1. Describe the major social issues in the United States that we discussed in class
Gun control- This is a huge issue. This is a major issue since there have been so many shootings in the past few years. Every time a shooting happens, the government takes the 2nd amendment into consideration, deciding whether or not to get rid of it for our safety. The government always argues about this topic: some taking the side of freedom to bear arms, and the other who worry about people’s safety.
Immigration- This is another huge issue. The government’s concern on this topic is always a huge one. Some people are against this since the people are coming in illegally, and that this isn’t okay since they’re taking jobs away from Americans. Most of the people coming illegally are coming for safety and a better life. The Dream Act- states that illegal immigrants that came over as a child must graduate from a high school in the US and complete 2 years of college/ be in the military for 2 years just to become a permanent resident.
Gay Marriage- This is the topic that I find most interesting. News on gay marriage has increased compared on how it was fifteen years ago. More states are legalizing two partners to get married. The main reason for it not being legalized in all states is because some people dislike the thought of homosexuals. Statistics show that gay marriage will be legalized in all 50 states, with the time of that happening unknown.
Abortion- There are two kinds of people: Pro Life or Pro Choice. Pro life people think that you should not get an abortion, and that it is very wrong for you to do so. Pro Choice people think that it’s the mother’s choice, her body, and her life. They don’t necessarily believe that killing the baby in her is right, but they think that she should be able to do what she wants to do.
Marijuana Legalization- More and more states are legalizing marijuana for recreational or medicinal reasons. Marijuana could be legal in all 50 states sooner than we think if people think it’s not that dangerous.
What are the main economic and political systems that are practiced in the world and how do they differ?
Dictatorship- one main person is the ruler over the government and the people.
Communism- the government is in control of everything. All the money the people make goes to the government.
Anarchy- none/ lack of government
Capitalism- people own their own businesses and the money they earn doesn’t go to the government.
Socialism- the government is in charge of all the businesses and get the money (similar to communism)
Monarchy-
Absolute Monarchy- a person, usually a king or a queen, that is in charge of the country
Constitutional Monarchy- the king/queen is just a figure head; they have an actual government to make real decisions. The king/queen gets limited power.
Democracy-
Direct- when people can vote on everything
Representative- people elect people to vote for them
3. What are the major differences between democrats and republicans in the United States?
Democrats are liberal people that like change in society. They think that gay marriage should be legal in all 50 states. They also believe that abortion is a woman’s choice. Tax increase is okay if the money is going to support special programs/causes. Another thing they believe in is staying out of people’s social/personal lives.
Republicans are conservative people who think that abortions and gay marriage should be illegal everywhere. They side more with Christian beliefs. Republicans like lower taxes, and believe highly in the Trickle-Down theory (government puts tax money into country).
4. What is income inequality, why is it an issue and what can be done to help improve it?
Income inequality is where the rich has a higher amount of money compared to the poor who barely have any money. Some people think this isn’t bad. They think that if you work hard enough, you should be rewarded with a lot of money. Other people think that this is a bad thing. If you’re poor, there’s a high chance that your children will also be poor. A way to fix this is to redistribute the money. They could also cheapen college so lower class students could attend and get the education they need/want.
5. Discuss 9-11 and the impact it had on the US.
9/11 happened on September 11, 2001. It was a terrorist attack on the U.S. by Al-Qaeda (Islamic terrorist group). They took their planes and crashed them into the Twin Towers. Major impacts was the war we went into (Afghanistan), needs for better airport security (to prevent this from ever happening again), and lots of money for the cleanup of the rubble from the buildings.
6. Discuss the Iraq War and the impact it had on the US.
The U.S. started the war in Iraq in 2003 because Saddam Hussein made the whole world believe that they had weapons of mass destruction. They went against the United Nations and were thought of a threat to the U.S. A huge impact from this is the huge cost (about 2.2 trillion), as well as the soldiers that were killed/got injuries/have mental issues.
7. Discuss the situation in Iran.
The U.S. helped Iran start a nuclear program in 1957. Iran is not the only country to have a nuclear program, but they’re considered a threat to us now. We’re worried that they will make atomic bombs. When a weapon inspector inspected, they found uranium (a reason for us not to trust them). They made a deal with Iran saying that they couldn’t make uranium higher than 5%. There is check-ups to make sure this is still happening.
8. What are some of the major problems the world is facing, what are the causes of these problems and what is being done to help solve these problems?
- •End poverty and hunger- The goal is to reduce by half the people that make less than $1 a day. They reached their goal with 5 years to spare. They’ve continued to bring this down, but there are still a lot of people living in poverty. They’re also trying to get employment for everyone, which has been coming along pretty well.
- •Universal education- The goal is for everyone to have access to school/an education. People that can’t get a good education cannot get a good job (leading to poverty in lesser pay).
- •Gender equality- The goal is to give all women the opportunity to go to school. Most women are forced to work in factories or at home just because of their gender. In some places, women are treated like objects instead of people. If/when women get equal schooling; it would change positions of power (changing a lot).
- •Child health- In a lot of third world countries, children die every day die from disease. Last year, 6.6 million children died from diseases that could have been treated otherwise. In a majority of countries, children don’t have access to medication or hospitals. This goal has not been reached, but hopefully it will soon.
- •Maternal health- In a majority of third world countries, women don’t have access to maternal care. Maternal care is help for the mother during and after her pregnancy. In so many places, women are dying from child birth. Maternal mortality has been decreased by half, but the goal is to reduce it by ¾.
- •Combat HIV/AIDS- These infections have dropped by 33% since 2001. They’re now working on raising that percentage. They’re currently trying to figure out how to slow down or stop HIV/AIDS deaths. On a positive note, babies are being born HIV free from mothers that are positive for HIV. AIDS doesn’t kill you; it lowers your immune system so that when you get sick, you won’t be able to heal as easily.
- •Environmental sustainability-Deforestation has increased by 14%. This number needs to be reduced. Animals and people are dependent on nature’s resources. There are 40% of people that are without clean water. A majority of these people live in Sub Saharan Africa. 2 billion people have gotten clean water because of this goal.
- •Global partnership- This is a goal that is working on a trading system with all countries. Once this is achieved, they want to get certain goods that some other countries couldn’t get otherwise, but need. In order for this to happen, they need to address the special needs of landlocked countries.
Sources: Assigned blogs, daily blogs, UN Millennium Goals, and discussions in class.
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