In January a man walked into the state capital with a firearm, then on his way out (for what ever reason) fired the gun into the air. Though thankfully no one was hurt, his actions were not without consequence. In response to this incident, new security measures were enacted. These new security measures are typical in nature. They involve the installation of metal detectors and x-ray machines on the buildings entrances.
You’re probably thinking “that’s good and all, fine, whatever, they saw a problem regarding public safety at the capital and took decisive action to address it.” Here’s the funny thing though, even with these new security measures in place it is still completely legal for a person entering the state capital to carry a concealed handgun ( if they are licensed) and also to openly carry long guns (like rifles and shotguns).
So now what has this new $3 million measure established? Well seeing how it is, that they enacted these new measures in response to the January incident, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. What has been accomplished though is let's just say ridiculous. I don’t need to explain how this measure does not make anything any safer at the capital, because it’s obvious that there are still plenty of opportunities for anyone who wishes to do harm, to accomplish their goals. But what I will say, is that the only practical things that have been accomplished by this are: causing a nuisance to everyone that has to go through these security measures, and offering people at the capital a general false sense of security.
But don’t you think the people who enacted these new measures know this? Well of course they do! They didn’t get to where they are by being stupid, they got to where they are by doing whatever they need to do to get there, no matter how stupid it is. Meaning, that the capitol building board members who voted in favor of these new security measures, did it because they felt they needed to do it not because they felt it needed to be done.
When asked to comment on his decision, Lieut. Gov. David Dewhurst -one of the board members who voted in favor of these new measures- said "I could not forgive myself if I am not doing everything I can to protect Texans when they come into the Capitol.” But if he had said the true reason for his decision, it would’ve sounded more like: “In this Post 9/11 world, I will lose my job if I didn’t make some gesture in response to this, especially if an incident were to happen again in future.”
Everyone -the lieutenant governor, the public, the media- knows that this is not what you would call “doing everything” in order to ensure public safety at the capital. Now I’m not advocating more security or anything like that. In fact, personally I am in complete disagreement with the enactment these new security measures, and think there is nothing that can be done to completely protect the capital building from someone who wishes to do it harm, for they will always find a way to do it. Though that is not to say, that I would be against the enactment of a legitimate security measure with a practically legitimate security benefit. Unfortunately, these measures do not fit the criteria.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
They Might Be Doing What's Right
This article is in response to my class mate’s blog Response to Health Care.
All else aside, its crucial that the republicans voice their opinions on this bill because that’s what they’re supposed to do. Politics aside, no mater if your republican or democrat, if your for or against health care in whatever fashion it may be, the concerns being raised are legitimate. Not only because they may be right, but also because its their right to have them and express them.
The issue regarding the legality of this health care bill, as I understand it, relates to whether the federal government is infringing on the constitutionally protected right of the citizen in its passing of this piece of legislation. More specifically, (and I hope I’m right on this) does the federal government have the right to mandate the purchase of a marketed good (health insurance in this instance), under penalty of a fine (if they don’t), as one of this bills articles forces upon the citizen. This is an important constitutional issue with wide ranging implications.
I expect and would hope, that the Attorney General of Texas and every other state, no matter what their personal politics are or what the predominant political leanings of the particular state are, that they question the constitutionality of every new or existing statute, and oppose it if they see fit, as they are suppose to. It is the Attorney Generals duty to do so, as it is the duty of the opposing party’s (in this case the republicans) place to criticize and expose any issue they might have with any and all legislation brought forth. Its not only their right to use whatever legal methods they might have to contest anything they wish, but its also their duty to do so as (elected or appointed) public officials.
Its easy to get carried away with the “baby killer” or “Obamacare” type slogans that are being used by both sides. But all this serves to do, is to confuse the issues and breed animosity. Opposing the efforts to question the legitimacy of this bill on the basis of favoring universal health care, just isn’t right. There is always another way to attain universal health care if this provision of the bill gets struck down. Or at least, lets establish right now whether or not its within the federal governments limits to do this.
Even if I am wrong about the facts involved in what I think the republicans concerns are with this bill. Even if they’re wrong and it is in fact completely legal. Even if their motives are indeed geared towards dealing a blow to this bill just because it advocates universal health care, rather than the noble cause of upholding the citizens right under the constitution. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one; I don’t care even if they’re doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. As long as it’s the right thing to do, then someone should be doing it.
All else aside, its crucial that the republicans voice their opinions on this bill because that’s what they’re supposed to do. Politics aside, no mater if your republican or democrat, if your for or against health care in whatever fashion it may be, the concerns being raised are legitimate. Not only because they may be right, but also because its their right to have them and express them.
The issue regarding the legality of this health care bill, as I understand it, relates to whether the federal government is infringing on the constitutionally protected right of the citizen in its passing of this piece of legislation. More specifically, (and I hope I’m right on this) does the federal government have the right to mandate the purchase of a marketed good (health insurance in this instance), under penalty of a fine (if they don’t), as one of this bills articles forces upon the citizen. This is an important constitutional issue with wide ranging implications.
I expect and would hope, that the Attorney General of Texas and every other state, no matter what their personal politics are or what the predominant political leanings of the particular state are, that they question the constitutionality of every new or existing statute, and oppose it if they see fit, as they are suppose to. It is the Attorney Generals duty to do so, as it is the duty of the opposing party’s (in this case the republicans) place to criticize and expose any issue they might have with any and all legislation brought forth. Its not only their right to use whatever legal methods they might have to contest anything they wish, but its also their duty to do so as (elected or appointed) public officials.
Its easy to get carried away with the “baby killer” or “Obamacare” type slogans that are being used by both sides. But all this serves to do, is to confuse the issues and breed animosity. Opposing the efforts to question the legitimacy of this bill on the basis of favoring universal health care, just isn’t right. There is always another way to attain universal health care if this provision of the bill gets struck down. Or at least, lets establish right now whether or not its within the federal governments limits to do this.
Even if I am wrong about the facts involved in what I think the republicans concerns are with this bill. Even if they’re wrong and it is in fact completely legal. Even if their motives are indeed geared towards dealing a blow to this bill just because it advocates universal health care, rather than the noble cause of upholding the citizens right under the constitution. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt on this one; I don’t care even if they’re doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. As long as it’s the right thing to do, then someone should be doing it.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Texas Should Get Onboard Education Reform
On the state level, funding for education in Texas consumes more than a third of the state’s budget. This money (more than $25 billion) only supplies about a third of the money that Texas education programs currently receive. The majority of funds (more than 50%) come from local school districts, and less than 10% comes from the federal government. So it's easy to see why the state government wouldn't like to spend more on education, perhaps they feel that spending a third of their budget on it makes it a justifiably satisfactory amount.
Unfortunately though, when it comes down to it, the truth of the matter is that the Per-pupil spending on education in Texas ranks us near the very bottom of the scale when compared to the rest of the nation (bottom third). This means that educational programs in most other states have more money to spend on each of their students than Texas does. And if we’re honest, money matters. The more money spent on a child's education the better the child's education is likely to be.
The fact that Texas’s students are at a disadvantage when compared to the rest of the nation is ridiculous. The importance of public education to society is perhaps the most important concern of government. The more educated the populace: the higher the standard of living will be, the more money the economy will generate, the more taxes the government will be able to collect, the healthier the middle class will be…
The federal government is proposing new educational standards, which can greatly benefit Texas’s weak educational system. Though the adoption of these new standards does come with certain strings attached, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Most importantly, Texas will be more on par with the rest of the nation when it comes to the level of education being provided. Also, federal government will increase the amount of funding that it gives to Texas for education. The consequences for Texas, include having to pay more money and surrender some of the micromanagement control it has over educational policies. Both of which are frankly not entirely a bad thing for Texas.
So the next time one of these offers comes knocking on Texas's door, we should answer. Let's not pass up the opportunity to fix the problems of tomorrow, today. Federal standards and money, though often labeled or viewed as evil are more often than not, the better thing to do.
Unfortunately though, when it comes down to it, the truth of the matter is that the Per-pupil spending on education in Texas ranks us near the very bottom of the scale when compared to the rest of the nation (bottom third). This means that educational programs in most other states have more money to spend on each of their students than Texas does. And if we’re honest, money matters. The more money spent on a child's education the better the child's education is likely to be.
The fact that Texas’s students are at a disadvantage when compared to the rest of the nation is ridiculous. The importance of public education to society is perhaps the most important concern of government. The more educated the populace: the higher the standard of living will be, the more money the economy will generate, the more taxes the government will be able to collect, the healthier the middle class will be…
The federal government is proposing new educational standards, which can greatly benefit Texas’s weak educational system. Though the adoption of these new standards does come with certain strings attached, the benefits far outweigh the costs. Most importantly, Texas will be more on par with the rest of the nation when it comes to the level of education being provided. Also, federal government will increase the amount of funding that it gives to Texas for education. The consequences for Texas, include having to pay more money and surrender some of the micromanagement control it has over educational policies. Both of which are frankly not entirely a bad thing for Texas.
So the next time one of these offers comes knocking on Texas's door, we should answer. Let's not pass up the opportunity to fix the problems of tomorrow, today. Federal standards and money, though often labeled or viewed as evil are more often than not, the better thing to do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
