“i love u guys”

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I applaud the brave students from Florida, who in the aftermath of the tragic Parkland shooting are demanding gun reform in efforts to prevent more lives from being senselessly taken in another act of violence. I cannot imagine how much courage it takes for them to speak out about the atrocities they endured while lobbying politicians for change. Seeing the passion of these students gives me hope for the future, because these are the young people shaping their communities.

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An American Amendment

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In the aftermath of the Parkland shooting, as with almost every incident of mass gun-related violence, the issue of gun control has arisen for heated discussion. Pundits, politicians, and social media users all demand action, be it a ban of bump stocks or the strengthening of background checks before the sale of a gun. Inevitably, gun owners or members of interest groups such as the National Rifle Association (NRA) respond in kind. Their defense: some form of  Second Amendment argument.

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Budget Cuts for SNAP

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Among President Trump’s proposed budget changes, one stands out as particularly cruel to low-income communities. His plan includes a radical change to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which currently serves more than 43 million Americans. Right now, SNAP recipients receive the full amount of their benefits on electronic cards, which allow them to select from a wide range of foods and shop with their dietary needs in mind.

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Has Your Voting Been Influenced by This Popular Fallacy?

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This year’s election campaigns have only just started, but if you’re anything like most American voters, you can already rule out the few candidates whose positions are actually closest to yours. The reason? You just might be misled by a popular voting fallacy deeply entrenched in our political culture.

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Tolerance on College Campuses

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Tolerance is a frequent topic of conversation in today’s culture, particularly on our nation’s campuses. It seems that people bend over backwards to convince others, and perhaps themselves, of their own tolerance, taking pride and self-satisfaction in how accepting they are of members of a different race, gender, religion, sexual persuasion, or just about anything. I say “just about” because there is definitely one area where, for many people, there is zero tolerance – politics.

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A Country Divided

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The United States has never seen a more politically divided climate. With candidates like Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump, voters have taken sides and have continued to deepen their political stances.
In addition, social media platforms have allowed more connection among like-minded individuals. These echo chambers create an atmosphere lacking political discourse. Increasingly, people don’t have to interact with those of differing opinions, which tends to create two sides who do not want to interact. These differences appear to affect everyday life as well, with more people saying they simply can’t stand to speak with those who, for example, support a rival candidate.

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