The hatred and bigotry that we saw in Charlottesville is sickening — neo-Nazis and white supremacists marching with torches, shouting slurs, and attacking counter-protestors.

But then Trump doubled down on his support for the bigots, calling them "very fine people,” instead of eulogizing the woman who died after she was attacked with a car.

The war in Afghanistan is the longest war in American history. Over the course of 16 years, the war has cost hundreds of billions of dollars and an immeasurable human toll on our troops, our veterans, and their families -- not to mention the toll it’s taken on the Afghani people themselves.

Yet Congress has not taken a single vote on this war for 16 years.

As I’m sure you’ve noticed over the past couple of months, I’ve asked you to join me in signing petitions demanding government action on a range of important issues. I’ve also had a number of people ask me what these petitions accomplish and why they matter – and I think that’s a great question.

Today’s politics are all too often disconnected from real people. In the age of Citizens United, corporate interests and wealthy donors spend vast sums to shape the conversation over the direction of our country. It’s more important than ever that all Americans have their voices heard – and that’s what petitions are about.