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INSIDE ARTICLE OF THE YEAR - 4 HOW DOES MY OPINION MATTER? - 6 SNOWDEN AND PARTY POLARIZATION - 8
01 2014
OUR AMERICA - OUR FUTURE CHAD GLEISSL DECEMBER 1, 2014 A nonpartisan book for young voters about how the US government runs and what we can do to improve it for the future. Gleissl is writing this in order to get the message across that young voters must have a voice in politics. Many teens don’t think about how politicians and government can effect their futures, and this book opens up their minds to think about the causes and effects of politics and government policy. Chad Gleissl is an author and politician from Allentown, PA.
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ARTICLES 04 Article Of The Year: Obama’s Five Years Kaustav Mitra
06 How Does My Opinion Matter?
Baxter Hankin
08 Edward Snowden And Party Polarization James Duckworth 10 Understanding The Syrian Conflict Akash Ahuja 12 The Immigration Situation Andrew Harper 14 Americans Should Demand Humane Treatment Of Prisoners Kate Dunbar 16 Syria In Crisis Reed Waxham 18 Bashir, Palin, and How Things Got Out of Hand Samuel Dorsey 20 Peaceful Prevention of Nuclear Proliferation Matthew Argraves 22 What is the Common Core? Akash Ahuja 24 Rebuttal To: What is the Common Core? The Independent Daily
News Journal
26 Gun Control: A Letter To Congress Sarah Clements 30 Electoral College Akash Ahuja 32 Western Forests, Global Warming, And Management Samuel Dorsey 34 Voting Rights Mayra Zepeda 36
Political Articles & Editorials Written By Minors Across America President Baxter Hankin admin@minorsvote.com
Vice President Akash Ahuja vp@minorsvote.com
Chapter Coordinator & Media Correspondent Maxwell Frost chaptermedia@minorsvote.com
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Public Relations Kaustav Mitra pr@minorsvote.com Attributed Images fall under the following Creative Commons Licenses in order Attribution 3.0 Unported creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode Attribution 3.0 Brazil creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/br/legalcode Attribution 3.0 Unported creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/legalcode
Minimum Wage, Corporate Disinfranchisement, And Small Business Samuel Dorsey
MinorsVote Paper • 3
THE WHITE HOUSE
OBAMA’S FIVE YEARS Kaustav Mitra Newtown, CT June 26, 2013
5 years ago we elected a man who told us that there will be change. That the government is out to help us Americans; and that the government would not abuse its power and is solely being used to look out for us. Sadly instead of helping us, it seems that Obama has gone back on his promises and is hurting us. Let’s start from the beginning. One of the earliest promises Obama had made for us was shutting down Guantanamo bay. 5 years later and where are we now? Obama
This Article Won The “Best MinorsVote Writer Of The Year Award”
continues to repeat that he will shut down Guantanamo Bay but he never actually has been doing it. It seems that every time there is an election season, he continues to repeat this false promise, but he will never follow through with it. However that can’t all be blamed on Obama, can it? Let’s move on to some problems that were created by Obama alone. Do you remember a long time ago there was another major scandal that rocked the Obama administration, one that we have forgotten about now, the gun runners? It was called operation Fast and Furious, it seems even the Obama administration has a sense of humor, and it was used to find Mexican drug dealers, by giving them guns. Yes, that was a perfectly good idea; give the dangerous drug lords, even more things to kill people with. This is one of the numerous scandals the Obama administration has faced, ranging from having the IRS targeting republicans to spying on Americans with PRISM, which was recently uncovered by Snowden. Through all of these scandals, we have to look back and evaluate Obama as a president. Is he a good president? Was it worth it reelecting him? Sure he may have helped the economy, and sure he may
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It doesn’t matter what he actually does; it just matters what he says he’ll do. It is for this reason that we keep reelecting him.”
have pushed forward on gay and
Democrats and Republicans alike.
gun rights, but is that the mark of
However, he is starting to punish
a good president? He would rather
people for their political beliefs;
spy on you to prevent terror, than
he is using the IRS to target politi-
use the billions of dollars at his dis-
cal parties to prevent them from
posal to stop terrorists. He wants
applying for tax-exemption. He is
to turn your internet against you,
persecuting people for their beliefs
He is restricting our internet and
he wants to use the drones that
and he is causing what is going to
he is using that same internet to
are supposed to be killing terror-
be the death of a free America.
spy on you. He does not care for
ists into monitors on the American
No longer do you have your right
you, but you know what he can
public. He wants to use all the
to privacy or your free speech of
do. He can be a great politician.
technology at his disposal not to
even a right to your beliefs. Hell,
He knows what to say and when
fight the external threat of terror-
it was a British newspaper that
to say it. It doesn’t matter what
ism, but the internal threat that
reported that Obama was spy-
he actually does; it just matters
we might realize just how badly we
ing on Americans. It seems that
what he says he’ll do. It is for
are being fooled. He does not want
Obama is starting to take away
this reason that we keep reelect-
us to realize that for all the free-
all of your rights, and we are just
ing him. Not because he is any
doms he is supposedly giving us,
sitting around and letting it hap-
good, but because he speaks very
he is taking twice as much away.
pen. It seems that, to the Obama
eloquently. However, history will
He is using the new technology
administration the biggest enemy
have a very different memory of
that was supposed to revolution-
is the public itself. He does not
Obama. He will be remembered as
ize and change the world for the
treat you as citizens; he treats you
the president who, with his vast
better, to spy on us, the people
as walking time bombs that could,
army and resources turned the
who elected him. He is spying on
at any minute, turn into terrorists.
public into enemy number one.
MinorsVote Paper • 5
If there is no one advocating for your what you believe in, why can’t you advocate?”
FIREWORKS AND THE US CAPITOL 6 • MinorsVote Paper
HOW DOES MY OPINION MATTER? Baxter Hankin Newtown, CT November 18, 2013
“Why me?” many people ask. “How could I do that? I’m
may change their opinions to change the election’s
just some average person.”
outcome.
This attitude is reflected by current voter participation.
Maybe you’re voting for a local representative in an
In the most recent presidential election, only 58.2%
election, or for your town budget. After all, presidents
of eligible Americans voted. The percentage is lower
are only elected every few years. Often, these smaller
in the recent 2013 election day for local governments.
elections come down to just a handful of ballots. For
These numbers raise a serious question: Why are many
example: In my hometown of Newtown, CT, there are
Americans not voting?
frequent votes which decide the town budget. A few years back, the budget was rejected by a margin of less
Mainly, US citizens feel as if they are powerless. In a
than ten votes. If a few more of our 28,000 residents
nation of over 300 million people, the average citizen
had casted their votes in favor of this budget, our lives
feels as if their vote is minuscule in the larger picture. If
would have been changed. Regardless of whether you
you look at statistics, this is simply false. The outcome
want a combination of higher taxes, better schools, and
of the 2000 presidential election was determined by
better town facilities, every person’s vote made a differ-
a margin of just 537 Floridian ballots. This difference
ence. If one person brought just a few of their friends
could easily have been negated by a few more people
to vote “yes,” our town and our lives would be different.
deciding to vote. Finally, there is the example of the involved activist. I So let’s assume that you have this kind of voting power:
know some of these people: ranging from advocates
because you do. Let’s assume that you lived in Florida
of new domestic legislation, to supporters of human
at that time. What if you campaigned and got 538 more
rights across the globe. Without supporters of change
people to cast a vote for Gore instead of Bush? The
and improvement, ranging from a few of my friends,
entire outcome of the election would have been dif-
to Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, and Malala
ferent. Our president would have been different. Our
Yousafazai, their movements would be significantly
nation, policy, infrastructure, and everything, would be
weakened.
different. Regardless of whether that change is positive or negative, you have the ability to create that kind
If there is no one advocating for what you believe in,
of change. You have the power to change the course
why can’t you advocate? After all, if you don’t step up
of this country, to follow a path that better represents
to the challenge of fighting for yourself, no one else will.
what you believe in.
All it takes is determination. The leaders listed above came from a wide variety of backgrounds. They only
However, in most presidential situations, a few hundred
needed the determination to free their people, to pro-
votes won’t do much. Write a few editorials. Start a
tect the concepts of democracy and freedom, to pursue
campaign. You could change the entire future of this
an education.
nation, by simply telling people what you believe and why it makes a difference in everyone’s lives. If people
Now, I ask you: Does your opinion still have no value?
understand the impact of their vote, enough of them MinorsVote Paper • 7
SNOWDEN & PARTY POLARIZATION B James Duckworth - California - July 3, 2013 y now most of America
ulous political plaything for the two
yet he is being charged with two
has heard the story of
parties to fight over in an attempt
counts of espionage and theft. He
Edward Snowden, the ex-
to discredit the other and garner
left for Hong Kong to avoid being
NSA contractor who fled
support for themselves, all while
prosecuted illegally, and then to
to Hong Kong after divulging infor-
never resolving the issue at hand.
Russia. Not because he’s sympa-
mation about the government’s
Every incident or problem this
thetic to the Russians, but because
extensive spying program against
nation has is a cause for debate
it was the only country that would
US citizens. If you’ve been keeping
and mudslinging by both parties
allow him in. His decision to try
up with the news, you know that
and nothing ever gets done. This
and seek asylum in China, Russia,
the country is split between hailing
isn’t even that controversial of
Cuba, Venezuela, and Ecuador is
him as a hero and burning him at
an issue- a government employ-
not because he “hates freedom”
stake for “betraying” the good ‘ole
ee informs the public that their
as some have suggested, but
stars and stripes. Not surprisingly,
human rights are being violated.
because those countries would not
most Republicans are in favor of
Big deal. Where did the decision to
extradite him to America. He has
the latter, while the Democrats
declare him a traitor come from?
also applied for asylum in Austria,
embrace the former. The Snowden
Edward Snowden is supposed to be
France, Switzerland and Poland
incident has become another ridic-
protected under whistleblower law,
among other places, but this was
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EDWARD SNOWDEN
IMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO: LAURA POITRAS / PRAXIS FILMS
conveniently left out of most of
have to do with party polarization?
the recent articles I’ve read. There
The whole incident could be eas-
are also rumors that Snowden
ily resolved with both parties just
is feeding information to Chinese
accepting the facts and reaching a
and Russian intelligence agencies
conclusion. But no one seems to
that could potentially damage rela-
make decisions based on fact any
tions between those countries and
more- they make decisions based
ourselves. Russia and China have
on what they think their voter
both denied questioning Snowden
base will like. Maybe 25 years
and we’re not in any position to
from now, when the public has
call their bluff. Snowden has not
forgotten all about Snowden, the
leaked any information to any
proper decision will be made. But
other country but ours, and fled
not now. For now, exploiting this
the states to avoid a possible
man is just another way to get one
death penalty. So why is he a
more vote.
traitor in any ones eyes? Could it
Could it have to do with party polarization? The whole incident could be easily resolved with both parties just accepting the facts and reaching a conclusion.” MinorsVote Paper • 9
UNDERSTANDING
THE SYRIAN CONFLICT Akash Ahuja Newtown, CT September 1, 2013
I
f you have read any newspaper this past
especially with our current deficit. In 2009, Barack
weekend, then you’ve most likely read or seen
Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace prize, specifi-
an article on US interaction with Syria. If you
cally mentioning his “multilateral diplomacy”. Obama
haven’t been paying attention, Syria has been
doesn’t have this kind of worldwide agreement, and he
in a bloody civil war for nearly two and a half years
doesn’t even have it in his own party. 54 Democrats in
now. The problem lies in both religion and cruel gov-
the House of Representatives signed a letter caution-
ernment. The people of Syria are, for the vast major-
ing the President against an “unwise war” and to work
ity, Sunni Muslim. The entire government, however,
towards “international consensus”. As of yet, only the
is Alawite, a branch of Shiite Muslim. However (and
French President Hollande has offered Obama support
I do see their point), most all Sunni Muslims don’t
in a war against Syria.
even agree that Alawites are even close to the Muslim ideology. Syria started its rebellion at around the
Due to the negative response Obama received, he
same time as the rest of its neighbors in the famous
has made the decision to back off for a while. Too
Arab Spring, but their conflict has been lasting much
many people have criticized a strike against Syria,
longer. Around a week and a half ago, about 1400
and even though Nobel Peace prizes can’t be revoked,
civilians died due to chemical weapons used by the
Obama doesn’t want to ruin his public image and act
government army. Nearly 400 of these casualties were
out of character. Despite being 100% lined up for the
children. The Secretary of State, John Kerry called the
attack, the President backed off and asked for a vote
attacks and the reports from hospitals an “inconceiv-
in Congress. This move will allow the country to move
able horror”.
as a whole nation, and give time for the U.N and the Arab League to make decisions of their own.
With this redoubled attack by the government, President Obama has started a push to enter the
And now, the world waits for Congress’ decision. And
conflict in Syria and end their war. He certainly has
it will be a close one. In most polls, decision to act in
reason to make this argument; over 3,500 people
Syria was split nearly 50-50. In terms of morals, all
checked themselves into hospitals near the Damascus
can agree that the world cannot let the Assad regime
area with symptoms matching those of nerve-agent
go unpunished. An actually debatable question is if
exposure. There are already currently five American
the U.S can afford committing to yet another Middle
destroyers and one Marine amphibious assault ship
Eastern conflict. Our trend of being the “world’s police
in the Mediterranean, ready for action as soon as the
force” is for the greater good, but we’ve wreaked
order is given. For all the death, why hasn’t anyone
havoc on our economy by keeping it up for so long.
led the charge into Syria?
The decision is a tough one to make, and I’m sure controversy will surround Congress no matter what
Simple answer is that we live in the 21st century and
conclusion they arrive at. But in the meantime, we
things have to be more complicated than that. To
wait to hear from them.
start off, Obama cannot just send the order to attack,
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In terms of morals, all can agree that the world cannot let the Assad regime go unpunished.”
SYRIAN AMPITHEATER MinorsVote Paper • 11
THE IMMIGRATION SITUATION ANDREW HARPER
ROCKY MOUNT, NC JULY 7, 2013
I
mmigration in America is a very touchy subject. According to the Department of Homeland Security, in 2012 alone 757,434 people were naturalized and became legal U.S. citizens. But
the problem we have now is with the Illegal immigrants, the majority of which come from Mexico looking for job opportunities, and sometimes just government benefits. Our borders need to be kept in check. We had roughly 11 million illegal immigrants enter the USA in 2010, taking jobs from hardworking Americans and getting benefits that only citizens are entitled to, all the while not paying taxes or helping society. So am I saying I’m against immigration? No. But we need legal immigrants who have had background checks and who have gone through the proper process of becoming a citizen. So here’s basically what is being proposed in the Senate. The USA would set up a system to allow illegal immigrants become legal, over time. Set it up for illegals to turn themselves in, pay a penalty and make them start paying income tax. Make sure they learn to speak English. Allow them to continue living and working in the U.S. but WITHOUT any government programs or benefits. After ten years they can become a naturalized citizen assuming they haven’t broken any major laws. This plan allows those who are applying for legal immigration already keep their place in line and not be
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moved to the back as many on the complete and total amnesty side would have us do. Our nation was built by immigrants, and I want immigration to thrive. But immigrants should pay taxes just like the rest of us, and make an attempt to come here legally. Not just hop a fence or grab a boat over the border on a whim. We need a safe and secure country and a reasonable immigration system, along with a secure border, will help provide that. This “Path to citizenship” is surprisingly bipartisan; it’s a compromise between the far-right crowd who want all illegals deported,
This “Path to citizenship is surprisingly bipartisan.”
and the far-left crowd who wants every illegal made a citizen overnight. We need more Bills like this, something that is actually done by both political parties in the best interest of our nation.
MinorsVote Paper • 13
Change can be just around the corner, if people prioritize these issues of injustice and let their voice be heard as to what kind of country they want to be living in.� 14 • MinorsVote Paper
AMERICANS SHOULD DEMAND HUMANE TREATMENT OF PRISONERS
Injustice exists in America. Everyday. Any place. Anytime. But the problem is that even in a country where issues of justice are brought to the attention of millions, the amount of actions being done to correct these injustices is staggeringly low. One of these examples of injustice that needs to become a priority for the American people to fix is the current situation at Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility. Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility located at a U.S. Naval Base in Cuba currently consists of a few camps in which the unlawful detention, torture and questioning of civilians suspected of potential terrorist crimes or plots against the U.S. have been detained. Most people do not know of these camps. While a lot of buzz was generated when these camps were first investigated under the Bush Administration, there was not enough outrage to change our government’s stance on the justification of having these camps. But the fact of the matter is that the human rights abuses occurring at these camps can no longer be ignored. Take for example the case of Mohammed al-Qahtani.
KATE DUNBAR
There are a lot of documented abuses that occurred at Guantanamo.
NEWTOWN, CT
of abuses at the hands of the United States. Some examples of these
AUGUST 1, 2013
Mohammed al-Qahtani is just one prisoner who had to endure all kinds abuses include: Waterboarding; Beatings; Stress positions (forcing prisoners to stand or crouch for hours); Sexual abuse (female interrogators pretending to rub menstrual blood on a chained prisoner’s face, e.g.); Torture by music (ear‐splitting music for hours on end, which has been proven to induce states of psychosis in prisoners after just a few hours); Sleep Deprivation (sometimes for weeks on end, another tactic known to induce psychosis in prisoners); Temperature extremes; Forcible beard shaving (a form of religious humiliation that was also used on religious Jews by Nazi soldiers); Prolonged isolation; Threats of rendition, and threats against prisoners’ families. This torture without any regard to Geneva Conventions standards for the treatment of prisoners has to stop. As powerless as average citizens may feel, these human rights abuses can change with citizen outrage channeled into action. This is where young, active citizens can make a huge difference. If more outreach is done to talk to senators, representatives and officials at the White House, making this issue come to the forefront of the American Justice System could be just around the corner. There are a lot of options at hand to keep national security protected and provide more just options to the detainees. Some of these options include military trials or at the very least modifications to the unjust conditions in the camps. Change can be just around the corner, if people prioritize these issues of injustice and let their voice be heard as to what kind of country they want to be living in. Injustice cannot be allowed to continue. Human rights must be protected. Please write to your representatives and urge them to stop the abuses at Guantanamo and to close this detention center. Hearings need to be held to determine what percentage of these detainees are actual enemy combatants, then have those cases investigated and those detainees reassigned to other facilities where humane treatment can be assured. MinorsVote Paper • 15
IMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO FABIO RODRIGUES POZZEBOM / ABR
SYRIA
IN CRISIS
Reed Waxham - Folsom, CA August 30, 2013 Intense burning. Excruciating suffocating. Painfull death. The effects of nerve gas on the human body. President Obama confirmed Wednesday in an interview with PBS that the United States has “concluded” that the al-Assad regime in Syria has used chemical weapons against its own people. “We do not believe that…the opposition could have carried out these attacks. We have concluded that the Syrian government in fact carried these out,” Obama told PBS’s “NewsHour.” “And if that’s so, then there need to be international consequences,” Obama added. This comes following previous acknowledgements by the Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel that Syrian government forces targeted civilian men, women and children with chemical nerve agents.
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Despite this acknowledgement the President said that
Bashar al-Assad. We need to draw a firm line in the
he has “not made a decision” about possible military
sand on chemical weapons.
intervention in the crisis. A red-line has been crossed. We need to make it clear The death toll related to the latest chemical weapons
that the United States and the international commu-
attack could be hundreds if not thousands. Adding to
nity will not tolerate such senseless acts of violence by
the more than 100,000 that already have been esti-
a government against its own people.
mated to have died in the crisis. Videos of the masses of children that died in the attack have surfaced on the internet, giving us a glimpse of the atrocities that have taken place. In a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll only 9% of Americans favored U.S. military intervention in the Syrian conflict. I don’t know what they aren’t seeing. By using the chemical weapons, Syria is violating international
Syria is violating international law and committing large scale statesponsored homicide.”
law and committing large scale state-sponsored homicide. Have they not scene the horrifying images of children lying dead in the streets, mothers crying over their infants bodies, and families being shattered by loss? We can put an end to the violence. The U.S. has intervened in the crisis on a small scale. That is no longer enough. We need to act. Four U.S. Navy frigates and one British submarine are currently off the coast of Syria at the ready. Targeted missile strikes on high value military and government installations in Syria could be enough to turn the tides of the revolution. Eliot Engel, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee wrote in a letter to President Obama that “…we can do this with no boots on the ground, from stand-off distances,” He was basing that off an assessment from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, who said that the U.S. could conduct targeted air strikes that could virtually decimate the entire Syrian air force. What are we waiting for? I believe that the President will ultimately make the right call and participate in a meaningfully intervention. I just hope that the actions the Obama administration take go far enough. Our goal should be to oust
MinorsVote Paper • 17
BASHIR, PALIN,
AND HOW THINGS GOT OUT OF HAND Samuel Dorsey Redding, CA November 20, 2013
M
artin Bashir, and his rant about how Sarah
IMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO NIGHTSCREAM
underhanded and hyperemotional jab.
Palin has compared the national debt to slavery, is very disappointing. It was more
Furthermore, Martin Bashir referred to Palin multiple
about divisive politics than news cover-
times as a “well-established world class idiot.” This is
age. If you actually watch both Sarah
not only an insult, but is a hypocritical one, because
Palin’s speech and Mr. Bashir’s segment, you will see
Martin Bashir’s employer MSNBC is known in the con-
that Sarah Palin was comparing the debt overhanging
servative world to call out anyone who has made any
our future generations to slavery. This is a stretch but
derogatory comments or insults to Democratic female
still not entirely without merit. Mrs. Palin says, “When
politicians. Also, Martin Bashir suggested that the
that note comes due — and this isn’t racist so try it
slaves’ punishment of others urinating and defecating
anyway, this isn’t racist — but it’s going to be like slav-
in a slave’s mouth can be applied to Sarah Palin. This
ery when that note is due, right?” She is essentially
is beyond disrespectful and inappropriate, but also
saying that in order to pay for or stave off that debt
shows how these things get out of hand and become
we as a people are going to have to do things against
polarizing in this type of situation. Bashir, in his criti-
our will, and that is, keyword, “like” slavery. Sarah
cism of Sarah Palin, reads accounts of slave brutality
Palin did not say it was slavery; she compared debt
and abuse to counter her point, rather than explaining
to slavery. This is a valid and useful rhetorical tool, if
why she is incorrect. Instead, he used hyperemotional
used correctly. Many concepts are similar to slavery in
rhetoric to counter Sarah Palin’s hyperemotional rhet-
some aspect. Are those things as severe or horrific?
oric. Currently, left-wing news outlets are defending
No, they are not remotely as deplorable. When slavery
him, and right-wing news outlets are attacking him.
is worse than what one is comparing it to, this does
There is a lack of input from women’s groups who
not mean one should withhold from using that term
usually interject whenever a female public figure is
as a comparison. Sarah Palin did not paint slavery in
directly insulted in this manner.
a positive light; she was speaking on the debt and its negative effects, which are why we need to fix it. To
Bottom line: Bashir was out of line, and Palin should
attack her for comparing something to slavery is an
have used a different term.
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IMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO JENN GROVER
Bottom Line: Bashir was out of line, and Palin should have used a different term.”
MinorsVote Paper • 19
HYDROGEN BOMB DETONATION
PEACEFUL PREVENTION OF NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION Matthew Argraves Newtown CT September 23, 2013
Unilateral military force by the United States to prevent nuclear proliferation is not justified. To begin, unilateral military force won’t stop nuclear proliferation in a country. In fact unilateral military force makes nuclear proliferation more likely as seen in Israel’s unilateral military force of bombings nuclear reactors in Osirak, Iraq on June 7, 1981. Iraq recovered and continued to pursue their nuclear program. This preemptive strike did the exact opposite of stopping Hussein’s nuclear program but actually accelerated it. “By demonstrating Iraq’s vulnerability, the attack on Osirak actually increased Hussein’s determination to develop a nuclear deterrent and provided Iraq’s scientists an opportunity to better organize the program. The Iraqi leader devoted significantly more resources toward pursuing nuclear weapons after the Israeli assault”(Washington Post) This shows that Israel’s unilateral military force was not effective at completing its goal of stopping Iraq’s nuclear proliferation. This sets a precedent that unilateral military forces are unjust under the just war theory because they don’t have a reasonable chance of success. Similar reactions are expected if military force is used against the Iranian nuclear program, US Defense Chief Robert Gates believes “Military force against the Iranian government, which has refused global calls to rein in its suspects nuclear enrichment program, would bring together a divided nation, it will make them absolutely committed to obtaining nuclear weapons”(AlterNet).
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macy is more justified than war This means that attacks on Iran
because it will insure peace not
will cause NPT withdrawal and
violence and death.
accelerate its nuclear program. These two points prove that unilat-
As a third argument, unilater-
eral military force does not delay
al strikes to preemptively end a
nuclear proliferation but in fact
future threat are shown to not
does the exact opposite, making
work throughout history. Examples
it unjust. Thus if it the US goal to
of this are Pearl Harbor and Hitler’s
stop nuclear proliferation unilateral
Invasion of Russia which both
military force will not do the job.
ended terrible for the attacking countries. This is even reflected
It doesn’t matter what he actually does; it just matters what he says he’ll do. It is for this reason that we keep reelecting him.”
To add to this point, there are
today in US politics. Originally the
benefits of using diplomacy over
US was planning on bombing Syria
military might. Historically diplo-
due to chemical weapons because
macy has stopped nuclear prolif-
they had the support of other
eration as in the example of South
countries. Once other countries
Africa and Ukraine. In 1989 South
jumped off the bandwagon the US
African
nuclear
knew that their unilateral military
weapons due to diplomatic pres-
force would not be effective which
sure from the US, Soviet Union,
is why our government is turning
enemies, and reduces cost then
and
to diplomacy instead.
it should use multilateral military
dismantled
France.
its
Similarly,
Ukraine
exchanged its inherited nuclear
approaches.
weapons to Russia for disarma-
“According to the overwhelming
ment in exchange for money from
majority of international relations
In summary, Military force against
the US all through diplomacy .
(IR) scholars, the costs are very
nuclear proliferation does not work
Diplomacy is a better option than
high. We evaluate the key argu-
and is unjust under the just war
war because it saves human lives
ments that underlie this assess-
theory, Diplomacy is more effec-
from
taxpayer
ment, namely that increased U.S.
tive in stopping nuclear prolif-
money, and it creates better rela-
unilateralism will: (1) spur the
eration than unilateral strikes as
tionships with foreign countries.
formation of a coalition to check
seen in history, and Unilateral
combat,
saves
U.S. power; (2) reduce efficiency
approaches are faulty battle plans
Recently Iranian President Hassan
gains through lost opportunities
that usually backfire and have high
Rouhini “has pledged to reduce
for institutionalized cooperation;
costs. “President Clinton asked
tensions with the West over the
and (3) undermine the legitima-
the commander of U.S. forces in
nuclear issue”(The Hindu). We
cy of the American-led interna-
South Korea about the bottom-
should take advantage of the new
tional order. We conclude that
line cost if war broke out on the
opportunity for diplomacy due to
the theoretical arguments that IR
Peninsula. “A million and a trillion,”
a new presidency in Iran. These
scholars advance do not show
Gen. Gary Luck replied. Facing the
statements can be very promising
that a shift toward unilateralism
prospect of a million people dead
in stopping nuclear growth in Iran.
necessarily has high costs. Our
and a trillion dollars in industrial
So why should the US not pursue
analysis reveals the need to, first,
damage”(CNAS). With the cost
the promise of diplomacy and but
distinguish clearly between criti-
of such a flawed and pointless
instead jump to the use of military
cisms of unilateral policies based
approach shown in this quote, and
force?
on procedure and those based on
all other reasons, unilateral mili-
substance and, second, to rec-
tary force by the United States to
As stated by Rebecca Griffin, the
ognize the weakness of current
prevent nuclear proliferation has
political director of Peace Action,
procedural
been proven to be unjust.
from the Daily Gazette, stated that
International University).
arguments”(Atlantic
“U.S.-run war simulations have
Note: This article is a modified
shown that a strike on Iran is
The importance of this shows
debate case and does not neces-
likely to lead to a wider regional
that if the US wants to maintain
sarily represent the opinions of the
war”(Miami Herald). Using diplo-
its international power, have less
author.
MinorsVote Paper • 21
It is very hard to decide whether the Common Core Bill will be good or bad for America”
TECHNOLOGY IN A CLASSROOM 22 • MinorsVote Paper
WHAT IS THE COMMON CORE? Akash Ahuja Newtown, CT July 30, 2013
T
he Common Core bill has lost some atten-
an extent. But informational reading is plain boring,
tion, but it is still a relatively new piece of
especially to any elementary school student. The fear
legislature, and definitely one that we minors
that many concerned teachers and parents have is that
need to know more about. The Common Core
these early on informational reading requirements will
is made to iron out the differences between
start driving children away from reading from an early
state education. Currently, each state decides for itself
age. They could grow to despise reading, and they
the best way to teach its children, with no federal
might not even attempt books for fun, not even poetry
intervention. However, some of the problems are in
or any good classic novels. More problems lie with the
standardized testing. A proficient score in reading for
teachers and how they feel. Many are frustrated by how
a Massachusetts student is not necessarily the same as
the men writing this bill is not in a classroom and do
proficient for a Montana student. If standards are set
not understand the difficulty of getting students to par-
too low in a state, then students may think that they
ticipate, and adding more complex skills included in the
are successful while in reality they are sub-par in com-
Core are not going to help. The standardized tests are
parison to the rest of the country. The new bill will set
going to standardize teaching, and keeping up with the
national standards, so students are actually prepared
rigorous demands are going to leech off their creativity
for real world expectations. Fortunately, experts persist
(especially with the reading).
in saying that the Common Core is NOT a curriculum, so teachers can still teach the way they want to.
Unfortunately, it is very hard to decide whether the Common Core Bill will be good or bad for America as a
But there are still hesitations. Despite the experts press-
whole. Seeing the benefits in national standardized test-
ing that it is not a fixed curriculum, it is a fixed test.
ing is easy to see, but difficulties with teacher support
The teachers are going to be pressured to teach strictly
and student opinion make this a heavily debated topic.
to the test, and that may limit the variety of things a
Because we need to deal with politicians in this country,
student can learn. Another low point is that reading
you most likely have to experience at least some of the
standards are taking a huge turn. Not for the worse, per
change in your schooling. Ask your teachers what they
se, but not necessarily for the better. Reading standards
think! Ask your parents what their opinion is. Write a
in the Common Core dictate that informational read-
letter to your local senator and tell them about how
ing, nonfiction such as newspapers and other articles,
the bill is working and what is good about it, or what
will take up half of elementary school curriculum and
needs changing. And please tell us what you think at
about 70% of 12th grade English class. At first glance,
MinorsVote.com.
this may appear like a great idea. After all, with all of these movies and video games, it is an easy argument to say that youth are too invested in fictional stories and no learning is done. And I can agree with that to MinorsVote Paper • 23
We must let our teachers... teach. Liberate our teachers, and you will liberate the minds of our children”
CLASSROOM 24 • MinorsVote Paper
REBUTTAL TO: WHAT IS THE COMMON CORE? The Independent Daily Mohave County, AZ August 7, 2013
N
othing has done more to denigrate the qual-
slaves in an economic machine the point of which is to
ity of education than standardized testing on
further enrich those who are at the helm.
which far too much time is spent assessing student capabilities in a regimen of Q&A
Education ought to be fundamental and fluid, based
specific to the tests being administered.
on the needs and curiosity of the child, providing basic skills and simultaneously liberating the near-genius or
Education is Literature, Science, Mathematics, History…
genius specialty within every one of our children.
From this wellspring of knowledge garnered at a youthful point in life the student may draw upon his or her
Too bad the debate continues about testing structure
knowledge in other seemingly disassociated fields,
rather than asking the much larger question, “Why are
analogizing from a synthesis of those things he or she
we doing this?”
knows, a response to a given situation or circumstance. The United States today has fallen far from her post Today’s teachers aren’t educators: they’re proctors in a
as international leader in education. Today we rank far
sea of disenchantment and frustration with the lack of
below 20th position overall. Cuba – our long-standing
free learning and association being experienced. This
political football – ranks first in quality of overall edu-
is not intellectual growth; it is teaching our children to
cation in the world – along with New Zealand, Finland,
march in lockstep.
Australia and others.
Today’s educational system is designed to further bury
We are 40th or so for those experiencing and complet-
our future citizens in ignorance: to keep them from
ing a college level education, and one need look no fur-
learning from our past so that we may have a more
ther than local news blogs, Facebook, or other media to
directed world tomorrow. Examples abound, and I have
witness the failure of our secondary educational system.
witnessed the regressive nature of what qualifies as learning today to that of 20, 30, 40 years past over my
This debate ought not be, How best to standardize
professional life. The result is dismal.
tests, but, How to return to a meaningful curriculum. What an inane experiment this has been: What irrepa-
Rari nantes in gurgite vasto. Those very few who sur-
rable harm it has done.
vive the educational system of today, whose true life skills and capabilities extend beyond the realm of a
We must let our teachers…teach. Liberate our teachers,
specific data set the purpose of which is to answer
and you will liberate the minds of our children.
questions that have little tangibility in life, are the few destined to be our only creative resources as a result. The vast majority who do not will live out their lives as MinorsVote Paper • 25
GUN CONTROL: A LETTER TO CONGRESS Sarah Clements - Newtown, CT - July 6, 2013 Representative or Senator,
with a constant, lingering fear
do not have to fear sending their
because I know it still happens
kids to school, so that couples can
My name is Sarah Clements, and
every day. Nine other children are
go on a date night to a theater like
as your constituent; as a Sandy
taken every day from gun vio-
normal, so that eager families can
Hook
of
lence in the U.S. (along with any-
go Christmas shopping in peace
2006; as a daughter, a sister, and
where between 30-90 adults) and
and excitement, so that devoted
a friend; as a Newtowner; and
I physically, emotionally, and men-
community members may worship
as the daughter of a Sandy Hook
tally cannot handle it any longer.
their religion without violence, so
Elementary School teacher, I am
That is why when I say Newtown
that there is no more emotional
writing to you today to ask for your
(including me) won’t back down
scarring like what I and all of my
support on an issue about which I
until something is done, I say the
fellow Newtown citizens are try-
feel very strongly. On December
absolute truth.
ing to recuperate from. No town
Elementary
graduate
14, twenty of my young, beautiful
should ever have to go through
neighbors had their lives abruptly
Even before what happened in
what mine is going through, yet
and unfairly ended, as did six
my town, I was for gun control.
every day the number of towns
honorable women. It is still hard
That does not mean “taking away
that is subject to the torment
for me to come to grips with. As
all the guns” or dispensing of
increases.
I write this, my hands still shake.
our Second Amendment rights,
I not only can’t believe it, it just
as extremists would like other
One way I am healing myself is
doesn’t make sense, and I have
Americans to believe. It means we
by advocating for common sense
recently
want safe towns so that parents
safety. There is so much change
become
26 • MinorsVote Paper
overwhelmed
that must go into this, including a change in
nition magazines, requiring background checks for
American culture. But one step that is included in
all guns, enforcing at least a 28 day waiting period,
this change is a change in gun culture.
There is
requiring mandatory gun safety training before the
no way anyone can say that amid this plague of
ownership of a gun, outlawing bullets that literally
gun violence, it has nothing to do with guns. In
shatter in the body, and increasing productivity of
fact, everything that plays into the crimes must
the ATF, Dept. of Education, and gun research.
be addressed.
Common sense. Are we going to
wait until we all know someone who lost a loved
No one needs a magazine that fires 60 bullets
one? That is unacceptable. 30,000+ dead a year is
in a few seconds. That is for the battlefield only;
unacceptable. Nine children taken per day is unac-
that is not self-defense. The man who shot up my
ceptable. The unfathomable act that happened in
elementary school shot each person multiple times,
my town—that my beautiful, strong, caring, lov-
literally tearing them apart. They were 6 and 7. The
ing, tight-knit, peaceful, quiet town—will now be
school nurse’s car in the second row in the parking
known for is unacceptable. It is a national disgrace
lot was hit by a bullet that went through the door,
and embarrassment when compared to other first-
into a seat, and ricocheted back out. That was a car
world, industrialized, “civilized” countries. So I ask
meters away… imagine what that did to my friends.
that you please help to pass common sense gun
This is what we are left to picture and think about.
laws, as it is the least we can do.
My beloved third grade teacher and role model was shot three times. It was her daughter’s birthday
On the 26th of January, I marched on Washington.
that day. She is still recovering, and she is one of
I was joined by my community members, my dad,
the most positive and inspirational people in my life.
over 6,000 Americans, and 26 of the friends I lost
But still, she was shot three times and needs count-
who walked with us in spirit and love. I marched
less surgeries. All the teachers I know at the school
because of my mother, because of my town, and
are emotionally scarred. Some people in town can’t
because of the numbers killed by senseless gun
sleep, some can’t eat, some (like many of us) cry
violence. Because these are not just numbers; they
randomly on and off, and many are not fit to work.
are brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers; these are
I am telling you the worst of the worst in my town,
thousands of good deeds, volunteer hours, smiles,
not because it symbolizes us at all right now, but
Valentine’s cards, weddings, jobs, futures, families
because it proves it’s not “just a gun” or “just a bul-
lost. Because I will be forever changed by that
let” or “just a hobby” or “just one time”. It’s all of
day. Marching gave me hope that my country can
this… aftermath. Please stop letting the gun lobby
do better. I marched because I was surrounded
and the NRA bully you around. They simply want to
(literally and figuratively) by members of the gov-
make a profit, even if that means 30,000+ deaths a
ernment that I know and trust. (I trust you to do
year and teachers being trained to shoot a weapon
the right thing.) I also marched with thousands
(I know MY mom trained to teach, not to shoot).
of friends I will never formally meet. There were
Just remember, as American people, we did not
people of every age (newborn to 80s+), gender,
elect the NRA for anything. We elected you to keep
religion, ethnicity, and state. I was surrounded by
us safe and to do the right thing.
a small sampling of America. We are diverse—there were mothers, daughters, sons, fathers, grand-
Continued to page 28
parents, neighbors, godparents, cousins, teachers, pastors, rabbis, voters, people from Newtown and people from Texas and people from Alaska—and we have coalesced around a common goal. This is what America looks like. This is what citizenship looks like. This is what democracy looks like. I marched, but it was just my first step, and it should just be yours, too. Please… do not let my friends pass in vain. If what happened in my town is not the turning point, I do not know what is. This cannot continue to be the disgusting and embarrassing status quo of the U.S. Please consider reinstating the assault weapon ban, banning high capacity ammu-
Just remember, as American people, We did not elect the NRA for anything. We elected you to keep us safe and to do the right thing.” MinorsVote Paper • 27
We are all Newtown, and each person’s son or daughter is everyone’s son or daughter. When we stand together, we stand a chance”
PEACE MONUMENT WASHINGTON DC 28 • MinorsVote Paper
There is an old Native American proverb that says, “We did not inherit the Earth from our ancestors. We are borrowing it from our children.” Keep this in mind, because as a junior in high school, I am between childhood and adulthood. I have heard countless stories of children in my town and all over who are scared every day because their friends died from a “bad man with a gun”, a direct and very real quote. Their best friends passed before they were even out of elementary school, unable to grow up to be an artist or a fireman or a politician. How do you tell a child his best friend Dylan, or her best friend Olivia won’t be coming back next week? Hundreds of parents had to do that after 12/14, and thousands around the country had to explain to their kids why they were crying. Then, I look to the other side, the adults who are foolishly going back and forth with the same dialogue, going nowhere. It is quite upsetting to say the least. Sure, this is a glimpse into my town and my friends and our future generation. But if I told you the incredible strength, resilience, and love that was radiating from my town, it would not be the full truth because you have to feel it. Only when you experience pain that you can literally feel, that makes you double over and scream, that makes your hands shake, that makes you have anxiety attacks, that makes you think of being sad when you recognize that you are happy for once, can you truly experience—truly feel—love. It can’t be described. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.” Please lead with love. Newtown can, must, and will become a symbol of hope and change, and I hope that continues. As the Sandy Hook Promise says, we want to be remembered, “not as the town filled with grief and victims, but as the place where real change began.” Please let this come true. I co-created a video called “Make Your Own Sandy Hook Promise” that is now on YouTube, and I urge you to watch and share it with your fellow officials, as it sets the tone for common sense laws and humane conversations. My principal, who is one of the strongest individuals I have ever met, who lost one of his best friends Mrs. Dawn Hochsprung that day, gave us a mantra on the first day back to school that we have all memorized: Our collective strength and resilience will serve as an example for the rest of the world. I have total faith that it will. So help to make that reality. As my town continues to heal, you must help us. We are all Newtown, and each person’s son or daughter is everyone’s son or daughter. When we stand together, we stand a chance. Thank you. Sincerely, Sarah Clements Chairwoman to the Newtown Action Alliance
MinorsVote Paper • 29
ELECTORAL COLLEGE Akash Ahuja Newtown, CT June 25, 2013
B
elieve it or not, we’re all going to start hear-
be different. Alaska had 300,495 voters in the last
ing about the new presidential candidates
election, having just over 100,000 voters per point.
in about a year. Every four years, these
In California, the 13,038,547 voters boil down to
politicians spend about two or so years fill-
237,065 voters to complete each point.
ing ad space with their optimistic promises and hopes for America. Then, they wait for the results to pool
If you didn’t follow that math, you just have to trust
in from that fateful Tuesday in November. Although
me for this next part.
these runners are working for each individual vote, the Electoral College is the true final deciding factor.
This makes the weight of a voter in Alaska about 2.23
This is weakening the famous democracy of our coun-
times what it would be worth in a fair system, yet in
try that we have worked for, sacrificed for, died for.
California, a voter’s weight is 0.94. This is unfair to
The popular vote is the superior way to really find the
Californians because each citizen is worth less than
majority opinion on any debated topic.
if they were living in any other state. In Alaska and other states, each voter can sometimes be counted
The Electoral College, first of all, does not give all vot-
worth 2 Americans.
ers a voice. In a country where freedom of speech and equal representation are things that we are extremely
This is unjust.
proud of, we surprisingly overlook our own elections. If your state has a majority vote for a republican,
In our Declaration of Independence, it says very
then all of the people who voted for the democratic
clearly that all men are created equal. Well, have an
candidate have their vote unaccounted for. The elec-
Alaskan be worth over twice as much as the aver-
toral points are winner takes all, which means that
age citizen was obviously not the Founding Fathers
the loser loses more than just the outcome, but they
plan. The Electoral College does not represent people
lose their voice in the national count. According to the
equally state to state.
U.S Electoral College’s official website, only Maine and Nebraska split electoral points. All other states give
The Electoral College does not realistically represent
100% of their points one way or another.
the actual majority opinion of the population. There
If you happen to live in any of the other 48 states in
are 4 cases of presidents winning the popular vote,
this country, our kind government couldn’t care less
yet losing the Electoral College. Jackson v. Adams,
what you voted if you aren’t the majority in your state.
1824, Tilden v. Hayes, 1876, Harrison v. Cleveland,
Our current system also doesn’t even evenly distribute
1888, and Gore v. Bush, 2000 are all examples of
these points. From sea to shining sea, an American
injustice being served to candidates who was clearly
is an American, right? If you really wanted to instate
supported by more people than his opponent. Another
some kind of point count, it should at least be even.
example was in 1984, where 40.5% of the popular vote went to Walter Mondale, and yet he only received
But we can’t even get that much right.
a measly Minnesota and Washington, D.C.
Think about it this way. We have about 120 million
That equates about 2.4% of the total electoral votes.
people voting in each election, and their votes are
In 1992, unlucky Ross Perot of the Reform Party won
going to make up 538 points. 120 million divided by
19% of the popular vote, but he didn’t win a majority
538 is 223,048 voters per point. However, in some
in any state, so he received no points. If you think one
other states, the number of voters per point may
in five people in the U.S voting for the same person,
30 • MinorsVote Paper
WASHINGTON MONUMENT
In terms of morals, all can agree that the world cannot let the Assad regime go unpunished.�
you would have to be insane to not give the man any recognition. How can a majority of people want someone to be elected and that person loses? If this country is run by the people, why has the minority won in a total of four presidential elections? In the recent 2012 election, the Electoral College skewed results by making it appear as though Obama’s victory was overwhelming. Obama beat Romney by 3:2 in the Electoral College, but only won the popular vote by 5 million votes. So the difference is really only 4% of voters. The Electoral College made it appear as if a wide majority favored Obama when the margin is but a mere fraction under closer scrutiny. Now because the Electoral College is clearly does not do a good job of representing the people, is unfair to the voters in different states, and denies a voice to the losing side per state. The Electoral College needs to be abolished and popular vote needs to be the only way to elect a president. We need to change ourselves as a nation to a system where popular vote is what is counted, not by state. We need to fight back for our voice, and not let the government take it away in a process that caters to slight majorities and large winnings. While listening to some governors, senators, congressmen, and the like tell you about how they have a better plan than their opponents, keep in mind that you have a reasonable chance of your voice going unheard.
MinorsVote Paper • 31
WESTERN FORESTS, GLOBAL WARMING, AND MANAGEMENT SAMUEL DORSEY REDDING, CA JULY 24, 2013
T
he devastating and recent wildfires that have been affecting the western portion of the United States of America have their causes attributed to drought and global
warming. This is undeniable however it is not just Global warming the Federal government and the state forest services are partially to blame. This is evident in that the forests are not being managed appropriately because the agencies have not allowed logging of any kind in many of the areas that are at high risk for fire. The Forest service and the government discourages logging because it is viewed as bad for the environment, however this complete lack of logging causes trees to grow thickly along with the brush that thrives beneath them, making the mismanaged forests hard to navigate and at high risk for fire. So when a fire breaks out and causes huge amounts of damage to the forest and people’s homes drought and global warming are blamed and acts as a further catalyst to discourage logging and forest management.
32 • MinorsVote Paper
I
do
not
argue
for
unregulated logging or clear cutting, no quite the opposite. I say have wise management of the forests done by logging companies and the forest service but have the state and local governments carefully watch how they are managed to ensure our forests are being preserved rather than plundered. As with any issue balance is needed, enough man-
This “Path to citizenship is surprisingly bipartisan.�
agement to keep the forests in check but not so much that the forests are negatively affected or cleared.
MinorsVote Paper • 33
Only about fiftyeight percent of adult Americans EIGHTEEN AND OVER voted in the presidential election. Would you like the percent to keep lowering?” 34 • MinorsVote Paper
VOTING RIGHTS
Hello there. I’m Mayra Zepeda, a seventeen year old from Emporia, Kansas
but
now
residing
in
Bolingbrook, Illinois. I bet that this website may get numerous numbers of emails regarding the rea-
MAYRA ZEPEDA
son if minors should vote or not.
BOLINGBROOK, IL
a say in the government; and that
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
is being ran by the government with
In my opinion, minors should have includes voting. If the whole country every individual being twenty-five and above, what should happen to everyone and anyone else below that age? Although the legal age to vote is eighteen, why not let the minorities have a say in what happens to them as well? Although I may only be speaking for myself and considerably a few others, I believe we each have a right to vote. If not for the “monstrous” and “intellectual” government that runs the whole country, why not start with the state? For myself, I had no idea about various other elections that I could vote when I am eighteen. Does nobody else teach us or tell us about these? Or does one have to go to extreme lengths to find out? Intellectually, many minorities have the ability and capacity to vote and be logical about it. Shall we let the states decide if the minorites should vote on state issues? If so, we should ALL have a way to find out. Only about fifty-eight percent of adult Americans EIGHTEEN AND OVER voted in the presidential election. Would you like the percent to keep lowering? Let minorities vote. Let them choose for themselves. After all, we are the next generation and we are going to make this country great. All it takes is to know how and when to vote.
MinorsVote Paper • 35
MINIMUM WAGE, CORPORATE DISENFRANCHISEMENT, AND SMALL BUSINESS Samuel Dorsey - Redding, CA August 14, 2013 Currently the issue of the minimum wage is a popular topic in the United States of America, Many want to raise the minimum wage at the federal level to eleven or fifteen dollars an hour stating that if we did so the economy would improve because people would have more money to spend. This point cannot be argued against; people of course will have more money if you pay them more money. However, this money is coming from other people and those people could simply raise prices to cover the losses. Also another argument against the raise is that it would harm small businesses because many are struggling to stay afloat as it is now and if you cut their profits further they may cease to be profitable. The other side wants to eliminate the minimum wage saying it is discouraging business and impeding growth, this is also true because if there is no minimum wage potentially a business owner could hire more people for fewer wages and or cut costs, which would make goods more available and thus improve the economy.
36 • MinorsVote Paper
However if there is no minimum wage you have to pay there is a greater risk for disenfranchisement in poorer communities. The point brought against this is “If a company is not paying a competitive wage simply do not give them your labor.” This point makes sense if you are someone who has that financial security cushion, but in a community that is gripped by poverty this is simply not an option. True real poverty is a day after day struggle for sustenance, one afflicted
What if we could somehow create a compromise between the two sides? It is indeed possible and helpful to the economy. ”
with such a degree of poverty cannot reject a wage simply because it is too low. These facts stated shows the danger for a culture of disenfranchisement of poor areas is extreme and must be prevented at all costs. What if we could somehow create a compromise between the two sides? It is indeed possible and helpful to the economy. What I would propose is a raise in the minimum wage for interstate domestic corporations such as Wal-Mart or McDonalds, but place reasonable and fair price controls on products they sell that allow them to still make profits and grow but not simply just cover their losses by hurting the consumer. Also place simple benefits for hiring more workers like small tax breaks or allowances so the companies could not simply jettison workers to avoid paying more. Furthermore as to not harm small businesses set requirements and levels of businesses at which the rates apply for example a company like Wal-Mart that generates Billions in profit would have a higher minimum wage than say In-and-Out Burger or Black Bear Diner which are successful and bring in large amounts of revenue and are interstate cooperation, however they hardly bring in anything comparable to Wal-Mart. This stipulation ensures that large companies pay decent wages and smaller companies are able to generate capital and grow competitively. As with all things in government even this suggested system balance and correct management must be its cardinal rules. If administered properly the effects of this system are that small businesses will have more room to grow and hire while larger corporations will pay a fair wage and be able to actually increase profits in the long run because of the increased wages people will be earning more good will be purchased thus increasing revenue, Disenfranchisement is limited without hurting small business.
MinorsVote Paper • 37
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