We have been wasting lives and money in Afghanistan for so long that now even our "friends" are shooting at us. It is time to bring everyone home without delay.

In order for our elected officials to truly understand what it's like to be a member of the working poor we propose that ALL elected officials receive minimum wage and pay for their own medical benefits and retirement plans like the rest of normal, hard-working Americans. This amendment to the constitution will save the government money by reducing the cost of government salaries to the most fairly administered wage standard available: the minimum wage.

Current federal laws and policies do not allow a process for "Good Samaritans" to improve water quality through clean-up or mitigation of acid mine drainage from abandoned mines that involves the long-term discharge of water without fear of longterm financial liability and being subject to citizen lawsuits if improved water quality does not fully meet Clean Water Act/TMDL standards. There are hundreds of thousands of abandoned mines in the U.S., many over 50-100 years old, and for which no responsible party is known. Allowing Good Samaritans to measurably and demonstratably improve water quality where there may be acidic and metal-laden waters draining from abandoned mine features will have positive impacts by creating jobs, and REDUCING costs for providing potable drinking water in headwaters communities. In addition, improving water quality could provide many significant positive economic benefits such as to improving fisheries and functional habitat, improved agricultural yields, enhanced opportunities for industrial and municipal uses, improving outdoor recreational opportunities, and providing primary and secondary job opportunities. Removing toxic metals such as cobalt, zinc, aluminum, cadmium, and others could provide a source of metals that can in turn be used for manufacturing solar panels, batteries, or other components of the new energy economy.

Putting useless people to work

Stop or change the FCAT, and the new scoring system which will affect many children!

TO PROTECT EVERYBODY IN CONGO

The EC was created by our founding fathers to represent those who did not live and/or could not travel to Washington DC where they could hear live speaches from candidates. This was over 200 years ago when there was NO MEDIA! Now media is within everyone's handheld device, desktop, laptop, Television, magazines and newspapers. The Electoral College served it's purpose in the 17 and 1800's but the popular vote is all we want!

Feeding the American people pink slime as an additive to our meat products is an extreme insult. Look at the downhill path from "let them eat cake" to "let them eat pink slime" Shame on Sec. of Ag. Vilsack and Governor of Iow Branst

Human rights demand the abolition of a penalty which is inflicted on racial and socioeconomic bases and often on those innocent of crime.

Retired presidents, vice presidents, and congressmen receive outlandish pensions, in addition to lavish health insurance for life. They really don't need this or deserve this. With all the focus on reducing the deficit, cutting out this perk would be a step ($$) in the right direction. Let these retirees live like the majority of retiree taxpayers, myself included.

.Corporate manipulation in politics must end. Corporations are motivated purely by profit and growth and unlike people, have a potentially infinite lifespan. Corporation influence must end. We need radical reforms in campaign contribution laws, beginning with blocking the financial clout afforded to these entities.

Education with Virginia teachers are facing a very difficult budget cut. Teachers have not had a raise in 5 years. We are calling on a stand to give a raise or a big amount of a BONUS to make up for the tough, hard economy.