World's Biggest Problems

The world is an extremely large place. We are faced with several problems that restrict how entire communities function. Below, is my list for the 10 biggest problems the world faces today.

1.) Gun control - No one has found the answer to limiting the amount of injuries caused by guns. We live in a society where there are school shootings, terrorist attacks, etc. that revolve around the access to weapons. Whether we restrict everyone from purchasing guns or increase background checks, something needs to be done.

We could restrict put a tighter restriction on online gun purchases and also gun shows. A large number of attacks are tied back to large gun purchases at events.

2.) Student loan debt - The amount of loans required for in-state and out-of-state tuition at public and private universities is astronomical. We can choose to defer our loan payments until 6 months after graduating from school, however, the loan repayment programs and lack of jobs, are causing students to fall behind.

I believe their should be decreased rates for in and out of state students. The repayment program should be restructured and the deferment period should be longer than 6 months, to allow graduates to find and secure a job.

3.) Poverty - The gap between lower class and middle class families is growing. Minimum wage jobs can maintain living for single mothers and children to survive. This has led to a decrease in education, food quality and housing. No one should suffer because of lack of money.

There should be increased assistance from the government for food and educational purposes. Cut spending in other areas, to assist families who need it most.

4.) (Prison reform) First-time, non-violent, white-collar offenders in prison - There is no need to lock up men and women who have been involved in white-collar crimes. The alternative is to allow for probation with a repayment plan to cover any damages, the inmate caused. If they're stuck in prison, we have to pay for them, when they could be repaying what is due.

There should be a probation for criminals, instead of privately funded prisons. It would allow them to apply for government related jobs or other jobs, where the employer would be granted tax credits. This would allow them to work and repay what is due.

5.) Public Education - Due to the lack of funding in low income neighborhoods, public education has decreased drastically. Children begin their lives with a lack of education that leads to crime, poverty and unstable lives.

The government should fund more money to lower income neighborhoods with low graduation rates. By supplying money, they could afford better supplies and teachers.

6.) Minimum Wage - The lack of major increase in minimum wage has caused families to fall behind. Parents who work morning until night can barely afford to live on what they're being paid. There needs to be more government assistance to help families who suffer from this.

The minimum wage should be increased to $12 per hour. I do not agree with $15, however, $12 is enough for a small family to break-even every month.

7.) Lobbying - Money in politics is absolutely corrupt. Politicians are elected because of financial gain and their voting styles are directly related to the way the lobbyists want our country to act. There needs to be a limit to the amount of money involved in lobbying or get rid of it altogether.

Lobbying should either go one of two ways. First, money in politics shouldn't exist, or when lobbyists do provide money to politicians it must be clearly stated in media and any vote made in congress must have a label that says who funded their decision.

8.) Climate change - This year was the hottest year on record since 1880, when we first began to record weather patterns. Scientists agree that climate change is here and will effect the the future for all of us.

The United States should do even more against climate change. Research new ways to decrease fossil fuel use and find more alternative energy resources.

9.) Political Instability in the Middle East - There continues to be well financed terrorist organizations being created and painted in the Middle East. They are not afraid to attack one another and they will risk it all to gain recognition from the rest of the world.

The United States should have constant ground troops in the middle east to maintain control. It seems like whenever we leave, everything goes to shit. If we want stability, we need to take it in our won hands.

10.) Donald Trump becoming president - This is terrifying to me. We have a man, who has little to no political experience and who is out of touch with the rest of the world. If he is elected, I'm afraid he will isolate us from the rest of the world. The world operates as a global economy, and relationships must be maintained with other world powers.

Elect Hillary or Bernie Sanders. I'm hoping that when debates between Hillary and Donald commence, voters will realize how unrealistic Donald really is.