Study Guide: Current Controversial Issues
Recognize the topic being discussed and Identify a viewpoint as liberal or the interchangeable terms: Democrat, left-wing or Identify a viewpoint as conservative or the interchangeable terms: Republican, or right-wing.
Topic #1: Abortion
A: A woman has the right to decide what happens to her body. A fetus isn’t a human being, so it doesn’t have individual rights. (L)
B: Abortion is murder. An unborn baby is a human and has separate rights from the mother. (C)
Topic #2: Affirmative Action
A: Some individuals in America are racist, but the country is no longer racist. Special treatment for minority groups is as wrong today as poor treatment of minorities years ago was wrong. (C)
B: America remains a racist society. Due to unequal treatment of minorities in the past and present, minorities struggle behind whites. These programs are fair and help close the gap. (L)
Topic #3: Death Penalty
A: The death penalty fits the crime of murder. Therefore, the death penalty is neither “cruel” nor “unusual” punishment. (C)
B: Prison is more appropriate for murder. Executions risk killing an innocent person, and murder is wrong- even as punishment. (L)
Topic #4: Energy
A: We are running out of oil. We need to explore other sources. We must explore energy sources such as wind and solar power. (L)
B: Oil is an example of a good source of energy, and we have plenty. Oil drilling should be increased. Wind and solar power will never provide plentiful/affordable power. (C)
Topic #5: Euthanasia
A: A person has the right to die with dignity, by his or her own choice. (L)
B: Any assisted-suicide is immoral. Nobody has the right to end a life. The goal can only be to ease suffering while alive. (C)
Topic #6: Global Warming
A: We (the U.S.) are major contributors to this problem. Laws to reduce carbon emissions are urgently needed to save the planet. (L)
B: Change in global temperature is natural over time. Laws to reduce carbon emissions won’t help the environment, but will increase prices for all. (C
Topic #7: Gun Control
A: Gun control laws don’t stop criminals from getting guns- just those who obey laws. More guns laws mean less crime. (C)
B: Gun control laws are needed to limit the ability of criminals to get guns. More guns mean more crime. (L)
Topic #8: Homeland Security (focus on airports after 9/11)
A: Terrorists posing the biggest threat today are Islamic/Muslim men between 18 and 38. To profile this group is logical police work.
B: Terrorists don’t fit a profile. Searches should be random or include all passengers. Profiling innocent Muslim men is offensive to all Americans who believe in civil rights.
Topic #9: Immigration
A: Support legal immigration and give amnesty for those who enter illegally. If they had the ability to come through legally, most would. (L)
B: Support legal immigration only. Those who break the law by entering illegally do not have equal rights. Secure the borders. (C)
Topic #10: Religion (symbols in public places)
A: All reference to God in public spaces should be removed. Religious expression has no place in public or government spaces. Religion should be displayed in places of worship or on private property. (L)
B: Government should not interfere with religious freedom, including in public places. The government is not allowed to favor one religion, but that doesn’t mean God cannot be acknowledged in public or government space. (C)
Topic #11: Same-Sex Marriage
A: Marriage is the union of one man and one woman. Requiring citizens to accept as the law something other than this violates the moral and religious views of many Americans. (C)
B: Marriage is a union of two people who love each other, regardless of gender. Denying any citizen the right of marriage is denying them of their civil rights. (L)
Topic #12: Taxes
A: We need higher taxes- government programs are a way to provide for the poor and needy. (L)
B: We need lower taxes- less government programs improve everyone’s living standard. These programs encourage dependence and laziness. (C)