Fourteenth Amendment and Citizenship

Should the Fourteenth Amendment be added to or changed to reflect different or additional criteria for citizenship? Go ahead and vote in the poll, even if your opinion is still open to change.

The Fourteenth Amendment's current definition of United States citizenship is as follows:

“All persons born or naturalized in the United Sates and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside.”

Tax the Rich?

With the recent controversy over the "tax cut" bill (a procrastinated extension of Bush's ten year old tax cuts), and the omnibus budget/tax bill, I thought a poll on appropriate taxes on the rich would be fitting. How much do you think is fair to tax the millionaires? The billionaires?

What's your favorite holiday?

Christmas season has come again, and I've added a fitting poll. Out of the four holidays I listed, which is your favorite? I'd love to hear why, or if there's another holiday you think deserves more recognition.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas season! Even though, at this rate, you might not visit my blog until next Christmas. If ever.

Which Branch of Federal Government is Most Dangerous to our Constitutional Rights?

The U.S. government is pretty powerful, and all branches affect our private lives, even if we don't always notice it. But which do you think poses the most danger to the political rights of the Constitution?
Poll's to the left; please remember to only vote once.

Do you have a blog?

I know all zero of you have been begging the last five days: "When are you going to put up another poll?" "Seriously, I thought this blog was going to overflow with chances to poll and discuss." "Hurry. I love your polls!"
Well, you need wait no longer. I've put up a new poll, with the discussion-stirring question: Do you have a blog?

Are you tired of biased, unreliable media?

I sure am, particularly on political or moral issues. Speculations and opinions are fine - but not when I just want the facts, or when the other side is misrepresented. Biased media that shares my viewpoint annoys me only a tiny bit less than media that's biased in favor of the other view. I think that, if news channels, papers, and sites approached their reports as objectively as humanly possible, and presented issues with a fair look at all sides, many opinions held by the public would be different.

What do you think? Again, the poll's to the left, and comments are below. (So far, a grand total of one person has visited the blog. I hope that changes!)

What do You Prefer to Poll About?

I like to participate in almost any type of poll. What about you? The poll relating this post is to the left, and the "comment" button is right below this post. Please, let me know!

Would You Describe Yourself as Pro-life or Pro-choice?

Why don't we dive right into one of the most controversial and sensitive topics out there? The poll's to the left, so please vote! Remember to only vote once.

Abortion is a tough topic, and many people have been hurt. It's an important issue, and I don't expect you to hold back the truth. I do expect you to share your opinion as gently as possible.

Here's a bit of advice for both sides:

Pro-lifers, calling pro-choice folk murderers or ridiculing their relationship choices will only harm the pro-life cause... and get your comment deleted. Keep in mind that not all who are pro-choice have heard the full pro-life argument. I repeat: many women and men have been hurt by abortion and the issues surrounding it. Knocking them over the head and calling them bad will not make your cause look good.

Pro-choice? Similarly, I ask that you don't label pro-lifers as women-haters or religious fanatics. Many of the most active pro-life advocates are women, and not all hold a religion or faith. Those who do consider themselves under a religion or faith usually have more reason to be pro-life than "my pastor told me so." If you want to be taken seriously, state opinions that are fact-based.

I'll comment with my own opinions on the topic some time soon. For now, I want to see if anyone visits the blog.

Do you like the blog's design and colors?

The corresponding poll is to the left. I welcome suggestions and comments, so feel free to give them!

Polls and Opinions Galore!

Okay, so maybe this post's title isn't quite accurate yet. But I hope it will be soon. For a long time, I've wanted to be a part of something online where us in the younger generation can share our opinions. I have some pretty strong beliefs, including this one: that no matter how important the topic, no matter how strongly one feels about it, one should always speak (or, on this blog, write) gently. It is important to care for the opposing side as fellow humans, with reasons behind their stance. And the more firmly and passionately one gives their opinion, the more one should listen to the other side and present logical reasons behind their arguments. The opposing party is far more likely to hear you out if you are respectful and reasonable.

Of course, I also want to make polls on lighthearted topics, and hear opinions on those too.

The blog's title is "Teen Polls and Opinions." In truth, I mean this blog to be open to people past their teen years as well. Keep in mind, though, that this blog is primarily for those of us under 25 (that's a random number past 19 and below 30).

For each poll, I'll make a corresponding blog post for discussion. Let's have fun, keep it clean, and get our minds a-thinking!

One last note: if you have a topic you'd like a poll about, please suggest it here. What would you like to hear about?