Eric Webster's: "Protect cellphone data from Big Brother!"

In a recent blog post authored by Eric Webster, "Protect cellphone data from Big Brother!" Webster infroms of two bills lawmakers are currently proposing regaurding cellphone privacy. Webster  states that "No one has the right to go through our phones and read our messages without our permission or having probable cause." I completely agree with this stance. My cellphone conversations should not be availble to government officials unless they have obtained a search warrant or have probable cause. Webster goes on to say that " It would be wrong to dismiss...[the] bills by saying that if you're not doing something wrong then you dont have anything to worry about and thefore have nothing to hide from the police."

This is just an attempt of the government to justify continuing recording cellphone conversations. The government continues to overstep their boundaries regarding our personal privacy. I hope these two bills are succesful in establishing privacy laws.  

Resign

In a recent article released from the Texas Tribune, titled “Hope to Complete My Term” Rosemary Lehmberg addresses the citizens of Travis County for her recent arrest for DWI. Lehmberg, who was arrested April 12 for driving under the influence, later pleading guilty and receiving a 45 day jail sentence, is hoping to be able to complete her term as District Attorney.

I understand people make mistakes, but I also believe that there are consequences to your actions. I believe that Lehmberg should not be allowed to complete her term.  Stated in her apology letter, “I also owe an apology to the staff at the Travis County Jail. Their jobs are always difficult, and some of my behavior that night made their jobs even more difficult.   “In released squad camera video, Lehmberg is even heard blaming the arresting officer that “he just ruined her career”. While at Central Booking she is seen to kicking the door to get the attention of the officers who eventually have to put her in a restraint chair and spit guard to cover her face. While still in the restraint chair, she is wheeled to have her blood drawn; this shows her blood alcohol level to be nearly three times the legal limit. Many people and associations like the Austin Police Association, and the Austin American Statesmen are calling for Lemberg’s resignation.  Due to her DWI and her actions after her arrest I think she should no longer be able to serve out her term, and should resign.

Libertarian-Will Pollock

After reading my colleague, Will Pollock’s recent blog post titled “Libertarian” I couldn’t help but agree. Our government has is a two party system with all of the power and each of these parties with their own issues. Some feel if they vote for a Libertarian that their vote is “wasted” because the candidate they are voting for wont ever have enough support due to the massive two party system. People are often forced to vote for the “lesser of the two evils”. In the blog my colleague said it well that “To reduce government is to reduce corruption, debt, war, and crime. Most see government as a catalyst for solving problems, but anyone who actually knows what they are talking about knows that more often than not, government is the problem.” The public is so uninformed they don’t even know whom they are voting for or simply are voting for a person they can get the biggest welfare check from. Our government needs a huge re-haul and put people into office who believe in our constitution and who will protect our rights, while upholding morals and ethic values. 

Dependent

Over the years, society has become increasingly less intelligent about social and political issues, and has become more economically dependent upon the government to meet its needs; often satisfying more of its “wants”. I believe nowadays that a majority of our nation’s population has instilled an incredible amount of trust and sense of faith in an arguably untrustworthy and hopeless establishment. If the inhabitants of a nation are uninformed, they know little to nothing about what is laws and decisions are being made to govern them. These people go on with life trusting the government to sustain a prosperous, safe nation.

Contrary to their beliefs, laws are passed that go against our nations’ constitution that goes into law unless challenged by someone. If the public is so “in the dark” almost anything can be done with minimal backlash. We need to become more informed and drastically less dependent upon the government. As more and more people become economically dependent upon the government it puts an abundant amount of pressure upon the working class. The money has to come from somewhere or the funds will run dry, ultimately, a cause of increasing taxes.  

Over the last few years the number of people receiving assistance from the government has been on the rise. Our government should not just be so liberally handing out these kinds of assistances, instead there should be investments made in programs designed to help the public get out of the position they are in, requiring them to need to receive assistance.

ObamaCare

In a recent blog published titled "Opting-out of More ObamaCare Burdens" details out texas opting out of taking on the burden to set up government mandated healthcare. "Texas is one of many states refusing to voluntarily take on the burden of setting up federally mandated “healthcare exchanges” – and taxpayers are better because of it." The authors intended audience is anyone interested in the future of our nations healthcare system. The authors main argument is that by Rick Perry voluntarily opting out of taking on the burden of government run healthcare, "taxpayers are better because of it." I do not agree with that. Taxpayers are not going to be taxed on the state level for government run healthcare, but they definitely will be on the federal level. The money has to come from somewhere. The authors other point is that Rick Perry absolutely made the right decision in opting out of paying stating that we would receive the same treatment if the federal government sets it up as opposed to Texas setting the system up. 
The authors evidence that Texas will be better off is because the state would incur a cost near 63 million for setting up a system and then 43 million dollars annually to keep it running. The government is still unsure just how they are going to get the money to fund this due to the fact that a “funding mechanism for the exchanges was left out of the 2,000+ page bill.” The author goes on to say that “Guess they should have read it first before they passed it.”

"Historic" Tax Breaks

In a recent article released by Austin American Statesman from the editorial section, titled “End historic taxbreaks that are diverting money from public schools” tells how if you own what is considered an “historic” home you receive tax breaks that effect AISD K-12 education. Under current laws homeowners of the historic homes since 1979 have received tax breaks totaling over 9 million dollars in lost revenue to AISD.

The intent of this article is to inform the public of these tax breaks that these homeowners receive each year, while their intended audience is tax payers who are for or against the removal of these tax breaks. The author’s claim is that, AISD is loosing money each year that could be put to good use; “the money is needed in classrooms to improve student performance or teacher quality.” It is estimated that each year 1.8 million dollars is lost in revenue due to this tax break, although, of this 1.8 million AISD only receives 300,000 dollars, the rest goes to the state. AISD superintendent states that she is in support of the laws staying the same due to the fact that in retrospect the funds are so small compared to their budget. The opposing argument is that any amount of money helps. With extreme cuts to the budget made in 2011 everything counts. I agree that everything counts and adds up to something. I don’t think it is fair that just because you own an “historic” home you should be given special treatment. I think everyone should have to pay his or her fair share. The editorial section is a credible source for information. Many austenite’s trust the Austin American Statesman for their daily news. 

Justice wasn't served.

In a recent article released by the Texas Tribune titled "Ken Anderson's Testimony Caps Dramatic Inquiry"shines light on a recent case where a man was proven of his innocence with DNA testing in his wife's murder case. The article describes the last week of testimony in a court of inquiry trying to determine whether former Williamson County district attorney committed any wrongdoing in the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton.  Morton was sentenced to life in prison in his wife's murder. Evidence that would have proven his innocence 25 years ago was withheld from his defense team. These are the allegations Anderson is facing for any wrongdoing in this case. This article is worth reading because it shows how our justice system is full of flaws and that clearly someone had to much power to determine what evidence would be provided and what evidence would be withheld.