commentary of classmate's blog about Texans Health Care Issues

I am commenting on a classmate's blog "Texans trying to survive without health insurance" by "The Heart of Texas"

I completely agree with this blog on healthcare for Texans. There are WAY to many uninsured people in our state. I do see that we need some kind of help, whether it be a healthcare like Medicaid that is available for everyone, or some more medical branches that serve the people without healthcare ie. Ben Taub Hospital in Houston. Either way something has got to give. I also wonder how we are going to be able to afford this without sending us into a even more of a recession. Money is tight all around this nation. What will we have to give up in order to afford this? I am one of the uninsured people in Texas and I do know that I am taking a huge risk by being this way. I feel it everytime I get sick. But with the price of healthcare being so skyhigh, I don't have much of a choice. Too be insured through United Health Care on my own policy, I was quoted 206 per month. I am a average 29 year old female with no health problems and a non smoker. In the past when I have had insurance I would go to the Dr about twice a year. Once for a checkup and probably another time do to having the flu or something. 206 per month is rediculous to me as a student with little income. We need some kind of healthcare changes, without the beuocracies, and red tape in government. I can't say what would make the perfect solution, but something definately needs to change. Anna

This is a commentary from "The Heart of Texas" blog titled "Texans trying to survive without health insurance"

Science Curriculum up for debate

I read this article on Austin American Statesman this morning about how now Texas is joining in on the debate of whether Creationism is Science. Several other states have had huge debates regarding this issue and it isn’t pretty. The gloves have come off and its scientific fact against religious groups. Many schools are having this issue because these religious groups do not want their kids learning about evolution. They want the bible’s creation stories but into the books and not evolution. This is an issue that has gone on for many years. I graduated high school eleven years ago and it too was a heated topic in my school. I can’t believe that after all these years and it being in the constitution to separate church and state ie. School, that we are still having this argument. Don’t get me wrong I do believe in God. But as I take more and more college science courses the more I see facts of evolution. It is a difficult issue to come to terms with. But when it comes to teaching our kids; they need to know what has been scientifically proven, to be on the same educational level as everyone else. In the article a college campus in the Dallas area was trying to give a master’s degree in science on creationism. It was ruled that Creationism is on the religious side than science. I am so happy that the judge ruled that way, because why should we give a master degree out in science, if the only course studied are from the bible. There isn’t really a way to prove God’s creating the Earth in seven days scientifically. And how does that compare to a master’s in Biology? I feel that if parents have concerns and what not that we should make sure that they are involved. I can’t stand when a parent is so close minded and judgmental about their child’s education but they refuse to take the time and effort to learn more about what is going on in their child’s life educationally. How is a kid that graduates high school in Texas going to hold up in a Harvard biology class?

Reponse to a classmate's blog.

This posting is in response to a classmate’s blog regarding the death penalty. This blog can be viewed at A Citizen's Thoughts Blog.


I really agree that we should keep the death penalty in Texas. You pointed out that we have only used the death penalty around 400 times since 1976, which I also agree that we have not overused it. Most inmates spend several years on death row before they are ever excuted. They are given several chances for appeals and even have the chance to have new DNA technology introduced when thier cases are reopened after several decades. Great job on your blog.

According to, The Fort Worth’s Star Telegram’s website students in 2008 will incur yet another raise in tuition and fees cost starting the fall of 2008 and continue over the next 2 years. The increases will be set aside for fees, like transportation, athletics, and upgrades on buildings. The average increase for Texas public university will increase from 4 to 13 percent. As a student myself, I find this disheartening. School now is already expensive and adding to bill is not something I want to look forward to in the fall. Though it looks like UT Austin will be upholding the cap that was set back in 2003 and not increasing at this time, I do feel that by fall 2009 we will incur yet another hefty hike. I know that prices are rising everywhere. I see it every time I go to fill gas up in my car, and buy groceries. I am a older second time student and it is strange for me to see how prices have changed over the past ten years. I know understand where the older people were coming from when they would say, “Remember when gas was 15 cents?” I can remember when gas was 89 cents a gallon. Now we are over three times that most everywhere. Education is very important and a necessity there is no arguing with that. But how much am I willing to pay to obtain that document that will give me the job that I want? I want to be an elementary public school teacher and I am aware that this position is not a cash cow money maker; I just want to make a difference. So if the school needs money for more athletic equipment then I will pay the price. I just hope that I can hurry and finish my degree before I accrue a hefty school loan bill that I won’t be able to pay on my teaching salary.

Old Fashioned Mudslinging

I am writing this to reply to the blog that was submitted from blog Vaqueros & Wonkeros at the El Paso Times. On February 27 2008 this was written about the press release that was issued from State Rep. Pat Haggerty asking his challenger Dee Margo, in the upcoming elections to answer questions in regards to an FBI public corruption scandal from El Paso. Rep. Haggerty requested at the end of the letter to submit a response by noon on Thursday that week. According to Brandi Grissom, by the end of the business day that Thurs, there was no response. The seven questions are as follows.
“1) Did you use arrested child pornographer Fernando Parra in one of your online campaign advertisements in your losing Senate campaign? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO2) Did you and Randy McGraw, as principals with Crest, a health advisory firm you own, each provide a $500.00 political contribution to at least one County Official with the purpose to influence their decision on a contract to provide services regarding review and evaluation of health plans for county employees? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO3) As a principal for Crest, were you responsible for making recommendations to the city, county, and school district to hire ACCESS as their third party administrator? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO4) Is it true that ACCESS provided payments for trip and expenses to Randy McGraw as an exchange for Crest making recommendations for ACCESS contracts? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO5) When Holmes and Murphy out of Dallas underbid Crest for a county contract by $50,000, three times lower than the bid by Crest, did you sabotage their opportunity for winning the contract by requesting that the item be tabled behind closed doors? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO6) Did you boast about your relationship with and contributions to Judge Anthony Cobos in an El Diario article published 11/06/06? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO7) Do you feel the Public Integrity Unit should investigate Speaker Tom Craddick for felony bribery under the Texas Speakers Statute when he punished the El Paso legislative delegation by taking money intended for the El Paso medical school and using it instead for a pork project in Midland? Dee’s Answer: YES or NO”
Ok these questions are pretty heavy. I mean I am not sure but I think Rep. Haggerty should be listed in all government books as an example of modern day mudslinging. Not to say that these questions aren’t of great importance. These events that Rep. Haggerty do have a lot of merit. This is something that will need to come to light and needs to be taken seriously. But at this time and so close to a big election, why are you bringing things up that you before have never question? This FBI investigation goes way back, and now all of a sudden you want to bring it up to try and win some votes. This just to me looks like drama. I hope that others see what I see when it comes down to right before an election how our Politian’s act how they really are. As for he not responding I am not sure how to feel about that. It is such a critical time and people are really trying to figure out who they want to vote for. I just hope her not responding is only because she felt that not responding is taking the higher road.

What is the deal with this State Rep. Paul Moreno?

I got this story from the blog from Vaquero & Wonkeros of the El Paso Times on Feb. 6th 2008 titled "Deciet of Negligence". The blog states that there was some discrepancies on whether this state repersantative Paul Moreno actually recieved his law degree from UT. There was some confusion because on his own website it statesthat he recieved his law degree from University of Texas school of Law. It has now been corrected on the website and he has eventold the station that this was an oversite and he never meant to mislead the public. But according to the blog it states, "Thant unfortunately, State Rep Moreno has a pattern of misleading the public." It said that he claimsto be a "fighter" for the district put according to thier information he has only passed one bill in the 16 years and has missed over a 1000 votesin the last Legislation session. With El Paso in great need of funding he also failed to support any additional funding for children, veterans, or even seniors.
I have to say that I am a little appauled at this information. This man has been serving his district for more than 16 years and this is just now coming to light about his lack of education. I believe that all people holding a public office especially to reperesnt his community should be held to a higher standard. They are our voice to the legislative, excutative, and judical offices. We pay thier salaries and they recieve many perks for working thier positions. Like not having to pay into social security. What is with that? I think that he owes his distric a formal apology. If he is up for relection then all ofthe matters should be taken in account, BEFORE the actual election. Many times these apologies are done after that person has been relected into office and by the time the next election comes around most of these issues are long forgotton. I believe that this article is definatly worththe time to read. Thats just my view.