Donald Trump recently addressed the partial government shutdown of nonessential departments. He did this because he wants a wall along the southern border to prevent illegal immigrants from coming into the U.S. Congress did not include funding for the wall in the federal budget. Democrats believe the wall would be a waste of taxpayers' money, that it is a fear tactic and insufficient. I understood all this not just because I know English but because my education so far (an unfinished high school degree) has allowed me to analyze the topics they discuss and compare it to the history that has impacted these decisions.

In analyzing the two responses, I was able to connect the discussion to the effects this may have on my family's life and the surrounding world. I've come to the realization how important being educated is because without it, I would not understand the nuances of these discussions that were provided or even the discussions my family members were having with each other.

Language Arts teachings on rhetoric allowed me to understand the president's audience, WHAT ABOUT THEM? what did you understand about them?

his supporters of the general public, his purpose, to gain more support for the wall to keep out illegal immigrants along the Southern Border, and the context of this itself, that we currently live in a highly divided society that will cause much more pain.

SPLIT THE ABOVE INTO DIFFERENT SENTENCES. THAT'S A LOT OF "I UNDERSTAND THIS BUT I WONT TELL YOU HOW" RIGHT NOW. TELL US WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND. critical thinking.

The skills given to me through this class allowed me to develop my own opinion on the subject.

U.S. government provides me with the information to, in some effect, navigate the dynamics of checks and balances between Congress and the president. Okay, what does that have to do with Trump's speech? Was there any point where you were like, oh he/congress can or can't do that because of checks and balances??

US History presented me the history of former parties and the country's ideals that shape the political parties of today. what examples of this are highlighted in the speech. would be good to mention how first president Washington said political parties would divide america, similar to how each side, dems and repubs are butting heads about solutions rather than working to meet in the middle, they're both stubbornly sticking to black and white, yes or no, to the wall and other policies.

While history and my language studies provided me with better comprehension of President Trump's address, the use of statistics by him, like...? what stats did he use? are they accurate? do you know how/where to check for accuracy of facts?

the press following, what do you mean by this?

and the governors against him came from my math studies helping me evaluate how much of the population would actually be affected by the problems mentioned by both. again how? what population problems were mentioned that you realize would be affected? or what weren't mentioned that you realize would be affected?

In the end without an education I probably wouldn't have been able to understand what the President, the Democrats, or news reporters had mentioned or the implications of either sides arguments if they are to play through. My education allowed me to see the fallacies in each argument, the suggestive tone of the speakers, and the symbolic resolutions of each action made so far. In order to make informed decisions an individual should not only have trusted sources, but have confidence in their opinions as well. The President, his supporters, his adversaries all have confidence in their beliefs and know that what they say is truth. And in order for one to have confidence they have to have facts. Whether they're real or unreal is determined by the audience.

Perception is our reality, but an education allows us to see it just a bit more clearly.