Pad 505

Assignment 1:   Argument Mapping

PAD 520 Public Analysis & Planning

Submitted To: Dr. Shelley Taylor

Mitchell S. Zellner

January 25, 2015

Argument Maps for 55-mph and Balkan Conflict
    There are numerous reasons to argue for and even against the 55 mph speed limit, as well as the question as to if the U.S. should or should not intervene in the Balkan conflict. This paper and its attached argument maps are designed to look at each of these arguments from both sides and make an informed decision concerning the matters. First, it will examine the claim “The U.S. should return to the 55- mph speed limit in order to conserve fuel and save lives.” Second it will examine the claim of “The conflict in Bosnia is somebody else’s trouble. The U.S. should not intervene militarily.” In either argument, there are pros and cons which much be addressed in order to make informed decisions concerning if policy makers should agree or disagree with either premise
The U.S. Should Return to the 55- mph Speed Limit
        The argument continues again today as to if the United States should return to the 55mph speed limit. Higher gas prices have forced some American drivers to trade in their S.U.V.’s for smaller, more fuel-efficient cars; combine errands in an effort to drive less; or even add air to their tires to eke out a few more miles per gallon. Since 1975 when the U.S. government did lower the speed limit to a mandatory 55mph on major highways and then repealed the law in 1995, many have long believed that this is again a solution to the problem of highway deaths and conserve already high priced and dwindling fuel supplies (Moore, 1999).   In the simple argument map in figure 1, the argument is very simple and straight forward and presents an almost black and white view that justifies a return to the lower speed limit. The argument contends that a lower speed limit saves 167,000 barrels of oil per day (Selingo, 2008), and could save approximately 6,400 lives...