Write your own, brief, jeremiad (200-300 words). Think about a problem you see in society or in our school, and parse it out in the form of a jeremiad. Although you do not need to include religious overtones or references to scriptures, you do need to explain why whatever situation you choose to address is morally wrong or how it is causing a social problem.
48 Comments
Alison Renee'
10/7/2015 04:29:05 pm
One problem that I see effect the so called 'social' world, is that most people not only in school but into todays older adults, that appearance is something that matters a little to much. This issue comes up in a lot of things, such as school, work atmosphere, and anything you could probably think of. This topic effects many things, like students who don't indulge in school activities because they don't feel they would be embraced to join- their fear of their appearance and how people talk about it would disencourage them to take part in these things. It also affects how people get a job, or are respected in a work place, it's more likely that the more 'attractive' person would be granted the job, instead of the less attractive one. This topic/ controversy shows up often in today's generations. Most individuals question if they are victims of this upbringing, or if they have been 'judging' someone. I feel strongly about this subject. Mainly because it happens often and hits home, this is wrong because as you've heard beauty is so much more than the outside, it's skin deep. We shouldn't be turning people away from things just to perhaps make us feel better about ourselves, but welcome them with open arms so maybe we all could feel slightly better about everything. This is something that should at least be limited right now, because it's taken so many people's lives, they doubt their value, they doubt how much they mean to someone. We all need to take moments every once and awhile just to think about what to say and if it's even appropriate and if they feel it would hurt someone's feelings. These words, actions, and thoughts could be the thing that saves or kills someone.
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Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 07:12:42 pm
You make some valid points, Ms. Alison. Beauty is more than skin deep, but unfortunately most people do not make it that far. My limited experience has shown me that some of the more interesting people are those not generally considered to be popular or with the in-crowd. Moreover, while there are people who seem to have everything going for them, experience dictates that they are either highly improbable, are peaking early, or they have their own demons that others choose not to see.
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Gavin Burke
10/7/2015 05:18:11 pm
A common occurrence, which can be seen throughout time, and has not been rectified yet, is the brutal bullying throughout society. The pushing around of those who are different or weaker by those who view themselves better and bigger, comes in many shapes and forms. Verbal and physical are direct outlets, which lead to emotional, mental, and physical pain and damage to the victims. A lot of the actions and statements of bullies would have no effect on the average person, but victims are different, seeing as they already have insecurities and problems with themselves. Most bullies push every button they can think of to see if they can get a reaction. This leads to the victims becoming depressed, insecure, paranoid, and angry. Depression leads to self-loathing and most often, sadly, suicide, seeing no other option out of the torment. Insecurities breed more buttons to press, making an easier target for the bullies. Paranoia leads to the victims becoming outcasts, unsociable, and angry at the world, leading to rebellion at home, school, and throughout their lives within society. The anger of being bullied and feeling useless and defenseless often leads to the bullied to become bullies themselves, making more victims. It spreads like a plague throughout the fragile minds of our youth, those who feel like they have no one to support them. I have felt like this most of my life, and ask that we stand by them, help other victims to not feel alone. Not to fight their battles for them, but to lift them up if they lose and to humble them when they win. A quote that I enjoy, and can be used in this context if from The Hobbit, 'When did we let evil become stronger than us?'
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Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 07:13:51 pm
Galactus is nigh! Repent!
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Chris Loo
10/7/2015 05:59:42 pm
Something I believe is wrong with our society is that some people are often too quick to put the blame on another person, or an object rather than the person that is at fault. An example of this is the when there is a scandal involving the government. The information that is told to the public is trying to make us believe that it's someone else's fault. The political officials try to pass blame onto the public, another country, or a certain group of people. Some politicians that have an extreme liberal view, would try and say that stricter gun laws would keep firearms out of the hands of criminals, while In reality, the stricter gun laws would only take guns away from law abiding citizens. While there have been twenty mass shootings/school shootings alone in 2015, all of those shooters would have gotten a gun somehow. A certain political authority once stated that" if guns weren't in stores, criminals couldn't buy them". When was the last time you seen LSD or methamphetamines on store shelves? National Rifle Association executive vice president Wayne LaPierre said it best during a press conference when he stated that" the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun". When saying this, he was talking about armed security in schools, since most high school and college campuses are gun free zones, which means that teachers or anybody cannot posses a firearm in a certain range of the school.
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Wyatt
10/12/2015 10:02:53 am
One of the main problems that people have with armed security at school, is the possibility of these security guards being disarmed and then their weapons being used against the children. Do you agree with this?
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chris
10/12/2015 10:05:03 am
I see why some people might have a problem with this, but if you have 2 or 3 guards, they might have a better chance.
Seth Wadsworth
10/10/2015 05:11:14 pm
One of the biggest things that I see in our community is the fact that people spread rumors about innocent students, actors, and even adults. Out here in Juliaetta, and Kendrick, people spread rumors constantly because they are small towns and kids nowadays think that the only thing they can do to have fun or just make someone's life miserable is do such a thing. Not only in small towns are there bad things flying around, but also in everyday life. Some people that have trouble dealing with depression or just feel like they never belong in a group, can actually get severely mentally and even physically damaged by rumors that involve personal problems, family, ex's, etc. When someone gets something said especially about themselves, they usually go home and tell their parents what happened because parents care and always ask how your day was when you get home. The parents try to talk to the principal of the school or even get in contact with the parent of the child that spread the rumor. You then have a problem with the community. In a small town where kids can't learn how rough the world really is, they get hurt by such things a lot easier and a lot longer that some may think. Parents shouldn't have to worry because in order to strive as a community, we as a people have to work together to stop something that is affecting future generations. We need but just one person to stand up and tell someone what they're doing wrong, whether it's bullying, rumors, or even mindless fun.
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Emily
10/11/2015 01:47:49 pm
When I leave home and go to school or to the movies, all I see around me is judgment. I know it's so cliche, but it's really become a problem. Many people don't know how their looks or words will hurt someone, and then someone does get hurt and they don't know what happened. There are also people that just say, "Ignore them, be who you are, accept yourself," but what they don't realize is that it's not that easy for some people. All over the internet, people talk about loving yourself, and that really is important. But what we need to do as a society to HELP those people love themselves is learn to accept people for who they are and not make those people feel alone or different in a bad way. Sure, it's natural for humans to criticize. But we don't criticize the right things. We criticize what we think is wrong, when really, what we think is wrong is not always what someone else thinks is wrong. What I'm really trying to say is that society as a whole needs to mind their own business and not care about what other people are doing or how they're dressing so much.
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Harley
10/12/2015 11:34:13 am
What should we be criticizing?
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Emily
10/12/2015 09:48:45 pm
Well, not other people. That's a start.
Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 07:16:17 pm
I am judging you right now, Emily. Mostly because you are a Hufflepuff.....
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Harley
10/11/2015 01:59:05 pm
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10/11/2015 10:26:31 pm
"'Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard" (Leviticus 19:27)
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Harley
10/12/2015 11:17:29 am
Okay, there seems to be an issue with me using the Old Testament. Romans 1:26-27, "For this reason [idolatry] God gave them up to passions of dishonor; for even their females exchanged the natural use for that which is contrary to nature, and likewise also the males, having left the natural use of the female, were inflamed by their lust for one another, males with males, committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the recompense which was fitting for their error." Or we could use 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, "Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will not inherit or share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality." We could even refer back to 1 Timothy 1:9-10, "We know also that the law is made not for the righteous. . . but for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality."
peter
10/12/2015 11:30:23 am
Here are some other quotes from Leviticus.“He who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall be put to death; all the congregation shall stone him; the sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death.” (Lev. 24:16)
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Harley
10/12/2015 11:38:28 am
That's why I quoted Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy for you. #yourewelcome
Ingalls
10/14/2015 04:05:08 pm
Those passages from Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy are phrased remarkably differently than how they are stated above in bibles that are used by and for the study of theology. Indeed, many biblical scholars that have specialized in the letters of Paul concur that Paul--particularly in Romans 2: 24-32--is referring to heterosexual men performing acts of homosexuality and/or pederasty. 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy also group "fornicators" and "liars," "male prostitutes" (but, curiously omits female prostitutes), drinkers, and dancers in the same litany of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God. If we go by the edict of judging all sins equally, shall we also codify laws against dancing and drinking? Paul's letters also include other instructions we might find objectionable in modern times.
Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 07:59:17 pm
Harley,your argument is uninformed at best.
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Wyatt
10/11/2015 08:20:33 pm
Within our time we are faced with the heart wrenching reality that teen suicide is a common occurrence. The youth are taking their own lives, an we have yet to find a solution. Teen suicide has become common enough that people are becoming immune to the emotional toll suicide had once played. Teen suicide rates are at the highest they have ever been, and yet I can still scroll through social media and find memes with phrase "Kill Yourself" on them. More disturbing than the phrase itself, are the responses these memes are bringing. They bring laughter to their audience. What kind of sick and twisted humor is that?
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Mason H
10/11/2015 08:28:12 pm
How do we prevent this "epidemic?"
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Logan
10/12/2015 10:57:19 am
"The main reason that most teens try to commit suicide is because they feel that they are in some sort of situation that they feel they can't escape from" (Kidshealth.org). Emotion is the center of this reality. I feel like the main thing that can be done to help prevent this from occurring as often has to be done within the school. A home life can be tough for a teen where they won't have much support. I feel like how a teen is treated at school has the biggest affect on what decisions teens will make.
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Mason H
10/11/2015 08:22:28 pm
Texting, the Downfall of Society.
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Logan
10/12/2015 10:43:05 am
I think that to most of society this isn't considered a problem anymore. I say this because this is a time of technology. Everything is done through the use of computers and smart phones. We send emails instead of sending letters. We have more online classes. For example, we could be giving our jeremiads as speeches in class. This use of technology, whether it be texting or emailing, it's faster and easier for people. Although I agree with you, I just feel like this is the type of stuff that we have to do in order to get things done faster, which will help us advance more in a shorter time frame.
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Ingalls
10/14/2015 04:08:47 pm
That's the irony!
Emily
10/12/2015 10:23:11 pm
I agree that texting has gotten a little out of control, but couldn't it be seen as advantageous in some ways? Calling someone can get loud when you're in a quiet area. It could also be very private information that you generally wouldn't like to share with anyone. OR you could be a secret agent that has been bugged, but the enemy doesn't get any information out of you because you're texting and not calling. Advantages.
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Ingalls
10/14/2015 04:08:04 pm
Excellent. I like the humorous nature of this jeremiad. Reminds me of a more polished version of what the Webb piece was trying to accomplish.
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Hayden
10/11/2015 08:35:05 pm
Kids today have created their own society,whether it be in school or not. Personally in my opinion I think that this has become a problem because they don't interact with other people, and instead find other ways to entertain themselves by making a joke out of someone else 's lives. Today our society has become one huge group that never takes a stand for anyone or anything. Our world is becoming so mad and no one is doing anything about it. Everywhere I go I see people treating others horribly, talking rude about someone, or just being rude to someone. Our society has become so dramatic, everyone goes against each other for the dumbest things. As I was growing up I had a lot of problems with being picked on or people saying extremely hurtful things about me for years and years and years, nobody knows how it feels until its actually happening to them. I learned to forgive and forget but it took me forever to do that because what they said really effected me. It destroys you, it almost ruins you, it lowers your self esteem so low hat you have nothing left at all. My point here is that people in our society today have gone against each other its gotten so bad that we've taken it out on others. I personally don't know if there's anyway to stop it from continuing, its like a virus that we will never find a cure for. Overall in my opinion a problem in today's society is bullying, hatred, judgement etc. People never stop and think "if I say this is it going to hurt their feelings?" If more people did that it would really make a difference in today's society
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10/11/2015 10:07:44 pm
You could walk up to anybody you meet and ask them if they would want to trade their lives to be famous and almost all of them would reply with yes. The entertainment industry is a multi-billion dollar industry that is constantly on a steep and sharp rise and I think that's troubling. That means more of the American population is willing to spend more money on different forms of entertainment than almost anything. More people are willing to fork over hundreds upon hundreds of dollars to go to the place of the famous person they so desire to meet. Culture demands that we stay up to date on what the celebrities are wearing and eating and even how much weight they kept on since their last pregnancy. People get paid to sneak around and catch embarrassing photos of other people and it is encouraged. There are magazines upon magazines dedicated to exploiting and publishing the lives of celebrities, and it isn't because they want to, it's because there are billions upon billions of dollars to be made and equally that amount spent by Americans. I believe that people need to keep their minds and heart where they belong. Within our towns and communities, not off in Hollywood or the L.A. We need to pay attention more to our own people and family rather than worrying about who wore what better or how much weight someone gained. Obviously it's a lot easier said than done, and complete annihilation of the entertainment industry isn't necessary either, because it's always fun to get together and watch movies, just do so rationally. Don't get too caught up in those fantasies and focus more on what's real and what's happening within your family's life because that's what really matters most of all.
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william
10/11/2015 11:40:18 pm
a problem that I see today increasing more and more, is the lack of knowledge across much of the world about hunters and hunting. there once was a time where hunting was a normal part of life and people knew about it and how it worked, but nowadays you can go hunt your food at the local grocery store and with large populations of people being concentrated in cities there is increasingly less knowledge of hunting, as a way of life, as a way to feed your family. And there are many misconceptions coming up about it, which make hunters sound more like poachers. there are a lot of people now believing it to be inhumane, wastefull, and also not seeing it as a way to feed ones family any more. but for someone on minimum wage to fill their freezer with meat at the store every year would take lots of $$$, but to but a 20$ tag and a 30$ box of ammunition that can last them several years saves them a lot of money. a hunter takes only a quick, clean, humane shot to prevent the animal from suffering and appreciates the animal for what it has given to them by giving up its life. but misconceptions these days are lessening the numbers of new hunters, and creating more anti-hunters who in numbers create new regulations and rules on things. and if it continues like this someday not far into the future hunting will be no more. the poor man will be scraping every possible penny to put a wholesome dinner on the table. the father will no longer be able to pass a life long tradition of hunting and all the wonder and adventure that comes with it down to his children. although not nessicery for a lot of people anymore, there are still some people who rely on it for a number of reasons. and people need to be informed on the true purposes and ethics behind hunting. it is a great tradition and culture producing good responsible woodsmen for many years and, something has to be done about all the misconceptions so that it can be preserved for future generations.
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Peter
10/12/2015 07:37:00 am
Laws that are put in place years ago were meant to keep us safe, but now with today's rebellious youth those laws are being looked over. I believe it starts with how today's youth believe themselves to be "invincible" they will do something until something bad happens. A great example of this is when I was thrown from the bed of a pickup. I didn't think anything could happen to me, but it did. All it would've taken to avoid the situation was for me to move some stuff over and put on a seatbelt. Another good example of a law that is commonly over looked is drinking and driving. Not only is this over looked by underaged teens, but adults. Drinking and driving kills more then 10000 people in the U.S. annually, and kids still think that nothing could happen to them. The only way we can change is to start following the laws put in place to keep us safe, but its not just the youth who need to change its the adults as well. All of us need to change! The road we're on is a dark one but it only takes one to start changing the mind of others. Your life is worth more then a good night out with friends.
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Emily
10/12/2015 10:31:49 pm
How do you think people would react to someone random (be it a stranger or a friend) telling them that doing something isn't a good idea? Today's youth seem to think that the only person that can control them is themselves-- do you think it would be better to enforce laws that make it seem like they are under the control of the government or educate them so that they feel in control of themselves while still making smart choices?
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Logan
10/12/2015 10:09:47 am
We are in a time where it is not uncommon to see a man commit mass murder of the innocent. It's true that people are sick enough to enter a school and slaughter children that have so much potential to do something amazing with their lives. There are multiple people that can take the blame. Those that committed the homicidal act, those who knew that there was something wrong with the offender, but didn't do anything to get that person help, and the rest of us that didn't do anything to prevent this from happening, especially as acts such as this happen time and time again...not finished
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Logan
10/12/2015 10:31:41 am
Why should others have to suffer at the hand of another person's mental health problems? There is so much that we can do to prevent this from happening. We can do screening for those with possible mental problems and we can even trace other people through genetics. The next possibility would be to let faculty posses firearms in order to defend the lives of others. We know that it is wrong to take the life of another human being. "Thou shalt not kill." Exodus 20:13. These acts need to stop. These are the type of things that are separating the nation. These acts inspire others to do the same, if not worse. This needs to end.
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Harley
10/12/2015 11:29:05 am
You talked about giving staff members firearms to defend themselves, but what if said members had never even held a gun before, or weren't comfortable using a gun? I agree with you completely, I'm just wondering how you'd deal with the problem of the staff members' inexperience, or even their mental state.
Logan
10/15/2015 11:15:01 am
The fact that this a constant recurrence means that something needs to be done to prevent this from happening again. I just feel that this would be the easiest way to keep these types of things from happening as often.
Logan
10/13/2015 11:16:56 am
Of course the staff of a school would have to go through a series of background checks and mental screenings fairly often. They would also have to take proper classes to ensure the safety of the people at the school.
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Ingalls
10/14/2015 04:14:27 pm
I'd resign. I'd probably be the most likely person at the school to be chosen to be the "armed teacher," but no way. I want to teach, not be a cop.
Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 08:04:39 pm
Logan, do you really want to find out if I can pass a mental screening, much less pack heat to school?
Dylon
10/12/2015 10:49:53 am
Judgement. In today's society everybody judges some one else whether it's their make-up, hair, clothes, where they live, or where they come from. People for some reason like to bash other because, well there's nothing else to do. Kids don't go outside and play, instead they sit on their phones judging people from behind the screen. Now don't get me wrong, I judge people too but it's a habit I'm trying to break. Why can't we just love each other the way we are and get along? America is supposed to be about freedom, being able to wear what you want and not get judged would be the perfect world. America needs to be like Glee club. They accept individuals from different races, religion, clothing style, and personality. They end up loving each other and becoming a family; it;s not about the outside but rather the inside. My "city on the hill" is a place where nobody gets judged, the world rises from judgement. If people did't judge each other the world would be an all around better place.
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Ingalls
10/14/2015 04:16:03 pm
Nice reference to the "city on the hill"! This is me judging you: Awesome!
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Dr. McDowell, Science God
10/14/2015 08:21:45 pm
Dylon is awesome. Mostly because she is a Slytherine, is a hard worker, and in Chemistry!
blake
10/12/2015 11:31:21 am
one of the biggest problems i see with today's society is the lack of respect not only from the younger generations but from our elders also. you always see people on Facebook or news about younger individuals disrespecting elderly. i agree with these statements that some of today's young people have no respect but along with that some of these kids need the respect they deserve from there elders. we complain about the young ones but the elders treat them just as bad with not respect because of there seniority. the quote "to receive respect you have to earn it " applies here younger people would treat you better if you treat them equally. but this also comes in to factor the people that are always bitter and mad at the world that were once wronged and never let it go. in a perfect world everyone would have respect and we would all get along
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CARDBOARD! <:D
10/12/2015 02:53:36 pm
As a Nation we have become offended by every little thing that people do and say. Sometimes it is very frustrating because if you say a bible quote than people will begin to say that you offended them because you quoted a religious book. To me religion is like sharing your opinion, nobody judges you if you share your opinion publicly but if you share your religion out in public than you get judged by everyone that is around you. Our schools have also become very anti-religion. People have been trying to take the pledge out of the morning routine, that is very selfish because it is what the people want, even if this means screwing with something that has been a huge part of founding America. They want to take the pledge out of the school system because it involves saying God which means people recognizing a religion. The people that are against God get mad because they think that they or their kids are being forced to recognize a religion because it says "In one Nation under God".
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Shelley Grace (Pablo)
10/12/2015 05:20:25 pm
Although there are countless things wrong with today's society, one problem peaks above all others to me. Everything is considered bullying these days. People have become too sensitive about things. "Oh no! You don't like my shirt?! I'd better go cry it out to my counselor!" Not everyone is out to get you, believe it or not. People these days get "insulted" when someone has the same shirt as them or if they look at them and smile or if they don't look at them. Nobody will ever be able to please everyone at the same time. "I sneezed and no one said 'bless you'!", "I ran into someone in the hallway and they didn't apologize even though it was really my fault!", "I failed that test!? I swear that teacher hates me!" Has society fallen so hard that people can't take the blame for something they did? They have to blame anyone else and call it bullying? This can most definitely be resolved if people stopped the blame-game charade and lightened up a bit. Learned how to take an insult. It's not bullying if someone hates your shoes! People need to get it through their thick skulls that it's not all about them all the time and it never will be. I don't know about anyone else but I think of bullying as shoving people into lockers, hazing them and personalizing a living hell for their everyday life by using personal weaknesses or slamming their lifestyle against them. Call me old-fashioned but maybe that's just me.
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Abbigail
10/12/2015 08:59:53 pm
The prison system int the United states, has not only become a crutch to criminals but it has basically become a privilege. In Idaho State Penitentiary the convicts get to have free range of WiFi. They no longer have to pay for television, WiFi, they don't have to pay for the water or electricity they don't have to work. The people now days want one thing, for everyone to be happy. But what about all the families who have lost someone because of murder? What about all of the sexual assault victims who can no longer stand to look at themselves in the mirror? These are the people that are no longer getting justice. The Deceleration of Independence was a document that was about freedom. The Founding Fathers intended for this country to be the greatest of them all. If we aren't utilizing our justice system, why do we even have prisons? In my opinion even though I have no opinion... We need to bring work back into the prisons. Make prisoners hate prison, hate the way it makes them feel, dislike the way they are made to work. No one really hears about break outs. Well that is because the prisoners are to satisfied in prison. If chain gangs came back, or working lines, we would have more prisoners changing their act to get out. Like I said before I really don't have an opinion or a say, but I want to be able to know that when I have children, they will not be hurt in the many ways I have been hurt. This to me is the biggest reason prisons should be worse. CHILDREN.
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Hunter
10/14/2015 10:09:05 am
The problems begin at home. Since the 1950s, the number of single parent homes has consistently increased. Today, 14 million single parents are responsible for 28 million children. Raising a child is difficult enough in a two parent home, especially in tough economic conditions. The situation is even direr when there is only one parent. Economically, a single parent is likely to bring less income home. This equates to fewer opportunities of education. Trying to make ends meet also takes time, time that is spent away from children who need a parent’s guiding/influence. Without a parent to guide them, children become more likely to dropout, more likely to commit in dangerous sexual behaviors, higher chances of drug and alcohol abuse. It truly takes a village to raise a child.
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Dakota
10/23/2015 11:57:57 am
Today's society has become really bad about judging one another. Whether it has to do with the way somebody walks, talks, eats, does their makeup or hair, or even the way their home life is, everybody is judged and ridiculed at some point in time. Instead of being able to love ourselves and each other, the world is always worried about what others think. Instead of enjoying what they do or wearing what they want to wear because its comfortable or its cute, they change their mind and decide to wear something that they got complimented on the week before. If today's society would just get past the idea that they have to be perfect, the world would be a much healthier place for everybody to grow up in.
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