Population Rate Extremely Low

The article can be found here.

In this article we read about the declining population rate in the United States. In fact, it is the lowest it has been since the great depression. So, why is this happening. There is a strong correlation between the recession and the declining birth rate. People are postponing births, and this is causing it to drop. Also, we have to realize that one of America's main sources of population in the past has been immigration. America has always been known for how it throws open its gates to those that need a place to live, how it is very open to everyone. We are the melting pot of the world. At least, we used to be. Now, with laws more strict on immigration, and with how many regulations there are, it is much harder to get into the United States. These two problems are what contribute, mainly, to the declining population.

So, what's the big deal? Isn't it okay that we are declining? Some people might ask this question. They might look at more people and just assume it means more money. It also means more potential, more growth, more innovation, and invention. We need a growing population to keep our ideas, our values, our country alive. We need a positive population. There really isn't an immediate answer, since we can't make a law to force people to have children (at least not constitutionally). And with how bogged up the process that immigration laws must go through is, we cannot expect any immediate change there either. This is a problem that will have to be changed over time, in the hearts of the citizens, and we desperately need it to change for the better.

Congress Reconsiders Military Cuts

The article can be found here.

This article from the Washington Post is talking about a recent cut to the retirement money for the military members who are retired. However there was a huge backlash in Congress when the President signed this bill. They believe that it is unfair to take away the money that those military personnel have earned. There is support to repeal or at least modify this bill from both sides of the political spectrum, these cuts were supposed to save quite a bit of money. So the question remains, how are we going to keep up those cuts if we take away this bill? Is there a way to still save that money? There is no definitive decision on what Congress will do, only that they know they need to do something.

I agree with this article. While I really think that we spend too much on our military already, I also think that it is extremely wrong to take away the money from those who have earned it. Especially those that had to retire due to medical reasons such as injuries or handicaps. I understand the need to make cuts; our economy is not exactly healthy. I will be interested to see what Congress does in order to try and make cuts that would replace this bill. Whatever the change may be, it is very clear that there must be a change, and a quick one so that those who have been cut can go back to living a normal life.