Congress should remove the statue of Jefferson Davis that still stands in the rotunda of the United States Capitol.

Our congress can fix once and for all, the injustice brought by the Roberts Court that undermined the Voting Rights Act. Amend Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act in light of all the repressive state laws passed to limit voting rights since Section 4 was struck down by the Roberts Court. Since its passage in 1965, there have been consistent attempts to undermine the Voting Rights Act, especially in the southern states where pre-clearance or Section 5 of the voting rights act was mandated. Our new Bigot-In-Chief and his notoriously racist Attorney General, along with a majority on the Supreme Court to back him up are working nonstop to suppress the vote among those who don’t agree with the status-quo crowd. In 2006, Congress overwhelmingly voted to reauthorize the VRA for 25 years, yet, in 2015, 50 years after the passage of the Voting Rights Act, the Roberts Supreme Court voted to gut the act by declaring section 4 unconstitutional (the section that lists the states and localities that must “preclear” any voting laws with the federal government). The reason given for the reversal was because we as a country have changed and don’t need to be precleared. Nothing could be further from the truth. If anything, the number of states where pre-clearance is mandated should be expanded. The Court did, however, leave section 5 in place. Section 4 was the teeth behind Section 5. It’s time to strengthen the Voting Rights Act by amending Section 4. This is imperative at a time when blatant attempts at voter suppression and terrorist attacks by neo-Nazis, xenophobes, and bigots on people of color, immigrants, and Muslims are being escalated at an alarming pace. This is what institutional racism looks like: Charlottesville, Virginia, one of the Section 5 states, was the scene of a large neo-Nazi demonstration over the decision to remove a Confederate war memorial. A large group of counter-protestors was also on the scene and were attacked by the right-wing attendees. One woman was killed and dozens injured as a neo-Nazi driver plowed into a crowd of counter-protesters. There were attacks by the right-wing extremists on the peaceful counter-protesters. President Trump’s initial messaging seemed to reassure right-wing groups that he didn’t necessarily oppose those gathered in hate. "We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence, on many sides. On many sides. It's been going on for a long time in our country. Not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. This has been going on for a long, long time." It wasn’t until pressure urging him to issue a stronger more targeted message about the terrorist act in South Carolina, did Trump finally issue a statement condemning the act of white-supremacists, KKK, and other hate groups. However, just a few days later, Trump's messaging again showed a twisted logic, indicating he still supports racists like KKK leader, David Duke. Its clear Trump doesn't want to alienate his base. In the face of numerous terrorist acts involving minorities, immigrants, and places of worship, mostly in southern states, the time is now to strengthen the Voting Rights Act, not to weaken it. Amend Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act in light of all the repressive state laws passed to limit voting rights since Section 4 was struck down by the Roberts Court.

There is literally no reason whatsoever to have a town in Arkansas named after the founder of the KKK. None. The "heritage, not hate" crowd can take their bigotry somewhere else.

If criminals connected to the Trump campaign or administration are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for conspiracy against the United States or any other crime--but then allowed to be pardoned by Donald Trump--the political system in our country will face a constitutional crisis.

Continuing to participate in President Trump's Manufacturing Council, particularly after the CEO of Merck resigned in good conscience only to be attacked by President Trump, is at this point an endorsement of the president's behavior. Many of these firms have released statements, but the people need action, not words. Until then we should boycott all products from General Electric, Dow Chemical, Whirlpool, Campbell Soup, International Paper, Nucor and Dell.

Because we've already fought one war against the Confederates and another against the Nazis. These two opponents are unified in their racial hatred and so it is apparent that we must destroy these ideas before we are forced to fight a 3rd.

Racial profiling and ignoring a Federal mandate is a scourge upon this great nation.

A prominent web hosting provider just revealed that President Trump’s Department of Justice demanded the personal data of potential anti-Trump protesters. The Justice Department requested the IP addresses of anyone who visited websites promoting inauguration protests -- 1.3 million addresses in total. This move is an egregious breach of privacy and free speech. The information the Trump administration is requesting shouldn’t be in the hands of the DOJ. We need to immediately speak out against this action.

The US ranks last on the list for paid leave. In this country, and especially in the great State of Oregon, short term disability is the right thing to do as a first step towards valuing our citizens and join four other states in providing this safety net. Not only pregnant women will benefit, but those in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and disabled people awaiting their government claims. The State of California requires all employees to pay into its short-term disability insurance (SDI) program through payroll deductions. When employees become unable to work due to disability, they can collect weekly benefits from the program until they are either ready to go back to work or the benefits expire. We can do the same in Oregon! Why? I was demoted during my pregnancy after my employer removed their short term disability option. Then, they went after my unemployment. No pregnant woman should have to go through that again. You can help make sure of it! Only 50 signatures are required to gain legal assistance drafting a prospective initiative text for the 2018 ballot. By signing you are requesting this make it to your voting booths. We request assistance drafting the text of this proposed initiative!

We are all affected by living in a land governed by a President who does not say he does not want the votes of hate groups.

Only 9% of Plastic in the United States is recycled. 8 Million metric tons of plastic end up in the oceans every year, poisoning marine life and humans who eat seafood. It is time the government steps up and bans the production of single-use plastic (including bags, take-out cups, plastic straws, etc)! These single-use products are extremely durable and contain innumerable toxic chemicals which leach into the ocean. For more information, Read this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dana-ellis-hunnes/plastic-its-whats-for-din_1_b_10073028.html

The racist, xenophobic, sexist, homophobic, anti-Semitic invasion of Charlottesville demands a greater response than our tears.