Today’s
political climate is more diverse and more polarized than ever before. But even
with all this change, the problems and issues facing America remain largely the
same.
Governing.com
reports that major issues plaguing the US at the moment are largely centered
around healthcare and health insurance; however, there are also issues like
fair wages, working hours, and the desire for more equitable taxes.
Major
movements such as #METOO and the MARCH FOR OUR LIVES continually point out
flaws in our system that have only just truly surfaced and have yet to be
adequately addressed on the congressional level. Opioid deaths are continually
rising and with the only reasonable substitute, marijuana, still
constitutionally illegal. The question to ask is “Will Congress do anything?”
The
following is a chart representing American concerns on different topics from
the Pew Research Center. As pulled from the chart, education has taken second
to terrorism, with the first five topics within 5 percent of each other. What
is the conclusion? The time for change is now.
Focusing
on the state, Virginia faces many similar problems, but what differs and
creates a special political atmosphere is the fact that Virginia is a swing
state. The state Senate and the House of Delegates remains divided with slight
conservative control in both chambers. The Governor, on the other hand, Ralph
Northam, is more liberal. Essentially, this is not the greatest atmosphere for getting
things done. Northern Virginia remains largely liberal with the southern portions
leaning more conservative.
This leads
to the essential question: are the most immediate concerns being addressed?
And, furthermore, are the right concerns being addressed?
Let’s
hypothetically address the opioid crisis in Virginia.
According the following chart by
DrugAbuse.gov. the total “opioid related
overdose deaths in Virginia” has increased by nearly 300 deaths in one
year.
Compare
this crisis to the bills addressed in the Old Dominion: no legislation, save
some decriminalizing marijuana, is presented in response to this. Shouldn’t we
be doing more to address this pandemic?
Gun
control bills are great, but are they going to prevent the next mass school shooting
which could be at our own back doors? Not one bill addresses healthcare, and
only one addresses the big-ticket item of DACA. It’s time to move from what’s
familiar and move to what’s uncomfortable but, ironically, the very topics we
need to discuss. Ralph Northam, Governor of Virginia, echoed these sentiments
during the First Joint Session. “[People
are concerned about] affordable and quality health care, [we have to ask
ourselves is healthcare] a right or a privilege, also, [people want] safe
communities where there are not guns.” He concluded that it’s “[time to] talk about the tough issues.”
Even
though we are just a school club, we collectively are the future. What matters
to us now will matter when we get older and when we are in the driver’s seat.
When we can make, vote on, and pass the legislation that addresses these
uncomfortable subjects. This legislation makes the changes we need to see a
better Virginia, a better America. The answer isn’t walls. The answer is
bridges. The answer is us. The answer is now.
Here’s what
MGA has to say:
Evan,
Senator from Covington High School
“Trying to replace lethal injection
is interesting. It’s definitely going to get a lot of discussion [It shows the]
economic and ethical side of criminal punishment.”
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_of_Virginia
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