Election Day was last Tuesday and Americans took to the polls to vote for our next president (along with voting for other State and Federal politicians and various measures and propositions). We asked students which candidate offered a better future and who they would vote for. Scroll down below to read their thoughts from last week's Do Now activity.
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On election night, President Obama addressed the nation in his victory speech saying, "The best is yet to come." Do you agree with his statement? What issue do you suggest he should first tackle? How should he approach it?
"Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America the best is yet to come." At the Obama campaign headquarters in Chicago, President Obama accepted his re-election as President of the United States, thanking a packed crowd of his supporters. He then laid out the impending issues that he will face in his second term.
"But despite all our differences, most of us share certain hopes for America's future. We want our kids to grow up in a country where they have access to the best schools and the best teachers. A country that lives up to its legacy as the global leader in technology and discovery and innovation, with all the good jobs and new businesses that follow.
We want our children to live in an America that isn't burdened by debt, that isn't weakened by inequality, that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet. We want to pass on a country that's safe and respected and admired around the world, a nation that is defended by the strongest military on earth and the best troops this -- this world has ever known. But also a country that moves with confidence beyond this time of war, to shape a peace that is built on the promise of freedom and dignity for every human being.... now, we will disagree, sometimes fiercely, about how to get there. As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path. By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin."
Last week's Do Now asked students if prisoners who are convicted of the most violent crimes should receive the death penalty. Here are their responses. The top video is the main resource that they viewed before tweeting. Scroll down below to read their thoughts from last week's Do Now activity.
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The number one issue in this election is the economy, and it can greatly affect your future. Which candidate for president (President Obama or Governor Romney) offers you and the country a stronger economic policy, and thus perhaps, a brighter future? Why? Which candidate would you vote for president?
On October 16th, a college student asked this question during the second presidential debate between President Obama and Governor Romney:
"Mr. President, Governor Romney, as a 20-year-old college student, all I hear from professors, neighbors and others is that when I graduate, I will have little chance to get employment. Can — what can you say to reassure me, but more importantly my parents, that I will be able to sufficiently support myself after I graduate?"
Governor Romney pins his strategy for job growth on his tax plan. He claims more than half of those jobs, 7 million, would be generated by this plan to cut tax rates by 20 percent for all taxpayers. Growth in the economy, the Romney campaign argues, stems from cutting taxes for high-income people and companies.How would this be paid for? The almost $5 trillion in lost tax revenue over 10 years would be paid for by ending deductions and closing loopholes. Governor Romney argues, "First, my energy independence policy means more than 3 million new jobs, many of them in manufacturing. My tax reform plan to lower rates for the middle class and for small business creates 7 million more. And expanding trade, cracking down on China, and improving job training takes us to over 12 million new jobs."
President Obama’s strategy is totally different. The focus is on investment – federal investment - and is spelled out in the American Jobs Act. This means spending on infrastructure and job training programs, a tax cut for firms that hire new workers, aid to state and local governments, and a program to rebuild schools. He would end the tax cut for wealthy Americans (enacted by President Bush) and use the money to pay for investment. The $450 billion program was enacted by Congress: a one-year extension of the payroll tax holiday and an extension of unemployment benefits. Congress refused to pass other provisions that the American Jobs Act called for. President Obama argues (at an event in Virgina)
"We need to cut our oil imports in half, create thousands more jobs in clean energy … We need to use the savings from ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to help pay down our deficit and put people back to work doing some nation-building right here at home."
Which strategy makes sense to you?
In the Bay Area city of Richmond, there is a Soda Tax campaign in full swing. Supporters of the campaign have created art to represent their stance on Measure N, including the mural pictured above. Students have mixed reviews. Scroll down below to read their thoughts from last week's Do Now activity.
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Should prisoners convicted of the most violent crimes receive the death penalty? Tell us why or why not? Link to a convincing argument or related article online, perhaps.
For the first time in nearly 35 years, California voters will decide on the fate of the state's death penalty law. Proposition 34, on this November's ballot, proposes a full repeal of the law. If passed, the measure would convert the sentences of all current death row inmates to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Not surprisingly, Prop 34 is among the most emotionally-charged issues on this year's ballot, marking yet another chapter in California's ongoing, soul-searching debate on justice and punishment. Opponents of the death penalty (those in favor of Prop 34) contend that executing people is never justifiable, even criminals that have committed the most serious crimes. They also argue that the death penalty is incredibly inefficient and financially wasteful, due to the number of legal appeals, and the cost of keeping prisoners on death row for years on end. Repealing the death penalty would save the state an estimated $100 million a year, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office.
But supporters of the death penalty - those in opposition to Prop 34 - argue that criminals convicted of the most violent crimes deserve to be put to death. The death penalty deters future crime, many argue, and for the families and friends of victims, it is the only way that justice is truly served.
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Would you vote yes or no on a higher tax for sugary beverages and energy drinks? Tell us your thoughts, or take it a step further and make a creative representation of how you would vote on Measure N.
In the Bay Area city of Richmond, there is a Soda Tax campaign in full swing. Supporters of the campaign have created art to represent their stance on Measure N, including the mural pictured above.
City Councilman Jeff Ritter has proposed an increase in the cost of sodas to discourage young people from overloading on sugar, which can cause health problems. Local small businesses and restaurants argue that the tax will only hurt their profits, and raise the prices of grocery bills for families.
KQED California Report segment Richmond's Proposed Soda Tax Will Go To Voters - Aug. 6, 2012
When New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed a ban on super-sized sodas and sugary drinks, he touched off a debate on government's role in preventing obesity. That same debate is now taking place in one California city that will ask voters to raise the tax on sugar-sweetened drinks
Do Now #41 looks at President Obama's first term and asks students to grade his performance. See the story below, at the top of our Storify Round-Up. View how students think about President Obama's work in the White House and whether he has done well or what he could have done better.
photo by Gage Skidmore/Flickr
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How do you rate Romney for President? Why? Rating scale is 1….10. In your explanation, you can include what Mitt Romney has done well in his career and what he stands for.
Mitt Romney is the Republican presidential candidate challenging President Obama in November. Campaigning on his track record in business, he promises to set the economy on the right path.
Wednesday night’s presidential debate in Denver was the most-Tweeted about U.S. political event to date. More than 10 million Tweets were posted about the event. Romney supporters were pleased with their candidate, claiming he scored way higher than the president. Pundits and polls support this claim.
But when all is said and done about debating skill, how do you rate Romney as a presidential candidate and on what basis?
Mitt Romney is a tried and tested business man who suggests that the economy can better be regulated through lowering taxes and controlling spending. He would reduce debt, especially on social programs, like Medicare and health care in general. In fact he would repeal Obama Care – The Affordable Care Act. Along with the Tea Party he argues for reining in government, limiting regulation as much as possible to allow businesses to thrive free of taxation and the market to find its own level.
Democrats don’t agree at all. They argue that democracy is all about ensuring everyone has access to healthcare and a basic standard of living and the government – and all of the citizens of our country – have a responsibility to make that happen. Taxation is a part of that responsibility. Effective government is about regulation to ensure some kind of equity in society – meaning who pays taxes and how much. Democrats say government should intervene to stimulate the economy and make recovery happen, rather than leave the free market to find a level which may be unfair.
Very different ideas. What do you think? How does Mitt Romney rate?
photo by Austen Hufford/Flickr
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The presidential election is right around the corner, so it's time to grade the president. President Obama has faced many challenges --- how has he done as he approaches the end of his term? Explain what he has done well or what he could have done better to support your opinion.
Much has happened these past four years in our country. President Obama has faced many challenges while in office as he has faced issues with the economy, health care, education, foreign relations, national defense, individual rights, and many more.
A Democrat would argue...... our country faced economic collapse when Obama took office and he helped stimulate the economy onto the road to recovery. He helped the country to avoid this collapse, and although the economy has not recovered, we are in a good position for growth. Supporters celebrate his health plan, the end the war in Iraq, and the fact that he killed Osama Bin Laden. They would argue that his efforts have strengthened democracy around the world.
A Republican might say..... Obama has extended the role of government, has not taken the right path to help our economy, and committed the country to huge debt. They feel that we are not better off today than we were four years ago.
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