As we watched Al Gore win the popular vote in 2000 and "lose" the election in the Electoral College because of winner-take-all counting in most states, I thought, how is this possible and how can we change it? I learned that each state has the right to determine how their electoral votes are assigned, and that several already have proportional voting. Let's make this a practice here in Massachusetts.

Our returning combat veterans were mostly innocent boys when they entered military service, but are coming home with physical wounds and emotional scars; and they are facing massive unemployment. They need much more help than our government is offering -- such as free college education and job-retraining, and temporary financial support for their families. So many are suffering from PTSD, but the stigma of mental illness prevents soldiers from applying for help; so our government should have a strong outreach program. They deserve no less.

In Justice Scalia's dissent from the recent Immigration decision, he openly attacked the Obama administration's position on Immigration even though it had nothing to do with the case. He has become so blatantly political that it is clear he has lost all neutrality that the high court position is supposed to require. Remember duck hunting with Dick Cheney and then refusing to recuse himself from the case involving the former Vice President? Three seperate Brances of Government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. Bring back Checks and Balances.

Currently the fund is underfunded, because it's been misused by Congress. Replenish the fund with interest before increasing the age, to the level it should be. If this means Congressmen giving up their pensions then that's only fair, since they depleted and possibly bankrupted the fund in the first place. Too many times do they get by, by manipulating programs at their current status instead of making them right and using them for what they were originally intended.

I attend Mississipi Valley State University. I am concerned with the cost of attending school. The tuition for attending college is outrageous. Many families in the rulral areas can not afford to send their children to college with out getting loans. We have a chance of making college afforable to all peole. I am asking for you support.

Let us voting citizens vote for any and all Elected officials wages and benefits.

Humiliation, fear, social stigma is the meal of choice...if you're a kid without enough money in RI. Despite the EPA annual estimate of more than 34 million tons of US food waste--the single largest component of landfills and incinerators--RI's school districts are left to interpret Public Law 108-265 and pocket the difference. Receiving adequate Federal funding to cover the cost of a STANDARD HOT LUNCH, these districts opt to have lunchroom monitors "speak" with OUR children about "their unpaid tab." OUR children are then left to accept a "Shame Sandwich"--a single slab of cold "American Cheese" (hydrogenated oil and whey-a milk byproduct) or, in some districts, "Sunny Butter" (a peanut butter substitute)--perhaps their only meal of their day--or to walk away. http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/12/10/cold-cheese-sandwich-for-students-with-late-lunch-payments/ How would you feel? Hungry? Embarrassed? Ostracized in front of your peers? School is supposed to be a safe harbor, a place where children--even children without money--learn more than their ABCs. They learn to trust, socialization skills, and to explore. It isn't supposed to be a place of pain. Let's require all public schools to comply with the spirit of Public Law 108-265 and give all of OUR children the food they need for quality academic performance, or suffer a loss of Federal funding.

I did not know that Human Trafficking was a problem for Woman, teenagers, young girls, and maybe kids. I thought that it was a choice, and not a choice because of a lot of parents. Cannot stay around permanently for their family, or a lot do but it is a empty feeling. By me finding out that there is a name for it. I want to help stop Human Trafficking forever, eternity, for all generations permanently. Because no one do not have to live like that every day of their lives. Especially the innocent victims who have been tricked into becoming involved. Stopping Human Trafficking is for every Rrace, and Nationality. Another reason why I want to help victims by putting these people in prison where they belong. They can join in with other people to help the environment. Become, and stay safe by making this medium to large circle become a circle of countless people that will not let bad, and terrible things happen any more.

This year, amendments to the Higher Education Act (HEA) have reduced the duration of a student’s eligibility to receive the Federal Pell Grant from 18 semesters (traditional, Fall and Spring semesters, or its equivalent) to 12 semesters. This is a mistake and limits educational growth and opportunity for upward social mobility for low income, post-secondary students.

No one, no corporation can donate more than $150.00 to any political party, or to advertising for a political party, or to any candidate per election.

Removing food and energy from the futures market

My petition is about TERM LIMITS. We have them for the President but NOT for members of Congress. So many representatives and senators are elected and then think they are entitled to a lifetime job. I believe they should be limited to 3 terms for Senator and 4 terms for Representative.