Thanksgiving is a reminder that there’s more that unites us as Americans than divides us. We don’t believe families should avoid politics when they get together over the holidays. After all, if we can’t discuss important issues with our loved ones, how can we expect our leaders to work together?
Appetizer: Insalata Mista
America is a place where diverse cultures, ideas, and people mix together. As your meal begins, provoke a discussion by asking these questions:
- What are the shared values and core beliefs that unite us as a country?
- Name one thing about American democracy you’re grateful for.
- What major legislation has had a beneficial impact on the country and society?
Main Course: Something “Meaty”
Our nation must grapple with some really tough issues in the coming year. Which of these broad statements best captures the view of your Thanksgiving table?
Immigration:
A. The biggest problem is illegal immigration. Too many people break the law to come or stay in the country. We need to enforce the law, even if it means deporting
families.
B. The biggest problem we have is that we need workers for many jobs, but the system doesn’t work so immigrants and employers go around it. We need more legal visas, not to kick people out.
C. America has always welcomed immigrants. We need workers and families should be able to stay together. We can reform the system to do both and give folks already here a chance to
become legal.
Climate Change:
A. Climate change is a direct threat to our way of life. The U.S. must make massive investments and transition the economy to clean energy as quickly as possible — even if it hurts some sectors of the economy.
B. The climate is changing, but it is a global problem, and the U.S. should wait for action from China which is now the world’s highest emitter.
C. The U.S. has long been a leader in solving global problems. Congress must develop an aggressive strategy that reduces greenhouse emissions in the most cost-effective way we can.
Health Care:
A. The U.S. has the best health care in the world. The private sector should decide how to provide care and insurance with little interference from the government.
B. Health care is a basic human right. The government should require that all Americans be provided basic health care regardless of their ability to pay.
C. Health care should remain a public-private partnership while requiring insurers to cover all Americans regardless of health status.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU’VE SURVIVED YOUR BIPARTISAN THANKSGIVING!
Dessert:
Something we can all agree on…
Answer: All of the Above
In addition, the Violence Against Women Act, Small Business Innovation and Technology, State and Local Government Cybersecurity Act, Ocean Shipping Reform Act, and the Postal Service Reform Act and more… Sweet as Cherry Pie.
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TRIVIA
1. The Thanksgiving tradition of presidential turkey pardons started after poultry farmers began sending well-fed birds to the White House as holiday gifts. Who was the first president to receive a turkey?
A. Thomas Jefferson
B. Ulysses S. Grant
C. Franklin D. Roosevelt
D. Richard Nixon
2. Which state or American territory will hold a runoff for the Senate on December 6th?
A. Georgia
B. American Samoa
C. Alaska
D. Pennsylvania
3. In addition to turkeys, numerous other animals used to be sent to the White House as holiday gifts. Which of the following animals, sent to be served for Thanksgiving dinner, instead became a White House pet for the Coolidge family?
A. Polly the Pig
B. Fancy the Chicken
C. Tina the Fox
D. Rebecca the Raccoon
4. Which state produces the most cranberries?
A. Arkansas
B. Michigan
C. Florida
D. Wisconsin
5. Which National Leader has become twitter infamous for no less than 38 tweets roasting the History Channel?
A. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
B. Congressman David McKinley (R-WV)
C. White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain
D. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy
6. What do Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep, Matt Damon, and Taylor Swift have in common?
A. Being the Anti-Hero
B. Rumored to be descendants of passengers or crew on the
Mayflower
C. Starring in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
D. Choosing to skip the turkey and prepare chicken for their holiday meal
7. Which founding father is said to have preferred the turkey over the bald eagle to be the national symbol of the United States?
A. Alexander Hamilton
B. George Washington
C. Benjamin Franklin
D. James Madison
8. Which one-time presidential ticket now skips the turkey at Thanksgiving, because both have become vegan?
A. Bill Clinton and Al Gore
B. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney
C. John Kerry and John Edwards
D. Barack Obama and Joe Biden
9. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a recurring national holiday in 1863, at the behest of Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale is known for writing which nursery rhyme?
A. Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
B. Baa Baa Black Sheep
C. Mary Had a Little Lamb
D. London Bridge is Falling Down
10. Which president formally moved Thanksgiving from the final Thursday in November to the 4th Thursday in November to increase the country’s retail sales and give families more time to shop for winter holidays?
A. George W. Bush
B. Donald J. Trump
C. Franklin Delano Roosevelt
D. James K. Polk
WORD SEARCH
Find the following words in the puzzle. Words are hidden across and down.
INFLATION BIPARTISAN CRUDITES DEMOCRACY DEBTCEILING MARALAGO MCCARTHY CRYPTO PUNDIT YOUREONMUTE OMNICRON SCHUMER
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The Bipartisan Policy Center helps policymakers work across party lines to craft bipartisan solutions. By connecting lawmakers across the entire political spectrum, delivering data and context, negotiating policy details, and creating space for bipartisan collaboration, we ensure democracy can function on behalf of all Americans. Learn more at bipartisanpolicy.org.
