GIVING TEENAGERS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT

Within a span of three weeks, two local events recently served to give area high-schoolers an insight into how government at the federal, county and city levels works. We're referring to the Youth in Government Day held on Feb. 25 and the mock U.S. Constitutional Convention held March 15.

The 10th Youth in Government Day was held at Jackson and Cape Girardeau city halls, the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse and Administrative Building and the Federal Building in Cape Girardeau under sponsorship of the six Optimist clubs in Cape Girardeau and Jackson. The mock U.S. Constitutional Convention was held at Southeast Missouri State University under sponsorship of the university's history department. More than 175 students participated in the two events.

Both are fine examples of giving teenagers hands-on experience in government dealings that perhaps might spark an interest in some to become public servants later in their lives. Short of that, the youths at least came away with an understanding of government -- and the problems elected officials face -- that is difficult to teach in a classroom.

The 75 students participating in Youth in Government Day were afforded the opportunity to fill the shoes of city councilmen and other city officials, county officials and federal public defenders, magistrates, marshals and U.S. attorneys. Some debated issues that were then before the city at a mock council meeting at City Hall.

Interestingly, students who participated in the mock convention -- which was separate from Youth in Government Day -- debated some of the same issues that are on the minds of today's leaders: crime, welfare and abortion, to name just three. They also expressed concern about the electoral college, voting to abolish it; required passage of a literacy test before a high school diploma is issued; and mandated that people over the age of 65 retake driving tests every three years to renew their driver's licenses.

Their debate on crime was the most heated, and it became clear that they are concerned about the growing crime problem in this country. Their message also was clear: It's time to get tough.

To get tough, the students took aim at those convicted of crimes. They called for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing truth in sentencing -- that is, that a prisoner serve his or her entire sentence without possibility of probation parole. For killers, they wanted a constitutional amendment that would limit their death-row appeals to three within five years. After that, the sentence would be carried out.

As one student said, "I feel convicts, if they get the death penalty, shouldn't sit in there for 50 years while we pay for them."

On welfare, the students created a provision that welfare recipients must be actively seeking employment to continue to receive benefits, and that social workers look in on children of recipients twice a month. On abortion, the students defeated an amendment limiting abortion only to cases of rape or when the pregnancy causes a threat to the mother's life.

The students who participated in the mock convention learned first-hand through debate how difficult it can be to bring about change in the face of differing opinions, particularly on social issues like crime and abortion. They came away with a valuable lesson: that unless the majority is in agreement on a social issue, government can do little to correct a situation. That's as it should be.

The issues the students discussed offer an insight into some of the issues on the minds of young people today. Adults should take note of those concerns.