Essay --

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE This account mainly focuses in brief on my intention, aspiration and objectives of why I want to get admitted in MS under the department of Economics, especially in South Dakota State University, as most the people of a developing country like Bangladesh, are afflicted with poverty, ignorance and lack of economic management that are like a rift in the lute in our social, economic and political arena. These problems always haunt me and my thoughts like Pluto in the deathbed. I want to contribute in a widespread way in these zones that will have far-reaching effect on the development, growth and advancement in our poverty-stricken society. For making up my dream fruitful and pragmatic, I am in a crying need for acquiring more knowledge and understanding in Economics to bring about a radical change in economic management and development. To me South Dakota State University is unique in the sense that, here Master of Science in Economics focuses on relevant topics on economics and also encompasses rigorous study in economic theory, agricultural and resources economics, research methods, quantitative techniques etc. which are essential to make my foundation stronger enough to imply this knowledge on emerging economic issues. The department of Economics offers courses with theoretical analysis and real world application and also work on a broad range of issues, such as Personnel and Labor Relations, Farming and Food Systems Economics, Economic Development, Economics of the International Sector which fit with my area of interest. By getting an opportunity of doing course work and carrying out research on my preferred area I am confident of building up myself befitting for higher studies as well as for contributing t... .... By involving myself in this project work, I enriched my knowledge on the impact of energy subsidy in Bangladesh. The probability of worsening the economic growth due to giving subsidy on that particular sector was our finding. As I am in persuasion for master degree, I have come to know about the South Dakota State University by searching in internet. I firmly believe that the chance to do my master degree in this university will be the turning move towards accomplishing my desired goal. I am confident of not only upholding the academic excellence and dignity of the institution but also make remarkable contribution. I believe that I will be able to contribute considerably to the research in your university. I also believe the education from your institution and other opportunities that come to my way will facilitate me obtaining my objectives. Thank you.

Organization’s Cost and Profitability and Performance Indicators Essay

The emergence of the internet and other information technology has been hailed by the business world as one of the drivers of growth and profitability. It revolutionized the relationships between businesses and their customers; between and among businesses; and between customers, too. Implementing e-business, however, is not easily implemented. Apart from the monetary costs, there are also integration and transition issues that an organization needs to face. Quan (2008) argues that in spite of the heavy investment in e-business activities and platforms, there is no conclusive proof that demonstrates significant returns from e-business. When profitability is measured, leaders demonstrated success. In terms of cost measurement, however, they did not. I agree with Quan that too many executives and IT practitioners have joined the bandwagon of e-business because of success stories of some internet businesses. It is easier to join the bandwagon and duplicate what other organizations have done than to take a look at one’s own situation and peculiarities to really determine, which approach would work. If this were followed, the impact of e-business would have been more salient. In my own experience, the integration of information technology and e-business framework has mixed results. It helped the way that the business connects with its customers and clients. In terms of customer relationship management and the way that the business manages its inventory and its communication needs. The investment on e-business is significant. The business has to employ additional individuals so as to manage the elements of e-business and spend on additional equipment and gadgets that could make the system work. The returns on this investment, however, cannot be felt right away. There are several areas of business operations rendered more efficiently such as reporting, accessing information, savings on materials such as paper that are no longer used extensively. In the short run, e-business platforms and elements tend to be more on the cost side of the business. For managers, this is a rather alarming situation. Profitability is of course the ultimate goal of any business. Yet, e-business tends to be unprofitable in the short run. Quan agrees with such an observation. To maximize the impact of e-business profitability, the timeline of the implementation should be clear and there should be clear guidelines as to the implementation of the project. In our case, we managed the expectations of stakeholders by informing them of the process that the organization will go through while e-business platform is being integrated into the system. Managers and organizations, in general, should be able to manage expectations as to the situation of e-business integration. Yet, management should not be afraid to take risks because of the benefits that e-business could bring to the organization as a whole. Several months might not be enough to see the results of e-business integration. Yet, if the organization will really follow through on its investment, the results will be seen in due time. The challenge, however, is planning and mapping out these results. With deft management and effective communication within and without the organization, e-business will succeed and become integrated into the operations of the business in the long run.

Bunker Gear Fabric

Bunker gear or turnout gear is the protective clothing used by a firefighter in fighting fires and during rescue operations. This gear is called turnouts because when not being used, they are kept standing by to be put on swiftly by ‘turning out' the pants over the boots. It is a requirement for firefighters to be able to put on all of the gear in no time, and in this set up, all they have to do is to step into the boots and pull the pants up. This solidly insulated gear is worn to shield the firefighter's body from the extreme heat of a fire.Approximately, structural turnouts will break down at 650 °C (1200 °F). A full turnout gear may weigh more or less 30kg aside from other extra tools to be carried. It is consisted of â€Å"a coat, pants and suspenders, leather or rubber waterproof boots, a hood, a strong helmet with eye protection, gloves, a belt, and SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus)† (www. sccfd. org). Turnout pants protects the lower part of the firef ighter's body. It is made of fire-resistant materials and they are easy to put on with Velcro and snaps.Turnout pants have side pockets for tools, gloves, and other necessary equipment. In order for the firefighters to be seen at nigh, these pants also have reflective stripes on the bottom. Turnout coat's outside liner is made of exclusive fire resistant fabrics. The coat has various liners for extra protection. One of these liners acts as a moisture barrier, it prevents outside moisture to reach the firefighter. Another part of the liner protects firefighters from the exposure to thermal heat. Pockets are also available for extra equipment such as gloves, radio, wrenches and other tools.Around its neck is a Nomex hood. Except for the face, it covers practically the entire head of the firefighter. The turnout boots are made of rubber. Aside from steel to covering, these have a steel shank in sole to protect firefighters from sharp or pointed objects. In order to be put on quickly, t hese boots have handles at the top. Wearing of this protective gear is a requirement for all firefighters approaching a seat of the fire or entering a hazardous area as stated in the NFPA 1971 Code or the Protective Clothing for Structural Fire Fighting.Looking back in history, firefighters' garment was consisted of a cotton or wool shirt, heavy wool trousers, and a heavy wool tunic, which was sometimes worn over with rubber slickers. Wool was used because of its ability to protect a firefighter from heat and cold, and also because of its resistance to mild flame and water. Their gloves were the traditional leather gloves for laborers. It was only after the World War II when the standards for firefighter protective gears were issued by a number of organizations like the National Fire Protection Association or the NFPA.According to the NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Clothing for Structural Firefighting, turnout gears must be composed of three layers: the outer layer must be made fr om flame-resistant fabric â€Å"that would not be destroyed through charring, separating, or melting when exposed to 500 °F for a five-minute period;† the second layer must â€Å"prevent moisture from penetrating through to the wearer;† and the third layer must â€Å"provide thermal insulation from radiant, conducted, and convective heat† (http://www. pbs. org). Firefighters' gloves should also be resistant to heat, flame, liquids, vapor, and sharp objects.The boots should also withstand flame, puncture, heat, electrical current, and abrasion. Further advancements in firefighters' turnout materials came up during the 80s. The 500 °F temperature resistance limit of the outer shell was raised to around 1,200 °F. The other layer also allowed the firefighters to â€Å"release moisture from inside the gear,† and the material used was a fire-resistant fabric. Being self-extinguishing, this material will not continue to burn once it is out of contact with a fire. Bunker gears are made out of synthetic fibers such as Aramid and Polybenzimidazoles (PBI).These synthetic fibers are polymers. A polymer is a substance with high molecular weight made up of a large number of smaller molecules. These molecules, called monomers, react together in hundreds, or even millions of times. The properties of the polymers are determined by the molecular shape variations that resulted from the reactions. These could be in the form of long, straight chains or branched. It is through their average molecular weight that their sizes are expressed. Polymers with higher molecular weights have the higher strength. They also usually have high melting or boiling points.Filaments made of synthetic polymer fibers have excellent strength because these fibers can be prepared with regular structures that allow the chains to pack together tightly. Another advantage of synthetic polymers is that they are stronger and much lighter than steel, making them the choice for bunker gears and bullet proof vests. Aramids are synthetic polyamides, a class of polymer for textile fibers. It has a carbon-based backbone which contains aromatic rings. Fabrics made of aramids are strong and flame resistant even at extreme temperatures because of the stability of the fiber's aromatic structures and their conjugated amide linkages.Polyamides are manufactured through step-growth polymerization. In this process, â€Å"monomers with two reactive ends join to form dimers (two â€Å"parts† joined together), then â€Å"trimers† (three â€Å"parts†), and so on. However, since each of the newly formed oligomers (short chains containing only a few parts) also has two reactive ends, they can join together; so a dimer and a trimer would form a pentamer (five repeating â€Å"parts†)† (www. fibersource. com). The aramid fibers, on the other hand, are produced through Wet Spinning process.The fiber-forming materials are dissolved in a solvent, which is usually hydrogen sulfate (H2SO4), and spun using a spinneret. Aside from firefighting gears, aramid fabrics are also useful for friction products such as brake pads, clutch pads or seals and gaskets, because synthetic materials made from this fabric does not ignite or melt. Aramid fibers are also flexible, lightweight, resistant to organic solvents and fuels, and good insulators of electricity. Aramids are more popularly known with the names Kevlar and Nomex. The blend of these two aramids is used in manufacturing turnout gears.

The Many Faces of Criminal Justice What Concerns Students Face Most Often

The Many Faces of Criminal Justice What Concerns Students Face Most Often Criminal justice is one of those fields that seem to be the easiest ones to master, yet demand the greatest efforts to handle. On the one hand, there is a set of laws and regulations that technically any problem can be handled with. On the other hand, the analysis of a certain case and the choice of the appropriate regulation to deal with the case in point often becomes a major stumbling block.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Many Faces of Criminal Justice: What Concerns Students Face Most Often specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Being the field in which the theoretical issues and the practical ones often happen to be on the opposite sides of the argument, criminal justice remains one of the most complex areas to cover; however, by analyzing its challenges and major obstacles, one can possibly pick a strategy that will help approach the given discipline successfully. The first and the most reasonable step to be mad e when analyzing the pros and cons of a choice of a particular field of study is considering the publications about the careers in the given field. With that in mind, analyzing such sources as the According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook seems the most appropriate way to start learning about criminal justice studies and the opportunities that they offer. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (n.p.), there are two basic career options to choose from for those who have started studying the basics of criminal justice. These are criminal justice professors and criminal justice social workers; the former provide students instructions on criminal justice teaching, while the latter offer the crime victims the necessary support and psychological assistance. However, it can be argued that criminal justice field allows for more career opportunities, such as â€Å"employment in law enforcement, corrections, and private or criminal investigations† (A Criminal Justice Degre e Provides Many Career Opportunities para.3). However, when deciding on whether I am going to pick one of these or try something more challenging, I will have to evaluate my skills and abilities adequately: â€Å"This is self-understanding that will help you decide which occupations in criminal justice are best for you† (Doyle and DeLucia 6). Another important stage of the investigation of the basic issues in studying criminal justice was the actual observation of the environment in which students learn the given subject (Carpenter and Fulton 179). After being allowed to observe a lesson in criminal justice, the author of the given paper noticed a certain pattern in the interactions between a teacher and the students.Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Perhaps, since it was the second time that the students had criminal justice classes, they were rather passive, prefe rring that the teacher should provide them with the answers to the questions that he posed and being clearly afraid of making a mistake. The latter could probably explain why the students responded to the teacher’s questions rather shyly and preferred to listen rather than speak. After the lecture was over, the teacher was kind enough to answer a few questions concerning criminal justice and how it was being taught to students. The results of the interview were rather inspiring, though; according to the lecturer, it was expected that the students should not simply learn the basics of criminal justice by heart, but also to develop skills of critical and, more importantly, analytical thinking. As Mr. Sanders, the lecturer, explained, students must learn to â€Å"think outside the box† (Sanders, para. 2). Sanders made it clear that the key challenge of the criminal justice studies is not to make the students memorize every single paragraph in the penal code, but to prepar e them for applying their skills of critical thinking to particular cases and be objective, logical and fast in their decisions. Learning about the courses that students specializing in criminal justice must undertake in order to become professionals is another major step in defining the future course of my education and training. According to the existing sources, it will be required to take a basic course that will allow acquiring the necessary background knowledge, such as the principles of successful learning, the introduction to academic writing and research, finite mathematics classes, and the introduction to criminology in general and criminal justice in particular. Later on, it will be necessary to advance in such subjects as biology and application information technologies; finally, statistics, physical science and other related courses must be taken in order to get the basics for studying criminal justice in depth. The major course, i.e., the issues in criminal justice, sh ould be mentioned among the most essential elements of the course (Major in Criminal Justice para.5–7). On par with the issues in criminal justice, technology in modern society, ethical behavior in criminal justice, criminal investigation, crime scene investigation, and correctional administration must be named. Therefore, it goes without saying that, to become a professional in criminal justice, one will have to face the challenge of extremely hard studying.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Many Faces of Criminal Justice: What Concerns Students Face Most Often specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The fact that criminal justice remains one of the most challenging fields to study is undeniable. However, the fact that a number of strategies to approach the complex issues have been developed recently cannot be denied, either. By using one of the techniques specified above, one can master the basics of criminal ju stice efficiently and get ready for taking care of real-life cases. A Criminal Justice Degree Provides Many Career Opportunities, 2013. Web. Carpenter, Michael J. and Roger Fulton. A Practical Guide for Criminal Justice  Professionals. Flushing, N: Looseleaf, 2007. Print. Doyle, Thomas J. and Robert C. DeLucia. Career Planning in Criminal Justice. Cincinnati, OH: Elsevier, 1998. Print. Major in Criminal Justice, 2013. Web. Occupational Outlook Handbook. A-Z Index. 2013. Web. Sanders, John. Criminal Justice. Interview (MP3).Advertising Looking for essay on criminal law? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Obamas Health Care Reform Speech (Full Text)

Obamas Health Care Reform Speech (Full Text) Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, and the American people:When I spoke here last winter, this nation was facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We were losing an average of 700,000 jobs per month. Credit was frozen. And our financial system was on the verge of collapse.As any American who is still looking for work or a way to pay their bills will tell you, we are by no means out of the woods. A full and vibrant recovery is many months away. And I will not let up until those Americans who seek jobs can find them; until those businesses that seek capital and credit can thrive; until all responsible homeowners can stay in their homes.That is our ultimate goal. But thanks to the bold and decisive action we have taken since January, I can stand here with confidence and say that we have pulled this economy back from the brink.I want to thank the members of this body for your efforts and your support in these last several months, and especially those who have taken the difficult votes that have put us on a path to recovery. I also want to thank the American people for their patience and resolve during this trying time for our nation.But we did not come here just to clean up crises. We came to build a future. So tonight, I return to speak to all of you about an issue that is central to that future and that is the issue of healthcare.I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for healthcare reform. And ever since, nearly every president and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way. A bill for comprehensive health reform was first introduced by John Dingell Sr. in 1943. Sixty-five years later, his son continues to introduce that same bill at the beginning of each session.Our collective failure to meet this challenge – year after year, decade after decade – has led us to a breaking point. Everyone understands the extraordinary hardships that are placed on the uninsured, who live every day just one accident or illness away from bankruptcy. These are not primarily people on welfare. These are middle-class Americans. Some can’t get insurance on the job.Others are self-employed, and can’t afford it, since buying insurance on your own costs you three times as much as the coverage you get from your employer. Many other Americans who are willing and able to pay are still denied insurance due to previous illnesses or conditions that insurance companies decide are too risky or expensive to cover.We are the only advanced democracy on Earth – the only wealthy nation – that allows such hardships for millions of its people. There are now more than 30 million American citizens who cannot get coverage. In just a two-year period, one in every three Americans goes without healthcare coverage at some point. And ever y day, 14,000 Americans lose their coverage. In other words, it can happen to anyone.But the problem that plagues the healthcare system is not just a problem of the uninsured. Those who do have insurance have never had less security and stability than they do today. More and more Americans worry that if you move, lose your job, or change your job, you’ll lose your health insurance too. More and more Americans pay their premiums, only to discover that their insurance company has dropped their coverage when they get sick, or won’t pay the full cost of care. It happens every day.One man from Illinois lost his coverage in the middle of chemotherapy because his insurer found that he hadn’t reported gallstones that he didn’t even know about. They delayed his treatment, and he died because of it. Another woman from Texas was about to get a double mastectomy when her insurance company canceled her policy because she forgot to declare a case of acne.By the time sh e had her insurance reinstated, her breast cancer more than doubled in size. That is heart-breaking, it is wrong, and no one should be treated that way in the United States of America.Then there’s the problem of rising costs. We spend one-and-a-half times more per person on healthcare than any other country, but we aren’t any healthier for it. This is one of the reasons that insurance premiums have gone up three times faster than wages. It’s why so many employers   especially small businesses are forcing their employees to pay more for insurance, or are dropping their coverage entirely.It’s why so many aspiring entrepreneurs cannot afford to open a business in the first place, and why American businesses that compete internationally   like our automakers are at a huge disadvantage. And it’s why those of us with health insurance are also paying a hidden and growing tax for those without it about $1000 per year that pays for somebody else†™s emergency room and charitable care.Finally, our healthcare system is placing an unsustainable burden on taxpayers. When healthcare costs grow at the rate they have, it puts greater pressure on programs like Medicare and Medicaid. If we do nothing to slow these skyrocketing costs, we will eventually be spending more on Medicare and Medicaid  than every other government program combined. Put simply, our healthcare problem is our deficit problem. Nothing else even comes close.These are the facts. Nobody disputes them. We know we must reform this system. The question is how.There are those on the left who believe that the only way to fix the system is through a single-payer system like Canada’s, where we would severely restrict the private insurance market and have the government provide coverage for everyone.On the right, there are those who argue that we should end the employer-based system and leave individuals to buy health insurance on their own.I have to say that the re are arguments to be made for both approaches. But either one would represent a radical shift that would disrupt the healthcare most people currently have.Since healthcare represents one-sixth of our economy, I believe it makes more sense to build on what works and fix what doesn’t, rather than try to build an entirely new system from scratch.And that is precisely what those of you in Congress have tried to do over the past several months.During that time, we have seen Washington at its best and its worst. We have seen many in this chamber work tirelessly for the better part of this year to offer thoughtful ideas about how to achieve reform. Of the five committees asked to develop bills, four have completed their work, and the Senate Finance Committee announced today that it will move forward next week. That has never happened before.Our overall efforts have been supported by an unprecedented coalition of doctors and nurses; hospitals, seniors’ groups and even drug c ompanies   many of whom opposed reform in the  past. And there is agreement in this chamber on about 80% of what needs to be done, putting us closer to the goal of reform than we have ever been.But what we have also seen in these last months is the same partisan spectacle that only hardens the disdain many Americans have toward their own government.Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics. Some have dug into unyielding ideological camps that offer no hope of compromise. Too many have used this as an opportunity to score short-term political points, even if it robs the country of our opportunity to solve a long-term challenge. And out of this blizzard of charges and countercharges, confusion has reigned.Well the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action. Now is when we must bring the best ideas of both parties together, and show the American people that we can still do what we were sent here to do. Now is the time to deliv er on healthcare.The plan I’m announcing tonight would meet three basic goals: It will provide more security and stability to those who have health insurance. It will provide insurance to those who don’t. And it will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government.It’s a plan that asks everyone to take responsibility for meeting this challenge   not just government and insurance companies, but employers and individuals. And it’s a plan that incorporates ideas from senators and Congressmen; from Democrats and Republicans and yes, from some of my opponents in both the primary and general election.Here are the details that every American needs to know about this plan: First, if you are among the hundreds of millions of Americans who already have health insurance through your job, Medicare, Medicaid, or the VA, nothing in this plan will require you or your employer to change the coverage or the doctor you have. Let me repeat this: Nothing in our plan requires you to change what you have.What this plan will do is to make the insurance you have work better for you. Under this plan, it will be against the law for insurance companies to deny you coverage because of a preexisting condition. As soon as I sign this bill, it will be against the law for insurance companies to drop your coverage when you get sick or water it down when you need it most.They will no longer be able to place some arbitrary cap on the amount of coverage you can receive in a given year or a lifetime. We will place a limit on how much you can be charged for out-of-pocket expenses, because in the United States of America, no one should go broke because they get sick.And insurance companies will be required to cover, with no extra charge, routine checkups and preventive care, like mammograms and colonoscopies   because there’s no reason we shouldn’t be catching diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer before they get worse.That makes sense, it saves money, and it saves lives. That’s what Americans who have health insurance can expect from this plan   more security and stability.Now, if you’re one of the tens of millions of Americans who don’t currently have health insurance, the second part of this plan will finally offer you quality, affordable choices. If you lose your job or change your job, you will be able to get coverage. If you strike out on your own and start a small business, you will be able to get coverage. We will do this by creating a new insurance exchange   a marketplace where individuals and small businesses will be able to shop for health insurance at competitive prices.Insurance companies will have an incentive to participate in this exchange because it lets them compete for millions of new customers. As one big group, these customers will have greater leverage to bargain with the insurance companies for better prices and quality coverage. Thi s is how large companies and government employees get affordable insurance. It’s how everyone in this Congress gets affordable insurance. And it’s time to give every American the same opportunity that we’ve given ourselves.For those individuals and small businesses who still cannot afford the lower-priced insurance available in the exchange, we will provide tax credits, the size of which will be based on your need. And all insurance companies that want access to this new marketplace will have to abide by the consumer protections I already mentioned.This exchange will take effect in four years, which will give us time to do it right. In the meantime, for those Americans who can’t get insurance today because they have preexisting medical conditions, we will immediately offer low-cost coverage that will protect you against financial ruin if you become seriously ill. This was a good idea when Senator John McCain proposed it in the campaign, it’s a good idea now, and we should embrace it.Now, even if we provide these affordable options, there may be those   particularly the young and healthy who still want to take the risk and go without coverage. There may still be companies that refuse to do right by their workers.The problem is, such irresponsible behavior costs all the rest of us money. If there are affordable options and people still don’t sign up for health insurance, it means we pay for those people’s expensive emergency room visits.If some businesses don’t provide workers health care, it forces the rest of us to pick up the tab when their workers get sick, and gives those businesses an unfair advantage over their.And unless everybody does their part, many of the insurance reforms we seek   especially requiring insurance companies to cover preexisting conditions just can’t be achieved.That’s why under my plan, individuals will be required to carry basic health insurance just as most states require you to carry auto insurance.Likewise, businesses will be required to either offer their workers healthcare, or chip in to help cover the cost of their workers. There will be a hardship waiver for those individuals who still cannot afford coverage, and 95% of all small businesses, because of their size and narrow profit margin, would be exempt from these requirements.But we cannot have large businesses and individuals who can afford coverage game the system by avoiding responsibility to themselves or their employees. Improving our healthcare system only works if everybody does their part.While there remain some significant details to be ironed out, I believe a broad consensus exists for the aspects of the plan I just outlined:consumer protections for those with insurance,an exchange that allows individuals and small businesses to purchase affordable coverage, anda requirement that people who can afford insurance get insurance.And I have no doubt that these reforms wou ld greatly benefit Americans from all walks of life, as well as the economy as a whole.Still, given all the misinformation that’s been spread over the past few months, I realize that many Americans have grown nervous about reform. So tonight I’d like to address some of the key controversies that are still out there.Some of people’s concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.To my progressive friends, I would remind you that for decades, the driving idea behind reform has been to end insurance company abuses and make coverage affordable for those without it. The public option is only a means to that end   and we should remain open to other ideas that accomplish our ultimate goal.And to my Republican friends, I say that rather than making wild claims about a government takeover of healthcare, we should work together to address any legitimate concerns you may have. There are also those who claim that our reform effort will insure illegal immigrants. This, too, is false   the reforms I’m proposing would not apply to those who are here illegally. And one more misunderstanding I want to clear up under our plan, no federal dollars will be used to fund abortions, and federal conscience laws will remain in place.My healthcare proposal has also been attacked by some who oppose reform as a â€Å"government takeover† of the entire healthcare system. As proof, critics point to a provision in our plan that allows the uninsured and small businesses to choose a publicly-sponsored insurance option, administered by the government just like Medicaid or Medicare.So let me set the reco rd straight. My guiding principle is, and always has been, that consumers do better when there is choice and competition. Unfortunately, in 34 states, 75% of the insurance market is controlled by five or fewer companies. In Alabama, almost 90% is controlled by just one company. Without competition, the price of insurance goes up and the quality goes down.And it makes it easier for insurance companies to treat their customers badly – by cherry-picking the healthiest individuals and trying to drop the sickest; by overcharging small businesses who have no leverage; and by jacking up rates.Insurance executives don’t do this because they are bad people. They do it because it’s profitable. As one former insurance executive testified before Congress, insurance companies are not only encouraged to find reasons to drop the seriously ill; they are rewarded for it. All of this is in service of meeting what this former executive called Wall Street’s relentless profit expectations.Now, I have no interest in putting insurance companies out of business. They provide a legitimate service, and employ a lot of our friends and neighbors. I just want to hold them accountable. The insurance reforms that I’ve already mentioned would do just that.But an additional step we can take to keep insurance companies honest is by making a not-for-profit public option available in the exchange.Let me be clear   it would only be an option for those who don’t have insurance. No one would be forced to choose it, and it would not impact those of you who already have insurance. In fact, based on Congressional Budget Office estimates, we believe that less than 5% of Americans would sign up.Despite all this, the insurance companies and their allies don’t like this idea. They argue that these private companies can’t fairly compete with the government. And they’d be right if taxpayers were subsidizing this public insurance option. But th ey won’t be. I have insisted that like any private insurance company, the public insurance option would have to be self-sufficient and rely on the premiums it collects.But by avoiding some of the overhead that gets eaten up at private companies by profits, administrative costs and executive salaries, it could provide a good deal for consumers. It would also keep pressure on private insurers to keep their policies affordable and treat their customers better, the same way public colleges and universities provide choice and competition to students without in any way inhibiting a vibrant system of private colleges and universities.It’s worth noting that a strong majority of Americans still favor a public insurance option of the sort I’ve proposed tonight. But its impact shouldn’t be exaggerated   by the left, the right, or the media. It is only one part of my plan, and should not be used as a handy excuse for the usual Washington ideological battle.This is the plan I’m proposing. It’s a plan that incorporates ideas from many of the people in this room tonight   Democrats and Republicans. And I will continue to seek common ground in the weeks ahead. If you come to me with a serious set of proposals, I will be there to listen. My door is always open.But know this: I will not waste time with those who have made the calculation that it’s better politics to kill this plan than improve it. I will not stand by while the special interests use the same old tactics to keep things exactly the way they are.If you misrepresent what’s in the plan, we will call you out. And I will not accept the status quo as a solution. Not this time. Not now.Everyone in this room knows what will happen if we do nothing. Our deficit will grow. More families will go bankrupt. More businesses will close. More Americans will lose their coverage when they are sick and need it most. And more will die as a result. We know these things to be true.That is why we cannot fail. Because there are too many Americans counting on us to succeed   the ones who suffer silently, and the ones who shared their stories with us at town hall meetings, in emails, and in letters.I received one of those letters a few days ago. It was from our beloved friend and colleague, Ted Kennedy. He had written it back in May, shortly after he was told that his illness was terminal. He asked that it be delivered upon his death.In it, he spoke about what a happy time his last months were, thanks to the love and support of family and friends, his wife, Vicki, and his children, who are here tonight. And he expressed confidence that this would be the year that healthcare reform   Ã¢â‚¬Å"that great unfinished business of our society,† he called it would finally pass.He repeated the truth that health care is decisive for our future prosperity, but he also reminded me that  Ã¢â‚¬Å"it concerns more than material things.† â€Å"What we face ,† he wrote, â€Å"is above all a moral issue; at stake are not just the details of policy, but fundamental principles of social justice and the character of our country.†I’ve thought about that phrase quite a bit in recent days   the character of our country. One of the unique and wonderful things about America has always been our self-reliance, our rugged individualism, our fierce defense of freedom and our healthy skepticism of government. And figuring out the appropriate size and role of government has always been a source of rigorous and sometimes angry debate.For some of Ted Kennedy’s critics, his brand of liberalism represented an affront to American liberty. In their mind, his passion for universal health care was nothing more than a passion for big government.But those of us who knew Teddy and worked with him here people of both parties   know that what drove him was something more. His friend, Orrin Hatch, knows that. They worked together to provide children with health insurance. His friend John McCain knows that. hey worked together on a Patient’s Bill of Rights. His friend Chuck Grassley knows that. They worked together to provide healthcare to children with disabilities.On issues like these, Ted Kennedy’s passion was born not of some rigid ideology, but of his own experience. It was the experience of having two children stricken with cancer. He never forgot the sheer terror and helplessness that any parent feels when a child is badly sick; and he was able to imagine what it must be like for those without insurance; what it would be like to have to say to a wife or a child or an aging parent   there is something that could make you better, but I just can’t afford it.That large-heartedness   that concern and regard for the plight of others is not a partisan feeling. It is not a Republican or a Democratic feeling. It, too, is part of the American character. Our ability to stand in other peopl e’s shoes. A recognition that we are all in this together; that when fortune turns against one of us, others are there to lend a helping hand.A belief that in this country, hard work and responsibility should be rewarded by some measure of security and fair play; and an acknowledgement that sometimes government has to step in to help deliver on that promise. This has always been the history of our progress.In 1933, when over half of our seniors could not support themselves and millions had seen their savings wiped away, there were those who argued that Social Security would lead to socialism. But the men and women of Congress stood fast, and we are all the better for it.In 1965, when some argued that Medicare represented a government takeover of healthcare, members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, did not back down. They joined together so that all of us could enter our golden years with some basic peace of mind. You see, our predecessors understood that government cou ld not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom.But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, and the vulnerable can be exploited.What was true then remains true today. I understand how difficult this healthcare debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them.I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road   to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term. But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress.I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test. Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Broadway Musicals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Broadway Musicals - Essay Example This display created another layer for people to indulge in and become a part of as they watched this very different style. By the 1940s the musicals of the 1920s had fallen on hard times. Because of the War and the economic times people were not able to pay to see theatre as often. The shows that were more unusual or daring fell by the wayside form lack of audience participation. The reviews that had been so popular because it was a place where new actors were show cased, evolved into vaudeville. Many performers from the old musicals were now doing motion pictures. Major composers were either dead, retired or doing something different. The musicals of the 1920s had crated a formula of fast and furious entertainment without a plot, realism or a good story (Mordden 1999:4). By the 1940s audiences were bored with the old musicals and they were looking for something fresh and different. It is important to note that all the musicals of the 1920s to the 1940s had different formulas that e ncouraged comedy with no real plot. An example, many of the Andy Hardy musicals with Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney were examples of these. Babes on Broadway was to entertain people and make them happy. It had very little plot. Usually the musical started with a bit musical number that evolved the entire chorus. Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and the team of Rodgers and Hart were producing singable tunes that also had elements of the music from the time -- ragtime, boogie-woogie, jazz and more (Mordden 24).

Reaction paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Reaction paper - Assignment Example In essence, his memories were also buried alive within him, as Azucena was in the rubble. The first night, Carlà © â€Å"kept talking in the darkness, to assure her that he was still there and to overcome the menace of uncertainty† (Allende 324). However, the next day, slowly but surely his past comes back haunting him, and â€Å"the torrent of all that had lain hidden in the deepest and most secret layers of memory poured out† (Allende 327). Though he could not talk to the girl about it all, while he lay there consoling the girl, Carlà © was forced to relive and confront his past. Throughout his life as an adult, Carlà © had attempted to bury his painful memories of growing up in an abusive household where his father not only mistreated him and his mother, but also his mentally disabled sister. The humiliation he suffered at his hands, or the pain he received when he saw his mother’s humiliation, had been buried deeply within himself. His life as a journalist fared no better either. Witness to the atrocities of war, and genocide, he could not make peace with life in a world where people were so cruel to each other. With his self-made professional sojourn, whereby he lay in wait with the girl, hoping for her to be rescued or for some help to come, he was forced to face his past. He discovered that all the demons that he had buried, all his painful memories, had not died or diminished with time. In fact, they had been alive within him. In essence, buried alive like the girl, Azucena, was in front of him. Her suffering caused him to remember his own, and he ended up having to confront and battle his painful past. The ordeal changed him completely, as did the death of the girl, causing him to be â€Å"not the same man† (Allende 331). Not only had he to deal with his past, but the death of the innocent young girl, caused by the bureaucratic inefficiencies of the country. However, he had to face these demons he had buried alive within himself, as he had to