Friday, September 30, 2011

"The Lovable Rick Perry"

There is a hint of bantering in Richard Cohen's Washington Post commentary over Rick Perry. Nonetheless, the author argues over feeling sympathy towards Rick Perry in the recent Republican debates. A sympathy well deserved only in the heated objectives over immigration and teenage sexual health in America. In the arena of conservatives, the author argues that Perry has become the odd man out, by supporting immigration and advocating the HPV vaccination in young women. Whether that deserves Perry a sympathy vote, it does deserve a second-look towards conservative concerns.

The author makes a point as Perry provides illegal immigrant children an opportunity towards a higher education in Texas. Of course, the majority rules in the conservative stance towards illegal immigrants but no conservative takes in the legal rights the children of the undocumented have. Yes, there’s a loophole given that they were illegal in the first place, but a fence will not solve the problem of illegal immigration. Rather than spend tax payer dollars on building a fence, let’s educate the minds of these students that are, according to the constitution, U.S. citizens.

The author continued to build a soft-spot for Perry in the debate when Ron Paul attacked Perry for “forcing 12-year-old girls to taking an inoculation to prevent [HPV]…” Of course, the 2007 executive order was overturned by Texas legislature due to conservative opposition but the author heart went out when Perry's defense acknowledged his hatred towards cancer and his failure to trust the state legislature. Indubitably so, cancer causes the sudden death of our loved ones and the process of checks and balances should be trusted, but the conservative corner failed to recognize the options the nation should take in regards to teenage sexual health. There should be no argument, maybe denial, but teenagers are sexual active and are at risk. Although the vaccine is recommended to be issued to 11-14 year old girls, this is a proper precautionary for our upcoming youth.

There’s no doubt, people are on edge with Rick Perry serving as president. Honestly, who would want a president who was responsible for 234 executions? At the end of the commentary, the author writes, “The big lug may not have much of a brain, but he sure has a heart.” And because of Perry’s heart, conservative viewpoints deserve a second look.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Filtering Supercommittee Actions

A congressional supercommittee has formed and it consists of six Democrats and six Republicans. Their mission: seeking up to $1.5 trillion in a deficit-reduction measure for the course of ten years. As this supercommittee forms, meets, and discusses options, the flow of money reaching these members can affect the final decision of the deficit-reduction.

Some may argue the ethical problems of lobbying but for these twelve senators, the money contributed to them affects not only their decisions but their campaigns in future re-elections. Because of this, senators remain divided as the amount of fundraising they will actually do; some keeping their schedule while some put theirs on hold to focus on committee responsibilities. Yet the question remains as to how much money is being contributed to them and by whom. Attempting to filter lobby activity, a Deficit Committee Transparency Act was introduced but the supercommittee has not answered.

Friday, September 2, 2011

About Me

Until I entered college, I never chose a political ideology. When I turned 18, I was given the right to vote but only voted for the sake of exercising my right. Looking back, I believe I was reluctant to take a deeper look into politics because of my own ignorance but also my educational environment in High School and at home. After many struggles in college history and government classes, I pushed myself towards a more active awareness in the political world. Choosing between Republican or Democratic, I see myself as a Democratic. After taking the typology quiz, I found out that I am a Post-Modern. Which lies in the middle of Staunch Conservatives and Solid Liberals, explaining that a Post-Modern leans more towards a Democratic vote. I found it accurate according to it's description of being liberal on social issues and in favor of diplomacy. My political experiences have been limited but I hope to change that taking this course. I scored a 64 on the civics test and missed one question on the current events quiz. After re-taking government and history, I had to kick myself into not only passing but politically involving my mind on crucial issues that affect the world I live in. Now, to work on my political involvement. Starting now..