bros before hos

I really enjoyed reading “Bros before Hos”. I thought it was really eye opening and truly clears up some questions that I have been asking myself for a long time about why guys do the stupid things that they do.  I found myself highlighting almost every line and agreeing with a lot of the things that were written.  I did however disagree with a few ideas about what being a man is, because I felt that they were a little outdated.  

1.The rules associated with the man code are toughness, show no emotions, don’t cry, show no weakness, have the best and most expensive stuff, be successful, don’t care what people think, get to the top, and show no fear.  If you fail to do these things then you are considered to be gay, a pussy, wimp, faggot, mama’s boy, or sissy.  To be honest, I don’t think that this is really something that is true in this day in age, it might have been in the past. I know plenty of guys who partake in what could be seen as feminine things and they are totally straight and don’t feel self conscious or judged about it.  My dad is a manly guy but he also shows his emotions and is in tune with his feelings. He also listens to and cares for me and my mom to no end.  This article kind of made guys out to be rude statues, but who knows maybe they all are (except for my dad of course)! Jk.

I found it really interesting and eye-opening that the reason that men act like “manly men” that society tells them they should be, not to impress women, but it’s actually to impress other men, to be seen as a “man among men.” But I have to wonder where the hell do all of us women fit in? If men only think of men and what men think about them, then do women’s opinions and influence even mean anything?  It is really sad to think about.  If men are told that they shouldn't show emotions at all or be vulnerable or loving, what do they do if they truly want to be all of those things?  They must feel like they are trapped inside of a box of their own emotions, and that could maybe be related to violence issues.  It really is hard to keep things like your feelings bottled up for years, and maybe violence is a way of them showing their emotions in an unhealthy way.  It’s okay to cry boys! No one’s gonna laugh at you, really.  I think that women kind of get the shit end of the stick in this situation because everything that we know best, love compassion, tenderness, vulnerability, emotions, etc, but when a guy acts in the way that we do he is seem as gay, and that gay is usually meant in a derogatory way. 

Overall this article just made me confused! I love guys!  And I really hope that this is not how most guys think, because if it is they are really not aware of how awesome the world is when you don’t have to trip out about these things all the time!

No on Prop. 30

It is clear that the educational system in the state of California is at one of the lowest points in decades. Schools are forced to deal with teacher cuts, overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding for supplies and textbooks, and inadequate opportunities for students due to a lack of resources. We are facing a crisis in our state.  California once had an incredible system of education, envied by the rest of the United States, but with economic decline and an overstrained state budget, the educational system is failing right before our eyes.

California Governor Jerry Brown proposed Proposition 30, which supporters claim will raise about $6 billion in new revenue each year for a variety of programs, education being the largest, through a 0.25% sales tax increase lasting for 4 years to save our schools.  The proposition would also increase income tax on individuals making more than $250,000 and couples making more than $500,000 per year.  If the proposition does not pass, then automatic “trigger cuts” will slash about $6 billion from K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. 

As a community college student with plans to transfer to a California State University, I have personally experienced the negative effects of the educational deficiencies in California.  I have waited outside of classrooms desperately hoping to be able to add a class, sat in through two weeks of classes and still not been able to get a spot, and have seen course offerings slashed.  I am dedicated to my education and determined to excel in my major, but the budget crisis makes it incredibly difficult to push forward as expenses for education are rising, and opportunities for students are continuing to diminish. 

Of course we want excellent schools in California.  Students deserve affordable education and access to future success.  We need to make our schools more efficient, eliminate waste, cut duplication, and standardize procedures. We also need to recognize achievement and create a mechanism to remove unproductive personnel and programs.  Raising taxes, however, is not the way to accomplish this. Raising taxes to fix a greater problem puts us farther away from solving our budget crisis and creating a sustainable higher education system. Our economy is simply too fragile in our current state to enforce higher taxes on the public.  We are just beginning to recover from a crippling recession, and, if Proposition 30 passes, California’s income rates will be the “highest in the nation - 21 percent above the second-highest state of Hawaii and 34 percent above the third - highest state of Oregon” (Greenhut.) Although a quarter-cent sales tax hike may not seem so noticeable, the “median U.S. family income has declined more than $4,000 in four years,” (OC Register) and this seemingly small tax-hike really does make a difference.  

The lack of the funding promised by the passage of Proposition 30 will have devastating effects on the state’s educational system and public safety, but we have to consider the alternative.  The passage of Proposition 30 will set California back even farther in rebuilding our economy, creating stability and developing a sustainable balanced budget for the future. An argument supported by retired California State Board of Education Executive Director, Tom Bogetich, cited in The California Official Voter Guide opposing Proposition 30 states, “We need to grow our economy to create jobs and cut waste, clean up government, reform our budget process and hold the politicians accountable instead of approving a $50 billion tax hike on small businesses and working families (over seven years) that doesn’t provide any accountability or guarantee new funding for schools.”  Yes, Proposition 30 does reverse budget cuts being made to education, but in no way does it actually improve the school system.  Our problems are not the result of a lack of funding; they stem from funds never making it into the classroom, and instead being spent on the perpetuation of an inefficient bureaucracy, funding pensions and benefits before students. According to Contra Costa times, “Proposition 30 is like taking an Alka-Seltzer for your aching head when you need brain surgery. Sure, the pain might lessen for a while, but the root cause remains.” (CCT)  Like so many flawed propositions, Proposition 30 seeks to tie public safety and many other issues into educational funding, when these issues are clearly separate and should be treated as such.

Another negative aspect of Proposition 30 is the burden on small business owners who pay individual tax rates on their earnings. This is further depleting California’s job market and economy by making California a less-desirable place to live, and forcing Californians to move their businesses elsewhere. My father owns his own business and has built it from the ground up, so I have seen the turmoil he has gone through to keep a business afloat in this economy, and it is heartbreaking.  Most people work their entire lives to be successful. If Proposition 30 passes, success will be penalized by higher tax rates; that is simply unjust.  There is nothing right about forcing one group of people to pay more taxes than another.

In conclusion, Proposition 30 is hurtful to California.  It threatens slashed funding for schools if defeated with no accountability or assurance that the new revenue will go where it is promised if passed.  California is in need of long term reform.  It’s time to do the hard work, get to the real core of the problem in our state which is inefficiency, waste, and improper allocation of taxpayers dollars.  We need to vote for what will benefit California in the long-run, instead of passing quick-fixes that appease but do not resolve long-standing problems. Opposing Proposition 30 is the right thing to do in order to initiate necessary reform and positive change to move us forward.

VERY roughdraft

It is clear that the educational system in the state of California is at one of it’s lowest points in decades. With teacher cuts, overcrowded classrooms, lack of funding for supplies and textbooks, and inadequate opportunities for students due to a lack of resources, we are facing a crisis in our state.  California once had an incredible system of education, envied by the rest of the United States, but with the budget decline in our current situation, the educational system is falling apart right before our eyes.   California governor Jerry Brown proposed proposition 30, which is said to be able to raise about $6 billion in new revenue each year for education and public safety through a 0.25% sales tax increase lasting for 4 years.  The proposition would also increase income tax on individuals making more than $250,000 and couples making more than $500,000 per year.  If the proposition does not pass, then automatic “trigger cuts” will slash about $6 billion from K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities.

As a student community college student with plans to transfer to a California State University in this day in age, I have personally experienced the negative effects of the flaws in California schools because of the lack of money to fund education. I have waited outside of classrooms desperately hoping to be able to add a class, sat in through 2 weeks of classes and still not been able to get a spot.  I am dedicated to my education and determined to excel in my major, but it makes it incredibly difficult to push forward when expenses for education are rising, and opportunities for students are at a steady downward climb.  Times are tough and changes need to be made in California to help this debacle we’re in, but I don’t think that simply raising taxes is the answer.  Our economy is simply too fragile to enforce even more taxes on the public.  We are finally recovering from a the crippling recession in 2008.  If proposition 30 passes, California’s income rates will be the “highest in the nation-21 percent aboce the second-highest state of Hawaii and 34 percent above the third-highest state of Oregon”. (Greenhut) California is high on the list of most other taxes and regulations, and its wasteful public services are not reform-able because of union power. It raises baffles me why, even though we are in the middle of a recession, and prices prices are inflating, that the inflation in the cost of an education has inflated exponentially more.

______ that I just don’t understand is why public safety and education are lumped together.  They are completely separate issues that should be adressed separately.  

“productive people are leaving and they will do so more rapidly if this “just tax and spend more” advice is followed”  Higher tax rates are making it close to impossible for private business owners in the state of California.  Unions, corporations

We are in need of reform, not higher taxes.  This problem is not caused by a lack of money for schools, moreso the problem lies with money being channeled into the wrong people’s hands and going god knows where.

“Governmental instability is an understandable reason to flee. In cities that have overspent on lush pensions and wasteful redevelopment projects, traditional public services (infrastructure, public safety, parks, etc.) suffer—something that will get worse as more localities file for bankruptcy.”

The American Dream? Small business owners get the shit end of the stick I have spent much time debating over this issue and have come to the conclusion that if I want something done, I want it done right.  Raising taxes in the middle of what is the one of the worst recessions in United States history is not the answer to fixing our national budget crisis.  I want to vote for what is MORALLY right, and if we have any chance at a future that will can pull us out of this sticky and complicated situation, we need to ignore those threats of funds being cut, because theyre probably going to be cut someway or another anyway.  Instead we need to adress the ongoing question, “where is our money REALLY going?” 

proposal

Writers strategy 1-Logos

I will use logos in my op-ed by using facts, evidence, and logical reasoning to persuade my readers into favoring proposition 30.

Evidence I will use:

• prop. 30 will provide funding billions of dollars to K-12 and higher education from the tax increase posed on all californians
• If it does not pass, tuitions at CSUs will increase
• Community colleges, Cabrillo in particular, will lose spaces for at least 180 full-time students 
• This causes students who are motivated and dedicated to school could lose their motivation to succeed and excel
• Raise in tuitions will cause many students to not be able to attend school, when they are able to now.
• Counter-argument: even though income taxes will increase even more for higher income individuals, their are way more people who make less money than that who need this help

The evidence and reasoning I provide will persuade the reader to favor proposition 30 because I will bring to light solid facts proving that prop. 30 is more beneficial than hurtful to Californians.  I will also cover the counter-argument and empathize with the other side, while still arguing that my opinion is smarter.

Writing strategy 2- Ethos

I will use ethos in my essay to show my credibility on the topic of education in California.

Since I am a college student in California, I have experienced many let-downs and flaws in my few years of schooling here.  I have not been able to get into classes that I need for my major, causing my schooling to take longer than it should and in turn cost me more money while tuitions are still climbing. I have also had to sit in classrooms without a seat and be rushed through time to ask questions because classes are so impacted.

The effect I hope for is that the reader will see that I am knowledgable about the flaws in the school system caused by lack of funding and I am directly effected by them.    Readers who are not students will hopefully be able to see the problem through my eyes and empathize.

Writing strategy 3- Pathos

I will use pathos in my essay to appeal to the emotions of the readers by referring to the passing of prop. 30 helping kids  who don’t have the power to make a change on their own.  We want our country to keep improving and not be a bunch of uneducated idiots because education is too stressful and unfair.

I hope that this will make the reader to empathize with me and feel sad for all the little kids that might not get jobs in the future because of their inadequate schooling. I hope that they feel a sense of obligation to help the nation’s youth who are still searching for and preparing for future careers.

Annotated Bibliography

Rivera, Carla. "Cal State System to Hike Tuition 5% If Prop. 30 Fails." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 18 Sept. 2012. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0919-cal-state-fees-2-20120919,0,5650848.story>.

Carla Rivera reports on the effects of Proposition 30 on tuition increases at California State Universities, trustees of CSU approved a plan to raise tuition 5% if Prop. 30 fails, raising the annual undergraduate tuition to $6270, not including books and supplies.  Failure of Proposition 30 would trigger a $250 million funding cut to the Cal State system.  If the proposition passes, Cal state would have to refund tuition checks, grant tuition credit and recalculate financial aid packages, because the passing of Prop. 30 would rescind the 9% tuition hike that took place this fall that could raise millions in revenue.  The finance panel approved the measure by a vote of 6-1.  Lillian Taiz, president of the California Faculty Association, spoke against the tuition increase saying that other options to save cost had not been properly considered.  The board of trustees at CSU are urging for the passing of prop. 30, even with some reluctance from a few members, because it will help families and students drastically.  

"NEWS & PRESS - Schools & Safety Protection Act - Yes on Prop 30." NEWS & PRESS - Schools & Safety Protection Act - Yes on Prop 30. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.yesonprop30.com/index.php/news-press>.

        Bill Freeman explains that California once had a school system eviable by most.  It was blessed with up-to-date textbooks, supplies for classrooms, excited and respected teachers and produced successful adults, but the education system has taken a turn for the worst.  Without proper enrichment programs, current textbooks, special classes and support staff it is not doing the job it once did to prepare children for college and future careers. In the last 4 years, nearly $20 billion has been cut from the funding of California schools, leaving 30,000 educators without jobs.  Since we’ve lost this excellent school system, measures must be taken in order to get it back. Reinvesting in education is the answer to fixing these flaws in our school system.  Proposition 30 is the only measure that stops cuts, steep tuition hikes and puts the focus back on the students to insure them a bright future.  Although this proposition will not completely alleviate the bad situation in our schools, but it is the closest thing to bringing them back to a stable and progressive state.

Idiot Nation

Michael Moore's essay "Idiot Nation" is an opinion editorial explaining Michael Moore views about the idiotic people in the United States.  He believes that Americans are ignorant, lazy people, and the politicians of this country are to blame for it.  He explains the negative school experience that America's youth is faced with and the effects of a seriously flawed educational system.  Moore points out the most obviously idiotic actions of our country's elected officials and asks us all to question our role in our idiot nation.  We all have the power to make a difference in our nation, let's do something good by using our brains!

1. The general education requirements at Cabrillo I think are definitely adequate for educating me to be a well-rounded individual.  I am required to take a variety of classes that have helped me in the real world, and that I use apply to my daily life.  My general education has required a variety of math classes, english, communications, history, arts, and science.  I believe that Cabrillo in particular is a great school as far as community colleges go. 

1. The most interesting part about reading this piece was Michael Moore’s examples of our nation’s idiocracy.  One example that shocked me as just completely ridiculous was Fred Barnes’ comment about children being uneducation about the lIliad and the Odyssey.  But when Fred Barnes was asked to explain what the lIliad and the Odyssey are he was stumped and mumbled “fine, you got me.”  This type of example is a recurring trend throughout this essay.  It really goes to show that people will do a lot of pointing fingers in the wrong direction without first looking at themselves to see what change they could make in their own behavior.  I really enjoyed that his retort to that comment was, “you gladly hawk your ‘wisdom’ to hundreds of thousands of unsuspecting citizens, gleefully scorning others for their ignorance.  Yet you and your guests know little or nothing yourselves.  Grow up, get some books, and go to your room.  Another example from this piece that I enjoyed was the reference to American politicians being obsessed with standardized testing in our schools. Kids already hate taking tests and forcing them to do more tests will just make kids absolutely dread them and in turn be less motivated to do well, producing lower scores, and more politicians taking the wrong approach to produce higher scores.  

I actually read this article when I didn’t even know it was assigned for this class and Imo glad that it was one of the ones on the course syllabus.  I don’t totally agree with a lot of Michael Moore’s harsh opinions, but as far as his view on education I believe he really hit the nail on the head.  It’s as if he sees the truth and everyone else is seeing the world with a blanket over their eyes.  I believe that the problems in our education system could be more easily solved if we all stopped to look at things practically like Michael Moore.

Week 2

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/opinion-la/la-ol-sand-prop32-blowback-20120824,0,2890404.story

1. Para Theresa is partly written in English and partly in Spanish to show the different cultures influencing the girls in the poem.  They are Latina girls in an English system, and the lines in Spanish help to show the contrast between the culture they were raised in, in comparison to the culture that they are being educated in.  Teresa is rebelling against the system and the lines pertaining to her are in Spanish, while most of the lines  are in English to show that Ines is conforming to the English way of pursuing her education.  The two languages show the conflict between the two girls, because they are both experiencing outside pressures to become something other than what they naturally are
2. I believe that narrator wrote the poem reflecting back on her past with Teresa because she forgives Teresa for the past and wants to let her know that she cares for her anyway.  Ines overcame the bullying that came from Teresa’s anger towards her dedication to her education and in the end became successful from it.  When she was a child, the fight was much more meaningful in her daily life and it made her schooling hard, but as Ines looks back on it, she realizes that the fight was forgivable and she understands why Teresa acted the way that she did.  When we are children the people that hurt us shape the way that we view the world and how we act towards people.  Ines wrote the poem to show Teresa that even though she was harsh and hurtful towards her for trying to please her family through school, she understands why she did it and sees her as a sister anyway.  The poem is a way of showing Teresa that she is letting go of the past and trying to move on.

6. Larry Sand believes that taking payroll deductions for political purposes from union workers is immoral and wrong.  He believes that the CTA is skimping teachers on paychecks and is being dishonest towards parents about the education that their children are receiving.  He says that Prop. 32 is the best hope to rescue the next generations from less than adequate schools.  Also, the passing of Prop. 32 will eliminate the tie between special interests and politicians, and in turn insure a better education for our future generations.

In response to this article, I think that I would have to agree with Larry Sand.  I think that  corporations should not be able to contribute endless amounts of money to political matters.  It overrides individual voices in the general public whose voices are ignored because people listen to money. When politicians are awarded unlimited funds towards their campaigns, democracy goes out the window because the voice of the people is overrided by the voices of a few powerful people with fat pockets.