Politics - ForceChange

Allow D.C. Delegate to Speak Out Against Twenty-Week Abortion Ban

Republican members of the Congress are working on enacting a twenty-week abortion ban in the District of Columbia; the ban would not include exceptions for rape, fetal health problems, or incest. The Congressional members behind the bill refused to allow a D.C. delegate to speak out against the ban. Demand that they allow her voice to be heard.

Prevent Election Fraud by Banning Electronic Voting Machines

As many as 30 percent of ballots in America are cast on electronic voting machines, which have been proven to be easily manipulated. To prevent election fraud and restore trust in election results, we must demand that Congress ban the use of such machines in all federal elections.

Don’t Allow Congress to Jeopardize Workers’ Safety

Budget cuts have been proposed to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), which is responsible for preventing workplace injuries and protecting American workers lives. OSHA inspections have been proven to reduce workplace injuries. Urge Congress to continue to fund OSHA to protect workers.

Give Ex-Convicts An Equal Chance To Become Contributing Members Of Society

Ex-convicts face unjust discrimination in their search for jobs, education and housing. California lawmakers will soon vote on several bills which would support the rights of released criminals who have served their time. California must provide a better opportunity for these individuals to successfully reintegrate back into society.

Don’t Let Mississippi Republican Get Away With Promoting Violence Towards Gays

Mississippi State Representative Andy Gipson wrote a comment on his Facebook wall that promoted violence towards gay individuals. Any call for violence by a public figure, even one shrouded in a religious quote, should not be tolerated by the public and the offending individual should be compelled to condemn their violent remark.

Alabama’s Anti-Immigrant Law Causes Unjustifiable Discrimination

Last summer, Alabama passed anti-immigrant legislation that spurred one of the toughest wars on immigrants in the nation. The law contributes to racial profiling and the targeting of minorities in Alabama, and many immigrants have fled to other states, causing Alabama’s economy to suffer greatly. Alabama legislators must immediately address key flaws in this discriminatory and harsh law, or throw the law out altogether, for the good of Alabama and the nation.

Provide FBI Background Checks for Youth Organization Employees

In order for youth-serving organizations across the nation to remain effective and creditable, and to ensure the safety of the children these programs help, FBI background checks must be nationally accessible to these organizations. Congress must pass legislature to fund FBI background checks of all youth-serving program employees and volunteers.

Support Real Choice at the Polls in Illinois with Instant-Runoff Voting

Illinois’ current electoral system allows the two major parties to dominate, and leaves voters feeling forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. By instituting instant-runoff voting in all statewide elections, third party candidates stand a chance and voters can express their true preferences. Urge Illinois congressional leaders to institute this system to ensure voters have a real voice.

Don’t Let Las Cruces Shut Off Residents’ Utilities Over Unpaid Traffic Tickets

An unpaid speeding or red light ticket shouldn’t be justification for leaving those impoverished citizens out in the cold. But a recent decision made by the Las Cruces city council means that the city’s poorest residents could be seeing their utilities shut off over lingering traffic citations. Tell city officials that you won’t stand for their extortion of the poor by signing this petition.

Protect the Rights of Crime Victims in Illinois

Victims of crime are often left with a feeling of having very little control over their lives after they are assaulted. Much of this is due to their experience with police and the judicial system. A new law would expand the rights of victims of crime in Illinois; however, the bill was recently rejected by the Illinois House of Representatives. We must make the Illinois House aware of our support for the law, and ask them to reconsider it.

Stop Political Killings in Burundi: Prevent Another Civil War

Since the end of 2010, countless people have been killed in political attacks in Burundi, a small African nation bordering Rwanda. The government has failed to protect its citizens in these political attacks, and justice continues to be denied to the families of murder victims. The Burundi President and the ruling governmental parties must stop this political violence before another civil war, or worse, genocide ensues.

Stop the Release of Upcoming Film “Chernobyl Diaries”

The Chernobyl disaster was a catastrophic nuclear explosion occurring in Western Europe. Millions were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation, millions were displaced, and thousands of children since then were born with horrific defects, congenital heart disease, and cancer. We ask that FilmNation Entertainment stop the release of ‘Chernobyl Diaries’ out of respect to the victims of the incident.

Urge the U.S. Government to Collaborate on Issues Concerning Women’s Safety

Violence against women is an issue that is very tangible considering the volume of crimes that specifically target women. The government is well aware of this and has, in the past, passed a bill which aims to protect women’s rights and deter violence against the female gender. This same bill has, as of yesterday, grudgingly passed through the U.S. House of Representative and is now on to the Senate who has many differing views concerning the act: rather than needlessly debating the bill, the House and Senate must find common ground and pass the bill as quickly as possible.

Tell Republicans not to Threaten another Government Shutdown

In 2011, Democrats and Republicans came to an agreement over raising the debt ceiling. Until now, both parties had held to their agreement but recent comments by Republican leadership have signaled that they may renege on this deal. Demand that the Republican leadership not go back upon their word and obstruct the debt ceiling increase, thus risking the economic recovery.

Lower the Minimum Legal Drinking Age to 18

An 18 year old can be drafted to war and can vote to determine the fate of our country, but cannot make his or her own decisions about the consumption of alcohol. The minimum legal drinking age of 21 was introduced to protect citizens by decreasing rates of drunk driving; however, statistics have shown that it has not helped. We must return the legal drinking age to 18.

Break the Gridlock in Washington by Reforming the Filibuster

The filibuster has become an unprecedented obstruction in recent years, thus it needs to be reformed. Instead of simply declaring a filibuster and going home, a filibustering senator should be required to stay on the floor and speak for the duration of the filibuster. Urge Senate to support filibuster reform now.

Overturn Decision to Deny Virginia Prosecutor Judgeship Based on Sexual Orientation

The Virginia House of Delegates recently rejected the judicial nomination of an openly gay prosecutor out of concern that he would press an activist agenda. Discrimination based on sexual orientation should not be tolerated in state government. Demand that the decision to deny Tracy Thorne-Begland’s judgeship be overturned immediately.

Don’t Cut Aid Programs in Favor of Defense Spending

A proposed budget plan to cut spending on food and child care programs just passed the House of Representatives. The plan is to avoid cuts to defense spending by cutting food aid programs, Medicaid and federal retirement benefits. This harsh and misguided budget must not be allowed to pass the Senate.

Protect Local Democracy in Michigan

Local democracy is under siege in the state of Michigan. An ‘emergency financial manager’ law is currently being used to strip the powers of city and town officials in areas of economic hardship and appoint unelected bureaucrats in place of elected officials. Demand that the state legislature of Michigan repeal this egregious law and protect the integrity of democracy in Michigan.

Tell Congress to Stop Attacking Access to Birth Control

This year has been marked by constant attacks on women’s rights by politicians, with a particular focus on access to birth control. There have been more bills introduced this year to limit or prevent women’s access to birth control than ever before. Urge the U.S. Congress to stop attacking women and their right to birth control.

Protect Funding for Child Care Assistance Programs in Illinois

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn has proposed a budget cut of nearly $85 million for child care assistance programs in Illinois. These new cuts in funding would eliminate many families from being eligible to apply for aid, as well as cause numerous child care services to shut down because of lack of business. Child care is essential to the growth and development of our children, and we must urge local legislators to oppose this cut in funding.

Amid Billboard Controversy, Pfizer Pressured to End Support of Heartland Institute

In response to its controversial global warming campaign that compared global warming sympathizers with madmen, the Heartland Institute has lost support from nine companies but Pfizer has yet to withdraw. As a company based in science, Pfizer has a responsibility to break their bonds with Heartland. Urge Pfizer to protect its credibility by ending its ties with Heartland now.

Support the Buffett Rule to Raise Taxes on Millionaires

Current tax laws provide loopholes for many of the wealthiest Americans that allow them to pay rates far lower than middle-class workers, such as the 13.9% paid by Mitt Romney on $21.7 million in income in 2010. As a matter of basic fairness and to benefit the country as a whole, we must demand that Congress set the minimum federal income tax rate for millionaires at no less than 30%.

Restore Funding to Rape Crisis Centers in Illinois

Rape crisis centers offer an array of services from rape prevention to crisis assistance. During the past five years, funding for such centers in Illinois has decreased by 27 percent, while the demand for these centers’ services has increased. Ask the Senate to pass legislation allowing Illinois to tax operators and attendees of live adult entertainment facilities the equivalent of a $5 per-person fee in order to replace the reduced funding of rape crisis centers.

Prohibit Employers from Demanding Social Media Login Information

Currently, no law exists prohibiting employers from requesting social media user names and passwords of employees or job applicants. A bill has passed Assembly vote in California and now moves to the Senate which would prohibit employers from demanding such information. California State Senators must be urged to protect the right to privacy from one’s employer.

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