By Mary Hill
April 1 is less than three days away! The A to Z Blogging Challenge gets underway Monday. This blog will focus on the A to Z of American Politics. Some posts will include just resources on both sides of an issue; while on other issues I will definitely take a stance.
On most, issues, however, I plan to present a common ground argument. I want to explore how both sides can agree on some basic elements of the issues and then agree to disagree on the areas of an issue that they are passionate about.
Here is a tentative schedule of issues I plan to address. I say that this is a tentative schedule because the alphabetical entry could change if something breaks in the news on an issue on that assigned day.
Monday, April 1 — Abortion — How can pro-life and pro-choice supporters agree to disagree and what areas, if any, can they find common ground? What are some quality resources on this issue?
Tuesday, April 2 — Budget Battles. Is the issue a real one or contrived one. Some experts say balancing the federal budget is a contrived issue to distract from real issues facing the middle class and used as an excuse to give preference to the rich. What is the truth? Where can middle ground be struck? I will explore my stance on this issue.
Wednesday, April 3 — Church and state. Is the ACLU too literal in their interpretation? What about the rights of pastors’ freedom of speech.
Thursday, April 4 — D is for deficit. Liberals and Democrats argue the deficit issue is overblown by Republicans. They also argue that corporations and the rich should pay more taxes to help balance the deficit.
Friday, April 5 — E for Environment. The environment is a key issue for the future. Global warming and dependence on foreign oil are critical issues that every American needs to monitor.
Saturday, April 6 — F is for Food Politics. Many people may wonder why food is a political issue. It is though from arguments over food stamps to the real threat of childhood hunger in America.
Monday, April 8 — Gun Control vs. Gun Rights. Has the NRA gone to extreme in their viewpoints. Why can’t Democrats enact a ban on assault weapons.
Tuesday, April 9 — Healthcare Reform. My stance is simple. Healthcare is a right not a privilege. It is a right.
Wednesday, April 10 — Immigration Reform. I also have a definite stance on this issue. Both sides, however, have good arguments. I really believe this is the one issue on which common ground is most possible.
Thursday, April 11 — Judiciary activism. Conservatives complain that the judiciary should not set policy and should go strictly by the orginal founders intents when they wrote the constitution.
Friday, April 12 — Knowledge, importance of understanding the issues. No matter where you stand, everyone needs a basic understanding of the pros and cons of the major issues facing America.
Saturday, April 13 — Leave (paid vs. unpaid) sick leave. Workers should not be forced to choose between their health and money that they need to pay their bills. Sick leave should be paid in the U.S. period just like it is in England and other countries.
Monday, April 16 — M is for Minimum Wage. I will describe a day in the life of someone who has to feed and cloth his/her family on a minimum wage salary.
Tuesday, April 16 — No Child Left Behind, Education Reform. We are going to look at this provision as well as other major issue impacting the education of children and even adults.
Wednesday, April 17 — Obesity Politics. Are we endanger of becoming a nanny state? Or are there real arguments that obesity has to more to with access to quality and healthy foods?
Thursday, April 18 — Poverty. How can we stamp out poverty in the United States? Is it a losing battle?
Friday, April 19 — Quarterbacks. Issue of head injuries and football. Okay, I had to stretch to get this issue, but it is a real hot button issue in sports these days. What can we do to protect athletes from dangerous and life altering head injuries?
Saturday, April 20 — Renewable energy debate. America needs to end its dependence on foreign oil. Some proponents of this stance even point out that it is a real national security issue.
Monday, April 22 — School Vouchers and more school choice. Will school vouchers work to improve education? What about vouchers for private schools?
Tuesday, April 23 — Tea Party vs Coffee Party. I read an interesting article that stated common ground really exists between these new reform movements in politics and that they could come together to really make a difference.
Wednesday, April 24 — Universal Preschool. Every child should have access to quality early, childhood education. When should we start educating our youth? Are we over educating them? What about the unschool movement? Are their arguments about education valid?
Thursday, April 25 — Voter ID and Voting Rights. Voting is supposed to be a right in America. Are the new voter ID laws in several states eroding that right?
Friday, April 27 — Women Issues. What are the hot button women issues of this decade?
Saturday, April 28 — Xenophobia Fear of foreigners. How is this fear impact immigration reform.
Monday, April 30 — Yeman and other countries exporting terrorism. I am still researching this issue.
Tuesday, April 31 — Zero Dark Thirty. I have to see this movie asap because I read some real interesting theories about it. More to come with research and delving into the real life issues behind the movie.
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