Discussion Board Responses for American Government

Discussion Board 1.
Federalism is at the center of a national debate over marijuana policy: while
marijuana remains illegal under federal law, some states permit its medicinal or
recreational use. Should the federal government legalize marijuana? Go to
https://www.thinkthevote.com/join-the-debate/24982/ and read the brief paragraph
then answer the question. Your response must reference (in the text that follows a
citation style (e.g., MLA, APA)) and cite (at the end of your response) at least two
reliable courses.*
“On January 1, 2018, California became the latest state to legalize the sale of
recreational marijuana. Although legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia
for recreational or medicinal use, the federal government still classifies marijuana
as a “Schedule I controlled substance,” and it is, therefore, a federal crime to
possess, buy, or sell cannabis. This means that there are still many roadblocks that
could prevent dispensaries from freely and easily selling marijuana and federal
agents can still arrest those in possession of the drug, even if it is legal in that
particular state.
One side of the debate believes that the legalization of marijuana would lower the
number of people, historically poor and minorities, in jail for what they see as a
“victimless crime.” For those on this side, the legalization of marijuana is a
criminal justice issue. These advocates also maintain that legalization would
reduce the proliferation of the sale of cannabis on the black market.
Those in favor of keeping marijuana illegal on the federal level believe that it is an
issue of public safety. They maintain that legalization will lead to more accidents
on our highways, and more crime in general. They also regard cannabis as a
“gateway” drug that can lead people to addiction to more lethal substances.
What do you think? Should the federal government legalize marijuana?”
(This is the paragraph from the site that the response should be written from.)
*A reliable or credible source is unbiased and backed up with evidence. You can
learn more about how to differentiate sources at
https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/march-2017/4-ways-todifferentiate-a-good-source-from-a-bad-source.html. While excellent starting
points for finding initial ideas about a topic, Wikipedia, blogs, tweets, personal
websites, self-published sources, and editorials are generally considered unreliable.
Discussion Board 2.
Some people argue that public opinion polling is inherently problematic and should
not be used by the government or politicians. Others argue that polling is a valid
way to determine the will of the people. Your response should include at least one
reliable source that supports each position and must reference (in the text that
follows a citation style (e.g., MLA, APA)) and cite (at the end of your response)
reliable courses.*
*A reliable or credible source is unbiased and backed up with evidence. You can
learn more about how to differentiate sources at
https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/march-2017/4-ways-todifferentiate-a-good-source-from-a-bad-source.html. While excellent starting
points for finding initial ideas about a topic, Wikipedia, blogs, tweets, personal
websites, self-published sources, and editorials are generally considered unreliable.
Discussion Board 3.
Identify the most recent Texas Democratic and Republican party platforms (click
on links). Are there any similarities between the party platforms? Regardless of
your party affiliation, identify the positions of each party on at least two issues
with which you agree.
https://www.texasdemocrats.org/our-party/texas-democratic-party-platform/
https://www.texasgop.org/platform/
(these are the website links that you’re brought to when clicking democratic and
republican that the response should be written from.)
Discussion Board 4.
In the US, millennial and Generation Z, people aged 39 and younger, make up
more than one-third of eligible voters. However, as a cohort, this population
consistently turnout in lower numbers than older generations. Why do you think
young people don’t vote? What can we do, as a nation (e.g., legally, culturally,
socially, politically) to get young people to vote? Answer the first question then
propose three possible “solutions” to enhance voter turnout among younger voters.
Your response must reference (in the text that follows a citation style (e.g., MLA,
APA)) and cite (at the end of your response) at least two reliable courses.*
*A reliable or credible source is unbiased and backed up with evidence. You can
learn more about how to differentiate sources at
https://www.utep.edu/extendeduniversity/utepconnect/blog/march-2017/4-ways-todifferentiate-a-good-source-from-a-bad-source.html. While excellent starting
points for finding initial ideas about a topic, Wikipedia, blogs, tweets, personal
websites, self-published sources, and editorials are generally considered unreliable.