Proposal

-->

Proposal

Prop 30

Argument: Prop 30 is not perfect, but, it’s the best we got

Logos: What is Prop 30?

“Proposition 30 is no substitute for long-term reforms in education funding pensions and other areas, but it is a measured and sensible response to this crisis”(San Jose Mercury News)

Increases personal income tax on annual earnings for those who make over 250,000 for seven years

Increases sales and use tax by one fourth of a cent for four years

Allocates temporary tax revenues 89% to k-12 schools and 11% to community colleges

Bars use of funds for administrative costs, but provides local school governing boards discretion to decide, in open meetings and subject to annual audit, how funds are supposed to be spent

One of my reservations about this proposition is the wiggle room politicians may have to improperly disperse funding. Although “legislative shenanigans” are obviously no fun, and are somewhat always hindering over anything-because it’s politics. Opposed to Proposition 38’s risk of a bureaucracy. So, that is why I am hoping for the best, because our education system is simply inexcusable. Prop 30 maybe a “crash course tax reform”, but it is something.

Pathos: “The measures biggest selling point is what happens if it doesn’t pass” (Los Angeles Times)

1.     California’s current public education system’s ranking, and funding

-California ranked 35^th in national per pupil funding and 47^th in science

2. If we have too few qualified workers, we are putting our economy at risk in the future

3. Higher tuition if it doesn’t pass (compared to a .25% of a cent tax bump)

Ethos: I am a Cabrillo college student. If proposition 30 fails, Cabrillo alone will face an additional cut estimated to be about 3.5 million. After already cutting an estimated 400 classes, even more are at risk. This results in impacted classes, or for some, simply, no classes. Students (or those who wish to be) are often waitlisted for classes, or denied. Not only our classes are being revoked, but, many of our facilities are at risk. I cherish Cabrillo’s academic resources, such as the “Math Learning Center” with out it, or many other resources like it, there is no way the quality of students education would not plummet. Education should not be a competition, nor is it something to be compromised, an education of the equivalent should be just as much attainable for you, as the person sitting next to you.  Additionally, I rely heavily upon financial aid. I work to support myself and in order to even be able to attend school I depend on its assistance. Unfortunately, many others (if not most) face the same struggle I do. Our generation was always taught that school was the only way to make a decent life for your self and even in times of economic hardship an education was supposed to provide some sense of security, however, a good education is beginning to start sounding like a fairy tale. I am a young adult, simply trying to make something of myself and I believe I reserve the right to do so.

Prop 30 is a temporary tax increase to halt anymore drastic cuts from schools, universities, and public safety. If passed, prop 30 will raise income taxes on the wealthy (Those that reside in the highest tax bracket) by 1-7% for the next seven years. A tax I consider justified due to the fact that "the incomes of the wealthy increased significantly over the past two decades, while those of all other californians declined". In addition. a temporary sales tax increase of 1/4 of a cent will take effect, and continue for the next four years. However, if the measurement is rejected Public education funding will be cut by $5.8 Billion. Specifically, this will mean a $3.5 million budget cut for Cabrillo. As a full time student at Cabrillo, this affects me immensely. financial aid is very crucial to me, as I am a self-reliant sudent. without it I would not be able to attend college. According to the online Cabrillo records, from 2008-2009, enrollment has decreased by 300,000 students in a time of increased demand. Class selection has dropped significantly as well. Like most students who plan to transfer to a UC, this makes the 2-year goal nearly impossible.

One can never be certain when it comes to determing the best choice for the economy. What came to my mind was the economic effect of such a measure. even the most minor of a sales tax increase still yields the ability to have a drastic influence on the public market. A sales tax increase could potentially inhibit "spenders", immediately affecting small businesses and workers statewide. Thus, leading to further financial/economic struggles, imposed primarily upon our middle and lower class californians. Finally,, if this was to be the case this would obviously mean not only further deployment of finances state-wide, but further deployment of school finances-bringing us full circle. I fully support and strive for all the same goals that PRoposition 30 intends in fulfilling, however, I can not be certain it will deliver exactly what it promises. I am just not sure of what and who to believe and do not consider myself adequately informed to know what the best option.

Op-ed link

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-kleinbard-tax-cheats-20120907,0,6526020.story

ENG 1A

Choice #1

 Why is “Para Teresa” written in English and Spanish?

I think the switched from English to Spanish to further reflect and contrast her pride for her heritage and her conformity.

Choice #2

I think the speaker realized that although their own opinions may have differed, they were both valid. They both fought to overcome a society that urged them to be stripped of their culture and heritage. They both rebelled against society that worked to make them feel inferior and now the speaker can finally see this. Put in a position of inferiority the speaker chose to use her academics to contest the prejudice while Teresa refused to submit to anything along the lines of conventional.

Choice #4

(Summarize Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths)

Critical thinking is not just memorizing information, it is thinking about a bigger picture of something. With critical thinking there is no longer just accepting information, you must ask deeper questions, such as motives, causes and explanations. Critical thinking is crucial for challenging cultural myths. The society we grow up in shapes our mindsets and common beliefs. For the most part, we all believe in the same thing, share the same ideas and social customs. When something strays from this we may not be as receptive as we believe ourselves to be because when something is “wrong” in our society, we are only surrounded by other members of the society to validate us. Many of our customs and social norms are simply memorized and accepted to be just the way things are that is why some of our cultural myths are “obstacles to critical thinking”. When you start to question many of the unseen norms of our culture you can begin to free yourself from many cultural restraints that may have impaired your outlook towards the world.

Choice #5(Reading questions for Para Teresa)

1.     Teresa confronted the speaker in the bathroom at school one day. Teresa suggested that the speaker was trying to “show her up” by making her look like a bad student-“I was playing right into their hands, you challenged” (20). The Speaker did not understand that her and Teresa stood for the same purpose, however, they failed to recognize this simply because they went about doing so in different ways. As the speaker strived for success in school Teresa boasted her rebellion with arrogance.

2.     Teresa demonstrated a more “classic” form of rebellion with arrogance and refusal to submit. While the speaker chose a more discrete route-conformity. The speaker flew under the radar as she strived for academic success. “I did nothing for the teachers” (31) said the speaker.  By conforming and making her schoolwork such a high priority the speaker wanted to prove that “we were not only equal but superior to them” (55). By “deadly defiance” I think the speaker is suggesting that you can lose yourself and your individuality if you entirely devote yourself to whatever vendetta you may have, such as her and Teresa’s, to a certain point it ceases to be rebellion and becomes submission. As far as an argument goes, it is obviously crucial to be well read and educated to have any point heard, especially if you want to be heard by more people. I think the speakers choice of defiance is probably the most effective, however, Teresa still made her point clear by her obvious acts of defiance and it is something I find it to be a very respectable thing to take action for something you really care about.

I am 18 years old and have lived in Santa cruz my whole life. it has been the perfect place for me to grow up, I enjoy living in a small town with great beaches, and feel extremely fortunate to have been surrounded by all of its inhabitants. However, I do not intend on staying here for the rest of my life so I recognize my education is crucial. This will be my first full time academic semester in almost two years, let alone my first full time semester at cabrillo. I graduated from Ark Independent studies last winter. Although some people flourish in programs such as Independent studies, it was not a good fit for someone like myself.I found  the curriculum and workload to be substandard and entirely sedative-ultimately contravening my ability to learn. This lack of mental stimulation left me feeling "behind" in my studies. due to my previous learning conditions, I am very eager to be back in a more traditional classroom environment and be given the opportunity to be challenged. I honestly do  want to get the most out of my time here, but I can not ignore my concern that i will struggle adapting to a new learning environment. However, for the past three years I have worked full time at a local restaurant and I believe this has helped me acquire a fair work ethic-one I hope to translate into this class.