In studying the Civil War, one often wonders if there are any divisive issues today that could threaten the union of our country much like that of slavery in the 1800's.
Identify at least 3 issues you think might be dividing Americans today, and explain why you think so in a paragraph of 3-5 sentences for each.
Comment to two students on the issues they chose and whether or not you agree with their opinion.
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15 comments:
I believe that money is one of the main sources of conflict in our country.I think money is the main source because of how much Americans
have been loosing do to the economy. Also, how many people that have been forced to leave there homes and have
lost their jobs. Another is the war, that has been going on for too long. Americans are starting to believe that
are soldiers are only fighting to earn money for the government. Which leads to believer that our soldiers are fighting for
all the wrong reason. Which is leaving people without members in there family. Lastly is the lazyness of
our society, we have no concern for anyone but only ourselves. We are an extremely selfish country and we are worried about
only ourselves. which leads people to believe we are concided and could care less who we lose
I agree with Alyssa saying that our main conflict as a country is the money. The economy just keeps getting worse and it doesn't seem to be getting better and that puts so much stress onto us. Families are running out of money, not being able to find a job, and it is just a hard time for everybody. Politics are also a issue, there's the republican and the democrats who have alot of arguments. For example the homosexual marraiges. Religion would be the last issue that us Americans are dividing. Some religions discriminate on other religions.
I think that where taxes are being spent are a big conflict because many disagree or believe the government is doing the right thing. Another conflict is religious beliefs have and always will separate many people because some do not understand what others believe and find it unnecessary or not understandable. The last would have to be war, Like Alyssa said, because people will and will not believe it is right depending on what their beliefs are or their reason why fighting is for good or bad.
[Sara H]
I believe that three main sources of conflict in our country rests within religion and state, the economy, and an imbalance between state and federal government.
Religion can consume and be a huge source for people's values, ideals, and personal politics. While the separation in church and state is in place, there is always an area in which one or the other oversteps its boundaries and power. I believe that religion, can be a source for dispute within the country if people feel oppressed for it or from it.
The economy is a huge source of conflict within any country. We learn time and time again in history that a poor economy can lead to distrust and anger within the people. One good example is in the French Revolution, an incident in which the impoverished lower class overthrew their government using rather bloody methods.
Just like the civil war, dispute and conflict can occur within the country if states feel that their rights are being lessened or taken away. It is true that over time state rights have lessened and lessened, and states are often left unable to opt out of certain government operations/plans. If states feel they are being stepped on, they might join together and petition, protest, or, try to separate from the United States government.
Over the past few years the news has been filled with issues involving health care. Some of the major issues are involving the costs and who has the ability to receive it. I believe that this instance of health care alone is dividing people because those who are unable to afford healthcare are angry towards the government to may take some of that anger out on those who are. It is almost like a situation with class ranking as in the 1800s, except displayed in a modern form. Another serious issue arising is immigration. We especially hear about it here in Arizona because of our border with Mexico. The issue inlies in what perspective the case is coming from. If it is coming from the eyes of those who are attempting to illegally enter the US, they are just in search of a better life for their family where they may have a chance at success and at the least an education for their children. Yet when coming from the perspective of American citizens, there is a feeling of invasion and as if they are taking advantage of our rights. This could relate to how the Native Americans felt when new immigrants took over their land, forcing them to leave. Another issue that occurs within the nation has to do with religion. Many people dedicate their lives to their religion both at a personal level and a social level. Displaying what church you attend has no longer just been something that has come up in a conversation but rather something to boast about. An example of this would be car stickers, sports teams, restaurants, etc. This is now segregating people within the nation literally with a label rather than looking at those around us that make up this nation as a whole. The third issues which could give rise to a separation among the country have to do with taxes. Many people wonder where exactly their tax money is going and what it is being used for. A serious controversy with taxes and how they are being used applies to those who have to pay more to the government in order to pay for medical and food issues among those who cannot afford it. It is understandable to pay taxes to the government, but people are becoming suspicious of why their good earned money is being used to assist with those who are not able to accommodate their own needs. All of these instances could result in uprising, but have not because they have been handled well and approached in a positive manner. Now that the government has grown and become strong since the 1800s, issues such as these are able to be taken care of in a mature way.
I agree with Alyssa that money and people's incomes are a major source of conflict. Not only is this impacting families personally, but it is giving rise to tension among the nation as a whole. I also believe that this could lead to a social uprising bevause of the fact that people always need someone to blame for these horrific times and therefore many americans turn to the government for answers.
I agree wiht Sarah about religion being a major source for conflict and uprising among our nation. Religion in modern society is what many people are labeled by unfortunately and is causing people to become more and more segregated because of how it relates to their personal views, politics, and finally their values. The country can become segregated because of this because they may find that their lives are devoted to this religion in particular rather then the seperation of church and state. They would no longer feel the need to be associated with a whole nation if they are content with their religion.
Though most of these have already been previously discussed, I believe that the three topics of the economy, religion, and the subject of gay rights greatly separate Americans today in society.
For several years now, the economy has been a large factor in causing stress on American families across the nation, leaving several people jobless and crunched for money. Since jobs and income have become a serious worry among all Americans, I believe the competition among everyone to get or to maintain a job has risen rapidly as the economic crisis has continued on. In addition, it could also be said that the people are beginning to separate from the government, due to the fact that several are angry at the government for not yet getting us out of this economic crisis, or doing very little to decrease the national debt.
In addition to the economic issue, the subject of religion, though being a factor which has constantly separated people, continues to separate Americans from each other today. Several different church groups have their own individual beliefs and loyalties to their gods and people,a characteristic that is completely natural among such a diverse population. America is a land of freedom and diversity, which President Obama has stated several times is one of America's most admirable traits. However, the negative side to having such separation and diversity among religious groups is violence. What one culture might believe in could possibly be found offensive to another culture, who might want to inflict harm upon the other group. Still, Religion is something that will always separate Americans, an that is how it should be. People are entitled to their own beliefs and practices.
Lastly, the widely growing topic of whether or not gay rights should be completely legal in the US has greatly separated Americans from each other, several believing that it should not be okay for homosexuality to be found acceptable due to religious or personal beliefs, or that it should be allowed, simply because they think it is right. Either way, I feel it is a topic that will always remain a deep conversation starter among people, simply because people's opinions always seem to be so passionate and diverse on that subject.
I highly agree with Caitlyn, regarding her statement on the topic of immigration. Especially in Arizona, the views of immigration have been highly diverse, some feeling that it should not be allowed, due to the fact that they are usually entering America illegally and, as Caitlyn said, taking advantage of our rights, and some believing that it should be allowed, simply because the immigrants simply want to start a better life for themselves and they family.
In addition, I agree with Alyssa's statement that money is a main source of conflict in our country. As I said in my own post, the economic crisis has had several impacts on the US, and in addition to creating tension among the people, it is also creating tensions between the US government and the American citizens, due to the fact that the people are angry at the government for not, well, fixing the economic problem.
(Lauren Kalt)
I think that right now the national debt is a huge issue. Government spending has been a big problem for the US and we're plunging deeper and deeper into debt despite the government's efforts to lessen it. This drives up taxes, makes everything more expensive, and means that the US has to rely more on other countries than it really should. The US recently sold a bomb to Israel to get money to help pay off the debts. I think it's pretty insane that we'd put that kind of dangerous power in another country's hands because we're that deep in debt.
Another important issue is the Mexican border, we're really affected by that living in Arizona. People all over the country are debating whether we should crack down on illegal immigration to try to lessen the illegal drug trade or if we should make it easier for people to legally immigrate.
Finally, being the tree hugger that I am, I have to include global warming as one of the issues. This is an issue that doens't only affect us; it affects the entire world. Industries and companies are finalyl starting to develop more renewable and environmentally friendly sources of energy, but they aren't being developed quickly enough. Every day, more and more carbon is emmitted into the atmosphere to gradually warm the climate. Phytoplankton are responsible for 70% of the world's oxygen. They can only live within 6 degrees of the original temperature that they are currently living in. This means that if the planet keeps heating up at the rate it is, within ten years we will all be breathing with only 30% of the oxygen that we breathe today.
The North and South of America have been divided in the past, but this division is still possible today. There are many reasons for our country to be divided with our liberty of opinion, but there are three that stand out, in my opinion. The federal government holds a tight grasp on power and many Americans feel the need to have a government with less involvement in what they can and cannot do. The federal government involves itself in charities and abortions funding that can lead to debt and has begun to control insurance. All of these issues may come to be intolerable to the American citizens if they are left to fester.
The government has recently tried to have health insurance for all citizens. Though it seems like this plan is on the side of the average citizen, it can lead to little choice in health care and end with doctors who may have less skill in the job. Health insurance plays a big role in the pay for doctors. Similar systems like in Czechoslovakia and Canada belittle the choice of the citizen and result in poor effort on the doctor’s side. Patients and doctors might not stand for this dominating power that the government so inquires to enforce today.
Divisions might develop on where the government should be involved. Lately, the government has gotten involved in charities and abortion but it is uncertain to what extent they should be involved or if they should be involved at all. They fund these programs and govern them but some citizens think they ought not to be involved with so much power over everyday life. They may come to feel such programs should be citizen-run and desire a government with less power and rule over spending.
What money do they have to fund such operations? American debt is growing day by day like a boil on the face of America. American citizens fear China’s power over their country for they hold much of America’s loans. If they ever decide to cash in on those debts, it would mean a furthered crisis in America’s economy. America’s debt may become embarrassing for its citizens. The government is indecisive on a plan and it can damage the reputation of leadership. The states might pull apart from each other and establish their own economic plans if the feel they can’t make a decision together.
I agree with Sara Fish that a broken economy can lead to anger and distrust. Many states may divide and try to reorganize economic plans if the cannot agree on a plan together.
I agree with Alyssa that America has a big problem with being self-centered. Those who may harm others to achieve their own wishes may cause uproar and divide the country from the inside. America’s laziness may also cause division between those who work hard and earn very little and those who work very little and receive a substantial income.
As Slavery was a main division source in the 1800’s during the Civil War, many people question what divisions could separate America today. I personally think three main issues that could and are affecting America are about religion, the economy, and being self centered. The first reason being religion because everyone has their own views, and respect for their own religion. I think what Americans need to understand is having respect for other religions besides their own, and learning more about other people’s beliefs. This would help them have a more understanding on what they believe. Also people seem to base their opinions on others based on what religion they are, and that isn’t right either. I think the separation between state and church will come into issue because many people will probably try to change it to make everyone believe what they believe. The economy seems to big an uprising issue that could start future problems as well. Some people think the Great Depression is happening again because of the decrease in the economy. Too many people are spending too much, not saving, and loosing the value of wanting to have money and not buy everything they see. Also, our government is in debt and so are many Americans. The prices of taxes and goods keep increasing because everyone needs the money to pay off debt, which leads anyone else into debt. Another issue that could become worse, and already is bad is people being and becoming more self centered. A lot of things have changed since our grandparents were alive such as respect, following rules, supporting your family and much more. The world is starting to become more self centered. An example is texting and driving. Most people cannot even wait 2 more seconds to send a text that could impact someone’s life. Many laws are being made against texting and driving, but people still do it, and not a lot of people agree with it. The economy and religion come into play here too, because people are spending too much on themselves and people don’t have respect for other opinions. These could all later cause even bigger problems.
I also agree with Alyssa that being self-centered has become a major problem in society. Like i said too, people don't respect others beliefs, and they are too focused on their life. This could also be put into play the governments future views.
I agree with you, Jess, when you talk about the causes that are meant to be good such as donating to shelters or orphanages, that lead more Americans into debt. I don't think so many shops should make you feel mandatory about donating, and neither should the government.
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