Stage 8: Comment on colleague's blog

Hello, Kelley!
I found your article interesting and I agree with your opinions. Yes, it is true that government is not one who decides about someone's personal decisions.
It is up to women or parents who do not want to have kids and have an abortion. It is their decision what they want to do with their kids. I agree that women's body has to face a lot of complications once she bears a child in her body. If the government really cares about women and thinks that enforcing abortion law would be safe for them then why don't they provide a good health care to women?
Instead of focusing on the unborn fetuses and their cremations, the government should think about how to provide women a safe health care plans in every situation.

stage 7 : Original Editorial # 2

In my last blog, I mentioned about the Senate Bill 3, a legislation which creates two programs subsidizing private school tuition and home schooling expenses. I was sad to know about the bill and how the bill is going to affect the people. But today after reading this article, I feel good to know that Texas House passed Public School Finance Reform Bill (HB 21), which provides $1.6 billion in additional resources for education while making several improvements to the state’s public school finance formulas.

HB 21 has lots of benefits and changes that will improve the funding system in Texas public school. The modifications made in the bill will effectively increase funding for more than 95 percent of school districts and nearly every charter school in the state. The students will be benefited when they are provided more resources to districts to meet the growing demands placed on them.

In addition, HB 21 will also modernizes and simplifies current transportation funding for all districts, increase pay for non-professional staffs, increases the basic allotment in the state budget per student per year, expands career and technical education including many other benefits.

I feel good to know about the bill and I would always want the government to try to do something that makes everyone happy. I hope this bill will improve education across Texas and allow more local dollars to stay in local schools. In that way, everyone can hope people of Texas being educated enough to get the opportunities and expand their knowledge. This step taken by the government shows toward full reform for public schools is appreciated.

Comment on colleague's blog #1

Hello, Alexander!
I found your article interesting and I strongly agree with your opinions. Yes, it is true that a gun is a tool and a person who owes should know how to operate it. I felt pity as well as insecure when I knew that ACC would allow open firearms. Schools are meant to be a place where everyone gets equal education and opportunities, where students should have "books" on their hands instead of "guns". Being a student, I will definitely feel insecure when I see a gun in my friend's hand. It will make me think about the negative consequences and question myself that, "Am I living in a safe and happy environment?"

I also agree that anyone can pull a trigger which can take someone's life. People have disputes and fights (especially students) but that can be resolved in a good way. Why do people think that carrying a tool will solve all the problems? Why do they think carrying a gun would make them superior to others? This is completely wrong. I wish the government could reverse the law about carrying firearms and try to make places safe for everyone.

Blog Stage 5: Original Editorial or commentary #1

In my academic profile, I have been to the private school as well as public school. I have seen student's outcomes in private and public schools. My experience in both schools was different, and  I realized how the public school made me more responsible for achieving my goals. But I was deeply saddened after reading the article which informs about the Senate Bill 3, a legislation that would create two public programs subsidizing private school tuition and home schooling expenses.

The first program in the bill, education saving accounts, would give parents online accounts of state money to pay for a private school system. I always wanted public schools to be improved so that most of the student could be able to attend it without any hesitation. Studying in public school was my choice, but I feel sorry for the students who are forced to study in public schools as they can't afford for private school. But the Senate decision is completely opposite than I expected. I think people who can afford private school or homeschool in the first place does not need support from public money. Instead of that, our government should try to fill the gap between private and public school so that student's priority would be "education" not school. 

The second program, tax credit scholarships, allows businesses to receive credits against their insurance premium taxes if they continue to approve scholarship organization. This bill acts as a pure business competition and competition does not work when it comes to education. I have seen public schools have produced some of the most intelligent, innovative leaders in our country. It feels disgusting when I realize how the government is using our tax money. Instead, more funding should be advocated into the public school system and allocating that money equitably. 

This bill will put most of the families in a difficult situation. Instead of passing this bill, a legislature could have put some effort in a real issue such as remodeling school finance system, investing on qualified persons that can actually make a difference in teaching, and providing students a quality education. This bill is segregation process between rich and poor. We want good public education for this country to prosper. 

Blog Stage four

“Bathroom Bill” has been a matter of discussion for a long time. An editorial by Alexa Ura, Committee sends Texas "bathroom bill" to full Senate, appeared in the Texas Tribune wants their readers to know about the recent bills that are in the process to be passed. Yet, another disappointing issue demonstrated by our government officials. According to the article, “the legislation would require transgender individuals to use the multi-stall bathrooms and locker rooms in schools and other government buildings that match their “biological sex,” and it would nix local anti-discrimination laws meant to allow transgender residents to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.” What a waste of time, and embarrassing issue to hear. Instead of eliminating the sexual discrimination, the government officials are encouraging everyone to participate in their discrimination decisions.

The author is making an argument about the 7-1 votes by Senate State affairs committee for the “Bathroom Bill” and provides embedded link as an evidence to support the argument. There are other serious issues that need attention from the State officials such as our city schools need good care, veterans need a home, people need a good health care plans. But why our government is trying to solve the problem that never existed? The article also mentions that “proponents of the bill have defended the legislation, saying it will increase privacy and safety and keep men out of women’s bathrooms.” Why someone has to feel insecure from the transgender people?  This is just an illegal discrimination and a fundamental misunderstanding of transgender individuals. This bill will do more harm than good if people agree to isolate the transgender community.

I agree with the author that a Bathroom Bill is just an act of discriminating people and their values. It is embarrassing to know the priorities of our Texas government. No matter what kind of bills will be passed, it is our duty to treat everyone equal.

Blog Stage Three: Substantial commentary

“How you can be heard by lawmakers without feeling like you’re tweeting into the void,” an editorial appeared in the Dallas News, wants their readers to know about the ways people can get their answers from the government. It is true that our country just got a new president last month and it has left many Americans into curiosities about his plans for the future. People have so many questions that need to hear and hence, they are trying to get the answers through any ways they can. The article argues about what should people do to increase the chances for their voices to be heard?

The article mentions that “we've been asking people in and out of government about how to increase the chances that their voices can be heard — from here in Texas all the way to the Capitol. Turns out, like most things worth doing, being heard takes time and effort — and usually, it takes a strategy.” We can understand that to do something it takes time and effort. But what if all the connections have been short-circuited by busy lines, full voice mail boxes, overflowing email accounts, and too few staff members to help in the lawmaker's office. In that case, the government should try to find some alternatives to keep their connection with people especially when there is so much to talk about.

The article also provides evidence about the lawmaker’s phone line jammed with complaints to support their arguments regarding the governmental activities. That is why the article suggests us some ways to apply to hear back from the government. Their suggestion includes - to show up at events and deliver your message directly to the lawmaker in question, to work through the phone, to make friends with social media, and use pen and paper to write your message to the concerned party.

I am sharing this article because I find this interesting and convincing. I agree with the article and I believe being heard in government is not an easy task. As a citizen, we have many questions to ask our government and it can be done when we have a strategy to help find our voices heard.

Blog Stage 2: An introduction to an article

“It’s a little embarrassing, it’s a little depressing, to be at this point in our life and we go to work and give it 110 percent and have to struggle,” said White, a state employee, in The Texas Tribune article. According to the article, state employees are hoping to get substantial increase in their salary to match the increasing cost of living and benefits contributions. But, for those seeking the increase in wages seems vacant when the governor Greg Abbott  announced a hiring freeze for state agencies and universities until the end of August to free up an estimated $200 million in the current budget. The Department of Family and Protective Services is among those exempted from it. Abbott also mentioned, “Texans know how to live within their means,” and “No less should be expected from their government,” which pretty much alarms everyone that this action gives Texans a wrench from the services they should get.

I found this article worth reading to know what is happening with the state workers like White who hopes to make her life better.