Do we really need more attention spent on the homeless?

The blogger discusses how the government needs to put more effort into helping homeless people. Personally, I feel that there are enough programs out in our country to help out the homeless population. Cities have soup kitchens, places for people to go if they need a place to stay. There are even places a homeless can go if they need a job, and there are people that are avaliable to help them search for jobs.

The author talks about how it looks bad that the United States is filled with people that live on streets. I know that it does look bad, but the United States Government can not help the actions of every single person. They have programs set up for people who cannot work due to disabilities, and I feel they try to help the people who cannot help themselves. I do not blame the United State's leadership skills for those living under bridges. I blame the people themselves, who have put themselves into these positions. There are definitley ways to avoid the situations, and instead of standing on a corner begging for money, they could be out finding a job. It has been shown that an individual can live off minimum wage, and wages are raised when the government feels like you cannot live off of it. This information itself shows that a person who needs money, can go get a job even if they pay minimum wage, and be able to have housing and food.

She talks about how organizations should be set up for homeless people, and that instead of focusing attention on giving money to those in other countries, we should focus on those in our own country. Well, Social Security is used for the people who cannot have jobs because of disabilities. As for the others, I do not think that they should be handed money if they stand on a street corner, they need to make an effort to find a job, and to make a living, instead of hoping that someone will just give them a bunch of money. I think that is part of the reason why America is becoming so lazy, because they are relying on other people's money.

Murdering, with no punishment?

Throughout the semester, I have connected myself more to the news, and about political issues. I have discussed some of the issues that I believe are most important, such as the healthcare reform, and the economy. After this last test, and reading about the different amendments and different court cases, I decided that I would discuss an issue that I know many, including myself, feel strongly about.

I am someone who has many conservative beliefs, and one that am very passionate about, is being pro-life. Currently, abortions are legal, with a few restrictions that vary from state to state about abortions under eighteen years old. In Texas, if you are under eighteen, you have to notify a parent that you would be getting an abortion, not get permission, just tell them. I find this a tad bit crazy. If you are under eighteen and got pregnant, it most likely was an accident. I understand many people's views, when saying that if they were to stay pregnant they would end up dropping out of high school, not attending college, etc. I know that many teen girls try to get abortions to prevent that, but I think that they put themselves into the situation, and they need to deal with the mistakes that they may have made. So many girls, go out and sleep around, thinking that there are so many ways to prevent getting pregnant, and if they did, they could just get an abortion and get rid of it. Those girls in my opinion, are being careless. They do not realize that if they were to get pregnant, then at any stage of the pregnancy, they are carrying a human. To get an abortion at any stage of a pregnancy would be killing a person. There are many people who are murders, and are sentenced to the death penalty. But, there are many women in the United States who are killing humans daily, and they never have any consequences of doing so.

I think that it is time that the United States put a ban on abortions. Women need to take responsibility for what they have done if they get pregnant. They can easily arrange for a closed adoption, and will not have to deal with that child after the nine months in the womb, but to kill a child, because you "do not want to ruin your own life," is just being selfish in my opinion. I do understand the right to privacy, but I think this goes beyond that, this is murder, and if other murders are being punished, I do not think it is right for women to get away with killing a human, regardless of if it is in a placenta or not.

Phones in cars?

The author of The Earhorn, put a lot into perspective when blogging about the issues regarding a law being created that limits cell phone usage while driving. Although, I limit the use of my cell phone while driving as much as I can, s a teenager, I can say that I have been guilty of texting while driving. I cringe everytime I hear of an accident that is caused by a person texting while in the car. Since the death toll has rapidly been increasing due to phone usage, I think it is time that the federal government intervenes. It is time to make a law regarding this issue, because like the blogger said, I do not think I have ever been on the road where I have no seen a person on their phone, usually texting away.
It is so easy to get distracted while texting, you will always need to take at least one hand off the wheel, while looking down and concentrating on the screen. Do people not understand how dangerous this is? If the person in front of you slams on their breaks, you will never know. That is a scary thought for me. It is such an easy choice to not pick up your phone if you hear an alarm go off, indicating a text or call. Too many people make the wrong decision, and respond to their messages they recieve, even if they are on a toll road, and going eighty miles per hour. I think this is the reason why it is time for a law to be put in place. The blogger talks about how texting is more dangerous then being intoxicated, and that is a crazy thought. There are so many restrictions on drunk driving, and not enough on cell phone usage.
I see the problem that the blogger talks about, regarding how the law would be put into place. It is difficult to see sometimes when people are on their phones while driving, but there are so many ways to get around that, including being able to see the times that text messages were sent. I think that with as many accidents that have occured with cell phones, that it is time to make a system work to keep everyone off their phones while in a car. They have helped the phone call in a car issue by making bluetooth headsets, and having phones be set up to cars, but I feel that it might be a little more difficult making a system like that with texting. Instead, they just need to make a law that includes a large fine, and a no texting policy. I think it could greatly decrease the number of transportation accidents.

Recovery, Reform and Restructure...Oh My!

Today's economy seems to be getting messier by the minute, and as a prospective businesswomen, that scares me. I want to be able to go into an industry that I find to be very interesting with a confidence that knows not all of the money out there will go to waste, or get lost.
I find the new stimulus packages that the government has been creating to be a tad bit optimistic in the economic future, but it also worries me. The economic stimulus plan has been designed to create many new jobs. I feel that if new jobs are created, then where is the money going to come from to pay them? So many businesses have already shut down, or are near the breaking point, and do not have money to help the new salaries needing to be created for the new jobs. I also do not find it fair to take from the people who are more prosperous in order to obtain the money needed for the new jobs. Many people who are in the top 1% have worked very hard to develop their stability, and when their taxes are raised, they lose money and although it may not be that much to some, their hard earned money has the possibilty of going to someone who has not tried, and that just does not seem very fair to me.
With the stimulus, I do think that health care and education are to very good things that have been addressed, and it does not bother me at all if taxes need to be raised in order to better these two very important systems. I feel that if the education program is more technologically advanced, then that will give our next generation more knowledge which should hopefully keep the United States out of the crisis that we currently are in. I also think that the health care stimulus package is very important, and I hope that Congress is able to efficiently work through it and get everything done as soon as they can. I know with many things, it takes a long time on agreement but hopefully the lawmakers can be unselfish and greedy on a few things and all agree on something that is very important to society.
Overall, I think that the economic reform should help America, and I truly hope that the people who are saying our current times is not even at the trough of the economic cycle and that we have even worse times ahead is wrong. I put all my faith into the government to get us out of this crazy mess that we have put ourselves in without too many more consequences.

Maher and American Profits

I enjoy reading Bill Maher's blogs, which are found on "The Huffington Post" website. I feel like you can get some good knowledge about current politcs, and also finish reading with a laugh. It's exciting and fun, but I do believe it does sometimes get a little rough and ugly. In this particular article, "New Rule: Not Everything in America has to Make a Profit," he discusses how the United States have turned many things that previously were made or done for enjoyment, into another business and another way to charge civilians.
Despite the humor and the realization about how selfish America is about money at some points, I also got the sense that Maher was a bit bitter. As time goes by, things are going to start costing more and more money to do, and businesses will need to charge to keep up with new technology and will need to make a profit in order to be able to have living costs. He talks about how hospitals and other health care businesses have been combined into associations where they make money. I do understand the frustration with some health care associations. Many people need help, and can not get it because of the money issues. But, he also makes another point regarding insurance, and I also agree with the statement, "insurance companies hire people to figure out ways to deny you coverage." One of my friends was recently telling me how her mom, who is a realtor had a client who ended up with a major flood in their house and the insurance agency decided it was not important to cover and ended up going to court to fight with them. I can assure you they got their coverage and found a new insurance agency.
Although their are many statements Maher makes that I raise an eyebrow out, or think he semi-exaggerates, "The bill was $1.50, plus you got to keep the thermometer." I think his blogs are fun and entertaining.

Walmart to Neiman Marcus?

The article by Paul Craig Roberts, says many things regarding the economy that I agree with. I do believe that the state of our economy is still on the downfall, and although people think that we have hit the low part already, I believe we are still on the way down, and the bottom of the economic growth cycle will hit. We have been through many situations in the United States history that has dealt with depressions, and have always been able to recover out of them. Now, we are so in debt that, "half of every dollar the federal government spends must be borrowed or printed." I find this a tad bit rediculous, and believe that the government is not doing enough to help situations. Now, personally I know with new budget plans, and other ways of solving economic crisis' comes lots of loose ends, with certain people being forced to pay more taxes, or an increase in money production, which would lead to inflation. If only there was a way to magically come out of this situation...
Since there is not, something desperately needs to be figured out. This article pretty much says my opinion exactly. That, the worst is yet to come, and since we are almost positive of this, the government needs to start working hard to figure out how to not have every house in America ending in a foreclosure. I do agree with the article that many people who are not currently unemployed are holding their breaths, just waiting for a call saying, "we have to let you go." You would think that the government would be working hard to secure jobs, because with unemployment rates hitting all time highs, inflation will begin to rapidly occur. I found the humor in the article when Robert says, "Wal-Mart prices will look like Nieman Marcus prices." I also find this to be sickening, and if a store like Wal-Mart that is supposed to appeal to all of America suddenly shoots up the prices, it will prove the end of a steady economy.
Nothing makes me more nervous then having to begin to think about a career, and it's such a shame that the thought of if you will be able to get a certain job with a specific major is a thought in almost every college student's head. When you are unable to do something you love because of the lack of job opportunites, I find that sad. I do think that the government is trying, but I do agree with Roberts in the fact that a new addition to the war is not needed, and a focus in economic resolution is needed more then an expanded war.
Roberts himself worked as the Assistant Secretary of Treasury during the years Reagan was president, so he has a lot of knowledge regading the money situations and the United States. I definitley agree with almost all of his ideas, and it also makes me a little more frustrated at the United States government and their lack of a substantial plan in economic reform.

The Unmasking of the Health Care Bill

I feel as though Health Care is a very important topic to be discussed in Congress. Millions of Americans are unable to get the medical attention they need to stay healthy. I believe that the Health Care system that was previously set up during the Bush administration was not efficient and what the United States people needed. Although this new, $1.5 trillion plan is expensive, I believe it will help save lives. I think it is very important that every person in the United States has health care insurance, which is why this plan appeals to me immensly. Many people are unable to get surgeries, proper x-rays and care they need because their insurance will not cover it. In this new bill, Insurance agencies will not be able to deny coverage. I usually have more conservative views on things, and even though this is more of a liberal plan, I do feel as though getting money off of current healthcare providers and the more wealthy is better. If not, many would deny this plan at risk of losing more money, which they could use for medical care without insurance. I know there are many people who feel hesitant about the bill, as well as having the feeling that Obama administration will not follow through with the plan, but I think that this is a bill that has been thoughtfully looked upon, and been given certain instructions that will carry it out based on what they know they will be able to accomplish. The USA Today article, that talks about the plan, gives more specifics and more numbers about the bill. If you are interested about how the healthcare will change, I recommend reading the article, as it excites me with all the specifics and plans that will be carried out in the future!