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Helping Children Understand Politics

BILLINGS, MT - MAY 19:   Democratic presidenti...
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During major elections, children see politicians on television insulting one another. Generally, the closer the vote date gets,the nastier they will be. They also hear their parents discuss the debatable topics. Although kids don’t really understand what it is and how elections work, they are still very curious to learn about it. They are interested in what happens in the world they live in. As parents, it is our responsibility to explain what politics are and how each person in America has the privilege to vote.

There are ways to open the line of communication and get the conversation started. One way to do this is have your child watch the news with you one night. After each segment, talk about what you saw and answer any questions the child has. This will open their eyes to a new way of thinking and a better understanding of politics.

Undoubtedly, your child will have questions about the war in Iraq since this is still one of the top issues going on in our world today. When giving them an explanation, use simple words that they can comprehend. Make sure they understand why our military became involved. Make a conscience effort not to frighten them with what you tell them as that is the last thing you would want to do.

Once your child understands what basic politics means, as they grow they will continue to learn about the different issues at hand and be able to vote for them. Teaching the Democratic or Republican way at this point is really not necessary. When they become an adult they will develop their own views and decide which party to join. Most children will choose the party that their parents support, as that has been what they have been taught from the beginning.

If parents are educated on the basics of politics, they will find it easier to communicate with their children about it. It may be helpful to get a book about that topic and read it together with the kids. You both may learn something new.

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Pro-Choice, Giving Women the Right to Control Their Body

Photo from the 2004 March for Women's Lives, t...
Image via Wikipedia

It is safe to say that abortion is one of the most controversial issues the government battles. Many citizens feel abortion should be illegal and fight for “Pro-Life”. They feel that human life begins at the time of conception. “Pro-Choice” advocates disagree. They feel, along with the courts, that the point of “viability”, is when the fetus can survive outside it’s mother’s womb. Natural viability begins when the pregnancy is about 6 months along. Because of the modern medical practices, the age of viability is set back considerably.

The point of the matter is that abortion is the woman’s right to control her body. It is very important that the option of an abortion remains safe and available. Clinics need to be available and staffed with informed employees to offer advice on abortion and the procedure of an abortion. Due to the dedication of abortion physicians across the nation, abortions are one of the safest medical procedures providing women with accessible, safe care.

If abortion became illegal, women will still seek to get an abortion illegally. Getting an illegal abortion could be very dangerous, as it was starting back in the 1880′s. Thousands of women died after attempting abortions on their own or going to someone who is not trained professionally and use primitive methods in unsanitary conditions. This will happen again if abortion becomes illegal. Because of legalized abortion, a women’s chance of death from an abortion is far less likely to occur then a woman dying during childbirth.

Not so long ago several abortion clinics were getting bombs and physicians were getting shot. Laws were created called “Clinic Access” limiting the pro-life protesters what they can and cannot do and how far away they must be from the entrance of the abortion clinic. The women needed to feel safe. There were also laws that regulate when the states perform an abortion. First trimester abortions are not regulated. A second trimester abortion is regulated but it is not banned. A third trimester abortion can be banned, which most states practice.

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Assisted Living and Better Health

The population of the United States is growing, and so is the number of people over the age of 65. The Green Party desires to stand up for those senior citizens who feel like the government doesn’t understand their needs. As the Green Party fights for seniors rights, the Green Party will make things better for all senior citizens.

As this population of senior citizens ages, exercises, eats better, and takes better medications, it will increase exponentially. This population will live longer than the previous generation. The result will be more and more senior citizens who need to be cared for, and assisted living is an option that must be carefully considered.

There are a couple of approaches to assisted living. In-home care allows a caregiver to live in the home of the person needing assistance. Another option is nursing-home care. This allows a person who is disabled to live in a full-care environment while maintaining partial independence.

In either case, assisted living leads to better health. Disabled people require attention and care, generally in at least two areas of daily living.

Just as good health requires maintenance, so do assisted living facilities. If the health and well-being of an aging population is to be maintained, funding to support assisted living programs must be developed. States may encourage investment in assisted living programs by offering tax cuts to business communities.

Better overall mental and physical health for people should be one of the primary goals of every community’s leadership. This includes making allowances for the elderly. If the elderly and the disabled are forced to leave the communities where younger families are living, the natural relationship of young and old will unravel. Careful attention to the needs of the elderly will help to maintain familial relationships between generations.

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