Socialism "Feel the Bern"

Current Issues & ISMS                                                                                      Mr. Meyers

Unit: Socialism “Feel the Bern”

Unit Enduring Understanding:

The ultimate goal of socialism (in the case of “Bernie” democratic-socialism) is to reduce or eliminate the inequalities of society, especially income inequality that result from unregulated markets.

The amount of goods and services provided or regulated by government requires both financial and political cooperation from all members of the community.

Be sure to read all assignments carefully. Write your position papers giving your opinions based on the facts of the reading, in ink. This paper must be passed in on the day of discussion or receive half credit only. Late excused papers will be passed in the day you return to class. (MLA format; in-text citations, Works Cited)

1. 'The Way We Fight back' by Brian Bennett and Chris Wilson Time Dec. 16, 2019
"Commanders in Chaos" by Peter Bergen Time Dec. 16, 2019  

2. Socialism and Political Spectrum

3. Close Up Controversial Issues in the News: Wealth Tax

4. Capitalism vs. Socialist Economies: What's the Difference? by Poonkulali
Thangavel Investopedia April 20, 2019

     5. Socialism Overview w/Focus Questions

        “Socialism” Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2015.

         Today’s ISMS p. 1-20

6. Close Up Controversial Issues in the News: Medicare for All

"Medicare for All: Leaving No One Behind by Bernie Sanders
"'Medicare for All' Would Hurt Everyone" by Donald Trump

7. Health Care: Pros and Cons of Obamacare (Affordable Care Act)

         Should the Affordable Care Act be Repealed?

The U.S. federal government's first major involvement in health care began with the Merchant Marine Services Act of 1798, which provided health services to American seamen. President Theodore Roosevelt ran on a platform that included a national health care system during his 1912 campaign with the Progressive Party, and although he was defeated, the debate over national health care continues today. In March 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Dubbed Obamacare, the legislation made several major changes to the state of health care in the U.S. The new legislation aimed to make health care more affordable through the use of a "health insurance market" that was intended to promote competition among insurers, thus lowering costs. But the bill did not pass without opposition. Efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act gained traction with the election of President Donald Trump in 2016. Opponents of the health care reform bill see it as a nationalization of the health industry, citing fears that it will stifle competition and reduce innovation. Supporters of the health care reform bill see it as way to promote greater accountability on the part of insurance companies by setting new standards for the health care industry and expanding coverage to more Americans.
"Health Care" Close Up Policy Issues
              “The Politics of Pre-existing Conditions” The Week December 7, 2018.  

                                    Media Center Research: SIRS  

  

                                                       

    8. Video: “Inequality for All”

9. Popular Music/Socialism: The message of peace is an important tenet of Socialism that has been incorporated into popular music for decades. Working in pairs choose a song that emphasizes the goal of peace in its message and create a music video that transfers the lyrics/song to tell the story of a war torn or volatile area/country of the world. The photos/visuals you choose for your video will coincide with the lyrics for an original and contemporary message about peace. (imovie, telecast, Be creative). RUBRIC
Review of the Literature: Read three to five articles and create a summary of each to

gather information for your video story. In addition to your summary include five images and/or symbols that came to mind that you could possibly use in your video (Brainstorm with partner). The Review of the Literature must include in-text citations and a works cited in MLA format.

(Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Myanmar, War Against ISIS, Nuclear North Korea, Venezuela, Israeli/Palestinian Conflict)

• “Imagine” by John Lennon
• “Peace Train” by Cat Stevens
• “Heal the World” Michael Jackson
• “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2
• “Whats Going On” by Marvin Gay

2019 Projects:

Ukraine by Brett, Dylan, Josh