Pooja Finavia’s insight on student debt today.

Pooja, thank you for putting into perspective the struggles many people face today, when it comes to completing a higher education, myself included. I whole heartily agree with the concept of the government investing in the citizen’s education. This investment would not only benefit the person’s future but also the nation's future as well, as stated. As the United States is usually the “best” or the “first” of many things to other countries, it was alarming for me to read that there are other countries like Germany, Sweden and Norway that have already eliminated tuition. There is so much money the Us government permits to be spent on useless bills, local projects who do not have any benefit; yet there are students who are doing everything they can to get a college education. Pooja, had a great point as well, many students begin to study in college yet are forced to pause their education or put an end to it completely because the debt has become a big burden. Those students usually must start working but to realize that majority of jobs require college education and years of experience. This discourages many and prevents people from incorporating a change in the nation's improvements. On a positive note, Pooja referenced an article where the presidential nominees as of a few weeks ago have intentions on working on our nation's education concerns, especially at the college level. Many may think, well schools already offer financial aid, but honestly it is very hard for those that need help get that help. Just as an example, some students may have to work and go to school because they need to pay for bills and take care of their family but do not make enough to pay for it all and may live paycheck to paycheck. Those students could get rejected on the bases of “making too much money” but in reality they really need the help. In the end, I'm glad there are others that share the same opinions on the importance of education. I hope I will be able to see more help from the Us government in the near future.  

Us Government hates the Earth (sadface).

Recently, I watched a documentary on the dangers the world and it’s inhabitants face with climate change. To my surprise, climate change is a very important global issue that is present now and with time gets more and more fatal. I was always aware of the issue but after watching the documentary I learned important realizations and solutions that we can all contribute to today to save our future generations, the earth, and all it’s majestic creatures. 

    Here is a synopses on climate change. Climate change is when a high amount of carbon dioxide and other gasses are exposed to the air causing the Earth to become warmer. When the planet becomes warmer the sea levels rise causing the ice and snow to melt in the cold regions of the planet. This affects storms, to become catastrophes, floods, forest fires, droughts and animal extinction. Some may say these issues have always been around for centuries. This is true but what makes climate change such an urgent issue today, is how fast all these issues that I mentioned are becoming more severe compared to decades before. Not to mention research scientist had discovered years ago and research that has been proven today. 

   My initial thought, was wondering how many more people there are out there in the country and in the world clueless about this major current issue. Some may be like myself, not being up to date with the facts and what steps we can take to make a difference; or some may have been influenced by some of the government to believe it does not exist. This is in part with how many monopolies own and contribute money to the rights of the television media. So if a major oil company has a partnership with a news source it benefits them to not allow anything on the issue be mentioned because people will act against it and then their company will not be able to continue to grow. The government has the ability to spread important information to it’s citizens about certain issues they should also partake in spreading information about climate change.   

   Another surprising realization was that most of the United States Government officials do not believe in climate change and/or are very opposed to making contributions to the nation to make improvements. Just last year both Senate and House of Representatives tried to pass a bill granting them access to the Keystone Pipeline, and also wanted to make decisions by passing The President. This bill could have been very dangerous and adding to the harm to the climate change. Thankfully President Barack Obama vetoed the bill. Additionally, the improvements would go along with the current excess use of fossil fuels and other harmful sources of energy that effect the climate change. Surprisingly enough, the United States was one of the highest (if not the highest) contributors of carbon dioxide and energy sources that harm the environment. With that being said, our legislators and the citizens should take ownership and responsibility for the damage that the nation has done over many years and make adequate changes in the government to follow through on the necessary attention climate change needs.

   As citizens, we should participate more in local and national elections. By voting for representatives that believe in what we believe in laws and bills will be able to be passed and forced. Not only so representatives especially in the House of Representatives are there for us and for our needs and requests. If the citizens voice their concerns change will take place but only by doing so. Additionally the government and its legislators need to end the use of fossil fuels to reduce our carbon emissions. They will be able to do so by enforcing carbon taxes, placing a price on carbon. This would help accelerate technology and grow new industries. The government should invest in research for new outcomes. Lastly, protect the oceans especially to conserve the arctic and reforest the nation.  

   The consequences that we, and our future generations face if we do not make changes within our government is not only animal extinction and a lot of the world being affected by the rise of the sea. Fresh water supplies will be scarce and so will it’s wildlife. Additionally for those people that survive, they will face high debt from the causes of climate change. The damages the storms will leave per occurrence per family is being averaged out to 8.8 Trillion dollars as an average amount for future years for Millennials. Our nation’s economy will be at risk as well. 

   In the end, it is ironic that at the inception of this democracy Madison’s concept of fixing or controlling faction with the idea of being represented by government legislators would insure the idea that they would not be looking out for their personal interest but in the interest of the people. Argumentatively, based on history and current events that is what our government is doing. If the government had the interest in its people the government would have acted when scientist informed them on the issue or would be proactively making efforts that benefit climate change. So we need to act now and make our government take action as well to save the planet and future generations!