Challenging Interest Rates

In Danis' post, Doubling the Interest, he makes a valid argument that could help solve student debt problems.

While I do believe lowering tuition costs would help the problem, if congress chooses to raise interest rates students would still be spending about the same amount of money on school (mostly in interest rates instead of tuition). 

That being said, President Obama has started on a trek to different universities across the country to rally congress to renew the low interest student loan program.  In the article posted on The Daily Athenaeum, the writer talks about how Obama himself just got out of student loan debt 8 years ago and how "nobody cares about student loan debt, except for the student."  This is exactly right.  Students are who needs to be responsible for rallying congress to extend the interest rate student loan program.

I do agree with your approach on the matter, however instead of Obama trying to rally students up to make change maybe he should put the works on lowering tuition in progress.  By doing so now, congress would be forced to make a quick decision that either way would not benefit them.

Why 21?

As I was sitting in my apartment, I watched my 24 year old roommate come home from work, open the fridge, grab a beer, and sit next to me on the couch.  I sat there for a second and pondered trying to think of a reason the legal drinking age is 21. 

Immediately, I grabbed my computer and looked for a good solid reason why I can't legally drink at 18 years old.  You know what I found? A bunch of websites created by people who want to prevent underage drinking.  According to the Travis County Attorney's Office, "underage drinking is illegal,
unhealthy, and unacceptable." 

Im assuming it's equally as unhealthy to an 18 year old as it would be to a 21 year old (or anyone older for that matter).

This is my argument, I am 18 years old.  I can legally vote for my government, I can enlist in the military, buy my own cigarettes (which according to Polifact, "Every year tobacco kills more Americans than did World War II -more than AIDS, cocain, heroine, alcohol, vehicular accidents, homicide, and suicide combined."), I live by myself, pay my own bills, have my own job and yet I can't buy my own alcohol. 

I understand there are concerns and responsibilty that comes with drinking alcohol.  Mostly drinking and driving.  I completely understand the consequences of doing something like that and would never put myself, or someone else in that kind of danger.  However, by law, at 18, I am a legal adult and I can legally go to prison for committing a crime on that level, just as anyone else, yet, still can't buy alcohol.

The Abortion Battle

Of coarse, I picked an article that would challenge my original post.

In Christina Valdez's post, "Why Not Give it a Second Look?", written Tuesday, March 6, 2012, she argues that it's the least 'mothers' could do for their unborn child.  What is another 24 hours going to hurt?

If a person is decided to get an abortion they have already thought long and hard about the decision they are making.  They are well aware that they are carrying an unborn child and they are also aware of the consequences of their actions.  But if a 'mother' is deciding to make that decision she likely has a logical reason.  24 hours is probably not going to alter her decision. 

Also, yes, Steve Jobs' has played a significant role in the advancement of technology but with out him we would still be advanced.  Instead of buying an IPhone, I would buy an Android and instead of buying an IPad or a Mac, I would buy a Galaxy or a Dell.  Steve Jobs was only the creator of one brand of technology (Yes, we all love his brand, but if it didn't exist we would love all the others).

Sanchez using an argument listing the, "people we would not have in the world today if abortion took place" is a seriously weak argument.  Technically speaking, if abortion had taken place, we wouldn't have a bunch of important people in the world.  Barack Obama would not be our President if his mom aborted him or Ben Franklin would not have invented the light bulb if his mother would have aborted him.  But in the end, we would have a different President and someone else would have invented the light bulb. 


Lastly, and I would like for you to post back and explain this to me, but how in the world would Sanchez's article be directed at cancer survivors?

When I first read, "You MUST make an argument" by my college professor, I just started grinning.  What could possible be better to argue than Texas' new abortion laws. 

As of October 1, 2011, Texas has enacted a state law titled, "Women's Right To Know Act."  According to Planned Parenthood, "it requires physicians to give women seeking abortions state-mandated information about medical risks, adoption alternatives, and developmental stages of the fetus.

Even better, in a Wall Street Journal Blog by Nathan Koppel, Rick Perry is quoted saying, "Every life lost to abortion is a tragedy, and today's ruling is a great disappointment to all Texans who stand in defense of life."  Of coarse, that quote was said back in August, months before the law was passed. 

So while Governor Rick Perry may be satisfied, me, and several other Texans, are not.

I will start my argument by being brutally honest and stating obviously the worst case scenario.  In the event of me being brutally raped and impregnated, the government is now going to require me to learn all about the risk factors and developmental stages of my rape baby, in attempt to persuade my decision.  A baby that nobody in their right mind would want to have or even have to raise for the rest of their life.  A baby that is simply an everyday reminder of the worst day of your life.

Also, according to the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." I don't think "pursuit of happiness", includes telling me risks, alternative options, and developmental stages; information that was enacted to persuade people to change their minds. If I choose to make that decision on my own, then chances are, I have a valid reason to go through with it. 

Rather than me being persuaded to do something that will not only ruin my life (as far as finishing school, getting a high paying job, being able to support myself without the help of my parents), but
now I am also ruining another life by not being able to give the baby the life they deserve. 

The new law is simply not considerate of the peoples best interest.  The government does not know everyone's family (at home) situations. If I am not ready to be a mother and not ready to live on my own, then it is not the government's job to persuade my decision.

In a Texas blog written by Harold Cook titled Letters from Texas, Cook writes a blog about the continuous downfall of the GOP reputation. 

From the context and humor in the post it is evident that Cook wrote the blog with intentions of making a mockery of the GOP.  But then again, from Cook, we should expect this behavior in posts.  His 'about me' reads, "Letters from Texas is a humorous look at politics and current events, as seen through the eyes of a progressive Texan in a bad mood." 

Cook writes that the Republicans are looking worse than ever.  The recent Super Tuesday was supposed to focus on Ohio, which it did.  Romney won, but again, it was not a pretty win.  Cook is right, Republicans appear to be unorganized and inevitably this will hurt their chances in November.  However, Cook fails to supports his assertions with any substantial evidence.  He simply just states the obvious, or more so, his own opinion. 

Most importantly, having a humor related blog can be challenging unless you have a natural tendency to express your humor successfully through writing.  Cook does this perfectly! His last assertion proving Republican downfall is a very well written stab at Sarah Palin.  I have to give him credit, I did not expect for her potential joining in the presidential campaign to be the embedded link.  He built the suspense and kept me interested to find out what could possibly be 'solution'.

In the Austin Statesman, the Editorial Board created an editorial on, "What to do with Perry's funraising leftovers?" In the article, the author/author's seem to direct their opinion directly to the governor himself. 

Apparently, Governor Rick Perry plans to spend his 270,000 dollars in leftovers and create a "Political Action Committee", or a better known Super PAC.  The writer knows this because Perry has already asked the Federal Election Commission if he may spend his money that way, and the Commission has allowed this before so the writer seems certain they will allow it again. 

However, the writer obviously has a problem with another super PAC being created because they propose that Governor Perry spend his money in a more efficient way; giving to charity.  The writer is kind enough to list a couple charities that are always open to donations; for example, Texas State Parks are in dire need of help to restore their land and bring back tourists after a dry year that was ravaged by wildfires. 

The writer takes a harsh stand against Perry's selfish decisions.  The article does appear to have an abundance of humor towards Perry, but I must say, I agree.  Perry is too concerned about how to prepare for his next governor's election, instead of focusing on how he plans to recover from his embarrassing presidental race.  If anything, giving back to the community could potentially gain him some respect, resulting in future votes.  I think the writer and I can both agree on one thing, leave it to Governor Perry to only worry about himself.

As we are all aware, Rick Perry had an interesting year, to say the least.  In a preview for the February edition of Texas Monthly, Paula Burka writes a memoir of Rick Perry's political roller coaster.  At the beginning of 2011, he won his third term in office as the Governor of Texas.  Carrying his Texas ego and walking taller than ever Rick Perry felt unstoppable.  When delivering a speech Perry said, "You might say historians will look back on this as the Texas Century. Americans once looked to the East Coast for opportunity and inspiration, then to the West Coast. Today they are looking to the Gulf  Coast... they are looking to Texas."  With high hopes, "Perry announced his candidacy for President" (Burka).  He started his candidacy strong, "He had every necessary attribute to become President: rugged handsomeness, a compelling record of job creation, an undefeated electoral record, a prodigious fundraising ability, and a legendary talent for the kind of retail politics that early-primary states are said to require" (Burka).  Everything was going great and Perry was on the top of polls until he made some, what seem minor mistakes, that put Perry on the bottom; where he would remain.  The article is important because Burka's article attempts to give hope for Rick Perry. Perry had a rough time in candidacy; maybe he was not mature
enough in politics for Presidency, but Texans can't deny that for the past two terms Perry has been nothing less than a good Governor.  Although Texans may be ashamed, embarrassed, and angry with Perry, he is going to be the Governor for the next 3 years, at least.  I do not believe he will win another term, but I will continue to respect him as our Governor until his term is complete. 

http://www.texasmonthly.com/2012-02-01/feature4.php