nnatko

__Name:__ Nick Natko __Political Party:__ Moderate Liberal __State:__ California Bill: SB22 __Most agree with:__ Senator Barbara Boxer - I most agree with Senator Barbara Boxer, because she has similar point of views on issues of concern that I do. For example, she has a reputation for being a leader in environmental issues, and she wants to help preserve the rivers, mountains, deserts, etc. for future generations. I believe the same way, and how not only are the places beautiful, but they provide homes for animals, and life for everything.

__5 Interesting Facts about California:__
 * It has the lowest point in the U.S, (Death Valley at 282ft below sea level) and the highest point in the lower 48 states, (Mount Whitney 14,495ft above sea level)
 * In 2010, about 7.3% of the population was made up of illegal immigrants
 * There are nearly 37 million acres of forest
 * 90% of the United States' wine production, comes from California
 * Joe DiMaggio was born in Martinez, California in 1914

__5 Facts Relating to the Issues:__ __Issues that are most important to me:__
 * Education, health care and incarceration of illegal aliens costs Callifornia almost $10.5 billion per year
 * In 2010, about 7.3% of the population was made up of illegal immigrants
 * 12.3% of Californians are unemployed (Feb 2011)
 * California has one of the second most highest unemployment rates in the U.S today
 * Millions of Californians get water from Sierra Nevada snow-melt, and global warming causes earlier snow-melt, which means less water

Illegal immigration is a serious problem in California. It was found in 2010, that about 7.3% of the population, in California, was composed of illegal immigrants. People from Mexico and Central America, often come to America for a new, and hopefully better, life. Some, however, don't file the necessary paperwork to become a citizen. These immigrants that don't file the paperwork, but come here anyway, are called illegal immigrants. There are more than 11 million illegal immigrants in the U.S today, and the numbers are growing. A 2006 poll shows that 52% of Americans believe that they are a burden, because they take our jobs, housing, and healthcare. The other 48%, however, believe that the immigrants strengthen our economy with their hard work and talents. I believe that illegal immigration is not right, because they come to our country, and take our jobs, housing, healthcare, etc. I also think that it is wrong, because they don't pay taxes, and get to live her without contributing much back. I wouldn't care if the immigrants came here legally, because then they would pay taxes, and contribute more back to the country. If they filled the papers, then they would not only contribute back and be less worried, they would be able to get higher paying jobs, and could start a really good life in the United States.
 * Illegal Immigration:**

Unemployment is big in California. In February of 2011, it was reported that about 12.3% of Californians are unemployed. Unemployment is when someone who doesn't have a job wants or needs one. California has the second highest rate of unemployment in the country, compared to a nation average of 9.2%. There are three main types of unemployment; frictional, structural and seasonal unemployment. Frictional unemployment is when workers seek better-paying jobs, in which they can fully use their skills, and don't take the first job they're offered. Structural unemployment is when the skills of the workers are no longer needed for whatever reason. This could be due to a technological advancement, or some other factor. Seasonal unemployment is when people aren't working in the job they normally do because of the season. An example is someone who works as a life guard during the summer won't work as a life guard in the winter, because there are no pools open. I think that unemployment is not a good thing, because people need to have money to be able to live. Certain types of unemployment, such as seasonal unemployment, can't be prevented; however, if someone doesn't have a job, because they don't want to, can be prevented.
 * Unemployment:**

Global warming is an issue not only in California, but the entire world. A huge cause of global warming is the burning of fossil fuels. With the over 37.3 million people living in California, there are a lot of cars, trucks and buses to carry them around. Automobiles burn gas, which is a fossil fuel. Fossil fuels release carbon dioxide, chlorine and other harmful chemicals into the environment. These chemicals, (mainly chlorine,) destroy the ozone layer in our atmosphere. The ozone protects us from harmful ultra-violet rays, and keeps Earth under a constant temperature. The destruction of the ozone causes more of these UV rays to get through. The increase of these rays melts Arctic ice caps, which destroys habitats, and increases the magnitude and frequency of violent storms. In California, many people get their water from melting snow in the Sierra Nevada, and if the snow starts to melt too early, the water supply is decreased. I think that if people were a little more concious about the enviroment, then bad things would happen less ofter. For example, if they bought energy efficient heaters, and hybrid cars, the environment would be much healthier. Although these items are expensive, the price you pay for them is cheaper then the price you will pay if global warming gets ignored.
 * Global Warming:**

We are proposing this bill, because we believe that there are too many gun-related crimes in the U.S. We think that this bill will prevent many of these crimes from happening. For example, in 1996, there were a total of 34,040 firearm-related deaths. Over 41% of these were homicides. This bill will work by limiting the accessibility of guns to criminals. This will be done through background checks. The person wishing to purchase the weapons will have their ID taken, and scanned. If they had been formally convicted of a crime involving guns, then they will be denied the purchase, and other gun stores will be notified. People should vote for this bill, because it is important to keep criminals from killing innocent people. The bill will reduce the death rate, and lead to a safer America.
 * Bill:**

__Sources:__
 * 1) ====="Section I: Gun Violence in the United States." // Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention //. U.S. Department of Justice. Web. 19 May 2011.  =====
 * 2) =====Schell, Bernadette H. "Cyber Socializing: Overview." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. =====
 * 3) =====Simon, Rita J. "Immigration in America: Overview." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 19 May 2011 =====
 * 4) =====Dimand, Robert. "unemployment." //Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 19 May 2011. =====
 * 5) =====Kowalski, Robin M. "Cyber Bullying: Overview." // Issues: Understanding Controversy and Society //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 31 May 2011.=====