CWI
1. Describe the major social issues in the United States that we discussed in class(two at random for test-do all for Semester Test blog).(10 points)
-gay marriage, legalization of marijuana, gun laws/rights, immigration, abortion
Gay Marriage- Gay marriage began in 1970 when a gay couple was refused a marriage license in Minnesota. Massachusetts of the first state to legalize gay marriage. A majority of Americans are for same sex marriage.
Legalization of Marijuana- Many people think that marijuana needs to be legal in America for the fact that some people really do need it because they have just to much pain. However many people think that this is a mistake and that it should be illegal because some people use it for unhealthy ways.
Gun Laws/Rights- Guns in the United States have stirred up quite a bit of controversy because many people think that if people have guns then it will raise the crime rates and gun casualties will raise. On the other hand some people will argue that guns are necessary because you never know when you might have to protect yourself.
Immigration- Immigration is another major problem that the United States faces on a daily bases because many people in other parts of the world want a better life. The reason this is such a big deal is because these illegal immigrants come over the border and are taking jobs away from people who are actually from the United States. However there are somethings that might help immigrants live in America. Some of these things are taking a citizenship test and there is also a law that will help babies and young children born in America from illegal parents it is called the DREAM Act. This act helps because it lets the young children graduate from U.S. schools and lets them stay in the U.S. as long as they are under the good conduct rule.
Abortion- Abortion is a process that involves a pregnant mother who does not want her baby so therefore she takes medicine that kills the baby. Many people think the this is wrong because it is just like killing a living, breathing child. These type of people think that the mother should just have the baby and then put it up for adoption. While on the other side there are people who say that this should be ok to do because it is the mother's right to do whatever she wants to with her body.
2. What are the main economic and political systems that are practiced in the world and how do they differ?(10 points)
Capitalism- Is where the people have the right to own their own businesses and the harder they work the more money they can make.
Socialism- Is where the government is in control of the businesses and everybody makes the same amount of money.
Anarchy- Is a lack of government.
Dictatorship- Is where the government is in complete control over absolutely everything that happens in it’s country.
Direct Democracy- Is a democracy where the people make the choices or the majority rules.
Representative Democracy- Is where the people elect representatives to make decisions for them.
Absolute Monarchy- Where the King or Queen are in total control of everything that happens in it’s kingdom/country.
Constitutional Monarchy- Is where the King or Queen has limited power due to a constitution.
Practice Communism- Is a one single person has complete control over absolutely every single thing that happens in their country.
Theory Communism- Is where one person tries to rule over everything and the people do not like that so they rebel and throw the person out of power which could possibly lead to a anarchy.
3. What are the major differences between democrats and republicans in the United States?(10 points))
Democrats
Are liberal
Favor change in society
Willing to increase taxes to support programs
Believe in an active government
Republicans
Are conservative
They believe that the people should look after themselves
Believe in less government interference
Favor laissez-faire system- A doctrine that says the government should not interfere with things. ex. A poorly made product is not being sold in a grocery store the government will not help
Favor lower taxes
Believe in trickle-down theory
Believe in rugged individualism- Refers to the idea that individuals should be able to help themselves out.
4. What is income inequality, why is it an issue and what can be done to help improve it?(10 points)
Income Inequality
Is where money is very unevenly distributed
Major problem due to lack of education
Lack of education decreases the chances of getting a job to make money
This is a problem because it’s not right for 1% of the nation to have over 40% of the wealth
Ways to fix this are better education, more jobs, lower taxes, and possibly increased paychecks
5. Discuss 9-11 and the impact it had on the US.(10 points)
Was an attack that happened on September 11th 2001
4 planes were hijacked and crashed into major buildings of the government
Almost 3,000 people lost their lives
It destroyed two of the most important buildings in the United States(twin towers)
One positive is that it brought our nation together
Sent us into a war
Cost our nation millions
6. Discuss the Iraq War and the impact it had on the US.(10 points)
The war began in 2003
Saddam Hussein was sworn into power
He invaded Kuwait
The U.S. invaded Kuwait to help and cleared the area of Iraqi forces within 100 hours
Saddam was accused of using chemical warfare on the Iranian and the Kurdish people
During the Persian Gulf War the United Nations located and destroyed the chemical weapons
Saddam Hussein was hung by his own people on December 30th 2006
The war claimed about 4,448 U.S. lives
The war increased taxes on U.S. citizens tremendously
Approximately 25-33% of all of the U.S. troops deployed to Iraq suffer from PTSD
Many people disagreed with the fact that we should have even gone to war in Iraq
7. Discuss the situation in Iran.(10 points)
Iran is a country that makes nuclear weapons illegally
The United States wants to stop or at least slow down the production of nuclear weapons
Iran’s new president Hassan Rouhani has agreed to slow down the production for some of the trading sanctions to be lifted
The reason the west wanted to stop this production is because they were worried that Iran would possibly be planning to use the weapons against the west or other nearby countries
The deal made it only temporary so it will only last about 6 months or until they can agree on a better deal
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?(Three at random for test-do all for Semester Test blog)(20 points)
•End poverty and hunger- Their goal is to reduce the extreme poverty rate by half and that goal has already been met. Poverty is considered making less than $1.25 a day. Next is the hunger goal they are trying to reach and they are very close. Globally, about 870 million children are estimated to be undernourished.
•Universal education- Goal is to increase the education among younger children all over the world. 57 million children in the primary school range are not in school. The reason this education is so important is because it can help people achieve better jobs.
•Gender equality- Goal is to achieve equal rights for both women and men. Only 2 out of 130 countries around the world have achieved the womens rights goal. Many women all across the world are treated very harsh. In some places women are not to even have their faces showing, while in other places it is not possible for women to go to school.
•Child health- They are trying to lower it by 3 quarters of what it is now. It is not likely they will reach their goal before 2015. Most of the problems are occurring in the sub-saharan part of Africa.
•Maternal health- The goal is to reduce the death and sickness rates in young children from the age of 0-5. Nearly 50 million babies are born without skilled health care/
•Combat HIV/AIDS- The HIV cases are continuing to drop which is definitely a good thing. This is most common in young individuals who are from places such as third world countries and poorer countries.
•Environmental sustainability- Goal is to reduce both global pollution and deforestation. This is such a problem because it is causing global warming.
•Global partnership- Goal is to lift some sanctions with other countries and to reach different trading partners with lands that are landlocked.
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