The Democratic Women of Mecklenburg County and our community at large believe in protecting the safety, civility, and dignity of our beautiful and diverse community.

Recently, the State of Delaware has legalized certain ground-based fireworks for sale and use within the State of Delaware. This, along with other illegal fireworks being used within residential communities, including late night, has caused property damage from falling burning debris and stress to residents, as well as pets, and is a nuisance. The use of any fireworks, including "State Legal", within residential communities should be banned, and firework displays should be left to the professionals.

DANA POINT, CA — Don't ask for a light, don't try to bum a smoke; not in Dana Point, or Laguna Beach. The new citywide smoking ban was passed this week at Dana Point's city council meeting. The new law will prohibit smoking anywhere in public spaces within city limits, including public sidewalks, alleys and in parking lots. And especially on beaches. The vote passed, 3-2, with both mayor Pro Tem Joe Muller and Mayor Rick Viczorek opposing the law. The no smoking ordinance, originally introduced by Councilwoman Debra Lewis in May of 2017, will be enforceable in February, according to the council. "Three out of four residents want this passed. It's our role to protect the health and welfare of our residents," Lewis stated before the vote was cast. Residents spoke on the ban, with fourteen supporting and one arguing in a dissenting voice. Residents spoke up on behalf of the ban, one bringing with him an enormous water jug filled with found cigarette butts he said were found around the city. South OC's Surfrider Foundation displayed the jug that held roughly 3,000 cigarette butts discovered in less than two hours on a Saturday of beach clean up. He promised to open the bottle to reveal the stench if anyone wanted, but also warned the smell would clear the room. Subscribe "These are toxic packages that go into the environment," Rick Erkeneff, also of Surfrider Foundation, told all in attendance. "We spent $20 million on beautifying, and planters are full of cigarette butts. When you don't have a clean environment, you'll see the tourism dollars drop off." Signage will be the next thing to follow, at the 12 entrances into Dana Point, informing visitors and residents of the ban. Dana Point City Council Meeting Video photo

I am a victim and my life is put in danger. They are even stealing my mail and identity and police are not doing their job. Police are aiding these illegal acts.

Do we Choose Healthcare for all or ignore the US Constitution and face a moral hazard? Healthcare for all was clearly stated in the United States Constitution. Without healthcare for all it is not possible, “…to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity….” According to CDC, approximately 311 million US citizens out of 330 million participate in a single payer government health insurance scheme and an employer taxpayer subsidized scheme. Here is the breakdown: • Approximately 70 million are recipients of a single payer combined Medicaid and SCHIP program. • Approximately 44 million are recipients of a single payer Medicare program and that number is expected to increase to 80 million by 2030. • Approximately 22 million veterans and civilian families qualify for single payer VA benefits. • Approximately 175 million Americans participate in employer taxpayer subsidized health insurance. Who is left out? (330 – 175 – 22 – 44 – 70) = 19 million. In other words, while we have a near universal medical insurance coverage, 6 percent of the US population falls between the cracks. We can do better. When we mention health care for all based on a single payer scheme or Medicare for all, we are labeled socialist. What is in a name? Let us have a no name brand but cover everyone. In other words, whom do you want to leave out? Who doesn’t get sick? Who does not have a preexisting medical condition? All of us get sick, all of us need medicine and almost all of us have minor accidents. If one breaks a finger it needs treatment, which becomes a preexisting medical condition later. Since all of us need good quality health care because we cannot predict how and when we get sick, it is no-brainer that a rational health care system in our country should be to provide quality care for everyone in a cost-effective way. To paraphrase President Obama, when it comes to illnesses there are no red and blue states but only the United States. Republicans, Democrats, those registered unaffiliated and those adults who chose not to register get sick. Those who live under the jurisdiction of states regardless of their background need health care. It is not good enough to say, they can always visit emergency rooms. Yes, they can but if we all have preventive healthcare services we will not use the emergency room as often or for chronic conditions. Emergency rooms should be reserved for emergencies. Providing healthcare for all has nothing to do with socialism but attaching health insurance benefits to employments, was the biggest mistake the country has made, which stopped us from having a healthcare system that does not leave out 6% of the population. Providing healthcare for all is good governance and is the duty of our governments: local, state and national. Our system not only leaves out approximately 20 million people but it also leaves the country behind 37 countries in good health and longevity. The United States’ current average life expectancy is age 79 and decreasing. As of 2018, the United States is ranked number 26 among OECD member countries and number 38 globally but we are still the richest country in the world. Countries ahead of the United States in life expectancy are 28 Western European nations as well as 10 other countries: Japan, Australia, Singapore, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Chile, Slovenia and Costa Rica - ranging in life expectancy from age 80-84 in reverse order, Japan ranked number one in the world at age 84 and increasing. Our legislatures have health insurance for life and 311 million of us also have health insurance. But, we the people must speak up when we notice injustice so that we, “…form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility….” According to CDC, 1 in 10 of the US population is diabetic and approximately 85 million are pre-diabetic but only 11 percent of them know about it. Universal access to health insurance provides preventive care services and saves millions of lives and billions in healthcare related direct and indirect costs. Furthermore, lack of incentive to guard against risk where one is protected from its consequences is the dictionary definition of ‘a moral hazard’ and the absence of good governance. We can do better. Thank you,

My brother was a victim of a double homicide over a year ago on April 6, 2017, in Tupelo, MS. Since then, the local law enforcement agency here has neglected to make contact with either of the victim's families nor make any arrests despite DNA evidence, eye witness testimonies, and confessions.

The WORLD has been positively affected by Rick Simpson's humanitarian efforts; traveling the world teaching others how to heal themselves and others with his Cannabis Oil, in a world dominated by pharmaceutical companies 'for-profit' mentality. He has a criminal record for these efforts when he should be recognized as a NATIONAL HERO and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. We must reverse this unjust criminal record, especially since Canada has now legalized MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

There is an obvious lack of affordable housing facilities specially for retired Senior Citizens in Burbank, California and its neighboring cities. The owners of apartments keep increasing their rent almost every year and are taking advantage of the absence of laws regarding rent control making it increasingly difficult for Middle Class families to find affordable housing.

I am asking for this so that full accountability is established for sexual predators with no scapegoat of time as an option.

Seniors in St. Landry Parish who have completed all necessary educational courses needed to receive a diploma and walk with their class were (before the upcoming 2018-2019 school year), given the option to attend half a day of a school. This gave students an opportunity to apply for jobs, or prepare for future schooling before graduation. The St. Landry Parish school board has terminated this option, which will force seniors not enrolled in other schooling to attend full school days and take unnecessary courses , keeping them from applying to better paying jobs where more hours could be put in. The student body of St. Landry Parish asks you to join us in fighting against this new policy.

Seniors in St. Landry Parish who have completed all necessary educational courses needed to receive a diploma and walk with their class were (before the upcoming 2018-2019 school year), were given the option to attend half a day of a school. This gave students an opportunity to apply for jobs, or prepare for future schooling before graduation. The St. Landry Parish school board has terminated this option, which will force seniors not enrolled in other schooling to attend full school days and take unnecessary courses , keeping them from applying to better paying jobs where more hours could be put in. The student body of St. Landry Parish asks you to join us in fighting against this new policy.

The purpose of this petition is to battle the plastic crisis from which our world is currently suffering. These products when disposed of improperly and recklessly can cause great harm to plant/sea life. All plastics are petroleum based and nonbiodegradable. The immediate implementation of biodegradable and environmentally friendly products just in our community will bring every other town to follow us.