We’ve Got Issues – I Believe Statements from Students

Just in time for the fall election, Wolf Prints staff asked students in Modern World History, Current Issues, and AP Language & Composition to share their political beliefs. Students composed their thoughts in fewer than 100 words. Thank you to Mrs. Fetzner, Mr. Kennett, Mr. Wadlington, and Mrs. Haas for encouraging their students to participate.

I believe that it would behoove Illinois politicians to address the issue of the recent cutbacks in music in schools. It would be in politicians’ best interests to support the reinstatement of these subjects because many parents strongly believe in the importance of music in children’s lives. In fact, District 26, including Cary Junior High, recently cut all music programs. However, parents of band students counteracted this by starting their own program and paying for it as well. Thus, clearly many people care about keeping music programs in schools and politicians would be wise to support this as well. – Alli Brachmann, senior

There is a disease wiping through this nation and it goes by the name of “The Tea Party.” It is a right wing extremist group that feels it’s necessary to make up blatant lies about Obama and how America is brainwashed by liberal media. They will attack on sight anyone who opposes them and label you a communist and American hater. This gathering flares the signs of ignorance behind the poorly educated and brainwashed masses of the general American public. Is there so little hope left that people turn to barbarism that is the Tea Party? – Austin Dlesk, senior

I believe that the Tea Party movement cannot improve America. The tea party claims they can “fix” all of America’s problems by following the values of fiscal responsibility, limiting the government, and establishing free markets. These statements sound very good, but they are impossible to execute in the real world. The recession can’t be solved just by saving money, we must have a long term plan to improve business, even if that means spending more money now. Our country is much too big to be controlled by small governments. Essentially, Tea party values would cause chaos. – Robert Hwang, junior

Although there have been debates whether the new Health Care Law is good for the country, there are many points of which day-to-day Americans do not see. The new law should stay because no one will be denied health insurance if they have pre-existing conditions. Some people cannot control their pre-existing conditions such as breast cancer, and health providers should and do not anymore have the ability to deny some based on a previous disease. Though this is a minor point to the law, many other parts of the law will help the citizens in the future. – Rochelle LeBreck, senior

The new health care law that recently has begun to come into effect has some good elements, but overall would have a negative effect on our country. There are too many holes in the law for it to work. The fact that everybody in the United States will be required to purchase Health Insurance is unfair. But they can’t just take that part out of the law, because then the entire law would collapse. Without everybody’s money, insurance companies would go bankrupt if they couldn’t turn anybody away. Also underprivileged people still couldn’t get necessary treatment. – Devin Sarno, senior

The American health care system that we have right now is fine and doesn’t need more government control over it. When the government intervenes with private business they are now interfering with capitalism which this country is built on. We are now moving more in the direction of a universal health care which takes money from the health care companies because they now must pay for people with pre-existing conditions. Heath care is a privilege, not a right. – Matthew Schollhammer, senior

Healthcare, most of us don’t realize the controversy going on over this topic. The true fact is that this bill is the beginning of the end. At least for capitalism, the government is now putting restrictions on what businesses can and cannot do. Socialism anyone? I think so. Healthcare is a business, those that can afford it, get it. Those who can’t, it’s a tragedy but everyone else shouldn’t have to pay for them. Nowhere does it say in the constitution that all Americans get healthcare, healthcare is a privilege, not a right. – Christopher Theiss, senior

I believe illegal immigrants should not be prosecuted for their entrance into the United States. They are people and they deserve to be treated just as fairly as Americans treat each other. They help our country by contributing to the workforce, and they are typically very hard workers. The only thing that they are trying to do is to help and support their families, and our government should not punish them for that. Also, we all need to treat them with respect and kindness, and we should all help them out because America was built on treating everyone equally. – Kelly Vierck, senior

In my Current Issues class with Mr. Wadlington we are discussing and debating the new Health Care law. Personally I stand strongly against the law due to its oppression on the private sector along with it allowing more government into the lives of Americans. It defeats the right of having a choice in what you do and do not want. Also, my parents should not have to pay premiums that will cover me but also someone who smokes three packs of cigarettes a day with a liver failing from alcohol consumption. – Abigail Vohaska, senior

I believe in a free America. We are entitled to nothing but our God-given rights – everything else we have to earn. Abortion is murder. Our debt is a curse and we cannot continue to dig our future generations deeper into debt. We cannot spend our way out of a recession. Socializing healthcare is not the answer, and it’s not the American way. The answers to our problems are faith, charity, and love… not Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, or Harry Reid. I believe we will take back the House and Senate this election! – Sam Zuidema, senior

I believe that lower taxes are the most immediate cure for our economic slump. As the great Ronald Reagan once wrote, “…high tax rates inevitably put pressure upon the taxpayer to withdraw his capital from productive business.” President Obama and other Democrats have foolishly increased the tax rates on the upper class, a move which financially hinders the primary investors and employers of our economy. No wonder our unemployment rates are still abnormally high. Through slashed income and capital gains taxes, the economy will accelerate and the budget deficit will be offset by the increased prosperity. – Nick LaRosa, senior

Never before has there been such a gathering to celebrate the ignorance of people as the “Tea Party.” They gather with a multitude of over exaggerated complaints, all aimed at the man running our nation. These complaints range from simply whining about taxes all the way to the nonsensical belief that Barack Obama is indeed a “Socialist.” Whether some of them are just racist or uninformed, they all listen to each other’s protests, no matter how farfetched. I believe in a country based on tolerance and Democracy, and I am glad that the “Tea Partiers” have no say in things. – Nick Urick, senior

We need universal healthcare in this country because tens of thousands of people die unnecessarily every year in the U.S. because they are not insured. Almost every other western-world country has universal healthcare and it works, and there is absolutely no reason why the U.S. shouldn’t either. Universal healthcare will lower our overall costs of healthcare and provide everyone with coverage, while lowering the amount of money that insurers make. It’s time for the U.S. to join the rest of the developed world and care for their citizens’ health. – Sergiu Micula, senior

With President Barack Obama’s health care reform, most Americans will no longer possess financial worries regarding health care. The plan allows everyone to obtain coverage, a benefit American citizens can appreciate. Also, since the plan stresses everyone must possess basic health insurance, Americans don’t need to worry about paying for health insurance if they lose their job. Moreover, Obama’s plan assures people that they won’t be scammed by insurance companies by making the companies compromise with what the customer demands. President Obama’s health care plan will help Americans live better lives, and thus should be implemented as soon as possible. – Anjella Manoharan, senior

I think that the healthcare reform should have certain requirements to it. I think that pre-existing conditions should still be a part of the law, as long as requirements for health insurance. Without pre-existing conditions, a person that previously had cancer would, by law, have to be paid for by a health insurance company, potentially costing a large sum of money. This can easily cause bankruptcy among major healthcare providers. With pre existing conditions and current requirements for health insurance we as tax payers would not have to pay as much either. – Mike Mackrow, senior

Today, in the eyes of educators, America ranks twenty-fifth in the world. Despite all the efforts to enforce education in the lives of every child in the nation, America somehow fails to “up” its rank. Many blame the structure of our education but the real problems lies at home. America lacks culture. Countries like China and Japan are succeeding because they have a strong cultural base that allows their students to succeed. If America wants to produce high achieving students, then it has to stop looking at their education and focus on the lack of culture. – Aditi Das, junior

Some in the hidden disability field are against disclosing a diagnosis to family and friends. However for someone with Aspergers, an Aspie, he or she must disclose to trustful friends so they can feel supported. Aspies will struggle in social situations and it is necessary for them to have someone who will give them a helpful pat on the back and assurance when something goes wrong. Those with Aspergers need a support team who understands their oddities and help them. If you know someone with AS or have AS yourself, remember this support is invaluable for success. – Anna Flemming, junior

I believe by cutting music programs to make room for more math and science classes, schools hinder the child’s ability to fully develop their brain to its full capacity, rather than improve it. Studies have shown that students who study music typically perform better on standardized tests such as the ACT. Musical training helps boost brain function, further developing the brain’s language and reasoning skills. This boost in development helps students succeed in school settings thus making music education an important part of a student’s academic success. – Ben Johnson, junior

I believe that the government spends too much money enforcing the illegality of marijuana when its sales could generate a steady income. Marijuana causes zero deaths per year while alcohol, cigarettes and other legal substances cause hundreds of thousands of deaths. The choice to experiment with marijuana is that of the user and while the government may not agree with it, they cannot regulate the legality of every bad decision in the country. The government wastes millions of dollars and months of investigation on the prohibition of marijuana while there are more important issues they could be dealing with. – Colleen Miller, junior

Did the world ever launch into complete chaos because people 21 and older could drink alcohol? No. Will the world ever therefore launch into complete chaos because anyone 21 or older can smoke marijuana? No. Legalizing Proposition 19 would allow marijuana to be legal in California under a combination of regulations. For example, it could not be smoked around minors or in public places and only 21 year olds can have it. With the enormous tax placed on the sale of marijuana by the local governments, California could gain twenty three billion annually. Legalizing marijuana would stimulate the economy and reduce crime. – Lauren Gilbert, junior

“Education should be one of our top funding priorities; talking about it does not help the teachers and students who desperately need promises fulfilled” (Solomon Ortiz). As United States Representative Ortiz explains, funding for education in the U.S. is widely discussed, but no action is taken to assist this crisis. While government debates and argues over how much should be spent on the upbringing of America’s children, schools are deteriorating and materials necessary for optimal learning remain scarcely provided. The quality of education determines the future of this country, and it must be a top funding priority for the government. – Kosta Lecos, junior

The sex education of today is ineffective and can be improved by teaching less about abstinence and more about safe sex and goal setting. As stated by Tracy Johanson, the director of Tri County Pregnancy and Parenting Services “Teens don’t consider their future; they only make decisions based on the here and now.” 85-95% of their clients don’t use protection. It’s time for schools to stop pretending sex doesn’t happen and begin to tell America’s youth to start thinking about where they’d like to be in 5 or 10 years and to just put on a condom or don’t do it! – Kathryn Morgan, junior

Our system of grants and loans for higher education is flawed in the fact that those who save their money are punished with having to pay for college with little help while the people who live above their needs receive grants and loans from the school and government. – Amy Patras, senior

Homework disturbs the contemporary educational landscape, necessitating abolishment. Banning homework not only epitomizes adolescent wish fulfillment, but also exemplifies the destruction of misconceptions and the resurrection of freedom. Homework fails to serve as an intellectual discipline; it fails to foster student initiative and responsibility. If seven hours a day for thirteen years is insufficient to learn basic knowledge necessary for every individual, surely there is a problem in education that requires a greater solution. Effective education will not be attained by increasing the amount of homework further; it must be found in quality education and opportunities for individual decisions. – Katarzyna Robak, junior

Homosexuals should no longer face restrictions regarding marriage because all humans prove capable of proclaiming their love for one another and homosexuals prove no exception. While one may argue homosexuality taints the sacred meaning behind marriage as stated biblically, society must realize the definition of marriage has changed since biblical times, and modern heterosexual marriages—not solely homosexuals— have aided in that change. According to Deuteronomy 22:13-21, “if…a bride is not a virgin…she [must] be executed by stoning immediately.” Modern society goes against the bible, openly accepting marriages where brides prove impure today, so homosexual marriages should also become acceptable. – Courtney Gora, junior

I believe legislatures need to clear their minds of prejudice and provide homosexuals with equal marriage rights. Presently, traditional mother-father families are no longer as common as the modern family. Divorced parents, new spouses, and gay unions mark a new era, portraying the evolution of family values, and in turn, requiring new laws. Prejudice blinds legislation, unjustly denying equality promised to American citizens by the founding Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, the church harbors biased opinions, poisoning legislation with religious views. It is time for this all to stop. It is time to support all U.S. citizens, no matter who they chose to love. Melanie Bracht, junior

I believe that athletes are not fit to be role models to the youth of America. These sports super stars are present everywhere in our media; they are constantly on the television, which makes it not difficult to understand why America’s youth is strongly influenced by them. But aside from athletic feats, kids do not know much about the athlete’s character and values. Their dedication and perseverance may seem like traits that parents want their kids mimic, but it is easy to forget that they are simply doing their job, and not trying to positively impact the world. – Dave Ratzek, junior

America can prosper from the inspiration athletics provide, but audiences must look through a narrow lens, focusing on skill and athletic achievements alone. America values achievement, and would like to trust that people who are exceptional in one area are exceptional in others. This, however, does not necessarily hold true with athletes. A professional athlete is not hired for his morals; he is hired for his abilities. America cannot rely on athletes to be its ethical teacher, but it can rely on athletes to do their job well, teach the importance of hard work, and draw communities together. – Sonya Sindberg, junior

Recently in the news, stories have been reported of a group called the Westboro Baptists who are protesting against homosexuality at military funerals. Despite the fact that these protests display free speech, it is immoral for this group of people to be protesting at a sacred ceremony of a loved one. This group claims that God is punishing America for increasing its support of gay rights by killing U.S. troops overseas. First of all, this claim is random and inaccurate, and secondly, they are disrupting the peace of the family trying to mourn over a lost family member. – Elaine Cotter, junior

Sadly, not all of our troops who are shipped over to the Middle East to fight will make it back alive, even worse is that their funeral processions may be disrupted upon their return. The Westboro Baptist Church pickets and protest military funerals with signs such as “thank god for dead soldiers” or “you’re going to hell.” The controversy will present itself to the Supreme Court and the idea of freedom of speech vs. private lives tested. Although not decided, the answer is clear that the emotional damage trumps freedom of speech, disallowing the church to protest. Ethan Perbohner, junior

In America, we say what we feel, say nothing at all, do what we think, carry a weapon, and worship anyone or anything. American’s live in a society where freedom of speech has become not only a right but a privilege that has been taken for granted and abused, resulting in need for limitations. I believe that negative, hurtful, disrespectful forms of free speech should not be tolerated in all public places. America should not ban our freedom of speech; however, our leaders must teach their citizens how to express both our opinions and ideas, in an ethical way. – Victoria Viegas, junior

Two high schools, West and East, are about to be affected by a new referendum of District 156. The referendum says that the two high schools would be combined into one school instead of two separate ones. The school in turn, East would be sold to make a profit. The district is already in debt, and to build a new school would cost 70 million dollars. Taxes would be raised higher than before just to fulfill this need for money. Academic programs would also be cut to save. This new referendum should not be passed from its affects. – Emily Surch, junior

School seems to be dreaded more so than ever due to bullying. Now who may I ask should be held responsible? The school? The parents? Every year the percentage of children being bullied goes up. If a child experiences emotional and/or physical abuse on school grounds the school therefore holds all responsibility and liability concerning the child. Schools are obligated to protect their students, therefore undeniably hold all liability for all and any bulling taking place under their roof. Parents entrust schools with this simple task. Schools should have more of a handle on their students and finally stop bullying for good. – Grace Erb, junior

Suicidal thoughts are driven by depression, family problems, and a number of many other struggles, but one of the most horrific causes is school bullying. Bullying exists in many schools and in some cases can almost be torturous yet few schools try to stop bullying or link it to suicide. Schools need to understand what is happening in their students’ lives and start helping with suicide prevention. Schools need to take the steps to prevent suicides and help students who are struggling with something other than school work. Schools need to have suicide prevention programs and ways to help students. – Annalisa Faso, junior

I believe that more insurance coverage should be provided for women with eating disorders. Currently, the appropriate amount of insurance coverage is not provided to these women. With the introduction of new insurance plans, women receive less time in psychiatric and medical hospitals. Eating disorders are just as seriously as any other mental illness or physical illness. In order for women to fully recover from these crippling illnesses, insurance companies must provide enough coverage. Haley Aynessazian, junior

Choice; the most intimate element of life. Every person has reason to make their own choices. Those choices define them for who they are to themselves and what must be done to suit them, not to the rest of the world. No person has any business deciding if a woman should keep her child, or abort it. All those who understand logic know this to be true. Would you want someone making that decision for you, if it were you in that situation? I think not. Leave be, what must be and will be. Laurie Gritschke, junior

Dr. Edwards, an English biologist, worked alongside his physician colleague, Dr. Steptoe, to develop In-Vitro Fertilization. The process creates excess embryos ensuring the success rate of a pregnancy; this intense focus on high success rates has failed to respect the lives contained in each extra embryo currently frozen. Independent of the disrespect occurring, this month, Dr. Edwards received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his human infertility treatment. Dr. Edwards has provided a detriment to humanity through his development of a process advocating the destruction of human life, and does not deserve the acknowledgement and prestige of a Nobel Prize. Helen Bengtson, junior

Imagine waking up to a paralyzed body. You can’t move or feel your legs. Suddenly your life drastically changes. Your hope of regaining your past life and independence rests in embryonic stem cell researchers’ hands. By changing the chemical composition of embryonic stem cells, they are able to create other specific cells. Many argue that using embryos for this cause is murder. However, the embryos used in these experiments are made for this specific purpose, using in-vitro fertilization; they are already produced and just waiting in laboratories. Embryonic stem cell research should not be viewed negatively, because its findings will be immeasurably beneficial and create a medical science breakthrough. – Katie Neubauer, junior

The Iranian government’s nuclear energy program has been heavily regulated in recent years. Organizations like the International Atomic Energies Agency has forced the submition of the weaker power, while the western and more powerful nations influence the reports that the agency issues to the international community. Also, through such stringent watch, the smaller nation of Iran has taken more dangerous measures to advance themselves into the same theater of technology as the suppressive western nations. The only way to calm the world’s qualms is through a true international equality, through access to all technologies, while all nations must submit to the same overbearing regulations. – Henry Hillstrom, junior

With euthanasia such a controversial topic, it is easy to form a strong opinion. I believe that all states should legalize euthanasia, otherwise known as physician-assisted suicide. Although this could be looked at as an act of murder, it is a great way to end the pain and suffering of a terminally ill patient. As opposed to living a drawn out painful death, physician-assisted suicide will allow patients to go out on their own terms when they are ready. With that being said, in the end it is the patient’s life, so why should we scrutinize them for making such a decision? Jeremy Fillipp, junior

Some students may find Physical Education a useless class, but the obvious necessity for PE to become a required in school curriculum because healthy and active lifestyle education has to become the primary change society must make in order to change the youth of today so they will not have to encounter obesity and other serious medical problems. By adding at least sixty minutes of physical fitness a day into the school day, that child will learn to incorporate healthy habits into their future and beyond. – Kayleen Gregus, junior

In the United States of America, we are constantly reminded of our nation’s dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal. However, no matter how frequently we preach this idea, it is challenged time after time. Building a Muslim community center near Ground Zero would show the world that we are a nation of freedom, equality, and, most of all, forgiveness. The United States should be above the theocratic societies in the Middle East. Just because there are no synagogues in Saudi Arabia does not mean that there cannot be a mosque in New York. – Matt Miller, junior

The Illinois Recall Amendment condemns itself unnecessary, for the reasons that its idea pointlessly duplicates that of impeachment and the fact that it does not ensure the wellbeing of the citizens of Illinois. The impeachment process works successfully and does not need futile fixing. Another election to replace the recalled governor would cost money that Illinois does not have; therefore recall should not be voted for. Overall the Illinois Recall Amendment proves itself excessive because it duplicates the successful impeachment process and it will use money that Illinois does not have. – Michelle Kojs, junior

The works of American leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Lincoln, remain as crucial foundations for true freedom in America. As modern Americans, we have the responsibility to defend these ideas and ensure that prejudice cannot reroot its way into our culture. The current issue of Affirmative Action in American Universities poses a threat to create more racism in the United States. By considering aspects such as race and gender, and showing unfair preferences towards certain people, our universities are harboring injustice. Thus, we all must fight prejudice and remove Affirmative Action from our Universities. – Nick Nissen, junior

The unscrupulous nature of affirmative action combined with blatant ignorance of talent results in a corrupt system where money controls. Affirmative action has long been the norm at many top schools, but when stripped to the core, a bias remains. When a school uses different standards to judge specific students, all the legality and all the equality vanishes. This is discrimination. If an admissions dean considers race into acceptance, the morality and the integrity of the process lose authority and credibility. Although labeled as beneficial, affirmative action in the admissions process embeds the belief that race, valued above talent, dictates the world. – Nina Diklich, junior

America should not provide AIDS drugs to developing countries. Drugs are not a cure, so essentially we are locked into paying for treatment for life. Yes, we are prolonging lives, but at the cost of other basic health care needs. Battles against malaria and sanitation are going unsolved because our money is tied up in AIDS drugs that only help a small percentage of people, and the money is going to greedy drug companies. Finally, we spend billions of dollars and both Zimbabwe and Ethiopia are openly disobeying and making a mockery of our relationship with them. – Rachel Davis, junior