Terrible Plan

In my opinion the United States must set the example for the rest of the world and steer away from the use of nuclear weapons. Spending an obscene amount of money on something we don’t want other countries to have is absurd. What kind of message will we be sending if we spend  $100 billion dollars on nuclear facilities. One that encourages dangerous countries like Iran and North Korea to keep and even increase their nuclear weapons.
 I completely agree with my classmates editorial on the subject that this nuclear budget proposal is terrible management of government spending. In the last decade the American people have experienced the countries worst economy since the Great Depression. This is the worst time to spend ungodly amount of money on nuclear weapons that may cause more harm than good.
This expensive proposal was presented by President Obama in an effort to gain support from republican senators for his plan to decrease nuclear weapons in the world. A poll taken by CNN last year shows that Americans are against spending money on weapons and support plans to decrease the amount of weapons of mass destruction in other countries. It seems to me that if Obama wants to please republican senators he is going to have to endure major criticism from the public.

Let’s Move – An Initiative Created by Michelle Obama

In February of 2009 First Lady Michelle Obama launched a campaign called Let’s Move, in an attempt to make America's youth healthier. Over the past thirty years childhood obesity rates in the U.S have tripled. If we continue on the same track nearly one third of children born after 2000 will suffer from diabetes. A combination of factors has contributed to the decline of America’s health.

                As a result of education cuts gym class and some after school sports are rare. Also video games, the internet, and TV are children’s alternative to playing outside. Another factor, American parents are busier than ever making it much more convenient to pick up fast food on the way home. To make matters worse portion sizes in the restaurant industry have increased over the last three decades. The average American now ingests 31% more calories and 15 pounds more sugar than in 1970.

                Let’s Move is a great plan to create awareness around this important issue. The initiative has created many tools to help parents in getting their children to eat healthy. The USDA created My Plate, which reminds parents and kids that a healthy meal includes half a plate of fruit or vegetables. The USDA is also in the process of making nutritional facts easier to see when purchasing food at the grocery store.

                Another great change Lets Move has sparked is in the restaurant industry. The movement is influencing restaurants to make their kids menus healthier. As a restaurant manager it is frustrating at times to have to adapt to changes in society. However, this is one change I am 100% behind. What is frustrating, is most corporate restaurants would rather make more money by increasing portion sizes to increase their prices than have a healthy youth. I am proud to say that I work for a corporate restaurant that cares about the consumers that keep us in business. Outback Steakhouse is launching a new kids menu that offers healthier alternatives. Kids who eat at Outback can choose from apple juice and orange juice opposed to sodas. They can also choose a healthier side, a fruit cup or steamed broccoli with no butter. A choice they will not make, all proteins offered on the new menu will be prepared using no butter. I hope other restaurants will take our lead and modify their menus to help kids grow up healthy.

                I do feel that our current government could do more to end obesity. I feel that cutting education funds that have caused schools to cut gym class and recess is a huge contributing factor to this growing problem. Until the government makes this change it is our responsibility to help end this problem. Lets all do our part for Lets Move!

The anniversary of the controversial Patriot Act is approaching. The Patriot Acts were passed in 2001 after the terrorizing events of September 11^th. The Acts gave the government the ability to spy on any person the government thought might be a terrorist. This allowed the government to stop and search anyone they wanted to without having any reason. Because of this many people believe, including one of my classmates who commented on the subject, that the government has used these acts over the years to unlawfully spy on the American people. Many share the belief that the government has used these Acts to spy on people based on their race rather than suspicion of terrorism. Many also feel that the Acts interfere with our constitutional rights.
I firmly agree with my classmate. These Acts should have never been passed in the first place. The fact that Congress felt pressured to take action to make the American people feel safe is no excuse. In fact as my classmate mentioned they made American people scared of the capabilities the government acquired with passing these Acts.
The legislation passed in Arizona is another example of laws passed that infringe on our rights as citizens. I hope that the American people force the government to remove the acts. I feel that removal is the only solution. If the Acts are only revised I feel the government will still abuse it. I think the government should abide by the notion that no one should be stopped and searched without clear evidence of criminal activity. Only then will we be considered a true democracy.