RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Minimum Wage

Congress.gov: S.2488, “Raise the Wage Act of 2023”
ProCon.org: “Should the Federal Minimum Wage Be Increased?”
U.S. Department of Labor: “History of Changes to the Minimum Wage Law”
Wharton School, University of PA: “Why Raising Minimum Wage Has Long-Term Costs”
CommonDreams.org: “Sanders, Scott Unveil $17 Federal Minimum Wage Bill”
RaisetheMinimumWage.com: “Why the U.S. Needs at least a $17 Minimum Wage”

Issue 2: Secure the Border Act

Congress.gov: S.2824, “Secure the Border Act of 2023”
U.S. Congressional Budget Office: “H.R.2, Secure the Border Act of 2023”
Senate.gov: “Cruz Introduces Senate Companion to House-Passed Secure Border Act”
WhiteHouse.gov: “Statement of Administration Policy – Secure the Border Act 2023”
WaPo OpEd, Fareed Zakaria: “Democrats Should Admit They’re Wrong on Immigration”
ImmigrationForum.org: “Bill Analysis — Secure the Border Act of 2023”
House.gov: “Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart Introduces ‘Secure the Border Act 2023’”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Minimum Wage

1. Do you support or oppose gradually raising the federal minimum wage to $17 an hour? If you were speaking to a person who disagreed with your position, what would you say to persuade them to see your side of the issue?
2. Some proponents of raising the federal minimum wage say the current minimum wage of $7.25 an hour traps people in poverty. Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. If you were a business owner, would you want the minimum wage to increase? Why or why not?
4. What is your personal view on whether to raise the federal minimum wage? Use relevant reasons from your life experiences as well as research.
5. Who bears the costs of a higher minimum wage? (Hint: In addition to businesses who have higher labor costs, this could also include workers who suffer reduced hours as well as young job seekers who find it difficult to find a job.)

Issue 2: Secure the Border Act

1. Some people believe a good way to slow illegal immigration is to fine U.S. businesses who employ illegal immigrants. Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. In Fareed Zakaria’s Op-Ed (link above), Zakaria states that to gain control of illegal immigration, the president should suspend admission of asylum seekers to the U.S. since asylum has become a way to game the system. Do you agree? Why or why not?
3. Do you believe there is a relationship between illegal immigration and crime? Why or why not?
4. What would happen if we erased all country borders and let people live wherever they wanted?
5. When is immigration helpful to a country and when is it harmful?

RESEARCH LINKS

AM RADIO uses amplitude modulation (AM) transmissions. AM broadcasting was established in the 1920s, and AM radio remained the primary method of broadcasting for the next 30 years until television became widespread in the 1950s.

Issue 1: AM Radio
Congress.gov: S.1669, “AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023”
Fox News: “Officials Sound Alarm on Carmakers Dropping AM Radio in New Vehicles”
The Hill: “Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Legislation Requiring AM Radios New Cars”
Inside Radio: “Farm Broadcasters Make Case For AM Radio As A Rural Life Issue”
Washington Post: “End of a Love Affair: AM Radio is Being Removed from Many Cars”
wearebroadcasters.com: “82 Million Americans Depend on AM Radio”

Issue 2: Medicare for All
Congress.gov: S.1655, “Medicare for All Act”
The Nation: “The Blind Spot in Medicare for All”
Physicians for a National Health Program: “The Medicare for All Act of 2023”
ProCon.org: “History of Universal Health Care”
NYT OpEd: “The Dangers of Medicare for All”
House.gov: “Jayapal, Dingell, Sanders Introduce Medicare for All Act of 2023”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: AM Radio

1. What are the arguments for and against Congress requiring automakers to include AM radio in new vehicles? Decide how you stand on the issue, then see if you can argue the other side’s position.
2. According to the Nielsen Company, AM radio listeners tend to be older (about one-third of them are over age 65). As a young person, do you think AM radio is still useful? Why or why not?
3. Lawmakers say AM radio is a critical source for receiving broadcast emergency information. As Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said, “When the cell phone runs out, the internet gets cut off, or the television doesn’t work because of no electricity or power to your house, you can still turn on your [car’s] AM radio.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. Automakers say that cell phones are much better at broadcasting emergency alerts than AM radio. With today’s smartphones, is AM radio still necessary? Why or why not?
5. AM radio is free to all drivers of cars that have it. Given this fact, how does AM radio compare to other modes of communication such as cell phone and internet reception?

Issue 2: Medicare for All

1. Costs of private health care in this country have long been rising; two-thirds of bankruptcies in the U.S. are due to medical debt. Is our current health care system working for “We the People?” Why or why not?
2. Should health care in the U.S. be a right or a privilege to citizens? Discuss.
3. Proponents of Medicare for all say even if Americans’ federal taxes had to rise to pay for it, they would save money by no longer having to pay for employer-provided health insurance premiums, co-pays, and other out-of-pocket expenses. Do you agree? Why or why not?
4. Opponents of Medicare for All say that government cannot effectively run the Postal Service or VA health system without losing money; thus, it would be a mistake to assume it could run the country’s health care system. Do you agree? Why or why not?
5. What are the arguments for and against Congress passing a Medicare for All national health care program? Decide how you stand on the issue, then see if you can argue the other side’s position.

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Supreme Court Term Limits
Congress.gov: H.R.4423 “To establish process for appointment Supreme Court Justices”
fixthecourt.com: “On Supreme Court Term Limits”

Formal group photograph of the Supreme Court as it was been comprised on June 30, 2022. Seated from left are Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Clarence Thomas, Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and Justices Samuel A. Alito and Elena Kagan.
Standing from left are Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Neil M. Gorsuch, Brett M. Kavanaugh, and Ketanji Brown Jackson.
Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States

Brookings Institution: “Term limits can tackle the Supreme Court’s crisis of legitimacy”
Alliance for Citizen Engagement: “Pros, Cons of Term Limits for Supreme Court Justices”
constitutioncenter.org: “Did Founders want term limits for Supreme Court Justices?”
Louisville Political Review: “The Case Against Supreme Court Term Limits”

Issue 2: Welfare Drug Testing
Congress.gov: H.R.204 “Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act”
clasp.org: “Drug Testing and Public Assistance”
worldpopulationreview.com: “Welfare Drug Test States”
usatoday.com: “Viral Post Errs in List of States Requiring Drug Tests for Welfare”
legalmatch.com: “Welfare Drug Testing Legality”
Heritage Foundation: “Reforming the Food Stamp Program”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Supreme Court Term Limits

1. Would Supreme Court term limits contradict Article III of the U.S. Constitution, which states justices shall “hold their Offices during good Behaviour?” Why or why not?
2. Critics of Supreme Court term limits say it is an effort to grab the power Democrats have lost. How do you respond?
3. Since the drafting of the Constitution, the legislative and executive branches of government have become more democratized. For example, senators are elected directly by voters in the states they represent. Should the judiciary undergo similar reform? Why or why not?
4. Would term limits create a situation where justices are incentivized to rule in their self-interest during the final portion of their term to be more appealing to future employers? Why or why not?
5. Opponents of Supreme Court term limits say unlimited judicial terms serve the goal of distancing the high court from political manipulation. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Issue 2: Welfare Drug Testing

1. State legislators have argued that drug testing is often required by employers, so it is reasonable to also require it for welfare recipients. Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. Drug testing welfare recipients is expensive. Do you think it is worth the cost? Why or why not?
3. Does your state require drug testing for recipients of welfare programs like SNAP, TANF, etc.? Research the answer if you don’t know. Do you agree with your state’s policy?
4. Do you believe the poor are more likely than other groups (such as seniors) who receive government money to use drugs? Why or why not?
5. Proponents of drug testing welfare recipients argue that drug testing helps identify people who can benefit from substance abuse treatment. Is there a convincing link between welfare recipients and drug use? Why or why not?