Drinking and Driving Commentary

I completely support the new law that sentences drunken drivers to life in prison if they kill first responders. First responders, such as police officers and firemen, put their lives in danger in hope to protect our citizens. We pray they never have to pay the ultimate price due to drunk drivers when this could be prevented by people gaining some sense and responsibility. I also agree that drunk drivers should be put behind bars for life for killing not only first responders, but any innocent victim. All lives are precious and it's not fair that they have to be put at risk due to drunk driving. Running into someone with one's car when under the influence is just like murder. A vehicle and alcohol together is a weapon of destruction just like a gun and bullets.

Here is the link to this classmate's editorial on which I commented: http://andy-theeyesoftexas.blogspot.com/2007/08/drinking-and-driving.html

To read more about the original article go to: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/legislature/stories/DN-officers_18tex.ART.State.Edition1.3b82e05.html

Texas Is A Minority

Right now, Texas is one of only seven states that doesn't have income taxes. I think it may be time for Texas to change its mind about having a state income tax. Without the implementation of an income tax, Texas is forced to rely solely on sales and property taxes for the fiscal year's revenue. Both of these forms of taxing are regressive, which is when the percentage one pays of his/her income towards the tax decreases as his/her income increases. Sales tax is regressive even though everyone is taxed the same percentage on consumer products because poorer families have to give a higher percentage of their total income than wealthier families. The same applies to property taxes. Families of lower incomes pay a higher percentage of that income for property taxes. In defense of regressive taxes, though, wealthier families do pay a lower percentage in taxes, it usually comes out to be a greater dollar amount, so they are physically paying more. Most wealthy families will buy more consumer products and live on higher valued property, increasing the actual amount of money paid for taxes and added to the state's revenue. So the taxes are regressive in respect to the percentage of your income paid, but wealthy families usually end up giving a greater dollar amount.

Despite its unpopularity, having an income tax would help relieve the debate over regressive taxes and it could also be used to help fund education. Our current tax system doesn't provide enough revenue for the fiscal year to properly support school funding. Why do you think Texas rankings regarding education are so low? For example, Texas currently is ranked 45th in the United States regarding SAT scores. Not only could state income taxes help bring Texas education up to the national average, but it could also help lower property taxes. "The state constitution requires that two-thirds of any income tax be used to relieve property taxes and one-third be used to fund education" (Lovegren). An income tax also taxes anyone who is employed and taxes companies as a whole, while property taxes only include those who own property. So, those who rent a house or an apartment are exempt from property taxes, possibly making income taxes more fair. Having an income tax will also help change our tax system from regressive to progressive. In conclusion, income taxes would give a broader base of revenue for the state, and it seems to be a more fair and equitable way to tax the citizens of Texas.