[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 12 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S123-S124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        VERMONT STUDENTS' ESSAYS

 Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask to have printed in the 
Record these essays written by Vermont High School students as part of 
the second annual ``What is the State of the Union?'' essay contest 
conducted by my office. The following essays were selected as ``Runners 
Up.''
  The Statements follow.

             Monica Allard, Milton High School (Runner Up)

                           [January 23, 2012]

       The American Dream is adaptable. The ideals that we have 
     long valued are admirable, but often contradicting or 
     impossible to achieve with a large population. In today's 
     economy, that translates to the right to a free market 
     economy, conflicting with the practical need for government 
     interference; the right to succeed for oneself, battling with 
     the need to work together for today's and future generations. 
     As long as our country is able to prosper without certain 
     regulations, I encourage it to run free, but when the winter 
     comes and there is no more grazing, the horse must accept the 
     fence that accompanies the grain. It is imperative that 
     Americans collectively work to solve problems with social 
     security, our economy, and our political system in these 
     troubled times.
       ``Maybe if we ignore it, it will go away'' has been the 
     standard approach to growing concerns about social security 
     in the last few years. Because of increasing life expectancy, 
     more people are retiring than the system can support. When 
     the newest generation retires, there won't be enough funds 
     for everyone, unless something changes soon. A fixed rate 
     retirement check is the logical solution, if we deduct money 
     from the fixed rate check based on income. Working citizens 
     would pay fewer taxes because only the people who need social 
     security will be receiving it, and everyone else would have 
     more money to put aside for their own retirement plans.
       The predominant issue of the 21st century has been the 
     international recession. Unemployment rates are high, but 
     what many young Americans don't realize is the shortage in 
     technical workers. There is a national trend towards 
     traditional four-year universities, but technical careers are 
     the road to take if you are searching for job stability, 
     demand, potential for advancement, and self-employment or a 
     local employer in today's economy. Through ad campaigns and 
     offering incentives to students enrolling in technical 
     universities. This is a simple way to lower the unemployment 
     rate, while promoting local businesses.
       Another important step in rejuvenating our economy is 
     passing legislation that gives the national government more 
     control over the stock market. Occupy movements have swept 
     the country and it is time for Congress to respond, instead 
     of hiring and appointing the same executives who were largely 
     responsible for our economy's collapse.
       In order to move forward, we need to present a united 
     front. Republicans and Democrats are rending our country in 
     two because of partisan pressure. We need radical change in 
     the political system: remove all party authority. Primaries 
     and power distribution in Congress put too much emphasis

[[Page S124]]

     on parties, cause corruption, and detract from the primary 
     duty of Senators and Representatives to their states and 
     country.
       As our soldiers rejoin their families at home we are forced 
     to turn our focus inward. Reform is necessary. It is not a 
     question of when nor is it a question of how. Rather, the 
     question is whether or not we are willing to do what is 
     necessary to save our great county. God bless America.
                                  ____


     Kayleigh Ehler-Vock, South Burlington High School (Runner Up)

                           [January 23, 2012]

       During a time of severe recession, a government facing 
     incredible debt, and a collapsing financial system, our 
     future looks dark. As a student that has been in the system 
     for 13 years, and will continue to higher education, I have 
     seen the benefits and complications of the current situation 
     with education. Next year, I will be attending college and 
     the cost of tuition is daunting. The high cost deters kids 
     from attending college. However, in our world today, a high 
     school diploma no longer ensures a hopeful career. 
     Republicans and democrats alike acknowledge the need to 
     invest in the skill and future of the youth.
       Those who choose to continue their education to better 
     themselves and America should not be punished by entering the 
     real world chained down by debt; no one should be at the 
     bottom because they choose to go to college. According to 
     Helen Krispien of The Hopkinton Crier, the cost of private 
     college is approximately 57% of yearly income, and therefore 
     having two children in college is 114% of yearly income. The 
     cost of tuition is expected to increase by 5% per year, 
     leaving those in 15 years with tuition of $103,946. Reform is 
     needed. Colleges and universities must be required to cut 
     their own costs. They know their budget better than anyone, 
     and like our nation, they need to find a way to balance 
     competition with lowering skyrocketing costs. This will allow 
     for less borrowed education, and less government 
     intervention. Furthermore, revamp colleges in hometowns 
     allowing affordable options for the working class. As a 
     nation, we need to eliminate the interest that banks charge 
     on student loans. Instead, temporary tax breaks should be 
     given to those who have children that have attended college 
     for four years. This will allow for quicker repayment of 
     loans, and will insure a successful future for both the youth 
     and our nation. The government shouldn't be funding the 
     system the way they do now; funding should be used on reform.
       Aspiring students see college as an investment into the 
     future; friendships, suitable partners, and a confidence in 
     them. In four years, I don't want to enter into a world of 
     hurt. I want to be a proud American, able to look back and 
     see what this great nation can do to recover from the 
     struggle we are facing. I want my parents to be able to 
     retire; they have worked hard to raise me and my siblings, 
     they deserve what they were promised. I am proud our 
     government is willing to listen, and if we work together as 
     one nation, America can be triumphant and re-establish the 
     high caliber and positive regard we have for much of history.
                                  ____


      Kate Raszka, Champlain Valley Union High School (Runner Up)

                           [January 23, 2012]

       My fellow Americans: The current state of our nation is one 
     of anticipation; anticipation for the future and what changes 
     will occur in the government regarding both foreign and 
     domestic affairs.
       Our country faces many difficulties: a struggling economy, 
     the draining of resources from involvement in foreign 
     conflicts, too few new jobs, environmental degradation, 
     uncertainty about how to pay for health care, and a damaged 
     international reputation because of our handling of suspected 
     terrorists. While we face many difficulties, we can find 
     strength as one union and pursue solutions as a nation.
       The United States must continue to lead by example. We 
     should teach the world how to prevent the degradation of our 
     environment. We as a country can promote renewable energy 
     resources. This would create a larger, newer market which in 
     turn would provide many new jobs. We have the power to 
     directly change the future. We must lead the fight to 
     preserve our planet.
       It is unfortunate that while our country faces many 
     domestic issues we have been deeply involved in conflicts 
     overseas. However, our involvement in Iraq has led to a more 
     stabilized and democratic country. As we pull out, we leave 
     with a success.
       Currently our judicial branch is deciding whether or not 
     the recently passed health care bill violates individual and 
     states' rights. All Americans deserve affordable health care. 
     To be successful our citizens must be able to live without 
     the fear of being unable to provide themselves or their 
     children healthcare. It may be wrong to require all people to 
     buy insurance, but a solution must be found by our esteemed 
     members of Congress in which all seeking citizens will find 
     affordable health care.
       The indefinite incarceration of our citizens suspected of 
     terrorist involvement is a wrong that must be corrected. The 
     National Defense Authorization Act is a direct violation of 
     habeas corpus and must be dealt with. I urge the Supreme 
     Court to do so immediately.
       The greatest solution to our problems is to make our 
     education system the greatest in the world and prepare our 
     youth for the competitive future. Educating our children will 
     prepare our younger generations to solve new problems that 
     will undoubtedly arise in the future. Currently, our 
     children's test scores fall below other rising nations' 
     scores. With our resources these results are unacceptable. It 
     is time to ensure that all our citizens, particularly those 
     below the poverty line, can attend college. Many of the 
     students with low test scores live in poor environments with 
     few opportunities. The success of our country must be made by 
     building upon our society from the bottom up. It is time to 
     raise our education standards and inspire change among those 
     of us most down trodden.
       Thank you and God bless the United States of America.
                                  ____


        Karolina Sowulewska, Burr and Burton Academy (Runner Up)

                           [January 23, 2012]

       My fellow Americans: Our world is rapidly evolving, and we 
     must adapt to it, or be left behind. As a sovereign power, we 
     must lead through example. While progress has been made in 
     three domestic key fronts, America must advance 
     environmentally, economically and educationally.
       We must take the first step in saving the environment, or 
     it will not sustain us and our ever expanding nation. America 
     must take initiative; by reducing our dependency on foreign 
     oil, to improve relations abroad, and purses for Americans at 
     home. This is also an opportunity to create jobs for 
     Americans, through national programs that would emphasize a 
     greener economy, such as lowering the cost of public 
     transportation, cutting gasoline and foreign fuel spending, 
     and creating energy efficient plans for buildings and 
     residential areas. By funding regional and national projects, 
     we create jobs and take large steps forward towards a low 
     carbon future.
       The necessary changes in the environment intertwines with 
     our second key front: education. We need to fund and broaden 
     opportunities ranging from the elementary to university 
     level. More programs with emphasis on environmental service, 
     protection and restoration would prepare the men and women of 
     America to attack real world problems. If the budget for 
     education were to increase, there would be more monetary 
     provisions for grants, payment for teachers and new programs. 
     Projects and research, such as investigating alternative fuel 
     resources, and technological innovations, would not only 
     benefit our environmental front, but would prepare our 
     nation's future for the larger arena they must compete in. 
     Let us not wait for another Sputnik crisis to advance in 
     education and the sciences. We need simply to offer 
     accessible opportunities for higher learning for the variety 
     of people that seek it.
       The environmental and educational fronts cannot begin to 
     expand or flourish, without a sturdy and secure economic 
     front. We must also adapt our freestanding market: the debt 
     continues to rise, and the need to invest the American people 
     in their nation increases as well. We must restore the 
     people's faith in the government. Our middle class will 
     strengthen. Unfortunately, this has to be achieved through 
     austerity: budgets must be redistributed to focus on our 
     priorities, such as our three fronts. While the free market 
     begs for stimulus, we must not wane and give in, but offer a 
     firm guiding hand to decrease the national debt. This must 
     begin by focusing our resources on environmental changes, 
     which would be brought forth through advances in educational 
     programs. By becoming less dependent on foreign resources, we 
     not only further invest in our nation and economy, but 
     provide jobs for hardworking Americans.
       If the United States is to remain a strong domestic and 
     international power, we must adapt to our current situation 
     and prepare for the upcoming year. We must make significant 
     changes in order to progress. These changes on our three 
     fronts--environment, economy and education--will be 
     difficult, but they are changes that will only benefit us; 
     these are changes we can believe in.

                          ____________________