In Shelby's post about Sonia Sotomayor being sworn in as associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Though I may be completely wrong, I feel as though President Obama not only nominated Sotomayor for her qualifications, as Shelby stated, but more because she is a Hispanic.
Obama has faced struggles in becoming the nation's first black president, and I couldn't blame him if he was working towards forming a more culturally diverse government.
Shelby discussed how Sotomayor's background, especially her upbringing, will help her to better understand different issues such as segregation and poverty. I completely agree with this opinion because Sotomayor has lived it, therefore she understands it.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lemme hear a little more, "I'm off to work, be home at 5!"
The economic position of the United States in a touchy subject, to say the absolute least. Our country has long held a reputation for being one of the world's super powers, but now, Americans nation-wide are feeling helpless as these high business towers continue to crash around us. Businesses that have been around for decades are struggling, if not failing, while loyal employees are being replaced with less experienced people who will do the job for half the pay.
After only being in office for a few short months, President Obama and his administration have already made a change in our economy, for the better. According to an article in the New York Times, the nation should be "taking comfort in a report showing that 'only' 247,000 jobs were lost in July, the smallest monthly drop since last August."
Though the number 245,000 is undoubtedly huge in itself, anyone who has followed these numbers over the past few months can say it is shrinking, slowly but surely. An automatic turn-around is simply unrealistic, as it takes time to bring about change, especially a change of these drastic measures. These are hard times for everyone, even the wealthy. Programs have taken flight all over the country, from changes in our health care system to organizations helping people find jobs and change their lifestyle to live more frugally. It may still seem like the end of the world, but tomorrow is definitely a new day in economic America under the Obama administration.
After only being in office for a few short months, President Obama and his administration have already made a change in our economy, for the better. According to an article in the New York Times, the nation should be "taking comfort in a report showing that 'only' 247,000 jobs were lost in July, the smallest monthly drop since last August."
Though the number 245,000 is undoubtedly huge in itself, anyone who has followed these numbers over the past few months can say it is shrinking, slowly but surely. An automatic turn-around is simply unrealistic, as it takes time to bring about change, especially a change of these drastic measures. These are hard times for everyone, even the wealthy. Programs have taken flight all over the country, from changes in our health care system to organizations helping people find jobs and change their lifestyle to live more frugally. It may still seem like the end of the world, but tomorrow is definitely a new day in economic America under the Obama administration.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Rebecca's Executive Decision
In Rebecca's Executive Decision blog, Rebecca commented on an article about a woman baking cakes to save her house and life.
This woman, Angela Logan, is in desperate need of some quick cash in order to pay her mortgage to become eligible for President Obama’s Making Home Affordable plan, an opportunity to lower her monthly payment by one thousand dollars.
I completely agree with Rebecca's take on this subject. Though the story may hit close to home for a lot of us who are also going through financially difficult times, Rebecca turns this story around, from the issue of what one will do to keep their life, to the issue of what one won’t do.
Millions of people have suffered, or at least rearranged their lifestyles, all thanks to this economic crisis. Jobs have been lost nationwide, budgets have been tightened, people have stopped going out to eat quite as much, and those cute outfits have stayed in store windows just a little bit longer. This woman, Ms. Logan, though willing to do honest work for her money, has kept her lifestyle, while wiping out two family members' savings accounts. Why Logan didn't moved to a home with a lower mortgage is beyond me, but Rebecca does an excellent job in putting the situation in perspective: "[People] want and want and would rather go into debt then own up to the fact that they are no longer in a situation to be living the way they are accustomed to."
In my opinion, Rebecca, you are not too cynical in the least.
This woman, Angela Logan, is in desperate need of some quick cash in order to pay her mortgage to become eligible for President Obama’s Making Home Affordable plan, an opportunity to lower her monthly payment by one thousand dollars.
I completely agree with Rebecca's take on this subject. Though the story may hit close to home for a lot of us who are also going through financially difficult times, Rebecca turns this story around, from the issue of what one will do to keep their life, to the issue of what one won’t do.
Millions of people have suffered, or at least rearranged their lifestyles, all thanks to this economic crisis. Jobs have been lost nationwide, budgets have been tightened, people have stopped going out to eat quite as much, and those cute outfits have stayed in store windows just a little bit longer. This woman, Ms. Logan, though willing to do honest work for her money, has kept her lifestyle, while wiping out two family members' savings accounts. Why Logan didn't moved to a home with a lower mortgage is beyond me, but Rebecca does an excellent job in putting the situation in perspective: "[People] want and want and would rather go into debt then own up to the fact that they are no longer in a situation to be living the way they are accustomed to."
In my opinion, Rebecca, you are not too cynical in the least.
Multitasking: The American Way
I came across an article that was talking about the dangers of texting while driving. As we have all heard, this habit is not just common among the younger generations anymore, growing in popularity amongst the average working class.
Americans have become increasingly known to excel in multitasking, but when is enough finally enough? Not only do we listen to music and drive, but you can drive down the street on a daily basis and see that a typical driver has added eating, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, and even reading the newspaper in morning traffic.
This article discusses the Senate's proposal to make texting and driving illegal. This law is already under way in 14 states, and New York legislature recently sent a measure to the governor for a signature. The federal government is becoming more and more involved. As it did in 1984 with changing the legal drinking age, Congress is considering withholding federal highway funds until this idea becomes law in each state.
The way this article was written did an excellent job in grabbing your attention. Pointing out that texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by 8 times, while talking on the phone and even having a .08 alcohol level only increase the risk by 4 times, can definitely be assumed as a rude awakening to some. By way of cold, hard facts presented along a possible solution, there is no room for ifs, ands or buts amongst the idea that texting and driving should be banned.
Americans have become increasingly known to excel in multitasking, but when is enough finally enough? Not only do we listen to music and drive, but you can drive down the street on a daily basis and see that a typical driver has added eating, putting on makeup, talking on the phone, and even reading the newspaper in morning traffic.
This article discusses the Senate's proposal to make texting and driving illegal. This law is already under way in 14 states, and New York legislature recently sent a measure to the governor for a signature. The federal government is becoming more and more involved. As it did in 1984 with changing the legal drinking age, Congress is considering withholding federal highway funds until this idea becomes law in each state.
The way this article was written did an excellent job in grabbing your attention. Pointing out that texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by 8 times, while talking on the phone and even having a .08 alcohol level only increase the risk by 4 times, can definitely be assumed as a rude awakening to some. By way of cold, hard facts presented along a possible solution, there is no room for ifs, ands or buts amongst the idea that texting and driving should be banned.
Monday, July 27, 2009
Is "improving" healthcare really healthy?
Ann Coulter isn't afraid to use her right to freedom of speech and press on issues of health care.
She grabs your attention right off the bat, stating how common it is for poor people to be found with flat screens and middle-class without doctors' visits, and how the government "helping" isn't really help at all.
Over the years, health care aids such as Medicare and the like have always been a discussion point for elections. Anyone from the rich to the poor wants to know what's going to become of the United States health plan, often being compared to that of Canada. Ann uses her article to not necessarily say these organizations are horrible, but to say our system in general is flawed.
I agree with her view one hundred and twenty percent. Young people, like myself, are forced to pay for the same amount of health insurance as someone 3 times my age, whilst also overpaying to diminish the payments of others. Frankly, I think getting health stamps is an amazing idea.
She grabs your attention right off the bat, stating how common it is for poor people to be found with flat screens and middle-class without doctors' visits, and how the government "helping" isn't really help at all.
Over the years, health care aids such as Medicare and the like have always been a discussion point for elections. Anyone from the rich to the poor wants to know what's going to become of the United States health plan, often being compared to that of Canada. Ann uses her article to not necessarily say these organizations are horrible, but to say our system in general is flawed.
I agree with her view one hundred and twenty percent. Young people, like myself, are forced to pay for the same amount of health insurance as someone 3 times my age, whilst also overpaying to diminish the payments of others. Frankly, I think getting health stamps is an amazing idea.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Asylum for Battered Women?
An editorial writer for the New York Times wrote a piece on July 18th discussing the need and availability of asylum for women who have been sexually or physically abused.
We always hear about the inferiority of women in other countries, treated as property and such, with little to no respect or care. By definition, an asylum is an institution for the care of people, especially those with physical or mental impairments, or in this case, a place offering protection and safety; a shelter. In regards to this definition, abused women definitely have rights, but, as stated in this editorial, our United States laws limit asylum to people who suffer because of their "race, religion, nationality, political opinion or 'membership in a particular social group.'”
I find it a bit ridiculous that this issue has remained fairly stable throughout both the Clinton and Bush administrations, with hardly any improvements. Under the new Obama administration, however, some victims may qualify for this "shelter," once able to prove that, in her home country, domestic violence was tolerated.
Though not all victims of domestic violence will be accepted, this article seems to have been written in hopes of raising awareness among the nation. The more people realize the severity of a situation, the more likely the situation is to change.
We always hear about the inferiority of women in other countries, treated as property and such, with little to no respect or care. By definition, an asylum is an institution for the care of people, especially those with physical or mental impairments, or in this case, a place offering protection and safety; a shelter. In regards to this definition, abused women definitely have rights, but, as stated in this editorial, our United States laws limit asylum to people who suffer because of their "race, religion, nationality, political opinion or 'membership in a particular social group.'”
I find it a bit ridiculous that this issue has remained fairly stable throughout both the Clinton and Bush administrations, with hardly any improvements. Under the new Obama administration, however, some victims may qualify for this "shelter," once able to prove that, in her home country, domestic violence was tolerated.
Though not all victims of domestic violence will be accepted, this article seems to have been written in hopes of raising awareness among the nation. The more people realize the severity of a situation, the more likely the situation is to change.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Christian Science Monitor posted an article describing not only President Obama's visits to Africa during his international tour, but also his intentions made clear through speeches.
It seems as though the African leaders were excited to say the least to have a United States president of African descent, but, as said by Steven Ekovich, Obama has an edge no white president has ever had. This president can enforce "tough love" in Africa as well as in the United States, and during his tour proved his determination to end rigged elections and bribery.
Through the media, Americans have been exposed to an idea that the improvement of many conditions in Africa has settled itself into the hands of the United States. Mission groups, as well as monetary and awareness supporters have been working rigorously, doing all in their power to make these changes less of an idea and more of a reality. Groups such as TOMS and Invisible Children, along with countless other organizations, have found various ways to support the social and economic hardships that are common in African societies, and it's a breath of fresh air to see that the president himself is linking arms in this fight for change.
It seems as though the African leaders were excited to say the least to have a United States president of African descent, but, as said by Steven Ekovich, Obama has an edge no white president has ever had. This president can enforce "tough love" in Africa as well as in the United States, and during his tour proved his determination to end rigged elections and bribery.
Through the media, Americans have been exposed to an idea that the improvement of many conditions in Africa has settled itself into the hands of the United States. Mission groups, as well as monetary and awareness supporters have been working rigorously, doing all in their power to make these changes less of an idea and more of a reality. Groups such as TOMS and Invisible Children, along with countless other organizations, have found various ways to support the social and economic hardships that are common in African societies, and it's a breath of fresh air to see that the president himself is linking arms in this fight for change.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
