With not knowing much about Texas government before this class, I felt non-biased. Half way through this course, I do not believe my views have changed much. Perhaps I am slightly more liberal than what I realized. But having certain political views may be different than having Texas political views.
I did not know anything about Governor Rick Perry. In many of the articles that I have read, I do not recall reading anything “good” or “nice” about him. I have only read about criticisms with how he deals with the budget cut, his part of the Tea Party, and not to mention he has been the longest serving governor. Wait, how is he still governor? Who know, this power driven governor might no longer be the Texas governor if he runs for presidential elections.
As mentioned above, Texas has had a major budget cut. Luckily though, it will only affect minor situations such as the education system and providing for the homeless. Hopefully, with the budget cut, Texas’s money will go to something more important such as preventing the terrible and oh-so-bad illegal immigrants from making a living here.
Aside from Rick Perry and the budget cuts, indifferent is how I feel about Texas politics. The history is very confusing to me. So, unless I can better understand it, I am in no position to attack it. Or, is that a reason to attack Texas politics? Should Texas politics be THAT confusing and hard to follow? Neither conservative nor liberal articles that I have read made Texas politics seem easy to follow.
I completely agree with what Paige is saying, in her blog “Still Indifferent, about having Texas political views and Gov. Rick Perry. I am a native Texan, but the way the lawmakers think is completely opposite of anything I believe in. And how can Gov. Perry still be in office if every news article is complaining about the bad decisions he is making and has made? After he proposed a bill that would force school girls to get the vaccine for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), his merits should have been reevaluated.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Paige says that she is indifferent about her political views, after what I have been learning, I know that I am definitely not a Republican, and I do not have a conservative mindset. If being Republican means agreeing to help kids become less intelligent, keeping those that are sick or hurt in their current condition because they cannot afford healthcare, or raising taxes to help fight illegal-immigration, when there are more important issues at stake, then I can definitely say I am not a Republican. I know not all Republicans make horrible decisions, but those at the top level of government do, and that is what matters because they are the ones making laws and creating disasters.
In an article called,”Perry's Texas has jobs, but also good luck,” Governor Rick Perry states how Texas is going to become “America’s new land of opportunity.” What opportunity is he allowing non-Texans to have, because many of Texans are struggling very badly in his so called land of opportunity? And may I remind you, he is Republican. Like I said, I know all Republicans are not bad, but this kind of statement pushes me away from anything Republican. I am no longer indifferent to politics because I am experiencing the effects of politics, and it has made me take a side. Democrats all the way, or at least until they get crazy too, then I might just become an Independent like the rest of my generation.
In my nightly perusal of online articles, I decided to read one article on a blog, created by an Austin Community College student named Paige. Solely upon the information I could gather from her website, I was unable to determine further credentials; and though she might not be a party journalist or is indifferent to Texas politics, her opinions and views still matter because when it comes down to it, all citizens are really just putting in their own two cents. I can understand her frustration with Texas politics. On the surface, many problems seem to have an easy solution, yet when we see numerous politicians bickering over ideologies and ulterior motives, ignoring efficient solutions, it is a bit disheartening.
ReplyDeleteI would like to address a couple of Paige's ideas about Texas's major budget cuts. Talking about the budget cuts she states, "Luckily though, it will only affect minor situations such as the education system and providing for the homeless." To be honest, I was quite taken aback. With the new budget cuts, Texas's school systems are $15 billion short of providing an adequate education - hardly a minor situation. To strip the education system of its funding means teachers and students will not have the tools they need, resulting in an inadequate education. These students will grow up, not having the education they were supposed to have gotten, and could become the new leaders of our country.
Paige goes on to say that these cuts might provide better funding in areas where we need it most "such as preventing the terrible and oh-so-bad illegal immigrants from making a living here." At first glance, her remark sounded a bit sarcastic (if not racist), but I will assume she intended it to be serious. First of all, not all illegal immigrants are necessarily "bad". Many continuously strive to find ways to contribute to society and to their families, wishing to make a better life for themselves. Although I don't believe we should be paying extra taxes for people who aren't citizens, I do realize that our own ancestors were "illegal" immigrants to this country and therefore have a bit of sympathy for other illegal immigrants. Many people, never having left their own state, are blissfully ignorant of the poverty and extreme social conditions many foreigners have to deal with on a daily basis; ergo, I don't blame them for trying to escape to a better world.
But though many of their conditions pull at my heart strings, I do believe allocating more resources to deporting illegal immigrants back to their home country, especially those who are breaking the law, would benefit our state in many ways (such as lower levels of crime rate and less taxes).
Paige's post is a good read for those interested in budget cut affects, illegal immigration, Rick Perry, and political indifference to Texas politics.