What do you think of my debate speech intro?

R

Robert A

New member
We have to give a 2 minute speech on how to aid poverty, and how the methods the government are using right now is not working. What do you think of my intro paragraph?

The Constitution claims that all men are created equal. That all men are given the natural rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 35.9 million people suffer from poverty in the United States annually. 35.9 million people are being denied the ability...to enjoy these natural rights, given by the constitution. Being denied these rights, only leads to a corrupt life, full of crime, violence, and injustice. But what is the government doing to fix this major problem? Yes, they have food banks, and fundraisers which GIVE them food, GIVE them food, and GIVE them opportunity. But that is turning their rights....into privileges. We need to TEACH them to make money, and obtain food, and acquire skills for themselves. "You give a man a fish, feed him for a day, teach a man to fish, feed him for his life." We need to TEACH them. To do that...we need unity...within the communit
 
First, I like the idea you end up with in your intro--teaching the less fortunate to make a living, etc. That is always good idea.
I would take issue, however with your conclusion that poor people (using this title generally) have been denied their rights. We are not given these rights, we HAVE them. It isn't the Constitution that states this; it's the Bill of Rights.

When it declares that all men have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that they are created equal, it means we are equal: In England you have (and still have) royalty and others not-royalty, commoners. In America we are equal. That does not mean the government must strive to make men equal. They ARE equal already. And what they do with their lives is up to them.

Furthermore, It does not say that all men have equal ability, equal opportunity or equal circumstances. If that were so, it would be incumbent on the government to make these things equal, and you would have socialism or communism.

In fact, take your argument to its logical end, and it would mean that the government would need to level the playing field for the whole world: "All men" would include Somalia, the Netherlands, France, the Congo, Brazil, on and on...

I'm not trying to be hypercritical here, but acurate. Because if you give a debate speech like this, and if the other side is smart, they'll rip you apart. My suggestion: pay attention to the exact words and think it through.
 
For in opening to a debate I like up to "But what is the government doing to fix this". Then you should state what I intend to prove is Teaching them ....etc.

You don't start the debate in your opening statement your opponent my use it against you.
 
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