Letter to a Senator – Cheap Research Essays

Letter to a Senator
Assignment: Write a letter to a Texas state senator either persuading to support (or not support) S821.
Note: This is not a real senate bill.

Bill Number Author Summary Impact
S 821 Brump, Donald (D) The bill imposes a 1-cent tax on foods that contain addedsalt. If passed, it will make foods that contain added salt, such as processed meats, processed cheeses, canned vegetables, soy sauce, and chicken broth, more expensive. Funds raised will be used for supporting cardiovascular disease prevention programs and childhood obesity prevention programs.

1. First paragraph. (10 points total)
This paragraph should be between 5-7 sentences.
• In a concise manner, state the exact name of the bill and summarize the particular issue that you are addressing (Hint: Read the summary above)(1 sentence) (2.5points)
• Describe who you are and why you are passionate about this piece of legislation (2-3 sentences)(2.5 points)
• Describe who the legislation will directly impact in your life. (Are you a parent? Older sister/brother? Godparent? Or, maybe you would prefer to discuss how the legislation will impact your future profession. This is a personal connection to the issue) (2-3 sentences)(5 points)

2. Second paragraph.(10 points total)
This paragraph should be a minimum of5-7 sentences. Contrary to the first paragraph which focused on a personal connection, this paragraph will focus on population health (i.e. public health).This paragraph needs to be coherent and well-developed.You must use a minimum of 2 empirical articles to build your argument.HOWEVER, do not include in-text citations in your letter. Instead on page 2 you will list your references and provide a summary of the empirical article. See “Formatting and Page Instructions” below.
• Why are you concerned from a public health perspective? Include facts that support your position.
o For example, state the number of people this bill would affect in the state of Texas. (See BB)
• In your facts, you may want to include the following. You will have to do additional reading on your own to write this paragraph. (All of the suggestions below do not need to be included in the write up. These are suggestions that can be used to help support your argument):
o The immediate impact may be viewed as a burden to the taxpayer. However, are there larger impacts for society? To help you think about through this consider:
 What the connection is between salt intake and stroke, hypertension, and/or cardiovascular disease?
 What is the connection between reducing salt intake and childhood obesity prevention efforts?
 How are stroke, hypertension, and/or cardiovascular disease related to medical costs?
 How are stroke, hypertension, and/or cardiovascular disease related to work absenteeism and lost productivity?
 How is obesity related to medical costs?
 How is obesity related to work absenteeism and lost productivity?
 Will preventing the purchase of foods with added salt or reducing the quantity that is purchased of foods with added salt “solve” the cardiovascular disease and obesity epidemic? Provide an explanation of your answer to this question.
 Is this bill counterproductive? For example, individuals may buy foods without added salt; thus, this would appear that the individuals are making healthier choices. However, they may add salt to their food prior to consumption. (A pound of salt is not proposed to be taxed; only foods where salt has been added).
To reiterate, all of the suggestions above do not need to be included in the write up. These are suggestions that can be used to help support your argument. You may also come up with your own points

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3. Third paragraph.(10 points)
This paragraph should be 2-3 sentences.
• Wrap up firmly, yet politely
o Reiterate your position on the bill. In other words, clearly state the exact name of the bill AND whether you support or do not support the bill(5 points)
o Include a sentence that concisely summarizes why you support or do not support the bill.(5 points)
Formatting and Page Instructions

Page 1: Format of the letter. (10 points total)
Please format your letter just like the template that has been provided for you on the next page.
• Use of template(2 point)
• Document is 1 page(2 point)
• Single space (2 point)
• 12-font, Times New Roman(2 point)
• 1 inch margins (2 point)
• Do not include in-text citations in your letter. For every in-text citation that you use 2 points will be deducted.

Page 2: Please provide a list of references (in APA-style) and a brief explanation/summary of the information in the empirical article and how that links to the argument laid out in the 2nd paragraph of your letter. The reference must be written in APA-style. (30 points total)
• Use of APA-style (20 points)
• Use of at least 2 empirical articles (5 points per empirical articleused = 10 points for the use of 2 empirical articles)

Page 3: In 2-5 sentences explain why you chose to address the specific Texas state senator in your letter. You should not address members of the U.S. senate (ie Ted Cruz). Find the senator of your choice here:http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members.htm (10 points)
• There are many reasons for why you choose a particular senator. Your explanation needs to be compelling and coherent.
o You may want to choose a senator that represents your district. However, more detail is needed than “Senator X represents my district”.
o You may want to choose a senator whose primarily platform is not health (e.g., primary platform may be agriculture, water, and rural affairs; veteran affairs; transportation). In this case you are informing the senator whose attention may not be on this bill.
o You may want to choose a senator whose primarily platform is health but is opposed to raising taxes. In this case you the senator is probably aware of the bill; however, you are persuading why raising taxes is important.