Members of Congress simply have to put the well-being of the country ahead of the political interests of the party. They need to actually listen to the will of the people rather than their big donors and special interests.

St. Joseph, Michigan's red brick streets are one of the signature features of this charming town. Over the years, many of these streets have been dismantled and paved, and the bricks sold off. Those that remain need maintenance. In order to preserve our historic streets, the grass growing between the bricks needs to be removed, and the joints need to be filled and compacted. If nothing is done, we will soon lose these beautiful, historic brick streets that add so much to the ambience of our city.

CVS is proposing to build an uninspired big-box store and parking lot at the gateway to Sebastopol (kitty corner from Screamin' Mimi's). Their current location in an existing shopping center works for the community. If they build the new big box store, we won't buy!

Stop the phased withdrawals and bring the troops home from Afghanistan now.

Help stop republicans from trying to eliminate Pres. Obama's payroll tax cut. The tax cut puts $934 back in all our pockets. The GOP wants to stop that tax cut. Let's show them that we need that money.

In hopes of raising awareness of animal suffering, PETA recently announced plans to launch a XXX website. We've had enough of PETA's sexist publicity stunts. We're calling on PETA President Ingrid Newkirk to stop objectifying women in the interest of animal welfare.

To support students, parents, and teachers alike, we need to let our state representatives know that the use of high stakes testing is damaging children, teachers, schools and communities. Standardized tests have failed to produce real reform; too much time is taken away from our students' learning in lieu of test preparation and practice, which narrows the curriculum and dissuades any intrinsic desire to learn.

The St. Mark's Bookshop has a long tradition in the Lower East Side and serves an admirable and increasingly rare function. St. Mark's is struggling to pay the market rent that Cooper Union is charging them at 31 3rd Ave. A significant rent concession by Cooper Union could save this irreplaceable neighborhood institution.

Our petition is to change the speed limit on the streets of Plummer, Christopher and Jefferson from 30 mph to 20mph. We also suggest this change to be city wide in all thickly settled residential roads in Newburyport.

On Friday, September 2nd, President Obama asked Administrator Jackson of the EPA to withdraw the Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards, thereby killing, for now, any effort at decreasing air pollution and smog. We need to let him know that this kind of back-pedaling on important issues he previously said he would stand for is not appreciated by his supporters.

My Father has worked his entire life and had no choice but to go on Social Security Disability because of several health issues. Unfortunately his monthly $1500 stipend is all he has to pay his living expense which is not enough to cover his medical expenses that Medicare won't cover and is considered too much to qualify for any Medicaid assistance. As a result he continues to suffer from infections in his jaw because he is now up to 4 teeth that have broken off (roots still in jaw) and he is STILL unable to get the needed dental work. Our Government's fix is to keep him going to his MD for antibiotics (that he pays) every 2-3 months when his jaw gets too swollen or the pain gets too much for him to bare. I guess he should consider going to another country to benefit from the great American aid. How many others Americans are suffering while our politicians make certain that their families will be taken care of for generations - Doesn't sound like all men are created equal? STOP THE MADNESS; IT’S TIME TO CLEAN UP OUR OWN BACKYARD BEFORE WE PLANT FLOWERS IN SOMEONE ELSES!

We are seeking sign-ons from HIV/AIDS community organizations in support of this study to prove that screening for anal cancer in HIV+ people will eliminate needless deaths and suffering--just like cervical cancer screening has done for women for over 40 yrs. This is by necessity a large and expensive study, but without it payers will never approve the screening procedures needed to prevent anal cancer in HIV+ people. Please sign, and distribute widely to other AIDS organization fo sign as well. Thanks! Jeff Taylor AIDS Malignancy Consortium community representative