Unconcealed Weapons

In Texas when you have a license to carry a gun, you are required to keep it concealed, but that could soon change.  The open-carry bill has been gaining some major traction, and now has plans to go to the full house for consideration.  If this law is passed, then those that are licensed to carry a gun will be able to do so with said weapon in plain view.  Most other states do have an open-carry law of some sort intact, in fact Texas is only one of seven states that does not have one.  But just because everyone else has one, does that mean that we need to follow suit?

Rep. George Lavender, and other advocates, have stated that open-carry would help deter crime.  I happen to disagree with that statement.  If someone wants to reach for that gun, it would be that much easier to do so.  If a person, not licensed to carry a gun decides they want to commit a crime of some sort, and are in need of a gun, it would be that much easier for them to gain access to one.  They will be able to see who has taken opportunity with open-carry and make a decision on who their best target would be.  In a state like Texas, that is so big and has so many highly populated cities, (Austin, Houston, and Dallas) the risk is just so big.

If an open-carry law is passed, it could also cause people to be on edge.  Though a gun can't be carried everywhere, a gun being out in the open in the places that they are aloud could definitely cause anxiety to those that are around.  I have personally lost someone who died because they were shot with a gun that the shooter was licensed to have, and I don't need to be put on edge when I see someone with a gun.  Society associates guns with things such as crime, death, and murder.  If you are not a cop, or in that sort of job field where it is required of you to carry a gun, why is it even necessary for one to be carried, especially unconcealed?

This bill has been gaining some ground, but I don't think that it is necessary.  If someone has to carry a gun it shouldn't be a problem for them to conceal it.  I can't think of any reason that someone would need to carry a gun out in the open. 

Yes To Drug Testing!!!

In a blog posted on the Texas Republic Times titled Drug Testing, the author speaks on House Bill 126.  This is a bill that would require those filing for unemployment to pass a drug test before they can receive any of those benefits.  Though some valid points are made, and it definitely does seem that the main point of this bill is to try and save the government money, I agree with the bill.

Many jobs require passing a drug test, so why should getting the benefits of unemployment be any different?  The whole point of unemployment is to help a person survive until they find their next job.  They provide you with not only a check, but with resources to help you find a job quicker.  Now, if people can't pass a drug test to get a job, then they have been wasting their money and resources on people that are just going to continue to eat up the funds.  By drug testing they can assure that the people they are assisting will more than likely go on to find jobs, and much more quickly, while weeding out those that won't.  Yes, the government is trying to save itself money, but the way I look at it, it's just another way they are assisting in helping people find jobs more quickly.  If someone can't collect unemployment, they will be that much more focused on finding a job.

How much is a soda really worth???

Texas lawmakers have proposed a new tax on soda.  This tax would increase the price of soda by one cent per ounce of the sugary substance.  That means you are charged 12 cents per can, so if you are buying a six-pack, or a twelve-pack for example, you will be charged a tax of 12 cents on every single can.  This tax would not apply to those that are sold in restaurants, cafeterias, or other places of that nature.  All money made off of this tax will be put into the general revenue fund, which is basically the main fund that receives government revenue.  That means the state can pretty much use that money for any purpose it decides to designate it too.

Now, to the real questions....Is this tax on soda a good idea and how might it affect the public?

Honestly, I don't think that it will have that big of an impact on the public and their consumption of soda.  Those avid soda drinkers are going to more than likely consume the same amount, regardless of the price.  Those that feel they need those several sodas a day for that caffeine boost may not like the tax, but they will still buy them.  If the tax does happen to cause them to cut back to fewer sodas a day, then I see that as a good thing.  It will not only save then a little bit of money, but help to improve their health in the long run.  There is no nutritional value in soda, it is nothing but sugar and empty calories.  It would benefit the public to cut back.

So for those people that continue to consume soda on a daily basis, you will be helping the state out.  That tax will add up and somewhat increase the state budget, so in the long run that will benefit the state of Texas and the people living in it.

For those that do end up cutting back because of the tax, or stop drinking them all together, it could do good things for your health.  It could not only help people shed some pounds, but also help decrease the rates at which people become diabetic.

I see nothing negative coming from this tax.  In the long run it helps out everyone, and only pisses off those that can't break the habit.