Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech is one of our rights as American Citizens. Although, this right can very easily be abused. I think that it is a right we should be thankful for and not take it as an advantage. If people are just going to keep abusing this right, then restrictions should be held. I think that restrictions should be held because some people who abuse this right could end up causing harm to others. It is a right and a privilege, granted to us. So we should try and cherish it as much as possible.

Wire Tapping

The government has the power to listen to our conversations through wire tapping. Through doing this, they can access what we talk about and discern if we are criminals or not, or threatening in any way. This is an issue of freedom versus security. This is a way of catching a criminal before he goes into action. I think that this is okay because, if you are not a criminal, you should have nothing to fear. They don't care about our personal lives, so you don't have to worry about them knowing our personal lives at all. It is simply to catch criminals.

Making the Government Less Transparent

This has to do with giving the Government, power over the people. It is doing this by keeping the Governments knowledge away from the people. I believe that it is okay to do as long as it is keeping our country safe overall. As long as it ensures our countries safety. I think though that if it's not benefiting the countries safety then it should be shared with the public. As long as it is for a reasonable cause. If not, we deserve to know the knowledge of the government.

Flag Burning

Flag burning is usually associated with hate groups for example the KKK, or terrorists groups. This to me, demonstrates immense hate for a person, country, or other group. Therefore I think it should be illegal, because it shows immense disrespect for people. Another reason I believe it should be illegal is because it just gathers up hate in people, and causes unnecessary riots.

Personal Privacy in Airports

Some airports have reportedly been using full body scanning and full inspections which violate people but ensures that they are safe passengers. I think that it is okay because it is ensuring our safety. Yes, it violates you for a couple seconds but it is far better in the long run to feel uncomfortable for a little while then risk danger. I honestly think that people should just bear it realize it is benefiting them.

Fourth Amendment rights

The fourth amendment states that a search warrant is needed before searching a house. I think that it is unnecessary to have a search warrant because if someone is suspected of an illegal action than, they can be accused and caught. And if it turns out they are not guilty, then they are not guilty. On the terms that it is violating rights, if someone is caught, then nothing negative has come out of it. And if they search a house and don't find anything, then at least they took the risk. Another reason for disagreeing is that, if they do go into a house without a search warrant and they find evidence, they cannot use it in court. I disagree with this because if something is indeed found in the house illegally, then it will be taken care of.

eminent domain

I believe that eminent domain is okay as long as they are using it for meaningful purposes that benefit everyone. Many times the government use eminent domain to their advantage and built for private purposes. I think its okay if they were building schools or hospitals, but not for private purposes for example, extending a parking structure for Mercedes Benz. There was an incident where Mercedes Benz wanted to take out a diner  in order to extend their parking structure. There was a controversy because this was a private purpose that wouldn't benefit everyone. I think that people would have thought differently, if it would have been used for a new school. So I think that eminent domain has been abused and that if used, it should be used for public purposes.

Term limits

I think that term limits can be good and bad. Good in the sense that it can give a good candidate an opportunity to make a change for the better. Many people have many ideas, and if they are all good, i think they have the right to have their turn in making a change. On the other hand, if one candidate wins, and has the opportunity to stay in office again instead of two bad candidates, then i think it should be okay. But then that would bring around the argument of personal opinion. Some people may think they are good, and some people may think they are bad. I think it just depends on who the person in office is, whether they are making positive changes or negative, and how people  react to it.

Brown and Cuoma try to fix California and New York economy

I read an article in the New York times, and it talked about how Brown and Cuoma would cut spending and funding. I think its a good idea in order to turn the Government and Economy around, but I think they are choosing to cut in the wrong spots. They said they would cut in schools, hospitals, tunnels, roads, etc. I think these places would be first priority, because all of these are completely essential for our states. Education most importantly is crucial for every person, and I think that if anything, they should be getting more money. With the cutting of schools funds, they are loosing the ability to teach at fullest potential.

Voting Age

In class we discussed voting and effects of voting due to age. I feel that the voting age, being 18 is a good age because we have had time to develop views of our own, and have a pretty good stance on our beliefs. I think that if the voting age was lowered any more, people would not have the same experience as an older person would. I feel that at a younger age, many people are still basing their beliefs and views off of their parents or other older peers. I also do not think that the voting age should be raised because, if the age was higher i think that people would bring in the controversy of drafting in the military. These are people willing to give up their lives in combat, and they too should deserve the right to vote for their freedom.

Should the Government do more to help save the environment?

I believe that the Government should do more to help save the environment. The environment has been an issue that has not been voiced like it should be. There are so many environmental issues today, from the Texas oil spill, to global warming. I think that people should take more time to care for the environment, many people do not care but i feel that if they care about their lives, the environment might be something to consider. Our world today has many unvoiced problems, and our government should be the one initiating change. There are so many different little things everyone can do to help.I feel that many of us are lazy and aren't thinking about the consequences that could happen in the future do to our lack of respect of the earth .The Government can also do more things as well such as creating laws that regulate how we treat our earth, and use our resources.