Kimmel "The Guy Code"

                In Michael Kimmel’s piece “Bros Before Hos”: The Guy Code he thoroughly explained what being a man in society is these days. More specifically, what the answer to the question “what is a man?” is and how they are made. The Guy Code as they call it is made up of things guys do, should or shouldn`t do, think, act, and say. After asking countless of teenagers in their late teens and early 20`s what it means to be a man they would respond with: “Boys don`t cry, don`t get mad – get even, just do it, nice guys finish last and the typical “I don`t stop to ask for directions.” To be a man he says, is to be tough, don`t show compassion, don`t cry (notice how this is repeated), and not to weaker than any other male. But what happens to those who do show emotion? They get put down, called names and become the black sheep within the herd of those are the way they are supposed to be.

                If you show any emotion or interest in something that others find inadequate to their liking you could automatically be considered not man enough and be called gay, a faggot, pussy, wimp, etc. Other guys aren`t the only ones to put a specific one down because of expressing how they are in the way they dress, act and come off to be. It could be the slightest of sway in your hips as you walk and you could be called gay for walking that way, you could be the sweet, kind, caring, sensitive but in the eyes of other men you aren`t being manly. I agree with Kimmel when he points out how this starts. It begins at a young age where dads, uncles, grandpas or strangers tell you to “man up”, “don`t cry”, and be tough. As a child grows up and parents pester or get pestered about their kids being wimps, bullied, it always seems to be the father figure to tell their kids and raise them to be tough. Keep them away from their mothers nurturing, sweetness and love. To be a man in society I agree with these set up on how a male should be. It has been this way for a long time in which a man has to dominant, but personally I believe to be a man is to give it all in anything yet be respectful. In other words, it is to have that gentleman’s aura surrounding you.

                To know when to be tough and show your sweet side, gentleness, compassion towards something or someone is what I consider a man. To stand tall with both feet firmly planted on the ground and keeping your chin up is overall what I see a man to be. This is coming from a guy who hasn`t really had a father  figure growing up though, as well being a really carefree person and that gets easily amused by the most random of things. In the end, growing up and seeing all of these guys being the way The Guy Code explains, I have yet to understand what the need for it is. I don`t fully comprehend the need to put down someone or each other, in a joking manner yes but not when one is out their seriously putting a person down I find it to be utterly unnecessary. 

Final Polish Prop. 30.

Jorge Cruz

S. Knapp
English 2
October 14^th, 2012

Where are YOU going?

                In these up and coming elections taking place in November many big changes will be decided upon within them there is a hidden one called Proposition 30. As for those who do not know Prop 30 is brought up by our Governor Jerry Brown. The action it will take if it passes is increasing sales tax .25% and 1%-3% on income taxes for those who make $250,000 or as a family make over $500,000 annually in California. Although increases in taxes sound intimidating it is for the greater good, education, proposition 30 passing will greatly benefit students from K-12^th grade and those in colleges and CSU`s.
                Proposition 30 passing, as I have mentioned, would increase sales tax but for four years and income tax for seven years. The money gained from that will be split. 89% would go to K-12<sup>th</sup> grade and 11% for colleges. But what would happen to the education system if 30 does not pass considering it specifically benefits education?  Education will take a huge hit financially. As a result of 30 not passing, there will be  $6 billion in budget cuts. Out of those $6 billion the majority of that money ($5.5 billion) will be cut from K-12<sup>th</sup> grade, CSU`s get cut $250 million. While classes get cut from CSU`s, staff and other employees get laid off. Let us not forget:  tuition fees will increase. Over the last decade tuition fees have increased dramatically by 300% and just 9% this last fall continuously making it difficult for students to pay off tuition, classes and for other school essentials.
                As a current student in Cabrillo College paying for school with money out of my own pocket, I personally believe tuition fees are high enough as it is and I honestly fear facing the struggles 30 will bring upon me if it does not pass. For those who do not know CSU students alone will have to pay up to $150 more in tuition than what they are already paying to get in, but “[i]f Proposition 30 passes, CSU and UC campuses will receive $125 million from the state, and CSU trustees will rescind a 9-percent tuition increase that took effect this fall.” (CSU Board) Community college students alone used to pay $26 per unit in the spring of 2010, now in the fall of 2012 it has being raised to $46 per unit. Prop 30 will keep these prices from rising any longer and assures stability for CSU`s and colleges as well keeping three weeks of schools being cut from the K-12^th grade. Aside from the budgets cuts, our schools current shape is not in the best condition. Good teachers have been laid off, might be laid off and will be laid off because of cuts from the past and those coming up in the future. Think of the condition of our schools in the long run. While education is being stripped of the money it needs continuously , what does the future for education look like? Its shape? The progress it will have in shaping kids for the future? The impression it will leave on your kids? 
                 I work part time during the school year but that has begun to get more and more ridiculously challenging as the classes I enroll in require more time to be spent on homework, studying the material for tests and yet manage to get a good amount of sleep, all while being a full-time student. Most of what I earn goes to paying off my tuition and the rest covers the expenses of the essential school materials such as books, supplies and transportation. 30 will do so much good for thousands of students and I by keeping classes from being cut. I have not experienced having a class that I require to take being cut, but for those who have it must have been a huge setback in their career plan. Devastating in fact because there would be higher demand for classes that have limited open spaces for students. I would not want to face that struggle if 30 does not pass. The way things are currently is already difficult for many students. The failure of 30 passing would completely crush their and my own will of continuing on with college. Prices increasing, classes being cut, limited space, programs eliminated, and overall the thought of having restrictions with what we can do as students to progress. I can`t imagine how frustrating it would be. What I expect to feel or happen is having lost the essence of time by working more than usual by trying to find a second job to cover for my expenses. Most importantly: the loss of hours to that would be spent on homework. Determined to continue on with school my hours of sleep will disintegrate as they will be sacrificed to be spent on homework. 

                 As we all know taxes have been increased for the past decade multiple times, and it is being raised again with 30. Just the thought of it may drive fear into people.  Small business owners worry about how they will be affected over the course of the next four years. Rest assure though sales tax will only increase .25%, that being 25 cents for each $100. Next is the “unfairness” going on with California`s top 3%. Why should they, who make so much money, have to pay more taxes? Even though they may be rich and pay for school for their own children already 30 basically wants to tax them more to get money to schools. They argue because they are so successful, what makes it right to tax them more? In the online article “The Reactionary Essence of California`s Proposition 30” the author David Brown says “[t]he income tax on those making over $250,000 does not ultimately change the character of Prop 30 as anti-working class. The wealthiest layers of society have at their disposal countless loopholes and ways of avoiding taxes. As noted by the California Budget Project, the poorest fifth of California’s families pay 10.2 percent of their household income on state and local taxes, while the top 1 percent pay only 7.4 percent of their income.” If we speak of this being unfair for them the reality lies in how the unfairness lies upon the middle and lower class paying more taxes than the top 3%.

              I`d like to think of Prop 30 as a temporary, but at the same time a start to improve our education system and its shape in the future. Instead of issuing cuts in education, the students of whichever grade he or she may be in, school they attend to, will benefit from it greatly. As for the time being, if Proposition 30 passes imagine the faces of the thousands of students thanking you for this opportunity to continue with school and education in their career of choice without the struggles they would have faced if Prop 30 didn`t pass. I imagine being asked “where are you going?” And responding with a bright smile “i`m going to school.” 

Where are YOU doing?

Jorge Cruz

S. Knapp
English 2
October 14^th, 2012

Where are YOU going?

                In these up and coming elections taking place in November many big changes will be decided upon within them there is a hidden one called Proposition 30. As for those who do not know Prop 30 is brought up by our Governor Jerry Brown. The action it will take if it passes is increasing sales tax .25% and 1%-3% on income taxes for those who make $250,000 or as a family make over $500,000 annually in California. Although increases in taxes sound intimidating it is for the greater good, education, proposition 30 passing will greatly benefit students from K-12^th grade and those in colleges and CSU`s.
                Proposition 30 passing, as I have mentioned, would increase sales tax but for four years and income tax for seven years. The money gained from that will be split. 89% would go to K-12<sup>th</sup> grade and 11% for colleges. But what would happen to the education system if 30 does not pass considering it specifically benefits education?  Education will take a huge hit financially. As a result of 30 not passing, there will be  $6 billion in budget cuts. Out of those $6 billion the majority of that money ($5.5 billion) will be cut from K-12<sup>th</sup> grade, CSU`s get cut $250 million. While classes get cut from CSU`s, staff and other employees get laid off. Let us not forget:  tuition fees will increase. Over the last decade tuition fees have increased dramatically by 300% and just 9% this last fall continuously making it difficult for students to pay off tuition, classes and for other school essentials.
                As a current student in Cabrillo College paying for school with money out of my own pocket, I personally believe tuition fees are high enough as it is and honestly fear facing what would happen if Prop 30 does not pass. For those who do not know CSU students alone will have to pay up to $150 more in tuition than what they are already paying to get in, but “[i]f Proposition 30 passes, CSU and UC campuses will receive $125 million from the state, and CSU trustees will rescind a 9-percent tuition increase that took effect this fall.” (CSU Board) Community college students alone used to pay $26 per unit in the spring of 2010, now in the fall of 2012 it has being raised to $46 per unit. Prop 30 will keep these prices from rising any longer and assures stability for CSU`s and colleges as well keeping three weeks of schools being cut from the K-12^th grade. Aside from the budgets cuts, our schools current shape is not in the best condition. Good teachers have been laid off, might be laid off and will be laid off because of cuts from the past and those coming up in the future. Think of the condition of our schools in the long run. While education is being stripped of the money it needs continuously , what does the future for education look like? Its shape? The progress it will have in shaping kids for the future? The impression it will leave on your kids?
                 I work part time during the school year but that has begun to get more and more ridiculously challenging as the classes I enroll in require more time to be spent on homework, studying the material for tests and yet manage to get a good amount of sleep, all while being a full-time student. Most of what I earn goes to paying off my tuition and the rest covers the expenses of the essential school materials such as books, supplies and transportation. 30 will do so much good for thousands of students and I by keeping classes from being cut. I have not experienced having a class that I require to take being cut, but for those who have it must have been a huge setback in their career plan. Devastating in fact because there would be higher demand for classes that have limited open spaces for students. I would not want to face that struggle if 30 does not pass. The way things are currently is already difficult for many students. The failure of 30 passing would completely crush their and my own will of continuing on with college. Prices increasing, classes being cut, limited space, programs eliminated, and overall the thought of having restrictions with what we can do as students to progress. I can`t imagine how frustrating it would be. What I expect to feel or happen is having lost the essence of time by working more than usual by trying to find a second job to cover for my expenses. Most importantly: the loss of hours to that would be spent on homework. Determined to continue on with school my hours of sleep will disintegrate as they will be sacrificed to be spent on homework. 

                 As we all know taxes have been increased for the past decade multiple times, and it is being raised again with 30. Just the thought of it may drive fear into people.  Small business owners worry about how they will be affected over the course of the next four years. Rest assure though sales tax will only increase .25%, that being 25 cents for each $100. Next is the “unfairness” going on with California`s top 3%. Why should they, who make so much money, have to pay more taxes? Even though they may be rich and pay for school for their own children already 30 basically wants to tax them more to get money to schools. They argue because they are so successful, what makes it right to tax them more? In the online article “The Reactionary Essence of California`s Proposition 30” the author David Brown says “[t]he income tax on those making over $250,000 does not ultimately change the character of Prop 30 as anti-working class. The wealthiest layers of society have at their disposal countless loopholes and ways of avoiding taxes. As noted by the California Budget Project, the poorest fifth of California’s families pay 10.2 percent of their household income on state and local taxes, while the top 1 percent pay only 7.4 percent of their income.” If we speak of this being unfair for them the reality lies in how the unfairness lies upon the middle and lower class paying more taxes than the top 3%.

              I`d like to think of Prop 30 as a temporary, but at the same time a start to improve our education system and its shape in the future. Instead of issuing cuts in education, the students of whichever grade he or she may be in, school they attend to, will benefit from it greatly. As for the time being, if Proposition 30 passes imagine the faces of the thousands of students thanking you for this opportunity to continue with school and education in their career of choice without the struggles they would have faced if Prop 30 didn`t pass. I imagine being asked “where are you going?” And responding with a bright smile “i`m going to school.” 

First Draft Essay #1

Jorge Cruz

S. Knapp

English 2

October 7^th, 2012

                In these up and coming elections taking place in November many big changes will be occurring nationwide, of course, decided by the people. Many of these grand changes include the election of a new president or the re-election of our current one, but there`s a hidden one specifically for California which is Proposition 30. As for those who do not know what the intentions of Prop 30 are, it is to increase sale taxes for about a quarter of a cent and 1%-3% for income taxes for those who make $250,000 or as a family make over $500,000 annually. Although increases in taxes sound intimidating it is for the greater good, education, proposition 30 passing will greatly benefit students from K-12<sup>th</sup> grade and those in colleges and CSU`s.

                Proposition 30 if passed, as I have mentioned, would increase sales tax by a quarter of a cent for four years, it would also increase 1%-3% tax for those who make $250,000 annually for seven years. The money gained from that will be split 89% would go to K-12^th grade and the remaining 11% for colleges. But what would happen to the education system if Prop 30 doesn`t pass considering it specifically benefits education? Taxes will remain the way they are but on the other hand education will take a huge hit financially wise. As a result of Prop 30 not passing there will be a $6 billion in budget cuts. Out of those $6 billion the majority of that money $5.5 billion will be cut from K-12<sup>th</sup> grade, CSU`s get cut $250 million. While classes get cut from CSU`s, staff and other employees get laid off. Let us not forget:  tuition fees will increase. Over the last decade tuition fees has increased dramatically by 300% and just 9% this last fall continuously making it difficult for students to pay off tuition, classes and for other school essentials.

                As a current student in Cabrillo College paying for school with money out of his own pocket, I personally believe tuition fees are high enough as it is and honestly fear facing what would happen if Prop 30 does not pass. For those who do not know CSU students alone will have to pay up to $150 more in tuition than what they are already paying to get in, but “[i]f Proposition 30 passes, CSU and UC campuses will receive $125 million from the state, and CSU trustees will rescind a 9-percent tuition increase that took effect this fall.” (Abc) Community college students alone used to pay $26 per unit in the spring of 2010, now in the fall of 2012 it has being raised to $46 per unit. Prop 30 will keep these prices from rising any longer and assures stability for CSU`s and colleges as well keeping three weeks of schools being cut from the K-12^th grade. As long as Pro 30 passes it relieves stress from other students and I financially who are under the same situation or relate to it.

Working part time during the school year has begun to get more and more difficult as the classes I enroll in requires more time spent on homework, studying the material for tests and yet manage to get a good amount of sleep to show up to class well rested while being a full-time student. When it comes to money most of what I make goes to paying off tuition, the other majority covers the expenses of the essentials such as books, school supplies and transportation. More importantly what proposition 30 does for many students and I is keeping classes from being cut, I have not experienced having a class that I require to take being cut, but for those who have it must have been a huge setback. Devastating in fact because there would be higher demand for a class that has now limited space for students, I would not want to face that struggle. The way things are currently is difficult for many students; with the failure of prop 30 passing it would completely crush even my own will of continuing on with college because of the prices rising, classes being cut, less space for students, programs being eliminated, overall it is just the thought of having restrictions with what we can do as students such as the amount of attempts we can have in repeating a course.

As we all know taxes have been increased for the past decade multiple times, it being raised again with Proposition 30 may drive fear into people.  Small business owners worry about how they will be affected over the course of the next four years with the sales tax increase and with the seven years the income tax increase will stay in place. Rest assure though sales tax will only increase .25% although it doesn`t seem like much being about a 25 cents for each $100. Then there is the “unfairness” going on with California`s top 3%. Why should they, who make so much money, have to pay more taxes? Even though they may be rich and pay for school for their own children Prop 30 basically messages them that they would be paying for school for the many other students out there because they earn over $250,000 annually. There is that argument that because they are so successful, what makes it right for them to pay more in taxes? In the online article The reactionary essence of California`s Proposition 30 the author David Brown says “[t]he income tax on those making over $250,000 does not ultimately change the character of Prop 30 as anti-working class. The wealthiest layers of society have at their disposal countless loopholes and ways of avoiding taxes. As noted by the California Budget Project, the poorest fifth of California’s families pay 10.2 percent of their household income on state and local taxes, while the top 1 percent pay only 7.4 percent of their income.” If we speak of this being unfair for them the reality lies in how the unfairness lies upon the middle and lower class paying more taxes than the top 3%.