RESEARCH LINKS
Issue 1: SNAP Benefits
DIGITAL PRIVACY in the United States has become a hot topic, with consumer rights groups opposing the practices of companies that collect and use consumer data.
Congress.gov: H.R.8467 “Farm, Food, and National Security Act”
The Hill: “A Fight Over SNAP Funding Could Derail the Farm Bill”
Senate Committee on Agriculture: “Reviewing Baseline Nutrition Programs”
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: “House Farm Bill’s SNAP Cut”
Urban Institute: “Food Insecurity on the Rise, SNAP Spending Cuts Dangerous”
Heritage Foundation: “Food Stamp Reforms to Save Taxpayers Billions”
Issue 2: National Privacy Law
Congress.gov: H.R. 8818 “American Privacy Rights Act of 2024”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce: “Letter on the ‘American Privacy Rights Act’”
Electronic Frontier Foundation: “EFF Opposes the American Privacy Rights Act”
IAPP.org: “U.S. State Privacy Legislation Tracker”
StateScoop.com: “American Privacy Rights Act Could Undercut State Privacy”
Tech Policy OpEd: “Big Tech Tried to Kill My State’s Privacy Bill”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Issue 1: SNAP Benefits
- In 2023, 33.6 million adults and 13.8 million children lived in food-insecure households, compared to 30.8 million adults and 13.4 million children in 2022. Why do you think “food insecurity” is on the rise in the U.S.? Hint: Read the Urban Institute article (link above) for insight on the term “food insecurity.”
- Is the SNAP or food stamps program the best solution to poverty in the U.S.? Why or why not?
- Individuals who receive SNAP benefits must shop, cook, and eat on a budget of $4.40 a day. If you had to make a grocery list within the limits of this SNAP budget, on which foods would you spend the money? Why?
- Some lawmakers believe welfare programs like SNAP create a “culture of dependency.” Do you agree? Why or why not?
- What are the potential consequences for families banned from food stamps due to past drug convictions?
Issue 2: National Privacy Law
- Using the U.S. state privacy law tracker (link above), look up your state’s privacy law. How would you feel if a weaker national privacy law preempted your state’s privacy law?
- Read the Tech Policy opinion piece by Vermont State Representative Monique Priestley (link above). Are you surprised by her stance? Why or why not?
- Which is more important—having access to online content and social media sharing, or privacy? Is there a way to have both? Why or why not?
- Digital privacy spans many areas of our lives, including government spying on U.S. citizens, parental monitoring of their children, and corporate tracking of consumers. Which of these types of spying is the most egregious? Why?
- Over history, the federal government has expanded its powers at the expense of the states. Why do you think the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution has not protected state power more effectively from federal encroachment?