Dude This Whole State is High

As a born and raised Coloradan, the legalization of marijuana came as a big shock to me. This winter break was the first time that we had been back after the legalization of marijuana. We were shocked to find souvenirs like these in almost every tourist shop that we entered. I think it is sad that so many people find these souvenirs funny and cool. Personally, I believe that the legalization of marijuana has changed the entire atmosphere of the state, and it makes them look tacky, unclean and uneducated.

I don't think that people realize the effects of the legalization of marijuana on teenagers. Now, marijuana is even easier for teenagers to get their hands on. Obviously minors have friends or even family members that are over the age of 18, and many of the older "friends" have no problem with dealing it to the younger kids. According to The Week, "drug addiction specialists are predicting sizable increases in marijuana addiction (in CO)".  I saw evidence to support this firsthand, after talking to several of my good friends who attend high school in Broomfield, Colorado. They say that pot is more prevalent then ever in their school. They told me that more and more of their friends are smoking.  One of my friends even told me that one of her teachers doesn't allow the kids to eat in class anymore, because tons of kids are bringing food with pot in it to school. It would be interesting to see Colorado test scores and/or grades change within the next year. With kids going as far as consuming pot in school, I am sure that many of them will have suffering grades. Personally, I think that the cons of legalizing marijuana greatly outweigh the pros, and that the legalization of marijuana was a huge mistake. Do you think that the legalization of marijuana was a good decision? Will the US legalize marijuana as a whole in the future? How will this change our culture and morals?

The Plight of an American Farmer

Over winter break this year, my family decided to take the long drive to Colorado so that we could enjoy the beautiful mountains and the way-better-than-Illinois skiing. On the drive out, between my long naps and the reading of The Crucible, we passed an interesting light display somewhere in Nebraska. Unfortunately the quality of my photo is not up to par, but I am lucky to have even got a decent picture since we were driving around 80 mph. 

Merry Christmas! EAT BEEF.

This was the Christmas wish of a certain Nebraskan farmer, that Americans would eat more beef. Why? So that people will eat HIS beef, and pay him (although very little) for it. Because of the intense competition in the American food industry, farmers actually get paid rather minimally. Farmers may be some of the most hardworking people in our country, and yet they are probably paid the least amount of money. Quite honestly, I think I haven't fully appreciated the hard work that goes into making my food. We always go to the store and try to find cheap, good quality meat without giving any thought as to how it affects the farmers who produce it. The relationship between farmers and consumers couldn't be more impersonal in our culture. Often it is the consumers and grocery store co-ops that dictate the prices farmers should sell their goods for. This is the opposite of what it should be. The principle of supply and demand should allow farmers to price their own goods independently. We are a consumer based society, and therefore everything is based on the wants of the consumer rather than that of the farmer. Why should the American farmer suffer in this way? What practices could be changed that would result in a healthy supplier-consumer relationship in agriculture?