Friday, December 13, 2013

Voting Turnout

  Is voting really such a good thing? Is it really that important? Well we live in the United States of America so I think, that voting is a pretty big thing in the country. But there really isn't to much to brag about when it comes to voting turnouts. Not compared to other countries. My colleague wrote some ideas to how we can improve this voting turnout and as I was reading I was agreeing all the way. Voting is one of the most important factors that makes this country the way it is, voting is a way for us the people to choose what is best for us. But when I see some not so good numbers on voting turnout I think, are the people really getting what they want. The way i see it there just letting others choose for them. But what bothers me most is the fact that they then complain about the things that happen, when very easily they could just get up waste maybe 1-2 hours of their time and vote.

  I agree with the idea that my colleague has where we just start making it a big deal at an early age, but although it is true that kids can be influenced very easily. It is also true that they tend to not care much either. But I see where she is going and I think it's not a bad idea. Another idea that I strongly agree is to impose some kind of fee or consequence. If there is one thing that people hate is having to pay for things. Everyone will try to avoid it and will do all they can, not to do it. When one will think of it, its better to just vote then to pay a fine. Making it a Holiday is another way, but maybe people will only use to not work and not really go out and vote. They are many other options to go about this and improve voting turnouts in out country, my colleague did an excellent job stating her opinion and her ideas are things that can be done in some future. Increasing voting turnout may result in a better future now and for other generation. And it will help the whole nation express their opinion instead of just a portion of it.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

GUN CONTROL

   In recent months their have been many reports and incidents involving gun violence. These sort of problems bring forth an issue in hand called gun control. One of the most asked questions that fellow Americans have -  " what will the government do?" 

   The answer, it all depends on which party you the reader support. If you more of a Democrat you will want to push for a stronger ban or control on firearms and if you are a Republican you would want to push for less binding gun control, you ask for more freedom on owning guns. Many argue the fact that putting a ban or something along that line, is like taking the American people their amendment right. But also think that although, you may be a good person that would only use a firearm when needed there is some not so nice and good people; that will use it to harm others and cause violence. I think that the government is doing the best that they can to solve this issue, it won't be easy but nothing ever is when it comes to solve something as big as this. 

The government can look into other countries, and use them as an example. But something must be done, no more tragedies should be allowed. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

NO MORE OBAMA?

Criticizing - Should we impeach President Obama.... I say Yes!!

Barack Obama? A. Good President or B. Bad President


Right answer? C. All of the above. Both are right answers and that is what people need to realize.  


Obama has done many things that people do not approve of but there are also things that many people agree with. Truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect President. NOOO matter who the President is he will always make a mistake. But just because of that does not mean that he should be taken out of office. I do agree with that fact that Obama has let many people down when it comes to what he has done in his current years in office, but yet I believe that my classmate was a little to harsh. And thats ok, its called expressing ones opinion. But lets not forget that President Obama has done good things too and not just bad things. Lets see what was that big thing that he did on 2011, oh yeah he led to the death of one of the most wanted people in the United States maybe in the world; Osama bin Laden.  Thus putting and end to a WAR. He also brought back many troops back does that not mean anything? Lets also not forget that he has passed an Immigration Reform, starting a solution for one the countries most important issues. He increased the Auto Industry and among other things. My colleague also goes along way to say that President Obama
 is "tearing this country part" yes his mistakes are note worthy but they are not tearing apart the country, that statement in my opinion is a bit exaggerated and inaccurate. To sum this up, my classmates statement on Obamas impeachment does show the evidence of the bad and wrong things that Obama has done but I believe that they are not sufficient enough for him to be Impeached. Some statements make sense, some are to much and some are just not correct.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Illegal Immigration

  One of the United States most controversial issue in the past years has been the Illegal Immigration conflict. Whether it's a good thing or it's a bad thing. Their has been many solutions proposed in order to solve this current issue but there is never a "Solution" in which all can agree on. Recently an immigration reform has been passed and some say that this is the start of something that will change lives not only for the illegal immigrants but for the rest of the people as well.

  But lets look at what immigration brings to the table. Many people argue that illegal immigrants don't deserve the right to have the same rights as they do. But illegal immigration does contribute to the country in one of the most important ways; economically. People argue no taxes for illegal immigrants, well in that case sign me up! I want to be an illegal immigrant if it means not paying taxes. But no thats not the case, they too have to pay taxes just like anyone else. One study has shown that illegal immigrants pay a total of $11.2 billion in sale, property, and income taxes. Another aspect that they contribute to the economy is for businesses. They have an opportunity to hire illegal immigrants for a low wage, that benefiting the economy. Another study shows that if Illegal immigrants would have had a green card or H-1B visa in the year 2003-07, they would have contributed an average amount of  $34-$47 billion in the next decade. Finding a solution is crucial for an even greater economic growth. It will give chances for attending college and having good paying jobs, it will allow for new jobs to be created, and that will in turn result in other benefits as well.

  Illegal immigration has other things to offer to the United States like culture, diversity, and many other things. Our government is doing its best to try and find a solution. We have seen that the 1st step has been made. The recently passed Immigration reform has brought many people opportunities and hope. And a 2nd step will come in time too. Now, I do believe that there could be more done. But we have to take in mind that an issue of this importance will not be solved in a matter of days or months. But rather it will take time to bring about a solution in which both will benefit. The government is doing a good job to find a solution in my opinion. It is not any issue, its one of the most important issues and thus it has to be taken with time. I do admit that parties use this problem as a way to win elections and to have more supporters, but it has to stop sooner or later. A solution must be found. Either make everyone legal or make everyone illegal but  either way I do believe that our government will find a solution its just a matter of time and patience.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

For a better perception

  On Monday, October 21, President Obama held an event to talk about the new health care program that has taken action. In this event president Obama would address the problems going on with the website and try to let people see why this plan is a positive thing. Cathleen Decker from Los Angeles Times published an article that explains what this event held by President Obama was for. In an attempt; in my opinion to inform people of what is currently going on with this new issue.

  In her article Decker uses many polls taken by many other media sources that shows that the supporting and apposing percentages are very close together. This type of evidence is one tactic that i find to be very good because it gives people that haven not spoken out yet the courage to do so. And it allows people who are unsure about things to come to a decision. One of the statements that Decker uses is one by President Obama where the president states that this program is better that what the United States had before. Another interesting thing that I saw was the fact that Decker showed that President Obama is open to ideas. This let the audience ( the american people ) know that this program can be changed.

  But despite this I agree with what President Obama is saying. Obama states that the people against the program are not helping out to make it better and that the only interest they have is simply to take it down. I think that this no longer should be about "Politics" but this needs to be about the American people. We are talking about the health of the people. This new found issue is one that both parties need to come to an agreement. Deckers article made me see many new things that i didn't see before, but like many other things in this government it will take much more time.

Monday, October 7, 2013

A government that can't govern?

    A government that can't govern? A question that brings much debating. Fred Hiatt from The Washington Post wrote a very interesting article going into this very same question.

    Fred Hiatt writes this article to let the american people see his view on the government. He starts off by stating how great and powerful the United States is. A country that is on top of many things. But he states that despite all this the United States government still cant solve problems. One of the examples that he uses is the current dilemma of the government shutdown. He uses this issue to show the fact that the government still can't do its job. Hiatt states that even though this is a big problem its still just another example showing the lack to govern by the government.
   
    Hiatt then continues on by giving more examples of how the government can't seem to what its job is and this problem is only causing the american people to suffer. Although he does argue that the american people are suffering one of the most interesting things that he said was the american people are also to blame for the lack to govern by the government. The lack of knowledge and the very high standards that they have. This in a way is like adding wood to the fire.

    I personally agree with some of the arguments that he makes to why the government is the way it is. And one of the things that this piece made me see was how can the country be so well known and be consider the greatest when they still can solve some of the solvable problems. Just like Hiatt  said these kind of things are something that can be resolved with out to much of the drama. But in the end the one paying for the governments flaw is the american people.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Obama addressing United Nations General Assembly

       On Tuesday, September 24 Mark Landler from The New York Times published an article going over President Obama's speech to The United Nations General Assembly. In which President Obama talked about some of the issues that have been talked about in these past few weeks in many news media. Although " a much- anticipated hand shake between President Obama and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran" did not occur, President Obama did address something I found to be very intriguing. President Obama called for a "strong" resolution to be passed by the Security Council. This resolution would impose consequences to the country of Syria, if it fails to turn over the chemical weapons. This in my opinion is one of the steps required to resolve the chemical weapon conflict.

       On another note, President Obama also addressed the changes that America will have to make; "restricting the use of drones in counterterrorism operations; transferring prisoners from the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba and ultimately shutting it down; and rethinking broad surveillance activities". As well as the support that he will give to the refugees of the war in Syria "giving an additional $340 million in humanitarian aid". Further more President Obama used the Israeli and Palestinian conflict to promote " the pursuit of peace " and yet another non- violent resolution to the chemical weapon conflict.