A day without technology Essay

How would you feel a day without using any technology? Living without technology will be totally impossible as this has become every day’s application as more and more people are gaining knowledge on how to make use of the communication tools to improve their ways of living and staying informed on the current technology to avoid being left behind. New technologies are being developed daily which shows that the industry will continue to grow and expand. People will continue using these technologies to improve their standards and to stay informed. Technology has influenced us in so many positive ways, from providing cellphones that can be used in the house, to around the world and provide so many other great features. With technology advancing every day the Market comes out with new phones with the latest styles. Now days a flip phone would be considered perhaps the plainest phone there is out there. When I was in elementary school I remember the first cell phone I saw was a medium grey phone that has a simple green background screen with black font. Couple months later, I recall my uncle buying a gray flip phone. This cell phone had a camera and had color. I thought it was way nicer then the first phone I had seen. As we see now flip phones are out, and the market hits us with more and more advanced phones. Like for example the touchscreens, androids, and the iPhone’s. As all this technology advances we want to get the latest and ask for more. Around the early 2000’s middle school students were rare to have cellphones. If we take a look now we see the elementary children even have cell phones. This has changed a lot throughout the years. My older sister which is now 23 years old never had a cell phone while living at home. I received my first phone when I was in 9th grade. My younger sister which is only 12 years old got her cellphone when she was started 6th grade. As we can see even the younger ones want the latest. thanks

An Evaluation of Amazon.Com

Many companies which embarked in e-commerce had failed especially during the period of the â€Å"dot. Com bubble†. The failure of these dot-comes were due to the fact that many of these companies do not have a viable business model and they were focus mainly on increasing their market share at the expense of their bottoming. Amazon. Com is one of those companies which had survived and grown to become the world's biggest online store. Several critical success factors have been identified which had played an Important role In Amazon's achievement. These can be summarized under Turban et. L's major SF, of which developing a good technical infrastructure and user friendly web interface, cultivating customer acceptance and Improving the level of trust between buyers and sellers through constant focus to satisfy customers' needs and expectations, understanding the market situation and competition and finding ways to overcome these external threats stands out amongst others as being practiced by Amazon. Amazon's success story can also be attributed to their adopting of Eisenhower and Gull's (2001) second strategy of nurturing and leveraging on unique resources and competencies.There is also an element of the first strategy recommended by Eisenhower and Soul lee to establish a position (build a fortress) and defend it. Amazon has managed to create a global brand name within the e-community, to the extent that whenever anyone wants to purchase any goods through the web, they will seek out Amazon's website without any hesitation. The burst of the dot. Com bubble that started on March 10, 2000 to October 2002 had wiped out $5 trillion in market value of technology companies and caused the failure of many e-commerce companies.Amazon. Com had managed to survive due to the strategies adopted, especially their strategy to nurture and leverage unique resources and competencies as recommended by Eisenhower and Soul. Other critical success factors of Amazon. Com are as li sted by Turban et al (2000), which states that for e-commerce to succeed, companies should provide user-friendly web interface, ensuring customer acceptance and high level of trust between buyers and toys sellers, creating new partners Ana alliance, mass customization.Amazon Ana always placed priority on ensuring customer satisfaction, and due to this are constantly reengineering their processes in marketing, sales and order management, customer service and procurement in order to provide the best value to customers. The fall of internet-based companies during the era of the dot. Com bubble can be attributed to the fact that many of these companies were not guided by proper strategies to succeed in e-commerce. Many do not have viable business models in place but were focused mainly on increasing their market share at the expense of their bottoming (Wisteria's article on â€Å"Dot. Mom bubble†). While Amazon had remained frugal, many of these failed dot-comes had spent lavishl y and used up most of their investor's funds for advertising and promotion purposes. Too much emphasis was placed on increasing stock-valuations and going public, instead of building a sound business that focus on strong customer relations (Gleaners, 2000). When the returns on their investments were low or not attractive enough, the investors started to pull out causing the collapse of these companies. I would like to take the example of Boo. Mom as one of the famous dot. Com failures. Boo. Com was launched in the Autumn of 1999, to sell branded fashion wear online. Within a short span of 18 months, the company had been placed into receivership after spending $188 million of venture capitalists' funds. The fundamental problem was that the company had been too ambitious and embarked on an extremely aggressive growth plan which is not sustainable. The company targeted itself to become a global company and simultaneously launched in multiple European countries.Its founders had relied o n the ready availability of venture capital money to see the company through the first few years of trading until sales caught up with operating expenses. From the 2nd quarter of 2000, such capital ceased to be available after dramatic falls in the NASDAQ and this affected the company very badly Boo. Com failed to follow the most important critical success factors recommended by Turban et. L ii to provide a user-friendly web interface and technical infrastructure. According to Wisped, the boo. Mom website was â€Å"widely criticized as poorly designed for its target audience, going against many usability conventions†. The article went on to elaborate that â€Å"The site relied heavily on JavaScript and Flash technology to display pseudo-AD views of wares as well as Miss Boo, a sales- assistant-style avatar. † Its interface was also very non user friendly, and required the user to answer four or five different questions before revealing that there were no products in st ock in a particular sub-section. The same basic questions then had to be answered again until results were found.During that time, dial up internet connections was the norm and when the web pages take too long to load, or too cumbersome to navigate on the site, visitors will be discouraged from visiting the site. Another critical success Doctor Is tenure must De a level AT trust Detente Dryers Ana sellers. Rejection and return rate of products sold was high. Although delivery for return of goods was free, confidence level of customers became low and affected the sales for the company. Due to the lack of confidence, customer acceptance is badly effected.Severe competition is another factor faced by many BBC companies and affected their chances to survive. Competition for market share is stiff amongst these dot- comes, and they also had to compete with existing brick-and-mortar companies which already had a dedicated and loyal customer base and trusted store names (Duncan, 2000). Thin gs worsened when the brick-and-mortars started going online. Robbing (2001) added that the dot-comes then had to spend more on advertising in order to gain brand recognition and this further strained their financial resources and caused their downfall.From its inception, Amazon. Com had in place various strategies which have helped it survive the dot. Com bust. In many ways, we can relate the strategies adopted by Amazon to the three distinct ways to compete in the marketplace as recommended by Eisenhower & Soul. In fact, Amazon has adopted a good mix of all the three approaches. Its first strategy was to establish a clear vision, ‘e to be the world's most customer-centric company and to establish a place where customers could buy anything.They have managed to build a fortress and positioned itself as the world's biggest online bookstore, and eve now become the world's most popular online store for almost any type of goods. Another strategy was to leverage on available resourc es especially from their technology standpoint. As the company had already incurred high fixed costs to develop the software for their online storefronts, it makes sense to expand into other product categories in order to reach out to a wider market, and share out the costs amongst the various product segments.By offering a bigger variety of products, the company can tap into a bigger market, while spreading out its risks as well as their axed costs amongst a large category of products, in order to generate more profits. In this instance, it has an advantage over specialty stores like Pets. Com, an online pet supplies store. It may not be practical to order products like pet food or other needs and have to wait several days for the goods to arrive, or in the case of Furniture. Com which sells basically furniture items, it does not make sense when the shipping costs may be more than the cost of the item itself.Amazon. Com was also mindful of the critical success factors expounded by Turban et. L by forming powerful alliances with other companies in order to increase their market share. Examples are their collaboration with rival Borders, the introduction of the Amazon's Associates and Affiliates Program, and partnerships with many other companies. I Nell alma to tall inelegance In e-commerce as tenet performance goal (Eisenhower and Soul) was evident from the numerous partnerships and strategic alliances formed with other BBC enterprises.In order to attract customers, the website must be user-friendly and easy to navigate, which Amazon had taken action to ensure. This is another critical success factor commended by Turban et. Al which Amazon had taken heed of, which makes them succeed where Boo. Com had failed. Amazon also offer personalized shopping recommendations, which add value to customers' shopping experience. On the other hand, Boo. Com operated a complicated Web site which relied heavily on JavaScript and Flash, and their web page was very slow to load . This became a distinct disadvantage especially during the time when Internet connection was usually dial-up.For many of the failed companies, the focus was not on creating value for customers but more to establish the company's worth. Amazon on the other hand placed priority on enhancing customer experience and trust which ultimately will translate to customer loyalty and repeat purchases. This strategy has always been in place since its early days and is articulated in their annual reports. According to their tradition, the annual reports will always carry a reprint of their 1997 Letter to Shareholders, in which they had stated their commitment to this mission.As Jeff Bozos stated in their 2008 Annual Report, their pricing objective is to earn customer's trust (Appendix – Message from Jeff Bozos to shareholders of Amazon. Com). Amazon. Mom has already established its dominance in the BBC sector and is now one of the biggest and most popular online store in the world. Their success can be attributed to the fact that they have strong strategies in place. In order to maintain their position as the leader in e-commerce, Amazon must ensure that all these strategies continue to be adopted and further enhanced.Amazon will have to constantly upgrade their website to keep abreast of technology development. Amazon has one of the most easy-to-use e-commerce platform in the world. They are constantly improving on their technology base with the aim to enhance customer experience and meet customers' expectations. They are able to provide personalized recommendations for customers, based on feedback provided by the customers on their likes and dislikes, tracks customer's browsing history and viewing records.They even track a visitor's recently viewed items even though the person was not a member at that point in time, or signed on to the account earlier. That is how customer-centric the company is, and how they make use of technology to enhance customer experience. Another example of the use of technology to meet customer needs is their launch of Kindle 2†³, which is an improved version of Kindle, a wireless reading device that is capable of holding 1,500 books and weighs a mere 10. 2 ounce.Digital books purchased are delivered within 60 seconds, and customers can enjoy their reading anywhere, anytime wilt ten mainly module evolve. Having learnt from the experience of those failed dot-comes which did not possess viable business models unlike Amazon, new players in e-commerce must now ensure that they draw up an effective marketing strategy so that they can attract customers to their site to generate sales. To become successful, companies embarking in the BBC business must reengineering their business process to suit the needs of the changing environment and business rules.While a viable business model is important, its successful implementation can only be possible through process re-engineering that covers various aspects of the value c hain. The fundamental area that needs to be targeted for process reengineering is in Sales and order management. In Amazon's case, customers can track the delivery of their orders, and this creates a sense of trust in the customers when they know the exact location in the shipment of the goods ordered. Amazon has always placed priority and strong values on developing top class customer service so that customers remain loyal to them, as this will generate repeat orders.Customer satisfaction can be achieved when the company is able provide a variety of products and services that meets their expectation. While the company expands its coverage and market reach, it must be able to develop a good distribution channel so that customers can expect to receive their goods in the shortest possible time. This will be possible through leveraging on the network of suppliers, business customers, partners and even their competitors. Amazon. Com has now become an icon of the e-commerce community.

Project Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Project Management - Assignment Example There are two fundamental scheduling network techniques known as Critical Path Method (CPM) and Program evaluation and review technique (PERT). However, use of CPM technique has greatly increased in the last many years. This technique is advantageous as it covers both scheduling and costing of projects (Meredith and Mantel, 2009). Under the CPM, a project is divided into nodes, and initial event is taken as 0 and final as n event. Time taken for completion of tasks in a project is denoted as x1, x2,†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦xn. For example, a good network diagram is developed that also requires the list of all activities on the work breakdown structure (WBS). Duration of each activity is determined that results into a critical path, which is the least time for completion of a project. For a project, critical path is determined by adding the duration of activities of different paths starting from start to finish of a project as shown in the

Vulnerable population Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Vulnerable population - Essay Example They entail IDEA, ADA, Rehabilitation Act, Housing facility Act and Telecommunication Act and their amendments, the open and closed ended entitlement programs for disabled insurance and benefits, and the federal and state grant programs. This document provides a discussion on these people in the US society and also covers the 2020 objectives of ensuring healthy people in the disabled population, and the various roles of nurses in supporting this vulnerable group. Keywords: Disability, Nurses, Statistics, Policies, Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Barriers to Healthcare, Public Health, Age Introduction There is a big number of disabled people in the world population than anyone could ever imagine. While some can speak up for themselves and appear in the public, others are left under homecare and centres. Disabilities vary; they could be permanent or temporary and could affect varying body parts and functions. According to the US federal government, disability is defined â€Å"as a mental or physical impairment, which substantially limits one or more major life activities,† hence, ranging from physiological to psychological disorders and more non listed conditions (Wisconsin Department of Health services, 2013). Federal and States Policies on Disability The government has since the last century made efforts to remove the barriers in the society that prevent the disabled from enjoying their rights as the rest of the people. In these modern times, the employers, learning institutions and most organizations have to respect the public policies and provide opportunities for this group. Over the last century, laws were enacted and have been amended over time to enable the improved living conditions of the disabled in the society. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its amendment in 1988 makes it possible for all people to access housing without discrimination, ensures disabled people are free to rent or buy a house, and requires proprietors of housing facilitie s to design housing units for the disabled with their policies exclusions in mind (U.S. Department of justice, 2009). The revised Telecommunication Act of 1996 works to ensure that the disabled group has access to usable equipment and service. This could imply special equipments with features to facilitate their operation. The disabled students are also facilitated with appropriate education in an environment that fits their individual needs. The Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees individuals with disabilities a free appropriate public education, and requires that the public school system follow a recommended procedure in development of individualized education program (IEP) for each child (U.S. Department of justice, 2009). The other two civil rights statutes are ADA and the Rehabilitation Act that are of great concern in the modern society. The Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA) â€Å"prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, public ser vices, public accommodations, and Telecommunications† and the Rehabilitation Act â€Å"prohibits discrimination by recipients of Federal Aid† (â€Å"Federal Disability Policy Framework† n.d., p. 5). Others are grant and entitlement programs that provide insurance or other benefits in the respective states. 2020 Objective The 2020

Stay Regionalized of West Morris Regional School District in NJ Research Paper

Stay Regionalized of West Morris Regional School District in NJ - Research Paper Example Representative James Button is one of the most outspoken shareholders on the West Morris Regional High School District Board of Education. He is pushing for the school district to build two new high schools and re-appropriating the students from all five counties into the two new high schools. In re-appropriating, the students from all five counties into four high schools would help improve the district's scores on state tests. Kristen Forrester is the president of the West Morris Regional High School District Board of Education. Forrester is from Washington Township. James Button claims that students from Washington Township receive $10,000 per student in state funds, Phil Garber (1). The students from the other counties in the district received $22,000 per student in state funds, Phil Garber (1). The Education Commissioner Brett Schundler and New Jersey State Governor Chris Christie support a change in the district; because it could save the towns the cost of a study, Phil Garber (1). The biggest consequence of building a high school for all the towns in the West Morris Regional High School District would be that the taxes in all the towns would increase. If all of the taxes in the towns increase it would be; because the cost to the state to build two new high schools would be astronomical. Another main concern of building a high school for all of the towns is, the cost per student would begin to decrease. The taxes would increase in all of the towns, but this would be to augment the cost of building the two new high schools. If taxes increase in the towns only to augment the cost of building the two new high schools, there would be no money left over to appropriate to the students.  

Prepare a marketing plan for a product or service Essay

Prepare a marketing plan for a product or service - Essay Example The next section of the discussion illustrates the market segmentation targeting and positioning procedure of the organisation for the Delta brand. The segmentation and targeting process of the organisation has selected the high and medium population density locations of the urban market of China. The process has also targeted the busy professional, students and large family oriented populations within the age bracket of 12-30 years. The marketing plan has selected the cost leadership and market penetration strategy to ensure growth within the China market. The next section has detailed the marketing mix elements such as product, pricing, promotional process, placement, people management and customer service process. This section has recommended essential steps to create a strong and successful marketing plan. Finally, the study has illustrated the implementation procedure through Gantt chart. This Chart has detailed the eight month implantation plan of product marketing. It has also elaborated various tools to monitor and control the implementation process. The study is based on designing a marketing plan for a hypothetical soft drink manufacturing and retailing company in China. The discussion will evaluate the marketing plan for Delta carbonated soft drink in the China market. The product is planned to be manufactured and retail within China market by Semtex Plc, a medium sized fruit and soft drink manufacturing and retailing company. The marketing plan includes various essential actions such as situational analysis of the market and organisation, objectives setting, market segmentation and targeting, market strategy design, evaluation of marketing mix and resource allocation and budgeting. The discussion will further elaborate the implementation and monitoring plan for the proposed marketing strategies. The situation analysis of market will detail the macro and micro environment of the organisation. The macro environmental analysis will

The Life and Works of James Baldwin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Life and Works of James Baldwin - Essay Example James, who was exposed to the religiosity of his stepfather, learned the significance of faith and religion in his life. Although David was not a caring stepfather, his religiosity influenced James and his brothers in a way that David had instilled Catholic morals on the family. For one, James became a youth minister in a Pentecostal Church in Harlem even at the age of 14. With his conformity to religious standards and intellectual pursuits, James gained recognition and lasting impression from his teachers, as well as his neighbors. To the people in their locality, James was considered as intelligent and righteous. He carried these values along with him as he struggled for the Negro race through participating in political and social activities as a writer. The deep religious foundations of Baldwin’s morality were later shown in his writings, as well as his preference for non-violent activism over bloody riots. As a child, James loved to read, and, during his school years, he showed an inclination toward writing. Although James showed his exemplary writing ability even in high school, he was not able to pursue his college education and other plans due to financial constraints. As the eldest child, James had to put his dreams aside and support his mother in sending his seven younger brothers to school. Thus, in his own discretion, James struggled to find a job after he graduated in high school in 1942. While putting his dreams aside means compromising his passion and talent, James considered his family as the most important part of his life. Finding a sustainable job was difficult for James. The fact that the year during which he lived was dominated by prejudice and racial discrimination, James was frequently warded off by employe rs mainly because of his color. This situation made him take whatever job opportunities that came along his way. For instance, he took the job in the railroad in New Jersey from which he was again dismissed for no apparent reason. Another significant event in James’ life was the death of his stepfather on the 29th of July 1943. On this day, also, her mother gave birth to his eighth sibling. This means that their family had grown larger, which, in turn, means that he needed to earn more for his family. In 1945, James’ life took an unexpected turn. Although, he worked during the day, he still found time to write a novel during his spare hours. His passion to read and write offered opportunities that influenced the rest of his life. For instance, he had the chance to meet Richard Wright, a writer, who helped James found a fellowship that could publish his works and support his writing expenses. In those times also, James was able to publish his stories and essays with Com mentary, The Nation, and Partisan Review, three of the most popular national publications during that time. As James was able to gain an audience for his literary works, his popularity also grew, and he was able to visit different American cities with his writing colleagues. By the year 1948, James moved to Paris as he was able to find another fellowship there. James’ stay in Paris enabled him to observe America in a distance; he was able to analyze the American social and political situation critically especially in relation to the African Americans, his race. Considering the wide view by which James observed the socio-political status of America, he was able to evaluate the American system of government objectively. Additionally, he was able to see clearly where he began, which developed in him the sense of determined destination. Thus, James’ stay in France enabled him to see both his beginning and his purposive end. While in France, James was able t

Humane Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Humane Society - Essay Example This paper declares that a municipal shelter is run by a country, city or by the general public entity. It is funded by the taxpayers. The employees of such shelters are the civil servants who might not have any experience for working with animals. Such shelters fall under the sponsorship of the government for example streets and road maintenance. Their basic job is defined in municipal codes, which means to pick up wandering and irritant animals and then reunite them with their owners. Though, some municipal shelters do a fine job of bringing back together the animals with their proprietors and even finding homes for their wanderings, but most of these shelters do a poor job in this spot. It is decided that many municipal shelters does not have permission to do much more than reunite or slay, but even here many shelters are unsuccessful to assemble the smallest amount of standards. This essay explores that a shelter managed by the streets and hygiene area may come under the purview of a branch head who knows much about road maintenance but not a lot about caring for animals. These shelters might consist of employees that are associates and relatives of political appointees. Such people may have no backdrop in the care of animals and no sense of responsibility to the animals. If truth be told, several of these shelters see the work occupied in sheltering animals as a pain to be minimized through killing as many animals as probable and as quick as possible. Many shelters where animals are slaughtered because of a believed lack of space when, in actual fact, all the cages are empty. Certainly, it takes a lot more work to uphold cages full of animals than to keep them unfilled. In contrast, a private shelter is funded by private donations and provides a safe home for lost and misplaced animals. Their basic task is to find home for such animals. Employees of these shelters are volunteers who are at least a bit knowledgeable about caring for such animals. Many of the private shelters do a wonderful work of placing animals. However, they frequently kill those animals that are hard to find homes for. This contains animals that have constant but treatable health circumstances, for example diabetes, or has disabilities that are not life threatening, or are supposed to be unwanted. In addition, a lot of private shelters still keep their animals in cages that are not considered for the long lasting care of animals that can never get a home. Some of the shelters refer to themselves as "no kill." No Kill is a widespread movement for animal shelter improvement. It is advocated by Winograd with a simple policy of not to euthanize animals. Such kinds of policies are known as "no kill." The phrase No Kill is distinct by practices whereby no animal is killed any other reason such as to ease the suffering of the animal, or the animal is violent, unmanageable, the animal is sick, handicapped, or unappealing, or it has some behavioral issues. However, animals are not killed just because there isn't enough space at the shelter. Such shelters

Rhetorical Analysis of a Controversy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Rhetorical Analysis of a Controversy - Essay Example In the wake of violence involving guns, the ban on guns is a hot topic nowadays. A lot of people have been killed in college or schools shootings in the recent years. Moreover, other crimes are also happening in the US. Having a gun for self-defense is a constitutional right of citizens of many countries around the world. Same is the case with the US. Every US citizen is allowed in the Constitution to keep an allowed model of gun for self-defense. So this constitutional section is a big bar behind banning general people to have guns. So it might not be possible to ban the possession of guns altogether. However, it is possible to regulate this matter in an intelligent manner, so that no one will be able to misuse guns which are meant to defend rather than to terrorize or kill others. In the recent years, we have seen many incidents around the world where a kid took the gun of his or her parents and shot either a parent or someone else. Although there are many shooting events that have triggered the discussion about banning the guns, the occasions or situations that gave rise to the controversy are the shooting accidents in the recent years. This occasion took lives of many people. In some cases, the shooter himself committed suicide after killing a lot of people. There were plenty of shooting incidents in the year 2014. A large number of precious lives ended due to these shootings. It is not difficult to identify that who is the stakeholder. There is no denying the fact that a person who dies cannot be gained back again.

Fair trade- how good is fair trade Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Fair trade- how good is fair trade - Essay Example only do they feel penalised for having saved, they also pay a premium for being capable of meeting their own costs, and allow local authorities to carry on paying less than the full cost! Looking for a care home is not easy. People are often doing so under time pressures and in the wake of huge emotional upset. So they need as much information as possible, not least about how much it will cost. The report recommends setting up a one-stop shop specialising in care home information, and this, along with the recommendation that regulations should be amended to make clearer price information a requirement on homes, could make a big difference for many vulnerable people. Those who are meeting their own fees will then see that the home they are considering charges self-funders more than those who are placed by local authorities. And families searching for a home for someone who qualifies for local authority support will also be able to see that there are few - if any - homes in the locality that are prepared to take publicly-funded residents without recourse to the family 'topping-up'. The need for a 'third party top-up' often means that the price the local authority has se t is insufficient to enable the home to operate. So this move towards greater transparency will go some way towards creating 'fair trade in care' and may, for some homes, make the difference between carrying on in business or closing, making existing residents homeless and reducing choices available to future generations. I am optimistic about the scope for change and improvement. But I should not get too carried away, as there is evidence that a very large number of people have either no contract, or one containing unfair terms. And this is despite an earlier study (OFT 1998) identifying contractual...Every one of us has probably seen reports or heard something about demonstrations against globalisation when international organizations like the WTO meet. One example was the G8 meeting in July 2001. So we have to ask us the question why there are some people who protest against globalisation and also against the free trade the WTO stands for. The main complain and concern of these groups is unfairness. They say free trade is unfair, the low wages are unfair, the poor working conditions of foreign workers, the environmental standards in less developed countries, the high profits of multinational corporations, the inequality in incomes around the world, everything is unfair. If these reproofs are true i t would mean that also free trade and globalisation is unfair. However the people of international institutions and multinational corporations who are in favour of free trade and globalisation also use the term fairness in their arguments. If a multinational company pays low wages in less developed countries, they can claim that the wages are still fair set because they are above the legal minimum wage standards and that the workers would not get a better opportunity in a company of their country or their government. The WTO and other international organisations consider free trade even as help because it will promote economic growth, which in turn will raise the living standards throughout the whole world and reduce also the income inequality in the future.

Guitar Salon International Essay Example for Free

Guitar Salon International Essay The instrument I have chosen to research is the guitar. The history of the invention and manufacturing of this instrument can be traced as far back as 400 A. D, when Spain was occupied by the Romans. The guitar is seen as a direct descendent of the Roman tanbur or cithara; drawing influences from the Arabic ud and undergoing a number of modifications to finally become the acoustic or electric guitar that we see being used by some of today’s biggest artistes. The following two websites contain information about the history of the instrument and the manufacturing process: Guitar Salon International (www. guitarsalon. com) Fender Guitars (www. fender. com) The influence of the guitar on music performance is perhaps most evident in the evolution of rock n roll and blues. The music movement that began with Bo Diddley and gradually separated into myriad styles like grunge, pop rock and punk that have dominated the last fifty years or so of popular western music is heavily dependent on the guitar. Although the list of famous performers is an exhaustive one, the two names that really stand out are Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy, for their innovativeness and their lasting impact on pop culture. The creativity of the two artistes might be rooted in the fact that neither received any formal training. The following two websites contain all the relevant information from the artiste’s biography to the details of his releases and performances: www. jimihendrix. com www. buddyguy. net Music 2 Apart from the famous performers like Hendrix and Guy who revolutionized guitar playing, the instrument has also been utilized quite often by composers. Given the tonal range of the instrument, from the delicate acoustic sound to the raw, driven electric guitar sound, composers often write pieces intended to be performed on the guitar. Once again, if we look at the realm of pop culture, where cross medium interaction is abundant, two guitar pieces jump to mind for their resonance with the other content; the Top Gun theme and the guitar piece from Tarantino’s classic, Pulp Fiction. Harold Faltermeyer, the composer of the former is best known for his work in Top Gun and Beverly Hills Cop. The version of the Greek wedding song, Misirlou used in Pulp fiction was composed and performed by Dick Dale, the iconic guitar player who pioneered the Surf Rock movement. Detailed information on these two composers can be found on the following websites: www. dickdale. com www. haroldfaltermeyer. net The sheer volume of guitar pieces that have been composed over the years makes it near impossible to list the five most famous ones, but based on popular demand, here are the five that have captured the minds of listeners. Stairway to Heaven- Jimmy Page Eruption- Van Halen Free Bird- Allen Collins and Gary Rossington Eric Johnson- Cliffs of Dover Stevie Ray Vaughn- Texas Flood Music 3 The following two websites contain detail lists of the greatest guitar pieces of all time: www. guitarworld. com www. mahalo. com

Critically Analyse The Social Penetration Theory Psychology Essay

Critically Analyse The Social Penetration Theory Psychology Essay Social penetration theory was first proposed by Altman and Taylor in 1973. There after it was further developed by Altman. This theory is a general approach to interpersonal attraction that looks at the development of an interpersonal relationship from acquaintanceship to close friendship as a gradual and systematic process. It also looks at how friendship moves from peripheral and superficial levels of exchange to intimate friends (Green 219). The growth of relationship is influenced by three main factors namely; situational factors, personality and cost. Therefore, when future and actual outcomes are favorable, penetration develops to more intimate areas. Social penetration theory describes the growth of personal relationships as rooted in the self disclosure. The theory explains that the increase in intimacy in relationship is as a result of individuals sharing increasingly information about themselves with each other. When people meet for the first time, they tend to share information which is general and impersonal thus limiting the range of the topics they discuss. As these people learn about each other and time passes the depth of their disclosure increases thus revealing personal information. The breadth of disclosure increases and the individuals are able to discuss a range of topics. The authors of this theory suggest that the growth of a relationship continues if the regards that each partner gets are greater that the costs they believe they incur. Social penetration theory depends mostly on the positive association between disclosure and the degree to which partners are emotionally committed in their relationship. Thus partners who freely disclose more information to each other have greater relational satisfaction and stability. More so, there is a linear relationship between intimacy and disclosure. For example partners experience dialectical tensions between being open and closed on what they discuss with each other. The social penetration theory holds one important assumption that mutual profit from the partners interaction acts as a vehicle to the level of exchange and grows over time in a given relationship (Nicotera 103). The theory is mostly concerned with information exchange though it also makes use of expression of positive and negative effect in mutual activities as other forms of exchange. Situational influence, personality and rewards are factors which help in promoting social penetration process which is retarding. Also, the intensity and extent of self disclosure act as operation measure of social penetration. Self disclosure measure is used in measuring personality traits that affect disclosure thus providing intimate information about a person. Situational factors are mostly concerned with the ability to enter or get out of a relationship freely. It is also concerned with the level of such relationship to another person (Altman and Arnold 345). Relationships are perceived to develop symmetrically. Interpersonal exchanges develop from superficial to non-intimate area to deeper degrees of selves of the interacting people. In this case, individual therefore evaluate the balance of rewards and costs of the past and present exchanges. This evaluation is used as a basis of forecasting the cost and reward implication for future exchanges which may be made. Social penetration theory is different from other exchange theories because it brings forward the issue of the self and also gives special attention to the issue of self disclosure. Social penetration is achieved through disclosure which shows the real self in providing the proper context for the facilitation of disclosure (Nicotera 103. Research using the theory Longitudinal studies have been carried out in attempt to investigate the functions of the social penetration theory. The study revealed that there was a pattern of reciprocal exchange over time as well as an equity norm which is related to the intimacy level of the disclosure. The study also revealed that short patterns were part of the larger fluctuations. Considerable evidence indicates that through out young adulthood and adolescence, self disclosure is an important factor in of formation of friend ship and its maintenance. This is because self disclosure increases both in depth and breadth as relationships develops. Therefore, the growing intimate formation shows the mechanism through which formation of relationship is done as well as a reflection of the level of closeness. Several studies using strangers show that individuals who engage in intimate disclosure are more liked than those individuals who restrict disclosure to topics which are not intimate. Consistent with social penetration theory, this explains that people are getting attracted to other people who are free to disclose their personal information. This is because such disclosure signs cause the desire for closeness. However in the early stages of a relationship, disclosures of intimate information can act as a hindrance to the development of a relationship (Green 219). Cases of disliking have been witnessed where a stranger disclose his intimate information. There is some indication that within a single conversation, personal information revealed later in the relationship is received better than a persons information revealed earlier. Meill and Duck conducted a study which shows that the studies on strangers generalize friendship formation in the real world. These researchers asked some college students how they would collect information about a probable friend, how they would decide to pursue the relationship and modulate the rate of development. Students gave a report that friendship formation process operate in interactions with probable friends until a decision is made on whether to continue with the relationship or not. Many studies on friendship formation support many of the propositions of by Altman and Taylor. For example, the research on the college students was consistent with the social penetration theory (Littlejohn 121). College student roommates who developed the closest friendships reported to have exchanged more information and more intimate information across all categories. Self disclosure is a process through which friendship is initiated and also it is through it that people try to maintain their relationship. Studies have shown that young adults deliberately use intimate disclosure as a way of sustaining their relationship. A research by Rosenfeld and Kendrick supports the social penetration theory. The research indicates that the most common reasons that young adults had for disclosing their personal information to friends were friendship enhancement and maintenance. The study shows that friends can be differentiated from non-friends in terms of both the quality and quantity of their disclosure (Husain 78). Very close friends not only disclose more of their personal information than strangers, but they also disclose more intimate information. The research also indicates that best friends are more likely to receive highly personal disclosures than none intimate friends. There is more superficial and casual disclosure among friends than intimate discl osure. Young adults exchange the most personal information but on the other hand friends only exchange moderate personal information. Critique of social penetration theory Altman and Taylor came up with social penetration theory in an attempt to explain peoples relationships. The degree of self disclosure has a major task in the grown of relationship. Their theory is very direct and simple thus making it possible for one to understand. In addition, in this theory the authors have used many aspects which can relate to the real world. The social penetration theory outlines what people go through when forming a relationship. This is clearly shown by the authors when they said that people will continue or discontinue with a relationship depending on the costs and rewards involved. In this theory it is very easy to predict what will happen in future. This is because if the costs involved in information exchange are more that the rewards received, then the individuals or partners will end the relationship (Littlejohn 121). On the other hand, if the rewards involved in information exchange are more than the cost involved, then the partners will continue with the relationship. In addition this theory is very easy to understand. This is because it only has four hypothesis and three variables involved. Altman and Taylor based their theory of social penetration theory on cost and reward. This indicates that people first evaluate a relationship on the basis of the rewards and costs involved and then decide whether to continue or not (Husain 78). This is not true because one should not be in relationship just because of the benefits expected. Relationship should therefore be evaluated on many other factors but not only on gains and costs. The authors try to suggest that people will always form a relationship if they are guaranteed that there are some benefits to be earned from it. Most people are selfless and will form a relationship regardless of whether there are costs to be incurred or benefits to be earned from it. Altman and Taylor associate people who are engaged to a communication process to onions. The authors state that when people meet for the first time, they hide their information just like the onion layers (Green 219). As people continue to meet, they share their personal information and thus shed off the layers making it easy to understand one another. The layers of self disclosure have different levels of depth and breadth and this can be reached through the topics shared and the nature of information in these topics. Social penetration theory shows the status of a person is changed from public to private. Therefore, a person at some time may disclose more personal information than other times. A person may still not share any personal information with a private person if the person is not pleasing at all. This therefore indicates that according to the social penetration theory, it is not guaranteed that a relationship will develop positively from time to time (Altman and Arnold 345). The social penetration theory gives a possibility of differentiation between the different types and forms of the relationships by providing the notions of personality breadth and personality depth. The theory also gives a description of the different phases involved in a relationship. The relationships development is explained by the dimensions of the social penetration process (Littlejohn 121). A social relationship develops through interactions that let the relationship entities discover new elements of the counterparts personality. The personality element that get shared among the relationship parties are structured into two dimensions. These dimensions include personality breadth and personality depth. The breadth of personality has two further dimensions which include the categories and the frequencies of interactions. The frequency states the number of interactions within such a category. On the other hand, the depth of the personality represents a layering element within the entitys personality. The outer layers of the personality have more elements. According to the social penetration theory, the inner layers are more personal and fewer where the central characteristics of ones personality are found. The disclosure of elements of higher personality depth gets more difficult with further advancements as these inner elements are better protected and a disclosure can be associated with risk.

Research on the Defence of Diminished Responsibility

Research on the Defence of Diminished Responsibility Research Proposal Provocation, diminished responsibility and the reasonable (wo)man; the implications of the Law Reform Commission’s recommendations. Introduction The crime of murder is one defined by the common law as the intention to unlawfully kill another human being with malice afore thought. Currently, in England and Wales the legal system does not differentiate between different ‘types’ of murder, such as first and second degree.[1] There are however, defences available to defendants, which could enable either an acquittal (some general defences), or a conviction of some lesser offence (specific defences). Under the Homicide Act 1957 an individual can plead the defences of provocation, diminished responsibility or claim that he or she was involved in a suicide pact. If such defences are successful, this will have the result of bringing a charge of murder down to one of manslaughter and thus, termed ‘voluntary manslaughter’. The first of the two defences have developed a considerable amount of case law and many of these decisions have related to abusive relationships where the abused has killed the alleged abuse r. The law relating to the defence of provocation has held that an individual must have been provoked (by either words or actions), resulting in a total loss of self control,[2] and that a reasonable person in the same situation would have acted in the same manner. The first two aspects of the defence have been referred to as the ‘subjective’ elements and the third part as ‘objective’. The so-called objective element has become more and more subjective in nature. In R v Camplin, Lord Diplock acknowledged that the test was not ‘wholly objective’[3] and in the case of R v Smith (Morgan James)[4] it was asserted that the characteristics of the defendant should be attributed to the ‘reasonable person’ and this includes not only characteristics that had bearing on the actual provocation, but also on the ability of an individual to maintain his or her self control. In context of the so-called ‘battered wife’ cases, the judiciary have also applied this principle.[5] The specific defences outlined above are justified on the basis that in some circumstances, the law should recognise that there are reasons as to why an individual should not be convicted of the more serious offence of murder and thus, subject to a mandatory life sentence. The issue with the provocation defence relating to an individual who has suffered long-term abuse, is that such individuals will not always be able to rely on it as there may be some aspect of pre-meditation. The law has also recognised that such individuals suffering from some ‘abnormality of mind’ may not be fully responsible for his or her conduct and therefore should be convicted of manslaughter instead of murder. The effect of abuse on an individual’s mental state can in certain circumstances, amount to an ‘abnormality of mind’ and thus satisfy the defence of diminished responsibility.[6] The purpose of the proposed research is to examine the current state of the law and look at the way in which abused women are dealt with when charged with murder. In line with the Law Commission’s proposals to reform the law of homicide, the research will also examine the extent to which the proposed change in the law will impact on this area. It is submitted that the current state of the law is not adequate in dealing with such individuals and it remains to be answered as to whether the proposals will make any real difference. The Law Commission’s Consultation Paper proposes to maintain the defence of diminished responsibility and comments that there are no grounds for abolishing the defence based upon arguments that it gender discriminatory. The paper comments at one point: â€Å"Was the abnormality of mental functioning really a substantial cause of the defendant’s conduct if other factors were at work? Or, were the other factors, jealousy, anger, a desire to dominate or punish, the real or predominant explanation, with the abnormality of mind being a minor background factor of inadequate moral significance to affect the verdict?†[7] The research will examine the defence of provocation and the so-called objective element in order to determine how this fits with the nature of a long term build up of abuse suffered by some women. Is there a true ‘loss of control’ in such circumstances and is it appropriate to attribute the full characteristics of such people to the reasonable (wo)man? Furthermore, by also enabling such individuals to plead the defence of diminished responsibility, as the above quote would seem to suggest, is the law simply ‘categorising’ these people to as their conduct is not viewed quite as seriously as a person who commits murder? Thus, the term ‘abnormality of mind’ is not one used in psychiatric terminology and the courts have been left to establish exactly what the phrase means on a case-by-case basis. It seems doubtful as to whether this is a sufficient approach for the law to take. Objectives Analyse the current law relating to the defences of provocation and diminished responsibility and establish how these apply to women in long-term abusive relationships. Present the justifications for the defences and apply them in context of the proposed research theme. Establish the proposed reforms in the area. Critically analyse the proposed reforms in line with the research topic in order to determine whether they are sufficient. Value of the Research Add to the current academic debate in this field. Establish the appropriateness of the Law Commission’s reforms. Personal interest to the researcher. Theoretical research based on literature search and critical analysis. Sources: Domestic legislation, cases in domestic and international jurisdictions Books and periodical articles. Law Commission Reports. Statistics from the Home Office (relating to domestic violence/fatal offences from domestic relationships). Preliminary Plan (Chapters) Abstract Introduction and overview of the topic Analysis of the existing law on provocation/diminished responsibility Analysis of the Law Commission’s proposals for reform Conclusion (including any further suggestions for the direction the law should take for the future). Essential Reading: (As well as the most current academic text books on the subject) Legislation: Homicide Act 1957 Family Law Act 1996 – see Part IV relating to domestic violence provisions Protection From Harassment Act 1997 See also the Law Reform’s paper: The Law Commission Consultation Paper No 177, A New Homicide Act For England And Wales? At http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp177_web.pdf Cases: Jersey v Holley [2005] UKPC 23 R v Mohammed [2005] EWCA Crim 180 R v Ahluwalia (1992) 4 All.E.R 889 R v Bedder (1954) 2All.E.R. 801 DPP v Camplin (1978) A.C. 705 R v Duffy [1949] 1 All.E.R 932 R v Newell (1980) 71 Cr.App.R. 331 R v Roberts [1990] Crim.L.R 122 R v Thornton (No.2) (1996) 2 All.E.R 1023 R v Richens (1993) 4 All.E.R 877 R v Humphreys (1995) 4 All E.R 1008 R v Morhall (1995) 3 All E.R 659 R v Luc Thiet Thuan (1996) 2 All E.R 1033 R v Smith (Morgan James) (2000) 4 All. E.R. 289 R v Keaveney (2004) LTL 22.04.04 Extempore – unreported – find it on Lawtel Journals: Toczek, ‘The action of the reasonable man’, (1996) N.L.J. 146, 835 Toczek, ‘Self-control and the Reasonable Man’ (2000) NLJ 150, 1222 Oliver, ‘Provocation and non-violent homosexual advances’ (1999) J.Crim.L. 63(6) 586-592 Thomas, ‘Sentencing: manslaughter – manslaughter by reason of provocation – manslaughter of spouse of partner’ (2003) Crim.L.R. June 414-417 Neal Bagaric, ‘Provocation: the ongoing subservience of principle to tradition’, (2003) J.Crim.L 67(3) 237-256 Gardner, ‘The mark of responsibility’ (2003) O.J.L.S 23(2) 157-171 {N.B – Some psychology literature may be relevant on this topic – search the online journals for killing stemming from domestic violence. Further research will also be needed to obtain further literature – search www.ingenta.com and your university library should be able to order any articles of relevance that they do not have on site/access to online journal. Also search for any recent reviews of the Law Commission’s proposals You may also need to add to this proposal and include a timescale and any further information you wish to add – such as the length of the research (this is obviously information not available)} 1 Footnotes [1] However, see the proposals of the Law Reform Commission: [2] See R v Duffy (1949) 1 All.E.R 932 [3] (1978) AC 705 [4] [2000] 4 All. E.R. 289 [5] See R v Keaveney [2004] EWCA Crim 1091 [6] R v Thornton (No.2) [1996] 2 All.E.R 1023 [7] The Law Commission Consultation Paper No 177, A New Homicide Act For England And Wales? At http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/docs/cp177_web.pdf

Pablo Picasso and Cubic Art Essay -- Visual Arts

Hindu believes women are creator, caretaker, destroyer and a lover. Such beliefs are common in both eastern culture and western tradition that can be seen represented in different canvases of many famous artists. From renaissance Michelangelo Angelo to abstract Pablo Picasso, artists have always painted women in different circles of life explaining different paradox of emotional feelings, spiritual beliefs, and physical representations. Explaining such themes in balanced form and in limited canvases was not possible without abstract thinking and imaginative hard work. Such trend in art can be seen in artwork of different famous artists, which they created as per their thoughts and desire broadening meaning of visual arts pouring the spices of science and technology. Keeping in harmony with colors was an important task to explain women's behavior as wells as making artwork acceptable to every body. Crossing the social boundaries and limitations would only bring void and controversy in the created artwork, which can happen by wrong use of color or wrong presentation of women's image. But for the artists like Pablo Picasso explaining the things without any boundaries and social limitations was the important thing first. Since the artwork he created have crossing boundaries both culturally and artistically, a viewer can have broader perspectives and critical analysis of life, death, and desire or the morality as well as science and technology or fiction. Picasso explains all these things in one artwork called "Girl Before the Mirror", Oil on canvas, 5'4" X 4'3." "Girl Before the Mirror" is created in 1932 and it is said that the girl in the painting is his at the time girl friend Marie Therese Walter. No matter who is drawn in... ... in different parts of the painting "Girl Before a Mirror", and in the same manner "Shiva as Half Man and Half Woman" also covers the same range and perspective of beliefs and diversities. Therefore, both artworks radiates the same theme generated by the simplicity of the ideas nourished by abstract thinking connecting the human beliefs to the imaginative world of desire and emotions though they are philosophically and ideologically different by the use of different colors for different themes. It also shows the similarities in humane thinking between two cultures that are religiously and culturally different and so apart. (Heller) Work Cited Cassidy, David C. Einstein And Our World. 2nd ed. New York: Humanity Books, 2004 Freeman, Julian. Art: A Crash Course. New York: Watson-Guptill, 1998 Heller, Nancy G. Women Artists. 4th ed. New York: Abbeville, 2003

The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Lawrence Durrells Zero and Asylum in the Snow :: Wallpaper Asylum gilman Durrell Essays

"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and Lawrence Durrell's "Zero and Asylum in the Snow" Society is a close-knit unit of individuals who unknowingly conform to an ideal set by them. The ideal that I speak of is not set in stone, but is ever changing, as is society. This changing ideal appears to be threatened by individual thinkers who rebel against social norms and who refuse to support conformity. This rebellion is exemplified in "The Yellow Wallpaper," written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and in Lawrence Durrell's story, "Zero and Asylum in the Snow." These stories both involve characters that are labelled as sick in relation to the people who 'mesh' well with society. Society, however, has peculiar methods of healing these characters and succeeds only to force them further away from reality and deeper into a conscious dream world. 'Conscious' in the previous line, refers to how one may dream while awake, yet no outsider may become involved in the dream. A dream world is not necessarily a bad place to dwell, and is only perceived as being bad because not everyone can freely enter its walls. Moreover, the walls are unique to each dreamer, therefore, are transparent. This uniqueness is shown in the short stories I am focusing on. For Durrell, the walls were as white as snow, and for Gilman they are covered in crude yellow wallpaper. When reading these stories, it is easy for one to become confused. It is difficult for the reader to understand exactly what is trying to be said, because these stories are so personal. Durrell and Gilman attempt to give some form of insight into their characters minds, but we as readers are restricted by our thoughts. How can we conceive another's dream world? It is possible only through an open mind; one must not think that the author is talking about nonsense, for this way of thinking proves the success society has in grooming our thoughts to fit within its standards. In "Zero and Asylum in the Snow," we are introduced to a character that seems to be rambling to some unknown person about nonsensical illusions of snow, farmyards, Christianity, and five other existing characters. As one progresses through the story, one realizes that the snow Durrell writes of is everywhere. It surrounds the character, which is later revealed to be Durrell himself, and "chimes about [them] and [he] can do nothing, nothing.

Essay --

Introduction Considered to be the greatest playwright to ever have lived, William Shakespeare’s works continue to fascinate and entrance audiences around the world. Imbued with imagery, his comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream is perhaps one of his more fantastic but none the less intricate plays. Presiding over the proceedings, the moon is the uniting feature of the play. With its multi-layered symbolism it is the thread that connects the different characters and weaves the tale together. 1. The Keeper of Time Upon its first mention the moon is used as a marker for the passage of time. In the opening lines of the play Theseus, the duke of Athens, laments to his fiancà ©e Hippolyta that time is passing too slow and blames this on the moon: THESEUS: Now, fair Hippolyta, our nuptial hour Draws on apace; four happy days bring in Another moon: but, O, methinks, how slow This old moon wanes! She lingers my desires, Like to a step-dame or a dowager Long withering out a young man’s revenue. (1.1.1-4 (Shakespeare and Brooks)) The old moon keeps Theseus waiting for his wedding night with Hippolyta, on the new moon. Theseus compares the old moon to an older woman, which stepmothers or a dowager usually are, and accuses her of keeping from him what is his to have, Hippolyta and their wedding night, like old widows might keep an inheritance from a young man. 2. The Moon Goddess Unlike the impatient Theseus, who mourns the dark moon, Hippolyta sees the moon as a symbol of Cupid and his arrows, which unite lovers: HIPPOLYTA: four nights will quickly steep themselves in night; Four nights will quickly dream away the time; And then the moon, like a silver bow New bent in heaven, shall behold the night Of our solemnity. (1.1.6-11 (Shakespeare and ... ...moon, therefore creating the image of the ‘Man in the Moon’: STARVELING: This lantern doth the horned moon present; Myself the Man i’th’ Moon do seem to be. (5.1.235-236 (Shakespeare and Brooks)) Thus the moon takes on another more comical and amusing role in contrast to the darker, more serious roles it holds towards the other groups. Conclusion Returning to the introduction, the moon is not only ever present, it actively influences the proceedings throughout the play, not only connecting characters, but also giving them agency for their actions. Shakespeare once again displays his dexterity with imagery through his manifold portrayals of the moon; one moment merely the indicator of time, the next a symbol of the goddess Diana, at once a symbol of order and chaos, of happiness and discord, fertility and chastity, it encompasses all that transpires on the stage.

Checks And Balances And Seperation Of Powers

The Constitution nowhere contains an express injunction to preserve the boundaries of the three broad powers it grants, nor does it expressly enjoin maintenance of a system of checks and balances. Yet, it does grant to three separate branches the powers to legislate, to execute, and to adjudicate, and it provides throughout the document the means by which each of the branches could resist the blandishments and incursions of the others. The Framers drew up our basic charter against a background rich in the theorizing of scholars and statesmen regarding the proper ordering in a system of government of conferring sufficient power to govern while withholding the ability to abridge the liberties of the governed.The Theory Elaborated and ImplementedWhen the colonies separated from Great Britain following the Revolution, the framers of their constitutions were imbued with the profound tradition of separation of powers, and they freely and expressly embodied in their charters the principle.2 But the theory of checks and balances was not favored because it was drawn from Great Britain, and, as a consequence, violations of the separation–of–powers doctrine by the legislatures of the States were common[p.64]place events prior to the convening of the Convention.3 As much as theory did the experience of the States furnish guidance to the Framers in the summer of 1787.4The doctrine of separation of powers, as implemented in drafting the Constitution, was based on several principles generally held: the separation of government into three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial; the conception that each branch performs unique and identifiable functions that are appropriate to each; and the limitation of the personnel of each branch to that branch, so that no one person or group should be able to serve in more than one branch simultaneously.To a great extent, the Constitution effectuated these principles, but critics objected to what they regarded as a curi ous intermixture of functions, to, for example, the veto power of the President over legislation and to the role of the Senate in the appointment of executive officers and judges and in the treaty–making process. It was to these objections that Madison turned in a powerful series of essays.Madison recurred to â€Å"the celebrated† Montesquieu, the â€Å"oracle who is always consulted,† to disprove the contentions of the critics. â€Å"[T]his essential precaution in favor of liberty,† that is, the separation of the three great functions of government had been achieved, but the doctrine did not demand rigid separation. Montesquieu and other theorists â€Å"did not mean that these departments ought to have no partial agency in, or controul over, the acts of each other,† but rather liberty was endangered â€Å"where the whole power of one department is exercised by the same hands which possess the whole power of another department.†That the doct rine did not demand absolute separation provided the basis for preservation of separation of powers in action. Neither sharply drawn demarcations of institutional boundaries nor appeals to the electorate were sufficient.7 Instead, the security against concentration of powers â€Å"consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others.† Thus, â€Å"[a]mbition must be made to[p.65]counteract ambition. The interest of the man must be connected with the constitutional rights of the place.†

Barney and Sustained Competitive Advantage.

When we left off in the last seminar, we were just starting to talk about firm specific advantages. According to Barney and his article Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage, a few things are needed to gain a firm specific advantage. But also, he argues that a firm can gain a Sustained Competitive Advantage. SLIDE According to Barney, a firm has a sustained competitive advantage when it is implementing a value creating strategy not simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential competitors AND when these other firms are unable to dublicate the benefits of this strategy.But what does a company need to gain such an advantage? First of all, it needs certain resources, which can include assets, capabilities, products, information, knowledge etc. SLIDE But these resources must have four attributes: 1. they must be valuable in the sense that they exploit opportunities or neutralize threats in a firm’s environment. This goes without saying. 2. They must be rare among a firm’s current and potential competition. This simply means that this resource or strategy cannot be implemented by other firms at the same time. They must be imperfectly imitable (hard to copy for other firms) and 4. There cannot be strategically equivalent substitutes for this resource that are valuable, but neither rare or imperfectly imitable. Can anyone think of a specific firm, or a type of business or industry, which has a clear example of sustained competitive advantage? Short discussion. SLIDE We thought about what kind of a firm could gain a sustained competitive advantage, and came to the conclusion that certain pharmaceutical companies are able to gain perfect sustained competitive advantage.To explain why, we need to have a look at the pharmaceutical market. To make things a bit simple, we can divide the industry into two different categories: Companies which develop new kinds of medicine, and others which copy the original medicine, and produce what is called generic drugs. Some companies actully do both. SLIDE Companies which develop new medicine spend huge amount of money on research and development when making a new drug. They get the best scientists from all over the world, gather huge amounts of medical information, test the drugs etc.They also need to prove the safety of a new drug, and demonstrate it’s effect, in special clinical trials. And of course, they need to market the new drug. This process can cost huge amounts of money. Lets say a company spends millions of dollars and ten years on developing a new drug that cures all kinds of cancer. It would be rather disappointing for that company if generic drug companies were able to copy the drug the moment it hits the market, only spending money on manufacturing the drug, but not on development and testing.The maker of the original drug would probably soon run out of business. SLIDE So, to protect the original drug, the company can get a patent for the new drug. For how long is different between countries, but for example in the US, patents give 20 years of protection. But for as long as a drug patent lasts, the firm enjoys a period of market exclusivity, or monopoly if you like. Under those circumstances, the company is able to set the price of the drug at a level which maximizes profitability. The profit can greatly exceed development and production costs of the drug.Often, when the patent runs out and many other companies start making generic drugs, the prices fall dramatically and real competition starts. But to sum things upp, new developed medicine can fit Barney’s theory: They can be valuable, rare and not only hard to copy, but simply impossible. SLIDE The point is – if a firm can develop a new important type of medicine, and get a patent so it wont be copied, it has a perfect sustained competitive advantage while the patent is still valid, and therefore, fits well into Barney’s theory.

Geology Questions

1. )A mastodon was found in Lafayette after being in the ground for how long? A. )30-35 million B. )30-35 billion C. )100 thousand D. )13. 7 billion 2. )What is placing geological events in a sequential order as determined from their position in the geological record? A. )geologic time B. )Relative dating C. )Radiocarbon D. )tree-ring dating 3. )Which of the following methods can be used to demonstrate age equivalency of rock units? A. )Lateral tracing B. )Radiometric Dating C. )Guide fossils D. )Position in sequence E. )All of the above 1.The first form of horses had how many toes on each foot? a. three b. seven c. four d. five 2. Is evolution Darwin's theory? a. yes b. no c. I wasn't paying attention d. who cares 3. â€Å"Survival of the fiitest† was whose idea? a. Sir Charles Lyell b. Louis Agassiz c. Charles Darwin d. Robert T. Bakker 4. Darwin was a a. math professor b. famous cartoon character c. singer d. gradualist 1. Who is the  author of a  book  that detailedà ‚  the ideas of evolution and proposed a mechanism whereby evolution could take place? a) Gary Kinsland b) Charles Robert Darwin c) Alfred Russel Wallace d) Michael Jackson . Darwin and Wallace reading Malthus's essay came to the same conclusion and both presenting this conclusion to the Linnaean Society in London. The conclusion is called a) natural selection b) the big bang theory c) genetics d) all of the above 3. What is Jean Baptiste de Lemark's theory that new traits arise in organisms according to need somehow being passed onto their descendants? a) natural selection b) artificial selection c) inheritance of acquired characteristics d) all of the above 1. fossils are mainly found in what aspect? a. forests b. oceans c. land d. mountains 2. hat was Charles Drawin known for? a. His good looks b. his ideas about life c. the theory of evoloution 3. about how long ago was earth known to be formed? a. 200 thousand years ago b. one million years ago c. 4. 6 billion years ago d. no o ne really knows 1. Fossils are best preserved in the ____________. a. rocks b. ocean c. lava d. space 2. A single celled organism that grew and produced oxygen and its structures still remain. a. stramatalites b. algae c. coral reef d. plants 3. Which species is the best geologic record of evolution? a. pig b. passenger pigeon c. whooping crane d. horse ) What period does the Cenozoic era cover? a) 65. 5 Mya to present b) 250 million years ago to about 65 million years ago c) 542 to 251 million years ago d) None of the above 2) What is something Charles Darwin is known for? a) He created the theory of evolution b) He gave us the idea that species evolved in order to better suit their environment c) A and B d) None of the above 3) What kind of fossils are more informative a) Big Fossils, because they catch our imagination b) Microfossils, because they give us more details about the environment and the climate c) Fossils of small insects and plants ) B and C 1. Fossils that are easily identified are geographically widespread, and existed for a rather short interval of geologic time are particularly useful? A. fossils B. historical fossils C. guide fossils D. new fossils E. old fossils 2. Fundamental Principles of Relative Dating include all of the following except: A. Principle of the earth’s make-up B. Principle of superposition C. Principle of cross-cutting relationships D. Principle of lateral continuity E. Principle of original horizontality 3. It is the decay rate of _________ that geologists measure to determine the absolute ages of the rocks.A. atoms B. unstable isotopes C. elements D. fossils E. rocks 1. The  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   illustrates the interactions between Earth's internal and external processes and how the three rock groups are interrelated. A. Rock Cycle B. Lithospere C. Seafloor Spreading D. Oceanic chart 2. Geology is divided into two broad areas: Physical Geology and  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã ‚   A. Historical Geology B. Cultural Geology C. Statistical Geology D. Researched Geology 3. The theory that the seafloor moves away from spreading ridges and is eventually consumed at subduction zones is: A. Seafloor Spreading B. Pangaea C. Evolution D.Cross-cutting 1) How long ago was the earth formed? a) 5. 6 billion years b) 250 million years c) 4. 6 billion years d) 1. 2 billion years 2) Which time period precedes the triassic? a) Jurassic b) Permian c) Silurian d) Pre-Cambrian 3) What kind of unconformity is characterized by a change in the slope of the strata? a) Angular unconformity b) Paraconformity c) Disconformity d) Nonconformity 1. What era did the dinosaurs rome the earth? a. the Triassic Period b. Jurrasic Period c. Paleolithic period d. Neolithic Period 2. What is fossil succession? a. When fossils are lined up next to each other . When different animals are fossiled together c. The idea that he kinds of animals and plants found as fossils changed through time. 3. W hat is a Light year? a. A term made up by star wars b. a mile in space c. It is the distance that light can travel in one year. 1. ) James Hutton is know for A. Being the founder of modern geology B. Discovering radioactivity C. Creating the principle of cross-cutting relationships D. Both A. and C. 2. ) The first hard-shelled creatures evolved approximately A. 900 million years ago B. 2 million years ago C. 200 million years ago D. It is unknown 3. Carbon 14 is a radioactive ______ of carbon. A. Ion B. Isotope C. Particle D. Element In what direction does the Dekota Ridge run from the mountain it is connected to? A. Horizontal B. Vertical C. Perpendicular D. Parallel What animal was the first horse comparison to in size? A. Fish B. Bird C. Cat D. Dog What percentage of known species of life has disappeared? A. 73 B. 46 C. 90 D. 65 1. The first horses were no larger than what animal? a. Cats b. Cows c. Dogs d. Rabbits 2. Who first discussed the idea that species change to better sur vive their surroundings? a. Sir Isaac Newton b. Charles Darwin c.Albert Einstein d. Charles Manson 3. The first horses had how many toes? a. 3 b. 0 c. 5 d. 4 _________ is an informal term that encompasses all geologic time from 4. 6 to 4. 0 billion years ago. A. Archean B. siderian C. Hadean D. Stenian E. neoarchean The cratons are the foundations of continents, and along their margins more continental crust was added, a process called ________. A. Continental accretion B. shield C. Precambrian D. Canadian shield E. protocontinents Any change in the genetic makeup of species is called ______. A. Macroevolution B. convergence C. Evolution D. Cladistics E. microevolution 1.How many toes did the first horses have? a. 4 b. 3 c. 6 d. none 2. Who said that species gradually change to suit there natural habitat? a. Chuck Norris b. Charles Darwin c. Jesus d. both a and c 3. Darwin gave us the _________ of evolution. a. theory b. phone number c. dictionary d. method What percentage of known species of life have disappeared? A. 70 B. 69 C. 90 D. 45 1. ) What do Paleontologists call the â€Å"missing links† that connect the descendants with ancestors when providing evidence for evolution with fossils? A. Trace Fossils B. Body Fossils C. Dino Bones D. Transitional Fossils E. Vestigial Structures 2. What is the type of structure that may be superficially similar and serve the same function, as in the wings of insects and birds, but they are dissimilar in structure and development? A. Constructed Structure B. Analogous Structure C. Twin Structure D. Homologous Structure E. Classification Structure 3. ) What principle, articulated by Charles Lyell, became the guiding principle of geology, which holds that the laws of nature have been constant through time and that the same process operating today have operated in the past, although not necessarily at the same rates? A. Uniformitarianism B. Diesm C. Conformism D.Baptism E. Cannibalism 1) The universe is approximately _ ______ times older than the Earth. a. Two b. Three c. Four d. Six 2. ) Fossils are best preserved a. in Oceans b. in Mountains c. on Land d. in Outer Space 3. Earth is ________ years old. a. 3. 7 billion b. 13. 7 billion c. 4. 6 billion d. 4. 6 million e. None of the above 1. How long can Carbon14 be used? A. 55,000 years B. 75,000 years C. 10,000 years D. 1,000,000 years E. Unknown 2. Who founded radioactivity? A. Madame Marie Cury B. James Hudton C. Gary Kinsland D. James Newton E. It is unknown 3. Which time period marked the 1st period of shelled organisms?A. Cambrian B. Jurassic C. Paleozoic D. Mesozoic E. Both A and C 4. The parent-daughter ratio is usually determined by what? A. atomic mass number B. alpha decay C. mass spectrometer D. track dating E. none of the above 5. The process of demonstrating the time equivalency of rock unit in different areas is: A. relative dating B. correlation C. radioactive decay D. Both A and C E. None of the above 6. Who is credited with formu lating the principle of cross-cutting relationships? A. Nicolas Steno B. James Hutton C. Lord Kelvin D. Madame Cury E. None of the above 1) What is Absolute Dating? )When male and female rocks form together to make another rock b)a common method of obtaining absolute ages c)When Powell led a second expedition down the Colorado River in 1871 d)Specific dates for rock units or events expressed in years before the present 2) Who is the Father of Modern Geology? a)Albert Einstein b)James Usher c)James Hutton d) Alexander the Great 3) What is a secondary way to determine relative ages of rocks, other than by of heat? a)Principle of Fossil Succession b)Principle of Fossil Assemblages c)Principle of Inclusions d)Superposition 1) Which of the following is not a type of strata unconformities? A. Disconformity B.Lateral Unconformity C. Angular Unconformity D. Nonconformity 2) How do scientists correlate rock units over a large area? A. Principle of Superposition B. Principle of Inclusions C. Principle of Fossil Succession D. Contact Metamorphism 3) Radioactive decay occurs at a ______ rate. Therefore, a graph of the decay rate produces a ______. A. linear / straight line B. geometric / curve C. linear / curve D. geometric / straight line 1. ________ reproduction hinders evolution. a. Sexual b. Asexual c. Pansexual d. Infrequent 2. Earth's atmospheric shift from a mainly carbon dioxide atmosphere to a mainly oxygen atmosphere was caused by _______. . life on Earth b. the recycling of igneous rocks c. the earth cooling down d. every being on earth holding its breath at the same time 3. The â€Å"Cambrian Explosion† features life forms that have _______ for the very first time. a. extremities b. fur c. hard shells d. beaks 4. Rocks are to â€Å"Orientals† just as rocks are to _______. a. â€Å"Occidentals† b. Asians c. Blacks d. people from Oregon 1. What is an outcrop? a. a place where rocks come out to the surface b. a 1960's hair-cut c. inserts of y ounger rock in existing older rock d. the head of vegetables in a field 2. what is the most common mineral in the Earth? a. silicon b. feldspar . sediment d. rocks 3. which carbon type is radio-active? a. carbon X b. carbon 18 c. carbon Z3 d. carbon 14 1. Fossilization is a very unusual process, even in the ocean because of A. people tampering with the process B. scavengers C. the amount of water it's under D. natural disasters that occur 2. Why is an anoxic environment the best way for an fossil to become preserved? A. It stops the scavengers from living B. People aren't able to survive in that type of environment C. It speeds up the process D. None of the above 3. What type of organisms are more likely to become fossilized? A. One with bones B. any type C. One with a shellD. both A and C 1. When the oldest layers are on bottom? (Class notes) A) Original Continuity B) Superposition C) Original Horizontality D) Radio Activity 2. When were plants and animals abundant on land accordin g to video #1's geologic time calendar year? A) Early March B) Late March C) Late July D) Late November 3. How were fossils formed? (Video #2) A) Molds of an organism B) Crystallized casts C) Fossil tracks and burrows D) All of the above .)  Ã‚  Ã‚   Preservation from fossils are best a. In oceans b. On land c. In mountains d. grass 2. )  Ã‚  Ã‚   What are the most common types of fossils? a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Molded b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Cast c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Imprint )  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Whole animal 3. )  Ã‚  Ã‚   Where is the best place to bury yourself if you would like to be preserved? a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Great plains b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Rocky mountains c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Gulf of Mexico d)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Nevada 1. Which is the oldest of the geologic time scale_____? a. cambrian b. permian c. jurassic d. mississippian 2. Which is the oldest of the geologic time scale_____? a. cambrian b. permian c. jurassic d. mississippian 3. What is educa tion______? a. learning b. going to school c. learning while going to school d. the process of becoming disabused of your preconsumed notions 1. Early Earth's atmosphere was largely made up of what? A. Oxygen B. Nitrogen C.Carbon-Dioxide D. Carbon-Monoxide 2. The arrival of hard shell organisms was in which period? A. Siluvian B. Cambrian C. Permian D. There from the beginning 3. What is the most common kind of fossil? A. Molds B. Tracks C. Bones D. Shells Professor Kinsland mainly supports what other University (other than ULL)? A) LSU B)University of Oregon C)UNO D)University of Texas Algae is A) one of the simplest life forms B) a complicated living being C) a mineral D) a fossil About how many miles of compacted fossils, minerals, etc. are buried beneath our feet from the past million years? A) 10 miles B) 2000 miles C) 8 miles D) none; they disenegrate

Internet Based Home Control System Essay

We viewed development as a process of change and a continuous learning.. Technological and institutional change or capabilities are at the heart of this process. Technology is much more than an ingredient in development strategies; it is a conditioning element of their viability. As technology rapidly changes, it sets the condition that generates development opportunities. Development becomes one of the learning that benefit from such changing opportunities. While learning is within a single technological revolution, a new technological revolution would constitute major discontinuities and shifts in the direction of change, providing new opportunities for learning and catching up. Technology is at the heart of the innovative process, and it has become a tool for amplifying brainpower. It further brings about changes within and among institutions and accelerates the rate of innovation. Steve Ballmer[1], CEO of Microsoft’s Corporation stressed that the number one benefit of technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do, letting people be creative and productive Thus, through new technology, a little creativity, and a lot of thinking, we have begun to produce home appliances control system that makes anything possible for the people especially elderly and handicapped to live by themselves and meet their potentials. The recent drive in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry toward new wireless communication devices and systems and their utilization in addressing a wide variety of real-world problems have resulted in several new areas of active research and wireless home automation being one such hot topic. Home appliances control system designates an emerging practice of increased automation of household appliances and fixtures in residential dwellings, particularly through electronic means. This allows impracticable, overly expensive or simply not possible things in recent past decades to be implemented. Home Automation Technology is a relatively new field and the home automation products available currently in the market are expensive, and not everybody can afford these devices. However, looking at the increasing popularity of home automation, most manufacturing companies are trying to develop products that will be affordable to the middle class customers. Hence, the proponents through this study design and develop a system of controlling home appliances remotely via the Internet. With this project, a user can control his home appliances across country away from home. Background of the Study Home appliances and lighting are major source of electricity consumption. Commercial public sector buildings and residential houses account for 95% of the electricity used for home appliances. There are common problems that home owners encountered in relation with home appliances system. One of this is due to some negligence like leaving the lights ON that result to having greater power consumption. This additional power consumption that can be wasted varies directly to our electric bills. Another problem is that those busy home owners who arrive at home late at night; they want to have immediate access to turn on the lights to have preventive measures against robbery and crimes.[2] For effective management and protection of homes, operational monitoring of home appliances conditions is a necessary tool. Fixed control system contributes significantly in monitoring the entire home appliances network. The past decade has seen significant advancement in the field of consumer electronics. Various â€Å"intelligent† appliances such as cellular phones, air-conditioners, home security devices, home theaters, etc. are set to realize the concept of a smart home. They have given rise to a personal area network in home environment, where all these appliances can be interconnected and monitored using a single controller. Busy families and individuals with physical limitation represent an attractive market for home automation and networking. Thus, a unifying solution started with the emergence of the first home automation product known as the Model 1503 which was introduced in 1988 and was meant for fire and burglar protection, home lighting and appliance control.[3] Moreover, a technology called X-10 was developed by Jeff Denenholz,[4] which allows your computer and your appliances to communicate over the existing power lines in your home. Among the many possibilities that this technology provides is the possibility for a fully automated and responsive home. One of the basic systems on the market is made by iControl and is easy to install and expandable. The system uses the 802.11 wireless protocol to transmit signals from the various devices to a control box which is connected to the internet. Some of the devices the company offers specifically for elderly care include: cameras, window/door sensors, motion sensors, water sensors, freeze sensors, panic pendants/wristwatches, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, lamp modules, and thermostats. All of the devices are connected wirelessly to the control box which then allows the devices to be monitored and controlled using the company’s website. The system is perfect for the elderly because it is easy to use and it allows family members to monitor the house to ensure that their relative is safe, it is portable and can easily be installed in an existing home. Another key project is ongoing at The University of Florida. They have built a 500 square foot smart house that is designed assist and to provide medical care to users. The house implements devices including a microwave that recognizes entrees and automatically determines how long to cook them and devices to track the individuals location within the home. The house also uses devices to detect water on the floor and a camera that allows the person to view who is at the door and let them in using a cell phone. The smart house at the University of Florida relies on a centralized computer network to deliver electronically coordinated assistance. However, the aforementioned projects pose problems on the implementation of such systems. The major drawbacks of these systems are that it requires the use of several costly technologies to operate. The concept of a smart home requires a user to have internet access available as well as router to install the control box. Thus, the introduction of home automation in the 1970’s failed to improve the lifestyle of users because determining the economic benefits of home automation technologies is difficult. The cost of implementing smart home technology must be justified by the effects brought about by their installation. There is a need for home automation technologies to be cost-effective and easy to install and flexible with many network infrastructures and appliances. Therefore, the study Microcontroller-based Home Appliances Control System via Internet aims at developing a module for home appliance and control system combining embedded system and web technology. The goal of this project is to design a system that communicates with the web in controlling the user’s home.. This approach will provide an easy way to operate and is cost effective approach to benefit the elderly and those with disabilities to function as normal as possible. Statement of the Problem The main problem of this study is to design and develop a prototype of a microcontroller-based home appliances control system using the internet that will demonstrate power automation of home appliances. The proposed system is web-based in nature which will replace physical control and provide automation with regard to the home appliances.

Compare and Contrast the poems Emily Dickinson because I could not Essay - 1

Compare and Contrast the poems Emily Dickinson because I could not stop for death and A.E Houseman immortal parts - Essay Example For instance, the analysis of death in both is examined from a solemn point of view. Dickinson uses symbolism and allegory to communicate the futility of life when death strikes (Holden and Birch 113). There is the use of humanism to make death animate especially as noted in the first stanza, second line. The persona depicts the powerful nature of death to pluck humanity from their comfortable environments to a state of oblivion. In other words, Dickinson’s use of allegory takes the form of being powerless in the presence of death. On the other hand, A.E Housman uses phonological sounds such as consonance, alliteration and assonance to reveal the permanency of death. In the first stanza, he uses the morning dream and night to dream to reveal the times of life that are affected by death. Additionally, in the superseding lines he uses say and day that are both consonance and assonance in the representation of the futility of life. There is also the use of symbolism in the third stanza when he explains about a tongue that speaks with lungs that shout. This is another revelation of how death is treated with respect and reverence in the lives of both personas in the poems. However, it is also noteworthy to observe the use of metonym in the poems to explain the internal and external repercussions of death. For example, in ‘The Immortal Part’ by A.E. Housman, he describes a brain that hums hive of dreams in the last line of the third stanza. This is a clear indication of the fundamental roles played by the brain for human judgment in life. Apparently, this is also manifested in Emily Dickinson’s poem where she talks about a death that did not acknowledge hurry in the first line, second stanza (Christensen 139). Another significant comparison is based on the use of personification and iambic pentameter to communicate the theme therein. For instance,

Should all federal welfare programs be abolished Research Paper

Should all federal welfare programs be abolished - Research Paper Example ain welfare programs associated with the federal government include: the Food Stamp Program, Temporary Assistance for the Needy Families, Medicaid, and Supplementary Security Income, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and Housing assistance. Other small government welfare programs include Infant and Children Welfare, Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Low Income Home Energy Assistance, and School Based Food Assistance. In 1996, welfare reforms by President Bill Clinton brought about the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA), which replaced the Aid to Families with Dependent Children Act (AFCDA). Through this Act, President Clinton aimed at reducing welfare assistance to the needy families. These programs should therefore not be abolished because they impact positively on the lives of a majority of the American citizenry. For instance, the federal welfare programs have reduced poverty levels and provided for medical welfare of the low income earning citizens. These programs should not be abolished though far reaching reforms need to be put in place to reduce the number of people in these programs. According to the United States Code, 2000 (279), the main aim of federal welfare programs is to provide assistance to the unemployed and needy citizens. Assistance includes unemployment and reemployment assistance, and emergency grants to assist seasonal farm workers and migrants. Before any reforms are made the benefits of federal welfare programs need to be evaluated. The first question we need to evaluate is why many people are running to welfare programs. If welfare programs did not help the poor, no legislation or Congress would have approved the welfare programs. The Medicaid program introduced in 1965 was to be funded by both the federal and the state governments to help improve the medical needs of the low incoming Americans who cannot afford medical cover (Northrup, 181). The federal and state Medicaid covers pregnant