Immigration reduction advocates perceive immigration as a contributor of overpopulation. They also argue that because continued population growth drives up demand for housing and land costs, illegal immigration would hinder “affordable housing” goals. These reductionists want to limit current immigration by 75 percent.

Proponents of open immigration, the belief that all people should be free to migrate to any country of their choice with no limiting obstacles, criticize the reductionists as being tied to white separatists. These supporters also claim that immigration is a crucial part of the labor force and would weaken the economy and drive America into a recession.

In the 2004 presidential election, the Republican Party placed a vote banning gay marriage on its ballot, spurring a high voter turnout for President George W. Bush.

As the 2006 national elections approach, this controversy is taking front page again.

On June 7, the Senate rejected a resolution to ban gay marriage and on July 18, the House rejected a constitutional amendment that defined a marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

So far, Massachusetts has been the only state to approve gay marriage. However, Vermont has approved civil unions that give same-sex couples many of the same benefits as marriage.

Advanced Cell Technology, a biotechnology company based in Alameda, has found a way to harvest stem cells without destroying the embryo.

However, this research has not completely ended the heated debate regarding stem cells. The long-term effects of removing a cell from an embryo have not yet been observed, though at least 1,000 babies have been born without notable defects.

In 2005 and 2006, the House and Senate allowed research on both existing and new stem cells but President Bush vetoed the bill on July 19. The veto has not yet been overridden.

So far, with respect to North Korea, the United States has taken a stance on economic sanctions and negotiations. Since its last nuclear test, the United States has been relying on meetings with China. However, North Korea has since said that it will not carry out a second test—unless it faces pressure—and is willing to return to the six-nation talks.

For the war in Iraq, sectarian violence has increased since the Iraqi elections, hindering any plans for the Iraqi military to secure the country by themselves and any plans for the United States to withdraw.

The United States only produces about 8 million barrels of oil a day, but consumes over 20 million barrels daily. Because of this, it has become the biggest oil importer of any country. This growing reliance on petroleum has led to an increase in prices of crude oil, a $30 increase per barrel since 2000.

Liberal politicians advocate limited drilling because of the fear of potential destruction of the environment and the wasting of potential resources, which they believe should be saved for an emergency. Opponents have criticized this view, as drilling would drastically decrease oil prices.

Approximately 46 million abortions are performed throughout the world each year. Of these, 20 million occur in areas where it is banned, while the other 26 million are legal procedures. Religious ethics, financial stability and interruption of work and education are common components of debates for and against the procedure.

Democrats have been known to approve of abortion, while conservative Republicans are usually against the procedure. Arguments presented in favor of or against abortion focus on ethical permissibility of an abortion or the justification of laws restricting abortion. Debate also focuses on whether a pregnant minor should have to notify and obtain the consent of her parents. States like California, impose a 24-hour waiting period to notify parents and allow minors to gain more information before their decision. States such as South Dakota, ban abortion.