Debate Ponderings
This new topic brings up all sorts of ideas on loss, money, identity, and individuality. In fact, I think this will be one of the few debates in which we see less nuke+war and more deconstructive and philosophical views of what creates American identity. After all, this country is supposed to be the one place where anyone can succeed. There are many who argue that this absolutely untrue, especially with the growing divide and the dissolving middle class.
Should we? Could we?
The question becomes– what makes a viable form 
of government assistance for people to “pull themselves
up from the bootstraps” so to speak. Or is there even
such a program in existence? Depending on how you view this topic, government assistance can be seen as either a faucet that gives you fresh water in a land of polluted drinking sources, or a river that continuously flows, drowning mankind’s desire to achieve on one’s own. So what do we do? Where do we draw the line? Can we ever with clear conscience turn to our fellow man and say, “No, you can not have food, shelter, clothing, safety, and education.”
Philospohical Side Step
Perhaps, in stead we need to stop thinking in a linear fashion and just destroy that falsified notion of monetary imbalance altogether. Perhaps the idea that poverty is a static state is false. Instead, what if we were to truly examine the average “middle class” income. Considering the amount of debt the average household carries, wouldn’t it be plausiable to argue that the “middle class” itself is also in poverty. After all, we have seen from the current economic crises, most people do not save as much as they should and one job loss can lead a family to the path of economic collapse within a few months. If that is the case, how on earth do we classify “poverty?” On the other hand, those who are classified as “impoverished” in the US would not be deemed so in other countries. By providing welfare, family and children’s services, and free education, these people receive services that many well-off people in other nations do not receive. So what IS poverty? If I only eat once a day–is that poverty? a week? If I only have 3 sets of clothes–is that poverty? Systematically- how define and then AFFECT poverty. Even with these systems in place those in “poverty” are unable to free themselves from the cyclic lifestyle. Why? Where has the system failed, if it has failed at all.
This year’s topic is going to be worrisome for many of you. That is good. We are going to have to look at things you will not be comfortable with including race, education, fiscal responsibility, and capital vs socialism.
Please keep an open mind. Remember: debate and deliberation is the soul of democracy.
