The Red Cross has banned gay men from donating blood since the emergence of AIDS in the 1980's. When little was known about the disease that policy might have made some sense, but now banning gay men from donating blood achieves no purpose other than to cut off a group of potential donors as well as to send a message of bigotry. All donated blood is tested for HIV regardless of who donates it. The Red Cross should encourage gay men to donate blood.

The 99ers are the 6 million unemployed people living in the United States who are no longer able to receive any further unemployment assistance since national and state governments allow a maximum of 99 weeks. This is at a time when we have 2.5 million job openings for over 15 million unemployed and there are no signs of these numbers improving. Not only would further unemployment extensions beyond 99 weeks be a sympathetic policy for millions of us long term unemployed, but it would also be a massive economic stimulator as for every $1 of unemployment assistance $1.61 is put back into our struggling economy.

In the battle for the Debt Ceiling vote, President Obama is offering to put Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid on the table for cuts. He campaigned and received support from the American people for his stance to protect the Big 3 at all costs. If he waivers in this battle and sides with Republicans, then Democrats should find another nominee in 2012. We need a Democrat in the White House who acts like a Democrat. The poor and the vanishing middle class in America have taken the brunt of this bad economy started by George W. Bush while the top 2% enjoy their lowest tax rates in 50 years. Shared sacrifice means shared by all, not just a few. The poor, elderly and disabled can no longer afford any more cuts. It is time for President Obama to draw a line in the sand and stand firm.

Montana Medical Marijuana laws were put into place in 2004, with an overwhelming majority vote. Over the past seven years, the caregiving industry has grown and many businesses had finally found themselves established. This past year, the Federal Government has vandalized these establishments and the materials therein, leaving the businesses unable to continue operation and on top of that, now numerous owners are being Federally indited. Families are going to be torn apart and good people put into prison, if we do not take a stand; President Obama himself announced that in regards to Medical Marijuana, State Law precedes Federal Law - time to speak up for our civil rights.

There is no legitimate reason for the "Greatest Country in the World" to cut or reduce the cost of living increase rate of benefits or services in the Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid programs, either for the current generation or the ones to follow. These programs are essential to the strength of the country and the price we'll pay as a nation for diminishing them would exceed the short term savings by several orders of magnitude. Greatness can't be done "on the cheap"!

KY educators & state employees are penalized & targeted by the unfair Government Pension Offset (GPO) & Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We will not receive our spouses' Social Security or Survivor benefits while x-spouses of at least 10 years will. We are losing our homes & the life we built with our spouses. We are calling for the repeal of these unfair laws.

Obama needs a challenge, should not run unopposed, why forfeit that debating opportunity?

TBI raided Appalachian Medical Center, Johnson City, TN in 2007 due to what TBI investigators reported as a "pill mill" that contributed to the death of 47 patients. No charges were filed. The licenses of 3 nurses, employees with Appalachian Medical were suspended. In May, 2011 their licenses were reinstated with the assistance of representatives, Shipley and Ford even though the TBI investigation was still continuing. In April, 2011 Shipley advocated a house amendment to reduce the number of nursing board members that could further risk the health of Tennesseans. Gov. Haslem of Tennesse stated, " I don't like it when people use their leverage to accomplish a personal agenda". Ford's sister was a employee of Appalachian Medical. Shipley identified himself as "the rascal behind the scenes that made it all happen".

Do not touch what we have worked for and paid into for years. We are on a fixed income and can not afford to have anything taken away from us. We the "Middle Class" have given enough..go after those who aren't on a fixed income and can afford to give back.....listen to us why won't anyone listen to us?

Stand up to advertisers who you may upset or lose if you printed regular, in-depth, complete coverage of the benefits of comprehensive, universal heathcare, Improved Medicare for All, Single Payer Healthcare, socialized medicine, whatever you call it.

While everyone from our legislators to the president have discussed saving Social Security retirement, the issue of Social Security disability (SSDI/SSI) has abruptly disappeared from the public discussion, and this bodes ill for the disabled. Social Security disability recipients have already "shared the pain," being hit with a series of benefit cuts, "adjustments" and freezes in recent years. Please call on our govt to protect the disabled.

The petition advocates 100 percent fulfillment of the terms of all the treaties the US signed with Indian nations, full funding of federal programs contracted by Indian tribes, and a return, as far as possible of treaty lands that were taken under the Dawes Act and by other legerdemain.