ACTIVE CITIZENSHIP –  IDEAS and QUESTIONS
for State Representative Ray Franz by Onekama Third Graders

“Government is instituted for people’s equal benefit, security, and protection.”  ~From the Constitution of the State of Michigan

 The following questions and ideas were based on lessons in Geography, Economics, Civics, and  Government. 

 Gretchen Eichberger-Kudlack, Teacher
 geichberger@manistee.org
 231-889-5521 ext 341

1. Water the  Great Lakes – Natural Resources

We use water for many things everyday.  We drink it, bathe in it, wash in it, cook with it, and play in it.  Many of us fish in the Great Lakes, and care about the habitat of the fish and other aquatic life.   We feel we have the right to clean water. What ideas do you have about how we can best keep our water safe and clean? 

·       Dalron, Jackson,  and Lucas:  We could create a job to catch Asian Carp

·       Chloe: There should be a law that nobody should put garbage or pollution in the lakes.

·       Ella:  Littering on the beach should not be allowed

·       Shauntelle, Eleanor,  and Keira:  We cannot let the Asian Carp get into the Great Lakes.

·       Colleen:  Do not put oil, gas, propone or throw trash in the Great Lakes.

2.  Energy and New Technologies – Natural Resources/ Economics

We use electricity every day. We use more and more energy every day.  The more energy we use the more pollution we create. Many of our families have heard about wind power and windmills. Some of us are opposed to wind energy because of the noise and how it will ruin the landscape.  Some of us are for wind energy because it is less polluting than coal and natural gas. What ideas do you have on how we can create energy that will not produce pollution?  OR What ideas do you have about how we can use wind energy and make everybody happy?  

• Emma – We should have cars that run on magnets.
• Colleen – Produce smoke-free factories.
• Savannah, Hanna – I think scientists should find away to have clean energy.
• Taylor and Alli – Windmills are a better way to get electricity.
• Kolin – Windmills should go in the middle of no where.
• Jackson – People should make smaller windmills.
• Justin – Put windmills in fields.

3. Transportation and Gas Prices – Natural Resources/Economics

We live in a rural area.  Most of us depend on automobiles to get around.  Some of us public transportation or DIAL-A-RIDE to get around. Many of us think that gas is very expensive and we want to find ways to use less. We all know that oil is a non-renewable resource, and we are living in a time where its availability is decreasing, and it will get more expensive.  What are some ideas you have that will help everyone get from place to place that will be less expensive? 

• Hayden – Ride a bike so people don’t have use gas or oil.

• Matthew –We need a fast train that goes 200 mph

• Cody – We need to lower gas prices

• Eleanor and Taylor – We could make cars that run on solar power.  We could also make cars that run on vegetable oil.  Or we could trains like they use in Japan. They go 200 mph.

• Colleen – Use a bike or a carriage or horses in the summer.  In the winter use snowmobiles.

• Sydnee and Jackson - Scientists should find a way to make a car that runs on vegetable oil.

• Savannah, Ella, and Hanna – Scientists should find a way to run cars on something besides  gas.

• Zackary – Scientists should make vinegar powered cars.

• Alli – Use vegetable oil, more human powered transportation, roads for human powered transportation.

• Maddie – Someone should lower the prices on gas.

• Kolin and Lahaila – More bike trails and cars that run on vegetable oil.

• Nickolas – Ride a horse

• Aaron – We need to have bike trails so people don’t get hit by cars.

• Justin – We need to have more ways to power cars.

• Dalron – We could lower gas prices to $2 and not make it higher.  Or we could run cars on other things like solar power, vegetable oil and other things.

4. Liberty and Justice – Civics and Government

Liberty is the freedom to choose who your friends are, and to have your own ideas and opinions, to express your ideas in public, the right for people to meet in groups, the right to have any lawful job or business.  We are proud that we have these freedoms and we know that many people around the world do not have these freedoms.  What ideas do you have to make sure that our rights are always guaranteed and that all people are always treated fairly.

• Zackary  - All employees must be treated fairly.

• Hanna – Anyone who gets paid by the government has to get paid fairly

• Dalron – All government services should be paid equally.

• Keira – Everyone gets the same amount of money.

• Colleen – There should be no texting while driving.

• Hanna and Savannah – I don’t think kids under 12 should not have to sit in a car seat if they sit in their seat and buckled that will be fine.

• Griselda  and Kelly  -  I see too many people on cell phones while driving.

• Taylor – Talking on cell phones and texting while driving is dangerous

• Emma – 2 million dollars should not be removed from the education budget.  People should have at least one hand on the wheel while driving.  The poor should get covered from the government.  Kids third grade and up should be able to vote.

• Ella – Gas should not be so expensive and no talking on cell phones while driving.

• Hanna – I think we should have windmills but not where people live.  I think we should have lower gas prices.  Don’t talk on the phone while driving.

• Sydnee – Gas should be lower in rural places and higher in urban places.

• Chloe- I think there should be windmills in the middle of no where.

5. Personal Questions

• Colleen – Why did you want to run for government?  Do you have a wife or kids?  Who is your best friend?  What is one of the things you are going to do for our town?

• Lucas –   Why are some people poor?   

• Dalron – Are you married?   Do you get bored doing your job?  What is it like being Representative?  Why did you want to be Representative?  What is your favorite food?

• Sydnee – Do you know how the three branches of the Government got their name?   Do you have a dog or cat?  How old are you?  

• Hanna – How do you pick ages for laws? When did you first want to be in government?  

• Savannah – What do you for fun?  Do you like your job? Is this what you always wanted to be? What is your favorite food?

• Emma – Where did you grow up?

• Eleanor – Why do you like your job?   

• Kolin – What is your favorite animal?

• Keira – What is your wife’s name?