Maryland Capitol Forum

Class Statements 2009

 

School: Sevena Park High School

Class: A.P. Comparative Government

Teacher: Barb Segnatelli

What specific international issues did your class discuss?

Are there issues that you agreed are important? If so, what are they?

Did you agree that some issues are less important? If so, which ones?.

Class statement: As informed and empowered citizens who hold the future of nation in our hands, we understand that the choices we make today immensely shape the lives of our children. We place the highest emphasis on trade, as it correlates to the current economic crisis and is intertwined with the majority of international issues. The United States intends to maintain its position as a global political and economic leader, and to do so, we must lead by democratic example, and increase our exports to strengthen our economy.

We must address the issues of the environment. Our environmental policies are currently impeding with our international relations. Energy independence is an essential goal of the United States for the future. In order to ensure a sustainable quality of life without fear, we must develop alternative fuel supplies and sources of energy to maintain national autonomy. This ties with the environment as alternative fuels will prevent global warming and sea level rises, which threatens the lives of coastal populations worldwide. We must also encourage the world to limit pollutants, leading by example.

Immigration is important because its impact changes the American identity. If we continue to restrict the naturalization of undocumented workers, they will not assimilate into American culture, thereby further dividing our country. Although immigrants are essential to the labor base, if they continue to escape taxation, they undermine both American social welfare and our national economy, as many send most of their money to their home country.

Lastly, the proliferation of nuclear technology around the world severely hampers our nation’s ability to negotiate with other countries. The spread of this technology into unstable and less developed societies also increases the risk of nuclear meltdowns or a nuclear weapon falling into the wrong hands. The United States, in order to implement this policy as effectively as possible, must face the reality of practicing what we preach by reducing our own nuclear armaments.

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