ASMITH

ASMITH Global warming is a huge problem. I think we should start using more fuel-efficient cars. I understand the cost much to make and even more to buy, but once more people learn how to build them it shouldn't be so bad. I don't think we should start out with such big steps, though. I believe more people should try to cut back on all the energy they use. I think it would be great if more people switched over to wind turbines. They produce huge amounts of energy without using much, if any, fossil fuels. Plus they don't cost too much. I also think we need to start setting aside more parks and forests. We're cutting down so much, pretty soon pepole will forget what a tree is. Trees and plants help our enviroment greatly. They release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. By planting more we would be saving ourselves and our planet. This leads into illegal immigrants. They come here and build homes, which is in turn killing Earth. I don't mind more people, but I think we need to be stricter about illegal immigration. Since immigration can take a while, if they come here leagally, that would give use more time to make up for the damage the rest of us have caused, before creating more. Did you know that the amount of energy we get from the sun in 3 minutes can supply enough power for the whole world for a day? Why don't we use it then?! I think our children need to be taught well enough so that we can find the technology to make our world last. I always think about the Aztec calander, and I know this is just a bunch of supersticious sutff, but they say the world will end in 2012. You guys, what if it ends because we end it? What if our world dies because of what we're doing today? I think that we have the power to change our future, so we'd better start. Like I said above, gun control is a huge problem in America today. I think much of our violence is caused by criminals that get their hands on firearms. A couple months ago a family in Cleveland, OH died because someone they trusted shot them. How do you think that affected the family members? How do you think that affected neighbors who heard the gunshots and moments later found out that the seemingly normal people next door just got killed by one of their own? How do you think that affected the friends of the family? How do you think that would have affected survivors? How do you think that affected the community? Children can develop anxiety problems, including post-traumatic stress disorder, when something like this happens to someone they know. Studies have also shown that children that are affected by this can grow up and do the same thing to their kids and spouses. So really, gun control isn't just an issue for the people that are killed or hurt. It's an issue for all of us. This can affect everyone, and if we don't try to control it now, it probably will. Indiana is a large producer of coal. Indiana is a leader in agriculture with corn as the main crop. It also produces fair amounts of soybeans, wheat, oats, rye, tomatoes, and onions. Indiana's Lake Michigan waterfront produces huge amounts of iron, steel, and oil products. Indiana ranks third in manufactured hardwood forest products. 1. "Indiana: History, Geography, Population, and State Facts." Infoplease. © 2000–2007 Pearson Education, publishing as Infoplease. 09 May. 2009 [].
 * Independent
 * Congressperson: Evan Bayh []
 * Enviroment and energy:
 * Gun Control: I think that gun control is a cause of much of the crime today. I think that we should reduce the amount of guns we have, or at least reduced them in size. There is no reason for people to own giant guns that can kill people in one shot. I understand owning a hunting gun, and I have nothing against hand guns, either. Other countries don't have the right to own guns, and they're getting along just fine! Having guns just causes problems, and taking them completey away will cause even more. I think we need to find a way to reduce all of this violence without destroying our rights. As great as stricter laws sound, though, I also know that most of this won't help. It's the criminals that use guns the wrong way. Criminals don't abide by laws! Criminals don't go get their gun licenses when required! Criminals don't care if they get sent to jail for a short amount of time. They just plan on getting out and causing more trouble! Criminals haven't cared about the lives of other before and they're not about to start. 40 months in jail is not going to teach someone to stop killing and using guns. 40 months in jail won't teach anyone anything! I think the law needs to come down harsher on those who use guns the wrong way. I also think police officers need more training so that they can better handle those who break the law.
 * Education: I think we need to supply our kids with the tools they need to succeed. Some people don't have families to read to them or help them with their homework. Some kids don't have families that can even afford a home, much less school supplies. I think we need to help kids to be self-sufficient. People need to get over segregation, too. There's this common belief that Asains are the best at school related things. That's not ture! Yes they are very good at academics, but they do not make up the best (just most of it). Everybody learns at different rates. We're all capable of being, "Asain," but that's up to the students to try, and the schools to give them the right tools. I think kids would achieve if they had the confidence to do so. I think we should supply our kids better, and teach them not to compare themselves to others. Teaching everyone the same would help greatly. Start kids off with a good foundation and teach them equally from the on.
 * My bill: http://mockcongress09.wikispaces.com/SB+46
 * Facts: The Indy 500 takes place here every Memorial Day weekend. It's the largest one day event in the world.
 * Citations:

2. "Race and Schools: The Need For Action." © Copyright 2002-2009 National Education Association. May 9, 2009 []

3. "State of Indiana Information: Indiana State Symbols, Facts & Info." // Copyright © 1998-2009 //[|//Erik Schubach//] //and TheUS50.com// May 9, 2009 []

4. "What They Didn't Tell You Today." May 4, 2009 National Rifle Association. May 7, 2009 []

5. Kopel, David B. "Trust the People: The Case against Gun Control." __The Cato Institute__. July 11, 1988. 9 May 2009 []

6. "Bills to Close the Gunshow Loophole introduced in U.S. Senate and U.S. House." __The Brady Campaign__ May 9, 2009. May9, 2009 []

7. "Dumb Laws in Indiana." Copyright © 1998-2008 The Dumb Network. May 10, 2009 []

8. "Citizens Self-Defense Act 2009" 2009 Library of Congress. May 8, 2009 [|www.tomas.loc.gov]

9. "Guns In America, Mock Congress Issue 4- Now Closed." 2008-2009 Aurora Blackboard. May 6, 2009 []

10. "Gun Control in America." © 2002 Pagewise May 9, 2009 []