This is my junior year of my undergraduate college years. Spring Semester of 2010 is coming up and I've yet to decide what I want to do post-college. I can go into the workforce, I can stay in school, I can go for Teach For America or I can do something I've always wanted to do: start a business. Each has their own set of drawbacks but I've never been someone who was too concerned about risk. More often then not, the fear of risk and failure keeps us from maximizing our potential. I've always thought life was too short to worry about what we can or can't do. In order to be a man of rewards, I've got to take risks in order to accumulate those rewards. I have to be able to look at a situation and remind myself that I can put a lot on the table but get even more in return. I personally don't feel it appropriate to live my life with an obsession on what CAN go wrong when in reality, I get what I put in. I'll pay the price for what I want to gain in life. We live in a world of opportunity and I'd go against everything I believe in if I don't jump on every opportunity I possibly can. Of course, I've got to be careful of collapsing under the weight of my own goals; but that's the last thing on my mind. I've got PLENTY of ideas that need to just materialize into results. I'm sure I can go forward with at least ONE and make decent earnings from it. Don't believe me? I'd encourage you to watch me do so.
On the rise,
David Javier Solis
"Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." - Hebrews 10:35
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Showing posts with label college. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
The Woes of my Republican Party
What has my Republican Party of Lincoln become and where do we go from here?
Since the birth of this independent country in 1776, our political system has primarily been a two party system which puts both factions at odds with each other in all forms of debates; some social, some political, and some for just the sake of bickering. In a little more than two centuries, our nation has made strides that even our forefathers may have not foreseen. We've made history with various forms of movements that gave the people more power in their hands. We've developed a country that understands national sovereignty in the hands of the people works best; the problem with this though is that we've had far too difficult of a time distinguishing who is part of the American people.
The Democratic party does an effective job in bringing in young voters, college-educated voters, minority voters, catholic voters, union voters and other categories. For my Republican party unfortunately, these voters are typically Democrat-leaning and the numbers will only rise in the future as the minority population goes up, college-education enrollment goes up and various other group populations skyrocket. It's no secret that the recent election in 2008 exposed the not just the weaknesses of my party, but its flaws and mistakes it's accumulated over the past few decades. We abandoned the fundamentals that brought us to the national spotlight in the 18th century. Unfortunately, our party of Reagan and Lincoln is no longer with us and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Politics is an ugly sport; and like all ugly sports, one must prevail and one must falter. My party has done too much of the latter for the past few years and there is reasoning behind it. I'd like to address just a few of the many reasons why this is so and present what I feel may serve as solutions, difficult as they may be, to my party's predicament.
'Rich White Man's Party'
This belief is the one major barrier to keeping minority groups from voting for several Republican officials. Unfortunately, sincere and selfless Republican officials don't even get acknowledged due to the generalizations made by Republicans past who have not quite embraced the movements of minorities in the past (i.e. Civil Rights and Immigrant protests). While this does not mean all republicans opposed these movements; too many did and failed to acknowledge the future predicaments. The fact of the matter is that most African Americans and Hispanics identify themselves as a group to be more traditional and associate many of their beliefs towards family values and more conservative-minded; something that would typically be an asset and advantage for my Republican party but is canceled out by the grim history of the party towards these two groups. While it is true a Republican president won the civil war and was much of the reason for the emancipation of the slaves, the dire history of the Republican party in the south during the civil rights does away with that. While it is also true that Ronald Reagan signed an amnesty program in the 80's which legalized several undocumented immigrants, the racist remarks and demonizing of the Hispanic community (whether intentional or not, it happened) in the past few years completely erases some of that Hispanic support in states like Florida. My party has come off as too offensive, insensitive and xenophobic in the past few decades and that must change in order to make progress in the future of a nation whose identity is changing. This issue can't be shelved or tabled to be dealt with in the future; that time is now and I urge any Republican who happens to be reading this to acknowledge the mistakes and misconceptions made and created over the past few years. We need to act because the democrats know the situation of the everchanging country and they've jumped on that quite effectively as shown in the statistics of the past election
'Party of Bush'
It's as simple as understanding that Bush was no great president by any means and although there are some things he deserves credit for, it's important to just move on from the Bush era and get back to the drawing board. We need another Reagan revolution where people come to the polls excited to keep a Republican in power. The party of Newt Gingrich, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan were far different in comparison to the Party of Bush. Let's move on and get to work on portraying the message of accountability and modernity to America. We need innovation and while it may be true that some of the Republican values should stay intact, some need to be done away with and some need to be revamped. Again, we've seen that the past few years and in terms of survival, we must represent the needs and interests of the changing constituency in America.
'Too many oximorons'
Why can't a Republican be both a Republican and progressive? These two things do not need to mean two different things. To be progressive means to obviously make progress in society and the communities; is it so difficult for our Republican representatives to exemplify that and confidently say they do just that?
'Fiscal Conservatism'
The best Republican political victories happened when we ran on a fiscally conservative platform and held that as the message of our entering power over the Democrats. The country appreciates responsibility in our economy and the expenditures of tax money so we must keep true to our platform unlike the years of Bush.
'Focus more on State Rights'
Americans all around the country are infuriated with the increasing size of federal governments; even in blue states is this seen. We must put back more power in the hands of the states and run with that because this is what many concerned Americans are looking for. Federal bureaucracy is growing FAST and as seen in recent poll numbers, this isn't quite a blessing for the majority of Americans.
Since the birth of this independent country in 1776, our political system has primarily been a two party system which puts both factions at odds with each other in all forms of debates; some social, some political, and some for just the sake of bickering. In a little more than two centuries, our nation has made strides that even our forefathers may have not foreseen. We've made history with various forms of movements that gave the people more power in their hands. We've developed a country that understands national sovereignty in the hands of the people works best; the problem with this though is that we've had far too difficult of a time distinguishing who is part of the American people.
The Democratic party does an effective job in bringing in young voters, college-educated voters, minority voters, catholic voters, union voters and other categories. For my Republican party unfortunately, these voters are typically Democrat-leaning and the numbers will only rise in the future as the minority population goes up, college-education enrollment goes up and various other group populations skyrocket. It's no secret that the recent election in 2008 exposed the not just the weaknesses of my party, but its flaws and mistakes it's accumulated over the past few decades. We abandoned the fundamentals that brought us to the national spotlight in the 18th century. Unfortunately, our party of Reagan and Lincoln is no longer with us and we have no one to blame but ourselves.
Politics is an ugly sport; and like all ugly sports, one must prevail and one must falter. My party has done too much of the latter for the past few years and there is reasoning behind it. I'd like to address just a few of the many reasons why this is so and present what I feel may serve as solutions, difficult as they may be, to my party's predicament.
'Rich White Man's Party'
This belief is the one major barrier to keeping minority groups from voting for several Republican officials. Unfortunately, sincere and selfless Republican officials don't even get acknowledged due to the generalizations made by Republicans past who have not quite embraced the movements of minorities in the past (i.e. Civil Rights and Immigrant protests). While this does not mean all republicans opposed these movements; too many did and failed to acknowledge the future predicaments. The fact of the matter is that most African Americans and Hispanics identify themselves as a group to be more traditional and associate many of their beliefs towards family values and more conservative-minded; something that would typically be an asset and advantage for my Republican party but is canceled out by the grim history of the party towards these two groups. While it is true a Republican president won the civil war and was much of the reason for the emancipation of the slaves, the dire history of the Republican party in the south during the civil rights does away with that. While it is also true that Ronald Reagan signed an amnesty program in the 80's which legalized several undocumented immigrants, the racist remarks and demonizing of the Hispanic community (whether intentional or not, it happened) in the past few years completely erases some of that Hispanic support in states like Florida. My party has come off as too offensive, insensitive and xenophobic in the past few decades and that must change in order to make progress in the future of a nation whose identity is changing. This issue can't be shelved or tabled to be dealt with in the future; that time is now and I urge any Republican who happens to be reading this to acknowledge the mistakes and misconceptions made and created over the past few years. We need to act because the democrats know the situation of the everchanging country and they've jumped on that quite effectively as shown in the statistics of the past election
'Party of Bush'
It's as simple as understanding that Bush was no great president by any means and although there are some things he deserves credit for, it's important to just move on from the Bush era and get back to the drawing board. We need another Reagan revolution where people come to the polls excited to keep a Republican in power. The party of Newt Gingrich, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan were far different in comparison to the Party of Bush. Let's move on and get to work on portraying the message of accountability and modernity to America. We need innovation and while it may be true that some of the Republican values should stay intact, some need to be done away with and some need to be revamped. Again, we've seen that the past few years and in terms of survival, we must represent the needs and interests of the changing constituency in America.
'Too many oximorons'
Why can't a Republican be both a Republican and progressive? These two things do not need to mean two different things. To be progressive means to obviously make progress in society and the communities; is it so difficult for our Republican representatives to exemplify that and confidently say they do just that?
'Fiscal Conservatism'
The best Republican political victories happened when we ran on a fiscally conservative platform and held that as the message of our entering power over the Democrats. The country appreciates responsibility in our economy and the expenditures of tax money so we must keep true to our platform unlike the years of Bush.
'Focus more on State Rights'
Americans all around the country are infuriated with the increasing size of federal governments; even in blue states is this seen. We must put back more power in the hands of the states and run with that because this is what many concerned Americans are looking for. Federal bureaucracy is growing FAST and as seen in recent poll numbers, this isn't quite a blessing for the majority of Americans.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Days Til' D.C.
In about 13 days from today, I'll be in D.C. starting the experience of a lifetime; an experience I had only dreamt about before reaching college. I'll be interning on Capitol Hill and taking classes there. It'll be unlike anything I've ever taken part in and I get to work in politics hands-on. I get to enter the U.S. capitol at one of the most interesting times in American history and see the very processes our legislators must work through in order to make some form of progress (hopefully). I'm going to D.C. optimistic about the political knowledge I'll attain over the next 4 months. I'm thrilled about the prospects of networking with all sorts of different people; people who will make all the difference for me and my future with public policy. I have no false illusions about what to expect; I will in fact, come back to Danbury, Connecticut (and UConn) a different person with a set of different beliefs. Some of my beliefs I go to D.C. with will only be reinforced; others will change. No matter what though, I promise myself, my friends, my family and anyone reading this; I won't forget where it is I come from and who helped me get to anywhere I go in life. I promise.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Different new ideas for our generation
Is it just me, or has our government been repeating the same ideas around with different terminology?? In my honest opinion, people become indifferent and unconcerned with politics because it is so often the same ideas being said and same results (or lack of results) taking place. People never want to partake in something with little to no effective and substantial results. So before I go on with what I feel are just a very few fresh ideas that could serve as effective programs or legislation, I'd like to state that they are in fact, just IDEAS. I haven't done much research to know the specific details on things like costs and political maneuvering. Remember Folks, Mere Ideas; but it is ideas themselves that make innovation and renewal possible.
Universal Secondary Education/Vocation Fund
- We're no longer the only superpower nation with a strong and healthy economy.. We need to invest not just in the sustainability of our economy, but in the future and careers of our citizens right here at home. I don't believe in any more involuntary taxes for small businesses, corporations or the private American taxpayer. However, why not make a program where the taxpayer chooses by their own free will to allocate a small portion of their income towards college funds for their children? In addition to the money that's being saved, why not let the govt set up a program that gives an accrual of interest to encourage the parents to set up the college funds in the first place?
Further incentives for teachers and skilled workers to work in U.S.
- We just don't have enough teachers, engineers, nurses, mathematicians and other skilled workers. The reason for this is because gradually over time, it's become more and more difficult to sustain a family and comfortable lifestyle in the United States; on top of my advocating for more tax breaks, why don't we give further incentives for students in our universities who agree to stay in the United States to practice their careers?
Constitutional Amendment to keep balanced budget
- A trillion dollars, Obama? Really? Time to keep our presidents and congresses in check.
Increasing Dropout age to 18
- You can't buy over the counter drugs or get a tattoo unless you're 18; but you can drop out of high school at 16?? Think about that, folks.
Funding Adult Stem Cell Research
- Apparently this field has promises for the future in biotechnology so in order to avoid controversy from both sides, let's go with what's far less intrusive; adult stem cell research where adults donate their stem cells without the controversial usage of conception.
Legalize Marijuana
- Decriminalize it. Legalize it. Regulate it. Tax it.
Get rid of the IRS
- We did fine without it in the past; we'll be fine without it now. Hundreds of billions of dollars of waste.
Let Congress take responsibility of coin minting
- Take that privilege from the Federal Reserve and give congress back it's responsibility to mint our currency themselves and not to a conglomerate private central bank.
Universal Secondary Education/Vocation Fund
- We're no longer the only superpower nation with a strong and healthy economy.. We need to invest not just in the sustainability of our economy, but in the future and careers of our citizens right here at home. I don't believe in any more involuntary taxes for small businesses, corporations or the private American taxpayer. However, why not make a program where the taxpayer chooses by their own free will to allocate a small portion of their income towards college funds for their children? In addition to the money that's being saved, why not let the govt set up a program that gives an accrual of interest to encourage the parents to set up the college funds in the first place?
Further incentives for teachers and skilled workers to work in U.S.
- We just don't have enough teachers, engineers, nurses, mathematicians and other skilled workers. The reason for this is because gradually over time, it's become more and more difficult to sustain a family and comfortable lifestyle in the United States; on top of my advocating for more tax breaks, why don't we give further incentives for students in our universities who agree to stay in the United States to practice their careers?
Constitutional Amendment to keep balanced budget
- A trillion dollars, Obama? Really? Time to keep our presidents and congresses in check.
Increasing Dropout age to 18
- You can't buy over the counter drugs or get a tattoo unless you're 18; but you can drop out of high school at 16?? Think about that, folks.
Funding Adult Stem Cell Research
- Apparently this field has promises for the future in biotechnology so in order to avoid controversy from both sides, let's go with what's far less intrusive; adult stem cell research where adults donate their stem cells without the controversial usage of conception.
Legalize Marijuana
- Decriminalize it. Legalize it. Regulate it. Tax it.
Get rid of the IRS
- We did fine without it in the past; we'll be fine without it now. Hundreds of billions of dollars of waste.
Let Congress take responsibility of coin minting
- Take that privilege from the Federal Reserve and give congress back it's responsibility to mint our currency themselves and not to a conglomerate private central bank.
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