Why do we fight for marriage?

This specific post caught my eye because I’m particularly interested in the social direction that Americans are taking. I find cultural changes to be fascinating, particularly those that have to do with living standards. Marriage and divorce have always been an interest of mine, probably because I’m young and curious about what will be acceptable and unacceptable when I grow up. As our society changes and begins to accept homosexuality as well as divorce, I’ve begun to ponder the same question proposed by Michael Cobb in his book, Single: Arguments for the Uncoupled. I find that I have a similar stance on the issue as Andrew Sullivan, who expressed his opinion here, in his political blog.

Cobb, an esteemed writer who has written the book mentioned above as well as God Hates Fags: The Rhetoric of Religious Violence, has received great reviews from his pieces and expresses a respected opinion on well researched political topics. In his newest book, Single: Arguments for the Uncoupled, Cobb celebrates the trek that marriage equality has conquered so far, but follows up by posing a commonly unthought of question: “Why is the couple and very official couple-making the goal we’re all driving toward?”

In his political blog, Andrew Sullivan answers this question. Sullivan is a respected writer for The Daily Beast, a popular news magazine. He comments on various political issues and holds a confident opinion that is valued by The Daily Beast readers. 

Sullivan addresses this particular post to adults and young adults who can understand Cobb’s thinking as well as his own. The subject of the post is primarily relevant to those who are considering marriage or are interested in its place in our society. In this particular blog post, Sullivan provides several links to various sources to inform the readers of the status of marriage in our society today. 

In his answer to Cobb’s question, Sullivan stresses the benefits of marriage, the general fact that it leads to “better life-outcomes.” He then gives that marriage isn’t for everyone and that some people are more apt for the single life. However, he holds his ground by stating that nonetheless, the choice for marriage is still to be fought for. Sullivan states that the ongoing debate over the gay marriage issue is fought for equal rights. He delves deeper into the subject by saying that whether or not you want to get married, you should still have the choice to, whether you are heterosexual or not.

I completely agree with Sullivan on this issue. While Cobb poses an interesting question that has a lot of different answers, the point in our constant rallying to equalize marriage rights for all citizens is simply for equality. Everyone should have the choice to get married whether they want to or not. The reasons for marriage may be unapparent to some or completely clear to others, but the fight for marriage, while it may be driven by individualistic reasons, is for equal rights for everyone. 

The problem with food stamps

In an opinion article written in the Wall Street Journal, new decisions on food stamps are announced along with statistics to reason why the recent decisions made were not wise. The article doesn't list the writer or writers of the piece, but the Wall Street Journal itself is a trustworthy, professional source of news. The Journal has delivered reliable news to citizens since 1889 and is the largest newspaper in the United States today. 


The writer addresses the issue of food stamps and how the difficulties in attaining them have changed throughout the decades. It was recently decided by the Senate that they would not cut 20 billion dollars from the projected 770 billion dollars that will be spent on food stamps for the next decade. This article is written in a simplistic manner that can address audiences from teenagers to adults though the impact of the decision made clear in the article may not mean as much to younger readers. The availability and price food stamps affects all citizens and the decisions recently made are strongly urged against by many readers as well as the writer of the piece.

A point is made clear through the logos technique in this article. The writer uses statistics to show how attaining food stamps has changed. In the '70s, when the food stamps were first introduced, they were given to one in fifty Americans. Today, the ratio has risen to one in seven. This increase has doubled the cost of the stamps, leading us to the huge, 770 billion dollars that we will spend on the stamps in the next ten years. The changes through the years have resulted in increased ease for food stamp applicants. An example in the article was that unemployed members of wealthy families qualify for food stamps.

The writer makes his point clear towards the end of the article when he admits that food stamps are needed for come citizens, especially in the current economic state we face. However, the amount of money that was decided on spending on the food stamps is a lot. The writer strongly suggests that this number is much too high, and that some of the money allocated to the food stamps would be of better use on other issues.

I agree with the writer in that 770 billion dollars is a very large amount for food stamps. While a a lot of people do indeed need this help, I think we can save a lot of money by tightening the process in which people qualify for food stamps. We seem to have gotten lazy in this very important aspect of the food stamps, and it may be that a lot of people who are using the money allocated do not need food stamps with their specific situations. An interesting fact in the article was that food stamps are actually advertised and encouraged for the average citizen. In one specific case, food stamps were advertised as a means of dieting. This is not what food stamps were meant for and I don't support the decision to allocate 770 billion dollars to people who don't need help providing for themselves or their families. Unfortunately, with the loose way in which we provide these food stamps and the large sums of money we allocate to them, our hard-earned money is often going to people who don't really need it. 


The article itself was written very well and I appreciated its clarity. The writer makes a lot of good points and supports them with reliable facts and statistics. He provides many interesting facts that draws in readers and forces them to think about the issue at hand. 

To read the article about food stamps, click here.

Campaigning through Pinterest

The rapid growth of technology, namely smart phones and tablets, has given a lot of people constant internet access to their fingertips. People find themselves resorting to their trusty smart phones when approached with boredom or awkward situations. These distractions or saviors usually embody simple games or intensified Facebook stalking. However, a new time-taker has appeared out of the past year and its popularity has been noticed by politicians and their publicists as they campaign.

 

Pinterest is a website and app where you select certain interests, and then browse away. The site is popular among females as it provides a great variety of do-it-yourself projects, unique recipes, and cute clothes that are personalized to specific interests. It also works as a social networking site. Friends can "re-pin" certain articles or crafts to share with their friends. The site had 18.7 million users in March and that number is steadily climbing. Recently, politicians have begun campaigning on Pinterest to call the attention of female citizens. 

Campaign managers have inserted the names of candidates in recipes and crafts so that certain users will happen to scroll through a political campaign whilst looking at pie recipes or do-it-yourself curtains. Campaigners are positive that campaigning on the social networking site will attract a lot of voters because of the site's popularity and the data about how much time the vast majority spends on the site. The pictures of the candidates that Pinterest users increasingly scroll past are to serve as simple reminders for women as they go through their daily musings. 

The fact that politicians are trying to reach supporters through social networking sites and up and coming trends is a very good idea. It's important that candidates not only appeal in traditional ways such as through television or radio commercials, but that they also approach the new age of technology. If they didn't think of this approach or put any effort into advertising on new websites or apps, they would find themselves only appealing to older crowds as younger people are shying away from television, resorting to on-demand video websites and have been increasingly listening to portable mp3 players rather than listening to the radio. By campaigning on sites like Pinterest, candidates make themselves known to the younger audience as well. 

I'm a Pinterest user myself and I found myself dangerously addicted to it when I discovered it. I've noticed some of the advertisements through my scrollings and I think it's a good way to interest the younger masses or at least force politics to cross their minds.  

To read more about this campaigning trend, click here.

For the sake of a say

When it comes to my opinion in matters concerning politics or the workings of our government, I normally draw a blank. I was never the one to argue with those around me about what I thought was right or wrong in the big scheme of things, what I thought was best for our country. However, as I approach adulthood as well as the presidential election, I realize that it’s time for me to tune in on what is happening around me politically.

Though I have sided on a few of the big debates that our country is torn on today, I am nowhere near aware of most of our important issues. It was earlier this year that our school newspaper covered the pros and cons of the legalizations of gay marriage, marijuana, and abortion that I finally researched through the internet, analyzed, and sided on these specific important issues. This is the extent of my political knowledge accompanied by moderate clearance on the basics (I got 9 out of 13 correct on the current events quiz.)

I never took an interest in politics because it seemed complicated and I didn’t want to get into it. Growing up, I didn't seem like it was that important; the news just seemed like a TV show to me. Of course, I am now aware of how realistic and important the role of the government and politics is. The issues and debates are something I need to be aware of and participate in, I live here after all.

The past year has been very productive for me in terms of political and governmental learning. This is a result of my increased interest in current events. Politics has a great bearing on our influences in world relations and this is something that piques a lot of my interest.

Although I still know very little, I now read the news every day, and my lack of awareness lessens daily. While I am taking this class to get the required credit, I’m also enrolled because I want to gain a bearing on politics and issues. This is something that journalists need to be affiliated with, and journalism is something that I’ve taken a strong interest in and view as a prospective occupation. I’m hoping that this course will result in me having a better understanding of politics and our current state as a nation, and finally having a say in the important issues that our country faces.