BLOG 8- 18 SHOULD BE THE NEW 21

  After reading my collegues, Lee Mitchell's article "Should the Drinking Age Be Lowered?" I have strongly agree with the argument about lowering the drinking age to age 18. I have agreed and I am of age to drink. If an 18 year old male or female has the consent to vote, to enlist in the army, obtain an driver license, and the rights to marriage. All of those things can be very life changing and at the same time very dangerous. Oh and lets not forget that the smoking age is 18 and older, is smoking not considered dangerous, influential to us and others around us? In his argument he talks about all the things that an 18 year can do and some are risky, while others require a choice that could possibly change this nation. Many see drinking as an instant killer but don't consider that smoking can be an instant killer, that fighting for our country can be an instant killer, and getting behind the wheel of a motorize vehicle can be an instant killer. But in the end these are all considered privileges we are given when we once turn 18 years old.

 Mr. Mitchell's argument did become clearer that the drinking age should be lowered. 18 is the age you graduate(adveragly), 18 is the age that you realize you can work and strive in this world as a young adult. Drinking will not harm an 18 year old. The drinking age should be 18 because they wouldn't have to sneak and drink it; or rush to finish it(because we all know bottoms up really means bottoms up). But in all seriousness age 18 should be treated more seriously, when I was 18 i felt like an adult, I said I was an adult but many would tell me if you can't drink legally your not. Funny thing though at age 18 I was carrying myself more mature, working a lot of hours, bought a car, going to school full time, and helping my family maintain. . .doing a lot better and more than adult twice that age.

 So age 18 to me should be considered an legalized 21, it should be the new 21. Each generation mature quicker and can hold their own. But if the Government continues to hold them back at this rate some may not make to that "legalized age". 18 SHOULD BE THE NEW 21

Education is first here in Texas. . .but last on funding.

Education number one on our Loyal governor Perry's mind as many know. Also keep in mind Texas is at the bottom for funding education out of the other states. The latest issue dealt with down at the capital has been the core standards new standards they have given us to meet for the subject math. Texas out of three states decided not to sign the bill and also decided to make our own math standards. In regards to do so, the standards we made do not fit as competitive enough against other countries. Seeing something wrong?

We have had specialist come in to analyze our standards, they reviewed it and decided it wasn't anything close to the standards of the Common Core. The problem is that Texas first isn't really competing with other states here in the US because education isn't being put as number one priority for this state. While other states are trying to make an effort to fund so that they wouldn't have to cut teachers and schools, we are slicing schools and teachers especially in the urban areas, low income being the most appropriate words choice.

As Texans we can really put an end to this simply by getting involved, showing teachers we have their back, and spitting on the government about how serious education and our children's future is not only to us but the future of Texas. Changing the Math Standards is a good step success. If our math

Stage 6 Blog

On April 3rd, my classmate Griff ClIpson wrote a blog over, this article Justice Department bars Texas Voter ID law. My classmates argument is that we become too busy with life to remind ourselves to register to before deadlines. Also, he agrees that we should have to photo ID in order to vote. I can agree with my classmate, because us has citizens pay to have that little plastic thing with our picture on, we have to keep up with it or be penalized for losing it, and its like a privilege to do things and get stuff done. Without a photo'd ID your just walking and barely breathing. The audience isn't a clear reach, I mean seriously I would say anyone who isn't a born citizen with rights and teenagers aiming at 18 and 19. I say citizen who don't have rights

Saturday, February 25, 2012 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Posted in the editorial by an anonymous author, In this article UT reverse Discrimination Before Supreme Court about defining Equal Protection. This article written in the editorial section brings up a case, a very popular case amongst the Texas Universities, mainly UT, Fisher Vs. The University of Texas. Fisher is a white a student who didn't get accepted into The University of Texas by the Top ten percent, arguing that it is unconstitutional to have a diverse acceptance percentage, meaning it's not fair to want to balance out the races at the University of Texas. The author of this article has taken this case and broken it down all the way to the Achievenment gap. The Achievement Gap is a gap between minority students and white students, this gap which is slowly growing to become well known in the primary and secondary schools today just for this simple reason. This gap has grown larger than anyone can imagine and when most students approache the university level they are unaware of the Achievement Gap. Race has become a main problem in deciding a child's future whether or not he or she will ever attend a good enough university, this decision starts in grades because statics show that Blacks and Hispanics are taught in different structural ways and characters than white students. I strongly agree with this author and what their aim is Equally balance the educational system regardless of race, also that it is unconstutional to want to make a university diverse just by throwing a couple of races outside of white in their school in order to have an increase for students to strive to get there. The authors logic behind this is simple, if educator will just teach each student equally regardless of race, there is no reason each student wouldn't strive to want to get into the top universities. Educators have to try, they CAN NOT just keep putting moniorities behind the wheel of a bus without a license, they need struture just as the other differ type of students. As a result because of this discrimination, we all see it hurts all races.

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AND SHORTAGE. WE WANT TO KNOW TEXANS

On Sunday, April 1, 2012, The Austin American Stateman posted an article in the commentary section written by Talmadge Heflin called, To keep growing, Texas needs to change systems 
This article is about how Texas has the highest job opportunities out of all 50 states right now, which is helping Texas grow in this downward economy. The author also said, "Texas' economy added 258,200 net jobs between January 2011 and January 2012, almost as much as California (126,100) and New York (139,300) combined." This article is also about how Texas is not only at the top but gaining views because we are booming in the employment part. Texas helped the employment helped the nations employment rate alone shoot up a percentage, which is enough to gain even more looks to come here for a job and lifestyle. WOW. Even though we are booming in this recession we still have a lot of work to do for the future of our state. Also providing solutions on things that the government should focus on when it comes to either funding a program versus cutting a program. Education and Welfare being two that are on the list along with many other ones.

The author writes this article as an awareness to Texans( mainly those who are unemployed here in this state) to help them recognize we have a lot more opportunities than other states. Also the author's intended audience is the Government, he wants them to recognize the issues that are hurting our pockets and future here in Texas. The author tries to gain attention from these two different type of audiences by giving bold solutions to our problems and by allowing Texans to see and become aware of what we have here instead of moving to another state thinking it would be a lot be for work and also waking them up by saying people are coming to our state from other ones and snatching opportunities that were shining in your face.

The author is arguing that we live in a big state, that is growing in many different ways, stating all this by talking about how our employment rate here is one of the best in the nation. His assumptions are if we cut from the welfare program, make taxes even more stronger, write out a plan for the educational system funding, and many more solutions that we will be better than okay in the nation. Making us at the very top. The author is also making these point and hitting the hammer on the head because he's aiming at the government and putting those issues out there with a reason and how it will us survive this recession better than the rest of America outside Texas. The authors values all are given with clear evidence by stating facts on how our economy here has evolved since a certain year or how this situation is effecting us wrongfully but before that situation this is how is was better for us. The author is very logical with the soultions and with the employment rate, reading this article you can see how much thought was put into every problem we are facing here. for example the author says, "Strengthen the state's tax and expenditure limit. In 1978, Texans overwhelmingly approved a constitutional spending limit for state government; unfortunately for taxpayers, that limit has proven weak and ineffective." this quote moves the reader into a persuaded state of mind about everything the author has wrote simply because you can see a time and a reason, going back on the computer you can definitely tell how taxes made a difference since then to now.

The author convinced me in this article by stating facts, giving me numbers and percentages. I loved reading this because I am big on the education system and as I agree with the author that is a main priority on our list of things that needs special attention given. I mean your cutting from our future to provide for something that is only temporary and won't long. After I was convinced about that I was pretty much able to be convinced about all of the other points that really matter to this state alone, that I am seeing affect our  household, my neighbors, my family, and other Texans.

The significance of this authors article and argument is almost like a wake up call for us here. Yes, we are Americans but more so we are Texans and we should pay better attention and appreciate the home front.We have serious everyday problems here that are affecting us negatively for the long term. This article is helping realize that there are other issues that are affecting more here, that if we're to deal with them will help Americas economy get better. That there are other major issues beside education that isn't being paid enough attention to like it should. I believe that if the issues and facts that were presented in this article were given a special consideration in the presidential election or government anything the true better person will win, because each and every American can agree that these are problems worth debating. But also the party must hit us with facts not slander each other for what isn't done or wasn't done. HIT US WITH SOME FACTS, SOME REASONS, WE WANT TO KNOW FOR OUR FUTURE OF each and every state.

SAVE OUR SCHOOLS. BE SEEN. BE HEARD.

Thursday, March 22,2012, The Austin American Statesman posted in the opinion column an article called, Weeks: Join rally to save Texas schools before it's too late The author Allen Weeks of the Local Contributer makes an argument that is valid and by far as thought provoking and persuasive on such an emotional topic today, education. The author's intended Audience is people who stay in Austin or as close enough to the capital that it's not considered traveling. In order for the author to gain more attention from home front he should put himself out there more, starting with this opinion column, only so many people will agree with him because it is only his opinion. I do believe the author should push how involved the politics are in our educational because that will help him gain more attention from those "decision makers" at the Capitol. Simply saying something like this, "We need those decision makers just as involved as we are, they are the foundation of this state." And this of course is candy coated just to draw them in, making them feel more wanted by us instead of another indivual nagging. This article has more passion put involved just by simply stating what a lack of trying will lead to in the future of our students. He also states us, has one we are one, we are Texans the people, we should come as one and save our future. People who are just as close to voice their thoughts or help be heard on the topic of saving our educational systems right here in Texas. The audience is as simple the people whom stay minutes away that can help be heard by the dicision makers down at the Capitol. The author argument is if we don't get involved and try to make a difference in the future of Texas Education everything here will basically collapse. If we who live in the Austin area don't participate in such a touchy but revolutionary topic thinks will only get worse because not enough people showed they cared. If nothing's done we will have a even larger budget cut, which will lead to cutting: special needs programs, free lunch, teachers and nurses, and programs that could advance a childs ability and much other cuts. Those cuts will soon lead to an even larger drop out rate(simply because over crowded classes and lack of educators and help), which will lead to a drop of local businesses and Colleges increasing their tuition. Then when everything is collapsing soon parents will get frustrated and leave Texas, to another state, for a better education for their children. With all that being said it will be hard for us to draw business to Texas also we will hit a depression for a state. Logic behind it is just like "Money s the root of all evil" education is the root of our future. I agree with the author completely, after reading this article it makes me feel even more emotional about standing up more to save our educational system here in Texas.

Educational System

On Wednesday, February 1,2012, The Dallas Morning News posted an article titled "Teachers group says Texas education cuts mean 32,000 job losses so far" This article is a great example to how politics play such an horrific role in the education system. Here we have teachers all across Texas who have lost their jobs, due to "education cutts" over 12,000 and it's being said that this is not it. . .there will be more. TSTA(the Texas Teachers State Associates) are calling on our governor to bell the educational system out, saying that they want him to tap in that rainy day funds. This to me is very important, I honestly believe everyone should read this because it will affect us, our kids, the future of us Texans. Think about it over half the teachers that are being cut, are veterans in the educational system, they have a history of success rates (during TAKs test and even well before those test), and they are of great demands because they have that strong back bone. Even though this article does state very few on the facts, I truly believe as an individual who is involved in the educational system, that like in the world. . .numbers don't lie and they matter most.I mean if we can focus on numbers and cost during an election, why not focus during the future of our kids, our future of this state, US AS INDIVIDUALS.  These numbers are estimated at how many teachers have been unfortunately chosen to not teach at the moment, naw let me put it like this, have been chosen to be dismissed because they were among the unfornate.

Tiffany's State and Local gov. Blog stage 1