Words Can Wait!

My colleague, Justin Navarrete, posted an article “Ban Texting While Driving in Texas?” on December 1, 2014 that caught my attention. Mr. Navarrete states that texting while driving is a big contributor to car crashes and that it increases a person’s chances of a crash anywhere from 8 to 23 times. He also states that in 2011Texas Legislatures approved a texting ban, but unfortunately Governor Rick Perry vetoed the bill. I have been aware that texting and driving is dangerous and is becoming a major concern, but I was not aware that Governor Perry was against passing this much needed ordinance. I strongly agree with my colleague that texting while driving is a dangerous issue and that Texas’ Government should pass an ordinance banning texting while operating a moving vehicle.

Texting while driving is a big concern because drivers of all ages have done it at one point or another. There are various studies out there with stats on the percentage of people who text and drive, but the real problem is with people who actually think they are actually good at it or believe that they have mastered this skill. They don’t stop to think that they could possibly cause an accident that could put their life and other people’s lives in jeopardy. Texting and driving falls under a category of safety risks called distracted driving; acts or actions that keep drivers from safely operating a vehicle. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves a combination of three different types of distractions while driving: visual, manual, and cognitive. This proves that it not only impacts what we see, but also how we respond and the time needed to process what's happening before we can respond! I strongly agree with my colleague that Greg Abbott should put on his agenda to sign the texting ban into law when he officially becomes Governor of Texas. Safety is more important than a few words!

"Safety First"

On March 1, 2013, Austin Texas passed an ordinance banning single-use carryout bags. Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance can significantly reduce the number of thin plastic bags that can harm our environment, engender unsightly litter and end up in landfills that can take many years to decompose. It can also contribute to flooding by clogging storm drains and creeks. It can also harm animals when it is mistaken as food. People in Austin now have the option of bringing their own bags or purchase a reusable bag at checkout. Approximately 9 cities in Texas have enacted the Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance, but Legislature has failed to educate people of the potential hazard of cross contamination. Reducing the use of plastic is great for our environment, but I encourage Texas Legislature to warn and/or educate Texans on the potential hazards of reusable bags before they allow more cities in Texas to enact this ordinance.

Reusable bags can lead to contamination and sickness if people neglect to wash and/or clean them. According to an article in the International Association for Food Protection:

"Reusable bags were collected at random from consumers as they entered grocery stores in California and Arizona. In interviews, it was found that reusable bags are seldom if ever washed and often used for multiple purposes. Large numbers of bacteria were found in almost all bags and coliform bacteria in half. Escherichia coli were identified in 8% of the bags, as well as a wide range of enteric bacteria, including several opportunistic pathogens."

Many people are not aware of the harmful risks and effects associated with unwashed reusable bags. Studies have shown that San Francisco’s ban on plastic bags has led to an increase in bacterial food-borne illnesses and deaths. Washing the bags is known to reduce about 99.9 percent of the bacteria in the bags. Texas Legislature should be aware of its people’s safety and educate the people on the proper care of reusable bags before more cities in Texas enact the Single-Use Carryout Bag Ordinance. Proper care should be printed or displayed on the bags. 

“Abortion Rights + Women’s Choice = Freedom!”

A fellow classmate’s blog posted on November 3, 2014 caught my immediate attention. In her Blog “Pulling Out” Ms. Karis states that Texas government should mind their own business and “STOP” pressuring women against the option of having an abortion. As a woman I strongly agree with Ms. Karis that Texas Government should not interfere with women’s choices on the issue of abortion or make it difficult for a women to have access to an abortion clinic; all women should have the freedom to decide what is good for them and their body. According to a statement made by President Barack Obama, “A woman’s ability to decide how many children to have and when, without interference from the Texas Government, is one of the most fundamental rights we possess. It is not just an issue on choice, but equality and opportunity for all women.” This all leads to women’s rights and women’s choices! Rather a man or a woman we are all entitled to have the choice to choose what is right for our body, not Legislature!

Ms. Karis makes a strong point by addressing the issue of the many children who are placed in foster care because their families either don’t want them or can’t afford to care for them. I believe the option of an abortion are normally considered and/or chosen by women is because they are  too young to care for a child, are in an abusive relationship, pregnancy is conceived through rape, are financially unstable, or wrong timing for a child at the time of conception. If Texas government continues to push the issue of abortion or make it difficult for women to get the help they need then this will lead to problems such as child abandonment, child abuse, unsafe abortion alternatives, or even lead to the extreme of a mother murdering her own child. The recent abortion law that has been proposed in Texas is making it hard for women to seek help. Ms. Karis goes on by stating, “The worst part is that places, such as Planned Parenthood, do so much more than perform abortions; they educate and inform people about sex, give them free contraceptives, breast exams, and other tests.” This clearly justifies Ms. Karis’s argument on the fact that Texas’ Legislature should mind their own business and allow women to have control of their bodies. These clinics are extremely helpful to women in many ways!

As a mother of four children, I am neither for nor against abortion, but I strongly agree with Ms. Karis that Texas Legislature should grant women the freedom of choice! No one regardless of gender should be told what they can or cannot do with their body!

Say “NO” To Marijuana!!!

Who says marijuana is not harmful! Children today are exposed to tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs at increasingly younger ages. The media is rife with images that promote smoking and drinking as "cool," fun, and a natural part of life. Preventing drug use should be an important focus of everyone’s life. The effects of drug use can be devastating and can ruin the prospects of a promising future for many. Texas State Legislators should not be involved with the distribution of recreational marijuana. A substance such as marijuana is considered unhealthy and should not be distributed with the help of the state, because the goal of the state should be to protect its citizens’ health and not to expose them to harmful risks.

Texas should not legalize recreational marijuana because the easy availability of drugs would create new consumers rather than rescuing current ones. Legalizing recreational marijuana will send a message to children that drug use is acceptable. Legalization of recreational marijuana can lead to significant cost burdens that come along with increased marijuana use. It can lead to a greater need for drug education, rehabilitation and treatment. These costs can be higher than any revenue accumulated from the sale of recreational marijuana. Drug use is dangerous to persons besides the user. Drug addiction can lead to criminal behavior. According the NCADD, “The use of illegal drugs is often associated with murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny/theft, serious motor vehicle offenses with dangerous consequences, arson and hate crimes.” The use of marijuana can lead to other types of substance abuse.

A drug user cannot make an informed and rational decision because the use of the drug eliminates that user’s ability to think logically. For example, there will be greater social costs from decline in worker productivity and school performance.

The Alcohol-DrugEducation Service states:

Marijuana affects the central nervous system as a hallucinogen and as a depressant. THC is rapidly absorbed by fatty tissues in various organs. You then feel “high” which can range from feelings of calm and happiness to feeling silly and giddy or paranoid and anxious. When taking high doses, it’s possible to experience hallucinations. The “high” usually lasts for 2-4 hours, but your perceptions can be affected for many hours afterwards, even when you no longer feel “high”.

In Denver there were two deaths linked to marijuana use. According to CBS News:

One man jumped to his death after consuming a large amount of marijuana contained in a cookie, and in the other case, a man allegedly shot and killed his wife after eating marijuana candy. Wyoming college student Levy Thamba Pongi, 19, jumped to his death at a Denver hotel on March 11 after eating more of a marijuana cookie than was recommended by a seller, police records show - a finding that comes amid increased concern about the strength of popular pot edibles after Colorado became the first state to legalize recreational marijuana.

Marijuana is known to be a pain suppressant and has some medicinal positive benefits, but managing the negative effects is more costly than its prohibition so Texas should not legalize recreational marijuana. Legalizing it may result in long-term problems such as crime, institutional/health burden, a weak labor force, etc.… In all honesty, I think the consumption of marijuana should be illegal in Texas and all states in the U.S.A. The children of today are the future of tomorrow, but with marijuana in the picture the future of tomorrow will consist of drug addicts! Legalizing it would take money from our pockets! We have enough crimes in Texas! Who knows how much more we would have if Texas choose to legalize recreational marijuana! Crimes and accidents will increase and so will the deaths of innocent people.

                                                                        

 "Costly Spider"

     

     On Tuesday, October 7, 2014 the Empower Texans posted Michael Quinn Sullivan’s blog titled, “Costly Spider.” Sullivan informs Texas taxpayers on how an eyeless spider (an endangered species) caused a halt to construction and an increase in the costs of a much needed intersection of two roadways in northwestern San Antonio. Sullivan claims that state and federal officials are using too much of taxpayers’ money just to accommodate a spider.

 Texas is a fast growing state and transportation improvements are needed to ensure safe and reliable mobility for all Texans. Sullivan states, “…construction of a badly needed intersection of two roadways was halted two years ago by the Texas Department of Transportation on the discovery of the Braken Bat Cave meshweaver, as the spider is known.” I believe that long and short term economic benefits can interfere with the protection and preservation of species. Land use restrictions to protect endangered species can pose negative impacts on tourism and business which may also lead to loss of jobs for some. According to Sullivan, state officials’ along with federal officials’ solution in accommodating and protecting this endangered species (spider) was to triple the use of taxpayers’ money to replace the original plan of building an underpass with a new plan to build an overpass. Sullivan strongly states, “Their solution, of course, involve lots of money. Your money.” According to Sullivan, this eyeless spider found in Bexar County is costing taxpayers about $44 million. Media reports and TxDOT officials claim that this new amount is three times the original cost. Sullivan strongly argues, “…taxpayers could have built three such interchanges for the price of this one, all because of an eyeless spider.” This extra money could be put to better use!

This money could be used towards much needed healthcare/education. How big of an impact do spiders make in our ecosystem? How does a child’s health/education benefit us? You can already see what weighs more. We no longer see Dinosaurs on the planet whereas they freely roamed on Earth eons ago. Has their non-existence made any difference to life on Earth? Dinosaurs’ absence has no effect on the food chain existing on the Earth. It is highly probable that the extinction of a particular species of animals may be of no consequence in the future; therefore, it would not be justified to spend an enormous amount of money in trying to save the species. On the other hand, if the species can be saved without much investment, then society should do its best to preserve the environment and the animals that live therein. I strongly agree with Sullivan when he humorously stated, “Maybe someone should have just bought a can of bug spray….”

"Texas Will Rake in the Green if it Legalizes Marijuana"

                                                             Photo by Mike Bagby

On Thursday September 25, 2014 the Houston Press published Dianna Wray's article, “Texas Will Rake in the Green if it Legalizes Marijuana,” giving hope to those in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in Texas. Dianna Wray claims that if Texas should choose to legalize recreational marijuana, it would greatly benefit from the large sum of revenue accrued from the market supply and demand of the newly legalized product, generating an impressive profit from sales tax.

               In backing her argument Dianna used a credible source to present her argument on the estimated profits of tax revenue from sales of recreational marijuana. Dianna Wray states that Nerdwallet, a personal finance website, predicts that Texas could make about $166 Million in tax money each year from the sale of recreational Marijuana. Dianna Wray’s argument is not strong because she based her information on pot-use stats from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Is she trying to say that we should legalize marijuana to support pot addicts! Later in her article, Dianna states “… Texas would only levy a 15 percent tax and that only current smokers (aged 25 years old and over) would actually smoke.” Dianna Wray’s argument on this matter is weak because current smokers of marijuana come in all ages. Even now teenagers and much younger children can get their hands on legal and illegal drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, and tobacco; think about how much easier it would be for minors to get it if Texas legalizes another drug.

Although I do not agree with Dianna on the legalization of marijuana, I believe her argument could have been made stronger had she stressed more on how this extra revenue can help Texas' economy. For example, Dianna could have strengthen her argument had she mentioned that Texas and its local government are struggling with rising costs and decreased revenue and by legalizing recreational marijuana the state of Texas and its local government can use the tax revenue to increase income to help the economy by paying for things such as education costs and/or road repairs.” Although I disagree with legalizing marijuana, Wray’s argument would have been stronger had she stressed its health benefits.

Legalization of marijuana has been a rather controversial issue. Many people want this substance to be legalized and available like cigarettes. Some people neglect the serious health risks involved when using marijuana. There is a lot more to marijuana than just smoking it. A number of studies have noted significant correlations between marijuana use and many severe health and social problems. The negative impact of expanded marijuana use will have a severe and pervasive impact on public health from which there will be no turning back. Studies has shown negative impacts from marijuana use such as immune system damage, birth defects, infertility, and stroke. This shows that legalizing marijuana can only do more harm than good.

Dianna Wray's article is interesting, but her argument was not strong enough to change my mind on the legalization of marijuana. Even with regulations and taxes on cigarettes and alcohol you still find minors drinking and smoking. If we add another drug that is already on the street and legalize it, are we not adding to the fire? Do the risks really outweigh the rewards? If Texas joins Colorado and Washington what will we be promoting, would we really be okay with making drug money, putting the state before the people? Truthfully anyone who wants marijuana can easily obtain it so why make it more accessible to our children by legalizing it.

“Workplace Deaths Decline, But Texas Still Fares Worst”

                                                 Thursday, September 11, 2014 by Jay Root 

                                              

           Texas Tribune published an article on Thursday, September 11, 2014 that was written by Jay Root titled, “Workplace Deaths Decline, But Still Fares Worst.” This article primarily stresses the concerns of workplace fatalities in Texas. Jay Root says, “According to preliminary government data, Texas saw a decline in the number of people killed on the job in 2013, but the state still leads the nation in workplace fatalities.” The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an 8 percent decline in workplace fatalities in Texas from 2012 to 2013. In 2013, there were 493 fatal work injuries in Texas, compared with 536 in 2012. Jay Root also states, “Transportation accidents, accounting for 213 deaths, caused the most workplace fatalities in Texas, followed by contact with objects and equipment, 76; falls, slips and trips, 73; violence by persons or animals, 66; fires and explosions, 32; and exposure to harmful substances or environments, 31.” What I read in this article is disturbing because I believe that at the end of the day, the goals are simple, “safety and security.” 

           I recommend that Texas residents read this article because it informs residents of Texas that workplace fatalities are a major concern in the state of Texas. Texas workers compensation laws do not make it mandatory for all employers to carry occupational injury insurance coverage, so people and their families have no occupational benefits when they get injured and/or killed at work.  I believe more focus needs to go into making it mandatory for all employers in the state of Texas to carry occupational injury insurance coverage based on it being the leading state in the nation in workplace fatalities.  I find this article relevant because everyone works and may need the security of workers compensation. No one should have to suffer loss of wages due to a work related incident.