I have chosen three issues at hand right now that could
change the landscape of America and its views. I firmly believe each issue
deserves attention because it is affecting America as we speak. Justice for the
citizens in Flint and justice for single low income mothers too, need to be
backed by us citizens that make up this country. Justice for the occasional pot
smoker is needed as well. These three issues are pressing topics coming from a
Millennial. Here is some insight on these issues and why they are important.
Flint, Michigan- Recently this city has made national
headlines after residents reported undrinkable water. Lead contamination had been reported since April
2014. This created a serious public health danger to anybody that would drink
the water. 10 people contracted an irreversible
disease stemming from heavy lead poisoning, along with approximately 6,000 to
12,000 kids also being affected by lead exposure. Four government officials and another person
in the EPA have resigned over this tragedy. It has been reported that people in
Flint were paying on average more for water than most other US cities in the
country. Emails have leaked out showing
the Environmental Protection’s Agency knew of these problems months previous.
However this agency did not act in time and major lead exposure decimated people’s
health in Flint. People all across the country have sent fresh water bottles
along with the federal government funneling millions of dollars to fix this
problem. The real problems at hand lay
with the people that are sick and the people that willingly let this happen. As
Flint Michigan is a low income and impoverished city, there is no room to let
this happen in the United States of America. Clean water is a basic function
our country has been able to provide citizens for hundreds of years. Our government fell asleep at the wheel and it
is important for us citizens to know about it.
Planned Parenthood: As our 2016 Presidential race has
continued throughout the winter and into the spring, a handful of issues have
been in the center for discussion amongst the candidates. Planned Parenthood is a government funded program
that reaches far beyond abortions and saves lives through cancer screening,
prenatal services and adoption referrals.
This program is not only intended to help females as it also does
provide free STD testing for males and females. This provides better access to
a health program that encourages safe sex. Hundreds of thousands of single
mothers use this program to help them in the process of conceiving a child and
offer options to improve the quality of life for them and their child. The GOP
candidates plus other right wingers, claim that this is infringing on their
religious views and that it is a program that does not deserve federal funding.
This is important because the next President of the United States is going to
have final decision on this along with the senate to keep this funding. If GOP
candidates win the election, this program has most likely seen its last days.
But this is America and living above substandard conditions is what we pride
ourselves on every day. Keeping pregnant woman and unborn children safe should
be our biggest priority. This program “Planned Parenthood” provides support for
young mothers that aim to keep them healthy with all of the options it provides
with safe sex and everything else. So why would we NOT fund it?
Legalization of
Marijuana: The legalization of marijuana as an issue is
simple, it should be recreationally legal. “Pot” has been around for thousands
of years and is a naturally grown planet within the earth and specific
demographics. Pot has also been sold on the black market for at least 50 years.
It is extremely accessible to people, but when people buy it, they are doing so
illegally. When they conduct this type of behavior it could land them in jail
for it. A few other states such as Colorado, California and Oregon have already
passed legislature law and have it legally enacted a few years ago. Millions of dollars have been collected through
taxation of legal purchasing, from pot industry owners. This is a government tax
that has helped recoup millions of dollars in tax revenue for its state.
Marijuana is scientifically proven to be less likely to be as dangerous as legal tobacco and alcohol. So why is it illegal? This is important now because this issue has only gained mounting
support from citizens all across the country. This has accumulated through a millennial movement on this issue. This is a huge issue considering
it has jailed hundreds of thousands of people for petty crimes. Should a pot conviction of a 19 year old with bad judgment once, be crucified for it along with tarnishing the rest of his future? I think not. We are the future so we need to pass legislature that will be enacted when we take over. Will our
government hear our concerns?
These issues deserve real attention because the opposition’s
solutions to them are not legitimate. The people that have views against these issues
need to realize that none of the backlash against it has made any progress. Views
that shut down these issues are not progressive, instead they are only regressing
our country. The young people in this world need to start stepping up and
supporting what is right that include our views. Old and out of
touch people in power, need to step back and let the young guns handle these
issues. This will reflect the views of the younger generations that are growing
older. They are our future.
