Parties’ Policy Platforms

With the voting date for the 2000 elections approaching, Americans are being bombarded with the policy platforms of the candidates. The two front runners and their lesser known rivals use every medium available to spread their ideas on major issues. It is because of their use of the media that voters are able to compare and contrast policy views of multiple parties. Using two important policy areas (for the purposes of this essay, we will continue to use public education and social security) we will discuss and analyze the views of the two major parties, the Republicans and the Democrats, and a Public education is a headlining topic during elections. The current public education system has allowed the United States to have one of the highest standards of living in the world, but could use some improving. The republicans believe that by providing public school students with private school vouchers, every child will have access to a high quality, indeed, a world-class education. (the Republican National The democrats believe that the republican idea of private school vouchers would offer too few dollars to too few children to escape their failing schools. The feel that vouchers would be pulling bucks out of the schools that need them most. Instead of vouchers, the democrats want to invest more in Americas crumbling schools, even if that means providing less tax cuts for American citizens. (the Democratic Committee The green party also is against vouchers, but believes in Equalize School Funding with Federal Revenue Sharing: Federal financing of all public education (instead of by regressive local property taxes) so that every school has the resources it needs to provide he highest quality education for every child. The Green Party website: Social Security is another publicized issue. While all 3 parties have expressed interest to save social security, the way they will go about doing it varies. The republican party platform says that they will continue to stop the annual raids on the Social Security trust funds by balancing the federal budget without that program†s surplus. (the Republican National Convention website: www. rnc. org) The democratic platform states that to build on the success of Social Security, Al Gore has proposed the creation of Retirement Savings Plus – voluntary, tax-free, personally-controlled, privately-managed savings accounts with a government match that would help couples build a nest egg of up to $400,000. Also, separate from Social Security, Retirement Savings Plus accounts would let Americans save and invest on top of the foundation of Social Security's guaranteed benefit. Under this plan, the federal government would match individual contributions with tax credits, with the hardest-pressed working families getting the most assistance. (the Democratic Committee On the issue of Social security, the green party platform does not go into much detail stating: The actuarial protection of social security is essential to the well-being of our seniors, and the maintenance of the system†s integrity is an essential part of a healthy community. (the Green Party website: www. greenparty. org) While they do not offer their plan for improvement, it is clear that they do not plan on letting the program die out. While the basic, raw ideas of improving education and saving social security are shared by the 3 parties, their plan of execution varies.

Dear Manny and Jennifer

Good day! Before anything else, my father and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to both of you with regard to the real estate properties information in Phuket, Thailand.Your suggestions were closely considered and after thinking things thoroughly, my father indicated that he would like to buy a hotel that is fully established and is currently in business. Another possibility would be a hotel that is completely erected and would be in full operation in a few months' time.My father decided on this as he is concerned that it would be difficult if he bought a property that is not yet established since he has very little knowledge about Thailand's real estate laws and regulations. He also understands the trouble of having to deal with the hotel in Phuket while he is in Hong Kong and so he believes that this is the best way to do it.My father is also wondering about the cost of these properties. Is it possible that the prices be forwarded so that he can decide better? I would l ike to assure both of you that he is not rushing to buy a property, so please do not worry. He is actually waiting for the best one in the market, and, when the opportunity comes, you can be sure that he will buy it right away.Again, thank you so much for your help. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. Without you two, we would not have been able to look in to this. We hope to hear from soon.Sincerely

Sex Trafficking

Comparative Review March 11, 2013 Thesis: Legalizing Prostitution will stop the spread of illicit Sex Trafficking. It seems like a normal day in her little village, until two shady men come and take her and all the young girls around the same age as her from their families. She is terrified and is scared of what may come next. The man repeatedly compliments her on her beauty and touches her silk soft skin. Crying only makes things worse and makes the man very angry. He hits them and calls them bad names as a punishment. Its been days since they took us, and has only given us little amounts of water to stay some what hydrated; and no food.This feeling is so surreal and this stuff actually does happen, beyond what people may think they know women and kids are being taken. In the article Enslaved in America by Tina Frundt it explains how typically Americans look the other way when they see prostitution but, neglect that these girls 50 percent of the time are forced into the Sex Traffick ing lifestyle. On the other hand Brenda Zurita’s article Legalization or harm reduction of prostitution and sexual trafficking writes about the government and the Sex trafficking laws says a different story.Sex Trafficking is illegal in the United States but why is there girls forced out of their homes and into this modern day slavery still occurring. In Bruce Kennedy’s Would legalizing prostitution help the US economy, it explains in simple terms how much one difference will create safer jobs and bring it much needed money to our economy. Which brings me to my next point; Prostitution should be legalized for those who want to retire in this way of life. It will have a positive effect on the economy bringing in billions in taxable income.In the increasing epidemic with Sex Trafficking; Tina Frundt, explains why this is truly a big issue worldwide. With this crime being unrecognized to a certain degree as it should in the shadows its really happening. The purpose of thi s article is to help understand the reasons â€Å"why. † Truthfully when I think of this topic I think of all the girls overseas who are being taken from their homes. As Frundt explains this is not only my opinion; most people have the same thoughts and are in the blind that this happens so close to home too. Not everything is said out to be the way it really is.All the bliss and publicity that the â€Å"pimps† is point blank ridiculous. â€Å"Young people use â€Å"pimp† in everyday conversation: â€Å"my ride is pimped out,† â€Å"your clothes are pimping. † They do not understand the reality behind the term. (Frundt)† This is a subliminal message about Sex Trafficking, the word is so powerful that it is misused and now taken for what it really is. Sex trafficking victims live in a cold, heartless, mistreated, and world full of violence. Raped and beat on the daily bases is only the least of these victims’ worries.Finding a way to e scape and lead a different life is the biggest and hardest goal to acquire. How are these victims found if they aren’t ever missed of even looked for? A promise for a better life, a good job and a new start is how many people end up in these types of situations. Having such a personal intake of Sex Trafficking, Frundt’s article is an essential piece that I find necessary to write about in my research. Unlike Frundt who shares a very particular share in Sex Trafficking, Brenda Zurita speaks from a point where anyone can understand more broadly.When the demand for prostituted people exceeds the available supply, women, children and sometimes men are trafficked in to meet the demand (Zurita). Children and women are usually the two that are easier to manipulate by letting them know what they want to hear. Often they are showered with gifts and affection that leave them wanting more. Than to keep an even tighter leash threatening comes to play, captors threaten their lives and the lives of their families. Which often leave victims to scared to leave to keep their families safe.The US government opposes prostitution for the reason that it is dehumanizing and harmful for people. Sex trafficking is what should be the center of focus. Trying to stop something that is known today, as â€Å"Modern Day Slavery† cannot just be stopped all together. In this case, and at the time former president George W. Bush stated that work in this field is not legitimate and should be not tolerated for humans of any sort. By legalizing we are creating a safer environment for those who chose this way of life.Traffickers often beat, humiliate, and torture their victims and can ultimately lead to murder. Pimps and traffickers, in order to make a profit, cater to their customer’s desires and supply prostituted people to fulfill their fantasies (Zurita). The legalization of Prostitution reduced the need for Sex Traffickers. Bruce Kennedy is all for the legalizatio n of prostitution, in my opinion it provides an economical relief. From the time that I can remember the US has been struggling with money. By legalizing this it brings in an outstanding 18 billion in taxable income from the sex industry.Although crime rates seem to stay the same, legalizing creates a better environment for those women who choose this life style. It brings better working conditions and makes it safer by not having pimps abuse their â€Å"hoes. † The challenge that seems to be faced is all the crime that would still happen. Technically pimps watch over their girls and make sure the guys they leave with are safe and will return the girls back accordingly. Without this it is expected that more kidnappings and murders are to be committed.A nights earning is expected to be around 500$ a night which attracts the criminal industry. The message and the information that I acquired from (Frundt), (Zurita, 2013) and (Kennedy, 2012) are essential to creating a strong res earch paper. They are all statistically inclined and include different examples of different situations that will help me outline my paper. Since Frundt’s article is the strongest of the three I plan on strategically planning out her experiences in a way that will coherently compare it to the others.Being a woman, myself I feel like I have a stronger connection with my topic because I could be categorized as well as other girls my age in the range how the Pimps choose their girls. I could not imagine myself in the position that hundreds of girls find themselves everyday. Spreading awareness on the topic is the way people are going to be more involved with the stop of Sex Trafficking. How is something going to be stopped if its only been advertised as a good thing, when in true reality it is the complete opposite. References Frundt, T. (n. d. ).Enslaved in America: Sex trafficking in the United States. WFN, Retrieved from http://www. womensfundingnetwork. org/resource/past-art icles/enslaved-in-america-sex-trafficking-in-the-united-states Kennedy, B. (2010). Would legalizing prostitution help the us economy?. Retrieved from http://money. msn. com/now/post. aspx? post=49c1f746-9b02-4ba4-a60f-67d3ccc1a6b5 Zurita, B. (2012). Legalization or harm reduction of prostitution and sexual trafficking. Retrieved from http://www. cwfa. org/articledisplay. asp? id=12632&department=BLI&categoryid=dotcommentary

Astral Records Ltd Case Report

————————————————- ————————————————- KOZMINSKI UNIVERSITY ————————————————- Financial Statement Analysis ————————————————- ————————————————- Critical Review ————————————————- ————————————————- Astral Records Ltd â⠂¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€- Ewelina Laguna 23200 ————————————————- Joanna Czechowicz 23155 ————————————————-Yue Jingtong 23275 ————————————————- ————————————————- April 15, 2012 ————————————————- Academic Year 2012/2013 ——————————————â€⠀Ã¢â‚¬â€- ————————————————- I hereby certify that this paper is the result of my own work and that all sources I used have been reported. ————————————————- ————————————————- ————————————————– Signature ————————————————- Kozminski University 2010 1. Please assess the current financial health and recent financial performance of the company. What strengths and/or weaknesses would you highlight to Sarah Conner? The group managed to pick out a few factors to check the current financial health and recent financial performance of the company but they did not point out the total sales from income statement are increase. The thing we did not like was from the presentation point of view the group didn’t show us the good assessment of the situation like their report, and during the presentation it is so hard to catch the point of the question.The group gives us impressive numbers which we thought is from evaluating the financial situation but from the case exhibits. They didn’t mention the situation of the company (CEO been killed) they only talking about the numbers, in this point of view the group focus on numbers too much on this question. And in our opinion it will be better if they put some graph to show the trend. The trend can show us the financial health. The confuse part is they didn’t go to the point of the question directly. They didn’t give us the certain answer in the firs t part of question one.The good part is from the report; we can see the group was really focus on this question compare rest of the questions, besides the answer of first question is much better comparing the presentation. It will be good if they are not only showing the numbers but also available to explain the numbers. From the report we can see clearly about the EBITDA ratio however we cannot find anything from the presentation. Here is the copy from the report: â€Å"In operating management we used gross profit and EBITDA ratios (Table 2. ,). We use EBITDA ratio to better evaluate Astral financial condition- companies have different distribution and pricing policies which lead to different cost structure. † The ratios showed really clear in the report, and they think it is the most important ratio to see the financial health however they did not show anything during the presentation. 2. Please forecast the financial statements of the firm for 1994 and 1995. What will be t he external financing requirements of the firm in those years? Can the firm repay its loan within a reasonable period?The purpose of this question was to detect the skills of preparing financial forecast. However, during the presentation the group did not show us how to forecast but only numbers again. Audience may lose interest to follow. And it is also to catch the point during the presentation. Besides the group’s answer to this question, in the presentation and report, assume too much as they just mentioned; â€Å"Sales growth: 15%, Dividends, Fixed-assets, Interest expense , Production cost & expense and Admin & selling expense† In our point of view here is no need to assume too many unchanged numbers.And more assumption means more incorrect of the result. For example here is no need to assume stable interest expensive. During the presentation, when people asking why using the numbers they said just because of assumption. The growth rate they were using is 15% and they give no reason, however the 15% is from the expected growth rate not only from the assumption. Considering all the previous calculation is from assumptions and we must agree but if they do it more careful and using less assumption it will be much better compare the thing they have now. 3.What are the key driver assumptions of the firm’s future financial performance? * What are the managerial implications of those key drivers? * That is, what aspects of the firm’s activities should Conner especially focus on? Question 3 is not clear during the presentation however they showed everything in their report. 4. What is Astral’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC)? * What methods did you use to estimate the WACC? * What key assumptions especially influenced the WACC? Question 4 looks correct, but they didn’t show us numbers and we feel like the result is from the heaven.After checking the report we found out they use the wrong data. What they wrote in their report: ‘‘WACC was calculated using the following inputs; Using information from the comparables, Haris-Bershel and Donaldson, Inc E = Equity = average outstanding shares of the two comparables used multiplied by their average book value per share D = Debt= long-term debt E(re )= cost of equity = Gordon growth model= average comparable dividend, 10% growth, average comparable share price D(re) = cost of debt= libor + 1%† They have to tell us the number they were using whatever during the presentation or in the report.The most confusing part is cost of equity. There are 2 ways to calculate the cost of equity: And they were choosing the first way. They were using the different dividend and we even cannot find out the number they use. And they feel the number incorrect so they even divided by 2 to make the number similar as what we usually use during the lecture. In our case we got all the numbers to evaluate the cost of equity and the different ways should show the similar numbers of cost of equity. So our calculation of the cost of equity=risk-free return (6%)+beta(1. 45)*(average stock return(0. 8)-risk free return)=8. 9% And the WACC=5. 1. This part of the present is the worst and people cannot understand the point during the presentation. The report is not enough explanations. As you can see the group’s method would be not only confusing themself but provided them with the wrong answer. 5. What are the free cash flows of the packaging machine investment? Should Conner approve the investment? The Group did not answer to this question at all. It was not clear where there it actually is better to buy a machine later or not. They did not compare the two situations, just put not clear assumption.Therefore here is a proposition of alternative approach that in our opinion makes it clearer. * The discount rate used for calculation is the WACC from previous question. If you look at the totals and the differences between them it becomes quite clear that buying the machine now will result cost only 718,401 in terms of all cost for 10 years projection. At the same time the present value of all sawing to be made is higher by 280,028 if the machine is to be bought now. Evidently looking at this numbers will make you conclude that it is in fact worth to but the new equipment now.However it is important to look at general condition of the company. Keeping that in mind we must say that even thou the calculation would suggest to buy it now the company would have to finance it with a loan. It already has a lack of cash so making it even worst by investing another million is not a best idea. Especially that they can buy it any time in the future I would first deal with their shortage of cash and excess of account receivables and inventories. Then it will be a time to think about new investment in the equipment.

Differences between Basic Trauma Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Research Paper

Differences between Basic Trauma Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support - Research Paper Example This has been attributed to the increase a number of diseases to young people, increase in disability cases and a great loss of young productive life, which in turn has brought about socio-economic losses to the society at large. This great loss of life has attracted public interest as well as public health community and civic organizations attention to come up and formulate strategies that can prevent or improve the damages caused by injuries (Cales, 1-8). Differences between Basic Trauma Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support Among the strategies that have been formulated to decrease injury burdens are the health care provisions. These have reduced the rate of deaths from injuries as well as the rate of disability caused by these injuries. In the last decade most high income countries have witnessed reductions in trauma mortality of up to 15%-20%. This has been attributed to improved systems of trauma care within the health communities. In many developed countries, health co mmunities have introduced and are implementing trauma life support systems. This is pre-hospital care that includes both the basic trauma life support and advanced trauma life support. This has been due to the fact that most patients with injuries arrive at the hospital by means of private transport and need a lot of pre-hospital care hence it’s being adopted by health communities in many countries (Cales, 1-8). ... This paper however is more concerned with noting the difference between the basic trauma life support and the advanced trauma life support as well as those patients that are exposed to basic trauma life support and advanced life support in California (Isenberg and Bissell, 265-270). Empirical studies show that pre-hospital care is classified into two categories. The basic trauma life support and advanced trauma life support. These two categories are mainly differentiated by the methods used in their application. In the case of advanced trauma life support, sophisticated methods such as airway management, intravenous fluids infusions, synchronized cardio version, cardiac monitoring, electrocardiogram interpretation, medications and intubation are used (Klemen and Grmec, 1250-1254). On the other hand, in the cases of basic trauma life support, simple noninvasive methods such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bleeding control, splinting broken bones, artificial ventilation, basic airway management and administration of oral or rectal medications are used to prevent further injuries. In the case of transportation of a patient, advanced trauma life support requires a ground ambulance or a helicopter with physicians or paramedics (Lee et al., 815-819). On the other hand, basic trauma life support can be applied within any means of transportation as well as given by paramedics or emergency medical technicians since it does not require the sophisticated methods used in the advanced trauma life support. Although basic trauma life support does not use the same methods as advanced trauma life support, advanced trauma life support does use the

Economic Impacts of the Multi Fibre Agreement expiration in the EU Essay

Economic Impacts of the Multi Fibre Agreement expiration in the EU Countries - Essay Example The essay focuses on the economic side of the MFA expiration, while examining the importance of international trade and the use of protectionist policies in a globalized world. The concept of aggregate demand and supply is used to measure the impact of the changes on products and factors in the textile market. The essay also considers European protectionist measures that can be taken in the nearest future. The essay presents different cases, where other forms of protectionism have been created in developed countries especially in the European Union and the gap between beneficiary and non beneficiary developing countries of the opening of the international textile market. The WTO admitted that the MFA was a special regime outside the GATT rules and that WTO members have committed to remove those quotas by 1st January 2005. Nevertheless, the MFA was not negative for all countries. The US, for example, imposed no restrictions on imports from the poorest countries like Bangladesh, benefiting to a massive expansion of the textile industry there. Since the end of the quotas, the gap between developed and developing countries is not very clear. When some could believe that the dismantling of the MFA could have been a relief and a real opportunity for Southern countries, it appears that the situation is much more complex. There is one main reason for the difficulties facing the textile market within developing countries: competition. Each of developing countries wants to be part of this profitable business. ... ist policies and we will use the concept of aggregate demand and supply to measure the impact of the changes on products and factors in the textile market. I. The consequences of the end of the MFA. 1. Among developing countries. Since the end of the quotas, the gap between developed and developing countries is not very clear. When some could believe that the dismantling of the MFA could have been a relief and a real opportunity for Southern countries, it appears that the situation is much more complex. There is one main reason for the difficulties facing the textile market within developing countries: competition. As the international market is now wide open, each developing countries wants to be part of this profitable business. However, not all of them can compete with giants like China. According to apublication from the OECD "A New World Map in Textiles and Clothing" when the MFA was still in place, smaller developing countries took advantage of the quotas because this system penalised the more competitive suppliers. When the quotas from a country like China was reached, importers turned to less competitive suppliers located in countries that had spare export quotas and whose only advantage was low wage. Today, the less competitive developing countries re not called as back up because countries willing to import textile can only be supplied by one and only exporter, the most competitive: China. As we stated before, the main issue here is competition. What separates China from other developing countries id not only the competitive advantages of low wages. In "China Shows the Way in a Quota-Free Market", Linda Lim presents six competitive advantages that China has over the other developing countries: First, Chinese workers are much more productive, probably

Adolescence in anthropology Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Adolescence in anthropology - Assignment Example According to our Week 2 lecture from Dr. Tanya Mueller, the female body form is, at times, considered the default body form.The lack of the Y-chromosome is responsible for the development of female anatomy while in utero A person becomes a male or female while in utero, which is after conception but before birth and puberty. All embryos are identical in external appearance for the first eight weeks of gestation, and then several factors nudge the infant toward male or female development. In the seventh week, the embryo has both male and female primordial ducts. In the normal female fetus, the millerian duct system then develops into oviducts and a uterus. In the normal male fetus, the wolferian duct system on each side develops into the epididymis and vas deferens. The external genitalia are similarly bipotential until the eighth week (The reproductive organs and genitals associated with "female" or "male" arise from the same initial (fetal) tissue). Thereafter, the urogenital slit d isappears and male genitalia formed or alternatively, it remains open, and female genitalia is formed. If the egg was fertilized with the x chromosome then the female structures continue to mature, the default system. However if the y chromosome fertilized the egg then a hormonal switch happens; two genes are activated and the female structures are completely dissolved and destroyed and the male organs take their place. Hormones play an overwhelming role in determining sexuality right from conception to puberty. The increased production of sex hormone like estrogen is responsible for changes like breast growth, changes in the walls of the uterus and vagina, and changes in the pelvic structure. Hormones like prolactin and lactogenic stimulates milk production and also helps maintain normal ovarian cycle. Follicile-stimulating hormone stimulates egg production in female while sperm production in males. Luteinizing hormone stimulates ovulation in females while the hormone oxytocin caus es uterus to contract and the breasts to release milk, thus lending female characteristics. On the other hand, hormones like testosterone stimulate development of male reproductive tract and male secondary sexual characteristics. Being a female, from the biological point of view, is determined on the basis of distribution of body hair, patterns of fat deposit, higher voice etc. A major characteristic is the establishment of the menstrual cycle. This involves the periodic growth and shedding of the lining of the uterus. Being a male again can be identified by definite body features and distribution of hair and fat etc., besides in the production of sperm and ejaculation. Also, males and females have different behavior patterns. Some behavioral differences are learned (patterns of dress, use of facial make-up), whereas others appear to be less dependent on culture (degree of aggressiveness, frequency of sexual thought). 2. Several lectures discussed the establishment of adolescence as a distinct life history stage. When do you think we see this occurring? In other words, even though there is no doubt mammals, monkeys, apes, and fossil hominids experience puberty (age at alpha) or reproductive maturation, do these qualify as a â€Å"distinct life history stage†? Why or why not? The sexual development of puberty has a typical pattern I both boys and girls, with a generally predictable line of changes taking place. The onset of puberty in most girls is marked by the development of breasts, which happens at an average age of 11 years. This is followed by the growth of pubic hair, and then hairs in the armpit. However, it has been found that a minority of girls have pubic hair coming out before their breasts begin to grow. Menstruation takes place usually two and a half years after the onset of puberty. A regular pattern of ovulation corresponding to achievement of fertility usually develops rapidly after a girl begins having menstrual cycles. However studies have shown that one half of adolescent