Final Blog

Kira Simmons-Butler's Stage 7 article provides details of a $225 million pipeline project in Texas. It explains a general outline of what the project is, how much it will cost, and it's purpose. The link pasted below her article establishes her credibility and allows readers to fact-check her claims. 

An opposing argument would have helped intensify the article. She states that, "Even though this project is a large investment, I hope that it will be useful to society in the future.", providing evidence to the contrary and then giving explanations of her own opinions would give the piece some zest. The opposition's view would also allow readers to see a more firm logic in her argument and would help further establish her credibility.

I do agree that this is quite the hefty investment and I wonder how this will reflect in the public's daily life. Will it cause a tax increase? Will it cause traffic issues? How many jobs will this project open up? 

Overall this was a clear, concise, and informative article with an interesting subject (it definitely hits close to home).  

Stage 7

            According to a poll taken on ISideWith.com, 11,217,255 voters agree on a term limit for congress. A term limit for congress may help keep members motivated while in office because the amount of time in which they can accomplish goals is compressed. Representatives tend to wait until reelection (knowing they’re likely to be reelected) to pass or pay notice to policies suggested by constituents as a method for securing their place. This process is fool-proof; by acting for the people just before election their positive support increases and ensures their seat for the next “term”.

            Longevity may have a direct influence on the amount of corruption experienced by office holders. As stated by Mike Gallagher, “I fundamentally do not believe that politicians who spend decades in the nation’s capital can change Washington before Washington changes them”. While our representatives begin to find themselves comfortable and secure in their seat they seem to develop a lackadaisical mindset on the concerns of the people.

            Ultimately we are left with a congress that only focuses on local issues to ensure their reelection–making national concerns a lesser priority and creating corruption as well as underrepresentation. Seemingly, the most plausible solution to an undetermined and corrupt congress is to provide motivation through horological pressure. If you don’t take your office and people’s voices seriously then you will fail to accomplish goals. If you are genuinely invested in your duty as a representative, then even with your time constraints, you will fuel your political ambition with your term limit and work for the people. Maybe a term limit will even inspire our representatives to work for the bigger picture and venture away from strictly local concerns.

            

Stage 6

            I agree with the argument made in “Our No Good, Very Bad Voter Turnout”, in regards to the mending of our voter turnout rates. Our country reflects poor statistics when comparing the eligible voting population to the number of ballots submitted (in various elections years <[Click for statistics]). Given this evidence I would say We the Sheeple’s argument is logical and valid, however I’m uncertain on the statistics supporting the unnecessity of the Voter I.D. Laws.

             It’s challenging to merely take word of mouth when a bold claim is made. Perhaps citing the source of information would prove to be beneficial for their credibility. If producing Voter I.D. has no effect on the intensity of Voter Fraud, an expert testimony and legitimate numerical evidence would be necessary to sway the opinion of the audience. Personally, I believe producing I.D. to prevent fraud is a logical argument, simply coming from a place of common sense (I have no evidence to back this). Instinct is not always a reasonable route however; hard facts would force readers to reconsider.

            I whole heartedly agree with making Election Day a national holiday, I believe this would greatly increase voters within middle and poverty class citizens.  Diminishing the stress of finances versus country by showing hard working American’s their government genuinely wants their input would have an impact exceeding Election Day.  

            Pretending the intended audience isn’t classmates or the professor, I would venture this article would draw the attention of the American public. After all who better to change the course of voter turnout than the voters themselves? While the help of our lawmakers would be greatly appreciated in this process, it is ultimately up to the public to be diligent and turn up on Election Day.