Journal: Article Using Good Critical Thinking Skills

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Discussion 1
The key critical thinking skills are
* Interpretation of the information and communicating this
* Analysis focusing on connecting the ideas and the intended meaning
* Inference and this indicates application of the different elements that support the conclusion or hypothesis
* Another element is explanation where one has to approach the problems in a consistent manner and add clarity to what has already been said
Article using good critical thinking skills
Anderson (2011) calls for comprehensive immigration reform to reduce illegal immigration while providing status to those already in the country. The author approaches the issue by refuting the claims made by opponents of comprehensive immigration reform. For instance, in the first argument that immigration reform would harm taxpayers, the author logically explains that legalization would raise earnings while allowing workers to pay taxes. The third argument is the strongest where he argues that the notion of amenities begetting other amnesties is wrong since the Immigration Reform Act of 1986 highlights that assumptions on amnesty are wrong. Anderson (2011) further uses reports and research findings from other authors to support immigration reform since data showed that few citizens utilized welfare, and even the 1986 did not increase welfare use. As such, the author rightly uses critical thinking skills by identifying inconsistencies made by opponents of immigration reform while challenging assumptions with data and research findings.
Bad critical thinking skills
In an article by Bernie Vermont Senator former Democratic Presidential candidate, he argues for making college tuition free in the U.S (Sanders, 2015). While Sanders rightly points out countries in Europe and Mexico that charge low or no tuition fees, he does not back up his claims with statistics on how making college free will improve the quality of education. Even though, the cost of higher education in the US has risen over decades that many people cannot afford, then it follows that ensuring free college would improve access to education that is affordable. Firstly, he ignores the cost implication to cost payers while suggesting the single payer system is the best the author makes strong arguments for free higher education, but focusing on the cost and benefits would highlight whether the system would be associated with entitlement or better education. Merely making the education affordable would reduce the number of people seeking higher education abroad,...