Death row inmates seek attention of Supreme Court

The death penalty has its fair share of supporters and fair share of people who are against it. It has been one of the most talked about topics up for debate. In Arkansas, there are 6 death row inmates scheduled to die by lethal injection this month but have asked the Supreme Court to reverse a federal appeals court order and uphold a district court's injunction that stop the executions temporarily.

The district court found that the inmates were likely to show that the lethal injection drug protocol "entails a substantial risk of harm. In a statement, Scott Braden, the attorney for 2 of the inmates said his clients were denied access to mental health workers, even though they clearly demonstrated that mental health issues would be significant factors at their trials. One has severe and life-long schizophrenia and the other has organic brain damage and intellectual disability.

On a side note, Arkansas' supply of a drug used in lethal injections called Midazolam is set to expire at the end of this month. This drug has been used in quite a few botched injections in other states.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/19/politics/arkansas-death-row-supreme-court/index.html

Week 4

Whats killing the American middle class and why save it?

For many Americans, the middle class basically their identity and lifestyle. Unfortunately, the middle class is diminishing ever since the household income needed to be considered part of the middle class has gone up, the number of people who meet that requirement has gone down. Not only that but the gap between middle class and upper class has widened. It seems as though two-thirds of those who leave the middle class move up and progress, while one-third have dropped to a lower income group. 

The middle class is dying because of rising income inequality in America. There are many factors of income inequality such as globalization, the decline of unions, the outsourcing of jobs and technology being advanced. The middle class should be saved because the gap between class will just widen and either people will fall into upper class or fall down lower. 

Trump repealing and replacing Obamacare

The main-focus of Obamacare is to provide more Americans with access to affordable health insurance, improve their quality of health care and health insurance, regulate the health insurance industry, and to reduce health care spending in the United States. This was created so that all Americans could be covered somehow and receive the care that they can afford and need. There are many uninsured working families and others who simply cannot afford health insurance. One of the major aims of Obamacare is to help these individuals to get health insurance by expanding Medicaid eligibility and offering cost assistance through health insurance market places. Obamacare makes sure that women get equal healthcare rights and improved women’s health services.

President Trump would like to repeal and replace Obamacare. I feel as though this would take us into a downward spiral by his doing this to the people of this country. Obamacare has helped to benefit so many people and to save so many lives through affordable services and having people covered. It is a shame that Trump wants to take this away especially women’s services. This administration believes that the plan they put together now, is better than the one that exists now. Due to the new plan, premiums would be hiked for older Americans. Some people cannot afford what they already need to pay and now after the white house saying that this plan will not financially hurt people, will it not? They are also trying to put an end to Medicaid expansion. This is something that has saved many lives, including an audience member’s life during this segment. The white house claims that it does not help everyone the same way and that it is difficult, and that one out of every three physicians won't see Medicaid patients. In my opinion, doctors should not to be blamed for ot taking the insurance, the white house needs to do more about what is best for the American people, and they are doing to opposite. They said that giving individual states freedom, would help to “save money”. An audience member then asked a question on Planned Parenthood, something every woman was waiting for to be asked about. The woman said that: how low-income women could continue receiving health care services if the organization they depend on is defunded through the Republican legislation? The one statement that was said was very frustrating to hear. The white house said that the bill has tried to address widespread concerns about federal tax dollars being used to perform abortion services. That does not give them the right to defund it because of one service that women may truly be in need of it, it is not fair. They had also said that the GOP legislation would "increase money for women's health services." All that was really said about that, was they want to make certain is that they are responding to the concerns of the majority of the American people. They did not directly answer the full question. This healthcare plan will have terrible repercussions for Americans as it does not give what the people need. They are taking away more than they are giving with this new plan and it is just unfortunate.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/03/19/politics/tom-price-health-care/index.html

Week 3

How does your class status influence the decisions you make in your life?

My class status affects the way I shop for clothes and spend money on food. When buying clothes I do have to look at the price of what I am getting, I can’t just buy something that is a brand name like Gucci or Guess. That is something that is too expensive and not affordable for me. MY class also affects things for school such as needing loans because my parents do not have the money to pay out of pocket for college.

What opportunities in your life, if any, may contribute to your future success?

One of the biggest opportunities is being able to go to school and receive an education, and to grow from what I learn. Also, the opportunity to have professors that are teaching something related to what I want to do for a career in the future, helping to get me internships or even job opportunities.