In a perfect world, what and how would you change the educational system in our country?
-The thing I would change about our educational system is the fact that our whole “purpose” of going to school is in preparation for a job. And as I once heard, “education isn’t preparation for life, education is life itself”. I believe this statement to be correct. We may not necessarily need all the subjects we learn in our future jobs, but it is definitely part of life. I believe learning should not only be limited to the things we “have” to learn, but the things that help us as human beings, the things that interest us and challenge us to explore ore on the subject. I believe the educational system has based itself off of standards that are forever changing. I mean, there are 50 different sets of standards, one pertaining to each state. How then is it likely we know what true education is when we are not setting national standards. I believe that due to this, the states should not have as much control over regulating education and standards. In y opinion, our educational system would greatly flourish if our country as a whole developed one set of standards as well as expectations for all students.
Another thing I would change is the fact that parents are being forced to enroll their students to certain schools because they live in certain area. I believe it to be unfair that parents don’t have the choice of a good quality school for their children. If there were more options for parents, I believe kids would be motivated and so would the teachers because they‘re expected to be excellent. It is evident that in other countries such as the Netherlands, education is of higher quality. This may be due to the fact that people get to choose where they want to attend school, and being that every school is of equal quality, every student gets the opportunity to learn and strive at the same level. Changes such as these may improve our educational system, because it’s not about spending money to better schools. It’s about shifting focus, starting to take education as a part of life.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 13, 2010
Using specific evidence to support your arguments, are you for or against Arizona SB 1070?
Arizona’s new immigration law has spurred controversy due to its “tough” implications. The bill itself allows any officer to ask for citizenship verification if he or she has “reasonable suspicion” of a person already being detained. Not only is the person detained and questioned, but the law also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. I believe the law will create racial profiling, I also think that it will increase crime rates in Arizona in particular because with officials and attorneys “cracking” down on the illegal immigrants, they would not focus as much on the other more serious crimes such as rape and murder. According to a USA today report, many illegal immigrants have already fled the state even before the law became official. This is mostly due to the bad economy of Arizona; even schools have noticed a major drop in attendance. I also believe that Arizona’s economy will decline greatly because illegal immigrants account for $29 million of its budget (as stated by Stephen Colbert in “Comedy Central”). By kicking them out of the country, they let go of approximately 12% of their work force.
In the attempt of protecting their borders, I believe Arizona is doing its part, what I don’t agree with is the process by which they choose to carry out such task. It’s understandable that Arizona is applying this new law due to the issues some illegal immigrants impose; such issues include the trafficking of illegal drugs to the United States. But I believe I speak for many when I say most Mexican (and other nationalities) immigrants come to this country in search of a better life, more opportunities than the ones given to them in their native country and most of all “the American dream”. If we negate these opportunities to people then are we truly “the land of the free”? And besides, wasn’t our country built on immigrants? Those immigrants who thrived and built this nation to what it now stands to be. All in all, I am not for Arizona’s new immigration law because it implies racial profiling, I also believe that it would affect Arizona’s economy in a negative because it is undeniable that illegal immigrants are imperative to the work force of Arizona.
www.csmonitor.com/ “Hispanics abandon Arizona, fleeing economy, immigration law” Haq, Husna Jun. 10, 2010
PBS NEWSHOUR “Unexpected Economic Consequences in Arizona’s Immigration Law”. Chinni, Dante. Jul. 8, 2010
Arizona’s new immigration law has spurred controversy due to its “tough” implications. The bill itself allows any officer to ask for citizenship verification if he or she has “reasonable suspicion” of a person already being detained. Not only is the person detained and questioned, but the law also makes it a state crime to be in the country illegally. I believe the law will create racial profiling, I also think that it will increase crime rates in Arizona in particular because with officials and attorneys “cracking” down on the illegal immigrants, they would not focus as much on the other more serious crimes such as rape and murder. According to a USA today report, many illegal immigrants have already fled the state even before the law became official. This is mostly due to the bad economy of Arizona; even schools have noticed a major drop in attendance. I also believe that Arizona’s economy will decline greatly because illegal immigrants account for $29 million of its budget (as stated by Stephen Colbert in “Comedy Central”). By kicking them out of the country, they let go of approximately 12% of their work force.
In the attempt of protecting their borders, I believe Arizona is doing its part, what I don’t agree with is the process by which they choose to carry out such task. It’s understandable that Arizona is applying this new law due to the issues some illegal immigrants impose; such issues include the trafficking of illegal drugs to the United States. But I believe I speak for many when I say most Mexican (and other nationalities) immigrants come to this country in search of a better life, more opportunities than the ones given to them in their native country and most of all “the American dream”. If we negate these opportunities to people then are we truly “the land of the free”? And besides, wasn’t our country built on immigrants? Those immigrants who thrived and built this nation to what it now stands to be. All in all, I am not for Arizona’s new immigration law because it implies racial profiling, I also believe that it would affect Arizona’s economy in a negative because it is undeniable that illegal immigrants are imperative to the work force of Arizona.
www.csmonitor.com/ “Hispanics abandon Arizona, fleeing economy, immigration law” Haq, Husna Jun. 10, 2010
PBS NEWSHOUR “Unexpected Economic Consequences in Arizona’s Immigration Law”. Chinni, Dante. Jul. 8, 2010
Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 11, 2010
Conversation about war in Afghanistan- The person I chose to discuss the war in Afghanistan with was my dad. He believed the war to be unnecessary and that it was the main cause of our country’s debt. Also, in his view, the U.S should not have the sole responsibility of carrying out such task (ending terrorism- the Al Qaeda). My dad believes that there is a greater reason we are there and have been there fighting the war for 9 years, he thinks we are in search for precious metals (such as the ones found that were worth $3 trillion). I agreed with my father to a certain extent, yes it was a major cause of our county’s economic crisis, but I don’t believe it was completely unnecessary. The purpose of our country being in Afghanistan is to protect both our country and theirs.
My overall impression of the conversation with my father was that we shared many similar views. Obviously we both believe that we should end the war. Although perhaps we would be considered a “weak” nation, I believe it would be worth giving up so we may concentrate on the progress of our country. As the conversation unrolled, I began to rethink my initial perceptions. My dad’s views seemed to have in a way, altered mine. I believe the discussion helped me to further understand how this war affects the people. We spoke about the many different military families who have to live through every day not knowing if their loved ones are surviving in Afghanistan or not. We also spoke about the people in Afghanistan who have been terrorized by the Al Qaeda and the Taliban, so we concluded that it was a major disadvantage to both countries to be fighting this war.
My overall impression of the conversation with my father was that we shared many similar views. Obviously we both believe that we should end the war. Although perhaps we would be considered a “weak” nation, I believe it would be worth giving up so we may concentrate on the progress of our country. As the conversation unrolled, I began to rethink my initial perceptions. My dad’s views seemed to have in a way, altered mine. I believe the discussion helped me to further understand how this war affects the people. We spoke about the many different military families who have to live through every day not knowing if their loved ones are surviving in Afghanistan or not. We also spoke about the people in Afghanistan who have been terrorized by the Al Qaeda and the Taliban, so we concluded that it was a major disadvantage to both countries to be fighting this war.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
What is the most important economical issue facing the United States right now?
- I believe the wars in Afghanistan and Iran have contributed towards being one of the leading economical issues in the U.S because of the amount of money it costs us. As stated by Roxana Tiron, and according to the Congressional Research Service "The U.S spends about $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan". This is, I believe, greatly contributes to the U.S gross debt which according to CNNMoney.com has reached $13 trillion. Wars such as the one in Afghanistan decimate the possibility of having a stable, debt-free economy, the reason being that governmental spending is consistent. One may ask the question; "why is this war being fought?" and "how will it benefit us?" well the answer may be found in the last decade that we have been in Afghanistan, there has been no defined "progress" from fighting the war. The only thing the war has done is it has gotten us deeper in the debt we are in.
I believe if we cut the governmental spending on these unnecessary and otherwise irrational wars our country will greatly benefit of it. Instead of spending that money on war, we could be focusing more on our educational system and other things. This affects the people of the United States in not just our economy but our people. The troops that are located in such war areas may suffer great injuries as well as death. Not only are we affected by it but so are the people of Afghanistan (as well as other places) who have no choice but to live with the situations, the loss of loved ones, property-the sense of living. This can be prevented if we resigned, we would use that money otherwise being spent to grow as a country and prevent another one from suffering.
Tiron, Roxana. "U.S. spending $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan according to CRS report". Oct.14 2009 The Hill. Jul. 6 2009.
CNNMoney.com "Why U.S debt matters to you". Jun. 30 2010.
- I believe the wars in Afghanistan and Iran have contributed towards being one of the leading economical issues in the U.S because of the amount of money it costs us. As stated by Roxana Tiron, and according to the Congressional Research Service "The U.S spends about $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan". This is, I believe, greatly contributes to the U.S gross debt which according to CNNMoney.com has reached $13 trillion. Wars such as the one in Afghanistan decimate the possibility of having a stable, debt-free economy, the reason being that governmental spending is consistent. One may ask the question; "why is this war being fought?" and "how will it benefit us?" well the answer may be found in the last decade that we have been in Afghanistan, there has been no defined "progress" from fighting the war. The only thing the war has done is it has gotten us deeper in the debt we are in.
I believe if we cut the governmental spending on these unnecessary and otherwise irrational wars our country will greatly benefit of it. Instead of spending that money on war, we could be focusing more on our educational system and other things. This affects the people of the United States in not just our economy but our people. The troops that are located in such war areas may suffer great injuries as well as death. Not only are we affected by it but so are the people of Afghanistan (as well as other places) who have no choice but to live with the situations, the loss of loved ones, property-the sense of living. This can be prevented if we resigned, we would use that money otherwise being spent to grow as a country and prevent another one from suffering.
Tiron, Roxana. "U.S. spending $3.6 billion a month in Afghanistan according to CRS report". Oct.14 2009 The Hill. Jul. 6 2009.
CNNMoney.com "Why U.S debt matters to you". Jun. 30 2010.
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