Unit 2

Border Crisis Impacting Public Opinion on Immigration

Summary:


Immigration has been a problem for the government for years, but public opinion on what is the most pressing aspect of immigration has changed. A lot of the illegal immigrants that are crossing the border are unaccompanied children. Some Americans call them refugees and are willing to help them out, while others say that their parents are just using loopholes in the U.S. immigration system. At the beginning of the new century, most Americans believed that the U.S. government should be focusing on stopping the flow of illegal immigrants and deporting those that are already here, but in 2012, the majority of people believed that the government should be focused on making a plan that allows illegal immigrants to become legal U.S. residents. In recent years, people are starting to revert back to their old opinions. In February 2014, 54% of Americans said that legal status was more important that border control, and in July 2014, 51% of Americans said that the government should be stopping the flow of undocumented immigrants at the border. People are very split on what to do with most polls coming out about 50/50. As usual Republicans and Democrats disagree with how to handle the situation with the Republicans wanting more border control and the Democrats wanting to make it easier for the illegal immigrants to become citizens, but people tend to disagree more when it comes to the region in which they live. People who live near the border, in the Southern and Midwestern states, are pushing for more border control, and the people who live in the Northeast are more worried about legalization policies. Independents and people in the west are split on the issue.






Analysis:


Unit 2 dealt a lot with public opinion and where American's stand on certain issues by taking polls. Over the past few years the general public's view on immigration has changed. A lot of polls were conducted the see how American's stand on immigration. As of recent years, the majority of people want stricter border control instead of focusing on legal status, even though Americans are split down the middle pretty much. I believe that the immigration process is very complicated and should be revised so that it doesn't take so long for immigrants to become legal citizens, but I also believe in stricter border control. If the border security is stricter, then there won't be as many illegal immigrants flowing in, therefore not having to worry about legal status. I also understand though, that having more border security will cost a lot of money. I don’t exactly know what is the right solution, or if there even is a right solution.






http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2014/07/24/cnn-poll-border-crisis-impacting-public-opinion-on-immigration/

Unit 1

Gun Control 

Summary:

For years gun control has been a topic of interest, and it continues to be a highly debated topic, especially with incidents like the Sandy Hook school shooting a few years ago occurring.  The Republicans of this country tend to support gun rights, while the Democrats are trying to limit people's right to bear arms.  The Second Amendment is the Republican's go to reference.  They argue that declining American's their right to bear arms infringes on their Constitutional rights.  Each state in the U.S. has their own gun laws, and most states require people to have a permit to carry a concealed weapon.  Even though people are required to have permit, it raises concern because some people don't think certain people should be granted a permit.  Criminals, mentally ill patients, and children are not allowed to obtain a permit, but that hasn't always stopped them in the past.  Crazy people have been known to get a hold of guns and commit mass murders.  That's why supporters of gun control want stricter laws.  Democrat's main argument is that stricter gun laws will protect innocent lives and prevent unnecessary bloodshed.  In this modern time that we live in, it is unnecessary to carry a weapon for protection.  When this country was established, it was normal and necessary to carry weapons for one's own safety, but today it is not.  Back to the Republicans point of view, they also argue that stricter gun laws won't stop mass murders from happening; if someone is crazy enough to want to take innocent lives, they are going to do it no matter what the consequences are.

Analysis:

I believe in gun rights and the Second Amendment that states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed", but I also believe in regulation.  It is clearly stated in the Constitution that people should be allowed to own guns, but people shouldn't just be allowed to run free and shoot whoever they want.  I agree that certain people shouldn't be allowed to own a weapon.  Guns are dangerous, and people need to understand that with rights comes responsibility.  On that note, no matter how much regulation there is, if someone really has the desire to kill someone they're going to do it, and if guns aren't available to them, they will resort to other methods.  Unit one was all about the Constitution and how the United States was established.  In 1791, when the Second Amendment was ratified, bearing arms was part of the foundation of America, but now in days guns are more of a recreational thing to own for sports like hunting.  Besides for the use of protecting this country, guns may not be very necessary, but if someone feels like they should be able to carry a gun, then they should be allowed to express the right that they are granted by the Constitution, (as long as they have a permit).  The debate over gun rights has been going on for years and will probably continue to go on for years since there may never be a good solution that satisfies either side of the argument.

http://www.redstate.com/diary/jollygiantsd/2014/06/07/end-goals-gun-control/
http://www.redstate.com/2014/07/10/gun-control-will-never-stop-barbarism/
http://openreader.org/the-controversy-of-gun-control/