Hola Nancy,

In response to Nancy's blog post 7, it is interesting to see the range of Democratic candidates in terms of quantity as well as quality. It surprises me very much that someone, such as Bloomberg, can run for presidency. Not that I am sure he hasn't had his share of political experience; however, how does an individual towards the end of the nominations declare a presidential bid. The use of "billionaire" vs. "billionaire" is also surprising to me. It suggests that they are better citizens or above the average citizen. The privilege an individual has to one day wake up and say, "you know what, I'm running for president because I don't like how things are and want to change them how I see fit." This probably sounds like someone you know (cough) already holding the Commander in Chief chair. Much like my feelings for actors and actresses, especially in food shows/talk shows (which may differ from yours), I would like to see regular people given a chance to try and do these things. Bloomberg is especially buying his way into the campaign, seemingly because of preference for his opinion. Our vote is supposed to matter, and a person buying into my vote is the opposite of a democracy! The majority of citizens in the previous election feel as though their voices have been squelched by political agendas and biases, and a new candidate buying into what they want only seems to lessen the power of our voices!

In relation to blog post five, we are going to discuss teen vaping. In a recent study conducted by the National Youth Tabacco Survey found that since 2017, high school student's use of e-cigarettes and related devices has risen 15.8%. Inversely, cigarette use amongst the same demographic has decreased 1.6% to 5.8%. It seems one evil has been replaced by another, and the teen population is suffering from it. Starting in May 2020, the FDA will finally require all e-cigarettes sold to be reviewed for harmful chemicals such as Vitamin E Acetate. This chemical is the primary culprit in the recent illness and deaths across the US, according to Dr. Anne Schuchat of the CDC. Not only are e-cigarettes proving to be harmful, they are underregulated.  

Government intervention is essential to continue the path of reducing tobacco consumption in the US. E-cigarette retailers will have to prove that their products can provide a benefit to US public health next year, something that really doesn't seem plausible. This is an opportunity for the FDA to make a difference in the vaping market by denying the sale of e-cigarette products. Replacing cigarette addiction with vaping addiction is not the answer to reducing teen smoking. My proposal to the FDA and citizens is increasing the vaping age to 21. The synthetic chemicals still have not been thoroughly analyzed and tested in the long term. Until more research can be done about the harmful effects e-cigarettes have on adolescents, we need to make sure they stay out of the hand of our underdeveloped youth.

On November 4th, 2019, Claudia Chavez responded to an editorial named Personal Opinion on a Goverment article by Claudia Chavez . 

Claudia,

Healthcare is no new topic, and I know the majority of Americans can agree that an overhaul to our healthcare system is long overdue. Elizabeth Warren’s proposal of a single price healthcare system might affect middle/low-income citizens in ways we might not understand. As a concern to you and myself, the cost of healthcare is become a more significant concern the older my family becomes. With plans of children in the near future, this proposal and affects weight significantly in my decision.



One of the biggest standouts for me is the possible reduction in employer's healthcare cost for each employee. With a two percent reduction from what employers are paying now, tax revenue will increase by eight trillion. I would hope this would enable more employee’s the choice PPO plans and have more diverse healthcare options. Although the vague nature of state and local governments paying Medicaid expenses alludes me, these taxes sound like citizens will ultimately take the fall for this one. Lastly, an increase in corporate tax can cause a lot of adverse outcomes. Economic growth would reduce; wages would grow slower, which would decrease employment. With the majority of the proposed revenue coming from these three avenues, I am also skeptical as to how much taxes would increase and the quality of care.



With the election or impeachment around the corner, its time for the citizens of this beautiful nation to finally have affordable healthcare. I firmly support greater healthcare access for everyone without having to go bankrupt from surgery.

With the current political climate and the various topics associated with it, nothing interests me more than the legalization of the sweet little green leafy substance that makes you silly called Marijuana. Growing up with parents from the 60’s and 70’s, Marijuana has always been a topic in my life (I am not advocating the use). Although we're not talking about your Grandma's marijuana, the product used to be socially accepted and had many purposes. One such application was being an active ingredient in most tinctures and remedies.  Now, one might ask how a drug that is used in medicine and other pharmaceuticals found itself categorized as a Schedule 1 drug.

For us to understand how this substance became illegal, we must first look at all the events that led up to federal convictions upon possession. Although most states had laws restricting the use, marijuana became banned in 1937 under FDR’s “Marihuana Tax Act,.” Users were required to apply for a tax stamp, and in doing so, users disclosed how much marijuana they had, thereby incriminating themselves in the process. Fast forward about 30 years, the Supreme Court decides to repeal the Tax Act while simultaneously passing the Controlled Substances Act, where marijuana would remain illegal.

For the past 81 Years, the Government’s approach in containing the use and spread of marijuana has destroyed families, lives, and the social acceptance of millions. Meant initially to target Mexican immigrants, incarceration statistics are still disproportionately minorities. Violence is also often the associated temperament while under the effects of marijuana, according to the FDA. This idea has been used to mislead the public and suppress voters and people from legalizing the drug.

 

Next time you find yourself watching Pineapple Express or Reefer Madness, remember that marijuana is no laughing matter. It is time for people to stop losing everything for recreational use. If we can learn anything from history, as each state legalizes marijuana, the Government is sure to follow. Let's put our efforts together and get legislation moving!

On Friday, October 18, 2019, the National Review published an article titled To Trump, Alliances Are Strictly Business, discussing the importance of ethical business, social and economic responsibilities, and how we approach them. Meant to shake non-Trump Conservatives, business owners, employees, and more importantly, everyone.

                 Jonah Goldberg holds the Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at the American Enterprise Institute. Goldberg also has been a weekly columnist for the Los Angeles Times and has a #1 New York Times bestseller book Liberal Fascism.

                 Goldberg argues that for Trump, “Alliance Are Strictly Business.” Given two scenarios, the reader chooses whether to lend money to the pillar of the community or the shady weasel. Even though we are given a choice, the article reads rhetorically. Herein lies the argument of the author, a person with integrity is less financially “risky” and, therefore, should be respected.  Making the point that Trump talks a lot about the price of our relationships and commitments around the world. Trump's definition of national honor puts no value within our commitments regarding other nations, all while monetizing our view of them.

                  The argument makes sense considering the long trade war we currently find ourselves. President Trump seems to turn every foreign interaction into someway to benefit a capitalist system. It reminds me of an Aesop’s Fable, The Shepard Boy & the Wolf. America is becoming a nation that makes promises without any intention of following it to make a few dollars. We will eventually find ourselves with no allies, and our only reliance is the shady weasel.  

Affordable Medicaid

On Friday, October 4, 2019, the Los Angeles Times published an article titled Opinion: If Democrats want universal coverage, they need to abandon the “Medicare for all” fantasy. The article suggests building upon the Affordable Care Act, instead of implementing an entirely new system.

The article is intended to reach the majority of voters that back the idea of “Medicare for all.” As there are still advocates for ACA, the intent extends to those voters as well. While the former may already object to the author's suggestions, the latter falls under the same platform.

The author of the article, Peter D. Salins, is a professor of political science at Stony Brook University in New York which, is one of the highest-ranking research institutions in the world. Disregarding Salins’ accolades, he uses multiple research studies done when suggesting the misconceptions about “Medical for all.”  

Salin claims that what so many progressive candidates are fighting for is not only misleading, but it disregards how other countries actually implement near-universal healthcare. He cites other countries and how their health care systems work including Canada and the supplemental coverage two-thirds their citizens opt for.

To increase coverage to Americans, Salin suggests three steps that enhance the ACA. First, restoring enforcement that all Americans must have insurance. Reinstate the subsidies which helped unrinsed middle-income Individuals (14 million more covered). Second, better incentives for the states that opted out of the Medicaid expansion (2.5 million more covered).  Lastly, make low-cost public health insurance option for the 10 million additional Americans that can’t afford subsidized policies.

Although I neither agree nor disagree with the author, as America continues to grow, it becomes more and more critical that we can provide coverage for as many people as possible.

Interest Rates Matter

On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, the New York Times updated an article titled, "Trump Urgers 'Big' Rate Cut as Fed Faces Challenges." The article discussed the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates as the global economy slows down and the looming trade disputes between China and the United States. As the Feds try to predict the global economy, President Trump's zero and negative rates yet apply. 

Although this article doesn't seem to matter that much, interest rates affect everything from consumer spending, global markets, and availability to goods. If the interest rates are cut, the US would have a difficult time during a recession, and as Michael Feroli, the chief United States economist at J. P. Morgan says, “The consumer is doing well, but there are other parts of the economy that aren’t doing well: manufacturing being the obvious one, but business investment is weak, and foreign demand is weak.” The lack of manufacturing and business investments will eventually affect consumers and limit our spending and investment abilities. 

Hello fellow classmates, I am eager to get this blog rolling!