In Tommy Gilbert's article "The 28th Amendment: Freedom of Marriage," he argues the right of an American to choose who they wish to marry. His argument is compelling, well stated and the evidence is well supported. It is true that same-sex marriage has been a controversy for quite some time now and a resolution needs to be made. My take on this issue is fairly in the middle. I don't necessarily agree with it but I don't 100% oppose it either.
Before reading this article, I was more leaning against same-sex marriage, for the mere fact that I think a man should be with a woman not a man. I was raised in a Catholic environment and supporting same-sex marriage is out of the question. In today's wide variety of religions, accepting same-sex marriage seems just impossible. I am a very religious person myself and have been exposed to different perspectives and have come to my own conclusions. I believe people are not born homosexual and it's just something a person picks up. I would obviously not know this because I don't face this issue but that is just my opinion.
In no means I am saying that same-sex couples don't deserve the same right as I have. We are only human and no one is perfect. I see that if I can marry who I wish so should everyone else. My faith has nothing to do with how I treat and feel about others and whether someone wants to marry the same-sex or of a different cultural background everyone is deserving of their own happiness. "I’m merely asking for the same respect we give those of different religious affiliation to be applied to marriage so that maybe—one day—those of us who aren’t allowed to realize our dream of being a happily married couple just might be able to." This is very true, if I as a Catholic can practice my faith why shouldn't someone who wishes to marry the same sex not be allowed too. Like I said before, this issue is delicate and hard to really criticize or support. In my perspective I don't see my happiness being affected by this issue and see nothing wrong, but with time my opinion might change.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Monday, November 4, 2013
The American Dream
Why call undocumented people "illegal aliens"? Are they really aliens? I don't think so. For a country like America who was founded by immigrants you would think foreigners would feel welcomed, but in reality it isn't like that. While others see immigration reform as a negative approach, on the other hand immigrants see it as the realization of the American dream. What is the American dream? To me, it is the opportunity of achievement denied else where but obtainable in this great nation. America is seen as one of the greatest nations in the world of today. Not many countries give the people the opportunity to better their way of living and to most the solution is to leave everything behind and search for that happiness.
According to the Pew Research Center roughly about 11.7 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States today. This number has increased over the past two decades with a fair decline in the recession of 2007-09. Over these years there has been few attempts to solve the immigration issue. In 1986 president Regan took a huge step and "rewarded" undocumented citizens with the passing of the amnesty. This amnesty gave majority of undocumented immigrants the path to citizenship. Most of these immigrants were from Mexico, Central America, and Asia (FAIR). Most people might think of an amnesty as a straight ticket to citizenship but it is not that easy. There are many regulations and steps an undocumented immigrant has to take. Money is very much invested and only the eligible are given that opportunity. In 2009 the Dream Act failed to pass leaving many young undocumented immigrants with mixed feelings. After 2009 the bill kept being modified to pass through Congress but it was not enough. Later in 2012, president Obama passed a policy called the Deferred Action. This bill is in affect as of June 15, 2012, to now. This policy gave many, mostly students, the opportunity to receive a working permit of two years. This bill makes it possible, for the eligible, to obtain a working social security number which opens many doors. This is not a ticket to citizenship but it is most definitely a step towards it. In more recent news, there has been enforcement for an Immigration Reform to be passed but the probability of a bill being passed is very small.
The U.S government does not completely oppose the chance of an Immigration Reform but politicians have just not found a way to come to an agreement. Obama has made some arrangements for the improvement of the immigration system. The president's immigration reform plan has four parts: first the improvement in border security; next is finding employers who have hired undocumented immigrants; then create a path to citizenship; lastly construct an effective immigration system (The White House). This seems like a great plan but the problem is taking action.
Being an undocumented immigrant is not at all pleasant. I was brought over at a very young age and was integrated to American society. I was given the opportunity to obtain a working permit for two years and now currently employed. Most if not all parents want the best for their children. Wouldn't you? and in order for that happiness there are sacrifices that have to be made. I would like to make the reader understand the degree of seriousness of this issue. Immigrants do not intend on coming to the United States to "steal" the job of American citizens. The majority of immigrants come to work and give themselves if not, their family the opportunity to succeed. Isn't that the American ideal? For this an Immigration Reform would give both sides what they want. The government would gain so much from this because immigrants will invest in the economy and bring new perspectives into the picture and for the immigrant the chance to live the American Dream.
Trying to write this article was a challenge. I spend my weekend staring at a blank page trying to generate ideas but nothing came to mind. I then decided to write over an issue that affected me the most. I tried to stay away from this topic because I felt it was overused but I just couldn't. This article reflects who I am and my intend is to make the reader more aware of the issue through the eyes of an immigrant.
According to the Pew Research Center roughly about 11.7 million undocumented immigrants live in the United States today. This number has increased over the past two decades with a fair decline in the recession of 2007-09. Over these years there has been few attempts to solve the immigration issue. In 1986 president Regan took a huge step and "rewarded" undocumented citizens with the passing of the amnesty. This amnesty gave majority of undocumented immigrants the path to citizenship. Most of these immigrants were from Mexico, Central America, and Asia (FAIR). Most people might think of an amnesty as a straight ticket to citizenship but it is not that easy. There are many regulations and steps an undocumented immigrant has to take. Money is very much invested and only the eligible are given that opportunity. In 2009 the Dream Act failed to pass leaving many young undocumented immigrants with mixed feelings. After 2009 the bill kept being modified to pass through Congress but it was not enough. Later in 2012, president Obama passed a policy called the Deferred Action. This bill is in affect as of June 15, 2012, to now. This policy gave many, mostly students, the opportunity to receive a working permit of two years. This bill makes it possible, for the eligible, to obtain a working social security number which opens many doors. This is not a ticket to citizenship but it is most definitely a step towards it. In more recent news, there has been enforcement for an Immigration Reform to be passed but the probability of a bill being passed is very small.
The U.S government does not completely oppose the chance of an Immigration Reform but politicians have just not found a way to come to an agreement. Obama has made some arrangements for the improvement of the immigration system. The president's immigration reform plan has four parts: first the improvement in border security; next is finding employers who have hired undocumented immigrants; then create a path to citizenship; lastly construct an effective immigration system (The White House). This seems like a great plan but the problem is taking action.
Being an undocumented immigrant is not at all pleasant. I was brought over at a very young age and was integrated to American society. I was given the opportunity to obtain a working permit for two years and now currently employed. Most if not all parents want the best for their children. Wouldn't you? and in order for that happiness there are sacrifices that have to be made. I would like to make the reader understand the degree of seriousness of this issue. Immigrants do not intend on coming to the United States to "steal" the job of American citizens. The majority of immigrants come to work and give themselves if not, their family the opportunity to succeed. Isn't that the American ideal? For this an Immigration Reform would give both sides what they want. The government would gain so much from this because immigrants will invest in the economy and bring new perspectives into the picture and for the immigrant the chance to live the American Dream.
Trying to write this article was a challenge. I spend my weekend staring at a blank page trying to generate ideas but nothing came to mind. I then decided to write over an issue that affected me the most. I tried to stay away from this topic because I felt it was overused but I just couldn't. This article reflects who I am and my intend is to make the reader more aware of the issue through the eyes of an immigrant.
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