To Help or Not to help?

In Nick Roberts’ blog, Foreign U.S. Work in The Middle East, he describes how America struggles to help fix other countries when we can barley help ourselves.

I agree with his views that diplomacy is much more highly acceptable over war. Other countries have their own ways for handling problems, and with the U.S. getting involved we are making these problems our own. I feel America should get involved to an extent. For example, how Robert’s states we should help set up a foundation for the people and give ideas on what to do, but we can’t lead or force them into changing their ways.

In America, we have so many choices and privileges to do or say what we feel, but in other countries their minds are closed off to what the government allows them to think and believe. With nonprofit agencies helping other countries it can open many doors for the good and bad. These foreign places aren’t going to be convinced with outsiders trying to change the view of their people and the problem can get bigger for America.

Pretty soon our job of playing super man is going to back fire on America. I feel America is offering information on ways to change other countries ways of living. In doing so it hurts the citizens of the country who are trying to stand up for themselves. When citizens of these countries attempt to defend their freedoms and rights usually they are punished by their ruling governments. This causes us (Americans) to feel guilty and we pursue trying to fight to give them the same civil liberties we have. It’s not the people who run the country by war, but it’s the leaders, so unless we can attack the source of the problem its going to be a struggle to bring forth change. In other countries the leaders make decisions not the people, versus America where we vote as a whole to decide our legal system. 

Teachers Today Challenge Tomorrow

Many teachers are protesting and standing up for their rights around America, because of the budget cut and negative affects they are facing. The demand for teachers is going up and the supply of teachers is dropping. Educational experts say that in the years to come there will be a shortage in teachers as the baby boomers retire and the larger group of youngsters start school.

In Wisconsin, on February 16, many teachers refused to go into work and called in sick. They were protesting the bill that had just been passed on February 11, stating that Wisconsin is facing an immediate set back of $137 million for the current fiscal year which ends in July.  “This isn't about protecting pay and benefits – it's about protecting the right to collectively bargain” said president, Mary Bell, of Wisconsin Education Association Council. This is just one state were teachers refused to go into work, imagine all 50 states at once acting out.

Many teachers are getting fired because around 80% of the budget is to pay teachers, but they can’t afford them anymore. Workers are also being stripped of any rights to negotiate for better pensions or health benefits. The rights of these workers are being stripped when they should be praised, because teachers are the instructors of tomorrow’s leaders.

Our children and younger generations are the most important thing in the world so why wouldn’t America want the best, no matter the cost. The budget can be divided and lowered in other areas besides education. Not only are the adults in this situation suffering but the children are going to be suffering on the equipment they need for proper learning: teachers, programs, tutors, etc.

Teachers have been underpaid since the profession started, but taking advantage of them to this extent is crucial. Everyone can only take so much, and many teachers will stand by this, and many teachers are going to give up. It’s a hard decision, because the budget cut is a way for our economy to better itself, while hurting itself. Education is the last thing that should have such a heavy budget on, because it affects everyone no matter their age. How else can Americans improve if no one is teaching them? With all the discouragement teachers are receiving from this cut, how can we be sure they’ll even want to perform at their best?

Planned Parenthoods Risk

In Ian’s blog, Planned Parenthood at risk, he highlighted all of the things the clinic does for people and gave facts with statistics. America has welcomed teen pregnancy with open arms and without clinics, like Planned Parenthood, many kids wouldn’t even understand or acknowledge the options they have in teen pregnancy. Besides teen pregnancy, many young adults wouldn’t receive the education and counseling, Planned Parenthood offers on sex, std’s, pregnancy, etc. I totally agree with your editorial on the Planned Parenthood budget, because our government should be looking at benefits towards Americans rather than spending all our aid on foreign countries when they need help.

We fail to realize many of us in our own country need help. With all the controversy going on about health care, the government should be appreciative of programs like these, because many times these clinics catch diseases in the early stages, to be cured. Without the clinics financial help these patients would never have had the opportunity to even know something was wrong with them.

 Even though the national budget is decreasing all around we should focus the maximum amount we can afford towards health care providers like Planned Parenthood and education. Many people disagree with Planned Parenthood because of what they offer but little do they know it could help one of their children one day. Planned Parenthood has helped many people in my community and will continue to do so with the right funding. If Planned Parenthood quit receiving aid, just imagine how many people would go untreated in the United States, because of financial problems.