As the Legislative Session continues, the arguments about Educational Budget Cuts heats up more and more. Charles Kuffner singles out Perry's statement claiming that the State Government isn't forcing any layoffs, that decision is made at the local level. I beg to differ with this statement. When you leave schools over $9 billion short of previous year's budgets, you give them *no choice* but to lay people off. Perry argues that there has been an increase in non-teachers added over the past few years, and those should be the ones that are laid off. I hate to break it to you Perry, but that increase is less than 1%. Even if you lay off every single non-teacher in the state, not only will you have a non-functioning school system, you'll also still have a deficit.
Kuffner is trying enlighten all Texans about how naive Perry is. Perry says he's elected on the basis that Texans want him to fix the budget, and that these budget cuts are what we asked for. However, when that "fixing" causes any aftermath, he runs away like a coward, and blames it on anyone else. Don't you think you would be proud of your work if this is what Texans want? Wouldn't you stand up to critics saying that this is what the community of Texas asked for?
Kuffner uses direct quotes to back his argument, which makes him extremely credible. He is sure to have back-up on any statements that he makes, and lets the quotes do the arguing. Kuffner points out the flaws in Perry's arguments about the increase in non-teachers. He also discredits Perry's statements about the layoffs being a local decision.
I completely agree with Kuffner's post. I think that if these budget cuts continue, we might as well get rid of public education all together, or enact a similar program as many European countries do: test kids in elementary school, and if they are college bound they continue to finish their secondary schooling, if not, they go to a trade school where they learn basic mechanical skills. It sounds harsh, but class sizes were already large when I was in high school 4 years ago, and if you double that, no one is going to learn anything.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Should Texas Enact an "Arizona-Like" Immigration Law?
I have many mixed feelings about the Immigration Law that was passed in Arizona on April 23, 2010, and therefore many mixed feelings about enacting it in Texas.
I support the reasoning behind the Immigration Law. From my understanding the law was passed in order to protect Arizona citizens. Illegal immigrants, whether they are from Mexico, Canada, or China, cost US taxpayers money everyday. When they go into the emergency room and are unable to pay their bill, when they use soup kitchens to feed their families, and when they are placed in our jails, they cost the state, and therefore the citizens of Arizona, money. I think that this law will hinder illegal immigrants from being able to stay in the state of Texas, and will force them to apply for their US citizenship, or at the very least, work visas. If they become legal to work in the US, then they will be paying their portion of taxes, and will be contributing to the community.
Illegal immigrants take jobs away from US citizens. Many companies would rather hire illegal immigrants that they can pay less than minimum wage, and off the books, in order to save money. In today's economy we can't afford to have any more Texans, nor Americans, without jobs. We need to focus on helping our own citizens, before we start helping those that are not even legal to work in this country.
Another argument in support of this law is that illegal immigrants are the primary reason for drugs and crime in states along the border of Mexico. I have grandparents that live in Tucson, AZ, and they had a "drop house" in their neighborhood where illegal immigrants were living, and selling drugs. This has become a major problem in cities along the border, and it needs to be addressed. I am not naive enough to believe that this law will solve all of these issues, but it is certainly a start.
There are many opponents that are furious over Arizona's 'Nazi' immigration law, saying that it will increase stereotyping, and is taking away rights of US Citizens. The law passed in Arizona forces everyone to carry documentation with them proving that they are legal, very similar to the Yellow Star of David that Jewish people had to wear in Germany. This way if they are stopped by a police officer they can show them the proper identification. I can see how this would be annoying, but many Americans do it already. Although it is not required, many people over the age of 18 that do not have a driver's license, have an identification card. It would not be that troublesome to make it a requirement, and to extend that requirement to children under the age of 18. Although I do not support stereotyping, as it usually leads to racism, it is something that we do everyday. I am guilty of doing it myself at work. When I am checking a guest into a hotel, I stereotype them when I choose what room to assign them to, and how trusting I am that they will come back to the Front Desk if their credit card declines rather than walking out on the bill.
There is no need to wear our ID cards around our necks and "mark" us, but simply carrying them in our pockets, or wallets will suffice. Officers do not have any reason to disrupt people that are going about their day, but I would expect to have to show my ID card if I am pulled over for speeding, or caught breaking the law. How is sending an illegal immigrant back to their home country if they are caught, a bad thing? They were here illegally, they were breaking the law. It only seems natural to make them leave the country. If you have your proper identification on you, then you have nothing to worry about, that is unless you were stopped because of a crime being committed.
I do believe that passing this law in Texas would increase stereotyping, but I think that the benefits of this law outweigh the cons. However, this law should not be passed in Texas without some major training to our law enforcement. With Hispanics becoming a majority in Texas, and the majority of illegal immigrants being Hispanic, our law enforcement officers need to be careful not to upset the majority. I think that if Texans cooperate, and Identification cards are made easily accessible to citizens, we can avoid any major issues. I think this law will help border towns become safer, and it will address the issue of illegal immigration. I am all about the United States of America being a melting pot for all countries, but we need to draw the line somewhere, and protect the current citizens.
I support the reasoning behind the Immigration Law. From my understanding the law was passed in order to protect Arizona citizens. Illegal immigrants, whether they are from Mexico, Canada, or China, cost US taxpayers money everyday. When they go into the emergency room and are unable to pay their bill, when they use soup kitchens to feed their families, and when they are placed in our jails, they cost the state, and therefore the citizens of Arizona, money. I think that this law will hinder illegal immigrants from being able to stay in the state of Texas, and will force them to apply for their US citizenship, or at the very least, work visas. If they become legal to work in the US, then they will be paying their portion of taxes, and will be contributing to the community.
Illegal immigrants take jobs away from US citizens. Many companies would rather hire illegal immigrants that they can pay less than minimum wage, and off the books, in order to save money. In today's economy we can't afford to have any more Texans, nor Americans, without jobs. We need to focus on helping our own citizens, before we start helping those that are not even legal to work in this country.
Another argument in support of this law is that illegal immigrants are the primary reason for drugs and crime in states along the border of Mexico. I have grandparents that live in Tucson, AZ, and they had a "drop house" in their neighborhood where illegal immigrants were living, and selling drugs. This has become a major problem in cities along the border, and it needs to be addressed. I am not naive enough to believe that this law will solve all of these issues, but it is certainly a start.
There are many opponents that are furious over Arizona's 'Nazi' immigration law, saying that it will increase stereotyping, and is taking away rights of US Citizens. The law passed in Arizona forces everyone to carry documentation with them proving that they are legal, very similar to the Yellow Star of David that Jewish people had to wear in Germany. This way if they are stopped by a police officer they can show them the proper identification. I can see how this would be annoying, but many Americans do it already. Although it is not required, many people over the age of 18 that do not have a driver's license, have an identification card. It would not be that troublesome to make it a requirement, and to extend that requirement to children under the age of 18. Although I do not support stereotyping, as it usually leads to racism, it is something that we do everyday. I am guilty of doing it myself at work. When I am checking a guest into a hotel, I stereotype them when I choose what room to assign them to, and how trusting I am that they will come back to the Front Desk if their credit card declines rather than walking out on the bill.
There is no need to wear our ID cards around our necks and "mark" us, but simply carrying them in our pockets, or wallets will suffice. Officers do not have any reason to disrupt people that are going about their day, but I would expect to have to show my ID card if I am pulled over for speeding, or caught breaking the law. How is sending an illegal immigrant back to their home country if they are caught, a bad thing? They were here illegally, they were breaking the law. It only seems natural to make them leave the country. If you have your proper identification on you, then you have nothing to worry about, that is unless you were stopped because of a crime being committed.
I do believe that passing this law in Texas would increase stereotyping, but I think that the benefits of this law outweigh the cons. However, this law should not be passed in Texas without some major training to our law enforcement. With Hispanics becoming a majority in Texas, and the majority of illegal immigrants being Hispanic, our law enforcement officers need to be careful not to upset the majority. I think that if Texans cooperate, and Identification cards are made easily accessible to citizens, we can avoid any major issues. I think this law will help border towns become safer, and it will address the issue of illegal immigration. I am all about the United States of America being a melting pot for all countries, but we need to draw the line somewhere, and protect the current citizens.
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