Educated Sex Offenders??

Whether or not sex offenders should receive federal Pell grants is an issue that is on the table at this time. The blog, “Education Funds For Sex-Offenders” addresses this matter. I was torn on the issue at first. I must say that I personally know a gentleman who is labeled as a sex offender and knowing him has opened my eyes to the whole issue. I’ll give you a little background on my friend so you can see that not all “sex offenders” are the horrible people one might picture when we hear the word.

The long and the short of it is that this man met a young lady who told him she was 20 years old. It turns out that she was actually 17. After an intimate relationship started her parents found out and decided to press charges on him although it was consensual. Sadly, he was charged and convicted as a sex offender; however, her parents were unable to force her to stop seeing him and she later continued a relationship. Earlier this year I helped them celebrate their 10 year anniversary along with their three beautiful young children. In this case, the fault would lie on both parties as she was not truthful about her age and he failed to end the relationship once her secret was revealed. I get to see first hand how the “sex offender” label affects his life. About a year ago he received his bachelor’s degree and will go on to attempt his PhD. Good jobs have been hard to find and a lot of doors close on him as soon as he discloses the fact that he is a “sex offender”.

When I think of my friend’s particular situation I came to the conclusion that maybe offenders should get grants. However, after reading more into it I am jolted back into reality and remember that there are “real” sex offenders out there that have committed terrible crimes and I started to rethink my stance on the issue. At first I thought maybe there could be some sort of rating scale for different offenses and grants could be awarded on a case by case basis. Realistically though, the demand for grants probably outweigh the resources carry this out.

I don’t condone sex offender’s crimes in any aspect and I definitely hope in true cases that the offender is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, if a sex offender has served their time for their crime they too should be given the same opportunity to further their education, which does not come cheap. A non-offender can abuse the funds just the same as a sex offender can so hopefully policies in place will deter them from doing so.

Groceries or Gas??

Sadly I must say that I have come to a point in my life where I am truly financially unstable. I have a great deal of expenses… rent, utilities, child care. However, the main culprit causing my family so much stress over past few months has been something we call… GAS! As I stand in the aisles of the grocery store I ponder the question… groceries or gas? hmmm? To compromise I’ll throw in a couple nights of ramen noodles or Chef Boyardee a week but, I know my children’s eating habits are suffering in the process. It’s truly sad; however, I am honestly stretched beyond belief and all I can think is when will it stop?

I read an article called, “Gas Prices Soar, Posing a Threat to Family Budget”. The article reports that the price of oil has quadrupled in six years. A Harvard economist, Kenneth S. Rogoff states that, “the effect of high oil prices today could be the difference between having a recession and not having a recession”. Some of the reasons why rising oil prices failed to put a dent in global economic growth before were: In the U.S. consumers had access to easy credit and rising prosperity. Those in developing countries had access to government subsidies to help them through. The article reports that due to the increasing demand producers are struggling to catch up. They are unable to replace the oil they pump out fast enough due to restrictions on field access and rising costs.

In another article I recently read "House Democrats urge regulators to investigate gas prices”. House speaker Nancy Pelosi and six other member of the House leadership moved to urge the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the oil and gas markets for price manipulation and other fraud. A group of senators also urged President Bush to halt billions of dollars in sophisticated arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf producers unless they agree to pump more petroleum. I must point out though that there was a study requested by President Bush last year. The report issued by the FTC last August found no evidence of market manipulation by oil and gas companies.

All I know is that gas prices right now are hurting people all over the country. It is sad day when someone must choose between a good nutritious meal or filling up their tank.



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United States of Bush

“Terrorism is killing The Constitution, and his name is George Bush”, is a very informative blog. It is terrifying to know that government documents such as the Bill of Rights, which we have been governed by since 1791, can be disregarded and violated as it has been by the very person that was chosen to uphold them. After reading the blog I did some research of my own and found nothing but article upon article about how George Bush has violated several amendments since he has been in office.

“Terrorism is killing the Constitution…” was an excellent blog as it gave readers some insight into how their own rights are being violated (hopefully they already knew). It spoke about the airport where a lot of Americans can witness this first hand. Safety is definitely the main concern, however, the way that the screenings and searches are being conducted is the issue. The blog addresses how TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agents are given authority to do just about anything, to screen and search anyone and for any reason. This authority may very well be abused. Like in the case of Mandi Hamlin, the woman the blog mentioned, who was forced to remove her nipple rings with male agents laughing in the background while trying to depart from Lubbock, Texas. Although CNN.com reports that TSA claims the agent followed procedures, however, they also agree that these same procedures need to be changed.

The blog also points out that you can be surprised with a “random” search due to a variety of irrational reasons. It would be nice to know what basis they were conducting the searches, unfortunately that information is not public knowledge. After 9/11 my sister and brother-in-law, who’s last name just happens to be Muhammad, always have the pleasure of being held up at the security gate of an Airport for extra screening or mysteriously blocked from sending family members $100.00 through Western Union to another city in Texas. I don’t know… maybe in their case it’s their last name; the color of their skin; or perhaps the fact that they’re Muslim sporting a hijab (head scarf)? Whatever the case may be, they are now labeled as a possible risk. This is sad because they are good, law abiding Americans.

It seems as though George Bush envisions a dictatorship… a United States of Bush. He adds his own amendments to the Constitution and Bill of Rights as he sees fit. The fourth and fifth amendment has just about been abolished and he seems to have single handedly destroyed the constitution. I for one am happy his reign is coming to an end.

"If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." —President-elect George W. Bush, at a photo-op with congressional leaders during his first trip to Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., Dec. 19, 2000

“Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.” --Benjamin Franklin

To vote or not to vote that is the question...

The aspect of U.S. Government I’ve decided to write my commentary about is voting. I figured that this was a fitting subject since this is a presidential election year. The textbook, We the People, offered a lot of information about the history of voting and its processes. Some processes many of us find confusing. Like the whole vote and the come back later and caucus deal that went on during the primaries. Suffrage, which is the right to vote, has been subject to many changes over the years. At first it was only extend to property-owning males, then to property less men, soon after women were allowed to vote and ultimately African Americans were granted the right to vote.

This year I almost did not vote because I failed to keep up with registration deadlines. This is part of the reason the text states contributes to low voter turnout in the U.S. Other reasons listed are the frequency of elections, ballot counting procedures and the fact that there is no clear cut difference between the political parties. In regards to ballot counting the text recounted the events surrounding the 2000 elections, which I find discouraging. The text states that although over one hundred million votes were officially recorded being cast for president; more than two million other votes were cast but not counted. Why were they not counted? They were spoiled for some reason or another. Because of situations like this, I believe that the Government needs to invest in adequate machinery for all areas so that every single vote is being counted.

According to the text young adults are less likely to vote than middle-aged citizens or senior citizens. Citizens under thirty have the lowest turnout rate of any major demographic group. This by the way is the demographic group I belong to. However, I vote because I care about the issues at hand and how they affect my children and I. The text goes on to talk about the media and the role they play in the whole process. They mention MTV and their effort to reach out to those under thirty and urge them to go out and vote. I actually think that it is a clever concept and MTV’s political coverage is quite interesting. I watch their programming and find it nice to see them use people I can relate to.

Well I close my blog with this… Get out and vote.

Excessively Paid Executives

Awhile back President Bush signed a bill increasing the federal minimum wage over the next three years. On July 24, 2007 it was increased to $5.85 per hour. On July 24, 2008 it will increase to $6.55 per hour and then to $7.25 per hour in 2009. These increases are valuable to many struggling American households. Currently there are three men being questioned by Congress that made what those households would make in a full year in a matter of minutes.

I was appalled after reading the article, “Chiefs' Pay Under Fire at Capitol” posted by The New York Times. The article raises the question of whether top executives are paid excessively especially when compared to others in the work force. Currently three former top financial executives are being questioned about their substantial compensation while they were on the job even while the banks were in turmoil.

The three men – E. Stanley O’Neal, Charles O. Prince III and Angelo R. Moil went before the House committee on Friday. Some Republicans did not see the point of the hearing; however, the Democrats questioned why the executives were paid well even though their companies were failing.

Mr. O’Neal was the former chairman and chief executive for Merrill Lynch. During his four years with Merrill Lynch he made $70 million, however, when he left in October ’07 he was able to keep $161 million. His exit was considered a retirement, so in this case he did not receive severance pay; however, Merrill Lynch has had more than $10.3 billion in write-offs and their stock prices has fallen dramatically.

Mr. Prince was an executive with Citigroup, where he attained $110 million. When he left Citigroup in November he had an exit package worth $68 million, including another $29.5 million in stock. He also had a pension worth $1.7 million, an office, an assistant, a car and a driver. Reportedly Mr. Prince received a cash bonus in 2007 worth about $10 million. Like, Merrill Lynch, Citigroup had write-offs of about $20 billion and their share has decreased over 60%.

Mr. Mozilo was the founder and chief of Countrywide Financial. His compensation was under the microscope because since he became chief in 1999 he has made more than $410 million. According to a report by the Congressional investigators, Mr. Mozilo’s pay was increased by using flawed peer groups and easy bonus targets. Mr. Mozilo was entitled to a $37.5 million severance package; however, he forfeited this shortly after Congress requested that he testify.

There is something seriously wrong with this scenario. I understand these are top executives we are talking about but, when does their compensation become extreme? $10 million bonus? Is it right that an executive can make more than the average workers’ yearly salary in a matter of minutes? According to the article I mentioned above, Americans astoundingly believe that their business leaders are overpaid. I am interested to see what comes of this inquiry because I do believe that corporate greed is horrible and hopefully something can be done about it.

Health Insurance For All?!?

Both democratic presidential candidates propose universal health coverage; however, they differ on ways to achieve it. This was made clear yesterday at the debate held here in Austin, Texas. The issue of health care is a topic that will be one of the deciding factors when you head over to the polls. The New York Times published an excellent article about this issue called, "2 Plans & Many Questions on the Uninsured".

Both presidential candidates agree that in order for universal health care to be successful, we must first make policies affordable for everyone. They believe that this can be achieved by putting at least $110 billion into subsidies and tax credits. Funds for this would be raised by rolling back President Bush’s tax cuts for high earners and by taxing businesses that do not insure their employees.

Here’s where they differ, Sen. Obama believes that he can insure all Americans by just enticing them with the low cost of premiums. Sen. Clinton believes that mandates are necessary for free riders who will not follow suit and enroll in programs as they should. Sen. Obama argues that the mandates could cause financial turmoil for middle-class families, while Sen. Clinton is adamant that Sen. Obama’s plan will leave 15 million Americans uninsured.

The article I read from Statesman.com reports that there are 47 million uninsured in the United States. The uninsured are called free riders. Many are presumed to be young and at little risk of major illness. I was surprised to learn how the cost of uncompensated care received by free riders is passed on to taxpayers. The privately insured also get hit with increases to premiums in an effort by hospitals and physicians to recoup their losses.

At this time the Massachusetts is the only state that mandates coverage. They find insurance to be affordable for anyone with a family income over three times the federal poverty level. For persons who show that the premiums would pose a financial hardship, they do offer exemptions from the mandate. They expect to offer 60,000 of these waivers this year. Like Sen. Clinton’s proposed mandate, Massachusetts did impose a penalty on the uninsured failing to enroll in a plan by the end of 2007. Only half of those people enrolled. According to the article, this penalty increased from $219 to $912 this year.

In closing, health insurance is definitely a sensitive subject. I am a mother of 2 young and at times very sick children. Co-pays and prescriptions are no laughing matter when you have no insurance and I have been there. Although I have private insurance now, I am happy to see this issue on the table. Uninsured persons cause a domino effect and I personally have seen increases in my premiums over the past 3 years. This issue will be on my mind as I stand in line to vote this year.

Show Me The Money... But Will It Help The Economy?

I read an article in LA Times called, "Congress OK's $168-Billion Stimulus Package". It reports that Congress has approved a two year, $168 billion stimulus package. I have been personally following this story because of the effect it will have on my household. This article is worth reading because you’ll be able to see if you too may be expecting a rebate check but, also to see how Congress deals with the economy. The stimulus package will send millions of rebate checks to low- and middle-income Americans. And the best part is the checks should arrive in taxpayers mailboxes beginning in May.

The stimulus package came about as Congress was faced with evidence of an impending recession. Democrats fought for a larger more expansive package but, ultimately ended up with this bipartisan compromise. Under the terms of the package, single filers will get a maximum $600 rebate while married couples will get a maximum $1200 rebate. In addition, parents will get $300 for each child.

Along with rebate checks the stimulus package includes other benefits. It allows for tax breaks for businesses designed to help them invest in new equipment. And it also includes a one-year increase in the size of mortgages that can be backed by the government.

Now will this package help "stimulate" the economy that remains to be seen, however, I do know for a fact my portion will serve its purpose.