1993-1994 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Responsibility, Who Has It and Who Doesn't and What That Means For The Nation

Teacher: Susan Staten

Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

1st Rebecca White  2nd Kristi Clemons   3rd Bridget Robertson

"A prime example comes from a local radio station which reports two inmates are suing their correctional facility for $20,000 apiece on the grounds that the guards let them become addicted to Maxwell House coffee."
Rebecca White, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"A man worked for a company that supplied gasoline to gasoline stations. One evening this man was waiting on his truck to finish pumping gasoline into a storage unit. While he was waiting, he lit a cigarette. The fumes immediately caught him on fire. He proceeded to sue not only the trucking company he worked for, but also the gasoline station and the company that made the gasoline. Despite the fact that he should have known better, he received $2,000,000 in damages. What many people do not realize is that the judges have a responsibility also, to pass fair judgment, especially during ridiculous lawsuits."
Kelly Baker, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"In New York, a woman was punched in the face at an Aerosmith concert she was attending and sued the band, the record company, Madison Square Garden (the arena where the concert was held), the producer of the concert, and even the company that sold her the ticket. She claimed that the music incited her unknown assailant to hit her."
Alan Lindsey, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"Men who injured themselves in refrigerator races argued that the warnings against carrying these appliances was insufficient."
Cory Poplin, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"(Donna Roberts) charged that a veterinarian severely injured her pet iguana in 1989. She sued for one-million in damages, contending that the animal suffered a broken back and that she endured emotional stress."
Bridget Robertson, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"Because citizens created the government, they have obligations to patrol and reform it when needed. A person must do more than vote in general elections if he expects Washington to listen.... Ultimately, the citizen is responsible for problems in society and the solutions needed in combating them. If they come together in recognition of their duties then everyone can benefit from a more responsible society, created not by business or any federal project, but by individuals willing to accept responsibility."
Rebecca White, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

"A gradual decline in accepting responsibility has led us to a society which blames others for all the nation's problems. Bill Clinton recently called for 'A new covenant' between the government and the governed. In his appeal to the people, he repeated one word twenty times: responsibility. He continued to convey the idea that the burdens of citizenship must be shouldered, not only by leaders, but by those who follow."
Bridget Robertson, Broken Arrow High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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