Social Issues
Social Issue #1: Abortion
Abortion is a medical procedure resulting in the termination of a human pregnancy and death of a fetus. Abortion was banned in 30 states until the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade. The ruling made abortion legal in all 50 states but gave them regulatory powers over when abortions could be performed during a pregnancy. Currently, all states must allow abortions early in pregnancies but may ban them in later trimesters. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #2: Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization that provides reproductive health services in the United States and internationally. In 2014, federal and state governments provided the organization with $528 million in funding (40% of its annual budget). The majority of this funding comes from Medicaid which subsidizes reproductive healthcare for low-income women. In 2014, abortions accounted for 3% of the services they provided. The majority of the other services include screening for and treating sexually transmitted diseases and infections and providing contraception. Proponents of funding argue that federal funding for Planned Parenthood does not pay for abortions and that the vast majority of government funding that the organization receives is through Medicaid reimbursements. Opponents of funding argue that the government should not fund any organizations that provide abortions. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #3: Same-Sex Marriage
On June 26, 2015 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the denial of marriage licenses violated the Due Process and the Equal Protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The ruling made same sex marriage legal in all 50 U.S. States. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #4: Religion & Businesses
In 1993 the federal government passed the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The law was intended to protect Native Americans in danger of losing their jobs because of religious ceremonies that involved the illegal drug peyote. Since then 20 states have passed their own versions of the “religious freedom” laws and 12 more have introduced the legislation this year. Supporters of the law argue that the government shouldn't force religious businesses and churches to serve customers who participate in lifestyles contrary to their owners’ beliefs. Proponents of the law argue that the political context has changed since 1992 and states are now passing their own versions of the law with the intent of discriminating against gay and lesbian couples. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #5: Use of the word "God" in Federal Government
This one's pretty basic, but should the U.S. remove references to God from currency, federal buildings, national monuments, and other aspects of government? (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #6: Free Birth Control
On August 1, 2012, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) required all health insurers and employers to cover the cost of contraceptives in their health insurance plans. The provision currently exempts religious organizations and churches. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #7: Solitary Confinement
In January 2016, President Obama issued a series of executive actions banning federal prisons from using solitary confinement to punish juveniles and prisoners who commit low level infractions. His orders also lowered the number of days an adult inmate could be subject to solitary confinement from 365 days to 60 days. A recent study found that prisoners who were subject to solitary confinement were 20-25% more likely to be repeat criminal offenders than prisoners who avoided it. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #8: Death Penalty
The death penalty or capital punishment is the punishment by death for a crime. Currently 58 countries worldwide allow the death penalty (including the U.S.) while 97 countries have outlawed it. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #9: Women & Business
Should companies be required to include women on their Board of Directors? (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #10: Euthanasia
Euthanasia, the practice of ending a life prematurely in order to end pain and suffering, is currently considered a criminal offense. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #11: Women in the Military
In December 2015, the Pentagon announced that all combat roles would be opened to women. The roles include driving tanks, firing mortars, and leading infantry soldiers into combat. Women would also be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Infantry and Air Force parajumpers. Proponents of women in combat argue that women have been serving in Afghanistan and Iraq for 15 years and preventing them from combat operations is discriminatory. Opponents argue that allowing women to serve in these roles would limit the military's ability to fight in combat situations. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #12: The Confederate Flag
In 1961, the South Carolina State Government passed a law mandating that the confederate flag be flown on the ground of its state capitol building. The law was passed to commemorate the centennial of the Civil War assault on Fort Sumter. Opponents argue that the flag is a political symbol that represents racial inequality and should be removed after the shooting deaths of nine African American church members in June 2015. Proponents argue that the flag is an important historical symbol that commemorates the state’s role in the Civil War. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #13: Gender Identity
Gender identity is defined as a personal conception of oneself as male, female, both, or neither. In 2014, President Obama signed an Executive Order barring discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity among federal contractors. The order covered employers who perform federal work and protected an estimated 20% of American workers. Opponents included religious groups, who argued that the order would prevent them from receiving federal money or contracts if they could not meet the new guidelines because of their beliefs. Proponents argue that the order was necessary to protect millions of LGBT people whose rights were threatened after the Supreme Court ruled in the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores case. In that ruling, the court said that family-run corporations with religious objections could be exempted from providing employees with insurance coverage for contraception. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Social Issue #14: Body cameras
In the wake of the lethal shootings by police officers in several U.S. cities, a petition was launched to have the White House look into requiring all police officers in the country to wear body cameras. The petition has now exceeded 128,000 signatures, and the Obama Administration said it will respond to petitions that exceed 100,000. (Info and poll from www.isidewith.com.)
NOTE: Depending on the device you are using (desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone), the "selection bubbles" for the poll options may not be visible. If this is the case, simply click anywhere on the answer you'd like, and then hit "Vote".
Click For More Campaign Issues
