Our bill has been written!

We have successfully completed our legislature that we are going to propose to either Rob's or Nathan's representative. We intentionally kept it brief and to the point in hopes that a politician might actually take the time to read a shorter bill proposed by someone other than himself. This is our letter to a state senator. Currently it is addressed to Senator Wiens of Douglas County.

Nathan Kamins Rob Newell
7119 S. Glencoe ct 2414 East Terrace Dr
Centennial, CO 80122 Highlands Ranch, CO 80126

March 25, 2008
Colorado State Capitol
200 East Colfax
Denver CO 80203
Dear Senator Wiens:
We are writing as two concerned high school students from Arapahoe High School, Rob Newell and Nathan Kamins. We are writing to you because as American citizens we have been taught that everyone, regardless of class, gender, race, and any other division possible, can have a positive influence on the government. As the acting senator in Rob Newell’s representative district, we are appealing to your human sensibilities to help us in this time of economic downturn. We have learned that most success starts at the state level and so we contacted you in hopes that we could change or community for the better along with your help.
In the face of the current economic situation, we feel Colorado should do more to ensure its own economic prosperity and that of its inhabitants. As students, the economic issue most immediate to us is the affordability of higher education. With the National Renewable Energy Laboratory located right here in the state, Colorado should do more to recruit top academic talent to the sate in order to establish ourselves as a Mecca for the renewable energy economy. That is why we are proposing a specific scholarship program to encourage bright young minds from inside and outside the state to study and live in Colorado.
The current cost of higher education is simply unacceptable. By investing a small amount in a student’s higher academic career, Colorado can stand as a harbinger, showing the positive economic impact that investment has on both the scholarship recipient and the community in which he lives. This is why Colorado should begin a program offering full tuition to any school in the state for the most qualified in-state and out-of-state candidates, in exchange for a two-year commitment to live and work in Colorado for two years after graduation.
Because of Colorado’s unique opportunity in the renewable energy economy, this program should be focused primarily on students with an interest in environmental studies, environmental engineering, or energy-based research. This is why we also propose a concomitant increase in funding to energy research programs at universities throughout the state. By establishing the University of Colorado as the pre-eminent research base for renewable energy in the nation, and making it financially viable for the top students in the country to attend this program, Colorado can boost its own economy with their continued presence and foster the growth of an industry known for its progressivism.
As concerned citizens of our state it would be in yours and our best interest to pursue any programs which would better our economy and reputation amongst the other states in our nation. We feel that you truly have the best interest of our state at heart and thus if you feel that this proposal is beneficial please contact us (Nathan Kamins – Nathankamins@gmail.com, Rob Newell – Hardy38@comcast.net) for more information on this hopeful proposition to better our state.
Sincerely,
Rob Newell and Nathan Kamins
Concerned AP government students at Arapahoe High School

Cost of college

As most of us are getting very close to college the price is starting to become a real issue. Today, in 2008, we hear all about the price of school etc. here are articles in 2004 and 2006 discussing the price increase. If every year we are appalled by the cost of school, what is it going to be like when Mr. Meyer sends his kids to school?

2006 article


2004 article

the economic impact of renewable energy

As the sting of our quickly diminishing economy starts to hit home with many of us, we look at what is causing much of what we as Arapahoe students are experiencing. While there are very few at our school who are truly suffering we still are literally paying the price for the increase in price of gasoline. And as the costs of filling our tanks go up, so does the cost of our lunches. Our foreign relations do not seem to be fixing themselves very quickly and so we must look progressively at what might be a solution for our problems. One way to kick-start an improvement in our economy would be to lessen our dependency on foreign oil and gasoline. If we look toward different energy sources in the future, we could also see a better economy in the future.

Below is a link to an article discussing the benefits of renewable energy in Pennsylvania, imagine what could happen to Colorado and its image if we were to create some initiative in this field.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07228/809842-28.stm