Should tobacco companies be held responsible for smoking-related illnesses and deaths?

Tobacco companies should not be sellng products that are related to illnesses and deaths anyway. Unfortunately no they should not be responsible for illnesses and deaths, a person chooses to rather or not they want to smoke their life away. Its not the tobacco company because they are not forcing people to smoke it its their customers decision.

Should the federal government provide health care for all citizens who cannot afford their own?

I am going to say yes. The government should take care of their citizins, with out us they would not be our governor. We need to be taken care of with our health issues, but how can we do that if we do not have the money to pay? Good question you ask, thats when our government should come in and protect us from anything we may need to be seen for by a doctor.

Should juvenile offenders be tried and punished as adults?

I would go for this, only depending on what the crime is. If its a murder tial I would say penalize them as an adult, even weapon charges. A child above the age 9 should know the difference between right and wrong.

Should children be required to attend school past the age of sixteen?

Yes, they should attend school after the age of 16. At the age of 17 your graduating high school by then anway, why not spend an extra year of learning how you can prepare for college. College prepares you for your career, high school prepares you for college, middle school gets you ready for high school and elementary prepares you for middle school. If you stop going at a young age what much will you know, before you began to start?

How should colleges manage their athletic programs in relation to their academic goals?

Colleges should manage their athletic programs in relaton to their academic goals by grades. If the grades aren't looking too good and their gpa is below a "c" they should not be able to play an athletic sport. Not unless its another way you can relate the two in a different way, other than that it should go by gpa and grades for their classes.

Should sex and violence on television or in the movies be restricted?

I am going to go against and for this. I say for because the media has something to do with people reactions. People look up to others on television for guidance and admiraton. The reason I feel like it should be restricted. I am going against it cause, it can also educate us on what we should do about sex teaching us the right way of things. As far as violence well thats just mocked from anger, it will be reflected w/ or without television.

Do "beauty" contests (Mr. America, Miss America, etc.) serve any purpose in society?

No, I do not think that "beauty" contests are a purpose in society. Who are we to judge the looks and brains of someone whether or not they should represent us as the most salient person of our state. Whats the point in that? It is very pointless, what do they earn besides publicity of the most gorgeous person. I am just disagreeing, this just does not make much since to me but give them something to do in life.