Pet laws

Every year millions of dogs, puppies, cats and kittens are euthanized simply because there is no home for them. Every hour in the U.S., more than 2,000 dogs and 3,500 cats are born, compared to 415 humans. Many of these animals are euthanized. It is estimated that at least 61% of dogs and 75% of cats in shelters will be euthanized. Most of these ill-fated pets are consequences of unplanned litters and bad breeders.

Should there be laws about getting your pets spayed or neutered? Should there be laws or regulations for breeding dogs and cats? For instance, should all pet breeders be required to earn AKC (American Kennel Club) certification in order to get a special breeders' license? Should pet owners be required by law to get their pet spayed/neutered before their pet reaches a certain age?

Any other thoughts on how to avoid the mass euthanization of hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats each year?

Keri

Does music influence behavior?

Many children begin watching music videos and rap songs on television and youtube at 2 years old, and by the age of three or four most children are enthusiastic viewers--to the point where that whatever they say on TV, they want to do the same thing.

While many people in Chicago and other large cities don't have many positive influences, the negative ones flourish all through radio stations and youtube. With murder rates on the rise, Do you think rap artists like Chief Keef who proclaims doing drugs and carrying illegal firearms and killing his enemies motivate others to do the same? Does what they see on Youtube affect their behavior? Do you think parents should be responsible for the role models that their children look up to? Should parents monitor what their child is watching, and if it's inappropriate do not allow it? How much does music matter to a child's perspective on life? At what age should the monitoring stop? Many parents are not aware of their child's activity outside the home--does this play a role? What kind of effects will this kind of music have on future generations? Do you think these images have a positive effect or negative? Any other thoughts on the influence of music videos
  in general?


Danny

Steroids and the professional athlete

As most people know, professional athletes are now tested for performance-enhancing substances such as steroids and human growth hormone in a way that they never were just 10 years ago. Is this testing a good thing? What are the advantages and disadvantages of professional athletes using performance-enhancing drugs in the NFL, MLB, NBA, etc? Do these drugs make for a better product? For instance, baseball fans once loved seeing Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa, and Barry Bonds bang record-setting numbers of home runs. This kind of offensive output may never occur again without the use of performance-enhancers. Is that a good thing? What are your views on whether professional athletes should be allowed to take steroids and other performance-enhancing substances? What are the major considerations in forming views on this subject?

Nolan

Legalize marijuana?

Should marijuana be legalized? Does society really need it, and who would benefit from it? What are the cons of weed being legal? Are people really ready for it to be legal or, will legalization lead to some sort of abuse? Are the studies AGAINST weed fair? Are they credible, properly studied, and scientifically proven? Are the studies FOR weed fair? Are they credible, properly studied, and scientifically proven? Your views on legalizing marijuana?

Brent

Financial aid

Dear Student,

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has received the information you reported on the 2012-13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The FAFSA you submitted serves as your application for both federal financial aid and Illinois’ Monetary Award Program (MAP).  MAP provides assistance to eligible students demonstrating financial need and is administered by ISAC and funded by the State of Illinois.  As one of those students who may be eligible, we thought you would be interested in learning what’s being proposed for MAP funding for the upcoming year and how it could impact the availability of MAP to other students like you who need help to make college a reality.

Each year, the number of MAP awards ISAC is able to provide depends on a number of factors, including program funding levels that are determined by state legislators and the governor when they approve the annual state budget.  For the 2012-13 academic year, significant differences exist in the proposed budgets for MAP.  In the governor's proposed budget, MAP funding would be about $437 million, an increase over this year's final total of about $420 million.  This would provide MAP grants for approximately 175,000 Illinois students. However, the House of Representatives has passed budget resolutions that cap overall spending at lower levels than the Governor's budget and could potentially result in a 15% decrease in MAP funding, to about $366 million, which would allow us to only serve about 135,000 students.

If the final MAP funding for this year is reduced, the program will serve fewer students in 2012-13 than it is serving this year.  (The program currently serves only about half of all eligible applicants.)  Depending on the severity of any cuts, they could also result in reductions in the award amounts for students who do receive MAP.

What can you do?

• First, begin to plan now in case grant sizes are reduced.  Use the resources available to you on our website to identify funding options that can help you make up the gap if your MAP grant is smaller than originally estimated.
• Second, students from around the state have scheduled a rally in support of MAP for 10:00 a.m. on April 19th at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield.  If you are concerned about the potential impact of reduced funding on Illinois' neediest students, you may wish to join them.  Information about the event and about MAP’s impact on higher education access is available at ISAC’s website.
• Finally, if you would like to encourage your legislators to make MAP funding a budget priority, you can find their contact information at the Illinois General Assembly’s website, www.ilga.gov.  Click on the “Legislator Lookup” link at the lower right side of the home page if you need to find out who represents you, or simply click on “Members” and the names of your State Senator and Representative to find their contact information in Springfield.

Please do not respond to this message.  Contact us to submit questions about the programs and services administered by ISAC.

Student & Parent Services
Illinois Student Assistance Commission


Do you receive financial aid  for schooling, or do you know anyone who does? If you do receive aid, and if you had to... could you do without federal financial aid for schooling? Should the MAP Grant funding be reduced? What is your knowledge on Federal Financial Aid and how it affects you? Are you aware how much our government spends annually on financial aid? Is the investment a wise one?

Missolo

www.censoredbyanolddudewhoknowsbest.org

Recently, measures were proposed to supposedly combat fraudulent websites and piracy of movies, music, television, etc. These measure, if implemented, would allow the U.S. government to completely block all access to any website they deem unfit. Do you think that these measures are really needed? Are they the best way to go about solving the problems with piracy and such? Or are we giving the government too much power? Could this power be used against us, our freedoms, and rights to free speech? Do you have any other thoughts or views about censoring the Internet?

Addison

I pledge allegiance . . .

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and 

to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with 

liberty and justice for all."

The pledge of allegiance--an all too familiar elementary school memory. The pledge has been passed down by generations, and our young people recite it at the beginning of their school day almost as if they have no choice in the matter. Do you think that the pledge should still be taught/recited in our schools? Why or why not? Should teachers put more effort into teaching kindergarten students or first-graders about the pledge in greater depth than they do, such as the history behind it, who wrote it, and so on?

Do you think it is fine not to recite the pledge in schools? I've experienced a time first-hand, 

in high school, when a student wouldn't stand up to, I guess, "respect" his/her country. Was the person "right" to do this? Does it bother you as an American citizen to see the lack of effort or care put into these few words that shaped our country into what it is today? What are your views on the pledge of allegiance? When we say the pledge, what are we really doing? What does it mean to pledge allegiance to a flag? Do you want to retain "Under God" in the pledge? Why/why not?

Katherine

Does the DCFS abuse its power?

Do you think that the department of children and family services will take a child from home quicker in low-income and single-parent families than from middle-class or upper-class families? If so, why do you think this happens?

       Once a child is taken from a home, do you think it is harder for low-income families to get their children back than it is for a middle-class or upper-class family? If so, do you think the lower income families do not have the money to pay for lawyers to fight for their children?
        Do you think a lot of children get taken from their parents for no reason at all? If so, do you think they try to find a reason to do so?

Natoka

Is technology moving too fast for older people to catch up?

With technology becoming more advanced every day and people becoming more reliant on computers and cell phones, many different people are trying to "catch up" on all these new advances. A problem that these advances create is that older generations are not able to follow along with new technology. They are confused on how to text and on to use or set their computer or laptop. Do you believe that older generations are having a harder time with these advances? Why is that? How is this affecting the way they live? Do these advances make it difficult for people to do the simplest task, such as using a cell phone or using a computer? Why do you think older generations are not as accepting to these advances as newer generations? Also is technology taking over the way we live, whether it be learning, communicating, or socializing? And are they damaging or enhancing or both? How?
-Josue

Abortion--keep it legal?

How many total abortions do teenagers have annually? Should abortions be illegal? Why/why not? In what cases should abortions remain legal? When are abortions murder?  After multiple abortions, can a woman still have babies? After a woman has a certain number of abortions, should she be forced to have her baby? Should she be sterilized? How many abortions is too many? Can a woman die during an abortion? How often does this happen? What do you think about Obama legalizing abortions?

You don't need to answer all of these questions, but please answer the ones that interest you most. Thanks!

Ardell

Legalize it?

We've all heard the debate on legalizing marijuana. And I’m here to ask the same question: Should marijuana be legalized? What are the biggest controversies on this matter? Why do you think some states made it legal and others didn't? Why do some people who actually need this medicinal drug have to suffer the pain, or buy marijuana illegally?

-Samantha

Is obesity a problem we can fix?

There are a number of people who try and figure out a way to control or lose weight. Many of them try what I call the quick fix to weight loss, dangerous surgeries or trying the gym but quit. The center for disease control and prevent states:

Obesity is common, serious and costly

* More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese.

                 * No state has met the nation's Healthy People 2010External Web Site Icon goal to lower obesity prevalence to 15%. The number of states with an obesity prevalence of 30% or more has increased to 12 states in 2010. In 2009, nine states had obesity rates of 30% or more. In 2000, no state had an obesity prevalence of 30% or more.

                * Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of death               

* In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the medical costs paid by third-party payers for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight

Obesity prevalence varies across states and regions

                 * During the past 20 years, there has been a dramatic increase in obesity in the United States and rates remain high.

    * By state, obesity prevalence ranged from 21.0% in Colorado to 34.0% in Mississippi in 2010. No state had a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Thirty-six states had a prevalence of 25% or more; 12 of these states (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia) had a prevalence of 30% or more.

    * The South has the highest prevalence of obesity (29.4%) followed by the Midwest (28.7%), Northeast (24.9%) and the West (24.1%).

As you can see from these stats, that overweight and obesity is an increasing epidemic. Do these people want to really lose the weight or just the thought of something that would classify as a quick fix just ease the pain of the weight problem? Do you feel that it is something we can fix, or will this problem get out of hand?

-Christopher H

Death to the death penalty?

Early last year, governor Pat Quinn of the state of Illinois declared that it would be getting rid of the death penalty within its borders. It has become one of another sixteen states who have dropped the policy of executing inmates. How do you feel about this? Do you think that the death penalty should be abolished? Are there only certain cases where it is right to be used (for serial killers such as Jeffery Dahmer, and such)? What about people under the age of 18, and the mentally disabled? By United States federal law, we are not allowed to execute mentally handicapped people and juveniles under the legal adult age, no matter what crimes they have committed. Do you believe that law should be repealed? Why or why not?

Lauren Smith

Drugs of medical use

Drugs, we all have heard about them. There are drugs that are illegal with medicinal values and drugs that are legal that are used medically, but some of these legal drugs are more harmful than the illegal ones. Why can’t the drugs that are currently illegal be used medically for a person’s illness if it’s safer than the legal drug that they are using? Why can’t illicit drugs be monitored and regulated for medicinal reasons just like the drugs we have now that are legal? There are illicit drugs that were made for good reasons but they were taken away and made illegal, because some other drug was made that is supposable safer. Well why not bring them back for medicinal and responsible reasons? If the right people were able to control the drugs and understand the good and bad about using a drug, what would be so wrong about that? If there was a way to make the drugs that are illegal now legal, how would the people controlling these substances keep complete control from the drug gangs? Here’s a site that shows just few of the drugs that are now illegal but still have medical values, http://www.oddee.com/item_97276.aspx.

John

Don't look under the bed . . .

Often when we were young, before going to bed, we took a look under our beds hoping that there wasn’t a monster underneath. We swore that we heard something scurrying below, or that we saw glowing red eyes. When we told our parents, they always reassured us that there is no such thing as monsters.

     The truth is, there are such things as monsters, and people with mental illnesses have to face them daily. Some people refuse to recognize these monsters as a real problem. Others just want to look the other way and avoid the person altogether. People with mental health problems are often told to just brush it off or to snap out of it. Even when mental illness is acknowledged as something real, people with these problems are often viewed as freaks with no hope for recovery.

Do you think that mental health problems are actual health problems like heart disease or diabetes? Do you think that people with mental illness are just “crazy?” Do you believe that a mental illness like depression is a weakness or character flaw?  Do you believe it can just be shrugged off? Once someone develops a mental illness, can he or she recover? Do you have any overall thoughts on mental illness?

-Sam

Usage of Tobacco

What are your opinions on the usage of tobacco (any form)? Why do you think people smoke? How does smoking impact an individual? How does it impact others? How does it impact the environment? Are there alternatives to using tobacco? Do you think there has been an increase or decrease in number of smokers today than, say 10 years ago? Please comment and state your own opinions on the topic.

 -Charlie

Do you trust our banks?

What do people think about our central banking system, mainly the federal reserve?  Is it a good institution? Should we burn it to the ground and send the executives to the Guillotine? Whats wrong with it and how can we fix it?  What do they do and how does it benefit us or curse us?

Schnitzel

Here is some info about them:  
http://www.federalreserve.gov/aboutthefed/default.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_System

http://articles.businessinsider.com/2012-02-09/wall_street/31040431_1_interest-rates-big-banks-member-banks

Sexual harassment

What is Sexual Harassment? What is the reason for harassing someone? Is sexual Harassment about power or lust? Do you think that a man harasses a woman because he wants to show that he is a man and he can do anything? Is harassment about men being superior or not? How prevalent do you think sexual harassment is in our society? Is it a huge problem or do people make too big a deal about this issue? Either way, why do you think so?   

-Nilay

To be (equal) or not to be?

Do you think that marriage is only for Christian, male/female couples? Why/why not?

Do you think same-sex marriage will ruin the institution of marriage?

What if they are Christian homosexuals? Do your religious beliefs influence your opinion on the topic?

What is your opinion on civil unions?

Why is it okay for people like Britney Spears to have a "joke that went too far" marriage that was annulled after just 55 hours, but gay couples that have been together for years can't get married at all?

What do you think of heterosexual couples that decide not to get married until everyone can get married? Can you see yourself doing that?

Any other opinions, comments, rants about gay people being able (or not being able) to get married?

-----

Andi

Adoption

• Do you think Americans should focus on adopting children only from America since there are so many who need homes?

•  Is it okay to adopt from other countries since those children need homes too? -- or should that be the other countries' problem?

•  Does it matter where children are adopted from as long as they are given a good home since the focus should be on the children?

• Will it affect the child to be adopted into a family that is of a different denomination?

• Should there be certain requirements to adopt a child? 

Thank you for your thoughts!


Chelsey

Welfare programs . . . for who's welfare?

Do you think that people should have to pass a drug test every month before they are allowed to receive welfare, food stamps, and other government assistance? Does it seem right to you that in Illinois you have to pass drug tests in order to be employed but you aren’t required to pass a drug test as you sit at home and collect the working people’s tax money all day? Some parents are blowing the money they are given for their families on drugs and alcohol instead of making sure their children get fed and have the things they need.  How do you feel about the people who use your money for drugs and alcohol instead of everyday necessities? Because the state cannot monitor everything that people spend their money on, do you think that there is any way to address this issue? Do you have any other thoughts or opinions on welfare and other government assistance programs?

Elizabeth

Autism

 

What do you know about Autism?  Do you think that vaccines, environment, or a combination of both are causes?  Do these causes (vaccines, environment, or a combination of both) explain why some have more severe forms while others can function well?  Do you know where to go for information about Autism?  What do you think about Dr Andrew Wakefield?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Wakefield

Rebecca Spellmeyer