Our Ideas for Reforms

This week we have been discussing the idea of reform. We have analyzed the various reasons that Martin Luther wanted to reform the Catholic Church, and we have considered the wisdom of Pope Leo's response to Luther's ideas.

Today we had a fascinating discussion about current day reforms. The students came up with a broad range of ways in which they would like to reform the United States.

Their ideas were fantastic. I just wish Candidates Clinton and Trump could have listened in! Here's a sampling:

Asher: Each person who pays taxes should get to designate the government project(s) for which his/her taxes will be used.

Morgan: We should have two Presidents, with different points of view, so that they would be forced to compromise with each other and the government could get more done.

Lilly: Someone should lead a program in which every person in America is challenged to reform himself/herself. It has to start with changing ourselves!

Gracie: The government should do a better job of supporting local businesses and helping them to grow.

Maya M. and Artie: The government should devote money to protecting and helping animals.

Henry and Maxwell: The amount of money paid to professional athletes should be reduced, and the extra money should be distributed to other people who do equally important jobs.

Charlie M.: Our society should consider the ways that we are affecting the environment. Specifically, we should think before we build.

Bowen, Evan, and Sofia: The government should be move involved with helping each person find a meaningful job that enables him/her to support himself/herself.

Josh: The President should be elected by the members of Congress, rather than by the general population.

Kate: The government should make it easier for people to immigrate to the United States and become citizens.

Hunter, Gracie Lou, Henry and Priya: There should be laws requiring that men and women be paid equally for equal work.

Artie: Starting in ninth grade, students should have more freedom to choose classes in subjects that they are interested in.

Coco: Math classes should be organized based on students' style of learning. For example, students who learn visually should be placed in a math class that emphasizes visuals.

Kat: The government should come up with a plan to actively help Syrian refugees.

Gabriel: Each President should be required to solve at least one major problem.