If someone has been unemployed for 2-3 years through no fault of their own, lost their home due to the crash, or has had a devastating medical issue in their family, their credit report reflects this. When they go to apply for a better job or any job in order to get back on their feet, they may be rejected because of the credit report. This is ridiculous for 99% of job applicants as they can never get out of the trap, and they don't get considered for a job. It also gives the employer an unfair advantage when determining the situation of the person they are going to hire. It should be a privacy issue, just like information about your marital status. This is true for government jobs and many others. Congress should create a law barring employers from running credit checks on most job applicants except where there is a clear and compelling reason to. Frankly, I can't think of many positions where there is a clear and compelling reason. I think this is simply a punitive mechanism that prevents people from recovering economically , a barrier based on the prejudices of those who apparently have never had an economic hardship, and a lack of understanding that a vast majority of financial difficulties arise through no fault of the sufferer--loss of job, medical issues, and the like. It is best for our economy to allow everyone access to jobs, regardless of whether they have been harmed by the economy or not. Using credit checks is a privacy violation and discourages job seekers by sending them into a spiral they can't see their way out of. It should be abolished.

President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 into law on 31 Dec. 2011 . This law codifies the practice that begun under Pres. Bush that allows the military to detain an American citizen indefinitely, without charge or trial, if they are a "suspected" terrorist. This takes away the constitutional right of due process. Although Obama issued a signing statement when he signed the act into law, the statement that he will not misuse this authority is not persuasive and is not binding on future presidents. This is an outrage that needs to be vigorously protested!

The Supreme Court's Citizen's United decision has opened the flood gates of undisclosed and unlimited funding in support or in opposition to a particular elective candidate or policy matter. This decision has placed our political system in the hands of the wealthy and powerful to serve their own special interests.

The petition is to support a Constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United court decision and to gauge what is likely to be a groundswell of popular support. People need to support this to show that such an amendment is politically feasible.

Preferential treatment for churches is unfair and unwarranted. Since governments, local and otherwise, are struggling for revenue, this tax break is especially burdonsome. Many churches are multi-million dollar enterprises and do not need or deserve to pocket these much needed funds.

Pharmaceutical companies spend millions of dollars advertising for a product that can only be obtained from a physician. Therefore I believe it is prudent that they re direct the money spent on advertising to reduce the cost to customers. Physicians are well aware of all available prescription medications. There is no need for advertising.

The pension policies for people who serve in Congress are far too liberal and far too expensive for the American people to keep enduring. It is time to update them and make them reflect modern values and modern standards.

Regardless of the party you prefer, you have to admit there are mostly only clowns in both houses of Congress.

Our government only works for those who have deep pockets to fund lobbyist who bribe politicians to get laws passed that benefit only the corporations, and usually are totally against EPA, FDA and environmental rules and regulations.

The onslaught of political ads & the expense to participate in campaigning to be President is making the President's role only available for the rich to participate- and obligating the candidates to those willing to contribute to the Campaign. This cycle needs to stop. BAN POLITICAL ADS- INSTITUTE CAMPAIGN REFORM. Some analysts believe that President Obama, who raised & spent about $750 million in the 2008 campaign, will come close to $1 billion this time around. Enough is Enough. Despite your party affiliation, the country needs to get back to the issues & not have our leaders focused on fund raising- which used to be every 4 years but is now more often. Sign the Petition and let's send a message to congress that we want Campaign Reform!

To establish national rules for voting, including access without photo IDs and establish national rules for the method of voting and counting the votes.

Citizens united and the super pacs have made our campaighns a farce. It seems whomever has the most money is able to win because the people will believe almost anything they hear. Lets face it they think FOX is real. My heart does not bleed for uncle Newt or any of them. Now they will be attacking Mitt. Lord only knows what they will say about the president. Enough is enough I want my country back from the well healed and privilages who userp our rights a buy influence with their il gained money.