Child shooting deaths

According to the most recent statistics, 50 children are killed in the U.S. every week by gunfire (over 3,000 children a year). What can be done about child shooting deaths? In your view, how big a problem is the death of children by firearms in this country? What do you think is the primary cause of this problem?

Check out this site: http://www.neahin.org/programs/schoolsafety/gunsafety/statistics.htm

Thanks for your help.

Tracey Boswell

Supreme Court Overrules Gun Ban

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the constitutional right to gun ownership applies nationwide. This ruling came in response to a court case challenging the gun bans in the Illinois city of Chicago and Oak Park, one of the suburbs there. Chicago Mayor, Richard M. Daley, has promised to soon push for a new ordinance regulating handguns in the city in spite of the Supreme Court decision.

What are your thoughts on the Constitutional right to bear arms? Should common citizens in fact retain this right? Should registration of firearms be required? Should the ‘right to carry’ provisions be expanded or encouraged? Should handguns have different rules than other firearms?

Should assault weapons be allowed? What about enforcement against illegal arms possession?

The Supreme Court decision opens a vast can of opinion. Explain how you feel about this decision.

Joann Logsdon

Teenage Pregnancy

Can teens make good parents? There is a rise in teenage pregnancy; they have even made a show called "16 & Pregnant" to try to show teens how hard it is having children. How can they pay for it, do they know what kind of life they are getting into, are they emotionally ready, what is this going to do for their future?

I'm a teen mom; I had my daughter when I was 18. Only 2% of teenage mothers get a 2 year degree, 11% of mothers in the United States are teenagers, 82% are accidental, a child of a teen mom is more likely to be a teen mom themselves.

Are teenagers ready for the responsibility of raising a child? If you think they are not, what can be done to decrease the number of teenage pregnancies?

Sarah Albin

Cutting Education Budgets

An education is an essential necessity for all people to have. All over the United States our government is making drastic budget cuts in our education system. Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed cutting $680 million from the education budget, and is also asking schools to make cuts around $1.4 billion near the end of the school year. Should the government be making such large budget cuts, or even making them at all?

Kenneth East

Does it matter if you have a tattoo or not? Could you still get a job with tattoos? People always tell me that if you get tattoos that you will not be able to get a job. I think it is great to be able to get a tattoo if you really think its cool. I have four tattoos, and my friends and family all think that having my tattoos will affect me in the furture. But does it really matter if you have tattoos? Do employers really look at the fact that you have tattoos?

ASHIA STEVENS

Trust your government?

Cancer is the second largest reason for death, and in 2007 alone 7.9 million people all around the world died of cancer. By 2030 it is estimated that the number will be 11.5 million.

Considering that people like you and me know these facts, then the government must know them as well. Do you think that the government is hiding things from average, everyday Americans, such as a cure for cancer? If so, why? And if you don't, then what is it that makes you put so much trust in the idea that our government does everything they can to make life safe for us?

Samantha Tomson

Cell Phones

Illinois is one of the 24 states to have a law against texting while driving. Should we make texting while driving illegal in all states? Should we make a law in all states against using a cell while driving? We hear more and more each day about people having accidents, or causing accidents that take the lives of others, due to using a cell phone while driving. What can we do better to convince people of all ages that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous? How would it affect you or your family if you or someone in your family killed someone while talking or texting on a cell phone?

Dawn Smith

Creationism or big bang?

Many of us have a view on how the world was created. What is your view? Do you think that God really created Earth? If so, do you think He created the entire universe? Scientists believe that our universe came into existence as a result of an explosion, a "big bang," and that our universe continues to expand, but this belief directly contradicts what you read in the Bible.

So how did we and other living creatures end up on this planet? Is there persuasive proof to either side of the argument between creationists and scientists?

Samantha Odendaal

A better environment and a better future?

Do you feel that we have a healthy environment?

It has been proven that hybrid vehicles are good for the environment. Do you believe these cars can help towards a better future? If you were forced to only be able to buy a Hybrid vehicle (an electric/gas) would you be opposed to it? Why?

Do you recycle or just throw away your trash in a garbage can? How about Styrofoam, for example? Did you know that Styrofoam not only holds in more heat, but by using it for insulation in your house, it will also lower the cost of your utility bills?

What can we do to make our lives more environmentally friendly around us and our homes?

What would you be willing to do knowing you would be able to have more cash if you were more environmentally friendly?

Cameron Smucker