#6: Save the Vulnerable, Preserve the Strong

              Our nation places massive amounts of emphasis on the importance of education and strives to eliminate educational failure across the board. However, we fail to acknowledge a serious roadblock that hinders such a goal. We as a nation fail to see that there is an unequal balance in the educational arena of American society. If our nation's goal is truly to ensure the success of each student, then a system of equal federal funding to each and every school needs to be established to ensure that the resources and ability of each school is one and the same.

                Back in 2009, Wyoming spent approximately $18,068 per student, the highest level of pupil funding in the nation. On the other side of the spectrum, Utah, with the lowest allocation, only spent $7,217 per student. Assuming these trends continue, by the time a student makes it from kindergarten to their senior year in high school, Wyoming would've spent $140,000 more on each child than Utah will have. The reason behind such disparities is the difference in poverty levels of different regions. Wealthier schools are given more funds than poorer schools. This action, however, severely damages the very goal our nation is trying to reach. Thus, stressing the importance of education and learning has little value if the resources needed to obtain such success are scarce. Furthermore, by limiting the amount of funds given to districts in poorer conditions only hobbles their determination as it makes such schools feel unwanted and unimportant. Therefore, it is our duty as a nation to inspire lagging schools instead of dampening their abilities to succeed. Giving all schools equal amounts of funding would allow each school to obtain the same quality of resources needed to promote student growth, with no schools given an upper hand in technology or educational material. With all schools supplied with the same funds, students will not be able to blame their educational incompetence on the lack of up-to-date resources as seen in neighboring schools. This action would also dispel any discouraging thoughts of students in poorer districts as they see they have the same educational opportunity and resources as those of richer districts, thereby inspiring poorer districts to strive for success after seeing that they are being cared for the same way as surrounding schools.

                That is not to say, however,  that I am advocating for the quality of high-end schools be severely downplayed as the quality of low-end schools be boosted. I understand that private and magnet schools are known for their higher quality of education and should, by all means, retain that same amount of prestige. What I am saying is that it is imperative for schools to be federally funded with the same amounts of money so that all schools may essentially be supplied with the same quality of education. After this money is supplied, the quality of education can then be entirely up to the school--whether they decide to spend such funds on new textbooks, new computers, improved cafeteria food, or the hiring of skilled faculty members.  If educational success is so important to our nation, then it is time for the federal government to start defending the educational rights of each and every student, from the strongest to the most vulnerable.

Work Cited

Bowman, Lee. "Federal Funding for School Security?" Abilene Reporter-News. N.p., 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. <http://www.reporternews.com/news/2012/dec/21/federal-funding-school-security/>.

"Federal, State, and Local K-12 School Finance Overview." Background & Analysis. N.p., 13 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. <http://febp.newamerica.net/background-analysis/school-finance>.

Lehmann, Chris. "What Good Are Standards, If Funding Varies?" The New York Times. N.p., 21 Dec. 2012. Web. 27 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/10/the-american-way-of-learning/teaching-standards-are-moot-when-funding-is-so-disparate>.

#5: Why Aren't People Happier During the Holidays?
                 

                  Imagine a succulent chicken slowly glazing in an oven, cups of rich hot cocoa brewing one after the other, the sweet, velvety aroma enveloping your senses, vibrant lights of every color dotting the ceiling, flashing to an almost rhythmic beat, and a warm fire flickering in the living room. This is Christmas--or should I say the expectation of Christmas. Many studies have shown that numerous individuals aren't feeling too happy as the holidays creep around. The question is where this unhappiness gets its roots from. Throughout history, Christmas has become regarded as the climax of the year for many Americans. The idea of celebrating with your loved ones--conjuring up holiday recipes, wrapping a myriad of gifts, rolling around in the snow, cuddling by the fire with frosted hands, opening piles upon piles of presents--has been emphasized through the decades and has been the source of such long-awaited excitement.  However, it is this extravagant expectation of such an occasion that causes a let-down when the reality of it does not coincide.

                Our society has become so engulfed in the notion of creating "Christmas magic" that we tend to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves. We have this perfect picture in our minds about the events to take place on Christmas day, but we fail to acknowledge all the road blocks that may refrain us from obtaining such a picturesque occasion. With such a high expectation of a perfect Christmas, individuals are saddened when daily strives--car breaks down, food supply is low, children are fighting, a drunk relative crashes the festivities, cookies get burnt-- catch up with holiday fantasy. We as a society focus too much on the high points of the holidays--the gifts and the fun. Consequently, we fail to consider the little things that make the holidays what they are. A holiday, by definition, is a time of celebration when no work is done. Thereby, the true happiness of the holidays should lie in the fact that we get to relieve ourselves from the stress of work or school. It should not be centered on the idea of a picture-perfect celebration filled with all kinds of luxurious foods and gifts. The idea of Santa Clause, for instance, only furthers the belief that Christmas centers around material matter. Ask any child what pops up into their mind when the word Christmas is mentioned. Christmas? Santa Clause.  There is absolutely no cultural, religious, or social significance of Santa Clause other than the fact that he is just an old man who supplies children with presents. Santa neither promotes nor demonstrates any other aspect of Christmas, such as the value of family or the importance of sharing. The creation of this Santa character only fosters a false notion that reinforces the idea that the joy of Christmas comes from the receiving of gifts. So, when children don't receive the presents they wish for, should Santa Clause fail to supply them with their every desire, these young kids are unsatisfied and, in a way, their Christmas is ruined. Furthermore, the media does an exceptional job in reinforcing the very idea of a material-based Christmas, marking the start of Christmas morning by depicting  children storming downstairs with the greatest fury, making a bee-line straight to the Christmas tree, ripping open presents viciously, tossing wrapping paper carelessly up and down. The fact of the matter is that Christmas is supposed to be a time of remembrance to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, and many people have seemed to forgotten this. Christmas is a time to free ourselves of daily aggravations. Christmas is a time to be thankful for everything we have, no matter how trifle they may seem. Christmas is a time to be selfless and giving. Christmas is a time to be truly happy.

                The best way to ensure maximum happiness around the holidays is to severely downplay our expectations of this occasion, because, when reality confronts fantasy, nothing seems to satisfy the individual. Therefore, by "simplifying the menu,  we don't have to worry about daily strives creating a blockade of trouble. And who knows? We just might obtain the most evasive of all holiday gifts: Christmas magic.

Work Cited

Graff, Vincent. "Why Holidays Aren't as Good for You as You Think." Mail Online. N.p., 7 Sept. 2010. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1309624/Why-holidays-arent-good-you-think.html>.

Lyubomirsky, Sonja. "Fantasy Vs. Reality." The New York Times. N.p., 23 Dec. 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/23/why-arent-people-happier-during-the-holidays/the-fantasy-vs-the-reality-of-the-holidays>.

Ramsey, Estere. "Holiday Aren't Always Happy and Joyful -- Depression Can Be a Real Stickler." Yahoo! Contributor Network. N.p., 24 Dec. 2012. Web. 24 Feb. 2013. <http://voices.yahoo.com/holiday-arent-always-happy-joyful-depression-can-11894304.html>.

#4: Overcriminalization: A Rising Issue

                One flaw in the justice system of our great nation is the push toward overcriminalization. The ill-bred idea that a person must pay with their liberty if they have committed a wrongdoing of any degree is selfish and close minded. Best summed up by Lisa Monet Wayne, past president of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, "Not all tragedies involving human conduct belong in the criminal justice system."
                A topic that falls into this category of overcriminalization is the issue of drowsy driving, which seems to have sparked off continuous debate over the last few years. Although, I must admit, drowsy driving has taken a deadly toll on many, many innocent victims, such behavior lacks a certain quality that would otherwise categorize it as a crime--the quality of criminal intent, "a clear delineation of the driver's mental state."
                It is not hard to admit that many teens, as well as many adults, do not get the proper amount of sleep their bodies need.  This is usually the result of constant stress build up from demanding deadlines coupled along with the havoc of keeping up with social lives. As individuals try to balance the two, sleep slowly begins to be neglected. To make up for this loss in sleep, people are starting to slip in a few unintentional snoozes here and there as their day drags on--the more concerning of these snoozes are those that are taken behind the wheel. The question at hand is whether or not such an action should be placed in the criminal justice system--was it or was it not performed with criminal intent? Think about all the stories of accidents you've heard  that involved drivers dozing off while driving. Now, think about how many of those incidents brought results in which the driver came out unharmed, not a single scratch, perfectly fine, no scars or bruises. Close to none, right? The fact is, people don't just choose to fall asleep behind the wheel, as it not only places others in danger, but also puts themselves in the same vulnerability and, often times, even worse. The effects of drowsy driving are so unpredictable and devastating that no one in their right mind would intentionally fall asleep behind the wheel in hopes of playing a hand in an awful tragedy. Furthermore, no person on earth can help himself from becoming tired. You can drink all the caffeine you want but, eventually, the drowsiness will catch back up and kick in. We are all human and it is what's natural--we feel tired so we sleep. I understand, however, that one of the main points the opposition has to offer is that individuals should have the common sense to stay at home if they're too tired instead off recklessly choosing to drive out on the roads and putting many people at risk of being harmed. Let me ask you this: In our society today, is it really possible for a person to just skip school or work just because they feel too tired to move? Not likely. When was the last time your mom let you skip a day of school just because you stayed up too late and didn't feel like functioning? When was the last time your boss let you skip work because you were way too tired and grumpy to cooperate with others? You see, in the world that we live in, if you're tired, then too bad for you. Get yourself together and truck through the day, no matter how obnoxious it may be. What is more, many schools and workplaces are imposing strict rules regarding the number of absences an individual may have before it begins to permanently affect him. Thus, skipping a day of school/work is not an option.
                2.3 million people are behind bars. The U.S. has more prisoners per capita than any other nation on this earth. A good proportion of these prisoners are those with offenses that have inadequate intent requirements. Therefore, as a nation, we must assiduously consider the unprecedented increase of legislation taken to regulate human behavior. As mentioned before, "not all tragedies involving human conduct belong in the criminal justice system."

Work Cited

Fitzgerald, Kelly. "Drowsy Driving Is Frequent And Dangerous." Medical News Today. MediLexicon International, 01 Apr. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254576.php>.

Stobbe, Mike. "Drowsy Driving: 1 in 24 Admits Nodding off at the Wheel." NBC News. N.p., 3 Jan. 2013. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. <http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/03/16328004-drowsy-driving-1-in-24-admits-nodding-off-at-the-wheel?lite>.

Wayne, Lisa Monet. "What's Missing Is Criminal Intent." The New York Times. N.p., 25 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/12/25/should-drowsy-driving-be-illegal/in-drowsy-driving-there-is-no-criminal-intent>.

#3: "The Power of Rogue Pot"

Our society has become engulfed in an unfortunate mindset that puts way too much emphasis on a person's outward appearance. Women, in particular, have felt the harsh blows of such a notion. "Rogue pot", or, as many of us call it, makeup,  has served as the very epitome of society's ignorance on this subject. Not only has society adopted the idea that makeup is what makes a woman beautiful, but society has went as far as to criticize or look down upon those who choose to refrain from being covered with this artificial beautifier. In the same way, it is unfair and unjust to judge a woman based on the amount of makeup she wears as opposed to the content of her character.

Take a look at these photos.Which side looks more appealing? The right side. Why? Because society has raised and trained us to accept the fact that women look more physically attractive when makeup is applied. Just take a look at social media today and you will be able to see the huge role makeup plays into our lives. In fact, there is a whole section in some magazines dedicated to publicly exposing and criticizing celebrities caught without makeup.  Is it really that big of a deal to one day decide not to wear mascara or eyeliner? Apparently, to some people, it is. Pursuing this further, let's take a look at some of the girls at our school. It is almost an apocalypse when they wake up late and don't have time to put on makeup or fix their hair. Once again, is it really that big of a deal?

Our society stresses the wondrous effects of makeup far too heavily with global makeup investments totaling over $18 billion. Makeup serves as a mask to who an individual really is. Let's take a more extreme version of this mask--plastic surgery. Studies have shown that most people agree that this form of altering one's body is unnatural and is a repulsive way to attract the opposite sex. However, society has nailed this notion into our minds that a curvy women is an attractive women. Therefore, to become more appealing, countless women are considering plastic surgery to fit society's mold of "the perfect woman." The reasons behind plastic surgery and the heavy use of makeup are quite similar. Are women not wearing makeup because they want to look more beautiful than they already are? Are women not wearing makeup because society has told them that doing so enhances one's appearance?

Furthermore, in a case called Jesperson vs. Harrah's Casino, a female bartender was fired for "refusing to comply with the casino's requirements that she wear makeup and have her hair teased, curled, or styled." This bartender did not feel the need to be "dolled up" as it "diminished her authority" and made her seem vulnerably weak. Was it that bad that she felt confident enough to retain her natural beauty?

This is not to say that I am completely against the use of makeup, however. I am just pointing out that society places way to big a stress on the use of such enhancers. For example, when a woman has to prepare for an interview or a formal event, what does she put on? Some nice clothes accompanied by the use of makeup because we have this notion in our heads that makeup is what makes an individual look likeable and professional. However, like I mentioned earlier, I am not against the use of makeup as a whole, because I, myself, use makeup on certain occasions. Makeup, in some cases, is used as a self esteem booster. If you look good, you feel good, and there is certainly nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance. Therefore, if a woman feels that makeup improves her own outlook as well as how others perceive her, then, by all means, let her wear makeup. However, makeup should not, and never should have been, a huge and essential factor in determining the character of a woman. Beauty, as well as makeup, is what you make of it. Continue to wear makeup if you so please because I know I will. Just note that it is not essential in becoming a beautiful person. Like Anne Roiphe once said, "A woman whose smile is open and whose expression is glad [possesses] a kind of beauty no matter what she wears." 

Work Cited

Bitonte, Kendall. "Opinion: It's Time to Go Makeup Free | USA TODAY College." Opinion: It's Time to Go Makeup Free | USA TODAY College. N.p., 16 Apr. 2012. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. <http://www.usatodayeducate.com/staging/index.php/opinion/opinion-its-time-to-go-makeup-free>.

Rhode, Deborah. "A Choice, Not a Requirement." New York Times. N.p., 2 Jan. 2012. Web. 3 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/01/02/does-makeup-hurt-self-esteem/a-choice-not-a-requirement>.

Samhita. "Want to Be Taken Seriously Ladies? Wear Make-up!" Want to Be Taken Seriously Ladies? Wear Make-up! N.p., 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 03 Feb. 2013. <http://feministing.com/2011/10/04/want-to-be-taken-seriously-ladies-wear-make-up/>.