There should be no law passed that would increase the difficulty of a legal voter to be able to cast his/her vote. There are very few cases of voter fraud reported in our ENTIRE Nation, and there is little if no evidence that leads even the most careful investigator to believe that any of these laws will "curb" the nearly-non-existent voter fraud. Also, there has been verbal acknowledgment by a Pennsylvania lawmaker that these laws have been enacted for political & partisan reasons.

The changes to the advanced training pathway for RACP / CICM dual trainees.

Rick Perry is requesting for the Texas Citizens to pay for his campaign when he was running for president; we all know that was a disgrace to Texas. We should not be responsible for his personal decisions. Secondly, Rick Perry said he will not receive additional medicaid for the poor and the middle class citizens in the state of Texas. This is outrageous & not encouraging to our citizens that need help here. We need help in Texas because the rich continues to press their feet on our necks here and it is time to stop. The republicans have bullied us enough. 3rdly, Rick Perry said he will not allow the people of Texas to have any part of President Obama's Health Care plan. Rick Perry knows we need help and have always chosen to look over us as if we don't exist. He acknowledges the rich and he will only show his face with minority people of color when he is in the midst of a campaign trying to get votes by deceit; the same way Kaye Bailey Hutchinson is and has done as a Senator. We do not need him in office any longer. We need a Democrat. Someone that is willing to look out for all people not just the rich people.