"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.