Protection not Profits

    When I first read your blog about the idea of privatizing social security, I was confused. I agree with you about how something so big and centrally run like S.S. could disperse itself among thousands of individual investor’s with-out expecting any problems.  The first thing that comes to mind is corruption, once you get that much money moved from the government to individual investors, there is no telling what could happen in-between the cracks.. Yes regulations and rules will be set and yes there are those who will follow them, but there is always that few who will take advantage and ruin it for the majority. Why are we giving them this opportunity?  There are already accusations of corruption within our current system which is run by few people, and moving it in such a way to where millions of people could be responsible, just seems absurd. Social Security was designed to help and protect the elderly, not make profits from them.

Let’s keep the system the way it is and address the problems that face it with adequate provisions; something as powerful as S.S. should only be handled by a knowledgeable few.  

Gun reciprocity shoots holes in states' rights

If you’ve lived in Texas then you’ve seen, or know someone that has, a firearm. From hunting in the rural ranches to protecting yourself in the city; gun control has always been a hot topic for our state.  Now in USA Today, an editorial writes about gun control and how it’s being stripped away from the states. The notion is that the House is voting on a measure that would require all states to accept each others carry permits, no questions asked. For example, if I were to obtain a concealed handgun license in Texas and travel across the country any state I travel through, outlawing a “concealed handgun”, must now oblige by Texas law on handguns. At first, to me the average hunter, it seemed to make sense; why hasn’t this been done in the past, came to mind. The NRA has pushed hard on this issue, lobbying House members to place the bill on the table. After thinking a little longer though, I seemed to agree with the writer of the article. Allowing something like this would go against everything our nation was built on, what happened to state rights? In a movement to make things easier to some individuals would probably be detrimental to others. Not only would this type of legislation cause political tyranny, but it’d also infringe on the safety of those whose states do have strict gun control laws. And what happens when the case is murder, if it were in a different state by an individual who had a handgun, which was only obtainable in his “other” state, where is the line drawn? Does he get charged with murder or would the law exemplify him simply biased on this legislation. I hope this bill doesn’t gain popularity, which personally I don’t think it is, it causes too much infringement on states’ rights with little benefits to us all.

Wade's Gov. on Immigration, In-State tuition, and What We're Doing

After reading my classmate’s article about Immigration, In-State tuition, and What We’re Doing, certain aspects came to mind. Being from a border town, Laredo, I have firsthand knowledge of the recent and past drug violence, aided by the “flow” of immigration, causing harm to American border town communities. Before, tourist from around the world would travel to Laredo to shop across the bridge into our sister city, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico; since 2003, when violence started occurring in Nuevo Laredo, almost all main attractions (shops, restaurant’s, and clubs) closed down within months. The tourist rate and economy in all border towns have plummeted, and continue to do so today. Three of my high school friends having lunch across the border passed on when gunfire erupted and the restaurant blew up by a grenade launcher. With this kind of firsthand information, I would have to disagree with you on your point that the United States needs to stop giving millions to stop the flow of illegals into this country. Their position by enforcing stricter policies along the border, in my opinion, is substantial and needs more applying. By stopping the influx of immigrants today we will not only contribute to stopping the genocide that is happening along our Texas border; but also halt the violence that continues to spread into northern regions of the U.S.

Now on your point on giving Immigrants, who are already living here, the opportunity to gain citizenship through college courses is exceptional! Back home I have several highly intelligent “illegal” high-school friends, who went to an engineering magnet and scored higher on their SAT’s than most “legal” students, and are scared to pursue a college carrier because of being deported due to our current system; what a shame! I believe stricter border laws need to be enacted purely for security, but immigration laws within the states need to be reformed in favor for those already living in America looking for the American Dream; just as our forefathers intended.