House Bill 11 - A Necessary Measure Taken by Governor Abbott

There has been a lot of debate surrounding our state's border security over the past few years. Recently, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott signed House Bill 11 into a law which has added even more fuel to the fire towards the border security debate. This bill, a massive move by lawmakers during the 84th Legislature, ramps up security measures along the border by bolstering the ranks of state police, increases threat detection technology, and further establishes intelligence operations along the Texas-Mexico border. Personally, I believe that this was the right move by Governor Abbott because it shows Texas taking initiative on an issue in which the Federal government fails to realize is actually affecting the entire country.

Why is this a good measure to take? Well, for starters, our state has a tremendous amount of illegal immigrants that are causing a myriad of issues and concerns for Texas citizens. These illegal immigrants are increasing crime rates among all of the Texas cities that they live in. They are creating an unsafe environment for our children, our families, and for ourselves. With more than 25,000 illegal immigrants continuing to come migrate across our state's border each and every month (by the way - this is an increasing number), this issue goes from a local border region issue to a state-wide issue to a national issue quite rapidly. Sure, these illegals are providing basic jobs for our communities, but they are also stealing jobs from our nation's citizens who actually contribute to the unemployment rates around the country. Lastly, many of these illegal immigrants participate in both drug trafficking and sex trafficking, both which are highly illegal and wrong. If you don't believe me, I can assure you that this is definitely happening. In the matter of fact, I-35 which runs from the Texas Border all the way up to Minnesota, is number one on the list for national highways with the most sex trafficking and drug smuggling activity. Preventing these illegals from crossing the Texas-Mexico border will increase safety levels, will serve to assist more legal citizens obtain jobs, and will also cut down on unwanted and illegal trafficking that is currently taking place.

Many who have followed the Texas Legislature's attempts to stop this ongoing threat remain opposed the signing of House Bill 11. These individuals claim that this movement will be just another failed attempt to secure our border, that it will cost the state a large amount of money (the bill is slated to cost around $310 million), and that its efforts will inevitably be useless. I can understand the legitimacy and the point that they are trying to convey in their argument - that this is all a big waste of our state's time and money. However, I strongly believe that continued action is needed on our border due to the lack of attention and action that is being given to us from a federal level.

When asked about two unsuccessful legislative proposals involving illegal immigrants in the past including in-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants and the banning of sanctuary cities, Governor Abbott responded with how focused he was to solve the border issue specifically. Abbott exclaimed, "The issues exist in the first place because we have a failed federal government that has refused to address the issues to tackle those problems. Those are national, federal-based issues that we demand the United States federal government address and solve. Texas is doing what it can do by passing this border security plan."

Even if these attempts by House Bill 11 to secure the Texas-Mexico border are not the "most perfect" of solutions, I am proud of our Governor stepping up to the challenge and doing his best to secure it. I believe that it is about time that the federal government should wake up from the border security coma that it is currently in and start to help out too.

Say Goodbye to the Death Penalty

One of my classmates, Don, has written about how the death penalty in Texas has declined over the past few years on his blog, Gone to Texas [Government]. Don supports the idea of Texas doing away with the death penalty for reasons including lack of justice, inaccurate convictions, and life in prison without parole being an acceptable option for these individuals.

Don, I agree with you 100% on your notion to end the death penalty in the state of Texas. Even though I have a tendency to follow traditional values and social conservatism ideology, I believe that changes are in order for our state's future. There are so many different reasons as to why a life-sentence without parole serves as the better option with these cases.

As you mentioned, the death penalty puts lives at risk. We live in a country in which there is an imperfect justice system. Innocent individuals do receive false convictions, there is no doubt about it. Since judges, prosecutors, and jurors all run the risk of making the incorrect decision regarding an individual charged with a serious crime, why should we give them the ultimatum of death?

Furthermore, there are plenty of other reasons as to why the death penalty should be abolished. Research and statistics show that individuals who murder whites end up receiving the death penalty more often than individuals who murder African-Americans. The Death penalty costs us a large amount of tax money. Usually, those receiving the death penalty are of the minority class, and have poor defense attorneys to begin with. Also, capital punishment under the death penalty does not serve the community well by deterring these serious crimes.

I could go on and on about the negatives associated with the death penalty. However, I will conclude by saying that even though the death penalty may seem like the most just way to many, I think there is a better option for us. Instead of giving these criminals a "quick and easy way out", I think a life sentence without parole serves to punish them appropriately. Instead of the death penalty, let these murders reflect on their actions for the rest of their lives behind bars.