Should Social Security Be Privatized Essays - Economy, Finance

Should Social Security Be Privatized Should Social Security be Privatized? Many people dont understand how the Social Security system really works. There are no separate Social Security accounts set up for each taxpayer to which he contributes his Social Security tax each year. Many people believe these accounts exist, that the money they pay into their accounts grows each year until retirement, and when they retire they get back what they paid in with interest. This is not true. Most people are unaware of the fact that our current Social Security system is a pay-as-you-go program, which means that the revenue the federal government raises each tax year for Social Security benefits is paid out that same year to beneficiaries. Many economists believe that our Social Security system is in need of a major overhaul if today's workers are to receive future benefits. Thomas R. Saving, Director of the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University says, What is wrong is that the Social Security system was never set up to be a sound investment-based retirement system. Karl Borden, professor of financial economics at the University of Nebraska recently wrote, Social Security is an unfunded pay-as-you-go system, fundamentally flawed and analogous in design to illegal pyramid schemes. Government accounting creates the illusion of a trust fund, but, in fact, excess receipts are spent immediately. Robert M. Ball, former commissioner of Social Security said, Some of the trust fund money should be put into the stock market. I want to do it to get a better return for the Social Security system. Historically, long-term government bonds have had a real return, after inflation, of 2.3 percent a year, compared with 6.3 percent for stocks. Paul W. Boltz, economist for the T. Rowe Price mutual fund said, When we examine the pending financial crisis of our Social Security system, we find, in effect, the characteristics of a government sponsored Ponzi-type scheme. Michael H. Cosgrove, of the Dallas-based newsletter, The Econoclast says, People need to take the responsibility of investing their own funds for their retirement. The Social Security system assumes people can't make that decision and government can do it better. The result is a bankrupt Social Security System. These economists believe that by investing in the private market, someone currently entering the labor force and retiring at age 65 can expect to receive an inflation adjusted retirement benefit from 1.5 to 5.5 times the current social security benefit. Increasing life expectancy and decreasing birth rates have combined to create the crisis the system is now facing. For example, in 1950 there were 16 workers for every social security retiree, while presently there are only 3.3 workers for every retired worker drawing benefits. Estimates are that by 2030 there will be fewer than two workers for every retiree. Privatizing social security sounds extreme, but it has been done successfully in other countries like Chile. Jose Pinera, who was Chile's minister of labor, privatized the state pension system in 1981. It is now giving retirees generous pensions while fueling investment, growth and improving living standards in that country. The heart of the Chilean system is a mandatory savings plan. All workers under age 45 contribute 10 percent of their monthly earnings in special accounts, known as AFPs (Administradoras de Fondos de Pensiones). Workers between ages 45 and 65 could shift to the new system at their option. The funds in AFPs are professionally managed and invested in stocks and bonds. The money may not be touched until retirement, at which time the worker may begin phased withdrawals or purchase an annuity. At the end of 1995 more than $25 billion was invested in AFP accounts. The old Social Security system is being phased out. By 2030 Chile's Social security will entirely be privatized. This system ensures the money a taxpayer pays for retirement goes to helping that taxpayer retire (not others). It ensures the money paid in taxes is invested and grows. It also gives taxpayers choices over their plans and the age at which they want to retire. If the US were to adopt a system like Chile's, we could save our own failed Social Security system and provide real security and peace of mind to everyone. The money paid into these individual retirement accounts is invested, meaning more capital is available to the business sector for investment. An individual would have their very own pension, with their name on it. The government would no longer control the money that the individual paid in to it. It is the individual's account, just like an IRA. It is essentially a government mandated IRA. Only

The Receivers Important Role in Clear Communication

The Receiver's Important Role in Clear Communication In the communication process, the receiver is the listener, reader, or observer- that is, the  individual (or the group of individuals)  to whom a message is directed. The receiver is also called the audience  or decoder. The person who initiates a message in the communication process is called the sender. Put simply, an effective message is one thats received in the way that the sender intended. Problems can arise on both ends that prevent the intended message from getting through to the receiver. The Message and Potential Problems For example, Paige asks Bill a question verbally. The message travels through the air, the channel, to  Bills ears. He responds. Paige is the sender, the question is the message, and Bill is the receiver and gives Paige feedback by answering the question. Myriad areas and ways exist where problems could arise even in this short exchange. If Paige whispers, Bill might not hear it. Maybe he hears only a portion of it and responds to a question that wasnt actually asked, and so Paige is confused. Maybe theres background noise, or the question isnt clear. If Bill is distracted by something and not paying attention, he might miss some of the words and respond inappropriately- or he might miss the question entirely so that the exchange needs to begin again. If hes not looking at Paige when she asks the question, he would miss any body language that would provide subtext to the question. If Paige sends an email or text  message to Bill, problems might arise because Bill doesnt have Paiges body language or tone of voice to interpret, which could add  information to the message. Autocorrect might have inserted errors into the text, or a missing question mark might make a question seem like a statement. These are all hindrances to effective communication. The degree of effectiveness is determined by how much of the message is understood by the receiver. Decoding the Message In the book, Business Communication, authors Carol M. Lehman and Debbie D. DuFrene lay it out this way: The receivers task is to interpret the senders message, both verbal and nonverbal, with as little distortion as possible. The process of interpreting the message is known as decoding. Because words and nonverbal signals have different meanings to different people, countless problems can occur at this point in the communication process: The sender inadequately encodes the original message with words not present in the receivers vocabulary; ambiguous, nonspecific ideas; or nonverbal signals that distract the receiver or contradict the verbal message. The receiver is intimidated by the position or authority of the sender, resulting in a tension that prevents effective concentration on the message and failure to ask for needed clarification.The receiver prejudges the topic as too boring or difficult to understand and does not attempt to understand the message.The receiver is close-minded and unreceptive to new and different ideas. With the infinite number of breakdowns possible at each stage of the communication process, it is indeed a miracle that effective communication ever occurs. Even the environment or the receivers  emotional state can affect the decoding of the message, for example, distractions in the room, discomfort on the part of the receiver, or stress or anxiety that allow the receiver to insert subtext that the sender didnt intend. Knowledge of social or cultural contexts can hinder the receiver from picking up cues or responding appropriately as well. Relational contexts can color a message, too, as messages from close friends could be received differently than a message from a work supervisor. Importance of Feedback When its not clear to the sender that understanding has occurred on the part of the receiver, communication continues, for example, through follow-up questions from either party, further discussion, or the sender giving examples, rephrasing the information, or other means of clarification to get the sender and receiver on the same so-called wavelength. In a presentation, the sender might show charts or images to make a point more clear to the audience or reader. The more cues and channels that the receiver has and is open to receiving is often better; for example, it can be easy to misconstrue tone or subtext in an email or text message, while that same message would come through clearly if the receiver hears the persons voice or is speaking with them face to face.   In the book, Planning, Implementing, and Evaluating Targeted Communication Programs, authors Gary W. Selnow and William D. Crano note that body language and tone arent just communication on the senders side: Feedback in the interpersonal setting provides a running account of a receivers reception of a message. Obvious cues such as direct questions show how well a receiver is processing the information. But subtle indicators also may provide information. For instance, a receivers yawn, silence when comments are expected, or expressions of boredom suggest that selective exposure gates may be in operation. A receiver also may have tone and subtext in the feedback given to the sender, such as responding with sarcasm or anger, which might be missed if the feedback is text-only  but likely would not be missed if the parties can either see or hear each other or both.

How to Get a GRE Voucher and Discounts on the Test

How to Get a GRE Voucher and Discounts on the Test The GRE testing fee can be a significant barrier for applicants on a limited budget. However, financial assistance is available through several vouchers and fee reduction programs. In fact, you may be able to save as much as 100% on your GRE testing fee. GRE Vouchers The GRE Fee Reduction Program provides 50%-off vouchers for test-takers with demonstrated financial need.The GREÂ  Prepaid Voucher Service sells vouchers to organizations and institutions, which in turn offer savings to test-takers with demonstrated need. These vouchers can cover part or all of the testing fee.GRE promo codes, which can be found online through a simple Google search, can help you save money on test prep materials. There are three basic ways to save on the GRE: the GRE Fee Reduction Program, GRE Prepaid Vouchers and GRE promo codes. The first two options will reduce your testing fee, while the last option will help you save on test prep materials. GREFee Reduction Program The first place to look for savings is the GRE Fee Reduction Program. This program is offered directly through ETS, the makers of the GRE. The GRE Fee Reduction Program provides saving vouchers to test takers who will be taking the GRE in the United States, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico. The GRE Fee Reduction Program voucher can be used to cover 50% of the cost of the GRE General Test and/or the cost of one GRE Subject Test. There is a limited supply of vouchers, and they are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so vouchers are not guaranteed. The program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, 18 years or older, with demonstrated financial need. To apply, you must be either an unenrolled college graduate who has applied for financial aid, a college senior currently receiving financial aid, or unemployed/receiving unemployment compensation. Additional requirements are as follows: Dependent college seniors must submit an FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) with a parental contribution of no more than $2,500.Self-supporting college seniors must submit an FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) with a contribution of no more than $3,000; they must also have self-supporting status on the report.Unenrolled college graduates must submit an FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR) with a contribution of no more than $3,000.Unemployed individuals must prove that they are unemployed by signing a declaration of unemployment and submitting an Unemployment Benefits Statement from the past 90 days.Permanent residents must submit a copy of their green card. To increase your chances of getting a voucher from the GRE Fee Reduction Program, you should fill out the program application as soon as possible. Remember, vouchers are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The longer you wait, the lower your chances are of getting a voucher. You also need to allow at least three week for application processing. When your application is approved, you can pay the other half of the fee not covered by the voucher and resister to take the test. GRE Fee Reduction Vouchers from National Programs There are some national programs within the U.S. that provide their members with GRE Fee Reduction vouchers. These programs typically work with underrepresented communities. If you are a member of a participating program, you may be able to get a voucher or a certificate without being unemployed or meeting the stringent aid-based requirements that come with the GRE Fee Reduction Program. Since voucher availability and qualification requirements can vary from program to program, youll need to talk directly to the program director or another representative to determine whether or not you are able to get a GRE Fee Reduction voucher. According to ETS, the following programs offer GRE Fee Reduction vouchers to their members: Gates Millennium Scholars ProgramNational Consortium for Graduate Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Science Program (GEM)Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR) ProgramPostbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) ProgramTRIO Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement ProgramTRIO Student Support Services (SSS) ProgramGREÂ  Prepaid Voucher Service GRE Prepaid Voucher Service ETS also offers a GREÂ  Prepaid Voucher Service. The vouchers that are available through this service can be used by GRE test takers. However, the vouchers are not sold directly to individuals who are taking the GRE test. Instead, they are sold to institutions or organizations who want to pay some or all of the cost of the GRE for the test taker. ETS offers several prepaid voucher options to institutions or organizations. Some of them cover part of the test fees, while others cover the entire test fee. All of these voucher options must be used by the test taker within one year of the purchase date. Vouchers, including those that cover 100% of the test fee, do not cover additional fees such as scoring fees, test center fees, or other associated fees. The voucher cannot be turned in by the test taker for a refund. GRE Prep Book Promo Codes ETS does not typically offer GRE promo codes that can be used to cover the cost of the GRE. However, there are many different test prep companies that offer GRE promo codes that can be used on prep books, courses, and other materials. Before purchasing a test prep book, do a general Google search for GRE promo codes. While you most likely will not be able to get a discount on the test fee, you can help to offset the cost of the test overall by saving money on test prep tools.

Role of Barriers and Technology in Globalization Essay

Role of Barriers and Technology in Globalization - Essay Example The gradual reduction of these barriers has helped lead to the process of globalization by allowing for a more free flow goods & services across boundaries. However, according to Micklethwait and Wooldridge (2003) the reduction of barriers is not an easy process. Often times it requires the passing of serious legislation and laws over long periods of time. From this perspective one could argue that globalization does not occur in leaps and bounds, rather it is a slow and arduous process insofar as there is not one moment that could be pinpointed as the catalyst for globalization. Moreover, the process requires a great deal of goodwill from nations to help ensure that nations remain in good standing with each other, such as the U.S. passing of the Mashall plan to help build Europe as a strong trading partner. Another major contributing factor of globalization is the role of technology. Much like the reduction of trade barriers there is no one single source of technological innovation that is the sole contributor of globalization. Rather it is a series of several new technologies that contribute to globalization. One of the major new technologies is improved communication channels. By having access to telephones, fax machines, email, the internet, instant messaging, mobile telephone devices etc., there comes an increased transparency.

The effects of illegal immigration in Britain and France Research Paper

The effects of illegal immigration in Britain and France - Research Paper Example There dozens of nations across the globe, which are known to have millions of people who have entered to them illegally.1 Most potential immigrants believe that the costs or risks of migrating to a different country are lower while compared to chances of migrating to them successfully. As a result, they regard the issue of immigration as being a better option to them. The benefits that immigrants take into account target improvements in living standards and income as well as to gain future permits to reside in the country legally. This is especially in cases where immigrants are offered with a path to citizenship or neutralization. However, there are certain costs that are associated with restrictions that are imposed to illegal immigrants in the host county. Some of these include abandoning their families, and abandoning their ways of life, as well as chances of being detained, an event which may result to sanctions.2 This paper will discuss the history of illegal migration to Britain and France, economic and social implications, as well as public policy changes that the two countries practice in orde r to curb the issue of illegal immigration. Since the beginning of 1945, the number of illegal immigrants to the UK has been rising at a substantial pace. This is especially with respect to the case of Ireland among other British Empire territories and colonies such as Bangladesh, India, the Caribbean, Pakistan, Kenya, South Africa, and Hong Kong. Other known immigrants into the country are those who come seeking for Asylum, especially those who act as refugees and other residents of European Union. Approximately half of the rise in population from 1991 to 2001 was as a result of foreign immigration.3 Today, it is not an easy task to identify the number of people who are living in Britain with appropriate authorization. In 2001, the Home Office undertook a census whereby it identified the

Presented in Romeo and Juliet Essay Example for Free

Presented in Romeo and Juliet Essay During the Play of Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare portrays a very strong relationship between Juliet and her father, Lord Capulet. His initial attitude shows him as a caring, protective father who wants what is best for his daughter. This caring manner continues until Scene 5 of Act 3, in which Juliet defies her father, who wishes for her to marry the County Paris. This scene acts as a turning point in the play; Lord Capulet is now shown as a malevolent father who has his own intentions for his daughters future. However, when Juliet returns apologetically to her father, and agrees to marry Paris, he once again returns to being the loving and caring father we initially identified. Lord Capulets initial attitude to his daughter was generally kind and compassionate. He calls her his hopeful lady of my earth which implies that he expects her to do well for herself. We see him as a typical father late in the 16th Century. It was commonplace for fathers to be in charge of who their daughter married, and Lord Capulet decided that Paris, a handsome, wealthy kinsman to the prince, would be able to provide for his daughters future.  Lord Capulet is very protective over Juliet, he does not think she is ripe to be a bride because she is yet a stranger to the world and hath not seen the change of fourteen years. This prominently reminds us of both Lord Capulets protectiveness, and the ongoing theme of youth and age throughout the play. The point at which Lord Capulet ceases from acting behind the caring faà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ade come in Scene 5 of Act 3 in the play. Juliet refuses to marry Paris when her mother tells her that they have arranged her marriage. Juliet, who is secretly already married to Romeo, cannot go ahead with the marriage to Paris, and she tells her mother that she is not ready to be married so soon after Tybalts death. Although upset, her mother does not overreact to this situation, and it is only when her father enters that the situation becomes overwhelming. He shouts at her, is unpleasant towards her, and threatens to disown her if she does not do as he says. Lady Capulet is then drawn into more of a quarrelsome situation with her daughter, her line Fie, fie! what, are you mad? could be interpreted either as directed towards her husband or Juliet. It would seem that it was towards her husband as later in the scene she says to Lord Capulet You are too hot, which indicates that he is becoming too aggressive and malicious to his own daughter. This would suggest that Lord Capulet has a very influential personality, and he is able to get other people to do what he wants them to because of his authority, and their fear of what he will say if they, like Juliet did, refuse to co-operate.  Lord Capulets view of a daughter is that they are almost like property, who should be married to a handsome and wealthy gentleman when they are old enough to take on this responsibility. It was usual for this to happen, and so was not treated with the same scepticism as today. In one of Paris meetings with Lord Capulet he tells him that younger than she are happy mothers made. This implies that girls who are younger than Juliet are not only already married, but mothers as well. Even when her own mother asks her about marriage, she says it is an honour I dream not of, suggesting she does not feel ready for marriage, even when her mother reminds us that younger than you are already made mothers. Generally, Lord Capulet does care for his daughter, but does not respect her wishes and opinions as we would expect in todays modern society. Capulets anger at Juliets defiance was the first point when we saw another side to him. He returns to being the gentle father only when Juliet comes to apologise to him. She tells him she has been at confession and has come to accept the offer of marriage from Paris. Her father then becomes the agreeable jovial character we first knew. His angry personality is only evident if things are not going in according with his plans, or Juliet is disobedient to him; he is almost like a spoilt child who does not like it when he does not get what he wants. When Juliet appears to be dead in Scene 5 of Act 4, Capulet seems to be devastated. He states that death lies on her like an untimely frost which to all the other people on stage is accepted as a genuine comment from a grieving father. Alternatively, this could have been interpreted as another selfish comment; the use of the word untimely emphasising the inconvenience of it to his plans. Capulet is once again being slightly selfish, he feels as though he has lost a daughter, rather than his daughter has lost her life, and he is worrying about how it will affect him instead of grieving for her. At the end of the play when Friar Lawrence Tells everyone the truth about the events through the play, I think Lord Capulet realises how narrow-minded he has been. He recognises that he has not treated his daughter with the respect she needed, and is aware that she had to marry Romeo secretly because he would never have agreed to it.  It is this recognition of the error of his ways that leaves the audience feeling that Lord Capulet is a good father. He acts upon what he has learnt straight away by calling Lord Montague his brother, and asking him to give me thy hand to help them reach a better understanding. Behind Lord Capulets capricious faade, we see a father who cares for his daughter, but does not always know how to show it. His unpredictable nature was due to this, and it is not until the end of the play when the true Lord Capulet is revealed. He shows remorse towards the death of his daughter and Romeo also, and looks towards the Montagues to help each other in grieving for their children by settling the dispute between the families.  Overall, Capulet is a good father to Juliet, but his influential position makes him feel under constant pressure to do what is right; both for his daughter and his image to the rest of the Capulets.

Essay About Family: My Fathers Illness :: Family Relationships Sickness Papers

My Father's Illness As a child, life was great for me. I spent my days being a hyperactive boy, running around and causing general chaos on my two sisters, Kelly and Libby. The world I lived in was a stress free world, I had not had many difficult experiences growing up. Life was beautiful for me, until a tragedy struck my family. My life got stressful on first day of second grade. I remember getting off the bus, eager to tell my parents all about what it felt like to be in second grade. As I walked in the door, I could feel that something was wrong. It was something in the air, a depressing mood. Instead of being greeted by a house of warm response, it was silent. I shouted for my parents and searched around, finally finding them in their bedroom. As I walked in to their bedroom, I found my mother sitting on the bed, weeping quietly, while my father lay on the bed in a near unconscious state. This sight shocked me, I had seen my father sick before, but by the reaction of my mother and the deathly look on my father’s face I knew that something was seriously wrong. My father's eyes opened, and he called out for my sister Kelly and I to come to him. In a very serious and sad voice, he told us that he was very sick, and he was going to the Fort Wayne hospital. My mother told Kelly and I to help her pack some things for him, because he was going to be leaving soon. We helped her pack, keeping quiet because we did not want to interrupt the silence that had taken over the room. A family friend, Rose Widmer, came over as my mom and dad were getting ready to leave. She would be staying with us because it looked like they would not be coming home that night. As Kelly and I were eating our supper, my mom came into the kitchen and sat down beside me. She explained to us that our dad was very sick, and that he was having trouble with his brain. She used the term "brain abscess." She said that this is what the doctors speculated was wrong with him, but they needed to go to Fort Wayne to take precautions. Essay About Family: My Father's Illness :: Family Relationships Sickness Papers My Father's Illness As a child, life was great for me. I spent my days being a hyperactive boy, running around and causing general chaos on my two sisters, Kelly and Libby. The world I lived in was a stress free world, I had not had many difficult experiences growing up. Life was beautiful for me, until a tragedy struck my family. My life got stressful on first day of second grade. I remember getting off the bus, eager to tell my parents all about what it felt like to be in second grade. As I walked in the door, I could feel that something was wrong. It was something in the air, a depressing mood. Instead of being greeted by a house of warm response, it was silent. I shouted for my parents and searched around, finally finding them in their bedroom. As I walked in to their bedroom, I found my mother sitting on the bed, weeping quietly, while my father lay on the bed in a near unconscious state. This sight shocked me, I had seen my father sick before, but by the reaction of my mother and the deathly look on my father’s face I knew that something was seriously wrong. My father's eyes opened, and he called out for my sister Kelly and I to come to him. In a very serious and sad voice, he told us that he was very sick, and he was going to the Fort Wayne hospital. My mother told Kelly and I to help her pack some things for him, because he was going to be leaving soon. We helped her pack, keeping quiet because we did not want to interrupt the silence that had taken over the room. A family friend, Rose Widmer, came over as my mom and dad were getting ready to leave. She would be staying with us because it looked like they would not be coming home that night. As Kelly and I were eating our supper, my mom came into the kitchen and sat down beside me. She explained to us that our dad was very sick, and that he was having trouble with his brain. She used the term "brain abscess." She said that this is what the doctors speculated was wrong with him, but they needed to go to Fort Wayne to take precautions.

Five Forces Analysis: Adidas

Five Forces Analysis Intensity of Competitive Rivalry There are several firms fiercely competing Adidas for more market share, including Nike, Puma, Reebok and Umbro to name a few. Adidas must ensure that their goods are of a high quality and at a reasonable price in order to keep their market share in this industry. Intensity in this industry is high as there are a large number of organisations with similar products all trying to gain market share. Threat of Entry to the Industry by New CompetitorsThere isn’t very much of a threat of new competitors to Adidas as there are high barriers of entry to this industry, such as, high set up costs, economies of scale, legal barriers, marketing barrier and control over raw materials. This means that not many new organisations could break into this industry, as it would be very expensive to start up and run a company that could be a threat to a major brand such as Adidas. Also, Research and Development costs are to be considered, as the y would be extremely high due to the organisation not having any previous knowledge about the industry or about designing and producing the goods.Another point why it is highly unlikely that a new organisation could enter the industry and compete with Adidas is they will either have to pay out loads of money on factories and machinery for producing their goods, which could backfire if they were not to succeed, or they could try to compete without a factory or machinery for production, this wouldn’t work as the new organisation wouldn’t be able to produce enough products to compete with any leading brands such as Adidas, Nike, Puma, Reebok etc.Threat from Substitute Products or Services There is a threat to Adidas from other manufacturers’ products as there are many companies that produce football boots. However, Adidas produce football boots that have unique features, such as the rubber pads on the boots. Therefore, as Adidas’s products are unique they ha ve an edge over their competitors as non of their products have rubber pads on their boots. This will help Adidas to sell more products and ultimately put the other organisations out of business.Also, substitutes for football boots could also include footwear and sports clothes for other sports as people could take up new sports. Power of Suppliers Adidas raw materials to make football boots are not supplied by a monopoly. This gives Adidas more power to dictate the price at which they buy their raw materials, as there are a large number of competitive suppliers. Power of Buyers Adidas’s products are mainly sold in bulk to major sports outlets such as JJB Sports, JD Sports and Sports Soccer.Also, large amounts of products are sold in bulk to online stores such as Pro Direct Soccer and Sports Shoes. As Adidas rely quite heavily o these buyers they have to sell their products at relatively low prices. However, there are a small amount of customers who buy products directly from Adidas, when Adidas sell their products to one off customers they can dictate the price as Adidas don’t rely on making these sales.

Heritage Countee Cullen Essay

â€Å"What is Africa to me?† (Cullen, Line 10). Heritage is an African American poem by Countee Cullen that was written during the Harlem Renaissance. Cullen was born in a primarily white upbringing; therefore he had no experience in African culture or heritage and was confused. His African heritage concerns him; yet, because he must adapt to the orders of a mostly white culture that is not concerned with his cultural origins. This poem is primarily the internal conflict of Countee Cullen on the dilemma of a modern African American aware of his rich Native African heritage but stranded in a sterile conformist American culture that offer him only stereotypical insight into his heritage and no true unbiased perception of his own culture. In Heritage Cullen uses literary devices such as imagery, symbolism and irony to show that he is conflicted on his view of his African heritage. Cullen uses imagery as a literary device to show his confusion of African heritage. Thus Cullen begi ns with a question concerning the nature of an abstract and rather remote Africa. â€Å"What is Africa to me, copper sun or scarlet sea, jungle star or jungle track, strong bronzed men, or regal black, women from whose loins I sprang, when the birds of Eden sang† (Cullen, Lines 1-6). This quote shows how Cullen lists some concrete images which serve as specific emphases for his conflicting views of his native land. This shows an African Americans point of view of Africa. For example in the phrase â€Å"jungle star or jungle track†; the first part â€Å"jungle star† has a positive connotation and the second part â€Å"jungle track† has a negative connotation. In a way the positive connotations represent African perspective and the negative connotations represent African perspective. â€Å"Sung by wild barbaric birds, Goading massive jungle herds, Juggernauts of flesh that pass, Trampling tall defiant grass, Where young forest lovers lie, Plighting troth beneath the sky† (Cullen, Lines 13-17). In contrast to the first quotes the second imagery quote shows a purely American perspective of Africa. This quote shows the constant stereotypical view of Africa that Cullen was fed for his whole childhood.  This quote compared to the first show s that Africa was a wild barbaric place. These two perspectives really confused him. Not only does Cullen use imagery as a literary device to show his confusion on his heritage but he also uses symbolism as a literary device that show this too. Cullen furthermore uses a symbolism of the drum to show that even if he tries he cannot block out his heritage. â€Å"So I lie, who always hear, though I cram against my ear, both my thumbs, and keep them there, great drums throbbing through the air† (Cullen, Lines 19-22). This quote shows that he is trying to block out his heritage. Despite this effort he still hears the drum which symbolizes tribal beats from Africa. This shows that American culture has forced Cullen to deny the primitive African rhythms that pulses through his body. â€Å"Who find no peace, night or day, no slight release, from the unremittent beat, made by cruel padded feet, walking through my body’s street† (Cullen, Lines 64-68). In this quote reassures the point that he feels this tribal beat no matter what he does or what his condition he feels the beat within his blood and bones that he cannot get rid of. Not only does the author use symbolism as a literary device to illustrate his dilemma on his heritage but he also uses irony as another tool to show it. Finally Cullen uses irony to show that he still has not come to term about what his true heritage really is. â€Å"I belong to Jesus Christ†¦ although I speak with my mouth thus, in my heart, do I play a double part, ever at thy glowing altar, must my heart grow sick and falter, wishing he I served were black† (Cullen, Lines 96-101). This quote show irony because he states that he belongs to Christ, but later on he states that truly in his heart he wishes his god was black like him. This show that even if he thinks that he has decided which side to choose he still has not truly done so. â€Å"Nor yet has my heart or head, in the least way realized, they and I are civilized† (Cullen, Lines 126-128). This quote shows that he still has not decided yet; but he still ironically he still says â€Å"they and I are civilized†. This is ironic because the line before â€Å"Nor yet has my heart or head, in the least way realized† contradicts this statement. In this African American poem to show that he is conflicted on his view of his African heritage, Cullen uses literary devices such as imagery,  symbolism and irony. The circumstances he grew up with did not show him the perspective of his people; he was constantly give only the American point of view of Africa. This gave him a great internal dilemma of his own heritage because in his blood he had pride. At the end of this poem he is still conflicted about what his stance truly is. The lesson of this poem is that despite where you live and what biased information you are given you can never forget your roots. Work Cited Cullen, Countee. â€Å"Heritage.† The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry. The Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 4 Nov. 2014.

African Elephant essays

African Elephant essays The common name is the African Elephant, the scientific name is Loxodonta Africana, the phylum is Vertebrata, the class is Mammalia, the order is Proboscidea, and the family is Elephantidae. The Closest Relatives to the African Elephant are: the Asian Elephant, mammoths, primitive proboscidean (mastodons), sea cows, and hyraxes. Scientists believe that the African Elephant evolved from one of its closest The geographical location and range of the African elephant covers all of central and southern Africa. In Ethiopia there are isolated populations that exist around Lake Chad in Mali and Mauritania. Also in Kenya, Rhodesia, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, Zaire, and in National parks located in South Africa, as well as several other countries. African Elephants, originally, were found in all of the Sub-Saharan African habitats except desert steppes. Elephants still occupy diverse habitats such as: temperate grassland, tropical savanna and grass lands, temperate forest and rainforest, tropical rainforest, tropical scrub forest, and tropical deciduous forest despite their drastic decline in numbers. However, their migratory patterns and habitat use have changed, due to the fact that they are restricted to protected areas. The elephant can exist in many types of environments but it prefers places that have many trees and bushes, which the elephant needs both for food and shade. They also like warm areas that have plenty of rainfall. This ensures plenty of food, shade, and water. The elephant prefers a habitat of mixed woodland and grassland which gives them an opportunity to eat a variety of vegetation. African Elephants are considered herbivores, they are both browsers and grazers; they will eat rough sticks, stems and leaves of plants as well as grasses, sedges, and fruit. Their favorites are mangoes, berries and coconuts. An elephant eats up to 500 pounds of vegetation every day ...

Definition and Discussion of Feminist Rhetoric

Definition and Discussion of Feminist Rhetoric Feminist rhetoric is the study and practice of feminist discourses in public and private life. In content, says Karlyn Kohrs Campbell*, feminist rhetoric drew its premises from a radical analysis of patriarchy, which identified the man-made world as one built on the oppression of women...In addition, it incorporates a style of communication known as consciousness-raising (Encyclopedia of Rhetoric and Composition, 1996). See Examples and Observations below. Also, the following readings provide examples and related concepts: Seneca Falls ResolutionsLanguage and Gender StudiesSusan B. Anthony and the struggle for womens right to voteRogerian Argument Examples and Observations The following examples and observations consider feminist rhetoric through different lenses, offering more contexts for understanding. Evolution of Feminist Rhetoric In the 1980s, feminist rhetoric scholars began making three moves: writing women into the history of rhetoric, writing feminist issues into theories of rhetoric, and writing feminist perspectives into rhetorical criticism. Initially, these scholars drew on feminist scholarship from other disciplines...Once inspired, however, feminist rhetoric scholars began writing scholarship from the site of rhetoric and composition... In the midst of this scholarly activity, intersections of rhetoric and feminist studies have been institutionalized within rhetoric and composition studies, thanks largely to the work of the Coalition of Women Scholars in the History of Rhetoric and Composition, which was organized by Winifred Horner, Jan Swearingen, Nan Johnson, Marjorie Curry Woods, and Kathleen Welch in 1988-1989 and was carried on by scholars such as Andrea Lunsford, Jackie Royster, Cheryl Glenn, and Shirley Logan. In 1996, the first edition of the coalitions newsletter, Peitho, was published by [Susan] Jarratt. Source: Krista Ratcliffe, The Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries. The Present State of Scholarship in the History of Rhetoric: A Twenty-First Century Guide, ed. by Lynà ©e Lewis Gaillet with Winifred Bryan Horner. University of Missouri Press, 2010 Rereading the Sophists We see a more community-based social version of feminist ethics in Susan Jarratts Rereading the Sophists. Jarratt views sophistic rhetoric as a feminist rhetoric and one with significant ethical implications. The sophists believed that law and truth derived from nomoi, local habits or customs that could change from city to city, region to region. The philosophers in the Platonic tradition, of course, challenged this sort of relativism, insisting on the ideal of Truth (logos, universal laws that would be acommunal). Source: James E. Porter, Rhetorical Ethics and Internetworked Writing. Ablex, 1998 Reopening the Rhetorical Canon The feminist rhetorical canon has been guided by two primary methodologies. One is feminist rhetorical recovery of previously ignored or unknown women rhetors. The other is theorizing of womens rhetorics, or what some have called gendered analysis, which involve developing a rhetorical concept or approach that accounts for rhetors who are excluded from traditional rhetoric. Source: K.J. Rawson, Queering Feminist Rhetorical Canonization. Rhetorica in Motion: Feminist Rhetorical Methods Methodologies, ed. by Eileen E. Schell and K.J. Rawson. University of Pittsburgh Press, 2010 [F]eminist rhetoric frequently occurs away from the platforms and statehouses of government. Feminist scholarship in rhetorical studies, as Bonnie Dow reminds us, must turn its attention to the variety of contexts in which feminist struggle occurs. Source: Anne Teresa Demo, The Guerrilla Girls Comic Politics of Subversion. Visual Rhetoric: A Reader in Communication and American Culture, ed. by Lester C. Olson, Cara A. Finnegan, and Diane S. Hope. Sage, 2008 A Feminist Rhetoric of Motives A feminist rhetoric of motives can recover the voices and philosophies of women in classical antiquity by restoring to feminine traits and voices the honor of a tradition (see [Marilyn] Skinner) and by granting them the human quality of agency (see, e.g., [Judith] Hughes). [James L.] Kinneavy wants to recover the positive aspects of persuasion under the heading of the audiences volition, free will, and assent, and is successful in this enterprise by borrowing for pisteuein [belief] elements gleaned from scanning forward into Christian pistis. The feminine aspects of persuading that have been denigrated as seduction can be similarly rescued through an examination of the close ties among emotion, love, adhesion, and persuasion in the pre-Socratic lexicon. Source: C. Jan Swearingen, Pistis, Expression, and Belief. A Rhetoric of Doing: Essays on Written Discourse in Honor of James L. Kinneavy, ed. by Stephen P. Witte, Neil Nakadate, and Roger D. Cherry. Southern Illinois University Press, 1992

Causes of road rage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Causes of road rage - Research Paper Example Road rage, aggressive behavior with the spouse etc are considered to be common instances related to this disorder. Standing (2007) also discussed the relation of this order with road rage. Road rage is one of the most common types of abusive behaviors that are experienced by people in their daily lives. Standing (2007) quoted a research in which the results concluded alarming figures; road rage causes hundreds of thousands of deaths every year and causes damage worth billions of dollars around the world. Leger Marketing (2001) also provided useful figures and stated that almost 20.4 % of the entire adult population in Canada has been known to be affected by different types of road rage incidents in the year 2001. This research also highlighted an interesting comparison regarding the number of males that are engaged in road rage incidents as compared to the female population; 23.2% men are known to be involved in road rage incidents as compared to 17.7% women. These are some of the common instances that are faced by individuals on the road and causes road rage. James and Nahl (2000) explained that even calm individuals tend to experience road rage since driving usually proves to become a stressful endeavor in the presence of various disturbing aspects. They enlisted around 15 factors that cause stress while driving, for example, traffic jam, noise pollution, changing temperatures, immobility etc. These factors cause stress among drivers and leads to lack of patience and tolerance when some unreasonable incident takes place on the road. Road rage is often taken as an excuse for a happening in someone’s life, for example, family trauma, running late for an appointment, alcoholism etc. Aggression and abusive behavior on the road should never be justified by any circumstances in one’s life since it is considered unethical under all conditions. Traffic rules should be followed religiously while driving since many