Commentary on "Driving While Intexticated"

The blog, "Driving While Intextiacted," makes a whole lot of sense.  While reading my classmate's blog, Driving While Intexticated, I was nodding my head in agreement and frustration that this law hasn't become in effect statewide.  How can such a hard headed governor not see the urgency with this law?  He surely doesn't disagree with the strict DUI laws in the state of Texas.  Why is that?  Well everyone, including Mr. Perry, knows that it is a risk to everyone on the road to be near a drunk driver.  Well, what about texting on your cell phone while driving on the highway!?   One has to take his or he eyes of the road and at least one hand off the steering well to have their conversations.  Isn't this just as dangerous to everyone else?  If we can't count on our own governor to enforce such common sense restrictions and laws then how can we expect the rest of society to take it seriously?  When an unfortunate accident takes place?  Perhaps it will take a text messaging related wreck to hit home with Rick Perry to take this seriously.  I just don't get it, nor do I get him in the first place!  There are several silly laws and restrictions throughout the state, but something as serious as this is not taken seriously.  People may argue that regardless of a law that people will still continue to text while driving, yes this is true, but drunk driving is against the law, and yet, people still drive drunk.  These people go to jail when they are caught.  We can't control society, but we can enforce laws to at least protect the innocent bystanders.

Another drunk driving TX official caught

Capital staffer Gabrielle Nestande hit, abandoned, and killed an innocent pedestrian while being intoxicated two years ago.  How in the world was she only slammed with 180 days in jail with time served and 10 years of probation when an ordinary citizen would be hit with manslaughter and potentially life in prison for the same crime?  Two years later, State Representative Naomi Gonzalez was arrested with a BAC level over twice the legal limit.  Most recently, Rosemary Lehmberg was pulled over and found with an open bottle of Vodka on her passenger seat as well as driving intoxicated. 

Rosemary Lehmberg, Travis County district attorney diligently and frequently prosecutes people for the same crime she committed herself.  How dare she even attempt to stay in her position after making such a poor decision and failing the public’s trust of being a “law abiding citizen.”   Some people accept her apology and forgive her after she agreed to cooperate with whatever punishment comes her way.  What else can she say? Of course she’s going to make a public apology only because she got caught, come on people! How many times has she gotten behind the wheel and endangered the safety and lives of innocent people before she got caught?  Fortunately, we will never know what may have had happened if she didn’t get pulled over that night.  The point is that we already know the repercussions of drunk driving, but someone like Lehmberg is the one who has the greatest influence on the fate of the same offenders as herself.  Her fellow colleagues and supporters feel that this mistake shouldn’t over power her entire career.  It sure as heck should! She is now on the other side of the law herself and needs to step down.  We all make mistakes, but when someone is in such a high position, they must make conscious choices at all times because they are in the spotlight at all times.  She cannot possibly continue to sentence others for something she did herself.  That would be like an IRS auditor being caught for tax invasion and still continuing to audit and punish others.

It is good that a lawsuit was filed to have her removed this week.  If she doesn’t take the responsibility and punishment into her own hands by resigning, she will put the county through a shameful process in court including the evidence being made public.  Then again, what happened to our justice system with Nestande’s case?  She has no relevance in the justice system, and she wasn’t given a decent punishment for murdering someone and leaving the scene.

We as a state with such high standards really need to stop dropping the ball when it comes to the punishment and crimes of officials.  It is more degrading to sweep the crimes under the carpet and come up with thousands of justifications as to why they should be forgiven than to be honest and place the responsibility of their bad decisions on the criminals.  Yes, criminals, not honorable law abiding citizens they promised to be.

Commentary on "No Toll Roads in Texas"

I couldn't agree with your blog more, No Toll Roads In Texas. The Texas toll roads are just another way to take advantage of us Texas residents.  Why should we have to pay a fee to use a road when the so-called purpose of the new roads is to reduce traffic congestion?  It is wonderful that so many people are moving to our state to raise their families and contribute to our economy.  The residents already living here before the new comers are now sitting in more traffic in their work commutes which results in increased gas expenses, more time away from their families for the extra time needed to get to work, and of course increased stress levels all due to the increased population!  So, why not just build the new freeways to reduce some of those circumstances rather than use them as another source of revenue?  It baffles me!  On top of the new toll roads, they charge astronomical late fees and immediately threaten to execute a warrant if you don't pay them immediately.  The new Texas toll roads are just wrong on so many levels.

Enough already on texting while driving discussions

Lawmakers in Texas are once again discussing stronger enforcements on texting while driving bans.  How long are we going to discuss this?  When will drivers get it through their heads that they can lose their lives along with others’ in a second over a single text message at the wheel of a motor vehicle?  I have not been an angel when it comes to the life risking activity until recently when I nearly crashed my car!  Thirty-nine states currently ban text messaging for a drives, but only four have primary enforcement.  Ten states currently prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phones while driving where a police officer may cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense. We need to enforce the same law, no cell phone usage while driving.  As a matter of fact, many people are just as distracted from speaking on a cell phone as much as texting.  I know when I am in a conversation, I tend to get lost or miss my exit on the freeway way too often.  It is a distraction, whether it’s texting, dialing a number, looking at the phone to see if an incoming call is a call you want to take or not, and the list goes on.  Just ban cell phone usage completely.  If a call must be made, then simply pull over to a safe spot.  If texting is banned in Texas, how can an officer differentiate whether a driver is texting or just simply making a phone call? Why should it make a difference? In both circumstances the driver of the motor vehicle is being distracted from the road for cell phone activity.  Law makers must stop wasting tax payers’ time and tax money on these repetitious meetings, and just set a statewide specific law on cell phone usage, period.

Texas is Pro-Work, Right?

I couldn’t agree more with Erica Grieder’s blog in "The Texas Monthly."  Her claim is that Texas should raise the minimum wage rate.  Her intended audience is for those that oppose to the hike, and she brings up valid points to consider the benefits Texas may gain as a result.  Obama called for a national raise to its minimum wage rate.  While this can ultimately benefit the low in-come/poverty stricken working class of America, could especially benefit Texas.   While many will argue that raising the minimum wage rate will hurt private sector businesses, at the same time it can help their profits.  As Grieder discusses the fact that Texas is one of only four states without state income tax, it relies heavily on sales tax for its general revenue funds.  If Texas hiked the minimum wage, it would see an increase in sales tax receipts.  Grieder also brought up a valid point of Texas’s known values and by raising the minimum wage it surely prove a point to national critics who don’t think we have worthy values.  I especially agree with Grieder’s statement, “If Texas wants to have fewer people living in poverty, it’s going to need the working poor to earn more money.”  One aspect of this statement is the amount of people who rely heavily on social services such a food stamps to help feed their family even when they are already working 40 or more hours a week making minimum wage pay.  People who make strong efforts to support themselves and their families should not have to work even more to make ends meet.  There are too many people taking advantage of social services and unemployment benefits due to laziness and the arrogant attitude of getting handouts without trying to work.  There needs to be a line somewhere, and the line needs to benefit the poor working class!

Cut Federal Spending Responsibly

On Friday, February 22nd, the Austin American Statesman posted an article in the Opinion secton regarding federal budget cuts.  I agree with the editorial board in regards that our fiscal house must be put into order. It is not fair for the military's civilian employees be placed on periods of unpaid leave if budget cuts begin. The government says across the board budget cuts. They really need to focus on what is absolutely necessary and what is absolutely crucial to leave out of the budget cuts. We cannot afford to make any more budget cuts on public schools in Texas or anywhere for that matter. Education is the only chance many children and adolescents have to become successful in the future. Our youth are our future leaders, and our current leaders need to wake up and realize that. As far as cutting expenses with our military personnel, there has to be some serious thinking about this as well. Texas has two major military bases and thousands of personnel including civilian employees who are dedicated to serving our country. They should be protected as far as their jobs are concerned. If Congress is so concerned about cutting costs with our military personnel, then they should give up some of their extravagant perks! We have wasted billions of dollars on unnecessary wars that began with Bush. It is a relief that Obama has announced the return of our soldiers in Afghanistan, so that will ultimately bring that money back into our own economy. I certainly agree with the editorial board’s opinion in this matter, especially in this statement, “the cost to the state, the military and the nation of cutting the federal budget by sequestor is too high. It’s madness to let it happen.” 

 

Arming Teachers for School Safety

On Monday, January 28th the Austin American Statesman posted an article, "Arming Teachers for School Safety?"
This article is worth reading to see the different views Texas lawmakers and school officials have concerning teachers’ rights to carry guns in our schools.  School officials say that their classrooms will be safer if teachers are allowed to carry guns, but law enforcement agents feel that the idea could ultimately put the teachers at a higher risk by potentially being caught in a crossfire by DPS officials.

This debate stems from the tragic situation at the Newtown, CT back in December.  Law officials have been searching and thinking of options to prevent further tragedies in Texas such as higher security on school campuses, and potential state law changes for allowing concealed-handgun licensees to carry guns in colleges.

Currently, the Harrold Independent School District in Kansas allows teachers to carry guns under the “Guardian Plan.”  They are specially trained to confront a gunman and the ammunition used in the guns is specifically designed not to ricochet.   The superintendent made a valid point that by allowing teachers to carry guns, this gives the school the extra protection in such an event while waiting for first responders to reach the school.  I agree, because when such a tragic event does take place, it is usually too late to help by the time the first responders arrive.

Currently we have two districts, one in East Texas and the other in Dallas that have similar policies in their schools.  Superintendent Dunn said. “Now, we’re able to protect our children, to fill that gap until the police get there.”