Stop!!! It's Red Light...

The idea that red light cameras reduce accidents is generally true if you are referring to broadside or “T-Bone” accidents.  This is the worst kind of collision you can have at an intersection, when a car enters crossing traffic and plows into the side of another car.  A slightly greater number of studies showed that these broadside incidents were reduced by red light cameras. In a recent article by Abbey from Everything is Better in Texas, she mentioned that there is a 25% reduction of crashes around Texas intersections due to the number of Red-Light cameras.  Also, a November 2008 study carried out by the Center of Transportation Safety of the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University found, “a 43 percent annualized decrease in right angle collisions” at 56 intersections with red light cameras.  

We use cameras at almost every crime scene and testify routinely in court as to their validity.  If we were not allowed to use technology to our benefit, we would not have solved thousands of cases each year and criminals would leave undeterred in our efforts to keep our communities safe.   Today’s law enforcement cannot be everything, everywhere, all the time.  We are undermanned and increasingly and increasingly out-gunned.  We have to use every available resource to our benefit in order to have any chance of keeping crime at bay.  I would certainly agree that there have been examples of the improper use of this technology and would not support the use of any technology simply increase funding.  To place law enforcement in a position that they must begin to generate funding to do their jobs would be a gross misuse of the law enforcement community and would lead to a contamination of our legal system, however, I would say we should not throw out the baby with the bath water.  Let’s take a deep breath and a few moments to look at what we might be doing if we use a broad brush and say that red light cameras are all bad and must be eliminated.

I would propose that if the underlying problem is perception that these systems are being used as a funding mechanism, thus being misused, then lets address by regulating how these systems can be used to help keep our citizens safe and where the funding may go instead of totally eliminating our ability to use the technology to our benefit.

I am very much in favor of red light cameras.  I think they deter motorists from running red lights, keeping everyone safe.  Red-light cameras help slow down traffic and help save lives.  Let’s keep the cameras up and please slow down….

More Jobs in Texas?

Since the recession officially ended, Texas has created more than four of every new job in America.  Texas, the reddest of red states, home to gun lovers and school textbooks that openly question whether the Founding Fathers intended for the separation of church and state.  If you care about putting people back to work at a time when nearly 14 million in this country are unemployed, maybe Texas has something to teach us. 

When the data from Texas emerged, conservative president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Richard Fisher were quick to celebrate, embracing the jobs tally as powerful evidence of the superiority of Republican ideas as well as proof that Governor Rick Perry would make a good president, however, that’s overly simplistic.

According to the Dallas Fed, Texas generated 43 percent of the net new jobs in the United States from June 2009 through May 2011.  This is an enormous share when you consider that the Lone Star State accounts for about 8 percent of the nation’s economy.  Aspects of the Texas economy are unusual, if not unique, and it will be difficult or impossible for other states to replicate them.  For example, the energy industry is booming right now, as are agricultural commodities destines for export, a boon for a huge cotton and beef producer like Texas.

Texas is attracting business because it has low taxes, however, this makes for a smaller safety net, which is one reason Texas has a high incidence of poverty and, compared with every other state, the biggest proportion of its population without health insurance.   There are also serious questions about the quality of jobs in Texas.  A “right to work” state has the biggest percentage of workers paid at or below the minimum wage.  Nevertheless, Texas has long been the most robust jobs engine in the country, and its policies and practices deserve deeper reflection.

Texas is not without lots of problems.  Its remarkable employment growth is something we should be proud of.  Our economy might be experiencing a huge budget deficit, doesn’t mean jobs will not be available.   Keep in mind, “There is Always Light At The End of the Tunnel.”  Go Texans!!!

The teachings of Science versus Religion

A recent blog article, "Texas School Board of Gym Teachers" written by William Gee presents the continuous debate between Science and Religion teachings in the classroom.  Science and technology have become the most ubiquitous of human creations, changing how we perceive our world and shaping the way we live.  Science serves our innate need to know, helping us to deal effectively in some measure with forces of nature.  For many, it provides meaning and understanding in facing life's realities and challenges.  Science and Religion have their respective reasons for being.  Each stand alone as independent human endeavors, having their own culture, body of knowledge, processes and procedures of verifying the truth, and ways of serving humanity.  They do not have the same viewpoints about the nature of the world or agree about how the truth is perceived or confirmed. 

Texas School Board of Education's debate regarding the teachings of Science versus Religion in the classroom is merely a political issue.  Why would scientists be more qualified to critique the politics of the American classroom than, say, photography or car racing?  For that matter, why would prominent TV evangelists be qualified to tell Americans what scientific content is appropriate for our children?

There's no question that there's battle for the minds of American children, no question that Creationism belongs in Sunday School and not high school Biology, and no question that we get our fair share of seriously disturbed hate mail because we say: the evidence is in.  Just like the article stated, "The Earth is about 4.5 billion years old," early hominids go back over a million year, and homo sapiens emerged a hundred thousand years ago spreading to Europe around 40,000 years ago.  We get no thanks for suggesting that, if you were going to teach Creationism, you would teach it as part of a survey of world religions, many of which have their own theories of creation, being sure to include the views of Buddhism, Judaism and Islam. 

What is taught in American public schools is a political decision, and if you don't like it, you can teach your kids yourself, or put them in a private school that subscribes to your personal views.  There are many valid reasons for doing so, but there are no valid reasons for trying to require children of other parents to absorb your views too.  Instead of wasting time debating "Science vs. Religion," perhaps we need to stop, step back, and take a fresh look.

I don't see a conflict between Science and Religion, per se.  What I see are global political conflicts between political demagogues acting in the name of the religions they claim to represent, but don't.  If Americans can pause to rue the institutionalized destruction of "different" native American beliefs, values and culture, then surely we owe ourselves, as modern-day Americans, the same courtesy.

Let's Help Raise Higher Education Standards

Raising college education to new heights should be one of the primary goals to help raise our economy.  Much of what we're hearing about Texas' higher education system is nothing more than a disruption from our focus and battle we must fight and win.  Reforming higher education is not about being left or right or conservative or liberal.  It is bout helping Texas students contribute to the future prosperity of our state.

Lawmakers, colleges and universities and business community must work together to help reform Texas higher education.  We must drive the kind of reform that puts more Texas students on the path to higher education and help them earn a meaningful degree.

We do not immediately address the funding and structural reforms necessary to improve our graduation rates and graduate more Texans with advanced degrees or certificates.  With this in mind, Texas repeatedly earns the top spot among ranking for business climate and job creation.

Just over 30 percent of Texans ages 25 to 34 hold an associate's degree or higher.  By 2018, the Business Roundtable estimates that 63 percent of new replacement jobs in the United States will require at least a bachelor's degree.  State lawmakers have reformed a committee to defend our universities against real perceived threats to higher education.

We must do a better job representing the people, especially taxpayers who fund public universities, students who attend them and job creators.  If only about half of Texas students who enroll in a university today will eventually graduate, we cannot expect to stay competitive in business and job creation.

We should ensure accountability of our tax dollars by doing more to address completion rates.  We should help raise higher education standards by hoping that both sides of the "seven distractions" debate will come to an agreement that will help benefit Texas higher education.

Help Aid Texan Job Market

In a recent editorial article published in Austin American Statesman on July 18th, Governor Rick Perry is helping aid many Texans achieve more jobs in the state.  It was recently announced that Electronic Arts is opening a branch of EA Sports game division in Austin, which would help increase 150 jobs and 150 contract positions.

Electronic Arts decided to pursue their business with the help of Governor Rick Perry's involvement and special incentives the Legislature created.  This company will attract jobs and projects in television, film and video game industries.  They are also offering 5 to 15 percent payments for eligible spending and some sales tax exemptions for eligible purchases.

Due to the recent budget curs in the school districts, many teachers lost their jobs.  EA Sports will hopefully help many unemployed teachers acquire jobs.  It is unfortunate that many teachers are now unemployed due to the recent budget cuts.  The growing unemployment rate of the state will hopefully decrease with the help of this company.  Governor Rick Perry is very proactive in trying to make sure Texas job market stays afloat and many unemployed citizens gain jobs.  This is one of the reasons why Governor Perry is very popular among Texas citizens.  He tries his very best to hep unemployed people attain jobs. 

I truly believe that with the help of Electronic Sports Company, many unemployed Texans will be able to get jobs to help them financially.  This economic downfall is just really hurting a lot of people.  We need more Governors like Rick Perry to be more involved in the financial welfare of our fellow citizens.  Even if you are not a governor, everyone is able to help make this state a better place to live by helping each other.  Governor Perry sets a perfect example for our fellow citizens.  Increase in job market will help boost unemployment rate in Texas.  With this in mind, let's help each other!  Go Texas!!!

Why doesn't a majority of Texans vote?

Texas has one of the lowest voter turnout rates in the United States.  Although many reasons are given to explain these low standards such as poverty, lack of education, strange political structures, and past discrimination movements affecting today's voters, there is still no definite reason why voters in the state of Texas do not vote.

In a recent editorial article published on July 13, 2011 in American Statesman, Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir proposed the creation of "vote centers" that would allow everyone to vote at any polling place in the county.  She mentioned that "vote centers" will allow voters greater convenience, eliminate the confusion of where to vote on Election Day, reduce problems with less-than-ideal polling locations and reduce the number of elementary schools that have to used for polling places.  Texas secretary of state has until Aug. 15 to approve of deny the proposal.

In my opinion, the proposal of "vote centers" is a good thing.  This will hopefully help increase the number of voters in Texas.  Many people end up not voting, such as myself because of the inconvenience and the hassle that goes along with voting.  If the "vote centers" will help eliminate all these issues, Texans will most likely exercise their voting rights.  No matter why the voter of Texas does not participate, however, the fact still stands that Texans need to vote.

Obama's Gas Tax Break

     In July 2011, President Barack Obama proposed a massive Democrat-sponsored tax cut.  He is proposing a 50 percent gas tax break.  Obama administration would like to require that new American cars and light trucks average 56.2 miles per gallon by 2025.  Click here to read the full article.         
     According to the automotive industry, vehicle prices might drastically increase that consumers presumably ends up keeping their cars longer.  Currently, the standard average is 28 mpg.  By 2016, this is already set to increase by 34.1 mpg according to the agreement reached by Obama administration and the car manufacturers two years ago.
     The idea of increasing the mpg in cars will be truly beneficial to everyone because this will drastically cut taxes in half.  People will be able to save more money or use it for other means.  The only downfall for this proposal is that the prices of cars and gasoline might possibly increase.  If this happens, this just basically defeats the purpose of cutting taxes in half and helping people save money.  If we can keep the prices of gasoline the way it is and the price of the new car is reasonable, then Obama's proposal will definitely help everyone financially.