The essay 3 topic must be chosen from this list; the essay 3 thesis statement will be one of these statements with the blank filled in based on your position.
Advice for students: consider leaving the blank empty while you research. Your views may shift based on what you read!
LIFE & DEATH
The U.S. should ____________ physician-assisted suicide.
legalize
abolish
The U.S. should ____________ capital punishment (i.e. the death penalty).
legalize
abolish
Gun manufacturers _____________ be held legally and fiscally responsible for gun deaths.
should
should not
Pharmaceutical companies _____________ be held legally and fiscally responsible for opioid overdose deaths.
should
should not
Telecommunications companies ____________ be held legally and fiscally responsible for distracted driving deaths.
should
should not
HEALTH
Government-run (and funded) health insurance __________.
should cover everyone
should be an option for everyone
should be an option for some (explain who)
should not be available to anyone
The government __________ imprison nonviolent drug offenders.
should
should not
First responders _________ be required to administer Narcan to individuals who have overdosed.
should
should not
Medically-assisted treatment for drug and/or alcohol addiction ___________ be covered by health insurance or government funding.
should
should not
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. __________ deport anyone in the country illegally.
should
should not
Children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents _________ be automatically granted American citizenship.
should
should not
ECONOMIC
The United States __________ enact a wealth tax.
should
should not
A universal basic income would give every adult a monthly payment from the federal government. The U.S. __________ consider a universal basic income.
should
should not
Under an employment guarantee, every American would be entitled to a government job, if they want it. The U.S. __________ consider enacting a jobs guarantee.
should
should not
The United States _____________ enforce a minimum wage.
should
should not
The president __________ commit to stabilizing or lowering the national debt.
should
should not
The government should make four years of college __________ for all families, including the wealthy.
free
debt-free
affordable
Student loan debt should be __________.
canceled for everyone
canceled for lower incomes
reduced, but not outright canceled
left alone
INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS
If someone buys a gun, they __________.
should have to register it
should have to register it, if it’s an assault weapon
should not have to register it
Two states allow all individuals to vote from prison, and many states restrict voting for convicted felons after release. __________ should be able to vote.
All prisoners
All former prisoners
Only some former prisoners
The U.S. __________ eliminating the existing electoral college system in favor of the popular vote.
should consider
should not consider
Business owners ____________ be able to refuse services based on religious beliefs.
should
should not
The United States currently requires employers to provide 12 weeks of unpaid family leave, but no paid leave (under FMLA). The United States should guarantee _________________ family leave for workers.
12 weeks of unpaid (no change from current policy)
12 weeks of paid
6 weeks of paid and 6 weeks of unpaid
1 year, 12 weeks of which is paid
1 year of paid
Choose your own combo
ENVIRONMENTAL
The U.S. should __________ fracking.
ban all
limit or better regulate
maintain current policy on
The government should __________ nuclear power.
expand
pause the expansion of
phase out
The U.S. __________ consider setting a price on carbon emissions, such as with a carbon tax or cap-and-trade.
should
should not
LAW ENFORCEMENT
The use of body cameras by police officers ___________________.
should be mandatory
is not an effective solution to police brutality
Police forces _______________ receive surplus military weapons and gear.
should
should not
Government funds previously reserved solely for law enforcement agencies _______________ be reallocated to include social workers and other mental health professionals.
should
should not
The police sometimes use things like tear gas and rubber bullets to control crowds during protests or riots. The use of these non-lethal measures ________________.
is an appropriate and safe way for police to handle violent crowds
demonstrates excessive force and should be outlawed