Diffrent Types of petitions to consider

[Lady Pamela]

Feel free to add any petitions you may want seen here.
Just to share information and also to have signed if anyone feels strongly about them.
I will add the first. This letter and petition was brought to my attention this morning.
~*~


Testifying yesterday before the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Mayor Michael Bloomberg described the Terror Gap as "a serious and dangerous breach of national security" and raised a critical question:


"When gun dealers run background checks, should FBI agents have the authority to block sales of guns and explosives to those on the terror watch lists?"
Under current federal law, the FBI can stop suspects on the terrorist watch list from boarding an airplane, but they cannot stop them from buying guns or explosives. Terror suspects have exploited this flaw in our nations gun laws more than one thousand times in the past six years.

Chair of the Homeland Security Committee, Senator Joseph Lieberman, summarized the situation this way:

"We are simply not doing all we can to stop terrorists from buying firearms."
Witness after witness, including NYPD Commissioner Kelly, and LAPD Assistant Chief of Police MacArthur, helped deliver a powerful message: It's time for Congress to close the Terror Gap.

Right now, we have a chance to push our elected officials to take action. But we need to spread the word and collect as many signatures as possible.

Sign Petition here if you choose:

http://www.terrorgap.org/


As Mayor Bloomberg said yesterday, "The security of our free state is being tested by terrorists."

Let's make sure we pass that test by closing the Terror Gap and keeping our communities safe.

Thanks for your support,
Mayors Against Illegal Guns

[Andrew, Jr.]

Lady Pamela,

Thank you for this link. I just signed it. :cowboy:

[Lady Pamela]

Petition for LGBT Marriage

To: All Government Officials
This petition requests that all government officials, regardless of political party, religion, race, sex, or orientation recognize the need for equal rights concerning current marriage laws. You are being asked to consider the large homosexual population in America and their request for recognition and equal treatment and benefits that are freely given to heterosexual couples. These laws need to change in able to support the doctrines of the United States Constitution. The current laws have been found to be unconstitutional and promote intolerance in this country. The right given to two consenting adults, who love each other should not be awarded to some and denied to others. This is pure discrimination. We ask you to do everything in your power to protect the laws regarding equal marriage rights for all couples, heterosexual and homosexual. To do this, the right to marry must be available to all. The people of this country have elected you to better the conditions of this land and expect you to act upon the requests of its citizens. The opportunity for change is now. Please support equal marriage laws.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Sign Petition here:

http://www.petitiononline.com/Anjoel22/petition-sign.html


Current signitures:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Anjoel22

[Lady Pamela]

http://dingo.care2.com/c2p/unfoundation/flickr-ethiopian-mom-baby-370x260.gif


Every day girls in Ethiopia are forced into grueling domestic labor or the sex trade.

But programs like the UN's Bright Future in Addis Ababa give hope. Girls in Bright Future get an education and protection from violence and exploitation.

Tell UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to use Bright Future as a model to fulfill the UN's goal end violence against women worldwide.

Sign Petition here:

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/642996155?z00m=19841631

[Lady Pamela]

Please take a minute to sign this petition for aide in cancer research/ cancer help for the children and to help those willing to sponsor it as well.
Help bring a smile to a childs face..hope to a mothers heart and new reseach money to get one step closer to finding a cure..

petition link below.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/get-mattel-to-make-a-hope-barbie-to-honor-children-fighting-cancer/

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/552710_10151435230630618_853590617_22990660_108528 2720_n.jpg

Thank you,
Namast'e

.

[Toughy]

This Barbie thing is a joke I hope.............please say it's a joke....

just make a donation directly to St Jude and skip the toxic chemicals, wasteful packaging, jobs in china/mexico and pandering to the almighty pink.........

[Lady Pamela]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/393406_271695682878171_149478678433206_726771_7140 34285_n.jpg

Here is a thoroughbred race horse dumped at a slaughterhouses, a site that will now become commonplace across America. They will be executed and cut up to be sold as meat for consumption in America thanks to this Congress and this President. Shame on them all. What happened to your promise to ban this forever Mr President?

Please sign the petition http://www.change.org/petitions/overturn-obamas-legalization-of-horse-slaughter-for-human-consumption

...and also contact your representatives to tell them how disgusted you are. We must stop this before it goes any further. Thanks!

[Lady Pamela]

No jail time for birth control

Honduras is just days away from approving an extremist law that would put teenagers in prison for using the morning-after pill, even if they've just been raped. But we can stop this law and ensure women have the chance to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

http://www.avaaz.org/en/no_prison_for_contraception_global/?fFigGcb&pv=48


........

[Lady Pamela]

Why This Is Important


Transgender and gender non-conforming students at the University of Pittsburgh are now required to use the bathroom or locker room that corresponds to the sex on their birth certificate. Historically, the University of Pittsburgh did not have an articulated policy regarding what bathrooms transgender people could use. Transgender and gender non-conforming students were able to use the bathroom or locker room of their identified gender.

http://www.change.org/petitions/university-of-pittsburgh-remove-policy-banning-trans-students-from-appropriate-bathrooms


.....

[Lady Pamela]

I normally would not post something like a boycott...
But it is from a reliable source, which I am a member of...
We (The NFB) are trying to pass legislation to ensure equal pay for equal work.
Did you know that there is a law that says that companies can legally pay their disabled and blind workers far below the National Mininium wage???
It is true, and it is UNFAIR!
If you feel it is unfair too... please share this on your walls...
A person can NOT live on $7.25 an hour... but somehow Goodwill and other employers seem to think it would be fair to only pay them $1.75 an hour???
I made more than that an hour on my first job over 30 years ago!!!
Shame on those employers!

http://www.nfb.org/national-federation-blind-urges-boycott-goodwill-industries

..

[Lady Pamela]

The owners of this shop recently turned away a gay couple shopping for a wedding cake because they "don't serve gay weddings." This is an extremely exciting and special time in a young couples' lives, an experience they'll hopefully never have again. They've spent time dreaming up their perfect day to celebrate their love and commitment to each other, and they admiringly chose this business to add one of the most traditional pieces to their ceremony: the cake. But they were denied service because of their sexuality. As a member of the LGBT community in the area, I am appalled at this abhorrent behavior. We need to send a message to them that in this day and age, bigotry cannot and will not be tolerated. I'm not sure how the cakes taste, but I know how bigotry and hate tastes and it is disgusting.


petition:

http://signon.org/sign/boycott-masterpiece-cakeshop
...

[Lady Pamela]

These animals are being killed because they bark! Then being displayed on the internet on a facebook page.

Facebook says this is fine.

Shut this page down now..please sign this.

http://www.causes.com/causes/661294-support-the-spca-group/actions/1640810?fb_action_ids=439492379422231&fb_action_types=causes%3Asign&fb_source=timeline_og&action_object_map=%7B%22439492379422231%22%3A10150 796241445676%7D&action_type_map=%7B%22439492379422231%22%3A%22caus es%3Asign%22%7D&action_ref_map=[]





.

[mariamma]

Let's change the law: Rape is a hate crime.
http://www.change.org/petitions/lets-change-the-law-rape-is-a-hate-crime#
In light of the recent misogyny and revelation that 31 states allow males who rape and father children through rape to have parental rights, some new petitions from Change.org are coming out. Expect one on changing the parental rights of rapists to appear at some point.

[mariamma]

A petition to disallow raping 'fathers' to have parental rights in Minnesota.
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-mn-give-rights-to-moms-of-rape-conceived-children-whose-rapists-want-custody

[DMW]

Dear MoveOn member,

Macy's has a special deal with Donald Trump to sell his clothing line and fragrance. They have also honored Trump with major events at the Macy's Herald Square location, and they sometimes feature Trump in ads in order to celebrate the "magic of Macy's."

For years Donald Trump has engaged in especially unpleasant, nasty, and despicable behavior, including stoking racist conspiracy theories about President Obama's birth certificate.

I'll personally deliver the petition to Macy's headquarters before the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to make sure it gets maximum attention.

Macy's boasts about its social responsibility policy, which reads:

There is no shortage of talk about the obligation of public companies to be socially responsible to the people and communities where they do business. At Macy's, Inc., we hold those same beliefs—along with a belief that actions speak louder than words when it comes to helping tackle some of the toughest problems facing us today.

Indeed, Macy's. Actions speak louder than words. So act now, and dump Trump.

To ask Macy's to do the right thing, I created a petition on SignOn.org to Macy's President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board, Terry Lundgren, which says:

Macy's: Donald Trump does not reflect the "magic of Macy's." We urge you to sever ties with him. Macy's says it has a strong obligation to be "socially responsible" and that "actions speak louder than words." Indeed. It's time to act.

Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.
http://signon.org/sign/urge-macys-to-dump-donald?source=mo&id=57565-22254741-TW5UhAx

More info

Macy's partners with Donald Trump.

Macy's has a special deal with Donald Trump. They invest in developing Trump's brand and sell his clothing line and fragrance at their locations. To this end, they have had major events at Macy's Herald Square location and they often feature and promote Trump in advertisements designed to celebrate the magic of Macy's.

Recently, Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren sent Donald Trump a letter touting how excited Macy's was to be working with Trump and promising to expand Trump's brand even further than it already is.

But, why is Macy's celebrating Trump?

Donald Trump engages in especially unpleasant, nasty and despicable behavior:

- Long engaged in sexist behavior. Trump has a long record of personally attacking women he disagrees by calling them "unattractive," ugly, fat or by doing things like the time he sent one target a personal note telling her that she has the "face of a dog." Not even his own daught er is immune to Trump's sexism. While referring to his daughter, Trump observed: "She does have a very nice figure...if [she] weren't my daughter, perhaps I'd be dating her."

- Hypocritically complains about jobs being shipped overseas to China, despite the fact that his own brand of ties sold at Macy's are made in China.

- Trump repeatedly uses his platform to deny the reality of climate change. And, following Hurricane Sandy, Trump publicly declared: "The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive."

- For well over a year, Trump perpetuated the racially charged birther conspiracy, repeatedly arguing that President Obama has been lying and was not born in the United States.

The list goes on. But the point remains, Macy's should dump Trump.

Macy's boasts about its social responsibility policy, which reads: "There is no shortage of talk about the obligation of public companies to be socially responsible to the people and communities where they do business. At Macy’s, Inc., we hold those same beliefs – along with a belief that actions speak louder than words when it comes to helping tackle some of the toughest problems facing us today."

Indeed Macy's. Actions speak louder than words. So, act and dump Trump.

That's why I signed a petition to Terry J. Lundgren, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President at Macy's Inc., which says:

"Macy's: Donald Trump does not reflect the "magic of Macy's." We urge you to sever ties with him. Macy's says it has a strong obligation to be "socially responsible" and that "actions speak louder than words." Indeed. It's time to act."

Will you sign the petition too? Click here to add your name:

http://signon.org/sign/urge-macys-to-dump-donald?source=s.fwd&r_by=3562279

Thanks!

Thanks!

–Angelo Carusone

[DMW]

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/uganda_veto/?p=uganda_veto&r=6991566&id=51543-5787607-Xgp6flx

Conservative lawmakers in the Ugandan Parliament are once again pushing a bill that would make being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender a crime that is punishable by death.

The Ugandan "Kill the Gays" bill is back on the Parliament's schedule to be passed before the end of the year.

After he initially endorsed the bill, President Museveni responded to international pressure and promised to veto the bill. But it's going to take a massive outcry from activists to overcome intense pressure at home and ensure that he keeps this promise.

Tell Ugandan President Museveni: Keep your promise to veto the "Kill the Gays" bill. Click the link below to sign the petition.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/uganda_veto/?r_by=51543-5787607-Xgp6flx&rc=paste1

[DMW]

Human Rights Campaign Petition
One of our incredible supporters is sending a letter to Cardinal Dolan, the president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Regardless of your faith, if you agree, add your name right now.

https://secure3.convio.net/hrc/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=1515&autologin=true&utm_term=link1

[DMW]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/preventing-gun-violence?sid=23622721#submitted

[Lady Pamela]

If changes are made, it is only the beginning of loosing our right to protect our own.

http://www.nagr.org/FeinsteinGunBan_Petition.aspx?pid=fb1

[DMW]

http://www.dscc.org/home

http://www.dscc.org/home

[always2late]

For those of you who don't know, I'm currently in school studying Speech-language Pathology/Audiology. I've almost completed my degree and then have to continue on to grad school. For anyone who's been to college or grad school, I'm sure I don't have to tell you that I'm racking up student loans at an alarming rate. A new bill has been proposed to forgive, or greatly reduce, the loan repayments of those of us in healthcare who are willing to work in an area of "scarcity." Please contact your local Representative and ask them to co-sponsor this bill! I'm including the information below:

ASHA Action Alert: Access to Frontline Health Care Act Introduced, Establishes Loan Forgiveness for SLPs and Audiologists

On Thursday, February 14, 2013, Representative Bruce Braley (D-IA) introduced H.R.702, the Access to Frontline Health Care Act. ASHA supported the introduction of H.R.702, which will establish a loan repayment program through the U.S. Public Health Service Corps for health care professionals, including speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists, who agree to work for 2 years in a “scarcity area” as designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

[DMW]

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/obama_prop8/?p=obama_prop8&r=11560897&id=55179-5787607-eit49tx

Tell Obama to file a brief with the Supreme Court about marriage equality

https://act.credoaction.com/images/campaigns/lgbt_marriage_obama_supremecourt_180_HelpDefeatPro p8.png

The Supreme Court is about to consider for the first time whether the controversial ban on gay marriage in California is unconstitutional. Before that happens, the Obama administration has a chance to file an opinion with the court that would urge the justices to rule on the side of equality and allow same-sex couples in California to marry.
The president just filed a brief about the other marriage equality case headed to the Supreme Court, about the Defense of Marriage Act, but so far he hasn't weighed in on Proposition 8.1
There's no more time for inaction -- the deadline is this Thursday, February 28th.
Tell Pres. Obama: File a brief with the Supreme Court opposing Proposition 8 and supporting the freedom to marry before the February 28th deadline.

[DMW]

Tell congress to take a pay cut
http://signon.org/sign/paycuts-for-congress-1


http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-wont-face-pay-cut-in-sequester/2013/03/06/15dcb3e6-7795-11e2-95e4-6148e45d7adb_story.html

Tammy Duckworth
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2013/02/27/tammy-duckworth-to-take-8-4-percent-pay-cut-if-sequester-happens/

[DMW]

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/gangster-bankers-too-big-to-jail-20130214


http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/too_big_too_jail/

Occupy Wall Street and the banks.
Audit the Fed

[femmeInterrupted]

She's 15 years old.


http://www.avaaz.org/en/maldives_global/?tpCqPab

[Lady Pamela]

She's 15 years old.


http://www.avaaz.org/en/maldives_global/?tpCqPab

here is the petition for it:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/maldives_global/?cjMVQab

[Lady Pamela]

Calling all LGBTQ community and supporters...

Lives are at stake here..Please help to keep them safe by signing the petition...PLEASE

We only have untill July before this is taken to court....please pass it along as well. To all your sites ,family, friends ect.

Take it to get it signed at Pride,bars, or wherever you may get people to sign.

If it were us , we would surely want help. And this is many many lives we are speaking of.

All for being Gay and lesbian...Or knowing one.


http://action.groundswell-movement.org/petitions/reject-anti-homosexuality-bill-in-uganda-1



.

[LoyalWolfsBlade]

PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH EVERYONE YOU KNOW! WE NEED YOUR HELP!
KILL THE GAYS BILL IS BACK!!!
They were thrown a suprise date and we only have untill the 7th of this month to help save them. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION... It only takes a minute and could save many lives and many innocent people from being imprisoned !.

"http://action.groundswell-movement.org/petitions/reject-anti-homosexuality-bill-in-uganda-1"

[DMW]

http://act.credoaction.com/sign/monsanto_protection_act?akid=7959.5717610.kHwrhi&rd=1&t=2

[Lasiurus_cinereus]

http:///www.change.org/petitions/san-antonio-save-bracken-bat-cave-stop-the-crescent-hills-development


One of the worlds’ top ten wildlife spectacles, and the only one in the United States, is now threatened!


Bracken Cave, the world's largest gathering of bats, is an unparalleled living natural wonder. The emergence of its 10 million+ bats from Bracken cave is a one-of-kind sight. Now we need your help saving it! Galo Properties has proposed a large-scale, high density community along the Bracken Cave Reserve’s border that would place 3,800 homes—approximately 10,000 people—next to colony and under the twice daily flight path of millions of bats! This would be a situation sure to put people and bats into conflict. Not only would the proposed Crescent Hills community be potentially detrimental to the bats and the multi-million dollar pest control services they provide for Texas agriculture, it would also lie atop the sensitive Edwards Aquifer-recharge zone, threatening Central Texas’ water supply and the millions of public dollars invested in protecting it. The federally endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler also calls this area home, nesting and foraging on the land slated for building. Tell the San Antonio City Council, Mayor, and Planning Commission that Mr. Galo's proposed subdivision is an incompatible use for the land in this area.

[DMW]

https://secure.prochoiceamerica.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=5721


Don’t Just Get Mad – Get Even

Anti-choice extremists and the GOP Congress are working every angle to block Obamacare at the 11th hour. On Friday, the House passed a spending bill that will force senators to choose between defunding Obamacare and shutting down the government.

If that wasn’t bad enough, the Koch brother extremists reached a new low: suggesting that the health-care law is like getting sexually assaulted. Watch it for yourself.

It’s absolutely disturbing. But we can’t just get mad – we have to get even by making sure Obamacare works.

Sign our pledge to help get five people enrolled in Obamacare – including you if you don’t have health insurance! Once you take the pledge, we’ll send you a reminder when enrollment opens on October 1 along with a sample email to forward to friends and family.

[always2late]

Really?? This from the party of mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds (i.e. goverment sanctioned rape) for women seeking abortion? Pledge signed!!

[DMW]

http://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/barilla-ensure-fairness-for-all-employees?akid=9039.5717610.51-eU5&rd=1&t=7

BARILLA: YOUR GAY CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES DESERVE EQUALITY AND RESPECT
TO: BARILLA GROUP


3,436
of 4,000 signatures
Campaign created by Asher Huey
FACEBOOK TWITTER EMAIL
The remarks of your chairman show a clear hostility toward the gay community. Your gay customers and employees deserve equality and respect. Publicly disavow the comments, and declare your company's commitment to equality and respect for all people, including gays and lesbians. This includes full benefits for same-sex couples, training for sensitivity to these issues, and policies that hold employees accountable if they show hostile and discriminatory attitudes toward gays and lesbians in the workplace.
Why is this important?

On Wednesday, Guido Barilla, chairman of the Barilla Group, said on a radio program that he “would not do a commercial with a homosexual family” and that if gay customers don't like it, they can "eat another brand of pasta."

Barilla's offensive statements raise important questions about whether the Barilla Group treats its gay customers and employees with fairness.

After Barilla's comments provoked international outrage and threats of a boycott from members of Italy's parliament, he gave a "so-called" apology that failed to address concerns about how he believes gay employees should be treated and continued to reflect his homophobia and sexism, saying:

"Regarding my comments at the radio program La Zanzara, I [apologize] if my words generated misunderstandings or controversy or if they hurt some people's feelings. In the interview I just wanted to underline the centrality of the woman's role in the family. To be clear, I just want to specify that I do have great respect of every person, without any kind of distinction. I do respect gay people and everybody's freedom of expression. I also said I do respect gay marriage. Barilla in its advertising has always chosen to represent the family because this is the symbol of hospitality and affection for everyone."

Since Barilla took leadership of his family's company, corporations have made great strides in recognizing and celebrating diversity, with over 88% of the Fortune 500 prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The regressive view that women should be homemakers and that gay families somehow fail to exemplify hospitality and affection have no place in the 21st century. As a gay man, I'm furious that Barilla would try to make these claims that are both sexist and homophobic about the families of his employees and customers, or the family I one day plan to have.

Barilla claims to respect gay marriage. However, he has also stated, "I absolutely don’t respect adoptions in gay families," suggesting that he wants to define what rights his gay employees and customers should have. Barilla should clarify whether his company will treat all gay employees and customers with the same dignity and respect he would give to any other family.

The threats of a boycott of the Barilla Group's products have already forced Barilla to back away from his remarks publicly. With an international spotlight on Barilla, now is the time to demand that the Barilla Group clarify what that "respect" really means. If enough people like you sign my petition, we can keep the pressure on and ensure that the company treats all its employees and customers with respect.

Join me and add your name to my petition to the Barilla Group to demand it ensures respect and equality for your gay customers and employees.

REFERENCES:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/26/barilla-pasta-anti-gay_n_3995679.html
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/pasta-firm-barilla-boycott-gay
http://www.hrc.org/resources/entry/lgbt-equality-at-the-fortune-500

PHOTO CREDIT:
http://pastavances.tumblr.com/
Category: lgbt

[Cin]

If anyone is interested here are some numbers you can call to voice your concern over the House's government shutdown.

Chairman of the House Budget Committee Paul Ryan (202) 225-3031

House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (202) 225-2815

Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (202) 225-2915

Speaker John Boehner (202) 225-0600

Tell House Republicans: Stop holding the government hostage to your extremist demands

Intransigent and irresponsible Republican extremists in Congress have precipitated a government shutdown that will cause widespread economic pain.

Pick up the phone today, and demand that House Republicans stop holding our economy hostage to their extremist demands.

Possible Script:
Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I am calling to say that Republicans must stop holding our entire economy hostage to their irresponsible demands.
It's time for Republicans to take responsibility as sitting members of Congress to ensure the basic functioning of our government. And that means working to restore funding to the federal government by immediately passing the Senate’s routine and uncontroversial government funding bill, which already incorporates cuts demanded by Republicans.

Make the Call


Then:

If your senator is a democrat call him or her

Tell Democrats: Don't cave to Republican extremists

http://act.credoaction.com/call/call_house_shutdown_leadership/?akid=9074.4680251.9B1J2e&rd=1&t=3

[DMW]

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/489/539/284/demand-a-pay-freeze-for-congress-during-government-shutdown/

[Cin]

Leaders of 12 powerful countries will meet behind closed doors to seal an extreme Internet censorship plan called the Trans Pacific Partnership. The TPP will make the Internet more expensive, censored, and policed. Even if you have the extra money to pay I can pretty much guarantee you will not like the censorship. They will be able to monitor internet use, censor content and even remove whole websites deemed unacceptable. The possible repercussions are infinite. This is some scary shit that will negatively affect all our lives.

Please take the time to sign this petition. Pass it on to your friends. I don't know if this can be stopped but it's definitely worth the effort to try. The TPP will change the internet forever. It will change it in ways that we can only imagine. And once this has passed the skies the limit. Don't doubt that stemming the flow of information and the easy access we now have to what is really happening around the globe is not a prime objective. Also just imagine what kind of content will be deemed worthy of censorship.

https://openmedia.org/censorship

[DMW]

TELL THE MEDIA: IT’S TIME TO EXPOSE THE TPP
TO: NEWS DIRECTORS AT CNN, MSNBC, ABC NEWS, CBS NEWS, NBC NEWS

http://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/tell-the-media-it-s-time-to-expose-the-tpp?akid=9992.5717610.2noVMd&rd=1&suppress_one_click=true&t=4

The proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a massive new trade agreement being negotiated between the United States and 11 other countries. The TPP would undermine our nation’s environmental, labor and intellectual property standards and ship American jobs overseas while dumping our wages and benefits overboard along the way. The TPP has been negotiated behind closed doors with special access granted to corporate lobbyists while Members of Congress and the American people have been shut out. We respectfully urge you to give this massive trade agreement the critical attention it deserves in order to inform the American people and shine a light on an agreement that would fundamentally alter the American economy and threaten American jobs.
Why is this important?

The Obama Administration is negotiating a massive new trade agreement called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) that would threaten American jobs and rewrite laws governing our food safety, access to medicine and intellectual property rights.

Yet the negotiation has been shrouded in secrecy. Special access has been given to corporate lobbyists, but the American people and Members of Congress have been shut out.

The television news media should be playing a vital role in informing the American people about the far-reaching and troubling implications of the TPP, but a recent study by the public watchdog group Media Matters found that there has been virtually no televised news coverage of the TPP in the past six months.

Given the secret nature of negotiations and the virtual blackout from television news networks, the American people remain largely unaware of the potential legislation and its effects on our country.

Our nation must have a thorough public debate before voting on another NAFTA-style trade deal.

It is vital that the mainstream television news networks provide full and balanced coverage of this major legislation so that the American people are informed about the potential impact of the TPP.

Recently, a bill was introduced in Congress to give the Obama Administration so-called “Fast Track Authority.” If approved, Fast Track Authority would prevent Congress from fully debating or amending the TPP before a required up-or-down vote.

So far, the Obama Administration is facing stiff opposition to their proposal from Democrats in the House and Senate. Proponents of Fast-Track embarrassingly could not find a single Democrat to co-sponsor the measure in the House. Meanwhile, Senator Harry Reid has joined me and 150 of my Democratic colleagues in declaring our opposition to Fast Track Authority.

While Democrats have been joined by 23 House Republicans, there is still a chance that proponents can push Fast Track Authority through. As some in Congress contemplate their position on Fast Track, it is more important than ever that their constituents be informed of this legislation and their representative’s stance on the issue.

Join me in urging the mainstream news media to use their unique position as a trusted source of information in order to inform the American public and allow democracy to work its will.