Eliminate school police for budget savings- Critique

            Almost all schools now are required to have a police officer on duty for protection of the student’s safety, and maintaining order throughout the school. However Scott Henson writer of  the Blog “Grits for Breakfast” thinks otherwise in his blog posting. He states that if there are budget cuts to be made in the school district the non- teacher jobs should be cut first. Mainly stressing on the schools’ police officers and other non teacher jobs that are less important when it comes to teaching the actual curriculum to the students. In Henson’s opinion he believes that schools were functioning well (or in a good standing) without police officers patrolling the schools when he was in school, so there should not be any need for them now. He states that in the last 20 years in Texas public schools have increased the campus police officers, which he thinks is unnecessary.  In my opinion I believe it entirely depends on the school district and the behavior of the students who attend the school. Without the campus police more responsibility will be put in the teacher’s hands when it comes to disciplining the students and making sure everyone is safe. But however I do agree with Henson on the terms of eliminating more non teacher jobs, and preserving the teaching position. A benefit that should result of this is the teachers’ salary should increase by a little, since they will be faced with more duties and responsibilities.

Chopping block: Eliminate the death penalty, Critique

The death penalty has been used in a form of punishment in America dating back to the 1600’s, since the first settlers arrived here in North America. Influenced by the British, Americans soon came adopt this style of punishment. In the society we live in now, the outlook on retribution has changed from the cruel and harsh punishments to less extreme measures.  In Bobby Cervantes commentary about the death penalty, he makes some legitimate arguments on the cost of the death penalty, and challenges us to think if we should sill continue with this type of punishment. He first starts off by mentioning that there is no chance for elimination of death penalty in the state of Texas. Due to its conservative base, Texas will probably be one of the last states to do away with the death penalty. Most Americans who are anti death penalty, are against it from a moral perspective against inhumane treatment that violates the Bill of Rights provisions against cruel and unusual punishment. However, few take into consideration of the actual cost of capital punishment. The cost is hard to sum up, but rough estimates are around 1.2 million tax payer’s dollars! To an American resident this seems outrageous and a waste of resources that can be employed towards improving health, education and infrastructure.  The death penalty should only be used in extreme cases for individuals who have committed heinous crimes, such as mass murderers and serial killers. As costs continually rises, judges must weigh the pros and cons consider carefully and determine whether if it is really worth pursuing capital punishment based on the reasons outlined above.