Make Recycling Mandatory

In his blog post, Push for Recycling, T explains the benefits of recycling and proposes new ideas to increase the amount of recycling that takes place in Austin. After discussing the places where recycling is already required, T gives examples of where recycling should be mandatory. The posts’ overall main point is a proposal for a bill that would require all residents in Austin to recycle. Then, after making recycling mandatory, an incentive will be created by punishing those who don’t follow the new law by ticketing them. 

Over all, the post is well written and brings up many intelligent ideas and proposals. The post examines a topic that is very popular in our society today, making it a very attractive read. T’s evidential support comes from the Residential Recycling Guidelines list from the Solid Waste Services provided by the City of Austin.

I agree completely with the proposal. There is one idea that I recommend adding to the post. Why not require all of Texas to recycle instead of just Austin alone? Wouldn’t that create an even larger benefit? Imagine if Houston, Dallas and Austin were all required to recycle by law. What a difference that would make! I think ticketing people for not recycling is also a brilliant idea. Understanding the consequence for not recycling would be a ninety dollar fine, I would certainly recycle! If we don’t do anything thing to protect our earth and make it more “green,” who will? This is a great proposal and a wonderful post overall. 

Should Texas Consider Reducing Tuition Costs?

In recent months, some school districts in Texas have been considering to pay their students for making good grades. Typically, this is being considered in school districts with low test scores and low grade point averages overall.

Receiving money for making good grades would be incentive to many if not all children to do their work and do it well. The concern lies within the ethics of the idea as a whole. Is it right to bribe students for their work and knowledge? What will the students do with the money? Ethics regarding this topic are free for exploration, although my argument emerges elsewhere.

If Texas school districts have sufficient funds to pay their students for making good grades, why can’t Texas universities and colleges work with Texas legislators to request funding to reward students who have been making good grades in high school all along? One possibility would be creating a reduction in tuition, or offering other incentive based opportunities to students in high school, who will eventually be in college. For example, if a student has made all A’s in high school, that student should be entitled to a reduction in their tuition cost. This would not leave the student free to spend money granted to them any way they wish, but it would go directly to aid in funding for their higher education.  

One argument that is brought up is that students’ incentive to making good grades is automatic acceptance to Texas colleges and universities due to the top ten percent rule. This is a great incentive, although we must consider the financial implications. For example, individuals who “make the cut,” and are forced to decline acceptance because they cannot afford the high cost of tuition. Tuition has increased roughly forty percent since my brother began college in 2001, and there is no indication of lower tuition prices at this time.     

I think it would be a very intelligent decision for Texas legislators to consider reducing tuition costs for students who made all A’s in high school. Not only would it be incentive for the students to perform well while in high school, but it may also allow some students the opportunity to attend the college of their first choice. I believe that Texas’ government should work harder at reducing college tuition rates for top performing students, but I do not believe higher education should be free.    

Allowing Guns on College Campuses. Risky or Somewhat Necessary?

In the blog post, “Keep Guns Out of Texas Schools,” Katherine Haenschen lists various Texas universities who have stated their opposition towards a bill “that would make it legal to carry concealed weapons inside Texas college classrooms.” Haenschen also generously displays many ways Texans can prevent the bill from being passed, “in the House.”

Within the post, Haenschen focuses on the negative aspect of allowing guns on college campuses. Haenschen also states, “the lives of our Texas students depend on it.” My disagreement to this statement is, the lives of Texas students may in fact depend on the passing of the bill. For example, in past years, shootings on college campuses have resulted in the death of innocent individuals. Although lost lives are not to be unnoticed by any means, perhaps some lives may have been saved if it had been legal for students to carry guns on campus. For example, perhaps a student with a gun on the days of the tragic shootings could have used it as self-defense for themselves and their peers.

It is law, that to carry a concealed gun, you must be twenty-one, and have a license to carry the gun. It is up to each individual to make their own decision as to whether or not they will carry a gun in many public places. Why should a college campus be any different? If an individual follows the law regarding handguns and chooses to carry one, why should we be concerned that they are brought to a college campus? If an individual seriously intends to hurt someone and has a mission to bring a gun on campus (even though it isn’t yet allowed), they’re more than likely going to bring the weapon on campus whether the law passes. I realize passage of the bill for reasons I have noted above is unlikely, but my reasons are worth mentioning, in my opinion.

This is a difficult and controversial topic. While I wish for protection for innocent lives and understand the increased risk with allowing guns on campus, I am currently on the fence regarding the passing of the bill. I believe it is crucial that reasons from both sides should be evaluated and discussed before a final decision is made.