2.  More than 1/3 of adult Americans are obese.  Obesity-related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, some of the leading causes of preventable death.  In 2008, medical costs associated with obesity were estimated at $147 billion; the medical costs for people who are obese were $1,429 higher than those of normal weight.

4.  8 out of the top 10 states with obesity problems are in the South o How does obesity contribute to America’s decline?  Obesity is the #2 cause of preventable death in the United States  60 million Americans, 20 years and older are obese (over 300 mill people in U.S.)  9 million children and teens ages 6-19 are overweight

5.   The number of complaints related to race and ethnicity filed against colleges and universities rose to 860 in 2013 from 555 in 2009, according to the Office for Civil Rights at the federal Education Department.  Racial tension is the dark side of the land of the free and the home of the brave. The fact that it hasn't torn us apart in 236 years is encouraging; the fact that it won't go away disheartening. How divided are we? Depends on the day I guess.  http://mashable.com/2014/08/24/people-of-ferguson-missouri/ http://mashable.com/2014/08/24/people-of-ferguson-missouri/ Racial tensions exploded in this St. Louis suburb in recent days over the death of 18-year-old Michael Brown

6.  September 11, 2001 attacks killed almost 3,000 people.  Osama Bin Laden has been killed but there is still a threat from Al Qaeda  The Oklahoma City bombing was a terrorist bomb attack on a Federal Building in Downtown Oklahoma City in 1995. It would remain the most destructive act of terrorism on American soil until 9/11. The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives  Boston Marathon bombing?  http://www.fbi.gov/about- us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition http://www.fbi.gov/about- us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition

7.  A scholar argues, “Widely unequal societies don't function effectively or have stable economies and even the rich will pay a steep price if economic inequalities continue to worsen.  Income levels have dropped and less people are moving up the corporate ladder to higher tax brackets. http://www.tubechop.com/watch/213 5900

8. http://www.usdebtclock.org/ Who is paying this back???? How does this affect you????

9.   There are currently 12 million illegal immigrants in the Unites States  7 million are from Mexico  Texas Governor Rick Perry is arguing over a 12 million dollar a day bill to have the U.S. National Guard enhance security at the border.  Are illegal immigrants a drain on tax dollars and resources?

10.  Global Warming  Pollution  “Recent studies show that air pollution is harmful to the brain, in addition to the lungs, heart, nose and blood vessels. This evidence is drawn from studies of brains of people living in highly polluted cities compared with those living in clean air cities. These studies found evidence starting at young ages of inflammation and cellular damage associated with both early Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.”  Air Quality  Population  Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters.

12.  The U.S. is the world’s largest petroleum consumer.  “The United States is spending approximately $1 billion a day overseas on oil instead of investing the funds at home, where our economy sorely needs it.”  Top Sources of Net Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Imports: Canada (29%) Saudi Arabia (14%) Venezuela (11%) Nigeria (10%) Mexico (8%)

13. “United States imported oil from 10 countries currently on the State Department’s Travel Warning List, which lists countries that have “long-term, conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable.” These nations include Algeria, Chad, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Our reliance on oil from these countries could have serious implications for our national security, economy, and environment.”State Department’s Travel Warning ListAlgeriaDemocratic Republic of the Congo Saudi Arabia

14.  Obama and Romney’s speeches are more negative than any other towards the other party.  Candidates reference the other candidate twice as much during speeches as what their own beliefs are.  The divide is growing between these two parties.  Will they ever see eye to eye on social issues?  Millions of dollars goes towards negative advertising. Is it effective?

15. music- rap, rock, heavy metal celebrities, reality tv materialism declining work ethic

19. Unhealthy America1 Democrats & Republicans arguing1 Terrorism1 Economic inequality between rich and poor 4 National Debt8 Environmental Threats4 Dependence on foreign oil1 Moral and cultural decline2