Because standardized tests have failed to produce real reform over the last fifty years in the state of Texas, because too much time is taken away from our students' daily learning in order to do test practice and because the state test does not provide meaningful and useful data regarding a student's progress, we will keep our kids home on test day as a protest.

“We, the undersigned parents/guardians, exercise our 1st and 14th Amendment rights of the federal Constitution to opt our children out of standardized testing that is misused as an inaccurate and inappropriate tool to judge student achievement, school quality, and teacher effectiveness. We, the undersigned citizens, support parents/guardians in their effort to opt their public school-aged children out of standardized testing that is misused as an inaccurate and inappropriate tool to judge student achievement, school quality, and teacher effectiveness. Additionally, we collectively agree that our tax paid money should no longer be used to pay for the mass production of these tests, the grading of these tests, and the forensic examination of the legitimacy of the completed tests.”

The political system in the United States has created a "privileged class" of politicians, both in the Senate & Congress, who earn far more than is justifiable and receive special benefits and healthcare, even after the end of their careers. "We the People" are supposed to dictate the course of government in this country, not a privileged minority. With all men & women created equal, Senators and Congressmen should be subject to the same healthcare and benefits as working class Americans and, in this time of economic austerity, receive a significant pay-cut putting them on par with the American working class average salary. After all, our taxes pay for their privileges, and We The People can no longer afford it.

88 year-old Douglas White, the oldest living holy man from Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, died in prison on November 24, 2009. He spent the last 17 years of his life incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. The government didn’t want to admit that it made a mistake. Despite possessing conclusive evidence of Douglas’ innocence, the government fabricated a technicality to keep an innocent man in prison. Douglas never got a fair trial from the very beginning. But after 14 years in prison, new evidence of his actual innocence was discovered. He played by all the rules and the government robbed him of the opportunity to clear his name and spend his last days with his people. To this day, the government refuses to be accountable and thinks it can wash the blood off its hands and declare the case “moot.” This case is a shameless and corrupt collusion of power between the Court system and the US Attorney’s office who act as if they are above the law. This is not just an “Indian problem.” This is a problem for all Americans, for all people, everywhere because if it could happen to him, it could happen to any one of us. And it does, all the time. Let’s not let this holy man have died in vain. Douglas’ case is a glaring example of the corruption in the US justice system and can set a precedent that could change the way justice is served in this country. By demanding an investigation into this travesty of justice, we can expose this systemic corruption and prevent this from ever happening again. Please sign the petition. For more information on the film about Douglas case, “Holy Man: The USA vs Douglas White,” please visit www.holymanfilm.com.

Do a Google search for 'Backyard Chickens' and you will discover that our nation is responding smartly to the pressures of economic downturn, overuse of pesticides and fertilizers, and our kids forgetting how to interact with nature and play out doors. MILLIONS of people with back yards are keeping two or three hens (hens don't make noise!) as pets; they fertilize lawn and garden, control pests (most eat stink bugs!), and, yes, as surprisingly sweet pets for kids! MAJOR CITIES allowing back yard hens: New York City, Chicago, Atlanta (home of the CDC), Miami, Albuquerque, Denver, Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Cambridge, Houston, Austin, BALTIMORE, Spokane, Mobile, St Louis, Santa Fe, LIttle Rock, Minneapolis, Burlington, Des Moines, Pittsburg PA, Omaha, Toledo, Ann Arbor, Richmond VA, Louisville KY! Frederick's Municipal Code does not FORMALLY restrict this (see Article 1, Sec 3-1A & 3-8) as long as there is no sale of animals or eggs; keeping as pets is legal, but currently our Animal Control Dept interprets the Code INCORRECTLY and will impound a hen from your own back yard. LET'S GET THEM TO STOP. Sign this petition to tell our Mayor and Aldermen to instruct our Animal Control Officers to ALLOW up to 3 hens per 1/10 acre lot as long as they are not a nuisance to the neighbors! Frederick should join the MAJOR CITIES OF AMERICA and let us have a few hens for fun and pest control (did we mention they eat stink bugs?)

To be delivered to: The Colorado State House, The Colorado State Senate and Governor John Hickenlooper

An individual with a pre-existing medical condition can now get health insurance from the new state or federal pre-existing condition insurance plans but only if he has been uninsured for at least the last 6 months before applying. The 6 month rule is prohibiting too many Americans from purchasing this very affordable health insurance. Unemployed workers who just lost their COBRA coverage need this new insurance plan. Self-employed and part-time individuals who pay the highest insurance premiums need this new insurance plan. But they can't get it unless they take the risk of going without health insurance for 6 months.

Ending the war on our citizens and restoring freedom and personal responsibility... The war created by prohibition is much more harmful to people than drugs..

In recent years, individuals, PACs, and corporations based outside of California, state regulations and California Citizens' influences have run and funded initiatives to change the laws and constitution of California. These groups base their initiatives on what is best for their agendas as opposed to what may be better for the actual Citizens of our state. Their money does not go to creating nor expanding employment in California, and often hurts our Citizenry in favor of these outside entities' interests. It should be required that any group, corporation, organization, or individuals who proposes and funds California Initiatives should originate, be duly licensed and operate as California Based.

It has been brought to my immediate attention that the public boat landing on Lamoine Beach is not properly marked to identify that the road comes to a very abrupt end and with little warning before transitioning into the ocean. In the past several years there have been more than 3 deaths at this location as well as several nonfatal accidents; simple changes such as adding a stop sign or a sign stating that the road ends may prevent any more such accidents from occurring.

Congressional entitlements MUST be eliminated. Additionally, ANY payment from a special interest group will be considered illegal. Financial records should be scrutinized yearly by the IRS. Thus, they are to be made to equally abide by ALL THE SAME LAWS THEY IMPOSE ON THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

Most of our major cities are putting Chloramine in our drinking water. Chloramine is Ammonia + Chlorine. Hundreds of people are complaining of rashes and other ills as a result of this chemical being added to our water. Mothers who don't know chloramine is in the water are making baby formulars with this chemical. People are "cooking" with chloramine water and taking showers and baths in this chemical as well. Filters may not prevent this chemical from getting in your water. Contact your government officials and make some noise or this will continue to happen.