sbashore

=**Senator Savanna Bashore: Representing Virginia**=

Link: []

 * Party:** Democratic


 * 5 interesting facts about the state of Virginia:**


 * **The major cash crop of Virginia is tobacco and many of the people who live there earn their living from the tobacco industry. **
 * **The first peanuts grown in the United States were grown in Virginia. **
 * **Over 1/2 the battles fought in the civil war were fought in Virginia. Over 2,200 of the 4,000 battles. **
 * Patrick Henry made his "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" speech in St. John's Church in Richmond
 * The State flower is not really a flower, but the blossom of the dogwood tree, which is also the state tree.


 * Facts About the Issues:**
 * **10,839 people died in alcohol driving crashes out of 33, 808 deaths from traffic crashes in general. **
 * **on average someone is killed in an alcohol-impaired driving crash about every 50 minutes in the U.S **
 * Among 15- to 20-year old drivers involved in fatal crashes, 31% of the drivers who were killed had been drinking
 * There are 35 states that have the death penalty (Capitol Punishment)
 * Since 1973, over 130 people have been released from death row with evidence of their innocence.
 * Issue #1 - The Death Penalty**
 * Issue #1 - The Death Penalty**

I believe that the death penalty should be a punishment in all 50 states, and countries around the world, because some people are too dangerous to be alive, even in jail, solitary confinement, or even a mental physicality. Also called, "Capitol Punishment", the death penalty should only be used when completely necessary, for those who are mentally unstable to a point where they cannot function correctly in social situations, even in a jail. For example, a mentally unstable serial killer that cannot be treated for their mental disorder, or committed an extremely cruel or gruesome crime, or are too dangerous to be put into social situations should be given the Capitol Punishment. I believe that some people are just too dangerous to be able to live among other people. However, i believe that execution should be a last resort and should be done humanely.


 * Issue #2 - Alcohol Abuse**

I believe that the misuse of alcohol is a serious and growing issue. Especially when it comes to underage drinking. I believe that television shows play a huge role in this. Shows like Jersey Shore and Skins show drugs and alcohol in a way where it seems cool or has no consequences when in fact it does. On average, 1/3 of deaths from car crashes occur because of driving while under the influence of alcohol. I believe that this is a serious issue. Also, many teenagers are able to get a hold on alcohol very easily. I think this is a serious problem. Out of all the 15- to 20-year old drivers involved in fatal crashes, 31% of the drivers who were illed had been drinking. This just shows that this is a serious issue not only with adults, but young adults as well. Having so many young drivers out on the roads now, we need to be safe and not allow alcohol become a possible danger while on the roads.


 * Issue #3 - Immigration**

One major concern with illegal immigrants jumping our boarders and coming into America is overpopulation. The carrying capacity for one country is only so large. Another general concern is that we as citizens, are paying for their healthcare. Most people find this unfair for those who are hear illegally. Also, illegals will take hard labor jobs for very little money. This is taking jobs from lower class people who are citizens and must pay taxes. Once again, this is unfair to those of us who are citizens. I personally have no problem with immigrants coming into our country, as long as they do it right and become legal citizens.


 * Sources:**


 * 1. "abolishment of the death penalty." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 13 Mar. 2011. **
 * [] **


 * 2. **"Drunk Driving Research." // Century Council //. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. .

3. "Illegal Immigration." // Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia //. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration>.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">4. "Illegal Immigration." // United States Immigration: Green Card, Visas and U.S. Citizenship //. Web. 11 Apr. 2011. [].

__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 32px;">Alcohol Age Act of 2011: __
<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">Statistics show that when the drinking age was raised to 21, underage drinking wasn’t eliminated from the equation. Teenagers continue to drink underage and the lives taken by car crashes due to drinking underage. Teenagers want to do things that are illegal, and this is a trend that has continued throughout the years. Also, once students enter college, they are exposed to drugs and alcohol wherever they look. Because it is illegal, they are encouraged to try and experiment. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Many people think that lowering the legal age to drink will increase the amount of alcohol abusers, but this is not necessarily true. The legal drinking age should be lowered to 18 years of age.

==You should vote for this bill because it will make underage drinking and binge drinking in colleges less likely or maybe to the point of making it non existent. Colleges will benefit from this bill passing because it will make students focus more on education rather than partying and binge drinking. These students are what are leading out future economy. Our economy would benefit greatly from this bill. We are allowed to vote and fight in the military at age 18. We are considered legal adults, so why do we have to wait to drink until age 21?==

=Vote YES to the Alcohol Age Act of 2011.=