In reply to Immigration Overload, I can see why the author would want to have more money dumped into Texas' border security, but wholeheartedly disagree with it. The idea of border security in this great country of ours, that was created on the very idea of immigration, is tainted. Yes, I believe that some of those people that are crossing the border are up to no good, but the majority is doing everything they can to preserve their family and to give their family a better life. Isn't that the idea of America? Pursuit of Happiness? To shell millions of dollars to contradict that very idea is absurd.

     The people who are against immigration have forgotten their roots, and they would probably would be living a lesser life than they are now if it weren't for the generations before us immigrating to this great land of ours. The DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) is a proposal that would grant immigrants who are in good moral standing and upon completing either college of military service, they would receive permanent residency. This is the route we should be taking towards the battle over immigration. Critics say that this Act would act like a magnet for more illegal aliens to come over our border just to use this country, but that is just closed minded.
   
     I believe that people like this author do not look at the whole picture across the board. More than half of the people that work on our roads, buildings and pretty much every labor intensive job in Texas, and to just kick them out would bring our whole infrastructure to the ground. Instead of lobbying to rid of these human beings, we should give support and residency, and eventually, citizenship. I believe that we should make this country safe, but we should also be fair.

      Last year in 2013, 71,761 arrests were made for marijuana offenders. It cost the state an estimated 746 million dollars just to prosecute and incarcerate users of a non-toxic plant that is completely legal in a few states already. This staggering figure should make citizens of Texas upset. Early in 2014, UT/Texas Tribune sent out a poll in which only 23% of registered Texas voters disapproved the legalization of marijuana. The people have spoken on this matter, and the 84^th Legislature that will convene soon ought to take serious consideration to the proposed bill, H.B. 414. If signed, this bill will provide Texas a step in the right direction. 

     A recent study provided information on how much a state could profit over the legalization of marijuana, which the figure was estimated at 166 million dollars. Being a big business state with economic growth that is unparalleled, why is it that the people running our government is so against the legalization? They are scared of change, which Texas government is ruthless in. Prohibiting the sale and legalization of marijuana is completely absurd. Another year is another waste of almost a billion dollars in revenue. Time to make a change Texas. 

   In Ms. Tran's blog "Say "NO" to Marijuana," she discusses and coherently argues her views on the legalization of Marijuana. Her fears are clearly justified, but I believe old family values and biased opinions is what is fueling this hate of the legalization of marijuana. There are many instances and scientific analysis on how cannabis can benefit society as a whole.

   To say a substance such as marijuana is unhealthy is a ridiculous claim and it tells how uninformed and the lack of knowledge one has on the issue. Everyone knows that marijuana is a much safer substance compared to other legal drug substances, such as alcohol. Considering marijuana to be in the same class of drugs with cocaine and heroine happened when the federal government used fear tactics and racism to deceive lawmakers that marijuana and hemp is dangerous to society. Anslinger, the head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, claimed that cannabis has no medical qualities and causes users to become extremely violent and overly sexual in 1930's. It is 2014 and a plethora of scientific research is out with numerous medical benefits. 

   Texas Government is scared of change and the people who run it are scared of change. The changes that need to happen will not go through unless we have new representation. To classify marijuana as a dangerous drug that needs to be illegal is just being ignorant and stubborn. Let's not forget the numbers, 0 deaths from the substance THC, and 88,000 deaths in the United States alone from alcohol. All of these figures are out there and to say that the legalization of marijuana is absurd, is in fact, absurd. 

I sincerely want the Democratic Party to rise victorious in this year’s Gubernational Election tomorrow. Wendy Davis and the Democratic Party, in my opinion, are pushing agendas that are for the good of the people. Issues such as education, minimum wage increase, energy, border security, and the DREAM Act. The Republicans, however, are more worried about the upper-class and large corporations rather than pushing to aid the working middle-class.

Republicans cut 5.4 billion in the education system in 2011, and Wendy Davis is the only person to filibuster the massive cuts. Although unsuccessful, she leads the fight to restore that funding to our education. A better education here in Texas will not only put Texas on a higher standard, but it will also produce quality graduates to work in Texas to support and strengthen the economy. Republicans cut the school fund in order to keep its promise of no new taxes to support the revenue shortfall. This means no financial aid to incoming students, no pre-kindergarten, and Health services slashed.

This is what Republicans did in 2011 when they passed the bill, and the only person that has the audacity to fix what they destroyed, is Wendy Davis. Texas is a majority-minority state so tomorrow’s election should be a no brainer. For those that want change to happen in Texas, the right change, voters will need to cast a vote tomorrow. I see the importance of higher education, and the importance of quality schools for our young generation. I will cast my vote tomorrow, and I hope all of Texas will make the right decision. 

Monday, October 6th history was made when the Supreme Court declined to review the ruling that found Utah's ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional. Although it didn't impact Texas' law on same-sex marriage, Lauren Caruba, blogger for Texas Monthly certainly believes that the lift on the ban on same-sex marriage will be in Texas' foreseeable future. Same-sex marriages have been illegal in Texas since 1997. Additionally, Texas declared all same sex marriages that were legal out of state are considered void when moving to Texas. In one case, couples Nicole Dimetman and Cleopatra De Leon of Austin requested the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to hear oral arguments towards their case next month. Dimetman is pregnant and would like to have her partner, De Leon, as a legal parent before the birth of their child. They argue that the child will be exposed to dangers and insecurity if for some reason Dimetman is incapable of caring for her child after the birth. An April 2014 poll suggests that more Texans support the rights of same-sex marriages than oppose of it. Attorney General Greg Abbott filed to uphold the state's ban in late July. He is basing a humanistic right on the fact that same-sex marriages do not naturally produce children, therefore same-sex marriage is not right. The fact that this issue is still at high regards is despicable to our society as a whole, but the numbers are slowly changing and I agree with the author, Lauren. When these bans are lifted, we can finally focus our attention to issues that actually matter.

The Compassionate Social Conservative

I decided to do today's blog on this interview with Kyleen Wright, head of the Texans for Life Coalition, speaking of how fewer abortions would mean less trauma and a higher standard for woman. She goes on and tells stories of her "friends" and how horrible their abortion experience was and begin making biased statements that HB2 would create a safer environment for these woman that are being abused. Texas has the largest rural population in the United States with approximately 3.2 million people. Ms. Wright is in support of having poor, rural woman be forced to become susceptible to taking on harsher methods and even miscarrying the baby. In my opinion, I felt no compassion from Ms. Wright while reading her responses to the questions being asked. Teaching about sex and its consequences early is certainly more compassionate towards society, rather than taking free will away from tens of thousands of women in our state.