peppermintfrost's blog

Government spending is higher than is has been since around the time of the Great Depression.  Now, is this a good or bad thing?

That's debatable.  Much of the spending goes to the war on Iraq.  Although I am against the war, I agree that we can't just pack up and leave now that we're there and Iraq is on the brink of a civil war.

Some of the spending went to Katrina aid.  This was obviously not planned in a budget, and I think the government actually should have spend more money...or at least more effort with aiding in the aftermath of hurricane Katrina.  Read More »

In recent years there have been so many conflicting studies about various things.  For example, they have said coffee triggers high blood pressure, but now they're saying not drinking coffee can be worse.  They say chocolate is bad for you, but not they say it has antioxidants.

Now everyone is always told to watch out for the sun because of skin cancer.  Well guess what?  More conflicting studies prove otherwise.  The human body needs vitamin D, which is produced from sun exposure.  Children who don't get out in the sun develop the condition of rickets.   Read More »

Although I'm not trying to glorify illegal immigration, I do not find it to be that bad of a crime.  People ask, why can't  people just come to the United States legally?  Well, that can be a very difficult process.  In order to become a legal citizen of another country, a  person needs a good reason, such as having a job that has to be located in the U.S., being married to an American citizen, etc.  What happens to people who are just trying to get out of their homeland to try to create better futures for their families, but they don't fall under any of the categories required to get here legally?  Well, for some, the answer is to find an American to marry for a short time, until they get their green card.  Is this really a better option than being here illegally?  Not to me.  Read More »

It seems to me that many Americans are ignorant about worldwide issues. Sure, sometimes we hear about AIDS in Africa, but there is so much poverty all over the place that people don't even realize.

I just got back recently from a trip to the Dominican Republic. Being there really gave ma an appreciation of what I do have and how lucky I am to be a United States citizen. Americans are so caught up with being mad about the war, Bush, or other problems that they don't even realize how lucky they actually are.  Read More »

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11694799/

"LONDON - The number of overweight children worldwide will increase significantly by the end of the decade, and scientists expect profound impacts on everything from public health care to economies, a study published Monday said."

"“We have truly a global epidemic which appears to be affecting most countries in the world,” said Dr. Philip James, chairman of the International Obesity Task Force and author of an editorial in the journal warning of the trend."  Read More »

Nowadays so many women are delivering their abbies with a cesarean section.  Is this a good thing, or is it potentially hazardous?

Many women have good, legitimate reasons for getting a c-section.  It's very useful when the baby is in a breached posititon, and it's also beneficial after the woman has stuggled with labor to no avail.  But when does it become too much?  Read More »

I believe that tcapital punishment should be banned because I don't believe that violence can overcome violence, among many other reasons.  This post, however, is about death row conditions.  People debate the amount of cruelty involved in the actualy execution, but what about the criminals who are living on death row. 

In my American Government class we're watching a movie about this topic.  I definitely feel that death row in itself is cruel and unusual punishment.  Here's why:  Read More »

In Massachusetts, a 12 year old can get married as long as they have parental consent.  That age seems way too young to me.  Marriage at age 12?  That's insane.  Even if a 12-year old is in a very strong, committed relationship, can't they just wait until they get older before getting married? 

The majority of the states allow for marriage at age 16 with parental consent.  I think there should be a national age, though.  With some laws it's good to have them different in different states, like driving laws for example.  The driving ages in some midwestern states are younger since many teens drive tractors on their farms and whatnot.  But with marriage, it would just be easier if there were national regulations.   Read More »