Analysis of Lone Star Liberal's Views on Same-Sex Marriages

Lone Star Liberal blogger, Laura wrote an intensely opinionated article, "How Are Beliefs Blind Us." At first glance, I was expecting to read an informational article about the right for same-sex marriages to be legal with her personal opinion and was surprised to find as I read on it was more focused on the ignorance of Rick Perry and Texas. I lost some sense of credibility with this blog, because as it continued, opinionated writing was replaced by strong disgust. I feel Laura can not argue that Texas conservatives are wrong, because they are stubborn with their own opinions when she is strongly stubborn with her own. Ignorance is not a worthy argument; no party will get anywhere with "I'm right and you're wrong" stance. I felt that is exactly where this article went. There are those that will agree for same-sex marriage, like myself, but I feel the real expectation of a blog is to open the minds of the opposite party. Not just for comment box full of those that agree. People want the knowledge of repercussions and benefits with an issue, such as making marriage illegal for some partners can result in a riot just as monumental as black rights. We all know how that affected the nation; there was violence, famous speeches and eventually came change. The nation should learn from those events and take precautions to not let same-sex rights result in the same extremes. I wish I could have found some insight, such as that in the blog. I'm already aware of the strong opinions of conservatives and liberals. I want to read why conservatives should open their eyes to change and was a little disappointed with the content. It was well written, but much to one-minded and you can not expect to open others mind by keeping yours shut.

Other Extreme of Immigration...Legalizing More!

Texas has great concern when it comes to border security and illegal immigration, but what about the other ended extreme --- increasing legal immigration in Texas? By naturalizing more and more illegal immigrants are we fixing the problem or causing another? There will be 18,000 more applications approved for naturalization in the fiscal year and even fewer denied compared to the previous year. In 2010, the field offices for naturalization in Dallas, El Paso, Harlingen, Houston and San Antonio approved over 48,900 applications and only denied 4,610 applications.  There is a definite increase in legal immigration with the USCIS often finishing the application process in less than 5 months to assure it is in the same fiscal year time frame.  I think the naturalization of more immigrants may cause some uproar with unemployment effects, job opportunities lost to current Texans and a possible political shift in Texas.  

However, an increase in legal immigration means they are not exempt from taxes or fees that come with being a citizen and therefore will bring more economy to the Texas government. I would rather have an increase in taxpayers that can legally contribute to society than an increase in illegal immigrants that are taking jobs without paying their dues.  Jobs will be an issue whether people are legal or illegal immigrants, but if we increase the number of citizens naturalized we are increasing the Texas government income.  The Texas budget could surely use the extra money accumulated from new taxpayers that are earnest to work in Texas. With this, might come a future of a minority majority and could alter the way Texas government runs today, possibly for the better. Texas certainly could use change! The benefits of increasing legal immigrants surely out ways the issues created by illegal immigrants in Texas. 

Review of Educational Budget Cuts

Kathryn Barnes’ statement, “The fact that this idea was passed astonishes me”, because that statement stuck out at me too with four billion dollars from employees, activities and supplies were going to be cut. Her article “How Harmful Are These Budget Cuts Going To Be?” was an insightful and informational view on the new education budget cuts being placed on the Texas public education system.  I agree with Kathryn’s assessment, the public education funding is already one of the lowest in the nation and the Texas Legislature passed a budget cut that makes it even lower ranked. It’s unbelievable! She emphasizes very effectively that teachers, counselors, and school service members such as lunch ladies that will get laid off or will be offered to work voluntary. As if people can afford to volunteer their services in this economy. This is one of the greater concerns of the budget cuts, more employees laid off in Texas should not better our recovery from recession and could increase unemployment rate. Although her article is informational, it is also formal and lacks a commentary voice. I can sense that she is leaning towards disappointment and concern for the educational budget cuts being put in place, but her voice is lost in all the facts. I wanted to read a little more opinion. Her insight at the end, “I dread seeing what the impact of these budget cuts will have on the students and parents of Texas” was about the extent of opinionated statements, but a valid one.  Other than that it was well written and pack full of details about the Texas educational funding.

Debt Ceiling Busts Through Student Financial Aid

With the current debt ceiling dilemma, a common question is occurring. How will the solution affect individuals and ‘the people’? A very valid question, because whatever the resolution Democrats and Republicans can agree on will have an aftermath on this already ill-economy stricken nation. One of the impacts of this issue could be the University of Texas at Austin and students should be worried! Financial aid students, those with loans and incoming students could be facing higher interest rates and having a more difficult times getting loans. Isn’t it already impossible enough to receive aid and pay for college? The debt ceiling fiasco threatens to make it frightening!

The parties are both standing firm on their proposals, Republicans want to cut trillions in spending and Democrats suggest increase in taxes to the wealthy to cushion a higher debt ceiling. President Obama is pleading to the parties to settle their differences. Not likely to happen. So students should be tightening their pockets and parents be start opening college funds for future students. Students are approaching the point where they can’t afford college themselves. Tuition skyrocketing and now future generations are struggling to find the money, because political parties can’t compromise. Ridiculous! Loan applicants shouldn’t be the only one worrying though, it’s likely this crisis will reduce federal grants such as Pell Grants. College students who need or have earned federal grants to get higher education are less accessible. The debt ceiling decision will strangle the finance opportunities that students need to pay for higher education that is becoming more essential to any occupational success. Frightening what one decision can mean for college students everywhere.

Prayer Day With A Political Agenda?

Texans are fully aware of Rick Perry’s political agenda heavily rooted in his religious beliefs and not a firm believer in separation in church and state. Perry’s hosting National Prayer Day is a prime example.  Mean Rachel blog article “The Blind Response” shares a strong liberal bash on Governor Perry with a left-sided audience that does not share common ideas and beliefs as Perry. Rachel’s argument is that prayers will not materialize food for the hungry or provide help for people stricken by poverty. Prayer is by no means the enemy, but Rick Perry starving himself for a day and hosting a prayer event is not finding resolutions for national problems. These are very strong opinions and I think Mean Rachel's credibility is somewhat lost by the leaking hatred of her words toward Perry’s demeanor and reputation. It is difficult for a blogger to create credibility especially on such controversial issues, but there is more than her opinion seeping through her blog; there is some resentment as well. I agree with her statement “Prayer is easy…what is not easy is work”, but I’m not sure if her words are credible enough for me to take Perry’s prayer day as a “pretending to care” day. Texas unity is important to Texans and especially to politics so it is hard to know Perry’s honest agenda of this national prayer day, but it does not get us any closer to helping the 4.3 million in poverty.  If that was the objective of Perry hosting the National Prayer Day, why not have a pro-active awareness day?

Cost vs Lives for New Pollution Rules

The author of the editorial  “With New Pollution Rules, EPA Tries to Save Texas from Itself” in The Dallas Morning has a strong view of enforcing new pollution rules that will make the lives of Texans safer and the air of Texas much cleaner. The EAP wishes to finalize a rule to have 27 states to reduce their smokestack emissions. “The regulation targets coal-fired power plants and requires the reduction of sulfur dioxide, which contributes to soot and acid rain, and nitrogen oxide, a component of smog.” The writer’s audience is Texans that care for the environment, but not only that, also that want change that may not benefit the state this instant, but will have a domino effect on budget and safety eventually. However, the writer also knows that “Texas is in denial” so the writer knows the audience is not addressing the problem and therefore, definitely not wanting a solution.  The author though obviously bias towards wanting the new EAP regulations, establishes credibility by providing links on the important key words such as Environmental Protection Agency, Rick Perry and Texas Republicans. The links provide the audience the ability to investigate for themselves the new regulations, Pick Perry’s response and the Texas Republicans’ reaction.  The comments also are continuously shifting back to the safety of Texans and the state. The author undoubtedly cares of the people and articulates the regulations as a future progression that will save thousands of lives even at some millions of dollars cost.  The writer is frustrated with the response of the Texas governor, Rick Perry and the Republicans who do not see a similar view and only focusing on the cost. However, the author makes a cost vs. benefit table at the end of the editorial that discusses that the regulations would cost Texas about $800 million annually and its effects would be $120 to $240 billion in health benefits annually with thousands of premature deaths saved, fewer hospital visits and less days lost from occupations. The passion and logic that the writer describes the need for the EAP regulations, you would think no one could argue. Yet this is one of the comments to the editorial, “You can breathe clean air and lose your job, or go to work and breathe a little bit of smoke. That's the choice we're faced with. Texas chose to pay the bills - and as a result we're better off economically and employment-wise than the rest of the country, if just a little bit dirtier.” Truly, Texas must be in denial!

Texas Doctors Forced To Persuade Mothers Against Abortions

Is it moral to have doctors politically motivate mothers to not terminate their pregnancy? Isn’t it the mother’s choice and inhumane to persuade their maternal side to feel otherwise? It seems like it is crossing into the realm of cruel and desperation. Texas Tribune article “Courtroom Battle Begins on Abortion Sonogram Law” describes a new Texas law that is presently having its first series of arguments in the courtroom due to its push on women’s rights. The law will require doctors to perform a sonogram of the fetus and describe it in detail to the pregnant women wishing to have an abortion, even making the heartbeat audible. Then these mothers must contemplate their decision for 2 to 24 hours depending on the distance of the clinic from the patient.  However, the courtroom disputes aren’t even bothering with the immorality of the political persuasion, but how it’s unconstitutionally vague and a gender specific law, because it does not enforce the law on the father.