Texting While Driving

             Vanessa Tamayo’s blog post “Distracted driving is blind driving ” is relevant and accurate. Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous!  My favorite line Vanessa wrote was that texting is “something that can wait.” Incorporating a no texting while driving law is just putting restrictions on when it is allowed; no text is ever as important as a life but unfortunately, according to Vanessa’s blog, 6,000 deaths from texting while driving happen annually.

              In addition, I believe if someone is riding a bicycle, they should follow the same rules as a vehicle; including not texting while on the road.  Changing songs on an iPod or media on any electric device is just as dangerous as texting because the driver does not have total focus on the road. Their attention is being divided between at least two different things. I think banning the use of electronics would help eliminate accidents having to do with distractions whether you’re riding a bike or driving a vehicle.

 Unfortunately, people will still continue to text while driving regardless of the law.  I have seen a public service commercial showing the dangerous and tragic results of texting while driving.  Public service announcements on the dangers of texting while driving could be shown at the TX Dept of Public Safety for people waiting in lines. The effects are serious and people should know why texting should never be done by the driver of a moving vehicle.

Standardized Testing Today

             The STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) exam is the latest standardized exam in the Texas public schools today.  This new exam started in the spring of 2012 when it replaced the TAKS test. Its purpose is to make sure adequate learning skills are taught in an educated and safe classroom by well prepared teachers.

               I think that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) should remove the STAAR exam as well as other high stakes testing. In 2012, the STAAR exam alone cost Texas $89 million dollars.  In addition, the annual cost of testing has risen every year.  I believe there are many other places in the education system where this money could increase learning.  In 2011, the Legislature took $4 billion from the education system’s budget and instead of removing these unnecessary high dollar tests, 900 of the needed faculty and staff were laid off. The benefits to this exam are nowhere near the cost and cuts it has required. 

Not only are we wasting money on this exam but the results show it is not even helping students grow in their knowledge.  The exam is a standardized test that focuses on whether or not Texas students are at the same education level as others both nationally and internationally.  I do not think standardized tests are a good measurement of one’s amount of knowledge. In no way is the STAAR exam preparing students for a higher level of education. Furthermore, it seems to be causing stress and anxiety for the students, parents and teachers.

At the end of the 2011-12 school year, more than 150,000 high school freshmen failed STAAR exam.  In order to graduate high school, one must pass all 15 of the EOC (end-of-course) exams.  If the student happens to fail an exam, there are re-takes during the summer.  If they still cannot make up the course, they are not allowed to graduate.  This puts a lot of pressure on these students!

I would like to encourage the Texas Legislature to allow teachers to focus on teaching and students progressing in their learning rather than just learning how to take standardized tests.  By eliminating the STAAR exam, I believe Texas could get back to a quality education for public school students.

Elderly Drivers

After reading Huy Le’s blog post dated July 27, 2012, titled "Stage 5: Why Old People Should Not Drive," I find myself in favor of the idea that “elderly people who are incapable of operating an automobile safely, should not be on public roads.” When I think of car accidents, I usually think of texting or drinking while driving.  The thought of elderly people causing accidents as well is a very logical thought, it had just never occurred to me.

I think Huy did a great job providing evidence that some senses diminish as one ages. This suggests that a simple exam should be conducted to find out if one is still capable of being a good driver.  I like that Huy stated that not all elderly should lose their privileges to drive but only those who cannot pass the exam.  Currently, Katie’s Law forces those over 79 years of age to take this exam every 6 years.  I agree with Huy that this age should be lowered. I think 60 years of age might be a better baseline age requirement with follow up exams every 4 years. Once the driver reaches the age of 72, an annual exam would be beneficial. According to the American Optometric Association, the most common vision problems in adults occur between the ages of 40-60 years, thus the reason I suggest the age be lowered to 60. Yes, it may seem like a hassle to get a license renewed more frequently once you turn 60, but by requiring this it may keep unsafe drivers off of the roads, hopefully reducing accidents caused by elderly drivers.

At the end of Huy’s blog post he states that “the prevention of unnecessary accidents caused by this group is completely possible with more frequent exams.” I believe a lot of the accidents due to age related impairments will be reduced, however; there are still cases of reckless driving that happen regardless of age.

Texas Legislature: Are They Really Worth It?

I think the Legislative Branch of the Texas State and Local Government should give all state employees equal benefits no matter what job position they hold. When Texas law makers decide to make a law change that will negatively effect workers, it never seems to effect those in the legislature.  The legislature only works for 140 days in a 2 year period and receives a $7,200 yearly salary or $14,400 for 140 days of work. In addition to their general salary, the legislature is paid a per diem (an allowance for each day) of $150 daily. A little over a year ago, the Texas Ethics Commission required the legislature’s daily stipend amount for food, travel, etc. be lowered.  It was originally $168 daily.  Yes, the legislature did have a budget cut, but again, this was not by their choice.   I totally understand why someone in an official position would not suggest a lower rate for themselves however; if they are going to make changes that affect other state workers, it should apply to them too.  It is only what is honest and right.  There should not be special exceptions just because they are the ones in control.  If all suggested budget cuts applied to them as well, maybe they would take a different approach to each situation and really think about the effect that change would have on the state and government. Retirement packages are where Texas’ Legislature really hit it big.  For just 10 years of service, law makers receive $28,750 annually for the duration of their lives. What I really have a problem with is the legislature reducing other employees salaries or laying them off while it has no effect on them.  If all budget cuts affected the legislature, they might re-think them for what is best for the community and state.

Is Blue The New Red?

While in San Antonio last week, President Barack Obama announced at a fundraiser that Texas will soon be a battleground state. Texas has been a Republican state since the late 1990’s. Obama feels that because of Texas’ changing demographics, Democrats will soon flood the state of Texas causing it to go blue.  This brings Democrats much hope.

Michael Hurta from the Burnt Orange Report shared his views on this situation in an article published July 21, 2012, titled “Texas Not a Battleground? Obama: ‘That's Going to be Changing Soon’.” Hurta takes the side of President Obama, agreeing that this change for Texas will happen soon. This statement is proved by Hurta stating, “The president has said so, and he has some pretty good political minds around him all the time. If you did not already believe it, believe it now.” It seems like Hurta is just agreeing with Obama because he is the president and because he knows there are other important, knowledgeable people that have influenced Obama’s statement.  I don’t feel like he is coming up with his own supporting facts. Yes, the president said so, but where are YOUR facts on this situation? I believe that there is always a chance Texas could go Democratic. Personally, I can see that the demographics are changing in Texas. I think slowly over time, Texas will shape into a more democratic state.  However; for right now, I think Texas is still a Republican state.  Hurta’s biggest focus on the article seems to be supporting the democratic presidential campaign in any way possible. I get the vibe that Hurta is quite excited about this possible change in the government and is planning to help get it started.  Possibly, the reason he chose to talk about this change is to rally people up to donate and raise money for the democratic party.  If you can give the people hope that their party will be in control, chances are they will be more willing to support. I think that is one of Hurta’s goals from this article.

What 10k Will Buy You These Days

On June 29, 2012, Kim Quaile Hill’s article was published in The Austin American Statesman on Governor Rick Perry’s goal to keep the costs of college degrees low. Hill supports Perry’s decision to have degree options for under $10,000. This includes books, tuition and other small fees.  She states it to be a “noble ambition.”  According to the article, there are only a limited number of public Texas universities that offer a few degrees at that price. This presents a small amount of choices for those only wanting to pay $10,000. Hill states that if a university is planning on creating degrees at such a price, they will need to “ditch most of their research missions, their nationally and internationally reputed faculty, their nationally ranked academic programs, and their graduate and professional programs.” Macon State is one university that has already done this. If you compare one of their $10,000 degrees to that of a higher costing degree program, the value of Macon’s does not hold much value. Hill’s main point is that “you get what you pay for.” I agree with all of the author’s points in this article.  I think this article was written with current or future college students in mind, but honestly, it applies to more than just college degrees. If you want quality, sometimes you have to be willing to pay more for it.  Hill’s credibility comes from serving as an Eppright Professor of Undergraduate Teaching Excellence and as a Cullen-McFadden Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University.

Perry vs. ObamaCare

The Daily Texan recently published an article on Governor Perry’s decision to opt out of President Obama’s new health care law.  The “ObamaCare” plan requires all citizens to have medical insurance. Perry believes this new health care plan for the United States will make citizens too dependent on the government for their needs. He also believes by participating in this expansion, it will create a deeper debt for our country.  I think this article is important to read because it educates the public on why Perry declined this law for our state. Texas is the fifth state to decline. Clearly there are other states that have the same viewpoints and have chosen to reject this law as well.