Mark Twain Celebration Essays - Mark Twain, Lecturers,

Mark Twain Celebration Mark Twain Mark Twain is probably the greatest American author to ever live. His style of writing changed the world forever. Before Mark Twain everyone wrote on serious topics. Twain was the first American to write comedys. People liked him because never bofore had their been an author who actually could make the reader laugh. Many people wonder how Mark Twian has become the greatest American author. Dr. Elliot Engle says Englands best writer, William Shakesphere, wrote over thirty-five wonderful plays. Mark Twain wrote only seven stories. Most of his stories are about kids. The one story that makes Mark Twain such a great author is the "immortal Huckleberry Finn." Dr. engle claims that this book will always be an American classic. Mark Twain was born 1835 in a small Missouri town called Hannibal. His birth name was Sammuel Langhorne Clemens. He used the name Mark Twain during his professional carrer. "Twain drew on his boyhood along the Mississippi River for many of the characters and incidents in his work."(Benets) It was obvious that Twain did not like his home state for Missouri. Once he left, "He never returned"(Dr. Engle). Engle also says that he called his home state "Misery", instesd of Missouri. During his childhood, Twain's family was not very rich. His father was an unsuccssful lawyer from Virgina. Mark Twains days in school did not last very long because he dropped out. The first job that Twain got was working for the newspaper in Hannibal. This job was the worst in the town(DR. Engle). Every mourning he had to wake up at 4:30 to be at work by 5:00. When he got to work he had to chop wood to warm-up the office, wake the editor, cook the editors breakfast, pick-up the editors mess, and finally mop the floors. This was the eaisest part of his job. Hannibal did not have a typewriter to type the words onto the paper with, so Twain had to stamp every letter onto the paper. He never could find the letter he was looking for because the drunk janitor,who woked their, always was stamps in the wrong spot. So before every letter he put on the paper, Twain would have to look to make sure it was the correct one.

Heriot Watts University Globalization Strategy

Heriot Watts University Globalization Strategy The recent wave of globalization has encouraged worldwide interconnectedness leading to increased competition among businesses. This situation has compelled organizations to adjust their policies to address these new challenges.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Heriot Watts University Globalization Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More No organization is invulnerable to globalization challenges, and higher learning institutions are no exception. Although most higher learning institutions are yet to display sizeable effort towards the development of globalization strategies, this report will portray how Herriot Watt University adopts various policies to accelerate its’ global presence. According to Elmes (2011), although Herriot Watt University lags within the UK market, its’ global expansion strategy is unmatched by most UK and global competitors. As cited in Herriot-Watt University report (2008) â⠂¬Ëœfocus on the future’, the institution plans to enhance its global presence by over 50% within ten years. Currently, the university has been opening new campuses in various countries around the world. Noticeably, the university is one of the critical providers of higher education in Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, its’ presence is widely felt in Dubai (Herriot-Watt University, 2011). According to Elmes (2011), Herriot Watt University global expansion strategy began with the inception of an international MBA program in the early 1990’s. Since then, the university has never looked back in its’ efforts towards international expansion. Based on the above analysis, Herriot Watt University is likely to succeed in its’ globalization strategy because it has already accumulated substantial infrastructure over the years. According to Tony (2009, p. 178), support remains the most significant hindrance towards globalization and internationalization of univer sities. Secondly, Herriot Watt University has been increasing its’ distance learning programs over the years to attain its globalization vision. Consequently, this strategy has yielded positive results, as evidenced by the heightened establishment of numerous undergraduate and postgraduate distance learning programs (Herriot-Watt University, 2008).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Although distance learning programs have frequently been criticized owing to their questionable quality (Tony, 2009, p. 180), Herriot-Watt University (2008) report accentuate that, quality occupies a prime position during the initiation of these distance learning programs. Furthermore, Herriot Watt University globalization strategy aims at building a favorable image across the world. Thirdly, Herriot Watt University has embarked on a rigorous exercise towards recruiting new global p artners. Currently, the university’s success in international expansion can be directly attributed to superior international partnership relations. Through its’ diverse network known as Approved Learning Partners, students are able to obtain a Herriot Watt degree in their home country (Herriot-Watt University, 2008). Consequently, in order to promote product differentiation, the university develops learning programs for these academic partners. Furthermore, the university ensures that tutors in partner institutions’ interact closely with their counterparts based at Scotland University branch (Herriot-Watt University, 2011). On the same note, globalization has attracted new challenges to the development of higher education curriculums, seeing that old courses have become redundant in this new era. To meet these new challenges, universities have been compelled to introduce new programs that are aligned with new market demands (Tony, 2009, p. 180). Correspondingly, as part of its globalization strategy, Herriot Watt University constantly innovates new courses in order to meet the ever-changing academic environment (Herriot-Watt University, 2008). According to Tony (2009, p. 176), the realities of globalization have escalated competition among higher education institutions; thus, program differentiation is an essential strategy to offset competition. Accordingly, Herriot Watt curriculum expansion is quite timely and will contribute a great deal towards the realization of its’ 2015 globalization vision. References Elmes, J. 2011. Heriot-Watt plans to extend long global reach. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Heriot Watts University Globalization Strategy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Heriot-Watt University. 2008. Focus on the future. Web. Heriot-Watt University. 2011. Heriot-Watt global; developing the next generation of global leaders. (Online]. Tony, D. 2009. Kn owledge transfer and the globalization of higher education. Journal of Knowledge-based Innovation in China, 1(3): 174 – 184.

Political Heroism as depicted in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance Research Paper

Political Heroism as depicted in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Research Paper Example This essay explores the characters, actions, and controversies of the three characters; Valence, Stoddard, and Doniphon, in John Ford’s film The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence as a critique of political heroism and an examination of the value, relevance, scope, and limitations of the written law. In the contemporary society, heroism is quite fragile and can be easily destroyed by the media. However, the dialogues between most actors in Ford’s film portray heroism as relative to the level of arrogance an individual can portray. The Man who Shot Liberty Valance sensationalizes the challenges associated with establishing political order in accordance with the rule of law. For example, Stoddard is given credit for killing Liberty Valance who had caused a lot of instability in the town through his violent actions. The wrongful credit enables Stoddard attain great political favors and he ends up a marrying Hallie, a woman who was also loved by Doniphin. Therefore, Stoddard gets fame out of an action done by Doniphon and end up taking away the woman he loved. He even ends up dying unrecognized. Therefore, the man who removed the hindrance to the developments in the town ends up unrecognized. Moreover, Stoddard confesses to a newspaper editor about the true story, the editor ignores the true story and publishes the untruthful one (Stewart, Wayne, and Miles Web). The political aspect of the film focuses on Ransom Stoddard who is considered a hero since people assume he managed to kill the dreaded Liberty Valance. However, the actual hero in the shadows of political reality is Tom Doniphon since he was responsible for the killing under question. The reality of political heroism is evident when shooting of evil Liberty Valance by a civilian is considered a depiction of heroism even in the eyes of law (Stewart, Wayne, and Miles Web). The film addresses the issue of how law shapes the political arena. The

Criminal Behavior and the Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal Behavior and the Law - Essay Example Finally, the paper will discuss the differences between index-one and index-two crimes under the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, as well as which of the two is classified under violent crime and the one classified under property crime. To begin with, criminologist and criminalists are terms more than often used interchangeably, according to Williams and McShane (2004). However, the two terms have some distinct differences that are worth noting. Williams and McShane (2004) note that criminologists deal with the study of behaviors of an individual in relation to crime, individuals who commits the crimes being studied, as well as the correctional facilities for criminals such as jails and prisons. This falls under criminology, which covers various fields of criminal justice, with emphasis on social behavior. Criminalists, on the other hand, are professionals charged with the responsibility of analysis criminal evidence at the scenes of crime such as bullets and bloodstains (Williams and McShane, 2004). They are also charged with the responsibility of recreating crimes scenes, work at crime scenes, laboratories, and courtrooms. Criminologists engage mainly in teaching and research, where they apply the knowledge to the administration and policing, study of public policy, drug addictions, correction, juvenile delinquency, correctional administration and policy, and victimology. Other areas of study include criminal ethnography, theoretical criminology and models or criminal behaviors (Williams and McShane, 2004). Criminologists also assist in analyzing psychological, sociological, and biological evidence such as finger and footprints, body fluids, and blood plaster using their skills and knowledge to establish the link between the suspect and the crime. Criminalist, on the other hand, is a professional who employs scientific techniques to identify and separate vital evidence from the scene of a crime (Williams and McShane, 2004). The evidence gathered is analyze d and interpret, establish the truth as regards the crime. Forensic psychologists are professionals who by virtue of their training apply psychology in a criminal investigation and law (Fulero and Wrightsman, 2009). Forensic psychologists play a big role in assisting fact finders or courts in arriving at a just and precise conclusion of a criminal case. They are often involved in insurance claims, custody disputes, and lawsuits, according to Fulero and Wrightsman (2009). Legal justice system uses forensic psychologists in analyzing the mental status of the accused before, during, and after the trial proceedings. For instance, criminal cases whose verdicts may be death penalty always require that before the accused is handed the sentence, a forensic psychologist is called to analyze the defendants mental status before, during and after the crime to establish whether the defendant was insane at the time of the crime or not. The analysis of mental status of the defendant in a case is i mportant since it aids in just and accurate decision making by the jury. White-collar vs. Blue-collar crimes Crimes are committed by different classes of people. In this regard, O'Hear (2001) defines the white-collar crime as a financially motivated crime committed by respected people with high social status in society. This crime is committed by high-class individuals who have inherited or earn a lot of money at the upper level jobs such as corporate bigwigs (O'Hear,

An analysis of the impact that advertising has on retail banking for Research Paper

An analysis of the impact that advertising has on retail banking for increasing the level of brand awareness; case study on Barclays bank,uk - Research Paper Example al., 2004). However, in this paper discussion will be made regarding the impact of advertisement in creating brand awareness of Barclays bank of the UK. Barclays is considered as one of the largest banks of the world having it’s headquarters in London. The bank operates in more than 50 countries consisting more than 48 million customers (Barclays 2015). It is therefore necessary for the bank to retain existing customers as well as attract new customers that would help in maximizing the amount of profit. Barclays bank has been spending millions of dollars on advertising in order to promote its brand to the public to create awareness (SAGE Publications, 2015). The advancements of technology have provided opportunity for the bank to use digital channels of advertising including social media and other online sources. Moreover, the bank also provides personalized products and services to the selected customer that helps in increasing brand value for the bank (WIPRO, 2013). Advertis ement is the most important tool that helps in an effective promotion of any brand as well as the popularity of the company also increases. Advertising through celebrities is also considered as one of the most effective means that may help in improving the brand equity, brand awareness as well as positive financial return (The New York Times Company, 2015; Olum, 2010). In this context, the focus of the paper is on Barclays Bank of the UK and advertising impact. The primary motive of any business establishment irrespective of whether it is a private or a public company is to maximize its profit through the sale of products and services. It is also essential for any business establishment to maximize the volume of sales that would help in covering various types of costs incurred during operating business. For this, it is necessary for the company to market their products and services in an effective manner considering the 4P’s of marketing that

Changes In Health Care Policy Health And Social Care Essay

Changes In Health Care Policy Health And Social Care Essay Medicaid is the federal governments largest single welfare program for the poor. Its costs now exceed the costs of all other public assistance programs- including family assistance, SSI, and the food stamp program. Medicaid was established in 1965 and grew quickly into the nations largest welfare program. Since then, there have been many policy changes in the program implemented by the government, like the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, because of the issues rising in the series of its implementation and based on the evaluations done by research organizations of government, private institutions, and interest groups. The way government implements and administers such programs for the welfare of the public can be best illustrated with the process of Policy making, their evaluation, and the issues arising out of their implementation. Public policy is said to be what the governments wish to do or not to do. Governments implement several laws which may or may not be accepted by the people. It provides many services, facilities, and entitlements, in lieu of some taxes. Thus, the policies implemented may regulate the way people behave, provide services, and collect taxes. Thomas R. Dye has cited other definitions of Public Policy by several political scientists and philosophers: David Easton, a political scientist, defines public policy as the authoritative allocation of values for the whole society; Harold Lasswell, a political scientist and Abraham Kaplan, a philosopher, define public policy as a a projected program of goals, values, and practices, and political scientist Carl Friedrick says, It is essential for the policy concept that there be a goal, objective, or purpose' ­ (Dye, 2008). There are other ways of defining public policy by breaking down this general notion into various component parts. This was brought about by a political scientist Charles O. Jones, proposed the distinction among various proposals (specified means for achieving goals), programs (authorized means for achieving goals), decisions ( ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­specific actions taken to implement programs), and effects (the measurable impacts of programs) be considered. (Dye, 2008) Models of Politics A model can be a way of illustrating some aspect of the real world. In politics, political scientists use a flow chart to show how a law is derived from a bill. The models used or employed for studying policy are conceptual models which make it easy and clear to know about politics and public policy, recognize the important aspects of policy problems, derive explanations for public policy and predict its consequences. (Dye, 2008) The different policy models used to examine public policy are: Institutional model Process model Rational model Incremental model Group model Elite model Public choice model Game theory model Here the Policy is reviewed, using the Incremental model of politics. The Incremental model is a conservative model, in which, considering the existing programs, policies, and expenditures as a base, attention is concentrated on new programs and on increases, decreases, or modifications of existing programs. The process can be exemplified with budgetary policy for any government activity or programs for a given year. This process is preferred for many reasons, first being, economic hardships, absence of details on demand survey, authenticity or inappropriate statistical feed-back from the relevant fields and time required to investigate all the alternatives in the existing policy. The others are, legitimacy of the existing policies is accepted by policy makers, since they do not want to try any new programs due to lack of enthusiasm and creativity in the bureaucracy, fearing the uncertain consequences of the new policies. Then, the existing policies, which are deep-rooted enough, bec ause of heavy investments, make it difficult for the policy makers to take any radical decision. Lastly, policies like these are accepted easily compared to new policies. Thus, incrementalism is important in maintaining stability and preserving the political system in almost status-quo with sight variations. The issues being addressed here may not be totally termed as correlated with this incrementalism model, since they are budgetary policies being addressed by the New York state government, with utmost care and dedication with profound application of sincerity. Thus, the programs Medicaid and Affordable Care Act, which have been successful mostly in serving most of the needy, had a few challenges which aptly require only few changes. Contrary to the rational changes, which require a lot additional resources, the solutions provided appear to be easier and less expensive to implement, like the ones suggested by the Medicaid Redesign Team, for the New York State Budget for the year 2011-2012. The Policymaking Process The process of policy making is a process of how policies are made, in a step-by step sequence, but these processes never occur in a sequence in reality. Problem identification: Though the society may sustain many issues, only a few are considered to become a policy, to become an agenda for the government. This is influenced by the interest groups, pressure groups, media who communicate the issues to the government. Thus influencing the decision making process. If such groups do not come up with any objections on a certain policy implemented by the government, it is considered that the policy has been accepted by most people. Thus the mass media, interest groups, citizen initiatives, public opinion become the major participants of this step (Dye, 2008). Agenda Setting: The process by which ideas or issues are brought up by the various political channels to be considered by a political institution such as legislature or court. Moreover, the administrative agencies of a government often generate and formulate proposals, which may be incorporated into the executives legislative recommendations for a careful consideration by the legislative body (Shafritz, E. W. Russell, Borick, 2008). Non decision making: Though there may be many public issues arising, politicians try to suppress them from becoming policy issues. Non decision making occurs when some powerful elite groups which always keep an eye on Government policies, implementation programs and reactions of the people, act openly or covertly to suppress an issue because of the fear that if attention is focused on certain policy issues, something will be done and it may not be in their interest (Dye, 2008). Formulating policy: It is way of drafting a document on policy alternatives for dealing with issues in the interest of public welfare and development on public agenda. It takes place in the government bureaucracies; offices agencies of interest group/pressure- groups; legislative committee rooms; meetings of special commissions appointed by the Government; and policy planning organizations otherwise known as think tanks. These are considered to be the central coordinating points in the policy making process. Some of them are the Council on the Foreign Relations, the American Enterprise Institute, Heritage Foundation, and the Brookings Institution. They can influence a wide range of important policy areas. Other policy planning groups-the Urban Institute, Resources for the Future, the Population Council, for example -concentrate on a particular policy area. Interest groups: The interest groups influence the government policy in a variety of ways like Direct lobbying, Contributions made through Political Action Committees (PACs), Interpersonal contacts, between government offices and the industries and organizations representing them, Litigation designed to force changes in policies through the court system, and grassroots mobilization efforts to influence Congress and the White House by encouragement from individual constituents and campaign contributors (Dye, 2008). Policy Legitimation: The process by which a public policy is enacted into a law, after verification by all the legal institutions. The people involved with this process are called proximate policy makers, who include the president, congress, courts, federal agencies, congressional committees, White house staff, and interest groups. They are the ones responsible for bringing a public policy into action, by putting up a bill in the congress, or by any other way. Policy Implementation: It includes all of the activities designed to carry out the policies enacted by the legislative branch. These activities include the creation of new organizations- departments, agencies, bureaus, and so on -or the assignment of new responsibilities to existing organizations. They must translate laws into operational rules and regulations. They employ and deploy personnel, draw up contracts, sanction required funds and perform tasks. The bureaucrats or executional bodies of public administration in Government play a major role in this process, since the political leaders give only broad instructional outlines in the legislature meetings to the Government to define these policies and set rules at the basic level (Dye, 2008). Policy Evaluation: It is the process which helps the Congress, the President, interest groups, bureaucrats, the media, think tanks know whether or not the policies implemented by them are achieving their stated goals; at what costs; and with what effects, intended and unintended, on society. Thus evaluations of current policy may recognize new problems and restart the policymaking process. It may be mostly impressionistic rather than systematic, where impressionistic would indicate the complaints and the media stories about the laws passed and implemented, and systematic evaluation indicates what is done by the government in a systematic, careful, objective, scientific assessment of the current and long-term effects of policies on both target and non-target subjects or groups, and the costs and benefits involved (Dye, 2008). Medicaid Medicaid is the United States health program for people and families with low incomes and resources. It is a program that is jointly funded by the state and federal governments, and is managed by the states (Overview-Medicaid Program General Information). Being the federal governments largest single welfare program for the low income group as a pure welfare measure, its costs now exceed the costs of all other public welfare/ developmental programs- including family assistance, Social Security Income, and the food stamp program. It was begun in 1965 and is now the nations largest welfare program (Dye, 2008). The Medicaid serves certain U.S. citizens and resident aliens, including low-income adults and their children, and people with certain disabilities. Poverty alone may not necessarily qualify someone for Medicaid. It covers almost one-third of the total child population, and deliveries also, most of them from families at or below the Federal poverty level. It also covers 8 million people with disabilities, and only one-fourth of the poor young adults, since their eligibility is higher. Medicaid also supports Medicare enrollees by paying their Medicare premiums and a few critical services that are not included in Medicare (The Kaiser Commision on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2011). The Program can be said to have served the maximum number of people, and when needed, like during the economic recession in the years of 2007-2009. The enrollment increased by nearly 6 Million during the Recession. This also put additional burden on the state budgets. The increased enrollment in-turn led to a rise an increase in the spending for Medicaid. It was of great help to the individuals who lost their jobs during this period and forced into poverty (The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured, 2011). Medicaid also helped the people in other ways, being a large source of the federal funding, and fuelling the economies of the states, and thus in turn increasing the number of jobs, like physician, pharmacists, nursing staff, and other auxiliaries. Eligibility: The individuals or groups eligible for Medicaid are decided by the states. The eligibility groups will be considered one of the following (Medicaid At-a-Glance 2005 Medicaid Data Sources): The Categorically needy, The Medically needy, or The Special groups. A brief description of each of the key eligibility groups included is given, though these descriptions may not include all groups. The Categorically Needy Pregnant women and children under age 6 whose family income is at or below 133 % of the Federal poverty level. Children ages 6 to 19 with family income up to 100% of the Federal poverty level. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients (or, in certain states, aged, blind, and disabled people who meet requirements that are more restrictive than those of the SSI program). Individuals and couples who are living in medical institutions and who have monthly income up to 300% of the SSI income standard (Federal benefit rate). The Medically Needy The medically needy have too much money (and in some cases resources like savings) to be eligible as categorically needy. If a state has a medically needy program, it must include pregnant women through a 60-day postpartum period, children under age 18, certain newborns for one year, and certain protected blind persons. States may also provide Medicaid to: Children under age 19 who are full-time students can be categorized by deciding the age-limit Caretaker relatives (relatives or legal guardians who live with and take care of children). Aged persons (age 65 and older). Blind persons (blindness is determined using the SSI program standards or state standards). Disabled persons (disability is determined using the SSI program standards or state standards). Persons who would be eligible if not enrolled in a health maintenance organization. Special Groups Medicare Beneficiaries-Medicaid pays Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB)-individuals whose income is at or below 100% of the Federal poverty level and whose resources are at or below twice the standard allowed under SSI. There are additional groups for whom Medicare related expenses are paid by Medicaid-Medicare beneficiaries with income greater than 100% but less than 135% of the Federal poverty level (Medicaid At-a-Glance 2005 Medicaid Data Sources). The Affordable Care Act The Affordable Care Act, which was passed by the Congress and put into law by the President Barack Obama in March 2010, puts in place comprehensive health insurance reforms that will hold insurance companies more accountable, lower health care costs, guarantee more health care choices, and enhance the quality of health care for all Americans. The Act gives an individual better control of his own decisions about his health coverage, like, to get the health benefits through work, buy insurance for himself, or if he has small business and desires to provide health coverage to his employees, who are on Medicare, or do not have an insurance (About the Affordable Care Act / HealthCare.gov). This act soon makes insurance more affordable by providing small businesses with a tax credit to provide coverage, and by 2014, by providing tax credits to those who need help in buying insurance representing the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history (About the Affordable Care Act / HealthCare.gov). This Act was aimed at helping reduce the costs of insurance premiums for millions of American families and small business owners who are not eligible for the Medicaid, thus making health coverage affordable. The Affordable Care Act will ensure that most of the uninsured individuals are brought under coverage by 2014, and if they do not have access to affordable employer coverage, they will be able to purchase through a health insurance exchange. It also imposes new regulations for employers who do not provide coverage for their employees, by levying new penalties and taxes, with exceptions for small employers. Medicaid may also be expanded to 133% of the Federal poverty level for all individuals under 65. Discussion In spite of being the most successful public programs implemented by the government, the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid programs had challenges. A few of them have illustrated here. Though the Affordable Care Act is deemed to extend the health insurance coverage by both expanding Medicaid eligibility and offering premium subsidies for the purchase of private health insurance through state health insurance exchanges, the eligibility, by definition, for these programs is sensitive to income and can change over a period of time with fluctuating income and changes in family composition. Since the law specifies no minimum enrollment period, subsidy levels will also change as income rises and falls. (Benjamin D Sommers, 2011) The author estimated using national survey data that within six months, more than 35 percent of all adults with family incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level will experience a shift in eligibility from Medicaid to an insurance exchange, or the reverse; within a year, 50 percent, or 28 million, will. The states and the federal government should adopt strategies to reduce the frequency of coverage transitions and to mitigate the disruptions caused by those transitions, so that it minimizes the effect on continuity and quality of care (Benjamin D Sommers, 2011). The greatest achievement of the Affordable Care Act of 2010 has been its ability to deliver a guarantee of access to affordable health insurance. This is accomplished by the law through two principal pathways. The first being, expanding Medicaid eligibility to all nonelderly citizens and eligible legal residents whose family income does not exceed 133 percent of the federal poverty level, then, enabling Medicaid-ineligible people with incomes up to 400 percent of poverty to receive premium subsidies through tax credits for health plans offered through state health insurance exchanges (Benjamin D Sommers, 2011). Though the Affordable Care Act helped subsidize the cost of health insurance, it had impact on income-related eligibility, because of the fluctuating incomes, and changing family sizes and compositions. As there was no specification in the Act, regarding minimum enrollment period, there was a constant change in the eligibility and subsidy levels with fluctuations in incomes. Moreover individuals are required to report changes in income frequently, more than once a year, thus eligibility can cease in any month. This potential for movement between Medicaid and exchange coverage was discussed previously by many authors like Short. P F, Graefe. D R, Schoen, C. in 2003, and Gerry Lynn Fairbrother, Heidi Park Emerson, Lee Partridge in 2007, can be thought of as an update to the classic problem of churning (frequent changes back and forth, in and out of Medicaid), a problem with which Medicaid has long grappled. Thus, issues like these may cause a disruption in the Medicaid coverage within a short period. Though Affordable Care Act may be rectifying the total loss of coverage when the individual loses eligibility for Medicaid, by providing an alternative source of coverage, there have been challenges in the implementation of the two programs, like increasing the administrative costs. The author Benjamin D Sommers, also proved the increase in the administrative costs and also the adverse effects on the access to the health coverage. There has also been a controversy in the public opinion regarding the Affordable Care Act, since it also made it necessary for all Americans to have coverage by the year 2014. And moreover, it had opposition from Political candidates such as Tim Pawlenty, a Republican, on his presidential campaign trail, tried to use the laws unpopularity for his benefit. He also said in one of his statements, that he would be repealing the acts, if he became the president. (Oliphant, 2011) Options The author Benjamin D Sommers suggests some options for these issues: Reduce likelihood of frequent eligibility changes: this may be achieved by setting a minimum eligibility period, the governments can use annual re-determination procedures rather than the frequent ones, in practice now. This was recommended by the Medicaid Redesign team, have been brought about in the New York State Budget for the year 2011, like allowing the aged and permanently disabled with fixed incomes to be automatically renewed based on cost of living increases. Currently, Medicaid recipients must complete and mail-in a renewal form once a year in order to continue to receive health care coverage. (Medicaid RedesignTeam, 2011) Another policy decision regarding the Act was established, that is introducing a standard 5% disregard in the income, furthermore expanding the Medicaid coverage, by raising the eligible income from 133% of poverty level to 138% of Poverty, which is to be implemented by 2014. Individuals with incomes between 139% and 400% of poverty, who are not covered by employer or any public plan, will be eligible for tax credits, if he buys private insurance through new state based Health insurance exchanges. (Focus on Health Reform, 2011) Efforts should be made to align the markets and the provider networks in such a way, that they offer coverage under both plans. The individuals facing the shifts between the programs should be supported appropriately. Conclusion Thus, these issues illustrate about how a policy, implemented by the government can have some advantages and disadvantages and affects the public, and how it is brought out in the limelight by the media. This illustrates the evaluation part of the policy making process, and how it was corrected by the government by implementing corrections to the program in the recent State Budget of New York State, for the year 2011,which can be considered as drafting a new policy again. A Public Policy is deemed to be successful when it serves the society without causing any further burden on the public and the government. And the media and the public should project such drawbacks and see that they are corrected by the government. The Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid, were beneficial to the public in many ways, like they provided coverage to many uninsured, and also to those who were pushed into poverty because of the Economic Recession in years 2007-2009, and they covered many children and the child births, the elderly, and those conditions which were not covered by most of the private plans and the individual was not eligible for Medicaid, directly. They also became a large source of federal funds, providing employment and creating a market. Though issues can rise in any major policy decisions, if they can be corrected, like the issues of eligibility, they will definitely prove more successful. Thus Policy making process can be called a never ending process, since issues keep on coming, in the process of their administration.

Sexuality in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay -- Essays Papers

The Complications of Sexuality in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Gawain's travels in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight suggest a world in which home--i.e., Camelot--is "normal," while away--the opposing castle of Hautdesert where Gawain perforce spends his Christmas vacation--is "other," characterized by unfamiliarity, dislocation, perversity. And in fact the atmosphere at Hautdesert appears somewhat peculiar, with various challenges to "normal" sexual identity, and with permutations of physical intimacy, or at least the suggestion of such intimacy, that are, to say the least, surprising. The typical journey of medieval romance juxtaposes a "real" world where things and people behave according to expectation with a "magical" world in which the usual rules are suspended. According to this paradigm, we might expect that this poem would place Hautdesert outside the bounds of tradition, separated by its difference from the expectations that govern Camelot and the remainder of the Arthurian world. However, Gawain's journey away from Camelot and back is framed by references, in the first and last stanzas, to the journeys into exile of Aeneas and of Brutus, the legendary founder of Britain, that complicate this apparent opposition. As this paper will argue, this framework complicates the poem's presentation of gender and sexuality. Rather than a clear opposition between, say, marital sexuality and everything else, we find a situation in which potentially adulterous acts and kisses among men are vested with varied--and shifting--values. The poem uses references to the (imagined) British past to complicate any simple reading of the tale it tells in terms of sexual morality or transgression.1 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight opens with a summary of the events leading from the fall of Troy to the establishment of Britain: Sià ¾en à ¾e sege and à ¾e assaut watz sesed at Troye, à ¾e borgh brittened and brent to brondez and askez, à ¾e tulk à ¾at à ¾e trammes of tresoun à ¾er wroght Watz tried for his tricherie, à ¾e trewest on erthe: Hit watz Ennias à ¾e athel, and his highe kynde, à ¾at sià ¾en depreced prouinces, and patrounes bicome Welneghe of al à ¾e wele in à ¾e west iles. Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyà ¾e, With gret bobbaunce à ¾at burghe he biges vpon fyrst, And neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; Tirius to Tuskan and teldes bigynnes, Langaberde in Lumbardie lyft... ...e is once again surrounded by the familiar faces of Arthur's knights, this return cannot undo what he has experienced, does not unwrite what the poet has written. The return of the endless knot to the place of its beginning does not negate the existence of the pattern that has been created. Bertilak "reads" the ominous and the disruptive in Layamon's depiction of the origins of Britain. By locating the story of Gawain's flirtation with Lady Bertilak within the context of Layamon's chronicle of treason in Troy as well as at Camelot, the Gawain-poet complicates any reading of Camelot and Hautdesert as opposed places with opposed valuations. Treason is already and always present at Camelot, named with obscure referent in the first stanza of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight--and this very obscurity points to the difficulty of reaching any conclusions surrounding gender or sexuality in the poem. The use of history shows that femininity, masculinity, normative sexuality and transgression are all difficult, perhaps impossible, to define. Gawain, of course, does not read Brut, and is therefore left floundering in search of a finality which is unobtainable within the world of this poem. Sexuality in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Essay -- Essays Papers The Complications of Sexuality in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Gawain's travels in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight suggest a world in which home--i.e., Camelot--is "normal," while away--the opposing castle of Hautdesert where Gawain perforce spends his Christmas vacation--is "other," characterized by unfamiliarity, dislocation, perversity. And in fact the atmosphere at Hautdesert appears somewhat peculiar, with various challenges to "normal" sexual identity, and with permutations of physical intimacy, or at least the suggestion of such intimacy, that are, to say the least, surprising. The typical journey of medieval romance juxtaposes a "real" world where things and people behave according to expectation with a "magical" world in which the usual rules are suspended. According to this paradigm, we might expect that this poem would place Hautdesert outside the bounds of tradition, separated by its difference from the expectations that govern Camelot and the remainder of the Arthurian world. However, Gawain's journey away from Camelot and back is framed by references, in the first and last stanzas, to the journeys into exile of Aeneas and of Brutus, the legendary founder of Britain, that complicate this apparent opposition. As this paper will argue, this framework complicates the poem's presentation of gender and sexuality. Rather than a clear opposition between, say, marital sexuality and everything else, we find a situation in which potentially adulterous acts and kisses among men are vested with varied--and shifting--values. The poem uses references to the (imagined) British past to complicate any simple reading of the tale it tells in terms of sexual morality or transgression.1 Sir Gawain and the Green Knight opens with a summary of the events leading from the fall of Troy to the establishment of Britain: Sià ¾en à ¾e sege and à ¾e assaut watz sesed at Troye, à ¾e borgh brittened and brent to brondez and askez, à ¾e tulk à ¾at à ¾e trammes of tresoun à ¾er wroght Watz tried for his tricherie, à ¾e trewest on erthe: Hit watz Ennias à ¾e athel, and his highe kynde, à ¾at sià ¾en depreced prouinces, and patrounes bicome Welneghe of al à ¾e wele in à ¾e west iles. Fro riche Romulus to Rome ricchis hym swyà ¾e, With gret bobbaunce à ¾at burghe he biges vpon fyrst, And neuenes hit his aune nome, as hit now hat; Tirius to Tuskan and teldes bigynnes, Langaberde in Lumbardie lyft... ...e is once again surrounded by the familiar faces of Arthur's knights, this return cannot undo what he has experienced, does not unwrite what the poet has written. The return of the endless knot to the place of its beginning does not negate the existence of the pattern that has been created. Bertilak "reads" the ominous and the disruptive in Layamon's depiction of the origins of Britain. By locating the story of Gawain's flirtation with Lady Bertilak within the context of Layamon's chronicle of treason in Troy as well as at Camelot, the Gawain-poet complicates any reading of Camelot and Hautdesert as opposed places with opposed valuations. Treason is already and always present at Camelot, named with obscure referent in the first stanza of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight--and this very obscurity points to the difficulty of reaching any conclusions surrounding gender or sexuality in the poem. The use of history shows that femininity, masculinity, normative sexuality and transgression are all difficult, perhaps impossible, to define. Gawain, of course, does not read Brut, and is therefore left floundering in search of a finality which is unobtainable within the world of this poem.

Kant Deontological Theory Essay

The Formula of Humanity- Act so that you use humanity, whether in your own person or that of another, always at the same time as an end, never merely as a means. The Formula of the Kingdom of Ends- Act in accordance with the maxims of a member giving universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends. The moral duty is what we should be doing. Good is defined as doing what is right and avoiding doing wrong. We have a duty to act in such a way that our actions are moral even if it produces unfavourable results. What is good, according to Kant â€Å"Nothing is good but a good will†. (Good intentions). It is good to be creative or to have good fortune with good outcomes the world becomes a better place. Goodwill is having the good intention to perform one’s duty. The consequences of our actions do not make an action good but rather the goodwill. What is having a good will? Kant proposes that when someone acts out of goodwill that is when someone is acting out of duty. According to Kant â€Å"Duty should be done for the sake and duty alone†. How do we know our duty in a certain situation? Duty has nothing to do with a certain situation or what happens all that matters is the decision is good and the outcome is good. Kant suggests act as if our decision applies to all people at all times. It is always in order to tell lies if the outcome is favourable? Kant would disagree with this. When we act purely out of duty we act reasonably in a manner that we fulfil our duties. Having goodwill is to perform one’s duty It is our duty to do our duty even though we might not be rewarded in this life but we will be rewarded in the next life. Deontological Ethics. Kant Deontological theory of ethics it is linked to moral law of ethics, especially that branch dealing with duty, moral obligation, and right action. Origin: 1820–30; Greek deont- that which is binding (stem of deo) (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter. ) The word deontology comes from the Greek word meaning duty (deon) and science (or study) of (logos). In moral philosophy, deontological ethics Ethical are theories that maintain that the moral rightness or wrongness of an action depends on its intrinsic qualities. (Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter). A Quote from Kant â€Å"Awe and wonder fills the mind†. â€Å"Starry heavens a metaphor (scientific absolutism) above and the moral law within†. Like gravity and science these are laws which are absolute as well as moral laws. We have a choice we can all still identify the moral law: e. g. do not steal. Kantian deontological theory of ethics is an absolutes theory something which is considered wrong i. e. suicide will always be wrong. Kant argues that morality is rooted in reason; he states that the demands of morality are unconditional or categorical and it presupposes freedom, we have a choice and can identify and rationally identify morality. Kant states that morality must be unconditional it has to be categorical. Kant distinguishes between categorical imperatives from hypothetical ones. The categorical imperative is not about desires or goals but rather about personal well-being. Categorical imperatives are absolute and universal. Categorical imperative is necessary truth and cannot be without self-contradiction or irrationality. The Universal Law Act only in accordance with that maxim through that at the same time, will that it become a universal law. One’s actions must be universal. The Universal law is that one should act on the maxim a law which can become a universal law in nature when acceptable and sustainable. We know that lying and stealing is wrong. If everyone did this society would fail. Perfect duties are without exceptions, but we understand that torture and suicide is always wrong. Suicide is always wrong if this was universalized society would fail. We know that making False Promises that cannot be fulfilled, is always wrong if we cannot regard this as a universal law society would fail. Breaking promises when it in my interest he states that this inconsistent and therefore cannot be a moral imperative. Imperfect duties is seeking the perfection of our duties are contradictions to our will. We ought to be seeking to promote the happiness of others. We understand that this is not always possible. He does not exclude pleasure in doing duty, but that pleasure should not be the guide to what one’s duty is. What is duty? Kant says â€Å"Duty is the necessity of acting from respect for the Law†: Kant believes that duty should be crowned in the end with happiness. Obedience he says is a maxim that is universally binding as a law to all rational beings. Treat humans as ends to themselves and should respect and never to treat others as a means to an end but only as an end. This means that we should respect others, because every human possesses an intrinsic value. We are to consider whether our actions are moral and acceptable. Kant argues that morals are about following the rules. Kant moral theory can be summarised in two ways Kant argues that we all have a choice that we can all identify the moral law. The Categorical Imperative Kant designed the Categorical imperative as a framework used to make moral law, which states that one must do what one expects other to do in a similar situation. The Categorical Imperative is the central concept in Kant’s ethics and the groundwork to Metaphysics of Morals. It is based to the â€Å"supreme principle of morality† (4:392), from which all our moral duties come from. He believed that moral requirements were based on a standard of rationality and he named this the Categorical Imperative. By using the Universal Imperatives we use our reason (as long as it is not corrupted) to guide us in a path which is morally virtuous. He states that we should act according to the maxim by which you can at the same time will that it becomes a universal law. Kant uses the example of a person who lends money and is unable to repay the loan. He states that this cannot be a universal law people will no longer believe each other and no person will lend money to another. This can be explained in three ways The Universal Law means that one should act on an action which can be sustained. It is important that we should consider if an action is right or wrong. This action will eliminate selfish action towards other human beings. Imperfect Duties Imperfect duties to seek the happiness of other people this cannot completed always. The moral law will most certainly collapse if everyone told lies and were to steal. It is expected of one to perform ones duty in every way. The Kingdom of Ends is in accordance with the maxims of a member giving universal laws for a merely possible kingdom of ends is an ideal society every person must act in such a way that it benefits the greater number of people for the greater good. Every person should act in such a way as if the person through their maxim were universal lawmakers as members in the universal kingdom of ends. One cannot say I will kill myself out of love; this is acceptable and cannot be regarded as a universal law. He argues that humans have an intrinsic worth, and occupy a special place in creation, therefore people are to be treated with respect and dignity because we should understand that we are all rational agents. We possess the freedom to make our own decisions set targets and guide our conduct by reason. He believes that God is the Supreme Being speaking through our conscious. Therefore Gods existence although it remains unproven it is necessary in order for Kant’s ethical theory to be sound. He states that is freedom and immortality. â€Å"God is the law giver to be obeyed† Kant argues that there must be a God and an after-life since it would be intolerable if there were no reward. Kant states that if humans were to disappear from the planet the moral dimension would disappear too. Critique on Kant’s theories: Humans are motivated by pleasure and not only by reason. The question is it possible to act unselfishly, it is necessary to take consequences into consideration. Kant ethics places great emphasises on lying as a form of wrong. He fails to offer an understanding of conflict between different duties, Kant theories does not take into consideration social conditioning and free will. I disagree with Kant that feelings are subjective and selfish and find that he focuses too much on pure practical moral reason he excludes feeling and desires. Kant tries to combine ethics with reason but this seems unrealistic as the concept of reason does not exist in isolation from human beings and their feelings and actions. Ref: Jorge J. Gracia E, Gregory M, Reichberg and Bernard, Schumacher N. The Classics of Western Philosophy, (Blackwell Publishing Ltd). 2004. Ref: Mc Coy A. An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Christian Ethics, Continuum. London , New York Ref: http://www. slideshare. net/t0nywilliams/kant-9170093.

Higher Education Essay

In Classical vs. Modern Education: The Principal Difference article from the second issue of Classical Homeschooling Magazine, Patrick Carmack compares and critizes the both classical and new modern education models in terms of effectiveness and ethics. Within the samples from Socrates’ classical education understanding, the article points out that altering education system becomes an inanimate occurrence which ignores the soul of human beings and considers them as a sort of computer, a creation solely having a brain to use as a data storage. As the author clarifies at the article by giving definitions of either type of education, education is much more complex than it seems, not merely gain information but also widen self’s horizon and learn to differentiate between good and bad, then being able to aim to goodness. Therefore the basic content of the education, what Carmack claims, should involve feelings, emotions – the most mentioned in the article is love- in order to have ‘‘well-rounded, cultured gentlemen and ladies, capable of addressing any problem or situation in life with the maximum likelihood both of success and personal happiness’’ (para.5). Carmack also touches upon the homeschooling issue, in a positive perspective in consequence of children who is educated or continue it by their family -except paramount situations- in a habitual, loving environment. Despite many obstacles and disadvantages author considers homeschooling as ‘‘the single greatest advantage’’ of progressive education. Another point is, the adoption of the German kindergarten model has lessened the early home formation years of children’s. Moreover this has received the chance from kids to learn culture of their homes. As Carmack mentions at the beginning, since every individual has distinct features and characteristics, it should be taken into consideration that not everyone has the same IQ, interests and culture. Thus, it is essential for a child to know self’s own culture in the cause of built their own identity solidly and this can be only learned in an environment which provides the necessary cumulative cultural factors. All in all, writer engages attention to Socratic way of educating love and, defends it against the modern, in another words progressive education, clarifies the misunderstanding about the education’s aims and, emphasizes the necessity of consideration on individuals which have diverse characteristics; IQ, learning type, interests, culture, etc.

characters we call gunfighters essays

characters we call gunfighters essays The period following the Civil War was a time of great uneasiness. It was an era that gave rise to the Western outlaws. They were bandits, gunfighters, and men guilty of hundreds of crimes, but they were also important in shaping American folklore. Two important factors contributed to the making of these legends. The transition that these men under went from solider to ranch hand or cowboy, and the making of their legends through the media molded the way we perceive gunfighters today. I feel that the media had a major role in creating the characters, legends and hero's that we learn about in history. The Civil War gave many young men a taste of conflict and killing. Many that fought the War were a very tender age and very impressionable. According to an article written by Mark Sufrin called "The Western Gunman", he said that the "Civil War soldiers were to much in love with killing after years of violence to settle down"(23). After the Civil War many of the men were hired by ranchers as ranch hands which paid little for their hard work. Many of the young cowboys found themselves craving the life they had lived for four years of violence and killing. It was these impulses that caused them to run rampant across the west, robbing banks and holding up trains. As the west was growing so was the need for law and order. Town sheriff's and U.S. Marshal's took on that role. This would pave the way for the so called "gunman and gunfighters". According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "One example of this was a young man named Jesse James who fought in the Civil War when he was fif teen. He and his older brother Frank were in the pro-southern guerrillas led by William C. Quantrill. After the war, Jesse formed a highly successful gang. They held up banks, stagecoaches, and trains until 1876 when the gang was shot to pieces by the folks of Northfield, Minnesota when they tried to rob two ban ...

Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 32

Business - Essay Example The future of being an Educator is great as it provides ways to get involved in the field of study directly, a direct interaction with the students helps to gain awareness about the perspective of the young generation and how the future of the world is going to change according to their mindsets. Now coming to the challenges faced. Professional careers aim is to provide the best of the services one is specialized at without any issues. A decade ago education was not considered a professional job but in today teachers are appreciated to prepare themselves before entering a class. Similarly in coming 4 to 5 years, the level of studies would enhance and a simple explanation won’t be enough to clear the doubts of students. A teacher has to face such challenges and give a logical reasoning and prove his point of view with examples to convince the students. The greatest strength of being a teacher is his knowledge, being a specialized teacher in the field of economics particularly is a benefit in itself. Development is needed in every profession, but specifically for an educator, knowledge of new advancements and discoveries are a must to deliver it to the students. To be a successful educator, a clear way of talking that is easily understandable for all students. Secondly knowledge and skill to teach needs a constant revision. Where as in the coming year I need to enhance few areas to participate and develop professionally. Firstly an educator has to continue his studies as well a professional masters degree in my field of study, secondly adopting the latest way of teaching i-e through presentations and multi-media and lastly to prepare oneself before a particular lecture. All these areas need development to enhance the present as well as future jobs as an educator. The graph of success in a professional career faces sets backs

TOPIC FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE MUST BE FIRST HAND EXPIERENCE WRITTEN Essay - 1

TOPIC FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE MUST BE FIRST HAND EXPIERENCE WRITTEN IN OWN OWRDS USING THE PRONOUN I - Essay Example I happen to have a very good handwriting, too bad it never helped me in getting good grades when it came to Algebra. I looked around to see a whole lot of people were busy talking and laughing. Some were hard at work and some were simply copying stuff from the others. Thinking that I should also get to work now, I turned my attention to the textbook. I turned the book few pages back to look up some pointers on cyclic equations. Sitting right behind me, Kimberly and Amy were comparing notes about how to best avoid split ends in hair. I tugged at my ponytail, groaning inwardly at their frizzy texture. Suddenly, I realized I had been staring at the same page for past ten minutes, contemplating uselessly on hair care. Bracing myself, I got back to work and resolved not to get distracted again. To my surprise, the first few steps of the problem went well but halfway through I found myself stuck again. Mike, from the other row, chose the moment to disrupt the class with his famous imitation of buzzing bees. Fuming inwardly, I tried to concentrate but to no avail. I ended up spending another five minutes making tiny flowers around the page number and a face right above the Exercise heading. â€Å"This looks better now†, I thought looking at the page number. I looked around to find a completely engrossed Hannah, sitting next to me, had solved the problem and was already jotting down the next one. I felt the usual wave of frustration building up inside me at the difficult nature of this subject. Irritated with my lack of concentration, I compared my work with Hannah’s and learnt that the reason I was stuck with very wrong looking values was because I had made a few dumb mistakes. Taking the lead from her, I set about correcting my work. I was confident that I will be able to solve it then. Hannah was kind enough to explain the equation functions to me. Patiently bearing my occasional spacing out due to noise distractions in