Thursday, September 17, 2009

Excel in life

Controversy swirled across the nation on President Obama’s speech to students. The president highly encouraged students to take responsibility for not only their education but for their future too. Many conservatives say that the president was overstepping boundaries, and it was an act to boost his political agenda. When the fact is he didn’t mention anything related to politics. Some of the speech even consisted of his own personal education experiences. There were even some parents that kept their children home the day of the speech. It amazes me that some people are so arrogant and naïve. I understand that everyone has their own opinion when it comes to politics, and not everyone may like our president. But they should set aside their differences and focus on the purpose of this speech which is for students to excel in their education. The article is worth reading because the speech doesn’t just apply to students K-12, it applies to us college students as well. That’s why I would encourage you to watch the speech or read the article. We all can make a difference in this world if we all set our minds to it.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

The Texas Secession Movement

In 1836 Texas was its own self-ran nation winning its independence from Mexico. Centuries later, rumors scatter from all over the media saying that Texas is attempting to secede from the union. Texas State Governor Rick Perry stated, during an anti-tax tea party, that, “Texas is a unique place. When we came into the Union in 1845 one of the issues was we would be able to leave if we decided to do that”.

Neither the Texas Constitution, nor the United States Constitution, gives Perry, or the State itself, the power to succeed from the Union. Texas was never forced to join the union which I feel to be a voluntary choice on the people and government of Texas at its time. Take for example America’s secession from England compared to Texas’s secession from Mexico. Each smaller body left a larger body due to harsh rule and vast corruption. When the U.S. adopted Texas part of the American Dream, Manifest Destiny, was achieved. If Texas was to secede what would become of the American Dream? I question if Texas were to secede would it be like saying, “SCREW AMERICA?”

“Secession from the Union being an option is not a good image for Texas, in America or in Texas," Kay Bailey stated. I truly am a proud Texan; however, I am even more proud to say I am an American. For some people being an American means escaping from their homeland and putting their lives in jeopardy only for the chance to look for a better future for their families. Governor Perry states “That if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people who knows what may come out of it.” I don’t despise Governor Perry, however, many people, including myself; believe that he is the cause for the secession crisis. I think Perry should have restated his statement in a way to not upset the larger general population of the United States and even most of Texas.

Perry emphasizes that the government is spending too much, has an enlarged debt, and is strangling taxation. However, the truth is that if Texas were to secede taxes would not just increase, but sky rocket, therefore, leaving less money in the people’s pocket. It’s almost a paradox how Perry opposes many forums of federal government spending when FEMA, a federal government assistance agency, has spent over $3 billion to Texas since 2001; this makes Texas the number one state in federal aid assistance from FEMA. My personal belief is that if Texas were to lose the federal government assistance Texas would have to deal with a great more calamity.

One secessionist stated that they are aware that secession might be asking for a bloody war and that they understand that. It’s ironic to say that when so many Americans died in the “Bloody War” to first win the land of Texas from Mexico. Sometimes my mind cannot comprehend how some people can be so arrogant. Too many lives and too much money have been spent winning this land. How can people be so cruel to almost throw all of that away for their own senseless ambitions?

I truly believe that the Texas Secession Movement is not only a disaster waiting to happen, but utter calamity. It is an Anti-American act that gives not only Texans a bad image but Americans too. I think of Texas as a unique and wonderful place to live, however, Texas would not be Texas if it wasn’t part of the God blessed United States of America.