Congress and the Poor

I agree with Rawlin's post, Congress does need to improve the system for low-income citizens. BUT, will they actually ever do it? In my honest opinion, they will never help them. Wealthy Americans already deem the poor lazy, so why would they ever take the time out to improvement their environment? I'm not saying all rich people are like this but most in Congress are. They're has been poverty since the beginning of this nation, but some wealthy Congress members still only look to benefit themselves and other rich people. 

The New Normal

Riots, protests, and uprisings, "Welcome to the new America." The writer of this article, Tavis Smiley, tells us the obvious, America is becoming a military nation controlled by the police. In recent news, the protests in Baltimore, Maryland are sparking young people to take action. Smiley states that America is in a catastrophe because of the unjustified killings of Travyon Martin, Eric Garner, and Freddie Gray. He says that the visionary and leader Martin Luther King Jr. who advocated that racism, poverty, militarism was eminent then and is still today. Smiley also argues that all of this is about humanity rather than race.

This article is accurate. Through social media and mainstream news, Americans can watch and read what's happening in the United States citizens, in my opinion mainly African Americans. American history can be taken back to slavery where Blacks battled racism, poverty, and militarism. Then in the 1950s and 1960s Blacks fought for Civil Rights to basically be considered humans in the eyes of white supremacists. Now Blacks are still fighting through the American youth's protests. I believe it's outrageous, why should Blacks have to fight to basically be recognized as humans, to have rights, to obtain justice for unjustified deaths in court? From Emmitt Till all the way to Freddie Gray, Blacks' lives have and are not being justified. Lastly, I do believe that this is first about race, then humanity. Throughout history people have always classified Blacks as thugs, savages, etc. The most deaths from police seem to be Blacks. Also some Whites still believe that racism is nonexistent. Why? Because they don't experience it. Whites are the majority and historically are the "supreme race". 

In my opinion, America has the potential to become a Panem, the country from the movie and novel, the Hunger Games. 

An American's Privacy

A U.S. citizen’s privacy is among many controversial issues to deal with while living in America. Is our government really taking and listening to our information and would it be better if they didn’t? I agree with this post and am baffled about Edward Snowden’s reveal. I’m not a criminal nor have a record but I, personally, like my privacy. There needs to be boundaries with this, the NSA should not have this much access to our lives. Yes I know this is for our nation’s protection but what if that personal information gets into the wrong hands?

Safety vs. Lesbian/Gay Discrimination: What's More Important?

Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas has a message for the lesbian and gay community: "Be grateful, gays of America. Instead of being potentially denied services at your local restaurant, you could be living in Iran, where they execute gays." Senator Cotton claims that his statement is based off religious freedom and hostility from Iran. He advocates that religion should be put into play when on the issue of lesbian and gay rights, considering that religious freedom is in an amendment therefore U.S. citizens have a right to be against gays. This doesn't mean gays should be scrutinized; people should just not pay them any mind. Lesbians and gays will be okay; it's not like it's the 1950s and one race wants to eliminate another. Minorities had it way worse. On the topic of the hostility from Iran should be made bigger because the U.S. doesn't need to be fighting with anyone, let alone a country that possesses a nuclear bomb. You may call me inconsiderate, inhumane, or whatever you would like but I think the U.S. people should be worrying about protection rather than if another human being can't be helped at a local restaurant (unless it's a race issue). Though discrimination should not be used for any types of people, there are better things to worry about.

Cutting Public School Spending

This article describes how Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker wants to treat education. Governor Walker wants to cut spending on public schools, is willing to allow any kind of teacher to teach (including teachers who don’t know how to teacher), cut standardized testing, and support independent charter schools. He also wants to keep vouchers for low-income families BUT he wants to take that money from the public schools. Governor Walker seems to be for charter schools instead.

Capper’s, the author of the editorial, main audience is people who are for public school education. Capper tries to prove that some politicians are against public schools and want to damage them. Capper isn’t an infamous person nor a politician, he’s just a regular guy with an educated opinion. Therefore he can see exactly what Governor Walker is trying to contribute to Wisconsin’s education.

The author states that he is for public school education and paints a bad picture of Governor Scott Walker. In Walker’s defense, I attended a public charter school from ninth through twelfth grade and my school would always advocate for their school system to the government; and they still do. Though I hated my stay there, I can say charter schools are better than public schools. Charter schools are smaller, teachers tend to care more, and students are able to receive more attention because of the class sizes. I went to a public middle school, and though I did learn a lot, I feel as if the charter school I went to for my high school years, Harmony Science Academy, was better. They’re also more competitive with grades, so even with having a 3.7 GPA, I still didn’t make it in the top 10%.

Employment Discrimination

In 2008, Samantha Elauf was rejected employment at Abercrombie & Fitch outlet in Tulsa because she showed up to her interview with a hijab on. The Supreme Court was asked to pull the issue back up on last Wednesday and make sure employers know about laws regarding religion and employment. A lawyer opposing this case noted that not having these types of applicants could decrease stereotypes. But the judge explained that Elauf was judged on the way she looked, not by a conversation about her religion.

The author’s name isn’t mentioned but this person is on the LA Times editorial board which makes it seem like they have a popular opinion as oppose to authors who aren’t in that group. The author’s intended audience is Muslims and religious supporters.  The author is also for equal employment, proven that he/she doesn’t bash the issue. He/she informs the readers that there can still be some kind of discrimination in workplaces even with just an interview. The author also explains that the United States government also is for equal employment by making sure employers, especially Abercrombie & Fitch employers, know the laws and carry them out.

I agree that employers shouldn’t judge applicants based on the way they look. Humans are too unpredictable for assumptions.

Immigration Reform Issues

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/02/12/republicans-latino-vote_n_6674056.html

This article describes the trouble with the immigration reform and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The bill has not been passed and it is taking a toll on DHS because of Republicans. Instead of it being a social-government issue, it is just a government issue, and it seems very personal. Republicans are deeming it unconstitutional. Latinos, mostly Democrat, say that Republicans want to deport Latinos. That statement is believable, because Latinos are also stating that the reform is being opposed but no measures are being taken to counteract the decisions. The issue that is upsetting Latino Democrats is that the Republicans do not want any new positive immigration laws and don't want to provide an alternative.