Topics:

• Do you really want a minimum wage?: Stakes are High for Workers, Businesses as Illinois Considers Minimum Wage Hike
• Taxing cigarettes...for the children: Md. Cigarette Taxes Have Unintended Consequences
• Common problem: Nestle Pipes Water from National Forest, Sparking Protests

Thread Prompt: In this module/week's forum, you must read 1 of the articles above and provide a 2-3-sentence summary of the article in the opening paragraph. In your second paragraph, you must explain an economic idea contained in this story. Specifically, note how the economic idea plays a prominent role in the story. In the third paragraph, you must explain what you think about the events in the story. You do not have to agree with what is going on, but you do need to provide your reaction to it. This is your chance to express yourself: what are your opinions? Be sure to defend yourself. Finally, you must address how economists and Christians might agree or disagree on the outcome. Does the economic component of this story mesh with your understanding of how Christians should react to the circumstances? Provide details to support your position (in other words, do not just say "Christians wouldn't act the same way as economists").

Reply Prompt: For your replies, respond to at least 2 classmates' threads. At least 1 of them must deal with a story different from the one you address in your thread. You must make substantive comments about their threads. Just saying "I agree" in one form or another is not acceptable. A good reply might include a question of clarification, a question that is relevant to the topic but was not discussed, a counterpoint to the author's points, or a well-supported disagreement. Be sure to keep your replies civil.