Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Native American History Native Americans - 1879 Words

Native American Lives Since the beginning of time, conquering other societies has been a common occurrence. Almost every battle that has taken place has been documented. When stories of past battles are retold, only one side of the tale gets told, the victor’s side. In history, the ones who have been defeated never get to present their perspective of the tragic quarrels. Most never even lived to tell the stories, but the ones who do survive are not thought of as important accounts in history. The Native Americans suffered tyranny far a plethora of years, and still do. When learning about the indigenous people of America, it is taught through the â€Å"white man’s† prospective, never through the eyes of the sufferers. By not telling both sides of the story, the facts get skewed, skewed enough to have lies become the truth. So what is the real story behind Native American oppression? The relationship between natives and the incoming settlers sparked when the East side of the United States started to be colonized. There were many documented cases when it comes to first encounters between the two parties, but each individual interaction was diverse in documentation. The best archive of first encounters involved a tribe called the Powhatan. From the very beginning the colonist were not looking to make new friends, but to conquer and gain new land. When the Europeans arrived they brought many things that would perish the civilization of the Powhatan. Among the things that theShow MoreRelatedNative American History : Native Americans1099 Words   |  5 Pages Native Americans A few thousands of years before the famous and high recognized explore Christopher Columbus’ ships landed in the Bahamas, a distinctive group of people discovered America. The ancestors of modern Native Americans who hiked over a â€Å"land bridge† from Asia more than 12,000 years ago. In fact, there is an estimate that more than 50 million people were already living in the Americas. As time passed, these migrants and their descendants pushed south and east, adapting as they wentRead MoreNative Americans And American History988 Words   |  4 PagesThroughout history, relationships between the Native Americans and the United States have been nothing but battle torn, and unfortunately have followed a consistent path of betrayal. There is no denying the universal fact that Native Americans have been unfairly treated and portrayed throughout American history. According to American history written during and after the war the Indian Wars that occurred were very subjective, and prejudiced in its depiction of the Native Americans. For example oneRead MoreNative Americans And American History1036 Words   |  5 PagesNative Americans do not experience enough social, political, and economic equality today because their stereotypes are portrayed in media, they do not have enough government representation, and they are not as well off as most Americans. Education plays a big part in how Native Americans are represented. Many schools, according to â€Å"The Coddling of the American Mind,† are overprotective of their students, thus censoring and limiting some important topics that students are required to learn. ThisRead MoreAmerican History: Native Americans 829 Words   |  3 PagesHave you ever wondered what it would be like to be Native American during the European invasion? In American history Native Americans were treated unfairly. The American government mistreated the Natives by lying to them and treating them as foreigners. After years of fighting for freedom the Natives did not achieve their goal for freedom. The Trail of Tears, being the most tragic event in American history, was due to the Removal Act in the 1830s, the misguidance of President Andrew Jackson, theRead MoreNative Americans And American History1396 Words   |  6 PagesNative Americans have remained a prominent aspect of American history; not jus t a history of the people, but a history of the land and the extensive traditions that shadowed it, like footprints in the sand. However, when the Europeans staggered over with indifference towards the natives and their unusual customs, a conflict erupted that dates back hundreds of years and continues into the present. As the United States grew further more intolerant of the natives, the daring judgment to either assimilateRead MoreNative Americans And American History Essay969 Words   |  4 PagesNative Americans, or Indians, as they were mistakenly called, have been the â€Å"pathetic footnotes to the main course of American history† (Axtell 981). But James Axtell, the author of Colonial America without the Indians: Counterfactual Reflections, would beg to differ. He says that instead, Indians played a key role in making America great. James Murray gives another term to describe America’s greatness: America’s â€Å"exceptionalism.† Throughout his art icle Axtell makes many points as to why IndiansRead MoreNative Americans History1879 Words   |  7 PagesWhen asking a child, educated or not, what they ideas are when they hear the term Native American where does they mind venture to? More than likely do they not consider the former House of Representative, Charles D. Curtis or professor pitcher Joba Chamberlain. But they also do not think of a Native American as being an average person, a boy/girl like themselves. What children believe to be Native American are descriptions such as, feather headdresses, tomahawks, and long braided hair or scalpedRead MoreThe American Of Native American History Essay2006 Words   |  9 PagesLong before Europeans landed on the east coast of the American continent, native peoples were living and thriving across the land. This is historical fact that is taught in schools across the country. However, much of the rest of Native American history that we are exposed to in schools really does not refl ect truth. While the broad lessons capture parts of the story, the reality is that much of the history is distorted and paints an inaccurate picture of the tribes and how they were treated by settlersRead MoreNative American History And History785 Words   |  4 PagesAs we speak and history verifies the very fact of the long-standing planning practices of American Indian that had enabled them to survive through every hurdle placed in the way. Although many Native American societies didn’t have a written language, many tribes were advanced enough and had written history or organized spiritual ceremonies and practices. Many tribes were destroyed and others moved far away from their ancestral home. Since the origin, and till now, American Indians have been ableRead MoreThe History of Native Americans Essay1102 Words   |  5 Pagesbrought suffering and death to Native American tribes. In the United States, Indian groups were willing to live with the newcomers until relations were strained by the continuing immigration to its territory, loss of resources, diseases and among other. Certainly, there were cultural differences between Indians and newcomers, but at the beginning; diplomacy, communication and consideration made the relations between them more bearable, but after a while, native were faced with people who

Monday, May 18, 2020

Odyssey vs O Brother, Where Art Thou - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1620 Downloads: 5 Date added: 2019/04/01 Category Literature Essay Level High school Tags: Odyssey Essay Did you like this example? In Odyssey, the main character Odysseus leaves his land and family in order to battle for an ally’s kidnapped wife, the battle of Troy. He spends a decade later trying to return home, battling various ills and evils so that he may eventually be able to return home. In his long absence, his wife Penelope has the battle of her own to resist the suitors congregating in her home in an attempt to win her hand in marriage. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Odyssey vs O Brother, Where Art Thou?" essay for you Create order Their son Telemachus battles a mostly internal war in both missing his father and despising the suitors who are ruining his home and overtaking his life. In O Brother, Where Art Thou?, the three main characters Everett McGill, Pete Hogwallop, and Delmar O’Donnell escape from a prison chain gang. Everett convinced his fellow inmates that he has hidden a treasure that must be recovered before his hometown is flooded in the name of progress and the creation of a dam. Unbeknownst to his companions until near the end of the film, he is actually in prison for unlawful practice of law, and the treasure does not exist. The trio travels back to McGill’s hometown, with many interesting adventures along the way, including meeting a blind man who foretells their future, McGill’s attempts to woo and win over his wife Penny, and becoming a famous singing trio who receive a pardon for their crimes due to their immense popularity. Homer’s epic The Odyssey and Ethan Coen and Joel Coen’s movie O Brother, Where Art Thou? are remarkably similar despite several large differences. The most notable differences between the two media are the setting, the number of primary characters, and the history and story of the main character(s). The similarities are numerous, and include the varying array of adventures, the theme of nostos, and the pursuit of material reward. In Homer’s epic, the story takes place centuries ago, while the Coen’s movie takes place very recently, in the 1930’s. These differences bring with them different cultures and values. In Odysseus’ time, honor was valued above nearly all else. Homer shares a story of men who were highly valued when they died in battle, which was considered a good, respectable death. In the time period McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell lived, honor was not as valued. Rather than being men who were very well off, who left home to do battle, these three are escaped convicts. They hold no honor, something that is very evident when Everett McGill finds that his wife is engaged to another man and has lied to their daughters, preferring to tell them that their father was hit and killed by a train than to tell them he has been jailed. Odysseus’ wife Penelope waits for him for ten years, remaining faithful to him at all costs. She also shares her husband’s good name with their son Telemachus, and they both refuse to fully accept the possibility that Odysseus is dead without irrefutable proof. In contrast, McGill’s wife Penny tells their three daughters that he was hit and killed by a train, to avoid the stigma and shame associated with having a criminal for a husband. The girls believe their mother, as they have no reason not to, and Penny becomes engaged to another man rather than remain faithful to her husband. Despite these differences, both McGill and Odysseus do what they must to get their wives back from the suitors. While McGill takes a much less O Brother, Where Art Thou?violent stance, by punching his wife’s fiancà © and then finding her original wedding band (her requirement to take her hand again), and Odysseus elects to violently murder all the suitors in his home, as well a s any maids that slept with the suitors or other workers who aided the suitors above and beyond their basic duties. These two men have different family dynamics, but the same dedication to their wives and children. In the Odyssey, there is one main character. While there are three central characters, Odysseus, Telemachus, and Penelope, the story only follows one at a time, with Odysseus ultimately being the main character. In O Brother, Where Art Thou? there are three main characters. McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell are together at almost all times. This story also has one main character that it follows, McGill, instead of following the stories of the three most important characters. There is a varying depiction of the most common and important characters. The characters also have different stories and histories. Some has been covered above, but there are other large differences. Odysseus is a noble, often given the title â€Å"godlike,† and lives on a large property that supports his in-laws and allows him room and wealth for many flocks of animals, workers, and servants. Odysseus is well-respected, and his name is well known due to his high social status. The three in O Brother are criminals, without more than the possessions of the average middle to low class person during the time – at least before they were jailed. Their names are originally only known because of their failures to obey the law, and because they are escaped criminals. Later on, they are known because of their hit singing ability, but that is not even under their own names, but their â€Å"band† name. While Odysseus is known for his good deeds, McGill, Hogwallop and O’Donnell are known for their misdeeds. The similarities between the two stories are extensive, so I will only focus on a few. There are similarities not only in plot and the adventures the characters embark on and are involved in, but both are ripe with metaphors. In both tales, the main characters are following the strong theme of nostos, or the want/need to return home. Odysseus is battling gods, monsters, even visits Hades to help him return to his family. McGill convinces two others to break out of a chained roadside jail so that he can return to his wife and daughters. In addition, both stories begin with our â€Å"heroes† in captivity when they are first introduced. Odysseus is on an island with Calypso, and the three in O Brother are jailed. Both escape captivity, though through different means. Though at opposing ends of the story, Odysseus, McGill, Hogwallop, and O’Donnell end up floating on driftwood due to violent waters. For Odysseus, the waters are so intense because he had angered the god of the sea, Poseidon earlier in the story. Poseidon did everything in his power to keep Odysseus from getting home, though he was unable to kill Odysseus because of Zeus’ direct orders. As a result, Odysseus handcrafted raft is torn to pieces, and he floats on broken pieces until he has mustered the courage to attempt a swim to land. McGill and company were left floating on their own coffins after the valley they were in was flooded to create a dam. They also narrowly avoided death by those who wanted to kill them, the local sheriff and his men who wanted to hang them (which was why their coffins were there). In other parts of the stories, they both have their future foretold by a blind clairvoyant (in O Brother, the clairvoyant is the blind man who gives them a ride on the handcart, in Odysseus it’s the prophet Theoclymenus). All four characters are seduced by sirens, though they take very different approaches to the water-loving singers. Also in line with the sirens, only one character becomes seduced by them, with Odysseus tied to the mast of his ship and Hogwallop is basically kidnapped for ransom. Another similarity would be when Odysseus and his crew meet, are terrorized by, and escape Polyphemus, the Cyclopes. In O Brother, the men meet and are mugged by Big Dan Teague, another large man who also lures them in with food (though Polyphemus lure isn’t intentional) and they certainly cannot beat with strength alone, and kills one of their â€Å"men† (they believed one had been turned into a frog, who Teague squishes, similar to Polyphemus eating smashing and eatin g some of Odysseus’ crewmates). I was shocked between the similarities between these two stories. I read Homer’s Odyssey in the college I originally attended for my English class, and watched O Brother, Where Art Thou? once before with my father as it’s one of his favorite movies. It didn’t strike me that they were so similar until this paper challenged me to consider it. It seems almost as if they are the same story, and I am honestly shocked that I never noticed the wide array of similarities before. I think this is a very effective way of sharing the story with others, and makes the crazy things that happen seem as plausible in modern times as possible. Odysseus’ adventures today seem impossible, especially as most people now discount Greek mythology as nothing more than interesting stories of odd cultures from the past. By putting similar happenings in a modern context, though it has a lot of happenings that can be considered coincidental (such as correct predictions of future events by others), the Coen’s turn something improbable to plausible and funny. By doing this paper, I now look for similarities between Homer’s tale and other media I see. A lot of modern versions of epics and tales of grandeur, even in media like Scrubs and The Dresden Files. Also, the success of the movie and epic both show the eternal interest of the general population in an epic tale that includes plenty of â€Å"action† and a tale of romance, which is interesting in and of itself.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Communism Only Works for Urban Society - 788 Words

The principle idea of communism is that everything is shared equally amongst the people; there is no ownership of land, private business, or sometimes even individual choice. People were generally assigned jobs that served the greater good of the country, and they had no choice in the matter. Food and property were things shared by the masses, nobody could own land, a farmer could not even keep the crops he tended to, and everything was evenly distributed. While communism can be successfully implemented in urban society, it is not meant for rural societies. After the Russian Revolution communist ideas began to spread throughout Russia. Many people supported these ideas, since Russia was struggling so much; people viewed this communist†¦show more content†¦The communist future that the peasants imagine is a bleak one, they would lose all independence that they currently have. They would have to share their hard earned crops with people that they don’t know, and they would lose all of their property so it could be used for the greater good. This communist future would not benefit rural communities like these. The shared property and food supply would destroy the delicate balance that these people keep between survival and starvation. The people need everything they can get, and the communist system just cannot supply them with all the things they need, nor can it make up for all the losses it caused them. Communism is completely impractical in a rural setting. Communism was initially spread and gained popularity in the cit ies of Russia. The people believed that it was a way out of their misery; they had been suffering for years from famine, disease, unemployment, and homelessness. When people like Lenin advocated the idea of equal sharing, the people were intrigued with the notion of equal possessions for all. Everybody would have food to eat, a roof over their heads, and most importantly, a job. The concept of communism worked well in the cities, since cities brought in all of their goods from outside sources, they wouldn’t share the problem with the rural communities that they wouldn’t be able to support themselves. AlsoShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Industrial Revolution, Capitalism, and Socialism810 Words   |  4 Pagescities to work in factories, and progress in medical and sanitation practices improved, urban crowding became a huge issue. Additionally, where industry was taking over production in markets that had previously been dominated by small business owners, these skilled workers, weavers and the like, were now being forced to take jobs working for capitalist ventures-- often working in the industry coinciding with their master skill, but being paid as unskilled workers. These two issues--urban crowdingRead More Marx and the Communist Movement Essay922 Words   |  4 Pagesdistribution of goods are determined mainly by competing in a free market. Lastly, the forth stage of human development, is referred to as Communism. This is a final stage of society in Marxist theory in which the state and private ownership is demolished, and economic goods are owned and distributed equally. In the stages of society previous to communism, society is based on antagonisms of the à ¬oppressed and the oppressing,à ® from freeman and slaves, working class and government, to proletariat andRead MoreEssay on The Failure of Communism1655 Words   |  7 PagesThe failure of communism Communist had a long history during the 20th century, and communism was very influential. Almost all of Asia and East Europe became Communist. From the start of the theory then many civil wars in Russia affected the whole world. Communist defined the idea of itself in many different ways, it helps many nations came together formed a party fought wars, but it also made many countries became really poor, and the economy in most of the countries got pushed back about 10 yearsRead MoreThe Rise and Fall of Communism in the Soviet Union Essay1523 Words   |  7 PagesMarxism, socialism, or communism, is both a political and economic philosophy. In a communist economy, the government owns most of the firms, subsequently controlling production and allocation of resources. One of the most well-known and well-documented cases of a communist government took place in the Soviet Union, beginning in 1917 and eventually falling in 1992. Idealistically, communism eliminates social classism and provides equal work for all in a particular society. The government appointsRead MoreThe Impacts of the Emergence of Sociology on the Works of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber1057 Words   |  4 Pageseighteenth and nineteenth centuries. In this essay, the adequacy of this viewpoint will be analysed by pointing out these developments and highlighting their impact on the works of Emile Durkheim, Karl Marx and Max Weber. The three are considered because they are regarded as the pioneers of sociology. Furthermore, the relevance of the early work of the above to modern sociology will be highlighted. The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was a period characterised by large population growth coupled with aRead MoreEssay about The Role of the Individual in Candide1148 Words   |  5 Pagesroles of the individual and of society are completely abstract. As the world changes and develops, the roles of the individual and society change to meet the needs of the people. Voltaires Candide which involves France during the Age of Enlightment Marx Engels Communist Manifesto which involves Germany around 1848 both discuss the roles of the individual and of society in different ways. In both pieces of literature what is expected of the individuals and of society is very different from whatRead MoreContemporary Fun Report of the Contemporary Unit1770 Words   |  7 Pagesprotests, and social change, Americans wanted to institute change on the common zeitgeist. The Cold War and many political reforms caused Americans in the Contemporary period to think as a nation, creating an American Dre am that reflected growth in society with a desire to protect and expand Democratic values that was expressed through literature. Americans in the Contemporary Period had a desire to bring the economy to its full potential. With a wide economic fluctuation, Americans in the ContemporaryRead MoreUnmasking Capitalism in Steinbeck ´s The Grapes of Wrath997 Words   |  4 PagesThe desire for wealth in capitalist society leads to corruption and causes a divide between the rich and the poor, so perhaps a system that supports equality and fairness is a better choice. The Eastern-European expression,â€Å"Capitalism is man exploiting man; communism is just the opposite,† summarizes one of the main ideas in John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath. Steinbeck’s aversion to a capitalist society is a motif that appears in several of his literary works, but in The Grapes of Wrath he attacksRead MoreWorld War I And The World Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesWorld War II the world was drastically different. Despite experiences of World War I, the world received blows far different from the Great War j ust ten years earlier. Nearly 60 million people perished due to the war and its extensive damage in major urban population centers. The Allied powers, including Great Britain, France, Russia and the United States, now were left with the responsibility of putting the world back together. Post World War I, treaty and relief efforts fell flat so this time aroundRead MoreHow Did Lenin and Stalin Transform He Society and Economy of the Ussr?1405 Words   |  6 PagesHow did Lenin and Stalin transform the society and economy of the USSR? After the devastation of World War I, the Revolution, and Civil War, Russia was a total wreck. Factories were in ruins and half the working class gone, either dead or returned to the farms. Millions had died, mainly from the famine and disease accompanying war. Two million more, mostly nobles, middle class, and intellectuals, had emigrated to other countries. Lenin returned to Russia from exile in 1917 and it was up to him

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

College Student Against Free Tuition - 1395 Words

Yes, I’m a College Student Against Free Tuition Everyone has to take classes that they never want to attend. Whether you dread it because you hate the subject or it is one of those dreaded 8am’s. When debating on whether or not to go everyone has had that friend that will tell you that you should go because you’re paying to take the class. This is a huge motivator for us. That broke college student stereotype is all to real and it really can be a great driver. But, what if tuition disappeared? Then why would anyone care if we skipped class? When I asked students that were walking to class at Oregon State University if they would still go to class if they knew they could take it again for free at any point, 85% of them said they would ditch the class. This number shows just how much motivation college students derive from the monetary value of their education. So much of the professor’s time and the university’s resources would be squandered due to those students who would be enrolled but not act ually care at all. They counter to this argument is just as valid though. The reason so many people are pushing for free college in the United States is that they want more opportunity and in our country a college degree is becoming more essential to be get a substantial career. According to to Katharina Feidler of the Pultzer Prize winning website Polifact, it’s a mere 30% of Americans that have a college degree. I am not saying that this number is acceptable by anyShow MoreRelatedThe Rise And Fall Of College Tuition1575 Words   |  7 PagesHodges Professor Robert Howell English 102 21 October 2015 The Rise and Fall of College Tuition in the United States In the recent debate regarding the implementation of free college tuition across the United States, Jon Wiener, a Los Angeles journalist for The Nation, and Kelly Field, chief Washington reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education who covers different federal education policies, discuss why college tuition should be abolished in the United States of America and the role of both DemocraticRead MoreGeorge Orwell s 1984 And Modern Day Society1504 Words   |  7 Pages College Tuition Imagine college graduation day, walking down the aisle to receive a diploma that one has worked towards for their entire life. However, the moment is bittersweet because one’s education has put him/her into thousands of dollars in debt by the high tuition prices of colleges and loans to the government. Dehumanization by the totalitarian government in the book 1984 by George Orwell is similar to the dehumanization in modern society between the government and colleges onto the studentRead MoreGraduation Speech : College And Pursue A College Degree1383 Words   |  6 Pagessome go to college and pursue a college degree. With a college degree you can do a lot of things. Also, generally speaking obtaining a college degree will get you a job that would make more money than a job without a degree. Making more money leads to better quality of life in America because of the many different doors that open up for you and your family, also it allows have you have some extra money to spe nd. In America, college is expensive, and leaves a very large number of students leaving collegeRead MoreShould College Be Free College?1688 Words   |  7 Pagescover the costs? Free college is now brought up as a debate whether or not students should receive free college tuition while attending college. Some individuals would like this idea, but I am definite the taxpayers would not like it or support it. If the government cannot afford what they are in debt with now, I am quiet uncertain how adding free college would help the debt go down. I am sure that the government would find some way to get their money back from allowing free tuition, or twice the amountRead MoreTuition Free Public College Education1677 Words   |  7 Pagesfor All: Tuition-Free Public College Education Everyone has the right to an education and education should be as accessible as possible to fulfill this need. Without an education, people are rendered powerless. Education gives people the power to go wherever and do whatever they want in life. This is especially true for higher education and a college degree is needed now more than ever. In the United States, in order to get ahead in a career or go up the social ladder, one needs a college degree.Read MoreFree Tuition And The United States Essay1486 Words   |  6 Pages Free tuition for colleges is a topic that has come up a lot lately in the United States. Especially in the beginning of this year, when the democratic race was in place, Bernie Sanders started making tuition-free colleges one of his campaign points. While there are some that seem to neglect the idea of free tuition, the majority will agree that if not free at least it should be affordable. This topic is a very interesting one because it provides fascinating fact s on both sides of the spectrum. OneRead MoreCollege Tuition Should Be Free1165 Words   |  5 Pages College Tuition Should be Free By: Alonzo Myers 29 February 2016 Gardner-Webb University Dr. Lisa Cantrell English 101 Thesis: College tuition should be free because the number of students in debt after they complete college is extremely high. Outline I. Introduction II. Statistics III. Opposition IV. Conclusion Introduction All over America there are students who go off to visit amazing schools that they think are for them, then they start narrowing down their choices and comeRead MoreWhy Should College Shouldn t Be Free?1375 Words   |  6 Pagesmost academic students to attend and it was very affordable, but currently the price per year to attend college has drastically increased. For instance, in the â€Å"1970’s the average cost was 10,000 dollars a year and today the average cost is 30,000 dollars a year† (CQ Researcher). This is a triple increase in the price per year to attend college. Allowing this increase on college tuition has impacted the student’s attendance rate. This is a significant financial burden for college students and their familyRead MoreCollege Solution856 Words   |  4 PagesCollege tuition, something that everyone has to worry about and save their whole lives for. What would happen if college tuition disappeared and college was suddenly free? In this rh etorical analysis, I will be analyzing two different articles on if college should be free. While both of these articles use logos to prove their statement and make their argument stronger, one discusses and argues that college should be free for everyone and the other disagrees and discusses why college tuition shouldRead MoreThe United States Should Justify A Tuition Free Nation1551 Words   |  7 Pagesnumerous paths, the most traveled is one of a college degree. This is no coincidence, because employers everywhere look to recruit people who have these degrees. However, what if someone who has the right intentions, great potential, and inexhaustible motivation cannot attend because of monetary reasons? This is why the United States should fabricate a tuition-free nation. It is widely known that certain European countries lawfully cast out tuition fees within their universities. These countries

Whatever Hapenned to Morality and Values on Television

I walked into my living room, plopped down on the couch and picked up my television remote. When I turned on the television I arrived just in time to witness a man being violently shot in the head as a product of a drive by shooting. To my dissatisfaction, I quickly changed the channel to the supposedly child friendly Cartoon Network to view a more decent program. Unfortunately, not even Cartoon Network could save me from the hideous and gruesome truth of the society need for violence. The creatures on the cartoon steadily continued shooting futuristic weaponry and promoting acts of vandalism. Whatever happened to morality and values in television? Taking a look back in time I realize violence in the media appears much more evident than it did fifty years ago. Consider sitcoms: Strong, wholesome family values once promoted in past shows such as Leave it to Beaver and Andy Griffith have corrupted as well as evolved into the dysfunctional and laissez-faire family values of today. Many television shows glamorize sexual promiscuity plus make drug usage appear acceptable in society. Movie characters as well as the stars that portray them thumb their noses at authority and think that they remain above the parameters of the law. On any given weeknight a person can tune into the immoral antics of reality television in addition to the tasteless sitcoms and dramas that occupy their given timeslot. Whether portraying the scantily clad Paris Hilton or the rubbishy and furthermore

Analyze The Factors Impacting The Superannuation Decisions in Corporat

Question: Discuss about the Corporate Financial Management Analyze The Factors Impacting The Superannuation Decisions. Answer: Introduction This report has been developed in order to analyze the factors impacting the superannuation decisions of tertiary sector employees. In this context, the important characteristics of defined benefit and investment choice plan are discussed in detail to support the decision-making process of employees relating to place their superannuation contributions. Also, the report at the end presents a critical evaluation of the statement If the efficient market hypothesis is true, the pension fund manager can select a portfolio with a pin. Factors Impacting the Selection of Superannuation Contributions in Defined Benefit or Investment Choice plan by Tertiary Sector Employees The term Superannuation refers to the retirement benefit offered to the employees under their contract if employment. The term is defined in the Occupational Superannuation Standards Act 1987 as funds that are entitled to be provided to the employees upon their retirements from employment. There are different types of superannuation funds plan offered to the employees for saving money to secure their future life. The major advantage of placing pension funds under the superannuation schemes is that the funds are likely to increase without any implications of tax. The tertiary sector employees are the service sector employees while the other two economic sectors being the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. The pension plans are extremely important for tertiary sector employees as they are bound to retire from their employment tenure at a certain age and this they need to save money for future in order to live an independent life after retirement (Dixon, 2012). The two major types of superannuation funds offered to the employees are defined benefit and investment choice plan for placing their superannuation contributions. The defined benefit plan is a retirement plan that is provided on the behalf of employer to employees and is calculated through the use of a fixed formula. The formula employed for the calculations of the retirement payout under this type of plan takes into account the factors such as age, term of employment and salary history. The responsibility of managing the portfolio and all type of investment risk is undertaken by the company. The performance of the portfolio does not impact the retirement payout of the employees under this type of plan. The employee takes all the investment decisions and thus assumes all type of risk relating to investment in defined benefit plan. This is known as defined benefit plan as the benefits offered to the employees under it is fixed and is known to them in advance (Henderson, 2012). The employees under this type of plan gains benefits such as they have to not spend time in managing their pension funds as all type of decisions are undertaken by the employer. Also, the employees receive the fixed income as their pension amount in this type of plan without any investment risk. Thus, it is the most secured type of superannuation plan provided to the employees by the employer.However, there also some limitation associated with this type of plan. The major limitation is that the employees are not likely to receive any extra benefit depending on the performance of their portfolio. Also, the retirement payout is impacted the age factors and salary history. Thus, the employees with older age and more salary will receive more benefits in this type of plan (Smith and Koken, 2011). Investment choice plan is contrary to the define benefit plan completely. The investment choice plan is completely controlled and managed by the employees with no role of the employer. The employees hold the possession of their superannuation contributions and as such they can select the type of assets in which they want to invest. The investment choice has different features as compared to defined benefit plan as the retirement income in this type of plan cannot be determined in advance. The employees take the assistance of professionals in selecting the different type of assets in which they want to place their superannuation contributions. There are different types of investment choice offered to the employees under this type of plan (McKeown, 2012). The employees can select the best plan for them based on the risk and return characteristics of each. The investment choices under this type of plan are as follows: Cash Option: This type of option is mainly for the risk-averse investors as it mainly involves investing the superannuation funds in fixed-interest investment such as bonds and bank deposits. The funds invested under it remain stable and are not subjected to any market fluctuations. Conservative Option: This type of options involves low to medium level of risk. The superannuation funds are mainly deposited in fixed-interest investment but some proportion is also invested in growth assets such as shares and property. Balanced Option: This type of option is for the employees who like to take some risk with their superannuation funds. The superannuation funds under this type of plan are invested mainly on high risk growth assets such as shares and property and remaining proportion is deposited in lower-risk securities such as cash, bonds etc. Growth Option: This option is mainly for the employees who are prepared to take high risk as it involves investing completely the superannuation funds in growth asset such as shares and property (Henderson, 2012). The main drawback of this type of plan is that income is not fixed and thus sometimes it can be more or less as compared to define benefit plan depending on returns generated. Also, the employees have to invest a significant proportion of their time for monitoring the investment of their superannuation funds. However, the employees can realize higher returns under this type of plan that it is not impacted by the factors such as age, tenure of employment and salary history. This proves to be major benefit of investment choice plan in comparison to defined benefit. Thus, tertiary sector employees have to analyze and examine the features of all type of superannuation plans before determining their retirement goals. The employees cab select one option or a combination of options to meet their long-term retirement goals (Iverson, 2013). Time Value of Money Relevance to Decision-Making Process of Placing Superannuation Contributions The time value of money principle can largely support the decision-making of employees in regard to invest their superannuation contributions. The concept states that money has the capacity to grow in value over a future period of time. Thus, as per the principle same amount of money has more worth today than in the future. The investors can gain significant benefit from implementing the principle of time value of money as the concept states that receiving cash today is more beneficial and valuable as compared to some future point of time. The money can be invested to earn interest over a period of time and this is the reason for its present worth more than the later worth (Smith and Koken, 2011). The investors can identify the timing of cash flows through the application of concept of time value of money. The time value of money principle found extensive application in determining the present and future value of cash flows. There are mainly two techniques used by the investors in de termining the present and future value of cash flows that are, discounting and compounding. Discounting involves determining the present value of money that is likely to be received in future period of time.It is calculated through the application of discount rate to the sum of money that is to be received in the future period of time. On the other hand, compounding involves determining the future value of an investment or series of periodic payments that is likely to be received in the future (Hirt, 2010). Thus, the concept of time value of money can prove to be of high significance for the employees at the time of deciding their superannuation contributions. The compounding technique can help in determining the future value of present day investment made by the employees under the superannuation contributions. They can easily determine the future amount that they will receive under defined benefit or investment choice plan through the application of compounding technique. The future value of investment under the investment choice plan can be accessed through the use of asset prices. The return on assets fluctuates rapidly and thus can de predicted through the use of continuous compounding technique (Gitman et al., 2015). The employees cans select their superannuation plan from defined benefit or investment choice on the basis of comparing the future amount that will receive under both the plans. Therefore, the principle of time value of money can prove to be the core of decision-makin g process in relation to the selection of superannuation plans. The planning of superannuation investment strategy by the employees can be supported by the time value of money principle that helps in analyzing the worth of investment in future by taking into the account the impact of compound interest. The future value is dependent mainly on the original amount invested, rate of interest and number of compounding periods (Dixon, 2012). If the Efficient-Market Hypothesis is true, the pension fund manager might as well select a portfolio with a pin The theory of efficient-market hypothesis states that current price of assets reflects all the relevant information to the investors about the value of a firm. The investors cannot realize higher profits by using this information as it is equally available to all the investors. The theory has argued that any change in the assets properties are rapidly absorbed by its current prices and therefore investors cannot earn profits from predicting price movements (Moles et al., 2011). However, this is not case as investors have outperforms the market by investing in undervalued and overvalued securities. The investors identifies undervalued securities whose prices to increase in value over future period of time and thus they can outperform the market. The employees investing their pension fund in different types of superannuation schemes aims to receive higher payout after their retirement. The role of pension fund manager in this case is to maximize returns for the employees by developing a portfolio that provides them higher returns and is associated with lesser risk (Maginn et al., 2007). However, if the findings of efficient-market hypothesis were true, the pension fund manager can easily construct a portfolio without analyzing the risk and return characteristics of assets as their prices reflect all available information about them. On the contrary, the pension fund manager cannot select a portfolio with a pin as they incorporates the use of variety of forecasting and valuation techniques for taking decisions relating to investment of pension funds of their clients. They have to select securities that will provide higher returns in future period of time so that employees realize higher income from their pension funds (Rattiner, 2010). As such, the pension fund manager has to diversify the market risk by investing the pension fund in different type of assets. The diversification reduces the market risk as there are different classes of assets so that returns generated by an asset are not impacted by other asset returns. Thus, pension fund manager can outperform the market through diversification of the assets. Also, the pension fund manager should select the assets that have negative or low coo-relation between them so that if one asset underperforms it does not impact the performance of other assets. The pension fund manager also conducts technical and fundamental analysis for analyzing the future performance of an asset before selecting it in the portfolio. Thus, it can be stated that pension fund manager have to carefully select the type of asset under a portfolio and there is no benefits realized through the development of efficient-market hypothesis (Power, 2012). Conclusion It is summarized from the overall discussion that tertiary sector employees should analyze and examine well the features of defined benefit and investment choice pan before placing their superannuation contributions. The concept of time value of money will prove to be highly beneficial for the employees in taking this decision. Also, the pension fund manager cannot select a portfolio with a pin as stated by the theory of efficient-market hypothesis. References Dixon, D. 2012. Securing Your Superannuation Future: How to Start and Run a Self Managed Super Fund. John Wiley Sons. Gitman, L. J. et al. 2015. Principles of Managerial Finance. Pearson Higher Education AU. Henderson, S. 2012. SMSF DIY Guide: Everything you need to successfully set up and run your own Self Managed Superannuation Fund. John Wiley Sons. Hirt, G. 2010. Investment Planning. McGraw Hill Professional. Iverson, D. 2013. Strategic Risk Management: A Practical Guide to Portfolio Risk Management. John Wiley Sons. Iverson, D. 2013. Strategic Risk Management: A Practical Guide to Portfolio Risk Management. John Wiley Sons. Maginn, J. L. et al. 2007. Managing Investment Portfolios: A Dynamic Process. John Wiley Sons. McKeown, W. 2012. Financial Planning. John Wiley Sons. Moles, P., et al. 2011. Corporate Finance. John Wiley Sons. Power, T. 2012. Superannuation for Dummies. 2nd ed. John Wiley Sons. Rattiner, J. H. 2010. Getting Started as a Financial Planner. 2nd ed. John Wiley and Sons. Smith, B., and Koken, Ed. 2011. The Superannuation Handbook 2008-09. John Wiley Sons.

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

An Influential and Dangerous Government on Leash Essay Example For Students

An Influential and Dangerous Government on Leash Essay One of the most significant influences of the human race is the government’s impact on society. For example, when a war is declared, many civilians are called to leave their families behind and risk their lives in order to fight for their country. Since the dawn of civilization, many people all over the world have faced similar situations in their nation. Certain characters from Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Purple Hibiscus share parallel experiences because of the various political conflicts brought upon their countries. Political issues affect their personal lives through family displacement, death, and psychological trauma. War often causes the destabilization of a government and this in itself can result in families being forced to emigrate. In The Kite Runner, when the Soviets invade Afghanistan and life becomes too difficult, the main character Amir and Baba flee the city of Kabul and move to America. For instance, Amir thinks to himself, â€Å"You couldn’t trust anyone in Kabul anymore – for a fee or under threat, people told on each other†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hosseini 118). He also says, â€Å"it should be a matter of a couple of short days then we’d be on our way on to freedom. On to safety† (Hosseini 126). The Soviet invasion causes people to betray their fellow countrymen as they are threatened and reproached by Soviet soldiers and authorities. As a result, this causes Amir and Baba and many others to flee the new and unsafe Afghanistan. Similarly to Baba and Amir’s migration in The Kite Runner, a single parent family in Purple Hibiscus has no choice but to move as well. Aunty Ifeoma and her three children are forced to immigrate to America after she gets fired from her job and has no money to support her family. They have given me notice of terminationFor what they call illegal activity. I have one month. I have applied for a visa at the American Embassy (Adichie 261). Aunty Ifeoma is a university professor, and because the head officials believe she is involved with a student riot, they fire her. This causes her family to suffer more as her family is already in a dire state. Political stability therefore affects both Baba’s family and Aunty Ifeoma’s family, as both families must depart to another country so they can make an adequate living. Another prevalent effect of political corruption is that many people lose their lives in both Afghanistan and Nigeria. In The Kite Runner, the innocent lives of Hassan and his wife are taken as a result of objecting to false government accusations. The Taliban instantly kill Hassan and his wife as they are shot for protesting against allegations stating that they are Hazara Muslims living in a house without a master (Hosseini 231). This false accusation and brutal solution portrays how cruel and discriminative the Taliban rulers are against Hazaras, a religious minority of Afghanistan. Citizens, especially ones who live under a totalitarian regime, unfortunately do not often get the chance to voice their opinions revolving around the decisions of their controlling government. Not unlike to the death of Hassan by tyrannical political rulings, death and political activity are interconnected in Purple Hibiscus. In Purple Hibiscus, the government delivers a parcel bomb to the Standard ne wspaper editor named Ade Coker for standing up to the corrupt government. The text states, â€Å"Ade Coker was blown up when he opened the package – a package everybody would have known was from the Head of State† (Adichie 206). Ade Coker is one of the only people to have the courage to voice his disagreement with the fraudulence of the government. However, his bravery eventually costs him his life. As one can infer, one of the common themes of the two novels is the unfortunate reality that innocent lives are squashed by brutal leaders, who wish to destroy any and all opposition to their government. .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .postImageUrl , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:hover , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:visited , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:active { border:0!important; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:active , .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u0454ebe8bdb9cd5007628ef6f8b8314a:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Job Satisfaction at Infosys and Its Implications for Motivating Employees at Infosys Sample EssayFinally, psychological trauma is a major consequence of government decline as it affects the lives of all citizens. In The Kite Runner, Sohrab, the son of Hassan, has difficulty dealing with his parents’ death and erasing the memory of abuse, which causes him to feel distressed and become socially withdrawn. Sohrab is in the hospital when he tells Amir, â€Å"I want my old life back I wish you had left me in the water† (Hosseini 373). Although Sohrab is a young boy, he evidently suffers much misfortune when he attempts suicide. The most blatant evidence of the cau se of his deteriorated mental state is that the death of Sohrab’s parents and his abusers all come from the same source, specifically the Taliban officials. Just as Sohrab suffers psychological trauma in The Kite Runner, other characters also suffer mental distress in Purple Hibiscus. The death of Ade Coker causes mental and physical deterioration to those who are close to him as well as the people who witness his death. Kambili’s father Eugene becomes slower in his movements and sometimes shouts senseless words amongst other concerns, whilst Ade Coker’s daughter stops talking for four months after her father’s death (Adichie 207, 259). The impact of Ade’s death caused by the government is so traumatic that people start to show signs of mental and physical trauma. As such, many people in both The Kite Runner and Purple Hibiscus suffer psychological trauma and react in different ways to the horrors they witness caused by political trials. In conclusion, the result of forced family migration, the senseless death of innocent lives, and the mental derangement of others efficiently shows how government or political instabilities can forever alter the human conscience. The characters from The Kite Runner and Purple Hibiscus share many common trials because of government interjection. All around the world, there are many examples of human depravity because of the government’s reluctance to relinquish their power. Yesterday, today and tomorrow, the trials of innocent lives caused by their nation’s political dilemmas will continue to come, but perhaps there will be a day when all suffering will end.