The Three "R's..."

Would anyone reading my article like a pay cut like the one that the Texas schools districts received from the state? Anyone? If you wouldn’t want that kind of cut, let me be the first of many who’d say, I’ll take a pay cut like the school districts got from the state, each and every month!

There has been allot in the news about the numerous cuts the Texas state government have made to the school districts. It seems typical that government entities whine about getting cuts, when in fact, their funding is increased. On the federal level you hear about "cuts" when the increases aren't high enough. This is the case with Texas schools as well. They have learned to whine and spin to the point of lying when it comes to money.

In a recent article of The Dallas Morning News , Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst puts it well, without the spin: “Under the old law, we were expected to increase our funding for public education by $8 billion,” but Dewhurst also said recently at an event sponsored by the Texas Tribune, “We increased our funding for public education by almost $4 billion. Only in government if you expect an $8 billion increase and get $4 billion is that a cut.”

As well, in a November 18^th article in The Austin American Statesmen there was a story about how the high school football programs are costing the school districts, rather than generating a positive revenue flow. The Richardson School district loses over $122,000 per school year. Maybe, rather than whining about cuts that are really an increase in funding of about $4 billion for the year that don’t support the areas where districts are struggling, the school districts and its administrators can properly compensate its teachers and educational staff and provide it’s students with the proper educational tools that would get them back to what the school system should be all about, the three "r's", riting, readin and rithmatic!

Let the Punishment Fit the Crime...

In his article titled Ultimate Justice, my colleague, Travis makes his argument that, “Capital punishment is an outdated unmoral punishment that we need to rise above from and join the rest of civilized society,” in rebuttal to Governor Rick Perry’s stance on the death penalty. Although Travis admits that, ”Rick Perry is not the one to blame for the continued excessive use of capital punishment,” that, ”It is the majority of Texans who vote for the Judges,” that are responsible, Travis mocks fellow Texans by implying that many Texans stance is, “kill em all, and let God sort it out,” and ends his article with a quote from Desmond Tutu, which is obvious he’s in agreement with, that “To take a life when a life has been lost is revenge, not justice.”

Allow me, a native born Texan and born again Christian, for a moment to indulge those of you who say “Justice should be left up to God.” Any Theologian and well read Bible Scholar will tell you that He (God) instituted the death penalty. He gave it as law to His people, the Israelites. God uses government to enact justice and there is nothing wrong with that. And if you back the “innocent people will be killed” argument then what do you say about people like James Ealey, who was convicted of murdering four members of the Parker family back in 1982, then released because the ruling was overturned and then charged and convicted of murdering restaurant manager Mary Hutchinson in 2006? He killed again because he never receive punishment for his initial crime!

Look, I understand the arguments against the death penalty, but I do not think it is inconsistent to be pro-life and yet pro-death penalty, as Governor Perry. Because life is so precious when an innocent life is taken shouldn’t there be retribution? Shouldn’t there be a price to pay for murder? Yes. Yes, God can forgive a murderer but we as a society are not God. Do we just forgive those who break the law? Do we forgive the thieves and let them go free? Do we forgive the rapists and let them go too? “Well yes sir, you raped and beat that woman but we are not God. We can’t judge you. Go and sin no more.” What nonsense!!!!! Do we forgive murderers and demand no JUST punishment for what they have taken?

Duly note that I am not a huge Rick Perry fan, however when people try to argue against his stance on the death penalty spouting such things as “God will judge” that’s where you lose me because we are not God. We as a society must have JUST punishment for wrongdoing. Where is the justice for someone like James Ealey who murdered a pregnant woman, her two teen daughters and her 3 year old grandson? And then found his way back into society after years in prison and murdered another innocent woman? He took 6 lives and yet gets to keep his own? That’s justice? I think not! Travis, although I can respect your opinion, I can also advise that you “rethink” your stance.