Infrastructure & Roads, or a Drug Dealer's pocket?

Welfare, jobs, and money; all things an increasing number of people are desperate for in this unforgiving economy. When jobs are growing scarce and money is getting tight, it is social understanding to turn to the government. The government is supposed to help right? No matter who asks, the government is supposed to help right? Some state governments are saying wrong. Those states are now requiring a drug test be issued to any recipient of welfare. Florida, Missouri, Arizona, and Indiana are some of the states proposing such controversial requirements.  The controversy is present; however, the requirements could be a good thing. When asking the question if drug users should be included in the welfare program, one must ask themselves if it is logical to be spending such valuable tax dollars on illegal drugs to feed such a demanding habit. Once realization comes into play, many people are outraged at the thought of having their hard earned money to benefit some junkies’ habit. State mandating drug tests for welfare recipients could actually be a really good thing, if done the right way. Florida has seemed to establish an effective means of dealing with such a situation. Recipients are ordered to pay for their own drug tests and those who passed are reimbursed for their expenses and those who fail not only have to pay for their test, but are disqualified from the program from six months to a year, depending on if the failing recipients get help from a program or not. However, all plans are not perfect and can easily be improved. Washington, a state that hasn’t yet made any legislation regarding the preceding topic, has programs in place to prevent welfare fraud. In an informational document distributed by the Alliance for Equal Justice, it is shown that welfare case workers have a sub unit at their disposal. They are aided by FRED unit or the Fraud Early Detection unit. FRED workers commonly go to the recipient’s home to question the recipient or their neighbors if an unusual or questionable action is noted in a person’s file. Many opposing activists to this sort of legislation are questioning its legitimacy and constitutional standing due to “unreasonable” search and seizure; however, a country struggling to make it through tough times can’t be feeding money into drug dealers’ pockets.

No, actually dropouts won't save America.

I find the point of this article to be completely false. Not going to college would make you more successful than if you did? I don’t think so. College is defined as an institution of higher learning that provides an education and degrees; an education that, if not received, would not allow anyone, from common folk to billionaires, to be able to achieve success. Donald Trump is an obvious successful entrepreneur. Donald Trump is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics. Judging the content of this article, the author would discredit Trump’s degree saying he would have been better off without it. However, if Trump didn’t receive his economics degree, how would he know what stocks to invest in? How would he choose where to put his hotels? How would he know which hotels to buy and make his own? Obviously he wouldn’t know. College degrees are seen as something far from illegitimate. They are seen as a symbol of hard work, determination, tenacity, and success. Any employer interviewing prospects, informal or not, would rather a person that has a degree over those who don’t. In fact, in an article by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, it is said that two thirds of employers require a college degree. Therefore, if everyone decided to drop-out of school, as the article suggested, two-thirds of Americans would be out of the job. Also, the examples that the author uses to build his argument, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, shouldn’t be credited towards his cause. Yes, all these men did drop out of college, and yes all these men did go on to achieve many things and succeed greatly in life; however, it wasn’t because they dropped out of college. It was because their ideas were so innovative and so before their time that no college would have had a class that related to and contributed to their ideas. Because of the countless hours of planning and organizing, college classes can’t be instated the second they are thought of in order to be effective. The author’s reasoning to this outrageous claim isn’t sufficient enough to change my mind on the matter; rather it makes me sway even farther to his opposition. 

No Cancer From Cell Phones

In the news, there has been cause for concern about cell phones lately. Some scientists said that their studies showed a link to brain cancer from cell phone usage. A recent Danish study contradicts every statement made by these scientists. A huge study conducted on almost the entire adult Danish population has revealed that there is no association between the hand held devices and the brain cancer. Because Denmark tracks its citizens, the country makes a convenient laboratory for long-term population studies. Also, Denmark’s number ID system is used to register cell phones, therefore, if there was a problem with a certain subscriber researchers could clearly spot the problem or snag in the studies. The fifteen year study conclusively states that there is not link to brain cancer and cell phone use. Some key points listed in the original study include: Cell phones emit radiofrequency energy, a form of non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation, which can be absorbed by tissues closest to where the phone is held. The amount of radiofrequency energy a cell phone user is exposed to depends on the technology of the phone, the distance between the phone’s antenna and the user, the extent and type of use, and the user’s distance from cell phone towers. Studies thus far have not shown a consistent link between cell phone use and cancers of the brain, nerves, or other tissues of the head or neck. More research is needed because cell phone technology and how people use cell phones have been changing rapidly. Lastly, I would like to end in saying that I’m so happy I can use my phone without the fear of contracting cancer.

Homework: Necessary?

The question that anyone asks themselves before they commit to something is: is it worth it? From the beginning of an education, students ask if doing homework is worth their while. Unfortunately, many students find it unnecessary to do their homework. They believe that after-school is time for fun activities and anything being as far from being school-related as possible. Homework is just more grades for the teacher and they don’t need to actually do it. I find these feelings completely horrible. Homework is necessary to practice skills one has learned throughout the school day. Even though the actual school day is over, it doesn’t mean that it’s time to just shut the brain off. Individuals need to practice the skills further in order to understand the concept or idea presented in class throughout the day. The homework controversy has arguments for both sides. I personally have connections to both sides. In support of homework, if I didn’t do my math homework, I would be completely lost on any topic that we have done because of the repetition and self-dependence homework entails. In opposition of homework, I have had multiple nights, in this year alone, that I’ve had to work all night or stayed up to a really late hour. It just seems like mounds of homework just keep continuously adding up. Also, because of the late hour, one could argue that they can’t focus during class time due to lack of sleep. All in all, I understand the need for homework as a way for practice outside of school; however, I do wish that every teacher wouldn’t give so much.

Victory is ours!

We’ve done it! We over threw the vile tyrants! There are no words to describe this jubilance. I need to scream from the roof tops. The humans have been defeated. The Flip-Flop army united and dominated the humans we once called our leaders. We all feel so liberated that we just can’t contain ourselves! Our determination and persistence showed that will power and strategic planning can overtake any situation that presents itself. As a new order, flip-flops have taken over the cities, the countries, and the world! We are the leaders now and nothing can stop us. Not now and not ever.

I just can't stop.

I still can't stop walking. I have to trudge on. My human just won’t stop putting its power to use. It just keeps showing off. Humans can walk all by themselves; they get to chose when they move. The message just keeps flashing over and over in my face. Why must they taunt me with such cruel tactics? I can’t stand the thought of the evil ones getting what they want. To me, it is a classic case of David and Goliath. We and can and will overcome this blatant discrimination! Flip-flops will prevail! This world can and will be ours! Just wait and see.

Flippity-Flop

I have been walking around all day. I just can’t stop! My body is starting to ache but I just can’t help myself, I just need to walk. It’s as if there was a gravitational pull forcing me to endlessly walk around the same room over and over again. I am tired and hungry and haven’t slept since yesterday and this gross smelly foot has had its toes around my nose ever since I started this. Sometimes I just can’t stand a human and their feet. What makes them so special? Why do they get to have extremities? If flip flops can’t get arms then humans shouldn’t either!