Jungle By Upton Sinclair Essays - Economic Ideologies,

Jungle By Upton Sinclair A French philosopher once said that the greatest tyranny of democracy was when the minority ruled the majority. Upton Sinclair's The Jungle gives the reader a great example of exactly this. A man who earns his living honestly and through hard work will always be trapped in poverty, but a man who earns his living through lies and cheating will be wealthy. The Jungle portrays a Lithuanian family stuck in a Capitalistic country. It shows the ongoing struggle of a lower class that will never get farther in life as long as the minority of rich people rule over them. The Jungle conveys a struggle between Capitalism and Socialism. Socialism is the best way out for the peasants, but a Capitalistic America has already trapped them. When Jurgis Rudkus and his family first come to America, they do not know how it was run. Once Jurgis begins working in the stockyards, he finds out that the upper class dominates over the lower class. Supposedly America is a democratic nation, but this is not true. Capitalism rules the nation. The upper class bosses rule what goes on in the peasants lives. It is a form of slavery. Sinclair writes: Things that were quite unspeakable went on there in the packing houses all the time, and were taken for granted by everybody; only they did not show, as in old slavery times, because there was no difference in color between master and slave. (106) Sinclair compares the conditions of the factories to that of slavery. The rich boss is the master and the peasant is the lowly slave. Capitalism rules in the stockyards of Chicago. The higher class people can get ahead in life because they have an in with the system, but the peasants will forever be stuck at their work on the machines in a packing plant. Jurgis Rudkus endures the work in the factory system. He comes across Capitalism first hand here. Through his work in the meat packing plant, he sees how they are able to work around government regulation through bribes and deceit. He also soon learns that everyone steals from the people below them in the system. Sinclair writes, "...the bosses grafted off the men, and they grafted off each other; and someday the superintendent would find out about the boss, and then he would graft off the boss" (59). Sinclair reveals that men of a higher status were able to steal freely from others and get away with it. If one found out, he just stole right back from another. This was Capitalism in and of itself. Here, in the stockyards of Chicago, the upper class rules over the lower class. In Packingtown, Jurgis Rudkus and his family face many difficulties with the Capitalistic rule. The people take advantage of them and steal their money. When they first came to America, they had to pay many fees because they were foreigners and did not know better. Eventually, Jurgis decides to buy a house. He thinks he is getting a good deal, but in reality is not. The real estate agent tells him that it is a brand new house, but this is a lie. Sinclair writes, "...it was not new at all, as they had supposed; it was about fifteen years old, and there was nothing new upon it but the paint" (65). The real estate agent took advantage of them because they were lower class. He was able to do so because they did not know any better. The upper class ruled over them. They lived in a Capitalistic nation that trapped them as lower class citizens. The Capitalistic way of life allows for a lot of corruption in the government and police department. Many people pay off high officials in order to get lead way in court and other places. Men who own saloons pay the police so they can sell liquor on Sundays. At one point in the book Jurgis beats up a bartender because he will not give him his change for a hundred dollar bill. The bartender does not get in trouble for this because he has paid people off. Sinclair writes, "...the owner of the saloon had paid five dollars each to the policemen alone for Sunday privileges and general favors" (249). This was a common thing among many bartenders. Capitalism involved the police, government, and common people. If one had the money, then he could get special privileges in life. After "hoboing" around the country and going to jail,

Literature Review Are Small Businesses always under

Literature Review Are Small Businesses always under Introduction Small businesses are always grappling with the challenge of insufficient capital, which has limited their growth and expansion amidst challenges of globalization. Mega companies have taken advantage of globalization factors that favor them and encroach into the remotest markets that favored survival of small businesses, hence offering stiffer competition.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Literature Review: Are Small Businesses always under-funded? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since globalization compels small business to expand and keep in tandem with business dynamics, insufficient capital becomes the greatest impediment that affects growth and development of small businesses relative to large businesses. According to Cavaluzzo and Wolken (2002), economic experts are asserting that insufficient capital is one of the greatest challenges facing the growth and development of small businesses ac ross the world (p.7). Given that capital is the backbone of any business enterprise, insufficient capital has been always an impediment to growth and development of small businesses. Many small businesses have been stagnating for a long period or growing at a slower pace because insufficient capital prevents them from expanding and developing into mega businesses. Therefore, literature review examines how economic experts view the issue of insufficient capital and importance of capital to small businesses. Insufficient Capital in Small Businesses Since insufficient capital has led to underfunding of small businesses, economic experts have been trying to find out if underfunding is a crucial factor that contributes to stagnation of business growth and development or there are other mediating factors. However, apparent factor that causes stagnation and poor performance of small businesses is underfunding. It is evident that capital is a significant factor in business that differentiat es between small and large businesses. Entrepreneurs with a limited amount of capital invest in small businesses; on the other hand, entrepreneurs who have unlimited capital tend to invest in mega businesses. Thus, capital is a limiting factor that defines the size of investment that entrepreneurs can venture. Hosmer (2009) states that, due to the expansive room of investment, small businesses always have deficient capital (p.4). The need to expand and obtain optimum profits from a given investment demands enough capital, which is always lacking in small businesses. So entrepreneurs of small businesses are grappling with the challenge of meeting customers’ demands as well as competing effectively with large businesses, yet they have limited capital. As small businesses contribute significantly to economic growth and development of a nation, economic experts have delved into ways of encouraging and improving small businesses. One of the recommendation of enhancing growth and d evelopment of small businesses is by making entrepreneurs access loans.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Accessibility to loans significantly determines the size of businesses that entrepreneurs can venture into, since capital is an impediment factor in growth and development of small businesses. Schacht (2010) argues that, large businesses and mega companies have been in a position to access loans and credit from various financial institutions and this advantage has considerably boosted their growth and development in the competitive business environments that threaten the existence of small businesses (p.4). Basing on the fact that large businesses are accessible to loans and credit from financial institutions, which have made them prosper, it thus follows that enhancing accessibility small businesses to loans, and credit will boost their growth and devel opment. Luetkenhorst and Geiger (2004) argue that, small businesses make a significant contribution to economic and social stability of a nation; hence, policies that enhance their accessibility to loans and credit from financial institutions are imperative (p.9). Therefore, governments need to streamline restrictive and discriminative policies that prevent entrepreneurs of small business from accessing loans and credits. Economic experts envisage that, equal access of loans and credit by all entrepreneurs provides a level ground that does not disadvantage small businesses relative to large businesses. Financial institutions and other credit institutions have been discriminating against small businesses because they do not have collateral security that would guarantee repayment of loans. In contrast, leading businesses have well established investments that financial institutions can rely on as collateral security. Hence, in accessibility of loans and credit has been subject to natu re of collateral security that entrepreneurs possess. Disparity in collateral security that small and large businesses offer when borrowing loans indicates differential growth rate of the two businesses. According to Kappel and Ishengoma (2008), the rate of business growth is directly proportional to the rate of investment (p.7). Thus, small business have a low rate of investment due to limited access to loans, which hampers growth and development, unlike large businesses that have unlimited access to loans. Therefore, economic experts are recommending that small businesses should have access to loans for them to solve the problem of insufficient capital that seems to cripple business progress.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Literature Review: Are Small Businesses always under-funded? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Research carried out to study growth and development of businesses has shown that the proc ess occurs in five stages. At the first stage, the business viability entirely relies on the amount of capital invested in it. For a business to survive and pick up well, it must have sufficient capital. Existence stage is the first stage that determines whether a business will survive or not. At this stage, business is grappling with challenges such as capital and expanding market share. Kitching, Smallbone, Xhenet (2010) argue that, although customers may increase due to prevailing market conditions, capital becomes a limiting factor that affect the expansion of business to satisfy increasing number of customers (p.3). At existence stage, an entrepreneur entirely rely on invested capital as a driving force of business since there are no formal strategies and the owner solely run the business. Churchill and Lewis (1983) argue that, entrepreneurs usually close their businesses at existence stage due to insufficient capital for expansion (P.4). Since entrepreneurs are sole owners of small business, they feel exhausted to spend time, energy and a vast amount of capital, and thus quit establishing business at early stages of business growth. Therefore, it means insufficient capital is a serious impediment to the establishment and development of small businesses. Although many economic experts argue that insufficient capital is a significant factor that determines survival of small businesses, some economic experts argue that other factors that contribute considerably to growth and expansion of small business exist. For instance, size of market share that small businesses serve determines their growth rather than the amount of capital invested. The argument is only true if customers are limited, but in competitive markets where customers are many, amount of capital, which an entrepreneur invests in certain business, determines its competitiveness and subsequently its growth and development. Hence, Osei (1998) argues that, enhancing accessibility of loans and credi t to small businesses is central in stimulating economic growth of a nation (p.9). Small businesses contribute to economic growth and development because they contribute a considerable amount of taxes and create employment to a large number of people. Thus, formulation of policies and laws that enhance accessibility to loans is critical in boosting growth and development of small businesses.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Importance of Capital to Small Businesses Capital is particularly crucial in small businesses because it does not only determine growth and development of a business but also extent of satisfying customers. For an entrepreneur to start a business, capital is the most decisive factor that comes into consideration. This means that amount of capital that an entrepreneur start business with reflects viability of a business. Investing a small amount of capital implies that a business will have a low viability while investing a prodigious amount of capital shows enhanced viability of a business. Smallbone (2005) argues that, the only way of boosting growth and development of small businesses is by improving accessibility of capital (p.13). Many small businesses have been stagnating for years due lack of sufficient capital that would have enhanced expansion. In contrast, since successful businesses can easily access capital, they have experienced tremendous growth and development within a few years. Thus, capital is a fundamental factor that defines destiny of business. Insufficient capital affects growth and development of small businesses. Study carried out to ascertain concerns of entrepreneurs who own small businesses showed that insufficiency and inaccessibility of capital was an impediment factor that caused stagnation in businesses (Peek, Rosengren 1998, p.806). Entrepreneurs of small businesses perceive that they would have made significant progress in business if only they had all capital they needed. Comparative study of large and small businesses shows that the differential growth rate between the two entities is due to the invested capital and accessibility of loans. Blanchflower, Levine, and Zimmerman (1998) argue that, small business entrepreneurs have been experiencing discrimination since lending institutions perceive them as having limited collateral security relative to large businesses; thus, large businesses access enormous amount of capital as c ompared to small businesses (p.8). Therefore, economic experts have been advocating for extension of loans to small businesses, so that they could compete effectively with large businesses, for capital is an integral factor in business. Realizing the contribution of small businesses to economic growth and development, Small Business Administration of United States has recommended for enhanced access of capital to all entrepreneurs. According to Walter (2009), the Small Business Administration has taken several initiatives such as enhancing access to capital and reducing taxes as a way of promoting growth and development of small businesses (p.144). It is apparent that large businesses have been having a competitive advantage over small businesses because of accessibility to capital; however, increased accessibility of capital by small businesses is going to provide a level field where businesses can compete equally. Therefore, if a country needs to boost its economic stability in vi ew of globalization, accessibility of capital should not be a factor that limits growth and development of small business. Conclusion Growth and development of businesses depends on the amount of capital invested. It is evident that large businesses grow and develop faster as compared to small businesses because of the amount of capital. In this view, economic experts perceive that small businesses have been stagnating for years, for they do not have sufficient capital that is essential for expansion. Moreover, for decades, financial institutions have been discriminating against small businesses because they do not have enough collateral security to qualify them for loans. However, realization by various governments that small businesses contribute significantly to economic growth and development has led to the formulation of laws and policies that aid small business to grow and develop amidst competitive environment dominated by large businesses. Lending institutions, too, have bee n encouraging small businesses to borrow loans after realizing they are forms of lucrative investments just like giant businesses. References Blanchflower, G., Levine, P., Zimmerman, D., 1998. Discrimination in the Small Business Credit Market. National Bureau of Economic Research, pp. 1-11. Cavaluzzo, S., Wolken, D., 2002. Competition, Small Business Financing, and Discrimination: Evidence from a New Survey. Journal of Business, 75(4), pp. 1-23. Churchill, N., Lewis, V., 1983. The five Stages of Small Business Growth. Harvard  Business Review, pp. 1-12. Hosmer, L., 2009. A Venture Capital Primer for Small Business: Financial Management Series. United States Small Business Administration, pp. 1-15. Kappel, R., Ishengoma, E., 2008. Business Constraints and Growth Potential of Micro and Small Manufacturing Enterprises in Uganda. German Institute of Global and Area Studies, pp. 1-29. Kitching, J., Smallbone, D., Xhenet, M., 2010. Have Small businesses Beaten Recession. Small Bus iness Research Centre, Kingston University, pp. 1-16. Luetkenhorst, W., Geiger, R., (2004). Effective Policies for Small Business: A guide for the Policy Review Process and Strategic Plans for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, pp. 1-110. Osei, K., 1998. Analysis of Factors Affecting the Development of an Emerging Capital Market: The Case of the Ghana Stock Market. African Economic Research Consortium, pp. 1-81. Peek, J., Rosengren, E., 1998. Bank Consolidation and Small Business Lending: It Is Not Just Bank Size that Matters. Journal of Banking and Finance, 22, pp. 799-819 Schacht, W., 2010. Small Business Innovation Research Program. Congressional  Research Service, pp. 1-9. Smallbone, D., 2005. Regulation and Small Firm Performance and Growth: A Review of the Literature. Small Business Centre, Kingston University, pp. 1-20. Walter, P. (2007). Supporting America’s Small Businesses. Small Business  Administration, pp. 143-156.

The Performance of Microsoft Corporation and Oracle Corporation Essay

The Performance of Microsoft Corporation and Oracle Corporation - Essay Example Oracle, on the other hand has a net income of almost half as of with Microsoft, but has shown a growth of 17% which shows the company is progressing in the right direction. Account Receivables According to the balance sheets, the accounts receivable was $14,987 million in 2011 and $15780 million in 2012. The percentage of debtors compared to total revenues were 21.42 % (14987/69943 * 100) in 2011 and again 21.40 % (15780 /73723 *100) in 2012. On the other hand, Oracle, had accounts receivable of $6,628 million in 2011 and $6377 million in 2012. This as a percentage of total revenues was 18.6 % (6628/35622 *100) in 2011 and came down to 17.18 % (6377/37121 *100) in 2012. This indicates a tightening policy and Oracle started collecting cash quickly. Hence, Oracle has shown a positive trend making a good impact on its current assets, and in case of liquidation, it receives cash faster and might be offering cash discounts in order to speedup the collection. And as for Microsoft has been consistent with its debtors policy and has not made much effort in reducing the debtors collection period. Account Payables The accounts payable of Microsoft for 2011 were $4197 million and $4175 million in 2012. For Oracle, the creditors figure was $494 million in 2011 and $438 million in 2012. The accounts payable for Oracle was significantly lower. Also calculated as a percentage of the total costs the accounts payable for Oracle were significantly lower. This indicates that Oracle pays of its creditors earlier. This might be possible so that Oracle can avail cash discounts and not keep long credit term period. Inventory Looking at the past years balance sheet, it can be concluded that both of the firms were successful in reducing their inventory level over the past...However, this is not of due importance, the respective companies have been consistent with this over the years and this will not affect our analysis. Looking at the past years balance sheet, it can be concluded that both of the firms were successful in reducing their inventory level over the past two years. Microsoft reduced their inventory level from $1,372 million in 2011 to $1,137 million in 2012. This shows a decrease in inventory level of 17% over the year. On the other hand, Oracle was able to reduce the inventory level by 48% which is almost the half from the previous year. The company’s inventory level declined from $303 million in 2011 to $158 million in 2012. The above comparison of inventory level shows that Oracle has been able to reduce its cost of holding inventory such as cost to insure, track and storage cost. An inventory shows the firm’s investment tied up in form of stock until the good is sold. It also indicates that Oracle would have a better quick ratio which is a better measure of liquidity than current ratio. This ratio excludes inventory from current ratio as it is difficult for firms to convert inventory into stock. Also, Oracle might have a better inven tory management system as they might be using just-in-time method for their inventory, where company receives inventory only when needed or they might have a better a sales forecast in comparison to Microsoft.

Is global warming a genuine threat to the planet earth Essay

Is global warming a genuine threat to the planet earth - Essay Example Further the rise of global warming phenomenon also led to the rise of climatic heat and humidity spreading many diseases which claimed a large number of lives in regions like Chicago. The incidence of global warming also affected the geographical and topographical formations by causing rivers like Mississippi to completely dry up. (Stein, 2001, p.5). The incidence of global warming to a huge extent is rendering huge impact to the pattern of life forms on the earth and thus has become a considerable threat to the planet. Thesis The incidence of global warming is becoming a gradual menace by the annihilation of several species of flora and fauna from the earth’s surface. Effects rendered by global warming generally encompass larger areas of the planet whether filled or not filled with biological species. The intensity of the effect of global warming in annihilating larger forms of biological species is still contested for lack of proper research activities in this direction. Hig h concentrations of carbon dioxide, a potential contributor to the greenhouse effect, in the atmosphere is observed to be the major factors for large number of species to evaporate out of the earth’s surface. Estimates made show that around 43 percent of the total biomass possessed by the earth in major tropical regions go extinct on account of the effect of global warming. ... (Malcolm, Liu, Neilson, Hansen & Hannah, 2006, p.539, 544). The incidence of global warming cause rapid changes to the climatic parameters of different regions and thus can be taken as a significant contributor of the extinction of many biodiversity species from the earth’s surface. The cause of the extinction of different life forms on the planet earth has been hugely attributed to the changes in climatic patterns. Estimates made show that incidence of high amount of climatic changes contribute to around 35 percent to the extinction of different life forms. Large amount of human activities like deforestation and other industrial and commercial activities are the potential contributors behind intensifying the effect of global warming. (Thomas, Cameron, Green, Bakkenes, Beaumont, Collingham, Erasmus, Siqueira, Grainger, Hannah, Hughes, Huntley, Jarrsveld, Midgley, Miles, Huerta, Peterson, Philips & Williams, 2004, p.145). Thus it is found that the occurrence of global warming i s one of the major contributors behind the gradual extinction of many recorded and unrecorded life forms from the face of the planet. The deforestation of trees and other industrial effects are emitting large amounts of carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere causing warming up of the climate. Rising climatic temperatures amount to the event of global warming causing the event of extinction of life forms. Anti-Thesis The above discussion hints that a large part of the flora and fauna of the planet has earned extinction owing to the harmful effects of global warming. However such a statement fails to gain much strength for a number of factors have been researched which are not related to the

Genetic and Molecular Biology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Genetic and Molecular Biology - Essay Example The chromosome theory on inheritance said that Chromosomes are in pairs and genes, or their alleles, are located on the chromosomes. 4. Each of several Alternative forms of a Gene is called an Allele. Letters are used to represent Alleles: Capital Letters refer to a Dominant Allele that masks or hides expression of a recessive allele. Lowercase Letters refer to a Recessive Allele its expression is masked by a dominant allele. Yes, it is possible for more than two alleles of a gene to exist. 5. Scientists gradually learned about DNA in a curiously twisted fashion that is common in science. For one thing, the discovery of DNA required progress on three separate fronts: cytology (the study of cells through a microscope), genetics, and chemistry. Scientists working on DNA in the early 1950s used the term "gene" to mean the smallest unit of genetic information, but they did not know what a gene actually looked like structurally and chemically, or how it was copied, with very few errors, generation after generation. Nevertheless, many scientists continued to believe that DNA had a structure too uniform and simple to store genetic information for making complex living organisms. The genetic material, they reasoned, must consist of proteins, much more diverse and intricate molecules known to perform a multitude of biological functions in the cell. 6. Gene is a hereditary unit consisting of a sequence of DNA that occupies a specific location on a chromosome and determines a particular characteristic in an organism. A chromosome is a grouping of coiled strands of DNA, containing many genes. 7. Each strand of DNA is a chain of chemical "building blocks", called nucleotides, of which there are four types: adenine (abbreviated A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T). These allowable base components of nucleic acids can be polymerized in any

Is Race A Major Issue In US Today Politics Essay

Is Race A Major Issue In US Today Politics Essay Historically, the problem of racism persisted in the US. In fact, racism in the United States has existed since the founding of the state.  Society, founded by white men, differing in their national and religious grounds, was very different with their attitude towards other groups.  Victims of racism were non-white indigenous population Indians and black slaves. Significant progress in overcoming racism in the U.S. has been in the 1960s, when the success of the movement of the struggle for civil rights there were taken considerable political and socio-economic measures to ensure equality and overcoming age-old gulf that separates African American, Native American and other minority groups from  mainstream of American life.  However, racism still remains one of the hottest topics in American public life. Although the race problems take significant place in the life of the people in the United States, there are examples of the improvement of the situation. Imagined differences are built into the main quality and turn into a hostile psychological attitudes towards some ethnic group, the unit that separates people psychologically, and then theoretically justifies a policy of discrimination. Race is a major issue in the United States today but it is important to place emphasis on the fact that, today, race issues tend to change although the problem of racism has not been eliminated yet. Definition of racism In order to understand the current situation in the US concerning race issues, it is necessary to dwell upon the definition of the concept of racism. At this point, it is worth mentioning the fact that the concept of racism is closely intertwined with the concept of discrimination because racism implies the discrimination on the ground of race of an individual. At the same time, the concept of racism can be defined as the violation of basic rights and liberties of individuals because of their race. In this regard, racism can have different manifestations, including the oppression of racial minorities and their discrimination. In the past, cases of racism occurred frequently and racial minorities suffered from the severe oppression from the part of the dominant white majority. As the matter of fact, racism can exist in any multiracial societies. Therefore, the emergence of racism in the US can be viewed as a natural effect of the domination of racial group over others. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning the fact that the concept of racism changed and evolved in the course of time. In the past, racism was taken for granted and the violation of rights of non-white Americans was a norm. For instance, it is possible to refer to numerous cases of lynching of African Americans in the beginning of the 20th century. By the mid-20th century, the attitude of Americans has changed under the impact of the growing Civil Rights movement and effective work of civil rights activists. The Civil Rights movement of the 1950s 1960s contributed to the consistent change in racial relations in the US but the Civil Rights movement still failed to solve the problem of racism in the US. In spite of consistent legislative and social changes, race issues and the problem of racism persisted in the US in the second half and late 20th century. Race issues still involved the problem of discrimination and unequal opportunities for white and non-white Americans. The problem persisted and, today, this problem needs the effective solution. Modern perception of racism In actuality, the modern perception of racism has changed consistently compared to the past. At this point, it is necessary to dwell upon the changes that have occurred in the society to understand the essence of the change of the perception of racism in the modern society. First of all, it has been already mentioned above that, in the past, racism was taken for granted, it was a sort of norm. Cases of violence and murders of representatives of minorities were frequent. Steadily, the attitude to racism changed. Today, the problem of racism is viewed from a bit different angle. To put it more precisely, today, racism refers to the field of the under-representation of certain racial groups in the political life of the US. In addition, many representatives of racial minorities suffer from discrimination in the workplace, when they fail to obtain equal job opportunities. At the same time, today, socioeconomic position of people and their job opportunities as well as their participation in the political life of the country depend on their educational background. At this point, it is important to place emphasis on the fact that the access to education and opportunities to receive higher education are crucial in the modern society. As a result, education, being unavailable to certain racial groups, to minorities, becomes one of the most important issues provoking tension between representatives of different racial groups in the US. The role of education in the life of the modern society can hardly be underestimated because the modern technology keeps progressing and people should come prepared to use new technology to succeed in their professional life and to play an active part in the social, political and economic life of the country. For instance, the emergence of mass media and new telecommunication technologies contribute to the consistent growth of the speed of spreading information. In this regard, many specialists indicate to the fast spread of information The Boyfriends Death (Brunvand, 78) story by J.H. Brunvand. The information is spread nationwide fast that naturally affects consistently race issues. To put it more precisely, the fast spread of information can affect consistently the public opinion, including cases when information refers to race issues. In this respect, it is possible to refer to some cases of violence from the part of white police officers in regard to African Americans and other minorities. The information being spread fast nationwide evoke strong opposition within the society to cases of racial discrimination. Discrimination In actuality, the problem of racial discrimination persists and the President of the US, Barak Obama does recognize this problem. At the same time, he attempts to unite the nation and eliminate racial differences: We the people, in order to form a more perfect union. (Obama, 304). In actuality, race issues have changed consistently but the problem of racism persists in the American society: And yet words on a parchment would not be enough to deliver slaves from bondage, or provide men and women of every color and creed their full rights and obligations as citizens of the United States. What would be needed were Americans in successive generations who were willing to do their part through protests and struggle, on the streets and in the courts, through a civil war and civil disobedience and always at great risk to narrow that gap between the promise of our ideals and the reality of their time. (Obama, 305). In fact, the US society still suffers from wide gaps between the dominant racial group, i.e. white Americans, and minorities, i.e. non-white Americans. In such a situation, the development of new, effective solutions to the problem of racism, racial inequality, racial discrimination and other race issues is essential. At this point, it is very important that the US policy makers, namely the US President, are conscious of the importance of solution of the problem of race issues: unless we perfect our union by understanding that we may have different stories, but we hold common hopes; that we may not look the same and we may not have come from the same place, but we all want to move in the same direction towards a better future for of children and our grandchildren. (Obama, 306). Hence, the union of the nation is the ultimate goal of current policies of the US government but it is still important to find effective tools, which can help to solve the problem of racism and other racial issues. Current issues and limitations In actuality, it is possible to single out new, emerging racial issues, which aggravate the problem of racism and make relations between different racial groups extremely complicated. At this point, it is possible to refer to the speech delivered by Barak Obama, who stated: At various stages in the campaign, some commentators have deemed me either too black or not black enough. We saw racial tensions bubble to the surface during the week before the South Carolina primary. The press has scoured every exit poll for the latest evidence of racial polarization, not just in terms of white and black, but black and brown as well. (Obama, 307). At this point, it is possible to raise the problem of the the growing racial diversity and emergence of new racial tensions, including tension between minorities. What is meant here is the fact that today racial issues refer not only to relations between the white majority and non-white minorities but also to relations between non-white minorities. In fact, the aforementioned problem can lead to the radicalization of the US society: expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam. (Obama, 308). The radicalization of the society will lead to the consistent deterioration of the socioeconomic and political situation in the US and it may undermine the existing social order. Hence, the solution of the problem of race issues is essential for the stability of the existing social order in the US. Future directions In such a context, the US authorities should define clearly the major priorities and strategies that can help the US to solve the problem of racism and race issues. In this regard, Barak Obama argues that: by investing in our schools and our communities; by enforcing our civil rights laws and ensuring fairness in our criminal justice system; by providing this generation with ladders of opportunity that were unavailable for previous generations. (Obama, 310). In fact, Obama indicates to one of the possible ways to improve the current situation in the US society and to solve, at least partially, the problem of the tension between different racial groups. The President suggests the complex solution, which focuses on key areas, where race issues arise, including, education, justice system, civil rights protection, and others. In such a situation, Obama gives insight toward the ultimate goal of the suggested changes may be defined as follows: a country that has made it possible for one of his own members to run for the highest office in the land and build a coalition of white and black; Latino and Asian, rich and poor, young and old is still irrevocably bound to a tragic past. But what we know what we have seen is that America can change. That is true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope the audacity to hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. (Obama, 309). Obviously, this is an optimistic forecast for the future elimination of existing problems related to race issues. Nevertheless, the strategy is defined clearly but still the US lacks effective tools with the help of which the problem of racism and race issues can be eliminated. Conclusion Thus, taking into account all above mentioned, it is possible to conclude that the problem of racism and race-related issues persists. Although officially a race cannot be identified as a major issue problem in the United States, there are still many issues and details considering the race issue. All in all, the race still remains one of the major problems in the United States, which is still not solved. In fact, this means that the US still suffers from the discrimination and oppression of minorities. In this respect, the US authorities are conscious of the fact that race issues may pose a number of serious problems and, what is more, they may lead to the radicalization of the US society. Therefore, the solution of this problem becomes strategically important for the US authorities. In actuality, the US authorities, namely the President of the US, defined the major priorities in the development of their policies to tackle the problem of racial discrimination and other race issues. Obviously, the unity of the entire country is of the utmost importance and the unity of all Americans, regardless of their race, can unite the nation. However, it is still unclear how the President of the US is going to unite the nation and to eliminate wide gaps that persist between different racial groups. As long as these gaps exist, the US will deal with race issues.

Whether Ritalin is Overprescribed or Not :: Argumentative Ritalin Prescription Drugs Essays

Whether Ritalin is Overprescribed or Not Is Ritalin the Answer to AD (H) D?The tousled brown hair that weaves so mischievously around his head may hint at the way he feels inside. He is seven-years-old and has already had to repeat a grade. He has an imagination that puts others to shame, but nothing seems to hold his attention for more than five minutes. He was recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or what we call AD (H) D.This scene is all too familiar for individuals who discover that they, too, have this learning disorder as they progress from elementary school to college. And in today's society we want a "quick fix" to remedy our problems. Therefore doctors are prescribing the drug, Ritalin, to control AD (H) D. Although Ritalin is a widely used drug to control AD (H) D, there are other safer alternatives to combat this worldwide disorder.Ritalin, like many other drugs, has several side effects-some of which are severe. Ritalin is in a class of drugs called Methylphetamines. These types of drugs (also called Central Nervous System or CNS stimulants) affect our central nervous system that controls everything from thought process to everyday breathing. Ritalin's major side effects influences the cardiovascular system (palpitation, tachycardia, and increased blood pressure), the central nervous system (psychosis, dizziness, headache, insomnia, tic syndromes, attacks of Gilles de la Tourette), gastrointestinal (anorexia, nausea), endocrine/metabolic system (weight loss, growth suppression). Also, Ritalin is a fairly new drug (introduced in the early eighties). It hasn't been around long enough to study the long-term effects.Since Ritalin is a Methylphetamine (closely related to the amphetamine f amily, such as cocaine), it has a high rate of abuse. In light of methylphenidate's abuse liability, it is important to note the tremendous increase in availability of this substance and the expanded population (adolescents and adults) receiving prescriptions for the treatment of AD (H) D. For example, the production quota for methylphenidate has increased from 1,361 kg in 1985 to 10,410 kg in 1995 with the primary increases occurring in the last five years. This drug is abused in two ways. One way is for recreational purposes. The abusers use the drug as a form of "speed" to pick themselves up. They feel that they need this in order to be "alive" and full of life. The other way this drug is abused is very different. Students are using Ritalin as a study aid.