Teen Forum gives high school students an opportunity to express their opinions on a variety of topics related to school and culture. This feature first appears in the magazine.

What Would You Ask the President?

My request to the president would be to establish a stronger and more stable security system on our geographic borders, creating sturdy protection for the United States. Our borders are regularly and easily taken advantage of by surrounding countries. Illegal immigrants, often poor and uneducated, are soon depending on the government for financial needs which can only come from taxes paid by American citizens. The United States is a sympathetic nation, but compassion can only reach a certain point before serious consequences begin to occur.
Victoria Kowalczyk, Great Lakes Energy

If I could ask George Bush to do one thing, it would be to increase federal financial aid to college students. With more and more jobs in America being outsourced, and so many people losing their jobs, it makes it more difficult for parents to contribute to the costs of college. Also each year, tuition and fees at colleges increases at a rate higher than inflation. It seems that as jobs require more and more education to compete in a world market, we need more of our young people getting a college education. Oftentimes finances are a major roadblock for students and an increased availability of federal aid would certainly help. I really feel that the economic future of America would be greatly influenced by an increased education level of our general population, and it is imperative to find ways to make this happen.
Kayla Osworth, Midwest Energy

I would ask the president of the United States to help secure the homeland from both terrorism and natural disasters. I believe that before the hurricane in New Orleans the president should have realized it was a weak spot. I believe the president should look more in-depth at making cities around the United States safer for residents to live in year-round, even during natural disasters. I also believe that we the people could help against terrorism by just watching our surroundings.
Jenah Strahan, Midwest Energy

If I could ask the president to do one thing it would be to lower the national debt because it is now at about $8.2 trillion. If he could lower it, he shouldn’t lower it all the way though, because it would be bad for the economy and cause a recession, or shortage of money. It would be nice if he could lower it to at least the billions again. Along with lowering the debt, he should try to lower the daily increase on it.
John Brown, Jr., Presque Isle Electric & Gas

I would ask the president to make our military the top priority. Our technology today is so advanced and our troops should be the ones benefiting from that blessing. They should be equipped with the best weapons, machinery, and protective gear that is available, no matter what the cost. When I was in Washington, D.C., it seemed that you couldn’t go anywhere without first walking through a metal detector. I think the same level of security should apply to our troops. If it’s not the right answer to pull our military out of Iraq, at least give our troops the tools to protect themselves. Without our elite military, America would not be the same as we know it!
Sarah Clyde, HomeWorks Tri-County

I would ask the president to reconsider the economic situation. Although fighting terrorism is justified, I have difficulty trying to justify the events that are currently taking place. We have the highest debt our nation has seen, yet we are continuously pouring billions of dollars into Iraq. I just cannot justify sending money to buy cell phones for the citizens of Iraq. There are many people in our own country striving to survive. This money could be put toward much better use. We must realize that our nation cannot continuously borrow money if it wishes to remain successful. Unless we change our course now, we most certainly are promised a rough road ahead.
Torey Stockwell, Great Lakes Energy

If I could ask the president to do one thing, I would ask him to provide post-high school education for free, based on successful academic high school performance. Many families struggle with the high costs of college and post-high school education. Many students struggle and work hard for the grades they earn, but when it comes time for college the money is not always there.
Andrea Sturr, Great Lakes Energy

I would ask the president to put more money towards education. I would also ask that he eliminate teacher tenure in public schools. I think that teachers who do not perform their jobs well, or who are disrespectful to the students they are trying to teach, should not be able to have the protection of tenure. If teachers are not fully dedicated to guiding the learning of the students entrusted to them, then they are not helping to educate them and should not be in the position of teaching. I also think that good teachers who perform their job well and influence their students in a positive way should be paid more than teachers who do not teach as well. Teachers should strive to instill a love of lifetime learning in their students. If our society were better educated, we could be more productive and better able to help ourselves and our country. Instead of cutting financial aid to schools, we should be increasing aid to schools that encourage students to obtain their high school diploma and seek higher education.
Cara Shelton, Midwest Energy

If I could ask the President of the United States to do one thing it would be to come to my home and go coyote hunting with me, my family, and all of our friends who take part in our #1 winter pastime. This has become a tradition for us during winter weekends, not only for pleasure, but to keep the predator population down in our area since most of us here are farmers. This would show him a little about how we pass time here in the U.P.
Judy Bishop, Cloverland Electric