File Folder Project

Pro-Metric System

                Members of the Senate, I present to you today an important issue, one that has remained one of the most important, yet put-off issues in American history.  I propose today that we abolish the use of the English system of measurement in favor of the metric system.  The English system is not understood anywhere else in the world.  It is also cumbersome to use.  It involves all those complicated conversions, and also confuses visitors to our country.  Our scientists would be able to more easily understand foreign research if they are raised learning about centimeters and grams rather than inches and pounds.  It will also give teachers more time in the classroom to convey important lessons, and not have to spend time teaching the English and  metric systems.  It can get confusing to students when one day the teacher talks about miles and gallons and then the next day about kilometers and liters.  Also, our country is making vast improvements to its road systems, and it would save a lot of money if we didn't have to put up signs for miles and kilometers.  We could tell car companies to slowly change cars to where the gauges have metric units in the most noticable spots, and eventually no English units at all.  By my estimation, our country could be converted to the metric system in ten years or less.  By that time, we could have most people in the work place knowledgable in the metric system of measurement.  It wouldn't be too hard, since it is all based on multiples of ten, so all we'd have to focus on is the base units.  The schools could start spending a minimum of time on the English system immediately, and by the time these kids are adults, we could teach entirely metric.

            All in all, I think it would be in the nation's best intersest to switch entirely to the metric system.  Please consider my proposal, ladies and gentlemen of the Senate.  Thank you.

Brent Hardy

9/9/99

3rd Block Biology