My First Week Back to School (2016-2017)

As I stepped through the doors on August 22nd 2016 I could tell this was going to be a great year. After meeting the teachers and figuring out what the classes were about I could see that with the years courses ahead they were going to help me with my 4 year plan. I am especially excited to be in 4 AP classes to experience the “college” level of difficulty to challenge myself with my studies. As I strive for Top 10% the classes get me on track for that. Aside from academics I am really excited about seeing my friends. I hadn’t seen many of them because of summer. Know I get to reconnect with them and catch up where we left off. Hoping everyone else has a fantastic year. 🙂

What’s Next for Both Parties (Current Event)

After Hillary lost the presidential election in 2012, the Republican Party put together an “autopsy” report that examined the causes of the defeat. It said that if the party wins in 2016, it needed to diversify its appeal and reach out to minorities It was said to “help everyone make it in America” and attack chief executives’ bonuses. With Donald Trump’s victories, those leaders face a difficult choice.

I take a stance to say that if I had to chose right now between Donald and Hilary I would choose Donald. The party must decide whether to embrace him as it’s nearly inevitable nominee and be defined or even destroyed. Many may reject him in hopes that one of his remaining competitors will snag the nomination in a broken convention. If the alternative to Mr. Trump is Senator Ted Cruz, now that Senator Marco Rubio has left the race, the G.O.P.’s presidential chances can be improved or made worse. Of course there is Gov. John Kasich, who won his home state of Ohio, but does this really change the equation?

The way this whole ordeal affects the world is by the results of the votes determines the future for Americans for four years. The question now is, what will the candidates beaten by Mr. Trump, like Mr. Rubio do? Will they endorse the man they portrayed as a threat to the nation? On the flip side for whichever Republican goes against the Democrats they may not be concerned because the remainder of the primary season will be less perilous. While Hillary Clinton continues her march toward the nomination, the weakness of her appeal among the young, independents, men and some working-class voters cannot be ignored. Though she and her campaign insist they have always envisioned a long, tough battle with Bernie Sanders. Even though they say that Mrs. Clinton’s strong performance Tuesday puts her even further out of Mr. Sanders’s reach what’s best for our county would come from neither of those candidates. In conclusion what’s best for our country would either come from Ted Cruz or Donald Trump because they are the best option out of who is still in the race.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/opinion/whats-next-for-both-parties.html?ref=topics&_r=1

A Better Way to Control the Banks

Nearly eight years after the financial crisis, banks still dominate to the global economy. They are still complex, highly leveraged and politically powerful. The banks are still difficult at managing and supervising their rates. For those reasons, they remain a threat to the economy, and begin breaking up appeals to many voters, policy makers and politicians.

 In my perspective I think the banks need to look closer at the threats they should be concerned about and not the minor things. For example, in the distraction of a campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Senator Bernie Sanders has made breaking up the banks a central plank of his economic agenda. The idea has benefited in some ways. Smaller, more manageable banks would allow for better internal controls over ethical behavior and better regulatory oversight of risky business practices. Some may say they may seem as entrenched despite efforts to reform their current states.

The way it affects the world is by Dodd-Frank and his related regulations. They require big banks to hold considerably more capital now than they were required to hold before the crisis. The aim is to ensure that banks can absorb any losses they may generate. Instead of relying on taxpayers, they want them to pick up the bill. This will include all the banks in the United States. If this crisis begins to grow then we will not be able to trade with other countries. This issue then affects their rates as well. Therefore we can not provide what they are willing to give us and become very distraught.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/27/opinion/a-better-way-to-control-the-banks.html?ref=topics&_r=0

End an Unfair Restriction on College Aid

In recent news, 200,000 people have been denied help with college costs since a law denied government grants and loans to people with minor drug offenses. Congress narrowed the number of people covered in years passed. Now there are bills in the House and the Senate that would finally repeal this unfair rule.

This may not effect me personally because I do not do drugs but it effects my beliefs for the successfulness of others that have been exposed to drugs. Many students are drawn to peer pressure and learn from their mistakes. Everyone should be given a second chance. Even Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Marco Rubio have all admitted to weed consumption and are still allowed to run for president. Under the initial law, people convicted of state or federal drug crimes became ineligible for aid for specific periods of time. In some cases permanently, based partly on the number of offenses. Incredibly, the law did not distinguish between felonies and minors.

This effects the all countries because most parents want their students to go to college after high school and pursue a career. The restriction is unnecessarily punitive. It affects the minority of young people who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. It unfairly penalizes people for second time of a crime they owned up to once so they can change, been punished by the courts, and now discourages many people who will prevent for a chance at life. And by preventing people with convictions from getting the college degree, this has become the price of admission to the new economy. In conclusion, by eliminating the issue entirely, the government would ensure that people who are eligible and determined for applying themselves would have a chance at a clear path to college.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/24/opinion/end-an-unfair-restriction-on-college-aid.html?ref=topics&_r=0

Fixing Our Broken Water Systems

Underneath America’s streets lies a network of pipes that is supposed to bring clean water into homes, schools and businesses. But the news of lead poisoning in Flint, Mich., and the emergence of similar problems in Sebring, Ohio, and other cities have revealed a shocking truth. Some of these systems are so old and poorly maintained that they have become a major hazard to human health.

I take a stand to say that I strongly believe that our water supply is very important. In fact once we get something in our water it is almost impossible to get it out and water is what we need to most. It is clear why America’s water systems are failing. The country has invested far too little in its public works, as governments at all levels have become obsessed with cutting spending. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the country needs to spend $384 billion by 2030 to continue providing clean drinking water to all Americans. The American Water Works Association , which represents public water utilities, puts the tab at $1 trillion in new spending in the next 25 years.

The way this affects the world is by not only America but could get into other countries water supply through the ocean. Spreading over five to 10 years, it could take to replace every pipe. The pipes should be a manageable sum for a country as prosperous as America. Policy makers should go beyond the hardware and develop a comprehensive strategy to ensure safe drinking water. This is a joint responsibility of the E.P.A. and state governments. There should be more frequent and thorough monitoring of drinking water.

Source: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/02/14/opinion/sunday/fixing-our-broken-water-systems.html?ref=topics&_r=0&referer=http://topics.nytimes.com/top/opinion/editorialsandoped/editorials/index.html

10,000 Child Refugees Are Missing

In recent news according to the European police agency, more than 10,000 children who entered Europe for the last two years have disappeared. They seem to be vanishing through the gaping cracks in Europe’s chaotic system. The result of this was from dealing with refugees and migrants.

 

I take a stance to say there should be always a reconsidered route will trading with foreign cultures. I am not saying we can not trust them I am just suggesting that we do not trade as much so this number of 10,000 children missing will go away. In addition to all the many children lost it is believed that some have fled detention centers. The centers allow them to not feel safe and are often kept in the dark spaces. Some are teenage boys, many from Syria and Afghanistan sent by families hoping to join them later. As soon as the kids are on the streets, they are easy prey for drug dealers and  pimps. Smaller children and little girls are also at great risk of sexual and other abuse. These actions should never be presented to the innocent minds of these.

 

The way this affects the world is by includes not only these countries but could lead into the United States as well. For example, the United Nations says that more than a third of refugees crossing the Mediterranean by boat to reach Europe are now children. Last year, more than 70 percent of refugees who arrived in Europe were men. The European Union needs an improvement in services for change and I think they have realised that. All European countries have signed the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and have a duty to provide for the safety for the children of European. It has been also stated that Europe has failed to protect these most vulnerable among the desperate people arriving on the soil as well. In conclusion, we should not just stand back and do nothing we need make our very best efforts to allow the number in child refugees missing and eventually have the number to where it is zero.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/opinion/10000-child-refugees-are-missing.html?ref=topics&_r=0 

Zika Virus Requires an Urgent Response

Ebola is a virus that was found in Africa and feared to be spread to the whole world but now there is bigger issue with this another virus, Zika. It began sweeping through South and Central America in 2014 and increased its effect on humans since the 1950s. It has been linked to serious birth defects and is threatening to invade the United States. It is crucial that the World Health Organization does not repeat its uneasy response to the Ebola crisis and act urgently to destroy this new creeping fever that may cause the world to collapse if not attended to.  

 

I take a stance to say that I am all for the World Health Organization. Not only will this help all living things from fatal diseases to encourage them it is going to be alright and they are always going to be safe. In circumstances like these it is under that our health is important but you also need to help others.  The infection of the spread of Zika has been seen to be the worst in children. It enables the babies to have a irreversible deformation of the skull.   If we as one combined all of our alliances that we will have nothing to worry about when this so called “disease that wouldn’t affect us.”  

 

This issue now becomes a world impactful event  because if it starts in South and Central America and therefore may allow the disease to just walk right in coming to another countries. For example, the number of reported cases in Brazil jumped from “147 in 2014 to nearly 4,000 in 2015”, leaving health officials with little doubt they have concluded that Zika was the one responsible.  Through recent discoveries have shown that scientists have also identified a possible link between the virus and the neurological disorder known as the Guillain-Barré syndrome. While discussing the possible cures for the tragic diseases has not been found by any vaccines, cures and tests for Zika infection. In their absence, the obvious course is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing clothes that cover arms and legs, and using air-conditioning and screens and insect repellents containing DEET. In conclusion, the World Health Organization may be the only thing we have to secure the right of knowing you have safety we are but we need to be very precautious about where you go what you touch and have to properly clean hands so you don’t eat with your hands after opening a front door.

 

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/28/opinion/zika-virus-requires-an-urgent-response.html?ref=topics&_r=0

Drug Deaths Reach White America

Congress has treated drug abuse as an afflicting mostly poor ordeal by locking people up for long periods of time. The amount of drug overdose deaths currently take over in white populations in cities and towns across the country. This tragic event has altered this line of thinking, and forced lawmakers to acknowledge that addiction is a problem. It is informed that no racial barriers can be best addressed with treatment due to what society thinks about when it comes to drugs.

 

I take a stance to say the realization that is driving the support in Washington for less intended drug policies has a good route to show these “druggies” what they are doing is wrong. Even though my immediate family doesn’t have a person like that every family is going to that one that ruins the mood for everybody. For the people taking the drugs have more potential than what they display but they choose to take the road that leads them to self destruction because it is the “easier” way out. They need services to underscored the recent Times analysis based on data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The following data indicates drug overdose deaths have been driven primarily by addiction to prescription painkillers and heroin.  An increased in nearly every county between 2002 and 2014, a year when more than 47,000 people — an average of about 125 a day — died of overdoses.

 

The impact that drugs take on the world is very crucial to all human beings and determines what they will do for the rest of their life. The Recovery Act would then attack these problems for several reasons. For starters, it would directly hit the health of human services to bring tasks to force development of a system. The best practices for prescribing pain medications that would then be conveyed by doctors only. It would then authorize the attorney general to make grants to state and local governments, nonprofit agencies, and other entities to assist them on several fronts. As for treatments go, for defendants who meet certain criteria like being in prisons and juvenile detention facilities have more available the drug to have which reverses the effects of an overdose.  This now creates high-quality drug treatment programs that can establish places where people do have a way of getting medications and can safely dispose of them.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/25/opinion/drug-deaths-reach-white-america.html?ref=topics&_r=0