Texas is Independent-minded But Acts Dependently in U.S.

There have been disputably seven (7), count 'em seven (7) official constitutions for Texas. Why? Texas came and went from Mexico, to Republic, To U.S. a few times. There were many reasons, it was just depending on the Texas time-line and where they were. Texas and its citizens may act like it's the best damn independent, Republican boundary of land but in all honesty this hasn't been proven the case. In the early 1800's Texas gained independence from Mexico due to conflicts of political ideals. Texas arose as the Republic of Texas. Until the United States annexed Texas. Not years later but just in 1 month. I do agree to those who say Texas has enough resources to be independent. That is a big reason why Texas is not the worst off in this current recession. However Texas has not really acted to be independent since 1836 (independence from Mexico). Plus Texas never showed any effort against the simple act of U.S. Congress to annex Texas land. Texas nationalism is like U.S. nationalism on steroids. I do not know how this came to be, but Texas citizens talk really big about their state. How it is the biggest state in the U.S. (besides Alaska but they leave this part out), how everything is therefore bigger in Texas. The coolest folk in Texas have to have the biggest trucks, even if they don't need the truck's massive 4v4 capability (which is mostly the case). I certainly respect everybody's point of view in Texas because, when it comes down to it, nobody (not even its own country) is going to mess with it. My point is that Texas sure can talk the talk. They just need to walk the walk. If we are by majority a Republican country and need to become a Republic, then please go for it. Don't just sit down and claim Texas is the biggest and baddest while U.S. stands over it.

Hubbard's Question to America: "What Are Our Priorities?"

Ed Hubbard is a "regular" in David Jenning's "Big Jolly Politics" blog site. Hubbard's posts tend to be aimed at either political Texas, America, or the nation's classic pass time: Baseball. Those are, in my opinion, two very important subjects. In this recent article Hubbard addresses America's current involvement with countries across the globe. This includes Japan and countries that are a part of the middle east. Also he breaks down America's own central issue: the debt. This post is simply an informative eye-opener for American citizens and to give food-for-thought on our existing decisions and their consequences in running this country.

He discusses his opinions towards topics that are in order from what he thinks is most to least important. Guess where national debt stands: number 1. I completely agree that it is the first priority of this nation. I may seem selfish but I believe every country has its own issues and they should fix themselves before offering help to one another. If we don't start prioritizing ourselves and we collapse, well then what's the point in giving anywhere in the middle east a hand? We won't have a hand to give or even lend because borrowing is what our nation's method of payment is in the first place and it is causing permanent damage.

Number 2 priority is our involvement in the middle east. I disagree with Hubbard when he claims he supports our war efforts. BUT I do agree with his statement immediately after he claimed his support that the war should not prolong because it is raising our debt. He also reminds us that our debt is the number one priority. Later he brings up a clever idea to leave any of these middle eastern issues to a more neighboring country such as France or Britain. George Bush Senior has seemingly started a trend for America to almost impulsively fight for our allies in problems that we are not directly affected in.

The last and most recent priority is the devastated Japan. Hubbard claims Japan is at a very critical economical position and may need not only our help but perhaps a helping hand from China. If Japan collapses there will be a power shift in the East. How all this may happen or how it would result I have no idea. I just know Japan is in trouble.

If you would like to view the full article: Ed Hubbard's "What are our Priorities?"

Critique: "We Have a $1.6 Trillion Problem"

To start, based on the beginning of this commentary, the author provides a sarcastic title. The author is responding to an update from Obama about his proposition to solve part of the deficit issue. The author replies to the proposition starting with a snotty remark of a title (not in a bad way). Throughout the commentary the author makes a strong (and agreeable) point that $1.6 Trillion is a lot of money, yet that is only a fraction of the whole deficit issue. I agree with the author's reply to Obama's metaphor of the mountain (mountain = mountain of debt for citizens). The author is right the the mountain is already here, and I do think it has been here for as long as I can remember. Although there has been propositions for budget cuts, the military has not been touched. I don't understand this but with both Bush Senior and Junior war was their main focus. Playing President meant playing with soldiers in their eyes. Unfortunately Obama hasn't tried to put forth an effort to turn that ship around and get the troops back home and out of the way of an issue that has no rightful place for America. Lastly, the author brings up a point that "spending cuts should come first." It is fact the government has been spending what they do not have and simultaneously borrowing what they cannot pay back. The government needs to get off their high horse and realize they're writing too many I.O.U.'s and basically treating those as their final method of payment. The profit for this country seems to be a lost cause, with no one to stop those who are at the top. The high chair needs to be pulled out from underneath them.
Here is the full link: Austin American Statesman's "We have a $1.6 Trillion Problem"

Budget Cuts in Education Cuts on Closing Achievement Gap

Though Texas is a very big and widely diverse state, this wasn't also the case for those who received college degrees. Texas has been putting forth effort to close the "achievement gap," as said in the article, to promote the diverse state to become a more educated one as well. But since Governor Rick Perry has been pushing his colleagues towards decreasing the Texas deficit by cutting higher education budgets the total cost (tuition, books, you name it) for students will increase. This will defeat the purpose of community colleges being more convenient and affordable than universities. There are many students of all races who could not afford paying for education in a university, like me. I can just afford community college on the edge of my financial comfort. I use this article in hopes of opening the eyes of whomever reads this. It's the American dream to get a degree and succeed in a career. Perry targeting our reach for success is and will be holding more of us back.
Here is the link to the original Article.