The American People's List of Demands

1.     We demand wage laws that protect the American workers. We demand that the following guidelines be introduced into leglislation:

•  The Federal minimum wage must never be so low that an employee working 40 hours a week does not earn enough to meet standard costs of living for one person.
• The Federal minimum wage must always rise in proportion to inflation.
• The Federal minimum wage must be reevaluated annually.
• With every 1% raise in salary for the highest paid employees there must also be a 1% increase in the wages of the lowest earning employees.
• All fulltime employees, with at least one year tenure, must be given a minimum of five paid sick days per year.
• All fulltime employees, with at least one year tenure, must be given a minimum of 7 paid vacation days per year.
• All fulltime employees, with at least one year tenure, must be given a minimum of 6 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave. This benefit must be given to any legal parent upon the birth of a child or adoption of a child regardless of sex, marriage status, or sexual orientation.
• We demand that all women be paid a wage that is equal to that of their male counterpart.

2.     Healthcare for all. We demand a single payer healthcare system in which economic status is irrelevant to level of care.

3.    The U.S. government must make the people a priority when addressing the national budget. We, the people, demand the following become top priorities:

• Invest in education.We demand all schools have enough funding to support art programs, music programs, physical education, and extra-curricular activities, teams, and clubs each year. In addition, all high schools will have funding to support home economics, automotive or wood shop, after-school academia teams, and sports teams. These programs must be in addition to current programs and must not detract from current program funding.
• We demand that each state offer a minimum of one tuition free college. These colleges must be in proportion to other state colleges, both in size and in funding.
• We demand that federal student loans be interest free.
• Invest in infrastructure.
• We demand that stricter guidelines be put forth that will force all local and national government to annually or bi-annually conduct inspections of all roads, bridges, parks, etc.
• We demand that each government to promptly and accurately address each and any issue that may be found during inspections.

4.    We demand immediate tax reform.

• We demand the immediate deregulation of corporate tax breaks. 
• We demand legislation that clearly states that the lowest paid workers must never at any point pay more taxes than those in higher brackets.
• We demand that NFL, and all other teams and media outlets, pay taxes.

5.   We demand the immediate regulation of corporations manufacturing overseas.

• We demand that any company selling it’s product in the United States must adhere to U.S. Federal minimum wage regardless of what country they are operating out of. Any company or corporate entity that is found operating a facility that pays workers a wage less than the current Federal minimum wage will not be permitted to sell said products in the U.S.

6.   We demand that GMO’s be banned in the United States and legislation be put into effect that will strictly regulate food labeling with the sole purpose of informing the consumer.

• We demand the immediate end of factory farms.
• We demand immediate legislation addressing the treatment of animals in farm settings.

7.   We demand legislation be introduced immediately and effectively banning any corporation or individual profiting off the arrest or imprisonment of any human being.

• We demand that the War on Drugs cease immediately.
• We demand the Federal legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use.
• We demand the immediate release of all persons currently incarcerated for marijuana related charges.
• We demand that all marijuana related criminal charges be expunged from all involved persons legal records.
• We demand the immediate reevaluation of all persons currently incarcerated due to nonviolent crimes and subsequent release of all prisoners who do not pose an actual threat to society.
• We demand that honest and information drug education and support programs be put into place in all high school and public colleges.

8.   We demand immediate action to fight and reverse climate change.

• We demand a new and separate board made up entirely of scientists specializing in the field. 
• We demand that the recommendations of this board be heeded promptly and effectively. 
• We demand an immediate reduction in the usage of plastics and other harmful materials.
• We demand an immediate reduction of product packaging.
• We demand an immediate shift to green energy with the ultimate goal of eradicating all power and energy sources that are harmful to the environment.

9.    We demand media fairness and accountability.

• We demand structured sanctions and penalties for any and all media and/or public officials who deliberately attempt to provide misinformation or otherwise lie to the American people.
• We demand broad, in depth, and equal coverage for any and all current events, regardless of party, affiliations, or lack thereof.

10.  We demand the immediate restructuring of the FDA.

• We demand that drug research be based on need and not on profit margins.
• We demand that the FDA ban all carcinogenic substances currently being used in the manufacturing of any and all food products, beauty products, cleaning agents, and health supplements.
• We demand the immediate and heavy regulation of pharmaceutical corporations including but not limited to the regulation of promotional content. 

11. We demand legislation be introduced effectively banning any and all contributions, donations, or the like by corporate entities to any political campaign, individual, or organization.

12. We demand the immediate regulation of corporate lobbyists.

Why You Should Sign Senator Sanders Petition for 12 Weeks Paid Family Leave

     We were humans long before we were Americans. Sometimes it can be hard to remember that with all of the deafening media telling us this is the way things are supposed to be. Humans have evolved in countless ways and societies have shaped different groups to believe many different things during the time we have been on this lovely planet. It is high time we stop allowing ours to tell us what kind people we should be and what kind of lives we should have.
     These are our only lives, I think. When it all comes down to it there are only just  a few things that will really matter to us in the end and those things are being stolen out from under us.
     We will remember the time we spent with family. Or we will regret all the time we didn't. I was lucky as a child and I had a family member, my grandmother, Gama, who was able to stay home with me. We underestimate how valuable that can be to a child. Gama made my breakfast every morning. She packed my lunch and made sure I had everything I needed for school. She picked me up from school everyday and stayed on top of the work I was to at home. When she cooked us dinner she always let me help and eventually she taught me how to cook for myself. She taught me how to sew, braid hair, and tie my shoes, amongst many other things. I would not have had any of these things in daycare or after school program.
      Let me say before I continue, I do not think every mother should be forced to stay home to be considered a good mother.  I am a mother, but I like going to work everyday and there's nothing wrong with that. I merely think that every child should have a caretaker that is with them consistently throughout their life and is able to spend time focusing on their individual needs. This can be a mother, father, grandparent, aunt, friend, or nanny.
     Unfortunately, this is not an option for many. It wasn't that long ago in American history that a man or woman could work full time and make enough for the other parent to stay home. This wasn't just the reality of the educated or the CEO's. A man could work full time as a janitor, or a shoe salesman, or a construction worker and make enough for his wife to stay home. That is no longer reality. Nowadays, many couples are not only both working but in many cases one or both has multiple jobs just so they can continue to be broke. How are we supposed to spend time with our families if we have to work nearly every minute of our lives just stay alive? There's a word for that. It's called slavery.
     I have three children. When my youngest child, Crosby, was born I went back to work after 2 weeks. This was incredibly hard for me for multiple reasons but it was decision that I really had no choice in making.  Though I worked full time (up until the moment my water broke at my desk), many weeks even overtime, I was unable to save up enough money throughout my pregnancy to take off the 6 weeks that I was technically allowed. Not to mention, even though my husband and I both worked full time we were still so far under the poverty line that we qualified for food stamps, day care assistance, and thankfully, Medicaid. Two weeks after my beautiful son was born via c-section I cried my eyes out before suiting up and heading back to work. I will never get that time back. I will never hold his tiny brand new baby body again. I lost that time. It was taken from me. Every parent should be able to enjoy that time and more.
     There isn't an experience in the world quite like having a brand new baby. It's one of the most memorable and love filled times that many will ever experience. That is what life is all about. We were not put on this planet to work ourselves to death and miss out all the joy life has to offer. Life is a gift and we need to cherish those special moments and do everything in our power to make sure others have the ability to as well. All parents, whether it be mothers, fathers, adoptive parents, or otherwise, should be given the gift of a minimum of 12 weeks paid family leave. Click on the link below to sign if you agree.


https://go.berniesanders.com/page/s/paid-family-leave?source=shemtw150611

Vote for Bernie Sanders in 2016!

For the past couple of years I have been following Bernie Sanders closely and hoping against hope that he would run for president (I've also been very impressed with Elizabeth Warren, but that's for another day). My dream has officially come true as Bernie as officially entered the running! I could not be happier and you should be over the moon with me! Bernie Sanders is one of the last remaining politicians who isn't swayed by big business and actually cares about the people he has been elected to represent. I deeply, truly feel that Bernie Sanders absolutely will represent the people's interest.

Here's just a few reasons to vote for Bernie.

1. Our economy can no longer afford to allow these huge corporations to get away with not paying their fair share of taxes. The reason they are able to do that now is because they made deals along the way with politicians who favored monetary gifts over serving the greater good of the country they were elected to represent. Bernie has been in politics for decades and his track record of integrity speaks for itself. We need a president who will do what is right for all of us not just a few people on top. 

2. Bernie doesn't deny science. Arguing of actual science, the kind based on research and facts, is something that is quite hard to do which is why it is so baffling to see people publicly refute it. There must be a pretty large incentive waiting for the guy who is willing to go on live television and say climate change isn't really happening. Oh wait, there is. Science cannot be bought, neither can Bernie. We need to face reality and do what needs to be done to make sure our children and their children have a safe place to call home.

3. The American people need Bernie Sanders. The sheer level of struggle that is permeating the everyday lives of the 99% is no longer liveable. We want to live in the America where dreams come true.

4. Most importantly, we can't afford to wait any longer. My children deserve to go to a school that has enough funding to have a gym class. Things have to get better. He is our only hope. The other candidates will make pretty promises but they will mean nothing. I don't want pretty posters that scream for change. I WANT REAL CHANGE, NOW.