California 2012 Propositions 34 and 36

The election is drawing near and every vote, as everyone says, counts and can affect our future. Each state has propositions to be voted by citizens. Propositions can be compared to amendments of our Constitution. It goes to process to be in the voting ballot and is for the interest of the public. What intrigues me the most, is Proposition 34, which is the repeal of the death penalty and replacing it to life imprisonment without parole, because it can either tie or contradict with Proposition 36, which states that no life sentence for criminals who commit a non-violent third strike. Proposition 34 is proposed because the death penalty contradicts our morale, is not in use, and has been taking California’s budget, while Proposition 36 is believed to save budget that are going to prisoners and avoid overpopulation of our prisons.

Both Proposition has an effect on our state budget, especially in this time period when there is more budget given to prisoners than to our students. One main point both propositions state is saving state budget, because we are spending a lot of budget on prisoners. Proposition 34 plans to save state budget by taking off the death penalty and rather, put prisoners on life imprisonment. The death penalty hasn’t been used for about a decade which means that the prisoners on the death row are prisoners and are most likely serving for life imprisonment. Not only we are spending on keeping the death penalty, we are also spending on those prisoners in the death row while waiting for their time, which won’t happen. Taking out the death penalty will save money, but it will not lower our budget on prisoners because it will be the same. On the other hand, Proposition 36 will resolve our state budget problem on prisoners by not overpopulating the prisons and thus saving our state from spending on those prisoners. Both propositions, however, have a backlash on their policy.

Releasing criminals out of either death row or prison may cause a split reaction from the public, depends if they are related or affected. Repeal of death penalty will abolish the death row and what most people might think is that those criminals escaped justice. While other people will most likely agree to abolish the death row because it is against our morale to kill. Although it is not an electric chair used to kill in our state, Asphyxiation is still, for other or most people, inhumane. Proposition 36, on the other hand, can let criminals or ex-criminals on the loose and can still continue to break the law. Both propositions may, in the end, let criminals off the hook and have no justice.

Repealing the death penalty might have a positive outcome in the long run, while Proposition 36 may cause increase of crime rates. Whether or not I agree to either or both proposition as of now doesn’t matter until I am able to vote. These two propositions interest me and this blog article doesn’t state that I believe and agree with these propositions. In the end, it is up to our current California voters to choose our future and what they believe is most suitable. This is why voting is one of our fundamental rights; our future is in our hands.

As a Royal Cook during the Middle Ages

            The Middle Ages has occupations that can be still found today but with today’s expectations, has evolved that requires a higher education or experience. The Canterbury Tales introduced a variety of occupations during the Middle Ages. They are, however, mostly stereotypes of the type period. If I live during the Middle Ages, I would be a Royal Cook, because cooking is my hobby and I would love to serve the Royalties during the Middle Ages.

             My occupation is a cook and I work for the Royalties. I am from the outskirts of London and ever since I was five, I have been helping my mother with cooking. Cooking has been my hobby and my interest on it grew as I grow older. At the age of 10, I started to look for a job experience. I would go to cafés and taverns that serves food around the area and ask if I could help or get a job. At the age of 24, I am working for the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester as their cook. This was my greatest achieved until I was recommended to be the Royal Cook for our King and Queen.

            Ever since I started working for the King and the Queen, I have faced many challenges. Providing the best culinary skills while guaranteeing the safety of the Monarchs has been a daily challenge. Many tries to bribe the cooks to poison the King and the Queen and it takes a great deal of loyalty and dedication from us cooks to guarantee their safety. The monarchs, also, have a peculiar and high standard of taste; they wouldn’t hesitate not to fire a cook, which they have done before. They fired Dianne for not meeting their standards on a day when they were not in the nicest mood. Sadly, Dianne is the person who became my first friend when I was entered the Palace, and it was one of the saddest moments of my life when she was fired. Working for the Royals gave me no time to visit my family in the outskirts of London and the only thing I could do is reminisce.

            I grew up in a small family of four with my mother and father, and my older brother. I was the youngest in the family and to sum it up, I get most of the attention and what I want. My brother was very hard working, which left him no time to play with me outside. I would always spend my time either playing with my neighbors or cooking with my mother. I barely go outside until I decided that I should fulfill my dream to be a Royal Cook. My world was limited and small until I searched a job outside our area. Even though the place I grew up at was small, I was comfortable and I actually prefer it than the Palace. The Palace has all the glamour, but that’s all to it. The people around you are usually cold and do not care about other people. This is different from my belief that I have acquired from my birthplace. Our place values family and the people around you because we are the only we can lean on and get support from. So far, my life in the Palace as a Royal Cook isn’t what I was expecting. I will, however, try to do my best while enjoying my hobby and getting the best out it.

            The job of a Royal Cook isn’t easy. There are responsibilities and expectations to live up to. Also, it takes a lot of work experience to be a Royal Cook. I have worked up to this position and in my opinion, I deserve this position. I will continue to surpass the expectations and try to be the Head of the Royal Cooks. Hopefully, I will be successful in this next challenge and soon, be able to visit my family.