One for the money….

To what extent is a person willing to go in order to gain more power and money, of course to buy more supporters, and thus more power. A vicious cycle of greed and power-hunger which has victimized many people along the path of those who choose to feed their never-ending craving. In a recent article in the Texas Observer, I came across an interesting piece which presents to the readers an example of what a person is willing to do. 
 Waste Control Specialists, a company that is owned by one of Rick Perry's friends with deep pockets, Harold Simmons, is planning to open a nuclear waste facility in the state of Texas. It is well known that Mr. Simmons has contributed millions of dollars to Perry's campaigns, and it is now Perry's turn to return the favor, and using his influences to allow this facility to open in Texas is not going to surprise many people. Perry needs to consider the fact that nuclear waste is virtually indestructible, with the half-life of many of these elements being in the thousands of years, it would take a very long time for them to decay in to safer radiation levels (click here for more information). Perry's decisions now will have the potential to negatively affect the health and well being of the many generations of Texans to come. It is understandable to need to store nuclear waste in order to support nuclear reactor facilities, but to rush things and to try to downplay the consequences of a possible radiation leak is definitely not the way to go. Our leaders need to look past the dollar signs and really think things through. The life of those who allow for them to keep their positions is far more valuable than a briefcase full of Benjamin's.

Re: Expand the district or keep students paying higher tuition cost

This is in regards to Amelia Henneke's blog entry titled "Expand the District or Keep Students Paying Higher Tuition Cost" . Amelia presents a very interesting issue that has been issue of discussion as the population of Texas, and many other states for that matter, continue to grow. As the population continues to grow, young men and women throughout the region will need to expand their knowledge, attain more skills, or prepare for a higher education to improve their lives and the lives of their families or future families. Amelia brings specifically mentions Bastrop, and presents very credible data to support her argument. Personally, I agree with her in that nothing is free. The idea of a "free" education is just that, an idea. Residents pay their dues through property, sales, and other taxes. The people of Bastrop do not want to lose their "small town feel", and actually have since turned down the annexation into Austin Community's district as per this article in the Bastrop Advertiser. In my opinion, this would have been in the best interest of Bastrop to annex into the Austin Community College district. The lower tuition would allow for more people to have access to the benefit of a higher education. The idea of a large population sacrificing a relatively small amount of money for a more accessible higher education for their young is the nuts and bolts of what a collective good is. This is one of the many ideas that have made this country what it is today. Many people have sacrificed time, money, and even their lives for us to enjoy these liberties and benefits. Let us not forget that we must all play our part and give a little back to our communities, it is all for the greater good.