The essential benefit benchmark plans are being introduced to the state of Maryland's Governors Office for Healthcare reform's Essential Benefits Advisory Committee. The essential benefits are the REQUIRED benefits on plans that will be available through the state insurance exchange (i.e. the Expedia for Insurance Purchasing). A key benefit, given the high cost of musculo-skeletal problems like neck and back pain, is chiropractic care. Chiropractic care (adjustments, physiotherapy, rehab, prevention and education) has sound scientific data to support it's cost effectiveness and clinical outcomes with a multitude of musculo-skeletal ailments like neck and back pain, headaches and extremity conditions. All Marylanders need to be concerned that their Chiropractic benefit may be limited in quantity and quality. Can you imagine if you had only six visits per year? How would you feel if you had to have your adjustment at your Doctor of Chiropractic's office, and then have your physiotherapy and rehab somewhere else because of restrictions on the benchmark plans? We are calling on all Marylanders to stand up and ensure you have full and reasonable access to cost-effective and scientifically proven chiropractic care.

With Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate, President Obama will be able to save the American economy, further improve health care, and implement many other progressive policies that will vastly improve the lives of all our people.

Ever since Barack Obama became President, Republicans vowed to block him on everything. Republicans have called him every name in the book, and accused him of anything they can think of. Republicans go on any & every News and Radio show they can and repeat the same untrue talking points until its all the public can think of. WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS? If you believe its time that Democrats UNIFY and FIGHT BACK, sign this petition. Democrats & Prez Obama have TRUTH and LOGIC on their side. Now they must follow up with constant communication, constant explanation, a unified message and FORCE!

This potation is to protect our youth from being a victim of the courts. The courts "MUST" inform you of your rights instead of "MAY" inform you of your rights! Under Alabama law you are not considered an adult until the age of 19. But if arrested and charged under the age of 21 you have the right to file for a youthful offender status up to 5 times if you have not claimed adult status on any prior offense. The problem with this law is the courts are not required to inform a youth of these rights. The reading of the Act says we "may" inform and not we "shall" inform. When the youth of Shelby County have gone before Judge Ronald Jackson, he has not informed them of their full rights and has had many who could have claimed youthful offender status for minor offenses such as drinking under age. They are charged as adults. This goes on their permanent record and effects their future. Judge Ronald Jackson stated in a recent case that it would open up a flood of people coming back if he corrected a ruling presented to the courts in a case requesting youthful offender after prior being charged as an adult for under age drinking. The offender was not informed of their rights to be able to claim youthful status prior to their plea. The court MUST be responsible for informing youth of their full rights before asking for a plea. The wording need to read The courts "MUST" inform you of your rights instead of "MAY" inform you of your rights due to some judges interpretation of the wording. THIS MUST BE CORRECTED BY OUR LEGISLATORS.

When I vote for President, a third party candidate might be more in line with my values, but, I realize that if I vote for the candidate of my choosing, the candidate I least want to be the President may win. This initiative would help to break up the two party monopoly.

All existing and potential United States of America Voters must present (upon request) a valid picture identification at voting polls. Valid identification shall include all forms of identification accepted by The Secretary of State of the United States of America, as required to obtain a valid USA passport

Why do we allow rules that are the equivalent to political bribery? Why do we permit private interests to create conflicts of interest between our elected representatives and ourselves? For much too long, private special interests have been bullying our representatives into showering them with our tax dollars through contracts and subsidies and deregulating industry regardless to We The People's needs. These corporations, with their war chests of money and their corporate tool candidates, threaten to oppose anyone who cares about putting We The People's interests ahead of their own. Let's work to declare our representatives independent from the lingering threat of corporate retaliation that comes from doing what's in We The People's interests by supporting those candidates who support this pledge. This Citizens Protection Pledge is an oath to We The People that will work to eliminate the dangerous conflict of interest that is created when public representatives accept special interest money. Let's effectively end the corrupt practice of politicians putting in a term or two and then going to work as a high paid lobbyist or even going to work in any capacity for a corporation that has a lobbying department. Will you please sign our new Americans United petition and share it with your friends and family all over the United States? The greater the awareness of the systematic corruption and its ill effects on our democracy the greater will be our ability to overpower it. All in all, persons who are running for elected offices and who sign this Pledge deserve to be considered on their merits to fulfill the needs of the elected office and if they do so, should be considered for election to said office over others running for said office who have not signed this Pledge. Thanks for all you do. Sincerely, Ben Bosley America United Keep updated and join the dialogue: www.facebook.com/AzUnited Resources: moveon.org connectthedotsusa.com

Eliminate federal pensions for all members of Congress.

The power outages of last fall and this past week along the east coast and the fires out west need out attention. We can help each other and the nation by encouraging all of our elected officials to do the following: 1. Start burying the power lines NOW-spend the money here. 2. Hire returning vets with many, many different skills to do that, to train to fight fires when needed, to rebuild the lost homes, businesses etc now and each year.

Whales and Dolphins are wonderful. They love humans, yet we keep hurting them for no reason. They are super intelligent. How do we know they are not smarter than us? They don't kill for no reason. They like to eat, so do I. They love to play, me too. Please stop harming these wonderful creatures. When I peer into a whales eyes I see beauty and a thought process. Dolphins are the loving. They love to follow ships and put on a show.

Whales and Dolphins are wonderful. They love humans, yet we keep hurting them for no reason. They are super intelligent. How do we know they are not smarter than us? They don't kill for no reason. They like to eat, so do I. They love to play, me too. Please stop harming these wonderful creatures. When I peer into a whales eyes I see beauty and a thought process. Dolphins are the loving. They love to follow ships and put on a show.

It should be the lottery winner's right to chose whether they want to claim their winnings in a public event or not. If a state is not going to allow a winner anonymity, then the winner should be able to chose when and where they claim the winnings. There is a big difference between releasing information and mandating a public appearance with photographs.