Tag Archives: republicans

Alabama Passes the School Flexibility Bill

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What a night tonight!  The Alabama Legislature passed the School Flexibility Bill.  The original bill was something both sides of the legislature agreed with.  But after a conference committee session, the bill went from 9 pages to a 28 page bill.  The things that were added included added tax credits for some parents who may want to move their children to private schools and flexibility on teacher tenure.  This all sounds like something politicians would do from Washington D.C.  Why did the Republicans had to go behind closed doors and insert something just like that.  And then turn around and pass the bill in a short amount of time.  Something smells fishy here!

Many people were caught off guard by this bait and switch.  Even the State Superintendent Tommy Bice said ”NONE of the added language has been vetted with us at the State Department/State Board of Education, There are SIGNIFICANT negative financial implications for all of Alabama’s public schools. THIS IS NO LONGER THE BILL I GAVE MY SUPPORT TO!”  While the bill was being passed in the Alabama Senate; the chamber became a shouting match and no one had control!

Sadly in my opinion; I think this bill is going to prove to be very bad!  Michelle Rhee sent me a e-mail saying “We’re also pleased to see that Alabama is increasing flexibility for schools and districts. This will empower school leaders by allowing them to be innovative and to better respond to the unique needs of their students.  As Alabama moves toward providing districts with increased flexibility and parents with more school choice, we hope policymakers implement strong performance standards to ensure that schools are being held accountable for student success.”

The House and Senate leadership passed a bill behind closed doors that provides a tax credit give-away to rich families zoned for failing schools to subsidize the private school tuition they are already paying.  This is basically segregation through income instead of race.  So does that mean the legislature has abandoned local schools in favor of private schools for the rich and supported by the poor?  I hope not!

A return to history was made today, where the wealthy (white) students can attend private schools at the citizens of Alabama’s expense, while those same citizens’ children are relegated to the underfunded, inferior education meant to keep them poor and ignorant pawns.  Alabama has made history before; remember when George Wallace made history when he stood in the schoolhouse door.  Or when Bull Connor made history when he ordered fire hoses and attack dogs to be used against Alabama demonstrators, many of them children.

The governor says he is proud the legislature passed this “for the children of this state and especially the children who are in failing school systems and had no way out.”  Are we to assume then, that private schools will now change their policies and, as public schools are required to do, accept all applicants regardless of their previous academic performance, their family’s economic status , etc.?  If public schools are failing now, how will they suddenly become competitive with private schools after their funding has been cut and the students who perform better academically leave the system for private schools, as is bound to happen?

This legislation is a thinly-veiled attempt to destroy public education, no matter what sort of spin you try to put on it, and history will not look kindly upon it. Alabama is going to make national news over this story.  And this will put another black eye on us!  Way to go Alabama!

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Sequestration Is Coming; Time to Panic!

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Sequestration is most likely coming on March 1st.  This is a series of across the board spending cuts that will impact all parts of the federal government.  Totaling $1.2 trillion over 10 years. The cuts would be split 50-50 between defense and domestic discretionary spending.  The impacts across the country will hurt everyone, or so that’s what the media is saying.  Alabama’s impact to Sequestration will be tough!  Most of the impacts will be felt in the Huntsville and Anniston areas.  From NBC News; they interviewed workers at the Anniston Army Depot and Redstone Arsenal.

The White House released the impacts of Sequestration in Alabama.  I think some of this is stretching the truth.

Teachers and Schools: Alabama will lose approximately $11 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 150 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 21,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 40 fewer schools would receive funding. 

Education for Children with Disabilities: In addition, Alabama will lose approximately $9
million in funds for about 110 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities. 

Work-Study Jobs: Around 940 fewer low income students in Alabama would receive aid to help them finance the costs of college and around 280 fewer students will get work-study jobs that help them pay for college. 

Head Start: Head Start and Early Head Start services would be eliminated for approximately 1,100 children in Alabama, reducing access to critical early education.

Protections for Clean Air and Clean Water: Alabama would lose about $2 million in environmental funding to ensure clean water and air quality, as well as prevent pollution from pesticides and hazardous waste. In addition, Alabama could lose another $1 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection. 

Military Readiness: In Alabama, approximately 27,000 civilian Department of Defense
employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $176.9 million in total.

Army: Base operation funding would be cut by about $91 million in Alabama.

Air Force: Funding for Air Force operations in Alabama would be cut by about $8 million. 

Law Enforcement and Public Safety Funds for Crime Prevention and Prosecution: Alabama will lose about $230,000 in Justice Assistance Grants that support law enforcement, prosecution and courts, crime prevention and education, corrections and community corrections, drug treatment, and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives. 

Job Search Assistance to Help those in Alabama find Employment and Training: Alabama will lose about $472,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral, and placement, meaning around 16,600 fewer people will get the help and skills they need to find employment.

Child Care: Up to 500 disadvantaged and vulnerable children could lose access to child care, which is also essential for working parents to hold down a job. 

Vaccines for Children: In Alabama around 2,110 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, whooping cough, influenza, and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding for vaccinations of about $144,000. 

Public Health: Alabama will lose approximately $457,000 in funds to help upgrade its ability to respond to public health threats including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and biological, chemical, nuclear, and radiological events. In addition, Alabama will lose about $1,180,000 in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse, resulting in around 1,600 fewer admissions to substance abuse programs. And the Alabama State Department of Public Health will lose about $165,000 resulting in around 4,100 fewer HIV tests. 

STOP Violence Against Women Program: Alabama could lose up to $102,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence, resulting in up to 400 fewer victims being served. 

Nutrition Assistance for Seniors: Alabama would lose approximately $865,000 in funds that provide meals for seniors.

With the national debt approaching $17 trillion, America can not afford to keep spending money we don’t have!  Currently, the U.S. takes in about $2.49 trillion in Federal tax revenue, but spends about $3.54 trillion. This results in huge budget deficits.  And we have carried a trillion-dollar deficit every year over the last three years.  To sum it up; America needs to get its spending under control!  President Obama has not been able to pass a budget in over four years, mostly due to the Senate.  Things in Washington needs to change folks!

I am getting tired of the do nothing Congress!  Both Republicans and Democrats finger point and blame the other party 24/7!  I see this online and on the TV news channels.  With all of this blame going on; it has spread onto social media and the comments.  Whenever there is a story about politics, you are bound to see many nasty comments.  So what you don’t like Obama or the Republicans.  The people spreading hate via the comments is going to do nothing to solve this political division.  Combine the comments with the cable news channels, then you have a recipe for disaster.

I have been out of work for 21 months now!  It has gotten so bad that I walked around downtown Anniston wearing these signs saying “looking for work.”

Of course, some people have taken it to me being out of work saying things like “quit being lazy”, or “get a job loser.”  I think this is mostly because people are so frustrated with the way things are going right now.  Until we see the hate online and on cable news end, until we see both parties in Washington working together, until we see this country turn around, nothing will get better!  I wish we would go back to the days of people working together for a better America.

My local Representative; Rep. Mike Rogers is trying to stop the Sequestration.  He is wanting to replace the Sequestration cuts with smarter spending cuts.  And this video of him speaking in the chamber is something you need to watch!

And here is Mike Rogers talking about the impact of Sequestration on the Anniston Army Depot.

I have Asperger’s Syndrome; and one of my beliefs is people needs to be loving and agreeing to each other.  Right now; people are arguing, fighting, bad-mouthing, and at war with each other.  I wish people would start agreeing on things once again instead of taking the my way or the highway type of attitude.

You know the politicians in Washington will continue to act like babies when you see videos like this.  Blogger Michelle Malkin spoofed the Michelle Obama / Jimmy Fallon dance video with one of her own.

Here’s the original; who danced better?

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The War on Women

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I read this wonderful post off Geek Mom by Kay Holt.  Read it by clicking the link. http://www.geekmom.com/2012/03/voting-is-for-the-girls

Recently there have been attempts by governments at the state and federal levels to restrict what women can do with their bodies.  The two main sticking points are abortions and contraception’s.  States with Republican legislatures including Alabama are crafting bills that would restrict abortions and access to birth control.  Most of the supporters on restricting women’s rights are the generic white male Republicans.  Some of the bills being proposed right now should make women cringe.  For example; in Arizona lawmakers are proposing bills that would force women to witness an abortion before considering one.   And another bill would allow employers to fire women for using birth control.  I just wonder if the intense desert heat is frying the brains of the people in Arizona.  Another bill in Virginia would propose women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion.  Sometimes even going through a women’s vagina.  There was even a bill here in Alabama forcing women to have a trans-vaginal ultrasound before an abortion but it was pulled.

This is a war on women that is only getting worse.  It now seems like Republican legislators are doing anything they can to regulate what women can do with their bodies.  I would think they would be more concerned about creating jobs and growing the economy. Even high name people like Rush Limbaugh opened his mouth about women’s health.  Calling the women a “slut” over birth control is wrong!  I am glad his remarks have caused massive protests.  I think everyone needs a refresher over the 19th amendment.

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

Many women are now standing up and are wanting Republicans to not force restrictive women’s health issues down their throats.  There is even a women lawmaker in Ohio proposing a bill that would require a man to get psychological counseling before getting a Viagra prescription.  Women should be glad they live in America.  They came together to gain the right to vote and have rights!  They do not want to see lawmakers pass laws on women that would make them feel like they were in Saudi Arabia.  This is a pivotal time for all women across the country.  And they will vote for politicians that will not restrict their rights!  So for the Republican white male lawmakers that want to continue the assault on women’s rights.  They will remember you on the next election.

My view is I do not like abortions.  But I also do not think the government needs to tell women what to do with their bodies and lives.  So I successfully just made a group of people who mostly own businesses and hire people angry.  There goes my job chances in Alabama.

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Legislative Roundup – Week 1

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Update:  I am starting a new weekly segment called Legislative Roundup.  The Alabama legislature is such a circus and it is funny to watch.  And already there is controversy  coming out of Montgomery.  And each week I will have the crazy legislator of the week.

That is me wearing a dunce cap.  That is an example I am going to do each week.  I really do not want to go into legislator attack mode.  But I am going there.  Agree or disagree; leave a comment and I will reply.  Now on to the post.  And do you think that Governor Bentley looks like Mr. Burns from The Simpsons?

 

Governor Robert Bentley had the state of the state address on Tuesday night.  He said our state is super broke.  And he wants to balance the budgets without raising any taxes or releasing any prisoners.  Alabama has two budgets; the general fund and the education trust fund.  I know it is weird right.  The problem is the general fund is facing over an $300 million deficit.  So that means even less money going to prisons, courts, medicaid, and all other state agencies except for education.  And Governor Bentley wants to shift funding from the education fund to the general fund.  And now just about every lawmaker has come out and said this is never going to happen.  So what is the next plan?

Alabama has had extremely low taxes for a long time.  Large timber companies and farms  barely pay any property taxes.  And the other property taxes everyone else pays are low as well.  And many out of state corporations pay no state taxes at all.  Let’s face it; Alabama needs an complete overhaul of its tax code.  But the Republicans down in Montgomery who have a super-majority in all offices are not even going to touch that.  They like the current code which punishes the poor more than the rich with high sales taxes.  I think the first thing Montgomery can do is support a new tax code system like the fair tax that taxes everyone at the same rate.  No matter how much you make.

The second thing that needs to be done is a lottery.  Every state surrounding Alabama either has a lottery or casinos.  Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia has a state lottery which has proceeds going to education.  Every time I go to Georgia I will stop at exit 5 on I-20 to get some lottery tickets.  And many other Alabama residents do as well.  I have even talked to some people playing the lottery that have come from Birmingham to play.  And you see buses taking people to Mississippi to their casinos almost daily.  There has been some people who are very religious who does not support any gambling what so ever in Alabama.  They even like seeing the police raid background bingo halls that hide machines.  It is time to get over it; we need a lottery in Alabama.  It basically comes down to this.  Do you want a lottery; or do you want higher taxes or an court order releasing thousands of prisoners.  It’s your choice.

Third; we have to get more jobs created in this state.  I have been jobless for over six months now.  And there are other people who have been unemployed for much longer.  The Anniston/Oxford area is in serious trouble over the massive job losses that are about to occur.  And other areas in the state like the black belt have been seeing very high unemployment rates for years now.  It is time to bring more good paying jobs all across Alabama.  And to do that we need to modify this crazy immigration law that put a black cloud over Alabama.  And we need to quit waiting for the federal government to hand us a check to rebuild our infrastructure.  Just look at the sign below to see what I mean.

You have to admit that Alabama has a huge problem.  We just can not keep cutting and cutting away.  If we do Alabama risks lawsuits over the prison population and not having a fair and speedy trail because of the big cuts to the court system.  The people in Alabama needs to act like big boys and girls.  We need to look at our tax code and if it means we need to raise some taxes; we need to do it.  Alabama ranks near the bottom in every study that comes out.  And our schools are so broke we are asking kids to bring their own toilet paper.  It is now time for everyone to grow up and realize we can not have these dirt cheap taxes anymore.  Many people under 30 (like me) are sitting at home right now because no one cares about hiring them.  And I know I might have made some people mad out there.  Please leave an comment and let’s talk.  Or we will all be doing this.

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The State of the Union

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So I watched the State of the Union speech last night.  I felt that the speech was one big campaign speech for Obama.  And the partisanship between both parties was shown in full force last night.  I just love to laugh when one side of the aisle stands up and cheers while the other side just sits there and smiles.  So other than tweeting last night I played State of the Union bingo.

Yeah!  Most of the spaces were left blank.  But you have to admit that the card was funny. Over the course of the speech last night I tweeted what was being said last night.  So here are some of my best tweets from last night.

+3 million jobs being created. And many jobs being created in 2011 and since the 90′s Really?

An new trade enforcing unit for unfair business and goods. Great more big government.

Our community career center here in Anniston is a joke! You can start by reforming that.

This is good! Kids must stay in high school until graduation or age 18. How about also lowering the costs of going to college?

Make higher education a higher priority with lower costs and more state involvement. Good luck with that in Alabama.

Open up over 75% of oil and gas resources. Highest oil production in 8 years. Then stop blocking the Keystone pipeline.

Clean energy. Talking about electric cars and batteries. And wind turbines. You can not just stop oil and gas. You need them too.

Take the money not being spent in war. Use half to pay down debt and other half for infrastructure.

Wants Buffett rule. I.E. higher taxes to the rich. Wants rich to feel proud and responsible to pay higher taxes. Republicans cringe.

More talk wanting congress to work together. Sure Congress is clapping tonight but the next day back to the fighting.

Wants military to be more supported. That is something everyone can agree on!

Time for the Republican response. 1 in 5 men and half of people under 30 did not go to work today.

Government is borrowing 1 out of 3 dollars. Must be a nation of haves and soon to haves.

Wanting people to be up to self government. And to be responsible. 2012 is year to prove doubters wrong.

All speeches are over for tonight. State of the union is grave on one side. to getting stronger on the other side.


Both speeches were just glorified campaign speeches in an already nasty election year that is about to get nastier.  Oh well; I will just continue sitting at home jobless while watching both parties yell at each other.   Maybe we all can hope for the end of the world at the end of 2012.  Let’s do not leave all the politicians swinging until November.  Let’s plan on getting rid of them now!
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Election Season Around The Corner

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I can not believe that the 2012 election season is around the corner.  The Iowa caucus is less than a week away!  So far this election season has seen its ups and downs.  Many of the candidates have led the polls at some time before reality sets in and the poll numbers go down.  Mostly because the candidate has some scandal that they tried to cover up but got exposed.  Herman Cain was a huge front-runner before his scandal got exposed and now he is out of the race.  Newt Gingrich had the lead at one point but bad stuff about him got exposed and now he has dropped.  One thing is now very certain; it is anyone’s race to win.  And you know that Obama just loves the attacks between all of the Republican candidates.  My feelings tell me that it is down to three candidates with maybe one dark horse that could win the Republican nomination.

Mitt Romney:  The former Massachusetts governor has run a good campaign and has been out of the trouble spotlight the most.  The one thing Republican voters do not like about him is he pushed mandatory healthcare in Massachusetts.  Another dislike is he is Mormon.  But I believe Romney still has the best chance to defeat Obama in 2012.  But Romney has run a very clean campaign up to this point and has some very good plans to turn this country around and create jobs.

Newt Gingrich:  Gingrich has been in the bad spotlight in the last few weeks because of some controversies like taking money from Freddie Mac.  But Gingrich has great experience as he was once the speaker of the house under Clinton.  He is already well-known in Washington and that could help turn things around to end the printing presses and create jobs.  But will the bad news machine end for Gingrich?

Ron Paul:  The one guy who has been running for president it seems like forever is now up in the polls and might win Iowa.  He has some very crazy ideas that some Republicans voters want like returning to the gold standard and ending some government agencies.  The one problem is some of his ideas like about Iran might be a turn off for some voters.  We will see.

One thing is for sure; this is promising to be one crazy election season in 2012.  I am going to provide more election coverage on Young’s Blog in 2012 and I hope you join me!

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No Teacher Christmas Gifts?

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There is an controversial problem brewing in the state of Alabama.  The state legislature got its act together and passed tough new ethics laws but the laws effect all public employees and that includes teachers.  Students cannot give their teachers cash or gift cards for personal use, anything that can be resold, or even a holiday ham or turkey.  When I was in school I loved to give the teachers I had something small; like maybe a coffee cup.  But this law forced teachers not to accept any gifts from anyone because it would violate the ethics laws.  When this story first came out it made many people mad.  The social media blew up and all the negative comments about this law.

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/12/expert_alabamas_ethics_law_unu.html

Even the experts from around the country are puzzled about this law.  Why are we punishing the teachers?  They have had to pay more for insurance, see their classroom money go away, and see class sizes increase.  So we have to punish the teachers even more.  Some schools are so broke they are asking students to bring toilet paper!

http://www.cnbc.com/id/38711521

Now I am glad that the Alabama Ethics Commission has come out and outlined what teachers can accept as gifts.  Some examples include:

  • Fruit baskets, homemade cookies, etc.
  • Christmas ornaments of little intrinsic value.
  • Coffee mugs filled with candy or of a holiday nature.
  • Any item that the teacher may use to assist him or her in performing his or her functions as a teacher, such as notebooks, school supplies, etc.
  • CDs or books of a nominal value, scarves, etc.

At least we can give some love to all the teachers out there.  The teachers have gone through a lot and we can make them smile when we give them a small Christmas gift.  And by the way congrats on Tommy Bice on being named the new superintendent of Alabama.  I know he will do a great job!

http://blog.al.com/live/2011/12/state_gets_more_specific_on_gi.html

Now let’s get to this point.  This law was to stop lobbyists giving free gifts to the Alabama legislature.  And to stop all the corruption in the state house.  I wish the legislature would find new ways to do things like normal citizens do.  Like paying for a Iron Bowl ticket like everybody else has to.  Not pay the fair market value of the ticket.  And my ultimate wish would be to fund education the right way.  Start up new fair taxes like a better property tax system and lower the sales taxes to fund education the right way.  But the Republicans have better things to do I guess.  Like passing a crazy Immigration Bill and to try to pass a Abortion bill that failed in Mississippi.  We are sure becoming the laughing stock of the country again and I know on this.  I am going to have fun next year talking about the Alabama Legislature on Young’s Blog.  I am going to have a hoot!  And I hope you join me as well!

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The Adam Carolla Rant

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If you have not seen the rant Adam Carolla did on the Occupy Wall Street protesters and all young people under 30 (like me) called the millennials.  You really need to watch the two videos below.  One is Glenn Beck speaking about the video and one is the unedited version of the Adam Carolla rant. (Warning; foul language that’s beeped)  Now there is one thing that I agree with.  Parents are creating a generation of self entitled monsters.  Parents like to helicopter around their kids and giving everyone a trophy or award win or lose.  Glenn Beck calls it the participation trophy and tells parents to tell their kids “you are a loser unless you choose to excel.”  No more worthless trophy’s and telling kids you are the most special.  It is true that some parents are being soft on their kids and telling them if they win or lose; you win!  So kids need to learn what is like to lose; it does make them much better.  I guess some young adults out there have been raised to think; everyone must be equal and fair.  Everyone must pay their fair share.  When they leave their parent’s nest they discover they are a loser and suck.  And that is why the protests have taken off until the cities have arrested everyone protesting.

Now here is the one thing I do not agree with.  I know many millennials who are right now getting screwed in this economy. (like me and my brother)  We are entering the job market in the worst downturn since the great depression.  We see what is going on in the news and on social media.  We see the very well off people getting huge bonuses and golden parachutes and then the Republicans go; you rich people keep more of your money to yourself and don’t create any jobs or give out a pay raise.  Back 30-50 years ago workers got bonuses and perks for working hard and today the working class is being treated like crap.  The millennials think the rich need to pay people in the working class an fair wage and create more jobs.  This is why many young people are out of work and not being hired.  We have a huge rift going on in America between the right and left and it might destroy this country.  About me; I have been to several job interviews and then I call back and they say; “thanks for applying but we hired someone else.”  Which is usually someone older.  Employers also know what is going on right now and they are saying; we won’t hire any young people as they need their heads checked.  So I guess after my unemployment runs out my mom is going to be forced to support me again since no one will hire me.  The same goes to my brother as well.  Well I am glad the corporate world hates young folks.  Sorry mom and Merry Christmas! Thanks to the corporate world and the evil millennials; I have to be supported again.  And that sucks!

Adam Corolla Rant

Glenn Beck Reaction

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Alabama Illegal Immigration Law Put on Hold

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Well you knew this was coming before September 1st; the Immigration Law passed by the legislature during the last session got an injunction put on it today. The injunction is in effect until September 28 or until a full ruling is issued. I think everyone around here can say that the country kind of does have an illegal immigration problem. But why are we all just concentrating on people with a Hispanic race. There are people in all races that are here illegally. It is mostly Hispanics and I do not think Alabama needs to go back down the road we did during the 1960′s. Most people’s comments I read today on Facebook and Twitter thought the judge made a horrible decision today and thinks the law needs to take effect immediately. There were also some people who thought this was a great day and hope the law is declared unconstitutional and we can move forward. I think the federal government needs to kind of do their job and enforce the law but as you know they have other less important things to do. My feelings say that nothing will happen until the next election cycle in 2012. So what needs to happen to solve this problem?

One thing people need to realize is if we scare the people who go to farms and pick the peaches and other produce; they will just sit there and rot. Georgia thought they solved this problem by using prison labor for farm work but there was one problem; many of the prisoners just walked off the job. Manual farm work in 100+ degree heat is something no one will do unless the pay rate is huge; so what will that mean? Lots of produce and crops will be left to rot; and for the things picked you can expect a big increase in food prices. And that is one thing we do not need right now in the bad economy. Churches also do a great job helping people who are in need and they help anybody no matter what the status of their citizenship is. Some churches joined the lawsuit to block the law because they feared if they were helping illegal’s by transporting them to a place they could be arrested for transporting an illegal. Churches do not want this expense put on them; they do not want to go around and ask for a birth certificate to receive help. I certainly do not think that God would want that and we would want everyone helped no matter what the status is.

The other crazy thing in this law is the police already have enough things going on right now to protect citizens. They have had to have budget cuts that put jails overcrowded and equipment out of date. The police just do not have time to check everybody and will just put more strain on an already tough situation. Hopefully we will not to have to carry our birth certificates around when we go out just to prove we are legal. And some people just do not have time out of their day to go to the tag office just to get a tag when they have been doing it by mail or by the internet for a long time. Most people do agree that we need to solve this illegal immigration problem including me. But I do think some things go a little too far in this law and the legislature does need to tweak a few things to make the upset people a little happier.