legislators and governors have used the narrow tenets of religious minorities as the basis for laws that restrict the exercise of fundamental human rights in order to maintain political support;
politicians have set out arbitrary and selfish requirements prior to debates on issues that require negotiation and consensus;
companies, business groups, and single-issue interests have used their resources to influence and shape legislation and regulations for their benefit, squeezing out the common good;
representatives have conducted inquiries and provided earmarked funds for their own self-promotion;
laws have been passed to address issues that do not actually exist and other laws have not been taken up that would address pressing concerns, all in the name of partisanship;
the judiciary has become suspect of issuing opinions based on ideology and party affiliation rather than the law and common sense;
financiers and investors have used the markets and banks with little oversight and adjustable scruples to speculate, profit, and gain without adding any real value to the economy;
many news media businesses have adopted clear ideological perspectives while continuing to claim the mantle of unbiased journalism;
the United States Senate has adopted rules that require almost all legislation to find support from many more than half plus one members of the chamber, making a mockery of the idea of unlimited debate established by the nation's founders;
and candidates for public office have created the endless election cycle in their quest to hold onto their offices once acquired.
These are reasons for deep concern regarding the future of this nation. Their mitigation and elimination require substantial action.
There is hope. Citizens that have occupied Wall Street, Oakland, the tundra, Albany, and other places have taken the first step in calling attention to the plight of the ninety-nine percent and the power of the one percent. Now that the problems have been identified so manifestly, we can move forward. Our progress together can and will change America. This petition is the next step.
We seek redress of our grievances from the government, the wealthy, and the corporations. We seek the resources to take action to correct the deficiencies that have arisen in this country. We seek the means to rebuild our communities and the support to meet our essential needs. We seek dignity and honor from our labors. We seek peace, security, and fulfillment.
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