SAT Essay Prompt

            One independent person does not have the power or ability to change or help the country; the actions of each individual do matter though.  Everyone coming together can cause change, but an immense group does need a leader.  Overall, the government has the main power to make changes and improvements in our country, but it is not solely up to them.

            Throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, America was focused on developing and prospering.  As a result, the American System was suggested by Henry Clay.  The American System included a protective tariff to improve industry, a national bank to foster commerce, and federal subsidies for roads, canals and other internal improvements.  Without this one man, Henry Clay, the idea may never have been broached.  Without workers a lack of action to make the plan a reality would have been compulsory.  Without the government’s support, the plan would have never been taken into consideration.  Each individual that makes up this hierarchy of power was imperative to make the American System a success.

            Although the government has the most power over changes in our country, it is up to each individual to take responsibility for their own situation.  We must not become completely reliant on the officials of our country to fix our every problem and meet our every whim.  Their power spreads over the country as a whole, not reaching each and every person.  Individuals can propose ideas and find supporters for their cause.  Without the people that are willing to administer their ideas, such as Martin Luther King Jr., nothing would ever change.  MLK Jr. had the idea to end segregation and completely get rid of Jim Crow Laws, to improve the life for every colored person, and to change the culture of American societies.  He risked his very own life for the lives he wished to improve.  He rallied supporters for his widely unsupported cause.  This one individual caused great leaps to be taken in our culture.  While he was a key proponent, he did not change the laws himself, that was the government.  MLK Jr. solely convinced the government officials to vote in favor of his own beliefs. 

One man held a great amount of power, and as someone great once said, “With great power comes great responsibility”.  Each individual has the responsibility to change what they can and help to inspire change.  One belief or opinion can lead to the next step of change until the change actually occurs. 

Legalization of Marijuana vs. Prohibition of Alcohol

            While President Franklin D. Roosevelt supported the repeal of prohibition in 1932, our current president has not spoken an opinion on the legalization of marijuana.  Even though we are now in a different time period and discussing two very different mind-altering substances, the fight for each is quite analogous.  Supporters for both argue that legalization would reduce crime and law enforcement would have the opportunity to focus on more serious crimes.  The opponents argue that usage could be seen as morally wrong, lead to more danger and drug abuse, and that it could find its way into children’s hands. 

            Back during the time that prohibition of alcohol was being argued, many proponents of the cause argued that without alcohol there would be less crime.  Many believed that alcohol lead to violent behavior.  Today, people are arguing that legalizing marijuana would decreases crime through the reduction of drug cartels (Messerli). Seventy percent of cartels’ business comes from the dispersing of marijuana.  But would it really reduce crime overall?  With the legalization of marijuana, state governments would have to create new laws to regulate the age of users, amount of consumption, and laws to protect against driving and performing other activities while high (Ferner).  When alcohol was once again legalized in the United States many of the same questions were brought up.  Even with these new kinds of laws, people believe that their would be less police work used in regard to marijuana related crimes (McLaughlin).  During the 1930’s they believed that without the consumption of alcohol, there would be less crime in general.  Even though today’s argument is to legalize marijuana and past arguments were to ban alcohol, the results of each are believed to be similar and related.

            The banning of alcohol and the fight to keep marijuana banned have almost the same arguments (Al-Khatib).  Even if they do not end up with the same results, they will go down in the history books together.  The argument that each is morally wrong stems from stricter religious beliefs in the 1930’s.  Some people believed that drinking alcohol was wrong and now some believe that the use of the drug marijuana is wrong.  Both are substances that alter the mind and ability to think and make decisions (Messerli).  Opponents to the legalization see marijuana as a stepping stone to harder drugs such as cocaine or heroin and are concerned that one day these could be legalized as well.  If marijuana is completely legalized, it would be much easier for the drug to be available to children, and people could be victimized by second hand smoke.  Alcohol and marijuana are seen to have many of the same negative effects and drawbacks in the race to legalization. 

            Prohibition took place during a very different time period, and yet it can still be used to compare with the legalization of marijuana today.  The arguments for both were based on the same theories and opinions.  Even though we do not yet know the complete result of the fight over marijuana, it could be predicted to conclude similarly to prohibition.

 

 

 

Al-Khatib, Talal. “Discovery News.” DNews. Discovery Communications, LLC., 12

Nov. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
The Discovery Channel is a sponsored television network that provides information through documentaries, TV shows, and news articles. They not only provide information about current issues, but also history.

Ferner, Matt. “Rachel Maddow Draws Parallels Between Marijuana Legalization In

Colorado, Washington And End Of Alcohol Prohibition.” The Huffington Post.

TheHuffingtonPost.com, 14 Nov. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
The Huffington Post is a newspaper that provides information about national issues. People around the country read it with the intention of being provided with accurate information.

McLaughlin, Eliott C. “Marijuana Advocates Hope to Rise from ‘prohibition'” CNN.

Cable News Network, 04 Dec. 2012. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
CNN is a reputable news source. Many people rely on CNN to provide accurate information. For a long time they have been used to find information on certain topics and they inform the public about current events.

Messerli, Joe. “Should Marijuana Be Legalized under Any Circumstances?”

BalancedPolitics.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Jan. 2013.
Balanced Politics is a website that provides different political opinions and the information about the arguments used to support them.

Prohibition Analogy

While the Prohibition and the recent legalization of certain recreational drugs in Colorado and Washington states do have their differences in usage and method, the arguments for and against each are very similiar.  The Prohibition was an argument to ban the creation of alcohol and today’s argument is to legalize marijuana. Even though the effects of the laws passed are opposite, both claim that each can be harmful, each is a moral decision, and that each could reduce crime.