RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: War in Afghanistan Remarks by President Trump on the Strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction Report to Congress CIA World Factbook on Afghanistan Brookings Institute Article, “America’s Afghanistan Problem” Heritage Foundation Commentary, “Trump Lays Out Winning Strategy for Afghanistan”

Issue 2: Surveillance Law Letter from Attorney Gen. Sessions Urging Congress to Reauthorize FISA Section 702  Privacy & Civil Liberties Oversight Board 2014 Report on FISA Surveillance Program  Center for Democracy & Technology, “Section 702: What It Is & How It Works”  April 28, 2017, Statement from NSA on Stopping of Certain Section 702 Activities Sen. Rand Paul’s Call for Amendment to End Warrantless Searches of U.S. Citizens  CQ Online Article, “Congress Braces for Tense Debate on Surveillance Law” 

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Issue 1: War in Afghanistan

1. Do you support continuing to have a military presence in Afghanistan? Why or why not?
2. Read President Trump’s remarks on his strategy for Afghanistan (see link above). Why do you think he chose not to give specifics such as how many troops he will send or state an estimated withdrawal date? Do you agree or disagree with this strategy?
3. Read the Heritage Foundation commentary (see link above). Do you agree with the author’s reasoning? Why or why not?
4. Compare and contrast the pro/con congressional quotes on p. 3 of the newsletter. Whose opinion do you agree with most on this issue, and why?
5. Why do you think President Trump changed his mind on sending more troops to Afghanistan, despite earlier criticizing President Obama for doing so when he was in office?

Issue 2: Surveillance Law

1. Read the NSA’s April 28, 2017, statement announcing it will no longer include “about” communications in its intelligence gathering activities. Does this assuage any concerns you may have? Why or why not?
2. Does FISA Section 702 need to be amended to strengthen protections of Americans’ constitutional and privacy rights? Or should Congress permanently reauthorize it as is? Justify and defend your position.
3. Why do you think some legislators are concerned about the potential for abuse of power among employees and/or contractors of the NSA, FBI and/or CIA?
4. Read Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Sept. 7, 2017, letter to Congress (see link above). Do you agree with his reasoning? Why or why not?
5. Carefully read the wording of the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Are Americans’ constitutional rights being violated under the NSA’s current interpretation of FISA Section 702? Why or why not?

RESEARCH LINKS

Issue 1: Dreamer Immigrants Dream Act of 2017 Summary Side by Side Comparison of the 2010 and 2017 Dream Acts, and DACA New York Times’ Collection of Dreamers’ Stories “Why I oppose the DREAM Act” Editorial “The Dream Is Now” Documentary Video by Organizing for Action  Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ Statement (July 19, 2017) Summary of Report on the DOJ’s Cash Seizure & Forfeiture Activities FOX News Article, “Sessions opens door for police to seize assets” Washington Post Column by George Will, “When Government Is the Looter” “Policing for Profit: The Abuse of Civil Asset Forfeiture” Report American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on Civil Asset Abuse

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Issue 1: Dreamer Immigrants

1. Who are the Dreamers and why are they called Dreamers? If you were in their situation, would you keep your status private at school? Why or why not?
2. View goo.gl/msmk7t to view a map of state laws on access to higher education for undocumented immigrants. Find your state and read its policies. Do you feel these policies are fair, unfair or just right?
3. Read the “Why I Oppose the DREAM Act” editorial (see link above). Do you agree or disagree with this stance? List your arguments and defend your positions.
4. Watch “The Dream Is Now” video (see link above). Compare and contrast your own dreams and the dreams described by the young people in the video. What are the similarities and differences?
5. Read the Dream Act of 2017 summary (see link above). If you were a member of Congress, would you vote yay or nay on this legislation? Why?

Issue 2: Civil Asset Forfeiture

1. Civil asset forfeiture is one of the few bipartisan issues on which right-leaning Republicans and left-leaning Democrats agree. Why do you think this is so?
2. In your opinion, does civil asset forfeiture violate citizens’ constitutional rights? Why or why not?
3. Read the summary of the DOJ report (see link above). Do the findings challenge or support your position on civil asset forfeiture?
4. Read Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ statement on July 19, 2017 (see link above). Do you agree with his reasoning? Why or why not?
5. According to the Fifth Amendment, “no person shall … be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Why do some people see civil asset forfeiture as a violation of the “due process” clause?

LINKS

For further research, please see the links below. Links have been shortened for your convenience. Issue 1: Syrian Missile Strikes Statement by President Trump on Syria Bernie Sanders’ Opposition to Missile Strikes Visual Guide to Missile Strikes on Syrian Airbase Heritage Foundation on Missile Strikes Video Brookings Institute Pros & Cons to Missile Strikes Issue 2: Minimum Wage U.S. Department of Labor – Minimum Wages by State Raise the Minimum Wage U.S. Chamber of Commerce Article National Women’s Law Center on Minimum Wage CNBC Article on Universal Basic Income Congressional Budget Office Report

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Help students develop their critical-thinking skills on legislative issues with these essay questions. Issue 1: Syrian Missile Strikes

1. Please read the pro and con arguments in the Brookings Institute article (link above). Which side do you agree most with, and why?
2. Will military intervention solve the Syrian conflict? Why or why not?
3. Does the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons on Syrian civilians justify the U.S. missile strikes?
4. What could potentially go wrong as a result of the U.S. missile strikes on the Syrian airbase? What could go right?
5. Should the U.S. intervene in Middle East controversies such as the Syrian Civil War? Where should we draw the line?

Issue 2: Minimum Wage

1. Using the U.S. Department of Labor link above, see if your state has a minimum wage law. How does your state compare to other states? Do you think it should be higher or lower than it is?
2. How does the minimum wage issue relate to income, gender and race inequality?
3. Please read the CNBC article (link above). Should the U.S. should establish a “universal basic income?” Why or why not?
4. If you worked at a job that paid the current minimum wage of $7.25, you would work one hour and receive about enough money to pay for a fast food combo meal. Is that fair?
5. Do you think that if the minimum wage was raised, it would ultimately help or hurt workers?

LINKS

For further research, please see the links below. Links have been shortened for your convenience. Issue 1: Sanctuary Cities Center for Immigration Studies – Sanctuary Cities Map President Trump’s Executive Order Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act (H.R.400) Safeguarding Sanctuary Cities Act of 2017 (H.R.748) Heritage Foundation OpEd Washington Post Article Issue 2: Regulations Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2017 (H.R.26) President Trump’s Executive Order U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Regulatory Reform League of Women Voters Position Statement on REINS Act Natural Resources Defense Council

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Help students develop their critical-thinking skills on legislative issues with these essay questions. Issue 1: Sanctuary Cities

1. Before reading about sanctuary cities and discussing the issue in class, did you already have an opinion on the topic? If so, did it change? Summarize your view on the issue.
2. Using the first link above, view the sanctuary cities map. Why do you think many of the largest U.S. cities choose to provide sanctuary to immigrants? This could be from a practical and/or philosophical perspective.
3. Should local jurisdictions cooperate with federal immigration officials, or should they be allowed to remain as “sanctuaries?” Explain your position.
4. Do you think de-funding sanctuary cities will ultimately help or hurt local communities?
5. Is de-funding sanctuary cities the best solution? Are there other alternatives that might satisfy both sides?

Issue 2: Regulations

1. If the REINS Act is made into a law, how might that affect the safety of the citizens in places like Flint, Michigan, where the water is unsafe to drink?
2. What guidelines or values should the government go by when creating regulations?
3. If businesses were left alone by the government, do you think they would put the interests of American citizens first? Why or why not?
4. List some examples of regulations that affect you personally (e.g., food safety, clean air and water). Are they necessary or do they go too far?
5. What are the consequences of creating too many regulations? Of NOT creating such regulations?

LINKS

For further research, please see the links below. Links have been shortened for your convenience. Issue 1: Charter Schools National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Center for Media and Democracy Findings National Center for Education Statistics National Charter School Resource Center NPR – What Should Parents Know About Charter Schools? Issue 2: Pipeline About the Pipeline from Energy Transfer Partners Protesting the Pipeline (Inside Energy) Time Magazine Article 5 Things to Know About the Pipeline NPR – Pipeline Update for 2017 Top 3 Pipeline Pros & Cons (procon.org)

CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

Help students develop their critical-thinking skills on legislative issues with these essay questions. Can be used for classroom discussion, essay writing, homework, debate, etc. Issue 1: Charter Schools

1. Do you think funding charter schools with tax dollars hurts traditional public schools? Why or why not?
2. Proponents of charter schools believe they encourage school competition and innovation. Do you agree or disagree?
3. What are the arguments for and against charter schools? Where do you stand on the issue?
4. Compare the Democrat and Republican congressional quotes for Issue 1 (charter schools). Whose opinion more closely matches your own view?
5. Please review the “Federal Role of Government in Education” infographic and describe what makes charter schools different than traditional public schools?

Issue 2: Pipeline

1. Using the “Top 3 Pipeline Pros & Cons” link above, summarize the arguments of those for and against the pipeline. Which side do you agree with?
2. Did the Army Corps of Engineers make the right decision to halt production of the Pipeline? Why or why not?
3. What might be a solution to the problem that would satisfy both sides?
4. Which should come first – our country’s environment or the ability to produce our own energy?
5. Why do you think the Dakota Access Pipeline protests have drawn national media attention?

LINKS For further research, please see the links below.  Issue 1: Greater Sage-Grouse PBS Video, “The Sagebrush Sea” House Rider Text U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Bureau of Land Management’s “In Aid of an Icon” Video Fox News  Greater Sage-grouse FAQs Issue 2: Trans-Pacific Partnership Office of The United States Trade Representative Complete Text of TPP Trade Agreement U.S. International Trade Commission Report  Joseph Stiglitz – 6 Problems with the TPP U.S. Chamber of Commerce Brookings Institute – The Case for the TPP

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS

Help students develop their critical-thinking skills on legislative issues with these essay questions. Can be used for classroom discussion, essay writing, homework, debate, etc. Issue 1: Greater Sage-Grouse

1. Compare and contrast the positions of those for and against protecting the sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act. Who is right in your opinion and why?
2. How does the sage-grouse’s ability to survive and thrive impact the other species that live in the sagebrush ecosystem and ultimately humankind?
3. Do you believe it’s necessary to list sage-grouse as endangered? What evidence supports your answer?
4. Read the congressional quotes for Issue 1 (greater sage-grouse). Are there any errors in reasoning or biases that influence their positions?
5. Have the conservation coalitions done enough to protect the sage-grouse? Why or why not?

Issue 2: Trans-Pacific Partnership

1. What changes, if any, would you recommend to the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement that was signed on Feb. 4, 2016?
2. One of the most controversial provisions in the Trans-Pacific Partnership is the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) enforcement system, which allows multinational corporations to sue a country’s government (and its taxpayers) if they believe that country’s regulations are hurting their profits. Why do you think critics are strongly opposed to this provision?
3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Trans-Pacific Partnership?
4. Do you believe the TPP would ultimately help or hurt American workers in the job market?
5. Read the congressional quotes for Issue 2 (TPP). Whose opinion do you agree with and why?

LINKS

Cuba Embargo Amnesty International Statement on Cuba 2015/2016 Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act of 2015 Bill Human Rights Watch – Articles on Cuba USA Today Article White House – Remarks by President Obama and President Raul Castro in a Joint Press Conference Washington Post Article Press Release – Sen. Patrick Leahy – Announcement That President Obama Will Travel To Cuba Fracking Regulations Washington Post – How States Are Fracking in Maps S.785 – FRAC Act Bill S.828 – Fracturing Regulations Are Effective in State Hands Act Bill EPA – Hydraulic Fracturing Video – “Communities Divided Over Natural Gas Drilling” by Associated Press Pros and Cons List 1 (Green Garage Blog) Pros and Cons List 2 (Scientific Alliance) Pros and Cons List 3 (Yale Climate Connections)

CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS

Cuba Embargo 1. How did the Cold War affect the United States’ relationship with Cuba in the past? 2. How does that legacy continue to affect relations today, even as they change? 3. What are some pros and cons of the U.S. “normalizing” its relationship with Cuba? 4. Why do you think the Cuban embargo is referred to as a “failed policy?” 5. Do you think “diplomatic engagement” strategy will be a better way to influence Cuba’s human rights practices than the embargo imposed on Cuba? Why or why not? Fracking Regulations 1. Do you think fracking should be regulated at the federal or state level? Why? 2. Would you be okay with fracking taking place in your community? Why or why not? 3. Is reducing our dependence on foreign oil more important than preventing a water shortage? 4. Is fracking safe? Why or why not? 5. Do you think fracking will ultimately hurt or help the environment?

LINKS Apple vs. FBI Los Angeles Times Washington Post USA Today Washington Post (hearing recap) CNN NPR Guantanamo Bay White House Remarks Politico CNN The Hill Wikipedia The Atlantic CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Apple vs. FBI 1. Though the Fourth Amendment was penned in the eighteenth century, should we interpret it to also safeguard citizens’ digital privacy? 2. Do you believe that the FBI has met the conditions set forth in the Fourth Amendment? Why or why not? 3. Should there be a balance between liberty and security? 4. Are there times in which the Constitution and individual rights should be overlooked in order to maintain safety? 5. Should Apple comply with the order and create a new operating system and hand over their master key (private electronic signature)? What are the consequences if they do so? Guantanamo Bay 1. Do you believe detaining prisoners at Guantanamo Bay endangers their civil liberties? 2. What rights of the prisoners (they are neither POWs nor convicted criminals) were violated, if any? 3. Would bringing the prisoners to the U.S. be a bad idea? Why or why not? 4. Should everybody be considered innocent until proven guilty? 5. Why is Guantanamo Bay considered the “legal equivalent of outer space?”

LINKS Presidential Authority Brookings Institution Constitution Daily Cornell University Law School Smithsonian Magazine New York Times HowStuffWorks Washington Examiner Campaign Finance New York Times Federal Election Commission Federal Election Commission (Links) S.1480 Open Secrets (2008 Election) Open Secrets 2 (Links) WNYC Radio CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Presidential Authority 1. Was President Obama’s executive order on immigration similar to those of other presidents? 2. Should the Constitution have different or clearer guidelines for what a president can and cannot do? 3. Did President Obama act illegally by unilaterally making broad changes to the immigration system without the consent of Congress? 4. How do you think the Supreme Court will rule as far as whether Obama’s executive orders on immigration were unconstitutional? 5. Where in the Constitution do presidents draw their authority? Campaign Finance 1. Is our current system of campaign finance in need of reform? Why or why not? 2. Should our campaign finance system be public rather than private? 3. How would you change campaign contribution laws? 4. Do the wealthy have too much control over election outcomes? 5. Is your right to spend your money how you choose part of your right to free speech, or not?

LINKS Paris Climate Agreement White House Statement European Commission Washington Post Article New York Times Article Fox News Article CNBC Article Social Media & Terrorist Activity H.R.3654 Bill Washington Post Article NPR Article The Atlantic Article Fox Business Article CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Paris Climate Agreement

1. Do you believe that climate change is occurring and that humans are contributing to it?
2. What is the evidence that proves the climate is or is not changing?
3. Was the Paris Climate Agreement a victory for the U.S. and the planet? Why or why not?
4. According to Fox News, the climate agreement marked “the world’s first comprehensive climate agreement with all countries, not just wealthy ones, taking action to tackle global warming.” Why is this significant?
5. Why was the Paris agreement hailed as a “diplomatic achievement” on the part of the Obama Administration?

Social Media & Terrorism

1. Is it fair to ask the social media companies to be responsible for monitoring and reporting terrorist activity?
2. Is it a violation of First Amendment right to free speech to censor terrorist postings on social sites?
3. Was H.R.3654 a good piece of legislation? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think Twitter is the most popular social site for ISIS terrorists? What makes it attractive?
5. How does the global nature of social media make it especially challenging to police in the United States?

Links:

Student Loan Debt Reform White House                                                                      goo.gl/mGn0Za
Student Loan Bill Tracker                                               goo.gl/1pTD05
Congressional Budget Office Report                             goo.gl/4ycDYM
Moveon.org Petition                                                         goo.gl/ULnS4m
Forbes Where 2016 Presidential Candidates Stand   goo.gl/EpzyB6
Boots on Ground in Syria USA Today Article                                                            goo.gl/Vz1G5J
Vice News Article                                                             goo.gl/1tBPlm
ForeignPolicy.com                                                           goo.gl/PkTuzN
CNN Article                                                                       goo.gl/5ZeW3Y
Brookings Institution Article                                         goo.gl/PT7ZhR

Critical Thinking Questions:

Student Loan Debt Reform

1. Why is student loan debt such a major problem now when it didn’t used to be decades ago?
2. What factors led to this crisis?
3. Is a college degree worth the money today?
4. Why are college tuition amounts increasing so quickly?
5. Is legislation like the Student Loan Borrowers’ Bill of Rights Act, introduced by Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL), a good idea?

Boots on the Ground in Syria

1. What is a “proxy war” and how does the term apply to the Syria situation?
2. How do the recent bombings in Paris, France, change the stakes in the ISIS situation?
3. What factors make putting boots on the ground in Syria a complex decision?
4. Did President Obama make the right decision to send troops to Syria?
5. What else could he have done?

Resources for additional study: Minimum Wage Raise the Minimum Wage raisetheminimumwage.com University of Chicago Poll of Economists goo.gl/QvzwA2 Economic Policy Institute epi.org/pay/ Pew Research Center goo.gl/BB1x3A UC San Diego Dept of Economics Study goo.gl/PK4FTa Congressional Budget Office Report goo.gl/EPFmoY High-Speed Rail White House’s Position goo.gl/SmizZc American Public Transportation Assn. goo.gl/XtqqJo Heritage Foundation Commentary goo.gl/9OGiWz Campaign for America’s Future Commentary goo.gl/ZNHMOh Debate.org’s Pro & Con Arguments goo.gl/xLtbVR SGAP makes a concerted effort to provide links to reliable sources, and to provide links to a balance of left-leaning and right-leaning publications. Some of the links have been shortened for your convenience. Issue # 1 – Should the federal government raise the minimum wage? Those in favor of raising the minimum wage say all Americans should be able to earn a “living wage” – that is, enough money to maintain a normal standard of living by working a 40-hour week. They say if workers earn more money this will translate into fewer people needing government-assistance programs as well as more discretionary spending, which will fuel the economy. Those against argue that in a capitalist system the government should not intervene in free-market dynamics because this will affect companies’ ability to hire and pay workers, which could result in a loss of jobs. Should the U.S. raise the federal minimum wage? Issue # 2 – Should the government spend money to build a national high-speed rail network and grant funding to states such as California? Those for an intercity, high-speed rail across the U.S. say it will spur growth, reduce traffic, increase mobility by offering an alternative to flying or driving and reduce our dependence on oil. Those against the idea of the government investing in a national high-speed rail say it is simply too costly, with the expense outweighing any benefits. They point out that some states, such as Texas, are utilizing private funding. Should the U.S. government fund a high-speed rail system through grants to specific states?