One belief of the American mindset has always been that Americans can and will change things.  This mindset has caused constant upheaval and reform in the U.S. social system.  In the early 1900s, when industrial workers tired of dangerous work environments, they stood together to unionize and demand changes.  During the 1960s and 1970s, those who opposed the Vietnam War took to the streets carrying antiwar banners and shouting for change. As well during that time period, many with new views on sex and sexuality ran to the streets, shed their clothes, and well…. you get the picture. Even in this century, citizens who had grown tired of Republican executive policy elected a candidate who promised change. Despite this strong American spirit, however, students in the U.S.’s public high school system feel they are without any ability to change the status quo; a status quo they complain about on a daily basis.
Students tend to have two areas of complaint about the U.S.’s social system: those in government (i.e. foreign policy, healthcare, stimulus package, CIA cameras around every corner, etc), and those in his or her school system ( i.e. scary grease-coated school lunches, inevitable uniforms, mandatory vocabulary word drawings somehow abstractly expected to teach comprehension,  etc).  Students, the majority being under the voter age, have a hard time changing laws or electing the crooked politicians who make laws.  But, since students do hold strong opinions, they need a way to affect the government’s and the school system’s decisions; so, students must find a system that makes their voices heard.

Suggestions are often for students to write certain officials about policies and laws.  Sadly, far too often these “grown-up” political ears are clogged with lobbyists’, millionaires’ and their own personal interests instead of the American people’s interest.  Even when policies are being made to help students, the students’ actual opinions are often neglected. An example of such was when Lamar County decided it will implement uniforms next year; the school board took no direct polls about the students’ opinions on uniforms.

History has shown that one reliable way to gain attention is through demonstration and protest.  When tired of the British Empire’s rule, a small Indian man stood up against the empire.  His name was Mahatma Gandhi.  During the civil rights movement, Martin Luther King, Jr. led peaceful protests demanding equal rights for all people. Currently, even right-wing conservatives are having tea parties in protest to taxes and government spending.

These examples show not only that demonstrations and protests work at changing policy, but that those most successful are peaceful.  Violent demonstrations only cause problems, discrimination and hate for the protestors.  This occurred at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.  Anti-war protesters fought with police while marching in front of the convention.  Many question who actually started the fighting, but either way, the result lost most Americans’ respect for the protestors and the Yippie movement as a whole.

The time is nigh for high school students to stop complaining about policies and start challenging them.  If students truly want change, they must stand up and make their voices heard (peacefully, of course).

When thinking about students’ “all bark and no bite” approach to school rules and government laws, I am reminded of something my mother has always said: “Don’t whine about it unless you intend to do something about it.”  Students should realize they accomplish nothing by sitting in class crying over what they find unfair, but should actually attempt to change what they find unfair.

The Young Republicans Club is the place for all students at Oak Grove High School who are looking for a place to discuss pressing domestic and international issues with their peers.  Despite the name, the club is not limited to only republicans or conservatives.  In fact, having people with differing or even conflicting views makes meetings a lot more interesting, according to one of the club’s co-presidents, junior Steven Wild.  “Actually, Kaya Massey (a die-hard liberal) frequently made appearances at last year’s meetings, and as far as I could tell, enjoyed herself.  So, no, the club isn’t necessarily for republicans only,” Wild said.

Each month, the club’s three co-presidents, or officers, Steven Wild, Kent McCarty, and Will Bedwell, along with the sponsor, Mrs. Siders, try to select the biggest current issues facing the United States and place them at the forefront of the club’s discussions.  So, topics differ from meeting to meeting.  One month, members might find themselves discussing healthcare reforms, while the next, economic recovery prospects may be the main topic up for discussion.  Mrs. Siders and the club officers always try to find new ways to make the club’s meetings more interesting.  “We have had guest speakers in the past and Mrs. Siders is looking to find other guests for upcoming meetings,” Wild said.
The Young Republicans Club meets one Friday out of each month in Mrs. Siders’ room (A121).  Students who are interested in discussing some of America’s current issues, while connecting with other students at the same time, should check out the Young Republicans Club and see if it’s for them.

As members of the House and Senate continue to debate which direction to take on healthcare reform, the major details of the proposed healthcare reform bill, H.R. 3200, are still undecided. While nearly all congressmen and women agree that some reform is needed, they cannot agree on how exactly to carry out the reforms.

The House and Senate have been debating the reform bill for weeks in an effort to negotiate a bill that will be supported by both Republicans and Democrats, though these talks have proven unsuccessful. Many congressional Republicans and moderate Democrats have expressed their disapproval in including the public option, which will create a government-run health insurance option that will compete with private insurance companies and be available to anyone at a potentially lower price than those currently offered by private insurers. On the opposite end of the debate are liberal Democrats in Congress who have said that they will not support the bill if it does not include the public option because they believe that it is key in providing everyone with affordable health insurance.

Another key provision in the healthcare debate is mandating that Americans have health insurance, much like many states require that drivers have car insurance. As is the case with the public option debate, Republicans and Democrats remain divided on the issue. Many Republicans have spoken out recently against mandatory health insurance, including former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who said he “wouldn’t mandate owning a home or going to college, so why would [he] mandate health insurance?” Those in favor of the mandate say it’s no different than requiring auto insurance and is a necessary way to increase the quality of life for Americans.

According to House leaders, the proposed amendments are to be ready for debate on the House floor by the middle of October, with the changes to the Senate version of the bill to be debated shortly thereafter. Though Congressional Democrats think they have enough votes to pass reform without Republican support, these talks will be good indicators of just how many Republicans and moderate Democrats will be on board when the final vote on H.R. 3200 occurs.