[Pages S1339-S1343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

VERMONT STATE OF THE UNION ESSAY CONTEST FINALISTS

<bullet> Mr. SANDERS. Mr. President, I ask to have entered into the
Record some of the finalists' essays written by Vermont High School
students as part of the 15th Annual State of the Union Essay contest
conducted by my office.
The material follows:

Finalists

AMY VAUGHAN, OXBOW HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

Climate change is at the forefront of issues in the nation;
however, its effect on farming and food systems is often
overlooked. Climate change poses a growing threat to
agriculture through fluctuating weather patterns that cause
crop losses and increase production costs (EPA). These
disruptions jeopardize food security and threaten farmers'
livelihoods. While the challenges are significant, an
effective, sustainable solution is to support outreach and
educational initiatives, particularly through university
extension services. By increasing funding for these programs,
farmers and other individuals can be equipped with the
knowledge needed to adopt climate-resilient techniques,
strategies, and practices (University of New Hampshire
Extension). This approach will strengthen the agricultural
industry's ability to navigate a changing climate.
In recent years, farmers have faced increasingly
unpredictable weather patterns, including severe droughts,
flooding, and fluctuating temperatures (NOAA Research). These
changes contribute to soil degradation, water shortages, and
crop failure (Chicago EPA). A study from the United States
Department of Agriculture found that ``Increased temperatures
can also lead to issues like crop sunburn from extreme heat,
which can reduce annual yields for farms by as much as 40%''
(USDA Climate Hub). This, in combination with other climate
issues, results in decreased farm revenue adding to farmers'
struggles with financial instability (USDA ERS). Data from
the Bureau of Economic Analysis states that ``agriculture and
related industries contributed roughly $1.537 trillion to the
U.S. GDP in 2023''. Given the importance of agriculture to
U.S. food security and the economy, we can not ignore the
effects decreased farm revenue would have on our society as a
whole.
One step towards a solution is strengthening educational
outreach efforts which can support farmers in understanding
how to deal with this rising challenge. Land-grant
universities have historically played a vital role in
broadcasting research-based agricultural knowledge to the
farming community (Association of Public Land Grant
Universities). These programs offer valuable resources on
crop management, pest control, irrigation techniques, and
more (UW-Madison Extension). Many extension services include
these topics in their program objectives. However, despite
the acceleration of climate change, many extension services
are underfunded and ill-equipped to meet the growing demand
for climate-specific information.
Increased investment in these programs will provide farmers
with timely, actionable climate advice. University-led
outreach programs can teach farmers about climate-resilient
practices such as regenerative farming, crop diversification,
and soil health improvement techniques (University of New
Hampshire Extension). Furthermore, extension services can
introduce precision agriculture technologies to optimize crop
monitoring and resource use. Addressing the impact of climate
change on agriculture requires more than just technological
innovation or policy reform. It requires empowering farmers
with the knowledge and tools to adapt. By investing in
outreach and education through university extension programs,
the United States can build a more resilient agricultural
system capable of weathering the challenges of a changing
climate, ensuring long-

[[Page S1340]]

term food security and sustainable farming practices for
future generations.

OWEN STYGLES, BELLOWS FREE ACADEMY FAIRFAX, SENIOR

The 1990 Children's Television Act sought to empower the
FCC to regulate children's media, requiring that it hold a
certain level of educational value, and that the
advertisements aired during children's shows meet specific
guidelines. This bill came to be as a result of the growing
television entertainment industry, and the worries
surrounding how it affected children's minds and development.
It was also deemed important due to the nature of advertising
towards children, as they are largely unable to distinguish
advertisements from tv programs, and are easily influenced.
I mention this bill because it lays a strong foundation:
children's media needs to support development, and highly
suggestible children need to be protected from advertisers. I
especially highlight this second point, as there would be far
fewer issues if children were not such an easily targeted
demographic, furthermore, broadcasters would be less likely
to fund shallow, attention-grabbing shows in the first place
if they weren't as profitable, allowing higher quality
programs to make way on their own.
This all brings us to today, where children are switching
away from television, and towards digital media, such as
YouTube videos. This new media, of course, is largely
unregulated in comparison to broadcast television, and
advertisers are now at liberty to exploit children's
unawareness to commercials once again. Not only this, but the
nature of what kids view, outside of the ads, is also less
valuable, as it is being made only to hold their attention
until the next ad. Cocomelon, one the largest channels on
YouTube, is a notable example of this. They feature a near-
endless supply of videos geared towards children that aim
simply to hold their attention for as long as possible. Using
bright colors, songs, and sound effects, this content
manipulates children into viewing for extensive periods of
time.
The exploitation of children's attention is an undervalued
and often missed issue related with the rise of digital
media. This does not mean, however, that healthy content is
not present. Many educational programs, such as Sesame
Street, have created an online presence that is far more
constructive for children, and, most importantly, isn't
structured around making kids watch as many advertisements as
possible. Because of this, I think the center of the problem
lies in how high quality content is easily bogged down by the
onslaught of this lower quality content, as it is far easier
and faster to create.
Akin to how you find organic food by looking for the USDA
stamp of approval, I think children's content online should
be tested and labeled for its quality. This would give
educational and developmentally useful content a way to stand
out among the rapidly uploaded, low quality content. It would
also provide a kind of ``guide'' for parents, which would
make their job of overseeing what their children watch far
simpler. While this solution isn't perfect, I believe it to
be the best way to end this highly underappreciated issue
that is actively impacting millions of children's
development.

HANNAH SMILEY, MILTON HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR

For nearly two centuries, Church Street in Burlington,
Vermont has been the heart of the state and the nucleus of
the city--a lively community marketplace, bustling with shops
and restaurants. In recent years, however, it has become a
common controversial topic at gatherings or in any
conversation; an issue that cannot be ignored. What was once
a charming, safe city has become a dismal and even daunting
area for Vermonters. What caused this change? The
homelessness crisis that is plaguing the entire nation.
Let's be clear; the issue isn't panhandling or encampments,
rather it is the government's alarming lack of moral
accountability and commitment to its citizens. The United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development reports
that over 653,000 Americans--a population greater than
Wyoming and the same as Vermont--were unhoused this past
year, yet societal stigmas or the ideal of American
individualism have led this issue to be disregarded as a
competition for mere existence, or survival of the fittest.
Rather than focus on the root causes of inflation, low wages,
and lack of government support, people place blame on the
victims. Unhoused people are villainized for their attempts
at survival. The housing crisis is complex, however, there
are concrete solutions.
The US government has the moral responsibility to fulfill
its Constitutional promise; ``to promote the general
welfare'' of all Americans. This includes addressing the
homelessness crisis which directly affects the welfare of
citizens. The most comprehensive solution must include
immediate relief for unhoused communities and a means of
addressing the root causes of this crisis. According to this
formula, the best solution to solving this epidemic is
``Housing First'' initiatives. This approach to the
homelessness crisis, developed in
New York City has a form of publicly-funded permanent
housing that includes additional support to aid unhoused
people. In short, the ``housing first'' model is designed to
move long-term unhoused individuals--``the majority of whom
are living with mental illness, substance abuse disorders,
and other serious health problems,'' adds the Coalition for
the Homeless--into subsidized housing with the addition of
community support services. This type of housing support
allows unhoused people to see health improvements and is
proven to be less costly than forms of temporary care such as
emergency shelters and correctional facilities. In addition,
prevention programs, such as discharge plans for youth in the
foster care system and policy change regarding a living wage,
are vital to America's future.
Many argue that providing adequate aid to fix the housing
crisis is too expensive to sustain. This has led to temporary
``fixes'' such as wiping out encampments, leaving unhoused
people with limited options. This may be successful in easing
the guilt for citizens as they won't see unhoused people in
their communities, however, ignorance is not a solution.
Unethical practices are extremely harmful to unhoused people
and an ineffective use of funding.
The US government must recognize the severity of this
crisis and enact permanent policy to create long-term change.

WINSLOW SOLOMON, VERMONT COMMONS SCHOOL, SENIOR

Three-fourths of adults in the United States are overweight
or obese, according to a new study in The Lancet, making the
U.S. the most obese high-income country. The obesity epidemic
is a national emergency threatening our health and economy,
and Congress must act quickly to understand and address it.
Obesity and overweight in American adults has risen quickly
from just over half of adults in 1990 to three-quarters
today. Increased consumption of energy and flavor-dense ultra
processed foods engineered for irresistibility, limited
access to expensive fresh produce, and normalization of
sedentary lifestyles are all contributing to weight gain. New
studies on the role of food-processing and genetics in weight
gain show that more than calories and nutrients are involved
in a healthy diet. The Lancet study predicts that the number
of overweight people will reach nearly 260 million by 2050,
growth that will put extreme strain on our society.
The effects of overweight and obesity are numerous and
extreme. According to the CDC, overweight and obesity lead to
health issues from type 2 diabetes to sleep apnea, stroke to
osteoarthritis. Adults with a BMI of over 25 (overweight) or
30 (obese) are more likely to develop cancer and high blood
pressure and experience worse mental health and early death.
If we allow the obesity epidemic to continue, we will cause
great harm not just to those suffering from obesity-caused
diseases, but also to the economy and the healthcare system.
A Joint Economic Committee Republicans report in 2024
estimated that obesity will result in $9.1 trillion extra
medical cost to the country over the next ten years.
It is time for Congress to pass legislation making healthy
lifestyles more economical for Americans. Addressing the
obesity epidemic requires a multi-faceted approach, combining
lifestyle change with medication and surgery. While new
medications like Wegovy and Zepbound can offer quick changes
in weight, their high costs are prohibitive on an individual
and nation-wide scale. Weight loss from such drugs is quickly
reversed after medication stops. The most effective, long-
term means of battling obesity is change in diet and
exercise. As recommended by the American Academy of
Pediatrics and the American Heart Association, the government
must consider subsidies for healthier foods, taxes on ultra
processed foods and sugary drinks, limits on food
advertising, and warning labels on obesity-causing foods. It
is important to encourage healthy diet and exercise in
schools, where habits start. Public discussion must avoid
causing weight bias or fatphobia which cause mental harm to
people suffering from obesity and make it harder for them to
become healthier.
Congress has been successful in improving Americans' health
in the past: CDC data shows a drop over 30% in adult smoking
since 1965 after acts banning advertisements and placing
warnings on tobacco products were passed. Taxation of sugar-
sweetened beverages in Chile and Mexico resulted in
significant decreases in purchasing of 21.6% and 6.1%
respectively. If we act now, we can offer a happier and
healthier country to the next generation.

ALEKSANDRA CIROVIC, WOODSTOCK UNION HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

The impacts of fossil fuel-driven climate warming were more
evident and catastrophic than ever in 2024. Globally, 26 of
29 warming-induced weather events caused over 3,700
fatalities and displaced millions. Hurricane Helene left 230
dead in the U.S., with rising ocean temperatures exacerbating
the devastation. Climate change is among the most urgent
crises we face. At the heart of climate change lies
consumerism, where our insatiable desire for more products
depletes resources and heightens carbon emissions. To address
this, we must incentivize eco-friendly products, implement
green taxes on high-footprint goods, and enforce stricter
industry regulations to minimize waste.
With a growing global population, the demand for resources
has surged. Currently, the structure of our food systems
enables significant food loss, contributing to global waste.
According to National Geographic, over 1.3 billion tons of
food is wasted each year. The pattern of waste extends to
plastic

[[Page S1341]]

and other recyclables. The massive amounts of plastic waste
that companies generate, from food packaging to clothing, is
severely detrimental to our environment. The levels of
plastic in the ocean are expected to quadruple over the
coming years, highlighting the growing severity of the issue,
according to the World Wildlife Fund. This culture of
consumerism, driven by our unappeasable demand for products,
produces overwhelming waste, accelerating climate change and
threatening biodiversity.
Our demand for goods releases toxic gases during production
and delivery as well. We are consuming our planet's resources
1.7 times faster than it can regenerate, as reported by The
Guardian. The World Wildlife Fund's warning that, without a
significant change in consumption rates, Earth ``will expire
by 2050'' underscores the urgency of the situation. The rise
in overconsumption has led to a higher demand for goods, and
consequently, a greater reliance on processes that utilize
fossil fuels. Overconsumption culture leads to higher
reliance on dirty energy, directly threatening the climate by
exhausting resources and increasing emissions.
As a Youth Representative on the Vermont Climate Council, I
witness how the effects of climate change are becoming ever
more evident. From rising temperatures to unpredictable
weather patterns and their impact, the need for action is
undeniable. In my meetings and climate conversations, the
urgency for transformative change grows stronger with each
discussion. There is no doubt that climate change is the most
unavoidable issue we face.
We have the power to redefine the future. Our government
can subsidize manufacturers meeting sustainability standards
to reduce production costs and make eco-friendly products
more competitive. It can also implement policies to
incentivize green innovation and support sustainable
technologies. Individuals purchasing energy-efficient
appliances, electric vehicles, or sustainable products could
receive tax credits. Green taxes on carbon usage and plastics
can fund renewable energy, public transit, and sustainable
development. Strict waste limits should be set for
industries, with penalties for exceeding them. The government
can enforce regulations to minimize pollution and promote
responsible resource use. For the health of the world and its
people, the time to act is now.

ALLIE HAMILTON, MOUNT MANSFIELD UNION HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

In Shakespeare's iconic play *Hamlet*, the protagonist
declares, ``These words like daggers enter in mine ears.''
This allusion to a weapon of death serves as a powerful lens
through which to explore the contentious topic of gun control
in contemporary society. Gun violence, much like daggers,
leaves wounds that resonate across families, communities, and
nations. Gun control has been a subject of intense debate,
particularly in the United States, where the Second Amendment
enshrines the right to bear arms. In 2023, over 43,180 deaths
in the U.S. were attributed to firearm incidents--more than
the toll of war. These numbers are not just statistics; they
represent lives lost, families devastated, and communities
torn apart. As Hamlet struggled with violence, so too must we
confront the deadly repercussions of gun violence. This
ongoing conversation centers on regulating firearms--how to
prevent crimes, reduce gun violence, and ensure public
safety, all while respecting the rights of individuals to own
firearms.
The gun possession debate centers on the belief that
citizens should have firearms for self-defense and protection
against government tyranny. However, safety is essential for
freedom to thrive. Research shows that countries with
stricter gun laws have fewer gun-related deaths. For
instance, after Australia enacted strict gun laws in 1996,
firearm-related deaths, including mass shootings,
significantly dropped. In contrast, the U.S. sees over 43,180
firearm deaths annually, underscoring the need for stronger
regulations. Stricter laws aim to balance individual rights
and public safety, ensuring both liberty and life can
prosper.
Mental health must be part of the gun control discussion,
as nearly 60% of U.S. gun-related deaths are suicides, many
involving legally obtained firearms. The 2012 Sandy Hook
tragedy, where the shooter had a history of mental health
issues but easily acquired firearms, highlights the need for
mental health evaluations in the gun purchasing process. By
addressing both gun access and mental health, we can prevent
tragedies, reduce violence, and save lives.
The issue of gun control is undeniably complex. However, it
is clear that balancing individual rights with the need for
public safety is critical. Stricter regulations, greater
mental health support, and public education on responsible
gun ownership are necessary steps to reduce gun violence and
ensure a safer society. The cost of inaction is too high-each
preventable death is a tragedy, and every missed opportunity
for reform prolongs the crisis. Freedom without
responsibility leads to chaos; safety without liberty breeds
oppression. We must find a balance between these forces. This
issue is not just about policy-it's about human lives. The
right to bear arms must be paired with the responsibility to
protect others, ensuring that both safety and liberty are
preserved. This is an urgent call to action--an intersection
of gun ownership, public safety, and mental health that
demands thoughtful, evidence-based change. The future of our
communities depends on it.

LEO BEEBE, WINOOSKI HIGH SCHOOL, SENIOR

This December, America's debt reached an all-time high of
36 trillion dollars, and the deficit climbed yet again to two
trillion dollars. This massive burden will have devastating
effects on the economy and has already wreaked havoc on the
federal budget. We are currently spending more money on the
interest on the debt than on the military, and interest
payments will only increase if nothing is done. At this very
important moment for America, an honest and mature position
on the budget is a necessity in our government. As such, an
idea as costly as repealing the State and Local Tax (SALT)
Deduction Cap should be viewed with caution at best, and
outright disgust at worst.
The SALT cap is a tax deduction that allows Americans to
deduct certain state and local taxes from their federal tax
receipt in order to avoid this money being taxed twice, once
at the local level and once at the federal level. President
Trump's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act instituted a cap on this
deduction, limiting the deductible income to ten thousand
dollars. It has been estimated by the nonpartisan Tax Policy
Center that lifting the cap would cost the United States
government 1.2 trillion dollars over ten years. This is a
truly staggering sum, and would represent a massive drain on
resources at a time when all federal expenditures need to be
closely examined.
Lifting the cap would also mean approving a massive
giveaway to America's wealthiest citizens. The Tax Policy
Center estimates that Americans making over 430,000 dollars a
year would see three-quarters of the benefits of a lifted
SALT cap. Considering the drastic cost-of-living crisis in
this country, it is simply absurd to consider putting the
needs of these wealthy Americans over the much more pressing
needs of poor and middle-class Americans. All Americans would
be better off if their government was able to pay down it's
debt after twenty years of financial mismanagement.
If the government really wanted to help everyday Americans,
they would take the steps that are necessary to balance the
budget and pay down our debt. Raising taxes on wealthy and
middle-class Americans would be unpopular, but are necessary
actions to restore fiscal health. Instituting far-reaching
cost-containment measures for federal healthcare costs would
save billions, as would a responsibly run single-payer
healthcare program. While these proposals may seem
unrealistic, they are much more sensible than lifting the
SALT cap.
This issue is not a partisan one. It is a moral one. When
President Trump and many Democrats state their wishes to
spend billions of our dollars annually on a giveaway to the
wealthy, we should be as clear as possible in our
denunciation of such ridiculousness. The deficit is not a
state issue or a local issue, but a national issue.
Therefore, we should reject out of hand unnecessary political
giveaways that only benefit a small fraction of Americans.

EMILEE BROWNELL, ESSEX HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

Saving Ourselves

My dad, Seth Brownell, was a lineman for years. Growing up,
he would consistently tell my sister and me about the
importance of electricity and how our phones, iPads, and
computers all use it to function. I never really gave it any
thought until I got older and realized the effects of that
power. Today, data farms require a tremendously high amount
of energy; 1,000 terawatt hours is predicted to be the annual
requirement for data farms by 2026. That is approximately
identical to Japan's electric consumption. These farms
require a significantly high amount of energy and are the
main contributor for the carbon dioxide polluting our air.
Because data farms require so much power, that means that
more has to be made. The fastest way to do so is by burning
fossil fuels which is responsible for 74% of the carbon
dioxide emissions in the US. Generating power is the greatest
factor in global warming. According to Landgate, one wind
turbine takes up 80 acres of land and can affect the local
wildlife. Solar farms require an excessive amount of space as
well. Pivot Energy highlights that the average solar farm
requires 10-20 acres of land; for every direct megawatt, five
acres of buildable land is essential for success. Turbines
and solar farms are an unreliable source that evidently
depend on weather and don't work as quickly as burning fossil
fuels.
New nuclear energy can be key to countering this problem.
The word nuclear often brings up difficult topics: Three Mile
Island, the Chernobyl disasters, or the radioactive waste
produced. However, since today's nuclear technology is more
modern, it can be placed in rural areas, and society has a
better understanding of it. Not only is less land required
for new nuclear power, it's also always accessible and can
produce much more power with minimal nuclear fuel because it
has a higher energy density than fossil fuels. While many
worry about the disposal of nuclear waste, only about 3% of
it is the long lived, greatly radioactive form of waste. With
that, isolation is required, but with the new high tech safe
disposals that combine containment and geological deposits,
waste is isolated for thousands of years protecting us and
our environment. Though it does come with some risks, new
nuclear power is a safe, low profit, efficient fuel source.
It produces no emission, ultimately cleaning our air. Using
new nuclear power prevents

[[Page S1342]]

carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere. The amount of
carbon dioxide prevented is equivalent to removing a third of
all cars around the world. The demand for a safe, low profit
power source is rapidly growing, and new nuclear power meets
all these requirements.
Though nuclear power may seem like a scary, dangerous
solution to the extensively high amount of energy data farms
consume, ultimately it's the most reliable, safest solution.
Not only does it save money, it also reduces the amount of
carbon dioxide being emitted into the atmosphere, into the
air that we breathe.

SOFIA BUSH, MOUNT MANSFIELD UNION HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

With the patchwork of health insurance and care we call a
system, many Americans are left in crippling medical debt.
This makes the United States an outlier among industrialized
nations, both in the systems we use and the startling
incompetence within them. Every single industrialized
country, except the United States of America provides
universal health care (Vladeck). For affordable and efficient
healthcare, Medicare in the US should be expanded into
universal National Health Insurance.
The way in which Americans receive and pay for health care
today is deeply flawed compared to other countries, it is
highly ineffective and significantly more expensive.
Industrialized countries follow three main health insurance
models, the Beveridge model, Bismarck model, and National
Health Insurance model.
Equitable access to care is a good indicator of the
effectiveness of health care in a country. Compared to
similar countries, the US has very inequitable access to
healthcare. The Commonwealth Fund found that the US had the
highest income related discrepancies in care, as well as the
most ``instances of unfair treatment or feelings that health
concerns were not taken seriously by health care
professionals because of their racial or ethnic background''
(Blumenthal et al.). This indicates inequitable access to
care as unfair treatment leads to patients not receiving the
care they need, as well as breaking trust between the patient
and provider. These discrepancies reinforce the idea that
this system is ineffective because it shows that it
prioritizes some patients over others.
Though healthcare in America is so ineffective, it's
remarkably overpriced. Americans spent more than 16% of GDP
on healthcare in 2023 (Blumenthal et al.). For context,
that's about 1.5 times more than many countries with
universal healthcare. This indicates that Americans are
pouring money into a poorly performing healthcare and
insurance industry.
To make healthcare more affordable and effective, we should
turn to the National Health Insurance model by expanding
Medicare into mandatory universal healthcare. This would
decrease inequalities and administrative challenges, and lay
a foundation for a healthier nation, as treatment and
preventative care will be more accessible. One estimate says
that switching ``increases life expectancy by almost 2 years,
grows the population size by 3 percent, and increases worker
productivity through improved health'' (``Medicare for All:
Comparison of Financing Options''). To fund this, there
should be an income based tax increase, which would be
cheaper than what most Americans pay for healthcare now.
So, our healthcare system is more expensive with worse
performance compared to other similar countries. Making
Medicare universal would result in more effective and
affordable care, which would build a foundation for a
healthier nation. Healthcare is an issue that touches every
one of our lives, though some more than others. But overall,
to build a strong, healthy, productive nation, we must start
with an effective and accessible health care system.

HAZEL O'BRIEN, TWINFIELD UNION SCHOOL, SENIOR

On November 5th, 2024, California held elections to
determine the representation of their state in the U.S. House
of Representatives. Fifteen million voters across 52
congressional districts pledged their ballots, and when the
results became clear, the Democratic Party won 60% of the
popular vote while the Republican Party won 40%. Despite this
result, the seat share of the Californian delegation will be
43 Democrats to 9 Republicans, approximately 83% to 17%. This
is the plurality voting system in action, a process that left
6,000,000 Californian Republican voters grossly
underrepresented.
Most elections in the U.S. use a plurality voting system,
which drives political polarization as the party duopoly
becomes entrenched, and demonization becomes a tactic to
prevent spillage of voters between the parties. Though this
system is deeply embedded in contemporary American democracy,
there are paths to improvement. For one, we can look to the
proportional systems that successful democracies implement
abroad. A great example of a proportional election system is
the use of multi-member districts. This method takes the idea
of a congressional district and essentially lowers the
threshold of popularity a party must receive to earn
representation by increasing the number of seats held in the
district; this way an accurate reflection of the entire
voting public can be achieved as opposed to just the
plurality opinion.
Multi-member districts were once permitted in the U.S., but
due to threats of misuse by segregationists in response to
the Voting Rights Act of 1965, it was banned in 1967 under
the Uniform Congressional District Act (UCDA). The UCDA had
the aim of eradicating bloc voting, a system that utilizes
multi-member districts to neglect minority representation. It
unfortunately also set single-member districts as the only
legal means to host elections for the House of
Representatives, a major cause of our plurality system. The
solution here is relatively uncomplicated on its face, the
process by which laws are passed mirrors very closely the way
in which they are repealed. With a simple bill intended to
counteract and nullify the UCDA, a breakthrough is possible.
If that bill included clauses detailing how to mandate
standards of proportionality and representation, such as
specifically banning abusive practices like bloc voting, then
we could see significant changes with the successful
installment of multi-member districts.
Many in Congress will likely be resistant to the idea of an
alteration considering it is directly tied to their positions
of power. However, we can already see the movement necessary
to make progress. Maine passed Measure 5, an act to establish
ranked choice voting on the federal level, via citizen
initiative in 2016. Alaska in 2020 also passed a similar
measure through referendum. This demonstrates electoral
reform is something the voting public considers a priority
and by harvesting this momentum we can demand Congress to
finally take action.

MACKENZIE RUSSELL, HARWOOD UNION HIGH SCHOOL, JUNIOR

Public education is crucial to the development of society.
School prepares students with the knowledge and skills needed
for civic engagement, and also provides a space where
students can discover their interests and explore the
pathways available to them--and teachers are the backbone of
this whole system. However, schools struggle to achieve this
purpose when staff inconsistencies arise. The teacher
shortage--an issue that Senator Bernie Sanders has raised
before--is a national problem currently affecting 86% of
public schools across the nation (NCES). Though Sanders has
advocated for something to be done about this, there hasn't
been the support needed to put a solution into action. To
make progress on this issue, solutions must address the
multiple perspectives that many feel Sanders' proposal
overlooks.
Staff shortages are increasingly prevalent in our schools
today. Public schools have trouble filling not only teaching
positions but also bus drivers, substitutes, and food
workers. As of October 2024, 35% of public schools were
operating with at least one open position (NCES). Even with
just one vacancy, class sizes and courses offered are often
impacted. With fewer teachers available, many schools have to
combine classes, which increases average class sizes. Not
only does this provide less personalized and one-on-one
learning for the students, but it places more pressure on
teachers to accommodate more students.
Compared to a decade ago, the number of people pursuing
teaching has decreased by 20-30% (Aldeman), showing that
college-age students' interest in teaching is declining. The
main reasons are apprehensions about salaries and working
conditions. Teaching positions earn less money than other
jobs earned by a college degree, giving the job a huge
downside for people choosing a profession. And furthermore,
even if schools fill their teaching positions it's likely
they won't be able to keep a steady staff team. In 2022, 55%
of teachers decided to leave their job earlier than expected
(Walker), often with stress or work overload factoring in
this decision.
The Pay Teachers Act was introduced to the Senate in March
of 2023 (Stanford). The Act proposes a minimum wage of
$60,000 for all full-time teachers--a number that could
increase with promotions and experience like usual. A set
minimum wage would address the disinterest in being a teacher
due to the salary, but some argue that wouldn't solve the
issue. Salary isn't the only downside many find in teaching,
as in addition lots of teachers report difficult working
conditions within their jobs. A solution to this national
teacher shortage would need to recognize the concern with
salaries as well as the work environment.
To bring the suggested solution to fruition, and garner
more support from opposing lawmakers, more importance should
be placed on creating a more manageable and less stressful
environment for teachers. In addition to offering a minimum
salary of $60,000, benefits like sabbaticals or retention
bonuses could incentivize new teachers to commit to the
career. They ultimately would also allow teachers to de-
stress, helping to renew their enthusiasm for teaching.

MIA KONEFAL, SOUTH BURLINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, FRESHMAN

The health of our citizens is the most rudimentary, yet
fundamental part of what allows our nation to thrive. The
skyrocketing prices of prescription medication, hospital
trips, and doctor appointments, which are all necessary to
ensure the safety and comfort of American citizens, is an
issue that needs to be immediately addressed. With prices
that just keep rising, I fear for the 16.9% of Americans who,
according to the National Library of Medicine, report
difficulty affording healthcare; I fear for the millions of
people who struggle with or ignore pain and other health
issues because they cannot afford treatment.

[[Page S1343]]

During recent years, the United States has experienced
soaring prices of treatments, medication, and health
insurance on levels not previously seen. Despite healthcare
being undeniably necessary for our citizens, and therefore
our country, to succeed and prosper, millions of Americans
are unable to afford the treatment they need. According to
the Centers for Medicare Services, in 2022, ``the healthcare
spending in the United States reached $4.9 trillion,'' which
means on average, each person in America spends $14,570 per
year on healthcare. While these rising and unpayable costs
are an issue across the globe, the rising costs are
especially apparent in the United States. In fact, according
to the National Institutes of Health, ``The United States
spent approximately twice as much as other high-income
countries on medical care.''
Although several acts exist that attempt to combat the
inflating prices of healthcare services, such as the ``Lower
Costs, More Transparency Act,'' which passed the House of
Representatives, and advocates for more price transparency in
the healthcare sector, I believe that a large part of the
issue lies in the simple fact that the United States remains
an outlier in terms of per capita health care spending. The
simple yet undeniable fact is that our citizens pay more for
healthcare than citizens of any other country.
To combat the skyrocketing prices of the healthcare sector
in the United States: I would propose a multi-tiered plan.
Firstly, the large, private pharmaceutical companies should
no longer be permitted to put their own profits over the
health of Americans. For decades these huge insurance and
pharmaceutical companies have been able to rip off American
people with high prices for medication and treatments that
are necessities. A cap for what each individual can pay for
medication per year should be implemented. Secondly, a
national healthcare system, similar to Medicaid, which is
guaranteed for those 65 and older, that guarantees healthcare
for all, not just those who can afford it, should be
introduced. Healthcare should become a constitutional right,
not just a privilege for those who can pay.
The unreasonable prices of prescription medication,
insurance, and doctor's visits are actively working against
our citizens, preventing our country from flourishing. If
nothing is done, prices will only continue to increase and
the percentage of Americans who are uninsured or cannot
afford healthcare will likewise grow. Steps need to be taken
to ensure the health of our citizens.<bullet>

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