RE: A Saving Grace

In response to A Saving Grace:

I appreciate your article very much. I was not aware of Elizabeth Warren's influence and presence in politics. As a middle-class American, I also feel that I have been getting ripped off and taken advantage of for years by the government. The elites have monopolized everything and they are securing their future, while the rest of us struggle for basic necessities. I am glad to know that there is a silver lining on a very dark cloud. It sounds like Warren is going to be a good representation for middle-class Americans. Maybe the future of politics and government isn't doomed, after-all.

Your argument is well constructed and clearly marks your stand. It is refreshing to read an opinion that is not laced in a negative, aggressive tone. You voiced your concerns, but also offered a positive light on the situation. Great job!

Change the system!

The United States' national government was created in a time where the country was significantly smaller and had a completely different dynamic compared to the present day. In 1789, the country consisted of thirteen states and the population was around four million. Today, there are fifty states and the population is a little over three-hundred million. With this in mind, does it seem reasonable to use the same system in 2011 that we used in 1789? The Founding Fathers established a system where each state would get a certain number of electors that would vote and ultimately elect the president. At the time, this made sense. The population was smaller, less educated and less capable of making important decisions. They needed competent people to elect officials that could run the country appropriately. However, the country has grown  to exponential numbers and it is no longer acceptable for us to keep this system in place. Electing a leader for the country should be a simple process and should reflect exactly what the public wants. Sadly, the system that the Founding Fathers created doesn't reflect the public's opinions or desires anymore. It is a long, complicated road that must be walked before the United States can deem a new president and this needs to be altered to fit modern times.

The answer seems clear and obvious to most of the population. Eliminate the Electoral College and allow the popular vote to determine the president. Simple as that. It is understandable that government feels obligated to respect the original constitution, but times have changed and we need to ratify the constitution to make it possible for the public to have a say in elections. Let America truly become a democracy.

Response to "World Police"

Just recently I had this exact conversation with a friend of mine. It makes me absolutely sick that America acts as the world's police patrol. For decades, America has waltzed into other countries problems and, in most cases, done nothing beneficial. Why do we feel the need to stick our noses in everything? America bullies the world and makes it known that we have power and are not afraid to use it. What really gets under my skin is the fact that the government is constantly talking about cutting funding from different programs. And where do they cut it from? Recently, it was announced that funds have been cut from Medicare and Medicaid. Sure, let's just increase the poverty in this country and give less benefits to the elderly. They also decreased the funds for public school systems, cutting thousands of teaching jobs. I'm certain that move is going to harm American in a significant way. Seriously, what is the government thinking? Instead of cutting funds from programs that are actually helpful to citizens, why doesn't America try to mind their own business and pull our troops out of Lybia and Iraq? We need to cut military spending and use that money to actually help the United States. We have so many problems that it is inconceivable to me why we insist on continuing to intrude on other countries problems.

Bravo, Nick! Your argument was well constructed. I agree with you on everything you have to say and truly wish there was a simple solution to this controversy. You're right when you say that's not going to happen anytime soon though...

Abortion Problem

American government has a tendency to allow citizens to magnify problems that don't necessarily have a solution. For example, abortion has been a heated topic for many years and our society will never come up with a way to please both the pro-choice and the pro-life group. Why do we continue to fight over this problem? It makes no sense why a topic such as this would cause so much debate and controversy. The bottom line is, if a woman decides to terminate a pregnancy, it should be one-hundred percent her choice. Anti-abortionists have been trying for years to make abortions illegal. If a law were actually passed forbidding any woman to terminate a pregnancy, that would directly violate a woman's free will. Along with eliminating free will, making abortions illegal would force women into back-ally abortions which would ultimately end more lives than it would save. There are many negative and harmful effects that this entire debate has caused and it needs be stopped immediately.

Our government needs to take a stance and not allow these pointless battles to continue. Pro-choice views abortion as a woman's decision alone. While, pro-life sees an abortion as murdering an unborn chile. These two view points are so far away from each other and it is highly unlikely that either position will subside. It is just not logical for society to continue to debate this subject any longer.

Has the First Amendment gone too far?

Bob Schieffer, with CBS news, commented on the Supreme Court's decision to allow anti-Gay's to protest at a military funeral. Schieffer questions that the First Amendment rights have gone too far in this case. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, the right to petition the government, and most importantly, freedom of speech. However, there are a few cases that freedom of speech does not protect. For example, it is against the law for someone to yell "bomb!" in an airport because that threatens public safety. I think it is completely viable to put protesting at someone funeral in the same league as shouting "bomb" in an airport. It is inconceivable to me that the Supreme Court would even entertain the idea of allowing this act to take place, especially at a military funeral. The military fights for America and it is a tragedy to lose any life that dedicated themselves to the protection of this country. For a group of callous, judgemental people to be allowed to stand at a grieving families funeral with degrading picket signs is atrocious and a horrible representation of America. Bob Schieffer is right when he says that the fight to protect these families must go on. This country has an obligation to every citizen and the fact that this act was able to take place should be a sign that we, the people, need to do something.

U.S. Democracy, no more?

In Bob Herbert's column, he wrote an article titled "When Democracy Weakens." In this article he makes a strong stance that while Egypt just adopted their own democracy; America is on the verge of losing theirs. He argues that the elite have too much money and power when it comes to the decisions that are being made for this country. Herbert states that "When the game is rigged in your favor, you win. So despite the worst economic downturn since the Depression, the big corporations are sitting on mountains of cash, the stock markets are up and all is well among the plutocrats."

I would have to agree with him on this subject. What once was a pure democratic system is now corrupt and untrustworthy. Politicians and big business owners have a grip on large amounts of money, while the poverty rate continues to sky-rocket, forcing people to live in less-than-desirable living conditions. Because the elites have monopolized a good portion of American money, they have, in direct effect, taken away the essence of what this country was intended to be. Freedom. Wealth. Happiness. These are things that every American wants and should be able to have. However, it seems as though these rights have been stripped from the people and government feels less than inclined to salvage them. Elites have demolished the voice of the average American and created a government that favors only them. Herbert says it best, “It’s a perversion of democracy, indeed, when individuals like the Kochs have so much clout while the many millions of ordinary Americans have so little. What the Kochs want is coming to pass. Extend the tax cuts for the rich? No problem. Cut services to the poor, the sick, the young and the disabled? Check. Can we get you anything else, gentlemen?”

Bob Herbert’s argument was well structured and bold. He made it very clear how he felt about the elites and the decline of our democracy. While we cannot know precisely what the future holds for our country, I do believe Herbert is right. If we do not do something to change the direction our democracy is heading in, it will only continue to worsen.

Perry calls for billions in cuts to education

I came across an article in the Austin American Statesman which stated that Governor Rick Perry wants to cut billions of dollars from education programs in Texas. In my opinion, this would only increase our state's poverty and hurt the economy even more. By decreasing state spending on education, Perry would be directly responsible for eliminating hundreds of teaching positions which would force people into poverty. Not only would this be hurting the Texas economy, it would be reducing the quality of education, a sacrifice we cannot afford under any circumstance.

As someone that can't say they've been particularly involved in the happenings of our state or country, I found myself realizing that it's actually important for me to be aware of what's going on. In order to be entitled to an opinion, you must be knowledgeable first. I urge everyone to read this article and take one small step torwds being more politically informed.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/02/08/perry_calls_for_billions_in_cu.html?fb_ref=homepage