Obesity

Are you fat? In the state of Indiana alone, the obesity rate for adults is currently 30 percent. Obesity is a serious issue on the rise that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. In her article Rudavsky stated, “Instead of just telling people to avoid fast food, communities need to tell people where they go to buy fresh food.” America needs to raise the taxes of unhealthy foods and snacks containing high calories so they will equal the price of the healthier foods; therefore, there will be no more excuses.

Obesity is a problem for every age and every ethnicity. According to an article written by Arlene Ignico, '21.2 percent of children between ages two and five are overweight or obese.' Most of the children included in the percent tile came from low-income families. People who fall into the low-income range argue that the healthier foods costs too much; the families have no choice to buy the fatty foods because they cannot afford the healthier foods. Personally, I'd eat anything before I'd starve myself. However, like I stated earlier, if the healthier foods prices were equal to the non-healthier foods, then the justifications for the people's unhealthy eating habits will have to vanish.

Obesity is not only unhealthy, but it is also expensive as well. Rudavsky stated in her article that, 'In 2008, obesity cost the state about $435 per adult. That could rise to $1,484 by 2018.' So, using the argument, 'It’s cheaper,' makes no sense because it is actually a lot more costly than people believe. Also, including the cost of hospital bills and prescriptions needed to manage health diseases like diabetes, more money gets thrown away.

Yes, I've stated earlier that it is people's own fault for being obese because they decide what to put into their mouths; however, I must admit, that sometimes it is genetic. Genetic factors play a major role in eating habits. If your parents have bad eating habits, don't exercise, and are overall unhealthy citizens themselves, statistics show that their offspring will follow the same pattern. It's as if they are taught from birth how to be unhealthy. So yes, I sympathize for those kinds of people, but that still isn't an excuse to live as an obese person. Those people must work harder to break their habits for their future children so they won't be obese as well.

Unhealthy foods need to be taxed! Yes, many people may argue that it is unnecessary and many people may complain, but, at the end of the day it is good for the community. Our children are our future; we need to teach them now how to be healthy so that the future of America will be a healthier and more efficient country. We are the United States of America, so we Americans all need to unite as one healthy nation and resolve this issue. Will you sacrifice your sweet-tooth to save the country?

Immigration

Many Americans believe that immigration is a bad thing but is it really? There should be more support and a sense of urgency in helping immigrants in America and trying to get to America achieve that better lifestyle. Viewpoints all over America are different, some for and against immigration. I strongly welcome and believe that immigrants are not at all bad to the American society and think they should have faster ways of getting immigrant’s green cards and visas.

Immigration in ways is sometimes the path to a better life for some foreigners ,and I don’t think we as Americans should be at all against that. Third world countries and people in those countries are in survival mode, scarce jobs, limited resources & no helping hand to assist them. Immigration is a beautiful thing so America the richest country in the world should have a positive impact on immigration and the people. Immigrants from other countries are looked at as outsiders , I mean they are but if they took all the trouble to get here, why not just respect that and applaud them for wanting a better life.

Is it really fair, the law in Arizona lets cops randomly check people of Hispanic heritage & if no green card is shown they can be arrested and taken to jail for the suspicion of being in the United States illegally. Immigration can be viewed the same as politics, some think its good and some think it’s bad that’s with anything though there is always two sides to every story. Immigration is the only other way to survive for some of these foreigners coming from the countries especially Mexico and giving them a hard time and not welcoming the Hispanics in some cases is looked upon as if that’s what they deserve.

Immigration in many ways is good and bad but never right for American citizens to be judgmental.  Reports show that it can take up to five years for Hispanics to get their green cards to be in the United States legally. This could be one of the main reasons that nearly 11 million illegal citizens lived in the United States as of 2008 & here in Indiana numbers are not that high some may differ but around 45,000. The immigrants do not have time to wait around so they take matters into their own hands which is not right but a better side can be brought to light of the situation .

There should be more support and a sense of urgency in helping immigrants in America and trying to get to America achieve that better lifestyle. There are pros and cons to both sides of the immigration laws and view point that can be discussed.  The 11 million illegal immigrants that lived here as of 2008 is more than likely grown because the demand in society for jobs and better living. There is no excuse for someone waiting on a green card for five years. In such a city as Indianapolis or even our state, Indiana immigration is not as big an issue as states bordering Mexico so there shouldn’t be a big problem.

Never Be Scared!

Every nine seconds a woman is physically abused by her husband (Statistics). There are many reasons why a battered woman feels she needs to stay in an abusive relationship, like fear, lack of finances, children, or simply lack of resources, but no one has the right to harm another, it’s against the law, and someone could be killed. Leaving an abusive relationship can be the difference between your life and death.

Many victims of abuse deny or minimize the abuse and believe that their partner will change. Some battered women, believing there are no options to escape the abuse, may kill their abuser. Several women believe they deserve whatever abuse is happening to them but no matter what the circumstances might be no one has the right to belittle or harm another person in any way.

Physical violence of any kind is against the law, and the police should be called the first time an abuser attacks. Only about half of domestic violence incidents are reported to police (“U.S. Statistics”). Telling the police everything is a vital piece to getting out of your situation; it may be scary at first because your partner may have made threats, but the outcome will be rewarding. Victims can also get a Restraining Order which orders a person or a person to stay away from persons named in the order and prohibits them from hurting or threatening to hurt those named in the order.

The worst possible outcome of staying in an abusive relationship is death, but by attempting to leave the abused could escape those chances. Victims also believe their partners may come for them after they leave, but there are many strategies to prevent the abuser from finding the abused. One strategy could be to find a safe haven when its time to decide to leave that way the abuser will not find the victim. Another way could be getting plenty of support from friends and family, if they know about the abuse they can help keep the victim safe. Try getting a restraining order, make sure there is have a safe place to live, and make sure people around you know the situation in case they see or hear anything unusual.

Each and every one of us knows someone or knows of someone who has been affected by domestic violence. There are many resources and organizations that can assistant a woman can use to escape safely out a domestic violence situation. My hope is that anyone who is in a domestic violence situation seeks the help they need and deserve.

Domestic Violence

“When I am asked why a man/woman doesn’t leave a abuser I say. They stay because the fear of leaving is greater than the fear of staying. They will leave when the fear of staying is greater than of leaving.” Rebecca J. Burns, The Last Straw. Domestic violence is considered a crime; but some people question whether or not this is over exaggerated and should result in greater punishment then when already exist.

Domestic violence can be defined as a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.  Abuse is physical, sexual, emotional, economic or psychological actions or threats of actions that influence another person. This includes any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound someone. "Don't make light of domestic abuse.” Indianapolis Star 31 Oct. 2010. Web.  9 Feb. 2011. Indianapolis Star, ProQuest.              

Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

        Some of Americans believe that the decision should be left to the court. They think that if a woman is getting abused that helping them should be left to the police. Some even think since it’s not happening to them then why should they care. They feel that when the abuser it put into to jail when he gets out there is a great chance he will come back. When dealing with domestic violence you first have to put the incidents on record. Then there comes the restraining order. A restraining order is not good enough; it’s just a piece of paper. Last year in Indiana, 62 men, women and children lost their lives to domestic abuse. Duke Josh.  "Shelters strained by rising number of abuse victims.” Indianapolis Star 4 Jan. 2011. Web. 9 Feb. 2011. Indianapolis Star, ProQuest.

Some ways to get involved to help maker stricter laws are public service announcement is a way to take action. Public service announcement is featured on television, radio, print or other media. P.S.A is intended to be in the interest of the view. Starting with a public service announcements can aware others about the facts on domestic violence and it can possibly start a petition.

When it comes to domestic violence some people question whether it should result in greater punishment then what already exist. Domestic violence can happen to anybody nobody what race age or gender. Doing a P.S.A is taking action on helping making stricter laws on domestic violence.

Child Abuse

Did you know that a report of child abuse is made every ten seconds?   It’s true, except for murder; child sexual abuse is the most expensive victim crime in the United States (Malott).  Child abuse in any form is a crime that needs to be put to an end.  We need to get together to make Public service announcements to help reach out to as many people as possible. P.S.A.’s need to be created and money needs to be raised to help the already abused children, and hopefully with that money, we can start a foundation for abused children. Child abuse is the problem at hand.   We need to get together to recognize the severity of the problem and work to use the mass media to help spread the word and help lower or even prevent child abuse. 


Public service announcements need to be created because they reach many people.  People watch them on television and hear them on the radio.  We can use them to send the powerful message needed to help people get involved to help the cause. Through P.S.A.’s hopefully people will see how much of an issue child abuse really is.  It also will help lower the killings of these abused children, because “almost five children die every day as a result of child abuse,” and “ more than three out of four are under the age of four” (ChildHelp).


Another way to help abused children is to donate money to an already existing foundation or to help start a new foundation for the children who have already been abused.  Although this does not help prevent abuse now, it helps the children who have been abused get help.  Donating money will be better in the end, because if abused children get help and comfort at a young age, it can prevent them from being violent later on in life.  About 30 percent of abused and neglected children will later abuse their own children, continuing the horrible cycle of abuse. ( Childhelp).  We need P.S.A.’s to help.


Child abuse is an act that needs to be stopped, but you might ask yourself why people abuse their children.  When children get abused, it is probably because of an ignorant reason.  When little infants cry and the parents do not know what is wrong with the baby, it sometimes will lead to abuse.  Some parents lead to abuse as their last resort, when in all reality, that is not the last resort.  Child abuse should never be an option.  Whatever the issue is, you should still never abuse.

Child abuse is a huge issue in our community.  We need to do whatever we can to lower and put an end to child abuse.  Do not just sit around and say this is an issue, but not do something to help. Get out, donate money, and help create public service announcements to put a stop to this.   Is a baby crying ten minutes really worth losing your child over?