Capital should take a long-term view. Currently, the break-point between short-term , and long-term capital gains in the tax code is 1 year. This means that the outlook for profit-driven decisions only extends 1-year into the future, as gains need to be held for only 1-year in order to be taxed at a lower rate. Institutions suffer when such a short-term view is taken. If the tax-code were to be written so that the break-point were 5-years, then the institutions would benefit from a long-term view, and the longevity of institutions would be more important than the individuals that profit from them.

"The banks are not lending" is true for millions of Americans who have always paid their bills, have earned high credit scores, and share a long history of responsible borrowing. Those who have sought to refinance a home loan are often mired in paperwork, delay, and unintelligible formulas used by underwriting to deny refinancing. The banks and other Wall Street entities are said to be sitting on trillions in cash, that they fear the effects of Dodd Frank, and/or they are practicing caution. Their "caution" would have been welcome long before the crash and is not credible now. If the government can push the financial giants to help people whose loans are "under water" or who bought more than they could afford, it should certainly investigate and CHANGE bank practices that deny refinancing at today's low rates to responsible borrowers.

Taking back Congress in 2012, 2014 & beyond!

The current public disagreement with the Chief of Police for the City of Syracuse is behavior most commonly found in a two year old. The 'tit for tat' related to charges against their respective adult children's behavior would be acceptable in a sandbox- but not played out in the Post Standard. These actions from an elected official are just another reason why term limits should be in place. The DA's recent re-election was unapposed. Was his effectiveness in the past the basis that people voted for his re-election or was it apathy and lack of opposition? Limiting re-election to three terms will remove the attitude of entitlement and return the focus of the elected official(s) to their elected responsibilities- not personal pettiness.

Oficially declaring 'E Pluribus Unum' the national motto

In this current political climate in which women's access to contraceptives is seen a threat to religious freedom, it has become clear that an employer-based insurance system is perilious at best. If employers are allowed the ability to decide that providing health services constitutes an attack against religion, it is clearly time to move away from an employer-based insurance system and look towards an alternative such as offering Medicare for all American citizens. Everyone deserves a right to medical care. Your employer should not have the ability to decide that you are not allowed to be treated. Heath care needs to move to the public arena, and out of the hands of private employers.

I want a nation wide referendum on the legalization of marijuana use in America. I would like it to be on the ballot next November. it's time Americans' voices were heard on this issue by our politicians and lawmakers. Too many people have been harmed by the criminalization of drugs.

This year hundreds of millions of corporate dollars will pour into the presidential and congressional races because of the Supreme Court's terrible decision in Citizens United. This floodgate of spending is currently allowed to take place anonymously - this must stop. The president should order the disclosure of all political donations that are done by companies who do business with the federal government.

Hotel Pennsylvania is a beaux-arts 22 story hotel that sits adjacent from Pennsylvania Station on 7th Avenue, occupying the majority of a block between 33rd and 32nd Streets. Like the long gone transit palace for which it is named, it too faces possible demolition. Once known for it's lavish soirees and big band music, featuring the likes of Duke Ellington and Count Basie, the hotel has seen several incarnations and name shifts, including being the original Statler Hotel (for which the muppet Statler, of Statler and Waldorf fame was named). Yet, unlike other landmarks which often age poorly, Hotel Pennsylvania has evolved and changed with New York, catering to clients as diverse as canines from the Westminister Dog Show to hosting the annual My Little Pony convention. However, given the cut-throat nature of the real estate industry, the Vornado Realty Trust, best known for creating an empire of strip malls in New Jersey and generic office buildings, plans to destroy Hotel Pennsylvania. Their plan is to erect an oversized tower that would rise 70 stories, rivaling the neighboring Empire State Building, and casting a shadow over the majority of low-scale buildings that populate this area of midtown. Demolition and construction activity alongside pedestrian traffic would also pose issues for this already very dense part of the city. Fierce community opposition to the demolition in the past was not enough to sway the city council or the landmarks committee. Yet, a glimmer of hope has surfaced. Given the sluggish economy and Vornado's lack to find a major tenant to anchor their tower, the company has considered renovating Hotel Pennsylvania instead of destroying it. So, I ask you, to help reignite the fight to save Hotel Pennsylvania before it's too late. With this petition, we (we being the greater whole of New York City, and of course you) hope to ensure Hotel Penn's place in history with protective landmark status (preventing any and all future demolition) and to remain as an appreciated part of the built fabric of Manhattan while remaining a sustainable building. The greenest building of course, is a building that is already built and not an expensive glass high-rise tower. Thank you for your time and your signature.

Jim Cain is taking our ADOPTABLE dogs and selling them in the name of RESCUE! He refuses or returns vicious digs.

City of Thomasville, GA has dropped a service contract with private employer in favor of using prisoners and City workers to maintain local park and recreation area used by children, families, the elderly, and located in a nice middle-class community - threatening jobs, people's safety, all in the name of saving a few dollars.

The US Government is poised to give more public aid to the rich and powerful. Tell our leaders to stop doing this at the expense of the tens or hundred of millions of Americans. We are calling on them to help those that need help not the wealthy.