Satvika Kumar, Claudia Richoux, and Raksha Pothapragada
Glover 7th Pd.
9-15-14 John Smith Interview 1. Referring to your previous belief that He who shall not work, shall not eat, if you were the leader of a less affluent community, today, how would you approach and solve the issue of people who are not actively seeking jobs but receiving welfare and food stamps? (Satvika) *Note: This represents John Smiths beliefs only. As demonstrated in my previous policies, I do not believe in handouts. One shouldnt have the right to eat if one doesn't work or actively pursue work. No matter their affluence, every man must work to contribute to the prosperity of his community. To resolve the issue of parasitic community members who are not actively seeking jobs but benefitting from welfare and food stamps, I would increase opportunities for contribution. I would implement policies to create jobs, introduce more job fairs to make these positions more accessible, in more diverse industries. First, I would target education. I would encourage the students to gain vocational training more so than stress the importance of higher education. I would also implement some of Germanys employment programs such as rewarding employers who hire unemployed members of the community (via tax incentives). Lastly, I would place emphasis on rehabilitating the community and expanding transportation options in hopes of boosting the tourism industry and providing more jobs.In short, I would do everything in my power to to employ these community members instead of just handing them welfare with no expectations in return. 2. How did you feel about living in such close quarters with people who held different beliefs and theology? Living with the puritans was a very interesting and enlightening, if unpleasurable, experience. I cant agree with their lack of celebrating christmas, or the way that they reject our nations church. Although the other non-puritans and didnt like the separatists much, we managed to put up with their antics during the voyage to the new world. 3. In retrospect, was working the people so hard a good choice? Despite the hardships that my people faced with the work that they had to do, I do not regret working the people as hard as I did. The colony would not have been as successful as it had been without all the combined efforts that the residents put in. In addition, I feel that working them so hard at the beginning allowed us to form a more stable establishment as time progressed. 4. What did you feel about your time in captivity, given the different culture you associated with? I had to act respectfully towards the tribe for the sake of my life but to be frank, the people who held me captive were not the most advanced of people. I mean, their level of thinking was extremely mundane. They believed in spirits based on elements of nature and made weapons out of sticks and branches. Our metal swords (and other weaponry) could have outdone them any day. So in all honesty, my time in captivity was essentially very boring and didnt change who I am except to motivate me to spread Christianity to these native people. 5. Looking back to your experiences as a leader, what do you suggest is the best way to lead a group of people? To be a leader, one must have a strong, heavy hand and be very confident. People arent naturally hard workers or good citizens so they need to be led in the correct direction with promises of consequence for misbehavior.