Teen Eagles

Phyllis's Weekly Challenge: Obama Takes Illinois Mistakes Nationwide

2010-07-23T21:15:21Z

1. How will the current out-of-control spending affect your future?

2. Why is the word "unsustainable" becoming more common? What does this word

imply?

3. How might Illinois demonstrate an example after which Americans fear our

government will follow?

4. What is the relationship between spending and taxes, and how should this affect our

view of government-implemented programs?

5. What are some of the new taxes that will be raised as a result of our

current administrations' policies, and how will these impact Americans?

6. What are some of the immediate consequences of the impending tax hikes in our

work force today, especially among employers and upper-level Americans?

7. Does the Constitution limit the power of Congress to spend? If so, in what ways?

8. How can citizens affect the decisions on the Federal budget?

9. How do we prompt our legislators to run our government as we do our households?

10. What are some immediate actions that the Federal government can take to curb the

debt and tax crises? What are some actions we can take as citizens?

Challenge Questions:

1. Look up some of the things on which our national budget is being spent. What solutions
would you propose to curb spending?

2. Research the Alternate Minimum Tax, and post an informative article to your social
networking site. Why is the Alternate Minimum Tax so devastating?

3. Look up an article on the debt crisis in Greece. What situations led to the crisis? How
might it have been averted? Post the article to your social networking site.

Bonus Questions:

1. Think about the levels of government, from federal to the individual. Where does ultimate
responsibility for government truly lie? What happens when we abandon this responsibility?

2. Higher taxes always have secondary repercussions, even on those who do not see their
taxes raised. How is this so? And what are the consequences on the American public as a
whole?

Phyllis's Weekly Challenge: A Good Father's Day Gift

2010-06-26T14:02:52Z

1. Is there a way for the government to hold accountable the hands to which taxpayer money is given?

2. Women are most often characterized as the victim, and men as the abusers. What has caused this stereotype? What are some of the immediate results?

3. Do you think there is a way to change the way society views the victim and the abuser in relation to their gender?

4. How would you define "domestic violence?"

5. Should the police officers be legally bound to take someone into custody each time they answer a call for help from an "abuser"?

6. What are some of the immediate consequences of the VAWA as it currently stands?

7. Do you think the VAWA should be reformed?

8. If so, how would you reform the Act?

9. Do you think women are oppressed by the "patriarchy?"

10. How do you respond to people who make this assertion?

Challenge Questions:

1. What are "civil rights?" Where does the Constitution specifically address these?

2. Research the VAWA and the history of Feminism and how each of these movements have changed gender perceptions in society. Post an article on your social networking site.

Bonus Questions:

1. Why do you think God created differences between men and women? What do you think are some of the roles intended for each?

2. Why do you think movements have arisen to eliminate the perception of gender differences? What have been the results of these movements?

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: Social Issues vs. Fiscal Issues

2010-06-18T20:54:44Z

1. Generally, in what ways are social issues and fiscal issues linked?

2. As stated in the column, what is America's greatest social (and fiscal) issue? Why?

3. What steps would the ten-point agenda created by Usher and McManus take to preserve marriage in society?

4. How might waiting periods for both marriage and divorce impact the impoverished marriage situation in our culture?

5. Under what conditions would divorce be considered acceptable, as proposed by the ten-point agenda? Why?

6. What has been a major cause for skyrocketing rate of cohabitating couples in the past fifty years? What has our current administration done to either halt or encourage the trend?

7. How might welfare and child-support policies provide incentives for non-marriage families?

8. What has been the major cause of growth in the welfare state, and why might this be?

9. What other social problems tend to stem from the breakdown of marriage? What fiscal problems?

10. How might our federal policies shift from a welfare state to promoting a more marriage-friendly agenda?

Bonus:

Why would the the ten-point agenda call for the church (instead of the government) to take the lead in promoting marriage? Do you think the agenda has a good balance of government vs. the church promoting marriage?

Challenge question:

1. Research some of the effects of the welfare state upon society, and post an article on a social network.

2. Why might marriage, and not governmental support, be "one of the best routes out of poverty?"

3. How might the Constitution deal with the issue of welfare? See Article I, Section VIII. Was government intended to be a philanthropic entity?

Homeschoolers Learn How to Lobby

2010-06-18T14:58:12Z

One of the projects in which some homeschoolers participate is going to lobby at their state capitol so they can learn first-hand how our government functions. For several years, I have known about active homeschooling groups that do this in Missouri and in Utah. Let me tell you about the experience of a group of 14-to-18-year-old Minnesota homeschool students. Each year, they choose a public policy topic to research, discuss, and draft mock legislative resolutions. This year they selected the health care bill which was then making its way through Congress.

As soon as the health care bill passed, the kids got excited about the content of the bill, the way it was passed, and the back room deals. The student leader, 18-year-old Fletcher Warren, gave a radio interview saying, "we decided that we should do what we could." We wrote out a 3-page resolution detailing our concerns, such as the law's unconstitutionality and violation of the commerce clause. The resolution calls on Minnesota's governor, attorney general, and state legislature to seek an injunction that would relieve the state of having to comply with newly enacted national healthcare legislation. The 32 homeschoolers then gathered at the St. Paul, Minnesota statehouse to hand-deliver letters and copies of the signed resolution to Minnesota legislators. The students were able to meet with four representatives and two senators, all of whom were cordial to their young constituents.

Fletcher Warren, who served as chairman of the homeschoolers' health care committee, was pleased with the way legislators received the students and message. He described the experience of lobbying at the state capitol as "overwhelmingly positive." The students then expanded their efforts beyond the state legislature and spoke to several of their Congressmen. The students' lobbying trip turned out to be a good lesson in how government operates and how citizens can participate.

You can listen to this and other commentaries by Phyllis Schlafly at www.eagleforum.org/radio.

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge:Obama STARTS to Disarm America

2010-05-29T22:59:52Z

Use Phyllis' article, Obama STARTS to Disarm America, to discuss the following questions.

1. Why do countries develop nuclear weapons?

2. According to the U.S. Constitution, what responsibility is explicitly given to the federal government that justifies developing and maintaining nuclear warheads?

3. Why would Russia prefer that the United States destroy some of its nuclear warheads (disarmament)? What advantage does Russia have in setting the limit of nuclear warheads higher than the number it currently has?

4. What is the logic behind "equal ceilings" limit on how many nuclear warheads a country can own?

5. What kind of example does President Obama hope to set by reducing the number of nuclear warheads to equal the amount owned by Russia? Why might other countries (especially smaller countries) be disinclined to follow our example?

6. Do you think that other countries decide how many nuclear warheads to build based upon the number of nuclear weapons in the United States? Is a "world without nuclear weapons," as Obama envisions, possible?

7. How would the New START Treaty affect the United States militarily in respect to other nations?

8. What were the international effects of the United States' and Russia's post-Cold War nuclear reductions? Did they accomplish their objective through this reduction?

9. How does the New START treaty apply to those nations whose possession of nuclear arms could threaten other nations? (For example, rogue nations or terrorists.)

10. According to Article 2, Section II of the Constitution, what checks and balances are placed upon the creation of treaties?

Bonus questions:

Is there ever a time when legal control of nuclear arms or weapons is the best strategy? Are they effective?

Research articles on Russia's nuclear arms positions during the Cold War and today, comparing them to the United States' during that same time period. Look for direct quotes, government statements and policies, etc. Compare objectives.

Challenge:

Find an online news article discussing the STARTS treaty. Post your comments on the topic to the online news site.

Join the Teen Eagles Fan Page. Post a comment explaining how you would vote on the START Treaty if you were a U.S. Senator.

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: How Republicans Can Blow the Coming Election

2010-05-20T20:10:02Z

Use Phyllis' column, How Republicans Can Blow the Coming Election to answer the following questions.

1. What are some of the arguments for and against allowing Mexican truck drivers on U.S. highways?

2. How could allowing Mexican truck drivers on U.S. highways affect our concept of borders?

3. How might American drivers be affected by the presence of Mexican trucks? (See also http://www.truckinginfo.com/news/news-detail.asp?news_id=70054&news_category_id=3 )

4. The NAFTA superhighway is part of a project started by a Spanish company, Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte, S.A., which has bought the right to operate a tollroad through Texas and collect tolls for the next 50 years (the Trans-Texas Corridor). Is there a connection between allowing Mexican Truck drivers into the U.S. and building a highway that connects Mexico, the U.S., and Canada?

(http://www.eagleforum.org/column/2006/aug06/06-08-23.html)

5. What would be the positive and/or negative economic effects of building a superhighway?

6. What would be the positive and negative affects of a superhighway on American national sovereignty? Knowing these affects, is a superhighway something we should continue to consider?

7. Building new highways requires the taking land from private property owners. Does the U.S. Consitution give government the authority to take private property? Under what conditions? (See Amendment V). What is the term used to describe this government action?

8. Who should decide what is a "just" amount of compensation?

9. What ethical issues might eminent domain bring when considering the taking of private property to build a superhighway for the purpose of moving goods from southern Mexico up through Canada?

10. Why do you think that Phyllis Schlafly suggests that Republicans take a hard stance against allowing Mexican trucks and building a superhighway? How does eminent domain relate to allowing or banning Mexican truck drivers on U.S. highways?

Challenge:

1. Find one related article concerning this discussion and post to your social profile(s).

2. Look up the 2005 Kelo Case concerning eminent domain. Discuss it with your family. How did the Kelo ruling change the way local governments can use eminent domain? What do you think were the original intentions Amendment V?

Bonus:

When is eminent domain reasonable?

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: Obama Steers the Court Far Left

2010-05-13T01:37:49Z

Read Phyllis Schlafly's colum, Obama Steers the Court Far Left and discuss the following questions.

1. What qualifications does the U.S. Constitution give for appointing judges to the Supreme Court? See Article III.

2. Phyllis Schlafly defines a "supremacist" as "one who believes in or advocates the supremacy of a particular group--judges--over the lawful wishes of the people." (The Supremacists, x). Are there signs that Ms. Kagan would advocate a particular interest? Which ones?

Link to book: http://www.eagleforum.org/groups/index.html#supremacists

3. Does it matter if someone has no experience as a judge to sit on the highest court that reviews the decisions of other judges? What might be the results of confirming an inexperienced judge?

4. Should Ms. Kagan's age be a factor in the nomination process?

5. Some see Ms. Kagan's nomination as not worth fighting against because she would replace Justice Stevens, who has a record of giving liberal rulings. In other words, the "balance" of the court would not change because Ms. Kagan is likely to vote like Justice Stevens has in the past. Could Ms. Kagan's confirmation fundamentally change the direction of our nation? Why or why not?

6. What are the repercussions for confirming a person with a known anti-military bias?

7. Do you think it is important to have at least one judge on the court with military experience? Why?

8. Beyond political beliefs, does one's personal life choices and decisions affect how he or she views, interprets, and judges the world around them? How?

9. What are the implications of confirming a person who chooses to participate in sexually immoral acts like a homosexual relationship?

10. Justice Kennedy pointed to foreign laws for reasons to overturn Texas sodomy laws in Lawrence v. Texas (2003). [link:http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/02-102.ZO.html] Are there any implications that Ms. Kagan would look for foreign laws to justify possible biases she has?

11. Do you support the nomination of Elena Kagan to the Supreme Court of the United States? Why or why not?

Challenge:

1. Sign the Students for Life petition opposing Elena Kagan: www.iopposekagan.

2. Post the link to the petition along with Phyllis' column to your social networking profile

Kentucky Supreme Court Justice, in the 1993 state case of Kentucky v. Wasson: "It is foolish and fruitless to ignore morality in our society and in our governmental function. Every political decision of consequence reflects a moral judgment."

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: Why Tea Partiers say Throw the Bums Out

2010-05-07T19:42:14Z

Use Phyllis' Column: Why Tea Partiers Say Throw the Bums Out to discuss the following questions.

1. What is your initial reaction to Puerto Rico becoming a state?

2. Have you discussed this issue in your school classroom? What is the response from your peers?

3. What are some reasons why Puerto Rico consistently votes against statehood?

4. What reasons are giving for grantingranting Puerto Rico statehood? What are reasons against granting Puerto Rico statehood?

5. Should Americans speak and understand a common language? Why or why not?

6. Why would Puerto Rican officials support Puerto Rico jjoining the Union?

7. Discuss the economic results of admitting Puerto Rico to the Union.

8. What reasons might Puerto Rican members of Congress not support H.R. 2499?

9. Why might democrats overwhelmingly approve of making Puerto Rico a state?

10. Discuss American sovereignty. What does this phrase mean to you?

Action:

H.R. 2499 passed the U.S. House. It will now go to the Senate for a vote. Contact your Senators to share your view on this bill.

Post a legislative alert on one of the social networks you below to about HR 2499.

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: Democrats Try to Lock Up Their Base

2010-04-30T18:41:15Z

Use Phyllis' column, Democrats Try to Lock Up Their Base, to answer the following questions.

1. A Democratic staffer, who wrote the marriage penalty into Obama's Health Control Law, told Wall Street Journal reporters, "You have to decide what your goals are," what does this mean?

2. Is it possible for the tax code to be "marriage neutral"? In other words, is it possible to write the health care bill in a way that does not penalize single or married people?

3. Do you think the "goal" (taxing single mothers less) is to increase the number of single moms or is an increase in the number of single moms an unintended consequence? If you think it's an unintended consequence, what is the line of reasoning for taxing single moms less than married couples?

5. Are there other plausible explanations for their "goal" other than simply trying to increase the number of single mothers? Explain.

6. What are some unintended consequences that result from incentivizing single motherhood?

7. By providing taxpayer incentives for the single-mother, does government aid help these women in their plight as single mothers in the short term? In the long term?

8. Republicans are often criticized for not wanting to help single moms. Do you agree? What are ways society can help single moms that do not require increasing government control over all Americans or taxpayer subsidies?

9. Do you agree that there is sex bias in the U.S. Code? Should this code be eliminated as Justice Ginsburg suggests?

10. The goal of the Democrats seems to be to remove discrimination in different facets of life. Does the Democrat-pushed PACT and SECTORS Act encourage or discourage discrimination?

Bonus:

What policies did President Johnson (LBJ) pass to provide government "aid" to widows and young children? Do you think LBJ was wise in allowing the government to help widows and young children?

Challenge:

1. If you could start a charity to help single moms, what types of services would that organization provide? Research: Is there an organization in your area already providing these services that you could volunteer at?

2. What does the Bible say about helping women and children? Find 2 scriptures detailing our responsibility to the poor, specifically women and children.

A Sad Reality...

2010-04-29T15:29:37Z

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: Some Pay & Some Receive

2010-04-23T16:45:09Z

Read Phyllis Schlafly's column, "Some pay and Some Receive" from www.eagleforum.org and discuss the following questions.

1. How would you define "social conservatism" and "fiscal conservatism"?

2. What values do social conservatives have that would lead to a reduction in welfare spending in the long term?

3. Explain why Phyllis Schlafly believes President Johnson's (LBJ) "war against poverty" was really a "war against marriage."

4. Do you believe the taxpayers should support the children born to unwed mothers? What if these mothers are working mothers?

5. What are the unintended consequences of taxpayer money being redistributed to unwed mothers?

6. Should the government provide incentives to unwed mothers on welfare to get married? What might be some unintended consequences of such policies?

7. If such incentives were put in place, how would you defend it against accusations that the government is punishing single mothers?

8. Why do you think President Obama wants to expand the welfare system?

9. How does Obama's Health Control Law penalize married couples?

10. Think of some reasons that would explain why liberals want our society dependant on government? What are the sources feeding this mindset?

Action:

1. What non-profit, civic, or religious organizations in your area reach out to support low-income families and mothers? Volunteer or donate to at least one of these causes in the next month.

2. Repost this week's column on your Facebook page or other social media and mention some opportunities you found in your area to help those in need and invite others to serve with you.

Are you smarter...

2010-04-20T20:36:36Z

than the average citizen? Quiz takers averaged 49%.

I score 68%, how about you??

http://www.americancivicliteracy.org/resources/quiz.aspx

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: 4/16/10

2010-04-16T16:05:37Z

1. What do you foresee happening to tax rates as the health care legislation takes effect?

2. Currently, low-income families are receiving tax benefits instead of paying taxes. Low-income families are also the focus of Obamacare and will receive more tax-payer subsidies. How will this affect the taxpayers that annually taxes?

3. Because not all wage-earners pay income taxes, how will the collapse of Social Security and Medicare effect taxpayers?

4. How is President Obama encouraging women to stay unwed through his tax policy?

5. What do you think Obama meant when he said he was going to "fundamentally transform" America?

6. If the Supreme Court participates in Obama's idea of redistributing the wealth, could this be harmful to our country? Would all citizens be affected equally? Do you think it would cause our democratic society to collapse or to take on a new style of government?

7. What are the benefits of the private enterprise system?

8. Based upon the bills Obama has signed into law, does he favor the private enterprise economic system? If not, what kind of economy does his policy seem to support?

9. What steps can taxpayers take in order to save their income from being incrementally taken by the federal government?

10.What can YOU do to help elect conservatives to Congress in November?

Challenge: Find out who is running for U.S. Congress in your district. Check Eagle Forum's national endorsement page or Eagle Forum local chapter to find out which candidates need the most help in your area. Ask your parents to help you come up with ways to support the conservatives running in your district.

Join the Teen Eagle fan page on Facebook.

Then & now...

2010-04-05T16:31:05Z

Phyllis' Weekly Challenge: 4/2/10

2010-04-02T16:41:49Z

1. How might a veteran judge think differently than a judge who has no military experience?

2. Do you think it is important to have a judge with military experience?

3. Referring to President Obama's recent comments and statements about the U.S. military, do you think he has a favorable or unfavorable view of our armed forces? What leads you to your conclusion?

4. Should schools be able to ban military recruiters from their campus? Why or why not?

5. Do you think withholding federal funds from schools who reject the Solomon Amendment is an extreme repercussion?

6. After reviewing some of the views of President Obama's possible appointees for a vacancy, what are some of the threats Americans might face if one of them is appointed?

7. What is the procedure for nominating justices to the Supreme Court? How often do vacancies occur?

8. Has the President Obama violated those procedures?

9. How should the Senate hold the President accountable for his nominations?

10. The column states that Democrats have not appointed a veteran to the Supreme Court in nearly 50 years. Can you find proof of this? Why do you think this is so?

Challenge:

1. Which senators currently sit on the United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary? How do these senators influence the nomination process?

http://judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourt.cfm

2. To prepare for the next Supreme Court vacancy, write up a draft email to the President describing the type of nominee you feel best suited to fill the seat.