SAMPLE-CRIME

Note to 8th graders: This sample page is a work in progress; note your overview for specific requirements

Sample Outline

 * Issue:** Crime


 * I. What is the "big picture" issue?**

//a. What is the government's role in this issue?// -The federal government's role is primarily to support cities and states in protecting the public, solving crimes, and an efficient and fair judicial system. http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/10/mccain_obama_promise_federal_m.html http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2140737520080721 http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/06/mccain_obama_promise_federal_money_to_fight_crime/ -The federal govt hasn't always had a big role. http://www.brookings.edu/articles/1999/winter_crime_john-j--diiulio--jr.aspx

//b. What societal problems/challenges fall within this issue?// -Poverty, public safety (including homeland security), regulation of firearms and other weapons; school violence, and community policing; rising concerns about identify theft (cyber crime); judicial system. http://www.heritage.org/research/Crime/lm20es.cfm http://www.cybercrime.gov/ http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2140737520080721


 * II. What "hot topics" within this issue are being addressed by the candidates?**

//a. What are these topics?// -Federal grants of money to state and local police forces//.// http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2140737520080721 http://www.boston.com/news/politics/2008/articles/2008/10/06/mccain_obama_promise_federal_money_to_fight_crime/ -Laws to limit/regulate gun ownership. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_560181.html -Illegal immigration http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/mccains_speech_to_the_national.html -Death penalty is often a "hot topic" though not as much in this campaign. http://pewforum.org/religion08/compare.php?Issue=Death_Penalty -Minimum sentencing guidelines: if convicted of a federal crime, eg drugs, a criminal is required to serve a certain amount of years in prison & high prison populations. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/mccains_speech_to_the_national.html -Hate crimes http://www.washblade.com/2008/8-22/news/national/13134.cfm

//b. Why are these topics on the agenda?// -Supreme Court just came down with its [|first major gun control case], causing many states/localities to look at their laws. http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/06/26/behind-the-supreme-courts-gun-decision.html| -Federal minimum sentencing guidelines have come under scrutiny recently (e.g. three strikes laws). -Large and rising prison populations in the country. http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=background.view&backgroundid=238 -10th anniversary of [|Matthew Shepard] case: gay man who was brutally murdered because of his sexuality. http://www.washblade.com/2008/8-22/news/national/13134.cfm


 * III. What are McCain and Obama's positions on these topics?**

//a. What positions has McCain taken? on his website? in debates? commercials?// past voting record? (etc.) -Focus on illegal aliens, terrorism, child predators, supporting police. http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/f26da5d0-8043-402d-ab84-769cf88a1a99.htm http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/mccains_speech_to_the_national.html

//b. What positions has Obama taken?// -Obama addresses support of community policing efforts, a focus on gun violence, and youth violence. http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/urban_policy/#crime-and-law-enforcement http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heather-tirado-gilligan-and-nikki-jones/obamas-approach-to-fighti_b_128621.html

//c. What are their points of disagreement? agreement?// -They seem to agree on substance, but differ on what they prioritize or the degrees of their support. http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2140737520080721?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112&sp=true -For example, McCain is generally more for the death penalty, while Obama is for it in limited cases. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25379987/ -McCain is more against gun control than most Republicans, but received the [|endorsement of the NRA]). http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gNHyi-Dusche-SUEbzEpf4fY9JtQD93N03KG3 -[|Critics] say the candidates aren't making crime a prominent issue, so it is difficult to tell how much this issue will matter in the election. http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/10/09/politically_crime_doesnt_pay

Campaigns http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/f26da5d0-8043-402d-ab84-769cf88a1a99.htm http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/urban_policy/#crime-and-law-enforcement
 * Works Cited:**

Educational Institution http://www.niemanwatchdog.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=background.view&backgroundid=238

Government http://www.cybercrime.gov/

Interest Group Media http://www.washblade.com/2008/8-22/news/national/13134.cfm

Internet Media http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2008/07/mccains_speech_to_the_national.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/heather-tirado-gilligan-and-nikki-jones/obamas-approach-to-fighti_b_128621.html

Opinion Media http://www.reason.com/news/show/129375.html

Research Institution http://pewforum.org/religion08/compare.php?Issue=Death_Penalty

Traditional Media http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/national/2008/06/26/behind-the-supreme-courts-gun-decision.html http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2008/10/09/politically_crime_doesnt_pay/ http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gNHyi-Dusche-SUEbzEpf4fY9JtQD93N03KG3 http://www.mlive.com/elections/index.ssf/2008/10/mccain_obama_promise_federal_m.html http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25379987/ http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2140737520080721?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=10112&sp=true http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_560181.html

Think Tank http://www.brookings.edu/articles/1999/winter_crime_john-j--diiulio--jr.aspx http://www.heritage.org/research/Crime/lm20es.cfm

User Generated Media http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1104488/matthew_shepard_remembered_in_spirit.html?cat=62