Response to Should Marijuana be legalized

In Tatiana Vik’s blog should Marijuana Be Legalized, she discusses how legalizing marijuana would bring revenue to our state and cut down on crime and drug wars.  While Tatiana did a great job in presenting one side of the argument, I wish to present the other side of the argument, which I am in favor of.  There are a couple of reasons why I think that Marijuana should not be legalized.

While Tatiana describes the benefits that the state would gain on taxes in the sale of marijuana.  There is a bigger issue that one must consider, are we willing to negotiate the well-being of citizens in order to make a profit.  Isn’t the government supposed to look out for its citizens and provide them with the best possible welfare?

First, marijuana is terrible for a person’s mental health.  A recent Northwestern University study revealed that marijuana affected a person’s brain structure.  In other words, frequent marijuana users will have memory problems in the future.  Furthermore, chronic marijuana abuse can lead to something that resembles schizophrenia.  The study also revealed that the younger a person starts using marijuana, the worse the effects become.  The American Medical Association reported that when adolescence use marijuana heavily it causes persistent impairments in neurocognitive performance and IQ.  Use of marijuana is also associated with increased rates of anxiety, mood, and psychotic disorders.

Furthermore, a study conducted on 129 college students found that those who engaged in smoking marijuana twenty-seven days before being surveyed were discovered to have serious problems in regards to critical skills.  The study also revealed that students who used marijuana had lower grades and were less likely to finish college.  These students simply do not have the same abilities to remember and organize information compared to those who did not use marijuana.

It is bad enough that we are already losing many Americans to cigarettes and alcohol.  Is it really worth it to endorse the loss of millions more due to marijuana?  Hence, the next question would be if we legalize marijuana why not legalize all the other illegal drugs like crack, heroin, and meth? I guess the ultimate question is whether legalizing marijuana will make this a better country or a worse one. 

Another research revealed that those who smoke marijuana under the age of 25 will have cognitive decline.  It is possible for someone to become brain damage in over use.  A study done by the University of Wisconsin revealed that marijuana has high levels of THC, which affects cognitive thinking.  To be honest the study also reveals that after 23 most people decrease the use of the drug.

Second, marijuana is bad for one’s physical health.  Recent research has revealed that marijuana can cause lung problems 20 years earlier than cigarette smokers can.  This study has also revealed that seven percent of drivers involved in accidents tested positive for THC.  Marijuana impairs motor skills and increases the risk of car crashes.  Hence, if marijuana use is legalized, we need to be concerned about an increased number of driving under the influence. 

Moreover, doctors have said that smoking marijuana makes sperm less fertile-even if the women is the one who smokes it.  Even small amounts of marijuana can cause temporary sterility.  Thus, when a person gets high their sperms get high as well.  Obviously, men who smoke marijuana do get women pregnant but smoking marijuana reduces the chances for some.

Third, as Americans have learned with alcohol, taxes do not begin to cover the costs of the damages done to society.  More, importantly while pro-marijuana people argue that with the legalization of marijuana the state can better regulate how it is used and distributed.  However, with alcohol regulators still have not succeeded in keeping alcohol from underage drinkers.  The government has tried to use penalties to prevent the use of marijuana but it is still used by number of people.  Marijuana use would be very detrimental to those under 25 because their brains have not fully developed yet.  Thus, using the drug would

To Tatiana’s benefit, marijuana has positive attributes such as its medical value.  There are those who use marijuana because marijuana provides relief from pain, nausea, and other symptoms that many have.  Nevertheless, one must remember that the prescribed drug is used with moderation and the risk of using it relatively low.

Titiana also argues that if marijuana was legalized it would increase the number of tourist coming to Texas and as a result boost the economy.  While this argument is logical, I think that Tatiana failed to realize that tourist only go to Colorado because it is one of two places that legalized the drug.  Thus, they do not go there to visit the sights of the state but to get a piece of legalize marijuana.

 

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/09/marijuana-teens-brains/13802545/

http://www.webmd.com/men/news/20031013/smoking-marijuana-lowers-fertility

GOP Lawmakers Make Case for Upholding Gay Marriage Ban

Gay marriage is a very controversial subject and the debate has attracted many.  In our society, some (myself included) people believe that homosexuality is immoral while gay advocates believe that everyone have their preferences.  Thus, it is important to put into consideration the sexual preferences of everyone in our society. 

The article GopLawmakers Make Case for Upholding Gay Marriage Ban by Eli Okun and Terri Langford describes a brief that Greg Abbott’s office filed arguing that Texas’ ban on same-sex marriage is constitutionally sound and that this matter is to be decided by the voters not the courts.  The brief was filed in the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals, where the state is appealing the ruling that same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. 

To begin advocates for same sex marriage argue that denying a couple the rights to marry any person of their choice regardless of their sexes is not right since it denies them of their basic human rights.  In fact, there are certain rights (health care, social security, and joint tax benefits) that un-married people cannot enjoy. 

In the brief, the state argues that same-sex marriage cannot encourage the birth of children in the context of stable and lasting relationships.  Research done by Krause depicted that only natural marriage between a man and a woman can consistently provide a stable and nurturing environment for the growth of the next generation. 

Furthermore, the brief indicates that the court should not overrule the voters’ decision to define marriage in the state constitution as solely the union of one man and one woman.  Opponents of the ban insist that with the rapid increase in single-parent family and the outrageous divorce rates over the decade, the true meaning of marriage is weaken.  I have to disagree with opponents of the ban here because the traditional definition of marriage has always been the union between a man and a woman.  Changing the definition now could lead to confusion in the society where others might claim it is within their rights to have multiple wives.

The attorney general argues that the state does not need to prove that same-sex marriage is detrimental to the state interests, but simply that heterosexual marriages are more beneficial.  One must remember that children raised in homosexual homes are continually exposed to homosexuality.  In fact, they are at a high risk of becoming homosexuals themselves because their environment will affect their behavior.  On the other hand, if these children are raised in a traditional home they have more of a chance to turn out normal.

They counter the argument that they cannot provide a stable home by saying that there are many children around the world who are living in stable gay households.  The only issue with this claim is that they have no solid evidence to back it up.  It is pure speculations. 

Opponents of gay marriage ban contend that gays would be of benefit to the society.  They claim that since gays cannot procreate if allowed to wed would have no choice but to adopt.  In essence, there would be less children needing to be adopted.  Consequently, the state would need to spend less to provide for all the children currently in foster care agencies.

It is my opinion that same sex marriage violates the sacred institution of marriage.  Almost all of the religions around the world, condemn homosexuality.  The Bible serves as a guide for a lost humanity.  I am just afraid of the aftermath of same-sex marriage. 

Opponents of the brief say that the constitution says that they have a right to the pursuit of happiness and if a person of the same sex makes him/her, happy he/she should be allowed to pursue that.  My only problem with this mentality is how far will we stretch the line?  What if someone else declared that they found happiness with a non-human, would they be allowed to marry it?  There must be a point where we draw the line not because we are trying to hurt anyone but because we have morals to follow.

 

 

Response to Tuition cost

I read an article about Tuition Costs critique by Aaron Taylor Bonnette.  This article describes how tuition has increased over the years.  While there is an increase in tuition and fees, there is a decline in college enrollment.  According to recent studies, most people out of college with a bachelor’s degree only make about $45,000 a year.  Due to low paying careers and student debts most students feel overwhelmed upon graduation.  Some cannot even find a job upon completing their degree.  Thus, some people wonder whether pursuing a degree is even worthy all the hassle.  All they are left with in the end is a low paying job and a high student debt.

The article argues that one reason for the increase in tuition is due to an increase in hired faculty and staff at the universities.  With an increase in faculty size, the universities must increase tuition in order to compensate their faculty.  Bonnette recommends that the state and national government provide more funding to universities and provide more scholarships and grants for perspective students in order to give everyone a chance to get the education they deserve. 

While Bonnette’s argument is good, I think that there are other reasons for the decline in enrollment.  Jennifer Ma, a policy research scientist for the College Board stated that lower enrollments mostly reflect a better economy, which lured students into the workforce and away from colleges and universities. 

It must be stated that a large majority of students in college are not those in the traditional age group of 18 to 24.  In fact, a large majority of learners are made of older people.  An article by the American council on education indicated that traditional age students are now the minority and older people are no the majority.  Thus, it is not surprising that these older people are choosing to go back to the work force instead of school since the economy is getting better again.

In addition, a study done in 2008 by academic treatises analyzed the relationship between tuition and enrollment.  They concluded that tuition increases had little impact on enrollment.  They noted that there was a connection between enrollment and unemployment rates.  In fact, credit hour enrollment grew slightly as the unemployment rate increased; it looks like students seek education when jobs are scarce.

The national student clearinghouse research center agrees that it is a natural trend for college enrollment to increase when the economy is not doing well.  In other words being unemployed pushed people to return to school, but now that the economy is showing encouraging signs, enrollment is decreasing as people return to the job market.

http://college.lovetoknow.com/High_Cost_of_Tuition_Causing_Decreased_College_Enrollment

Comprehensive Sex Education Program could lower teen pregnancy and STDs in Texas

Texas could lower the percentage of teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease if it provided comprehensive sex education program in all its public schools, according to Krueger Teen Pregnancy and Parenting.  The Texas government should make every public school in Texas incorporate a comprehensive sex education program.

A recent study revealed that there are parents who are afraid to talk to their children about sex and their changing bodies.  Many parents are hesitant to discuss sexual issues with their children because they thing that an expert could do a better job.  Some parents are scared of making mistakes or using the wrong words.  Others feel incompetent about discussing the topic since they themselves received very little or no sex education as a child.  Some of these parents would prefer to let their children’s teachers do the job.  As a result, some teens are left ignorant to the consequences of sex.  A comprehensive sex education program would not only benefit the kids but also those parents who cannot do the job themselves.

The big question that most ask is where do our children get information about sex?  Some parents rightly believe that sex education should be taught at home.  Teaching children about sex education is always a parent’s job, but there is no guarantee that children will be taught by their parents.  A recent survey conducted by Swisher revealed that of 8,000 students of 12 years of age, about eighty percent said that they did not receive any sort of sex education from their parents.  When these children were questioned on the issue, many felt that their parents are the least informative source for information concerning topics like birth control and sexually transmitted diseases.

In a survey conducted by Rosenthal adolescents confessed to having sex prematurely because they were curious.  It is important to note that sex education cannot prevent teenage sex, but it can ensure students have the knowledge of exactly risky unprotected sex is and all the possible consequences.

Teen pregnancy has been a problem for a long time in Texas and this could be attributed to a lack of sex education.  Everyone wants fewer teen pregnancies and fewer cases of sexually transmitted diseases.  The question is how we get there. It is evident that the problem of teen pregnancies can be controlled a little better if sex education were in place. 

In 2008, 52% of all pregnancies (301,000) in Texas were unplanned.  In Texas, the money used to fund unplanned pregnancies is closed to $200 million.  Instead of putting that entire fund into one program, the state should apply some of those funds to a comprehensive sex education program.

In 2012, there were 305,420 babies born to females ages 15-19.  Statistics have revealed that 25% of all girls and 16% of all boys will be victims of some type of sexual abuse or assault by the time they turn 18.

Since parents fail to educate their kinds about sex, the responsibility falls on the government to fund schools in order they can offer these programs.  Another question needing clarification is which type of methods (abstinence only or comprehensive sex education) will the government approve?  According to Krueger, abstinence programs were ineffective in reducing teen pregnancy and STDs.  A congressionally mandated study of four popular abstnince programs by the Mathematica found that they were entirely ineffective.  Students who participated in the programs were no more likely to abstain from sex than other students were.

In 2010, the Obama administration removed the streams of funding for abstinence only programs and created funding for a comprehensive sex education program.  Comprehensive sex education programs give young people the tools they need to protect themselves from negative health outcomes.  A study performed in 2006 on youth ages 13 through 24 revealed that nearly 15 percent of the 56,000 new cases of HIV infections occurred in these youth.

A study conducted on teens in Sweden and the Netherlands revealed that teens in those countries were just as sexually active as teens in the United States but their teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease rate was much lower.  Researchers attribute this success to the fact that those countries implement sex educaton in all their public schools at an early age.  Texas has so many resources at its disposal to be able to effectively teach classes on comprehensive sex education that would help teens.

The risk of young people getting STDs and being pregnant is at an all-time high.  The key is to prevent it by providing adequate knowledge on the issue.  As the saying goes, “knowledge is power”.  Thus, we must empower the young people of this country with knowledge.  As demonstrated above, some parents are uncomfortable about discussing sex with their children.  Some would even prefer that their children figure it out on their own from other sources.

To better deal with the high rate of STDs. In addition, unplanned pregnancies the schools have to be empowered by the state of Texas to equip our kids.

 

 

Texas Lags on Child Well-Being

Eli Okun a senior at Brown University where he works as the editor-in-chief of their newspaper has written an article on how Texas lags on child well-being.  The annual Kids Count report released the Annie Casey foundation revealed that more than a quarter of  Texas Children are below the federal poverty line and there is a good majority who don’t even attend preschool.  Thus, the big debate going on right now is how to deal with this issue.

Researchers advise a number of changes in order to better deal with the issues. Remarkably, some of these suggestions are items on Democratic wish lists (higher minimum wage, expanded access to health care for the working poor and greater funding for prekindergarten programs).  Laura Speer, associate director for policy reform and advocacy at the foundation is convinced by the research that more money should be spent in high quality early education.  In fact, she implies that investing in the early years of a child’s life can help pave the way for him/her to have a better future.

Conservative researchers on the other hand disagree about the proposed solution of funding current programs.  They argue that in order to have real success there must be a disruption of the status quo with more school choices and the availability of online learning.  Chuck Devore, vice president of policy at the Texas Public Policy Foundation argues that long-term studies have proven that material learned in prekindergarten are wiped out of the child’s memory by third or fourth grade.  For Devore, it would be a waste of money to invest in early programs.

As Texas continue to struggle in the education arena among the other states some call for action.  Research revealed that while there was a drop in the number of eighth graders not proficient in math, fourth grade reading proficiency have worsen by 1 percent.  This small percentage worries Speer since the nation as whole improved in that area.

As Texas grows, it becomes more diversified.  The widening socioeconomic gap has caused colored children to make up the majority in Texas.  While non-whites make up the majority, research has revealed that they lag behind whites and Asians on most measures of well-being.  Frances Deviney, the Texas Kids Count director and senior research associate at the CPPP argues that racial inequalities in education have shrunk as socioeconomic gaps expand.

Consequently, Deviney argues that if Texans focused on the wellness of their kids as much as they focus on job growth and making Texas a friendly business state, we could do the impossible.

This article is relevant for everyone in Texas.  It is a source of information for everyone especially minorities.

Feeling Invisible Black Residents leave Austin

Corrie MacLaggan who is the Tribune’s demographic reporter wrote this article on the decline of African- Americans in Austin.   She covered Texas government and politics in Austin.  She writes about everything from gubernatorial races to food stamp application backlogs.

This article describes how despite Austin being among the country’s fastest growing cities it is the only one shrinking within the African-American population.  The article based this claim from a May report from the University of Texas at Austin that used Census Bureau data.

 The author states that black residents of Austin are leaving Austin mainly because of racism and prejudice.  There is the belief that minorities are discriminated against by Austin Police.  Furthermore, some argue that African Americans experience a sense of not belonging.  In other words, African-Americans found Austin to be unwelcoming.  Natalie Cofield  president and CEO of the Capital City African American Chamber of Commerce says, that even among the professionals there is “the sense of doing your time in Austin and then moving on because they feel invisible”. 

Tang said, that the reason for the decline include gaps in public education, a distrust of police and obstacles to accessing jobs in the city’s booming technology and construction industries.  While I have heard of Austin police using excessive force against minorities it is hard to believe that the reasons provided are the reasons African-Americans are leaving Austin.

African-Americans explain that all Austin has to offer is good music but they consider Austin to be a bubble city.   Most are seeking a city that can expose their children to the African-American culture and arts.

It seems to me that African-Americans are leaving Austin for the suburbs because of cheaper housing, better schools, and the chance to integrate into the broader community.  Thus, African-Americans are making themselves invisible.    As blacks run to the suburbs then there will be less and less African-Americans in Austin.  In fact, African-Americans seem to ostracize themselves by removing themselves from the city.  It would be good for them to participate in civic activities as well as community wide events such as South by Southwest or Austin Film Festival.

It seems obvious that African-Americans like to live in community.  As already seen in East Austin, they had a community there but more and more are moving to the suburbs.   While, it is okay if African-Americans need to run away and go and hang out with family and friends but they should come back because Austin has a booming economy and Austin is the city of the future.

In an effort to help African-Americans feel welcomed Terry Pierre, an event promoter and Cofield are determined to change things around by helping African-Americans become visible.  African-Americans have to take initiatives to make themselves seen. 

While, I agree with the statistics about African-Americans leaving Austin I disagree with the reason why they are leaving.  I do not think that they are leaving because of police brutality or economic inequality.  I do think that they are living Austin because they are looking for cheaper housing and better schools in the suburbs. Professionals are leaving Austin because of a lack of African-American culture and African-American arts in Austin.

It is obvious that the author of this article is trying to inform the people of Austin about the truth that surrounds them.  Thus, this article is a wake up call first to everyone including African-Americans about the issue at hand.

Texas Democrats divided over border crisis bill

Texas Democrats divided over border crisis bill

In recent months, Texas has been flooded with thousands of illegal immigrants of all ages, including unaccompanied children crossing the border in search of a better life.  Some have referred to the border problem as the “human tragedy”.  Some cross the border believing that once they get into the U.S. they will be granted asylum according to the Dream Act and a 2008 law that grants asylum hearing to any child not from a border nation.  Thus, Texas legislators want to pass a bill that would amend the 2008 provision in the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization act, which requires unaccompanied minors coming to the U.S. from Central America receive greater legal protection than immigrants from bordering countries do.  This legislation would force thousands of minors to return to their country thus returning to their harmful and deadly lifestyles.

In the old bill, it took about three to five years for those immigrants who had a claim to go to court.  However, with the new bill it would take less than a week for a judge to decide whether an immigrant had a case to move forward of not.  In other words, Texas legislators want to speed the process of sending these illegal immigrants back home.  In the process of rushing things, there will be casualties.  Minors who were victims of human trafficking will fall through the crack and will be sent back to their old state.  While the situation may seem out of control at the border.  It does not seem right for Texas legislators to enact a bill just to rush the process since it could involve life or death.

The border problem concerns every American and thus everyone should read this article on The Texas Tribune so they could have an awareness of what is going on.  Furthermore, since the legislators are divided in their decisions it is of outmost importance that we (the people) contact our state representatives and express our concerns in the matter.  We should all try to understand what is going on with these immigrants coming to the U.S. and how we could help them.    It does not matter whether you are for or against illegal immigrants crossing the border.  The problem is real and the problem is now thus we should get involved by contacting our state representatives and expressing our concerns.