The Daily Paper
by: shane cousin
Proposition 19
The argument of whether the cultivation or use of marijuana has been in question for many years and still remains a large legal standpoint in many states nationwide. Although no states have allowed marijuana to be legal, many have advised acts or propositions to amend this situation. One of the most well-known propositions that were brought to the attention of many Americans is Proposition 19. This is a state proposition in California that would allow adults, 21 or older, to possess, transport, and cultivate marijuana for personal use. It would allow local governments to regulate and tax commercial production, distribution, and sale of marijuana as well as limit employer’s ability to address marijuana use to the point where your job performance would be impaired. Although it would be legal in California, federal agencies may act in cooperation or independently with state and local law enforcement agencies. Many believe it would be a huge problem as far as relations to public safety and the regards of allowing drivers to get behind the wheel while under the influence of marijuana. Some argue that it will jeopardize trillions of dollars in school funding as well as billions in federal contracts. Most citizens argue that our government is wasting millions of taxpayer’s dollars on failed marijuana prohibition.” As long as it’s taxed and controlled like alcohol, there should be no standing problem with proposition 19 as a genuine way to save taxpayers money “says Gerald Walker of California. The measure requires that licensed marijuana establishments pay all applicable federal, state, and local taxes and fees currently imposed on other similar businesses. In addition, the measure permits local governments to impose new general, excise, or transfer taxes, as well as benefit assessments and fees, on authorized marijuana-related activities. Everyday thousands of dollars’ worth of marijuana are transported, cultivated, and used as well as taken by the government. All the money our country uses to attempt to prohibit it, could definitely be used back in order to help our nation as well as bring in a new means of goods for our economy. Why waste any more time trying to control it, when in reality, you cant !
A Major caution for drivers across the nation !
In today’s society, social aspects play a larger role in our genuine well-being than ever before. More people rely on their social life rather than the surrounding priorities of our world. Some say that our use of these social habits are taking a bigger toll on our youth other than consuming their time that could be spent doing other things and people, other than teens are paying for this problem. Studies show that Texting in cars and trucks causes over 3,000 deaths and 330,000 injuries per year, according to a Harvard Center for Risk Analysis study. This problem continues to grow in number every day, as we speak. Laws have been passed in order to prevent drivers from using cell phones while driving but it still continues to be a major concern of our nation. Texting while driving a vehicle has now replaced drinking while driving as the leading cause of accidents and deaths of teenage drivers.
Teens and Alcohol
Part of growing up involves testing personal and social boundaries. This typically includes trying new things, including potentially harmful substances such as alcohol. Teens may be enticed to use alcohol due to a need to relieve stress, peer pressure, curiosity, trying to copy parents or adult behavior, because it feels good, or because it is easy to obtain. It is difficult to know which teens will merely try alcohol and whether or not they will drink casually or potentially develop alcohol dependency. Just about everyone knows that the legal drinking age throughout the United States is 21. But according to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, almost 80% of high school students have tried alcohol. Today, the average age an American girl has her first drink is 13; for a boy, it's 11. In the U.S. and many other countries, underage drinking is a widespread problem with often serious consequences. Young people who drink are more likely to be the victims of violent crime, to be involved in alcohol-related traffic accidents, and to have depression and anxiety.
Stop Cyberbullying !
Bullies and mean girls have been around forever, but technology has given them a whole new platform for their actions. As adults, we're becoming more aware that the "sticks and stones" adage no longer holds true; both real world and online name-calling can have serious emotional consequences for kids and teens. Cyberbullying is the use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. By definition, it occurs among young people. When an adult is involved, it may meet the definition of cyber-harassment or cyber-stalking, a crime that can have legal consequences and involve jail time. Cyber bullying can be very damaging to adolescents and teens. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Also, once things are circulated on the Internet, they may never disappear, resurfacing at later times to renew the pain of cyber bullying. Many cyber bullies think that bullying others online is funny. Cyber bullies may not realize the consequences for themselves of cyberbullying. Over half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number have engaged in cyber bullying. More than 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyberthreats online, and over 25 percent of adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through their cell phones or the Internet.
Opinion section
The idea of gay marriage is a growing topic amongst more and more of our citizens nationwide. Some argue that the idea of gay marriage should be prohibited while others argue that its simply a natural mean of life for some people. Casey walsh, states that " Gay marriage is wrong ". He says that not only is not acceptable to his eyes genuinly in society but could potentially cause problems amongst our nation. He says " Marriage has always been a contract between a man and a woman which is by its nature ordered toward the wellbeing of the spouses. " What is your standpoint on gay marriage ?
SOURCES
http://www.smartvoter.org/2010/11/02/ca/state/prop/19/http://obrag.org/?p=27178http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/files/Driving-while-Texting-Six-Times-More-Dangerous-than-Driving-while-Drunk.htmlhttp://www.pamf.org/parenting-teens/drugs-alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.htmlhttp://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/alcohol/alcohol.htmlhttp://www.helpguide.org/harvard/alcohol_teens.htmhttp://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/cyberbullying.html