RA #2 Salam

“The Death of Macho” was written by Reihan Salam in 2009. The topic of this article regards gender roles, both presently and in the past, and the evidence of a switch in gender dominance from males to females occurring today. The exigence explains that although slowly, men in America and all over the world have been losing their dominance, especially due to the recent economic collapse and specifically in America due to the housing bubble crash. Men are losing their place in this world. The intended audience would be generally everyone, but targeted specifically to male Americans. The purpose is to make the reader aware of the gender switch that is occurring, and the reality of what this switch entails, as well as how one would either adapt or resist the switch. The claim of this article, as hinted at before, is that the past’s idea of the macho, man’s man ideal is fading out, and although men are fighting hard to resist, women are taking the place of dominance in today’s culture. In present day, the issue at hand is gender roles and people must decipher what that means for themselves and the entire world.

Writer’s Strategy #1: In this article, Salam employs the method of cause and effect many times through giving examples of current and past events that lead to or are aiding in the transition of male to female dominance. An example of this can be found on page 630, which explains how Iceland made the transition. The cause was the “all-male elite who oversaw the making of the crisis”, the crisis being Iceland’s enormous economic crash, causing the effect of naming “the world’s first openly lesbian leader as their prime minister.” This is one of the many ways Salam utilizes the method of cause and effect in his explanation of how gender roles are changing. Personally, his use of this mode is great evidential support towards explaining his claim. By applying this method, Salam shows a great use of Aristotle’s appeal of ethos. This abundance of evidence really shows his credibility.

Writer’s Strategy #2: Salam also exploits the method of compare and contrast in this article. There is a compare and contrast between men and women gender roles. He also compares and contrasts between gender roles today and those from the past. Not only that, but near the end of the article he utilizes this method again to compare and contrast the choices men have in light of the changing times: adapting or resisting. I really enjoyed this aspect of Salam’s writing. Because there was a constant battle between two ideas, people, or situations, I felt that the article was very unified and cohesive.

Writer’s Strategy #3: Another strategy Salam used, and arguably the most important for this subject matter, is classification and division. The entire article is focused around the question of how men and women should be classified. Salam explains how men and women were divided in the past, how they are classified now, and what the future holds for these supposedly separate but equal groups. Many factors that attribute to this separation can be what job one holds, how much education one has, and even who is the “breadwinner” of a family unit. Salam explores the idea that the classification of gender is often skewed what it means for America and even the world to adjust their current classifications. At what point will the classifications of gender become obsolete? Will that ever happen? The division of male and female is a huge debate today and Salam explains it beautifully in this article.

RR #2 Kimmel

“Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code, written by sociologist Michael Kimmel, was originally published in his book titled: “Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men” (2008). In this excerpt, Kimmel explains that “guys”, or young men between the ages of sixteen and twenty-six, have an extreme amount of pressure weighing down on their shoulders to be as masculine as possible. This pressure, which can be explained through “The Guy Code”, starts at an extremely young age. Not only this, but more than any other influence in their lives they experience the pressure in the most intense aspects from other men: fathers, brothers, friends, coaches, grandfathers, uncles, etc. If a guy strays from “The Guy Code” even slightly other men use effeminacy to reprimand the behavior promoting violence, independence, lack of emotion, fear of vulnerability, etc. Kimmel argues that men are not just biologically hard-wired to be masculine – that the development of masculinity has very much to do with male culture – also explaining that the root of this issue ultimately is the “fear of other men” causing men to become extremely angry and depressed individuals (613). Human beings have been reduced to male robots and female objects. What happened to life?

                Kimmel explains on page 609 the “The Guy Code”, or standard of masculinity set for every male, summarizing it into a “Real Guy’s Top Ten List”:

                1. “Boys Don’t Cry”

                2. “It’s Better to be Mad than Sad”

                3. “Don’t Get Mad – Get Even”

                4. “Take It Like a Man”

                5. “He Who has the Most Toys When he Dies, Wins”

                6. “Just Do It” or “Ride or Die”

                7. “Size Matter”

                8. “I Don’t Stop to Ask for Directions”

                9. “Nice Guys Finish Last”

                10. “It’s All Good”

In my own life, I have experienced every single one of these rules even though I am a female. Between my dad, my grandfathers, my uncles, my guy friends, my past boyfriends, and even acquaintances, it has become obvious that this cultural male mindset is real and extremely devastating. One prime example that comes to mind is the life of my father. From early on, he was a very sensitive, introverted, caring, kind, and vulnerable guy. This was immediately used against him by his alcoholic, ex-Marine Corp. father, his troubled, older brother, and his mentally unstable mother; only to be continued by peers in school.  Over the years of constant physical, verbal, and emotional abuse, he became extremely depressed. He was able to leave that life behind by joining the Navy, military being one of the most masculine institutions. Fast forward fifteen years, my dad finds himself the father of four daughters and the only male in the house. Although I’m sure he experiences some form of effeminacy still to this day, he really has been released by the “straightjacket” that is “The Guy Code”. I’ve seen the pain that this code causes in my father’s life and so many others. I cannot comprehend how biologically this could possibly promote success and therefore must be caused by something other than evolution. I understand that the code is extremely engrained in culture and has been since the beginning of man, but what I want to know is what will it take for men to have enough and strip the straightjacket of masculinity from their lives, as a whole? Is that even possible? 

Final Polish PROPOSITION 30 OP-ED

It is obvious that California is facing a budget crisis. The last few years this state has faced an extreme amount of funding cuts and has still found itself in billions of dollars of debt. One area that is especially experiencing this financial disparity is the educational system. This once great system has faced billions of dollars in budget cuts in that last few years and is facing $5.35 billion more in cuts this next year if we don’t act now. Governor Jerry Brown’s solution: Proposition 30. Proposition 30 promises to give back about $6 billion to K-12 and community colleges through a quarter-cent sales tax raise for four years and a 1-3% income tax raise for seven years to singles making at least $250,000 or couples making at least $500,000 annually. The money acquired from taxation will go into an Education Protection Account (EPA) and will be given to the schools to use where needed, allocating 89% to K-12 and 11% to community colleges. Not only will this improve funding for schools, but it will also prevent a series of “trigger cuts” that will occur if Proposition 30 does not pass. These not only affect the school systems, but public safety as well. As a student currently attending one of California’s many community colleges, I know first-hand how the budget cuts are affecting the educational system and I strongly urge a YES vote on Proposition 30 to prevent more damage to the schools.

Budget cuts are real and devastating; I know this personally and experience their effects daily. In August I started my third year at my local community college, Cabrillo College. The general expectation for length of attendance at a community college is two years.  I was not able to achieve this because throughout my first two years there were extreme budgets cuts raising tuition and cutting classes and staff.  Now that I have finally been able to get all of the classes necessary for transfer to a UC, I am faced with an even more dismal situation because of how expensive higher education is becoming. I am a serious student and highly value my education, but I will not be able to afford to continue in my college career if Prop 30 does not pass.

                Like all complex changes to a Constitution, there are both pros and cons to the change. History has shown that Californians do not favor implementing new tax raises. In the last decade voters have turned down 10 of the 11 propositions that involved raising taxes. Taxes can be annoying and even scary, especially when it comes to trusting a government that hasn’t been exactly trustworthy with their taxpayer’s money. When considering a lower class family, even the slightest raise in taxes could affect them greatly. As explained in an article written by Bill Freeman: “[y]es, the measure calls for a temporary one-quarter of one percent increase for four years, but even with the increase, our sales taxes will be lower than they were last year.” One could even say that the increase in sales tax affect small businesses because consumers would be purchasing fewer products due to the raised sales tax; but as explained, that argument simply does not stand.

                Another argument concerns the income tax raise of the wealthy. Why should the rich pay for other people’s children to attend school? Ever since Reagan was in office, America has seen an enormous decrease in income tax, especially on the affluent. Since the 1980’s, America has experienced a deficit where a very important form of funding used to exist. The top 1%, which is who will experience the increase in income tax, supplies a large portion of funding in America. America, and specifically California, cannot afford to tax the top 1% at this low of a rate.

                Critics argue that Proposition 30 is not enough. California needs a reform in the education system and government in general. They may be right about this, but now is not the time. The state needs a quick solution now, and a reform would be too much, too soon. Prop 30 is a temporary tax, so it gives the government time to think and strategically plan how to fix this issue permanently. Otherwise, we have 3 short months until the “trigger cuts” start their destruction. Another argument explains that because this taxation is temporary, the state could become dependent on the money coming in, and will not be prepared once it stops. In this case, the voting citizens have to make sure that a more permanent reform occurs before the money runs out.

                Proposition 30, also known as “Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act”, strongly affects local governments in regards to public safety. Voters question why schools and public safety issues are lumped together in one measure. The proposed “trigger cuts” that would go through on January 1^st of next year do not only affect K-12 and community colleges. These cuts would also pertain to UC’s, CSU’s, social services such as police and fire, prisons, health programs, and many departments such as Fish & Game and Parks & Recreation. If Proposition 30 passes, it will free up about $3 billion for these different public safety departments, many of which the state government dumped on local governments in 2011 without aid in funding. When concerning prisons, the measure will support programs in prisons that aim to educate prisoners, giving them foundational skills for a successful transition into society once they have been released. These programs aim to lower the rate of returning convicts. This is a form of education, and although prisons acquire much opposition, denying a prisoner of education is discrimination. Also, with less returning prisoners, this will shrink the population of the prisons in California, reducing this ongoing issue and financial burden.

                In regards to Proposition 38, the measure running against Prop 30, I urge a NO vote. Prop 38 claims to raise about $10 billion in support for K-12 schools through extensive income taxes to those making as low as $7,316 a year for 12 years. Prop 38 will only help K-12 and will completely ignore higher education. Not only this, but if this proposition goes through, the trigger cuts will still take place removing $6 billion from all of the school systems as well as public safety. Only one of these propositions can pass, and this is not the solution.

Although Proposition 30 may not be perfect, it is the best option (and only option for higher education) until a better and permanent reform can occur. Overall, it provides the most change with the lowest financial impact for taxpayers. Education is unavoidable because it affects everyone. Therefore, everyone needs to be actively seeking a solution for this educational crisis and Prop 30 is the current solution. I cannot imagine what students 5 or 10 years younger than me are going to have to face if Prop 30 doesn't pass. Hopefully California residents have had enough of this diminishing school system and will put forth effort needed to return the state to what it once was. I know I have, and that's why I'm voting YES on Prop 30.

Final Draft: Proposition 30 from a College Student's Perspective

It is obvious that California is facing a budget crisis. The last few years this state has faced an extreme amount of funding cuts and has still found itself in billions of dollars of debt. One area that is especially experiencing this financial disparity is the educational system of California. This once great system has faced billions of dollars in budget cuts in that last few years and is facing $5.35 billion more in cuts this next year if we don’t act now. Governor Jerry Brown’s solution: Proposition 30. Proposition 30 promises to give back about $6 billion to K-12 and community colleges through a quarter-cent sales tax raise for four years and a 1-3% income tax raise for seven years to singles making at least $250,000 or couples making at least $500,000 annually. The money acquired from taxation will go into an Education Protection Account (EPA) and will be given to the schools to use where needed allocating 89% to K-12 and 11% to community colleges. Not only will this improve funding for schools, but it will also prevent a series of “trigger cuts” that will occur if Proposition 30 does not pass that not only effect the school systems, but public safety as well. As a student currently attending one of California’s many community colleges, I know first-hand how the budget cuts are affecting the educational system and I strongly urge a YES vote on Proposition 30 to prevent more damage to the schools.

                Budget cuts are real and devastating; I know this personally. In August I started my third year at my local community college, Cabrillo College. The general expectation for length of attendance at a community college is two years.  I was not able to achieve this because throughout my first two years there were huge budgets cuts and I was not able to get all of the classes I needed. Now that I have finally been able to get all of the classes necessary for transfer to a UC, I am faced with an even more dismal situation because of how expensive higher education is becoming.

                Like all complex changes to a Constitution, there are both pros and cons to the change. History has shown that Californians do not favor implementing new tax raises. In the last decade voters have turned down 10 out of 11 propositions that involved raising taxes. Taxes can be annoying and even scary, especially when it comes to trusting a government that hasn’t been exactly trustworthy and honest with their taxpayer’s money. When considering a lower class family, even the slightest raise in taxes could affect them greatly. As explained in an article written by Bill Freeman: “[y]es, the measure calls for a temporary one-quarter of one percent increase for four years, but even with the increase, our sales taxes will be lower than they were last year.” One would even say that this sales tax could affect small businesses because people would be purchasing fewer products due to the raised sales tax, but according to this quote, that argument simply does not stand.

                Another argument could be based upon the income tax raise of the wealthy. Why should the rich pay for other people’s children to attend school? Ever since Reagan was in office, America has seen an enormous decrease in income tax, especially on the wealthy. Since the 1980’s, America has experienced a deficit where a very important form of funding used to exist. The top 1%, which is who this proposition will be taxing, supplies a large portion of funding in America. America, and specifically California, cannot afford to tax the top 1% at this low of a rate. Not only this, but the bottom 99% will benefit greatly from their generosity.

                Critics argue that Proposition 30 is not enough. California needs a reform in the education system and government in general. They may be right about this, but now is not the time. The state needs a quick solution now and a reform would be too much, too soon. Prop 30 is a temporary tax, so it gives the government time to think and strategically plan how to fix this issue permanently. Otherwise, we have 3 short months until the “trigger cuts” could be put in place which is not enough time for a reform. Because this taxation is temporary, the state could become dependent on the money coming in, and once it stops California would be in worse shape than before. In this case, the voting citizens have to make sure that a more permanent reform occurs before the money runs out.

                Proposition 30, also known as “Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act”, strongly affects local governments in regards to public safety. Voters question why schools and public safety issues are lumped together in one bill. The proposed “trigger cuts” that would go through on January 1^st of next year not only remove funding from K-12 and community colleges. These cuts would also pertain to UC’s, CSU’s, social services such as police and fire, prisons, health programs, and many departments such as Fish & Game and Parks & Recreation. Why does public safety have anything to do with the school system? If Proposition 30 passes, it will free up about $3 billion to go to these different public safety departments that the state government dumped on local governments in 2011 without aid in funding. When concerning prisons, the measure will be supporting programs in the prisons that educate prisoners and build their skills for successful transition into society once they have been released. These programs aim to lower the rate of returning convicts. This is a form of education, and although a voter may not wish to support prisons, prisoners should not be discriminated upon by being refused an opportunity like education. Also, with less returning prisoners, this will shrink the population of the prisons in California, which has been an ongoing issue and financial burden.

                In regards to Proposition 38, the measure running against Prop 30 that also claims to produce funding for schools, voters should give a NO vote. Prop 38 claims to raise about $10 billion in support for K-12 schools through extensive income taxes to those making as low as $7,316 a year for 12 years. Prop 38 will only help K-12 and will completely ignore higher education. Not only this, but if this proposition goes through, the trigger cuts will still take place removing $6 billion from all of the school systems as well as public safety. Only one of these propositions can pass.

Although Proposition 30 may not be perfect, it is our best option (and only option for higher education) until a better and permanent reform can occur. Overall, it provides the most change with the lowest financial impact for taxpayers. Education is unavoidable because it affects everyone. Therefore, everyone needs to be actively seeking a solution for this educational crisis and Prop 30 is the current solution. I can't imagine what students 5 or 10 years younger than me are going to have to face if Prop 30 doesn't pass. Hopefully California residents have had enough of this diminishing school system and will put in the effort needed to return the state to what it once was. I know I have, and that's why I'm voting YES on Prop 30. 

Rough Draft: Formal Paper 1

               It is obvious that California is facing a budget crisis. The last few years this state has faced an extreme amount of funding cuts and has still found itself in billions of dollars of debt. One area that is especially experiencing this financial disparity is the educational system of California. This once great system has faced billions of dollars in budget cuts in that last few years and is facing $5.35 billion more in cuts this next year if we don’t act now. Governor Jerry Brown’s solution: Proposition 30. Proposition 30 promises to give back about $6 billion to K-12 and community colleges through a quarter-cent sales tax raise for four years and a 1-3% income tax raise for seven years to singles making at least $250,000 or couples making at least $500,000 annually. The money acquired from taxation will go into an Education Protection Account (EPA) and will be given to the schools to use where needed allocating 89% to K-12 and 11% to community colleges. Not only will this improve funding for schools, but it will also prevent a series of “trigger cuts” that will occur if Proposition 30 does not pass that not only effect the school systems, but public safety as well. As a student currently attending one of California’s many community colleges, I know first-hand how the budget cuts are affecting the educational system and I strongly urge a YES vote on Proposition 30 to prevent more damage to the schools.

                Like all complex changes to a Constitution, there are both pros and cons to the change. History has shown that Californians do not favor implementing new tax raises. In the last decade voters have turned down 10 out of 11 propositions that involved raising taxes. Taxes can be annoying and even scary, especially when it comes to trusting a government that hasn’t been exactly trustworthy and honest with their taxpayer’s money and how they’ve been spending it. When considering a lower class family, even the slightest raise in taxes could affect them greatly. As explained in an article written by Bill Freeman: “[y]es, the measure calls for a temporary one-quarter of one percent increase for four years, but even with the increase, our sales taxes will be lower than they were last year.” One would even say that this sales tax could affect small businesses because people would be purchasing fewer products due to the raised sales tax, but according to this quote, that argument does not stand.

                Another argument could be based upon the income tax raise of the wealthy. Why should the rich pay for other people’s children to attend school? Ever since Reagan was in office, America has seen an enormous decrease in income tax, especially on the wealthy. Since the 1980’s, American has experienced a deficit where the very important form of funding used to exist. The top 1%, which is who this proposition will be taxing, supplies a large portion of funding in America. America, and specifically California, cannot afford to tax the top 1% at this low of a rate. Not only this, but the bottom 99% will benefit greatly from their generosity.

                Critics argue that Proposition 30 is not enough. California needs a reform in the education system and government in general. They may be right about this, but now is not the time. The state needs a quick solution now and a reform would be too much, too soon. Prop 30 is a temporary tax, so it gives the government time to think and strategically plan how to fix this issue permanently. Otherwise, we have 3 short months until the “trigger cuts” could be put in place and that is not enough time for a reform. Because this taxation is temporary, the state could become dependent on the money coming in, and once it stops California would be in worse shape than before. In this case, we as voting citizens have to make sure that a more permanent reform occurs before the money runs out.

                Proposition 30, also known as “Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act”, strongly affects local governments in regards to public safety. Voters question why schools and public safety issues are lumped together in one bill. The proposed “trigger cuts” that would go through on January 1^st of next year not only remove funding from K-12 and community colleges. These cuts would pertain to UC’s, CSU’s, social services such as police and fire, prisons, health programs, and many departments such as Fish & Game and Parks & Recreation. Why does public safety have anything to do with the school system? If Proposition 30 passes, it will free up about $3 billion to go to these different public safety departments that the state government dumped on local governments in 2011 without aid in funding. When concerning prisons, the measure will be supporting programs in the prisons that educate prisoners and build their skills for successful transition into society once they have been released. These programs aim to lower the rate of returning convicts. This is a form of education, and although a voter may not wish to support prisons, prisoners should not be discriminated upon by being refused an opportunity like education. Also, with less returning prisoners, this will shrink the population of the prisons in California, which has been an ongoing issue and financial burden.

                In regards to Proposition 38, the measure running against Prop 30 that also claims to produce funding for schools, voters should give a NO vote. Prop 38 claims to raise about $10 billion in support for K-12 schools through extensive income taxes to those making as low as $7,316 a year for 12 years. Prop 38 will only help K-12 and will completely ignore higher education. Not only this, but if this proposition goes through, the trigger cuts will still take place removing $6 billion from all of the school systems as well as public safety. Only one of the propositions can pass. California’s education system needs change, and needs it now. Although Proposition 30 may not be perfect, it is our best option (and only option for higher education) until a better and permanent reform can occur.