Argumentative Essay

Core 100 Final Exam Argumentative Essay Idea # 1

As Thomas Paine said on December 26, 1776, three days before that decisive victory at Trenton:

“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

His words ring as true today as they did then.

In examining Paine’s quote, particularly the last line, one questions how highly we rate freedom, for our freedoms are often taken for granted, compromised, or we are unwilling to fight for them.

In a two-three-page paper, guided by the three course mandates of constitutional democracy, social justice, and the role of government in the economy, please consider if and how we have taken our freedoms, our natural rights of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for granted? Specifically, during this pandemic, have we allowed our rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” to be transgressed by the very governments (federal, state, and local) we created?

Here are some questions you might consider when outlining your paper:
During this time of crisis, what is the Government’s role in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic? During times of crisis, did the Founding Fathers intend for our natural rights to be sacrificed or protected? Does the Government have a responsibility to address the racial and socio-economic inequities of the impact, or to simply slow the spread of the virus? What is society’s role in lessening the impact of the spreading pandemic? As an individual, do your rights to freedom of association and movement supersede the natural rights and general welfare of the citizenry? What is the Federal Government’s role in trying to keep the economy stabilized? Did the Founders’ intend for Governors and Presidents to have emergency powers to shut or close a privately-owned business? Isn’t this like eminent domain? Should the Government be compensating these businesses due to their need for “public safety”? Would the Government have the right to use eminent domain to claim private property for public use during this pandemic? Which Government, Federal, State, or both? Should certain sectors of the economy be given preferential treatment – say the financial industry – over others, say the garment industry?

Directions:
Paper must be two to three pages in length
You must cite two pieces of textual evidence from the textbook and one from an outside primary source.
You may use MLA format or in text citation is acceptable
You must have a thesis statement and your textual evidence must support the argument or the claims that you are making.