Immigration shimmigration

After reading BlackWhite Gov'Tx's blog I completely agree, the flaws in the Immigration system have been long over looked. According to Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform an average of 10,000 immigrants cross the border illegally everyday, only 1/3rd of these immigrants get caught, and only around half of those who don't get caught, become legal residents of the United States.

These figures prove that the system is not functioning properly. The blog makes a good point with over $2000 in fines and no legal way for undocumented citizens to make that money, the government is not helping these people. The government is instead, causing more of a struggle for those who are attempting to get away from a troubled country or past.

The point I am trying to make is, when is America going to become a safe haven for those in need?

Rape Rant

I have been meaning to touch on this issue for a while, Representative Todd Akin is absolutely "out of touch," just as the Huffington Post quotes. Todd Akin is a long time Representative who in his election primary's for Senate stated that women who are victims of what he called "legitimate rape" rarely get pregnant.

According to this 2003 study, "Are per-incident rape-preganancy rates higher than per-incedent consensual preganancy rates," Akin is wrong, in fact evidence points in the opposite direction.  So where is Akins getting his medical advice? I'm guessing the doctors that attend Westboro Baptist Church...

It is people like Todd Akin that make me question how anybody could still think statements like these are legitimate and that its acceptable to say them out loud.Todd Akins is no better than the college student from Arizona who thinks girls are asking for rape by wearing shorts. Not only do I wonder how this guy could really think this way, but I wonder why he is getting votes. How do you win 12 years of elections with beliefs like that. Please tell me it is not because the majority of voters agree with him...

Marijuana... donjuana?

National Government

After reading this article (and before reading it), I agree with you that marijuana should be legalized. You make a good point, America is known for the highest rates of incarceration out of any country. If we decriminalized the use of marijuana and put a tax on it, we could help with the countries climbing debt, and take care of our inmate overpopulation. As long as most careers require drug testing I don't believe marijuana usage will rise to an all time high. I believe if we changed the laws against marijuana distribution, those who are buying from dealers (who buy from dealers, who buy from cartel members) will instead buy from stores, who will buy from local growers. I think that by converting it into a nationally taxed crop we will ultimately be fighting the war on drugs, and putting those risky drug operations out of business.

The Nation's Birth Control

Recently, President Obama set forth an amendment to his former proposal regarding the universal healthcare program and more specifically, contraception. Originally, "Obamacare" stated that companies with over 50 employees could either sponsor a health plan(including preventative medication like contraception) for their employees or pay fines for not doing so. When this original version was enacted, it outraged a number of leaders within religiously affiliated organizations. In Obama's newest revision he attempts to accommodate those who saw issues with providing contraception to their employees because of religious reasons. This isn't the first time that religion has interfered with a woman's right to choose contraception, yet our president is adjusting the health care reform to suit their right to religion. How about the employees’ right to choose? Not everyone that works for a faith-based organization follows the faith as strictly as might that organizations’ leaders. Should all employees be subjected to a different lifestyle because their employer holds differing beliefs. Obama's latest proposed change is that the organization wouldn't have to pay for the contraception coverage but that the individual could obtain a separate plan to cover contraception needs. This poses another challenging situation. What challenges might it present for that employee to receive that extra coverage? If their employer already disagrees with the practice of contraception, will it create an environment in which people that need it will feel comfortable asking for it? If businesses and organizations have such power over government, where will the exceptions and the interference with citizens rights stop?




Sources:
Bill Losey

Huffington Post

Has anyone heard of the VAWA???

I recently read an article on the Huffington Post about a bill that was just reauthorized by the President today.  The author, Valarie Jarrett, writes that the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is now back in place and strengthened, making it easier for communities to help those who are affected by domestic and sexual violence. 
Jarrett states that the act will affect all women and men affected by violence, with a focus on young people and minorities. Colleges will now make better efforts to provide information about dating violence,sexual assault and stalking. The article states that the bill will continue to provide "the vital resources they(victims) deserve."
The key words that stick out in this article are "continue," continue, what? Maybe it is just me but this is the first I am hearing of the VAWA. Working at a shelter for young moms, the majority of whom are minorities and victims of the violence mentioned in the article, you would think I would have heard about it. 
If the government wants to help, they can start with studying unreported violence and encouraging women to come forward. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Only 25% of all physical assaults and 20% of all rapes against females by their partners are reported to the police. Of the cases that do get reported, on average, a woman will be assaulted by her partner or ex-partner 35 times before reporting it.  The government could provide more support to non-profits, and other companies that give refuge to the victims. The efforts the article mentions seems to fall short when it comes to the majority of victims who suffer anonymously.
I applaud the government for their efforts, really, however if the creators of the VAWA researched a little more they would find that according to Futures Without Violence women of all ages are at risk for domestic and sexual violence, and those age 20 to 24 are at the greatest risk of experiencing nonfatal intimate partner violence. Young women age 20 to 24 also experience the highest rates of rape and sexual assault, followed by those 16 to 19. People age 18 and 19 experience the highest rates of stalking. I believe the government should start addressing the issue at the same time as Sex Education. 

Immigration again?

I read a recent article in the Austin American Statesman covering the current political discussion surrounding immigration. The Editorial Board writes about what seems to be an endless debate, immigration reform.  The authors make an effort to convince Austinites that moving forward with immigration reform and working together across party lines to reform immigration practices, we will benefit our society and economy. The authors point out that not only is it taking the government too long to come to a decision about immigration laws, but the theory that an enforcement heavy approach will help, has been proven wrong in multiple cases. They cite Georgia and Arizona as examples illustrating that purely cracking down on laws is not effective and may actually hurt our society as a consequence. Arizona is hurting in more ways than one, according to Forbes magazine; the economy is falling fast, the job market is in question, and housing is still an issue. Not only is Georgia suffering economically, other factors are attributed to its downfall. For example, many undocumented citizens are being forced into hiding for fear of deportation. According to Times Free Pressundocumented citizens are forced to pack up and leave.  America was built by immigration and we should not become a place as fearful and unwelcome as the ones where the immigrants come from. How can we make immigration work for America while still being able to help those seeking asylum, or escaping a heavily corrupt county. If we as a country follow in Arizona and Georgia's footsteps we will end up suffering as well. The authors illustrate that we are living in a fantasy land if we think that shutting off all borders from all sides is going to help our country.  If our government would stop worrying about the microscopic details and start acting, our country may begin to flourish again.

Read Me: Immigration Reform

All the recent talk about gun control has stolen the thunder; from something I think really effects us here in Texas, illegal immigration. According to the Texas Tribune, more than one million undocumented citizens or illegal-immigrants live in Texas, second to only California.  Chances are every student in this class has known or met at least one undocumented person, here in Austin. The United States is greatly affected by this issue, especially the Border States, yet the subject hardly comes up, unless it is election time. Recently Obama spoke on an Immigration Reform and according to CNN the President is trying to push the reform along. Both the House legislatures and the Senate are now moving forward to come up with a solution for not only the undocumented citizens already in the United States but also for the Border control. The article illustrates why this issue is taking so long to get pushed through, by showing both the liberal and conservative views on the subject.  So I urge you to get informed on the subject and read the things our Government may push forward, as they may affect you or someone you know.