Code of Conduct and Policies for Meal and Snack Time

Unit 001 Introduction to Communication in Health, Social Care or Children’s and Young People’s Settings. Outcome 1 Reasons why people communicate People communicate because they feel the need to express themselves when they feel the need to chat or discuss or pass on information to an individual person or a group of people. How does effective communication affect all aspects of work? Effective communication affects all aspects of your own work in many ways.If the correct information is given in the first place then nothing should go wrong as in any misconception of what has been passed on. (If everyone involved is singing from the same song sheet then nothing can go wrong ! ) Also by being effective with your communication means that everyone is working to the same standards of work and hopefully in a consistent manner. Why do you think it is important to observe individual’s reactions when communicating with them?It is important to observe individual’s re actions when communicating with them because you can identify if they agree or not with you or if they fully understand what the information is actually being verbally passed onto them at that time. You can observe this by their body language and facial expressions. These can both determine if they are showing any positive or negative behavioural and or facial expressions. Positive being – Good eye contact / Nodding of the head/Agreeing to what is being said. Negative being – Poor eye contact or lack of/Frowning/Arms folded crossed. Candidate Jo Davies-Collins

Problems in the Computer Assembly Division Essay

1.A clear statement of the problem As the assembly unit supervisor of a small computer manufacturing firm located in the southeast, I am in charge of a five- person operation responsible for assembling personal computers. My production goals include assembling 80 personal computers per day and ensuring 95% of these computers pass the operational inspection of the quality assurance unit. Over the past several weeks I have noticed that my team is not completing enough computers, and the average fell down to only 62 computers a day. Also, 15% of the computers assembled have been returned, as they are failing to meet the quality assurance standards. Furthermore, there is an issue with the supply parts, which I was told come in defective. There are also very serious problems associated with my subordinates. Bill and Morgan are taking advantage of time, coming to work late and taking longer lunch hours than permitted. There is also a substantial drop in the communication among the group members, as Morgan, Julie and Bill ex clude Fred and Sherry from their conversations. Lastly, workers feel favoritism toward Julie and Morgan, and Sherry announced that she wants to leave because of all the infighting in the assembly unit. It all comes down to the problem relating to the performance and the morale of my work unit. 2. Stakeholders a.you: in charge of a 5 person operation, goal of 80PC with 95% good b.Fred: assembles all hard drives, retired army sergeant, 16 years experience in electronics, 6 years assembling hard drives, claims to not be getting reliable parts from supplies so repairs parts self instead of waiting, has been keeping to himself c.Bill: assembles CD ROMs and floppy disks, new out of school, first full time job, 20 years old, in assemble unit for 1 year, takes longer than permitted lunch breaks but claims to stay later, talks only to Julie and Morgan d.Sherry: assembles mother boards, single mom of 2, completing bachelor’s degree in 3 months, has been with company for 4 years, has threatened to leave. She is an outstanding employee e.Julie: final assembly, 6 month experience, 22 years old, sister in law of owner, thinks Fred is doing a slow and shoddy job, talks to Morgan during first 2 hours, seems bored, singled out by owner with a 5% pay increase, talks only to Bill and Morgan f.Morgan: 5 years experience, only attended company’s operational inspection course, 6 months working in your unit, performs final inspections, comes late but claims to stay late, given days off to attend high school reunion, talks only to Bill and Julie g.Owner: concerned with morale and performance of work unit, man of action, wants specific plan 4.What if to solutions a.If we rotate the jobs, team members will be forced to learn something new, thus decreasing boredom. However, some employees may not have the proper training to do so. b.if we have Fred train Bill and Bill train Fred, then both will experience new jobs, while being forced to actually communicate with each other c. if we make Julie in charge of both the final assembly and inspection, then she will have more to do and not get bored. However, she might lack the education needed to fulfill two jobs, and thus might be sending out bad parts d.If we make sure people start on time and take proper lunch breaks, then people will be not be forced to rush through work. However, this may cause boredom because people will feel the pace is too slow.

Candide and Free Will

Voltaire's Candide is a novel that is interspersed with superficial characters and conceptual ideas that are critically exaggerated and satirized. The parody offers cynical themes disguised by mockeries and witticism, and the story itself presents a distinctive outlook on life narrowed to the concept of free will as opposed to blind faith driven by desire for an optimistic outcome. The crucial contrast in the story deals with irrational ideas as taught to Candide about being optimistic by Pangloss, his cheerful mentor, versus reality as viewed by the rest of the world through the eyes of the troubled character, Martin.This raises the question of whether or not the notion of free will is valid due to Candide’s peculiar timing of his expression for it. Some readers might think that Voltaire's novel Candide suggests that belief in free will is absurd. However, a close reading of the text suggests that Voltaire does not deny free will altogether. Candide is in complete control of his actions and ideas during times when an agreeable reality poses not to be enough, which explores Voltaire’s message that true reality is the ability to identify the deficiency of human conventions.Candide’s journey to attain the balance between submitting his will completely to the opinions and actions of others and taking control of his own life through blind faith highlights the notion of free will throughout Voltaire’s novel. Throughout the novel, Voltaire represents mankind as being consumed by immediate personal problems. When the characters of Candide virtually have no troubles or dilemmas, Voltaire illustrates how they do not express their happiness and contentment for it, but rather portray their feelings of boredom and a desire to involve themselves within the complex social constructs of the world.In chapter eighteen when Candide and his valet Cacambo enter the glorious city of El Dorado, Candide expresses the city’s extravagance and how it i s incomparable to any other, even when compared to his overvalued Westphalia. Voltaire described â€Å"the public edifices raised as high as the clouds, the market places ornamented with a thousand columns, the fountains of spring water†¦which were paved with a kind of precious stone which gave off a delicious fragrancy like that of cloves and cinnamon† (45) to illustrate the decadence of El Dorado, and how it was virtually a utopia that no man could resist.However, Candide held enough free will within himself by opting to leave the splendor in order to â€Å"recover Miss Cunegonde† (46). This event solidifies some readers’ opinions that belief in free will is absurd, for Candide uses it for irrational and perverse means by hoping for a finer future. El Dorado serves as a symbol to Candide that there is more the world has to offer after having been taught that he was already living in the best of all possible worlds while in Westphalia.The fact that he came across such magnificence paradoxically influenced his choice to leave since he thought he could find better than El Dorado, which demonstrates the faults of human conventions about how Candide could not distinguish between true and optimistic realities when he already had quite possibly the best world right in front of him. Once again, this substantiates readers’ ideas that free will is outlandish and nonsensical. â€Å"If we abide here we shall only be upon a footing with the rest, whereas, if we return to our old world†¦we shall be richer than all the kings in Europe† (46).He is not aware of the ramifications of his actions, of his professed free will, and believes that only good things will come to him as a result of his foolish autonomy. Voltaire presents the characters as having emotional lives that shift between worries and boredom with almost no periods of prolonged happiness. Pangloss’ influence instructs Candide to submit to blind faith that the o utcome of all will be well, and that all events happen for a reason. â€Å"It is demonstrable that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for all being created for an end, all is necessarily for the best end† (1).Under these assumptions Candide says, â€Å"There can be no effect without a cause [†¦] The whole is necessarily concatenated and arranged for the best† (6). This philosophy that everything is fated to be good omits the validity of free will that Candide later claims to have since he is man and therefore above the animal world, because no matter what man does in part to shape the entirety of his future, Candide was taught that the outcome is predestined to yield an optimistic and hopeful reality. The belief that everything happens for a reason and where the reason is good is incompatible with the act of free will.Therefore, any efforts of free will are futile because they cannot change the predetermined outcome, making its concept essentially nonexi stent. This logical cycle strengthens and endorses readers’ ideas that free will is incongruous with faith. Candide is a naive character that is in complete control of his ideas and actions despite the influence from others. In chapter two when he is captured by Bulgarians and given the choice between death and running the gauntlet, he groundlessly uses his free will to receive an intense degree of torture and anguish. He was asked which he would like the best, to be whipped six-and-thirty times through all the regiment, or to receive at once twelve balls of lead in his brain. He vainly said that human will is free, and that he chose neither the one nor the other† (4). Candide tries to argue that having free will meant not having to choose, because being a human retaining that free will meant he had the choice not to make a choice. However, his attempts are thwarted when he is forced to make a decision for his fate, where â€Å"he determined, in virtue of that gift of God called liberty, to run the gauntlet six-and-thirty times. He bore this twice† (4).During a time when death clearly presented itself as the unusual superior choice, Candide foolishly picked the lesser of the two options. By choosing â€Å"four thousand strokes, which laid bare all his muscles and nerves, from the nape of his neck quite down to his rump† (4), Voltaire proves to readers that having free will is an absurd notion. He reinforces readers’ ideas that preserving belief for free will only leads to self-destruction due to Candide’s imprudent use and inappropriate application of it. Voltaire’s Martin provides a slightly more realistic albeit largely negative slant of the world that readers can more easily identify with.Martin says that the world has been formed â€Å"to plague us to death† and that â€Å"it is a chaos – a confused multitude, where everybody seeks pleasure and scarcely any one finds it† (54-55). In chapt er 21, Candide asks Martin if he believes â€Å"that men have always massacred each other as they do to-day, that they have always been liars, cheats, traitors, ingrates, brigands, idiots, thieves, scoundrels, gluttons, drunkards, misers, envious, ambitious, bloody-minded, calumniators, debauches, fanatics, hypocrites, and fools† (55).Martin is deeply struck with pessimism, feeling the world is doomed to evil and destruction, and responds with a valid question as an answer: â€Å"Do you believe hawks have always eaten pigeons when they have found them? † (55) Martin’s insight to the fixed cycle of nature demonstrates how he perceives man’s nature to be just like one of beasts. Candide firmly counters and says â€Å"there is a vast deal of difference, for free will† (55) Candide, though easily influenced, senses that there is something more which exists between the contrasting worlds that both Pangloss and Martin have presented to him, which is free will.However, this claim is inconsistent with his belief that blind faith is the key to an optimistic reality, because once again, faith and free will are concepts that counteract and negate each other. At this point, readers’ opinions that free will is a meaningless and hollow notion is underpinned because of the fact that it is the only aspect that Candide cares to explore as the sole difference between man and animal that ultimately proves to be insignificant since man does not use it wisely or properly.In chapter two, Voltaire describes how â€Å"it was a privilege of the human as well as the animal species to make use of their legs as they pleased† to justify going for a walk (4). Here, Candide states that animals in fact have their own will to walk, which contradicts what he says to Martin in chapter 21on the discussion about what differentiates man from animal. Throughout Voltaire’s satirical novel Candide, readers are exposed to the two major themes reg arding fate and free will, and how each belief is exemplified through various hollow characters such as Pangloss, Candide, and Martin.Candide frequently wavers between the two beliefs, and Voltaire ultimately comes to the conclusion that people have free will and must shape their own future based on their actions in the present rather than pursuing the idea that blind faith driven by desire will lead to optimistic results. In the end, Candide achieves equilibrium by accepting that he must exist between spiritual devotion and unpredictability through free will, when he says, â€Å"we must cultivate our garden,† as Voltaire famously declares in the ultimate chapter (87).This seemingly superficial parody engages the reader and makes them reflect about whether or not free will is actually free will and what aspect of Candide is in control of it. Readers perceive how human nature is incapable of constant happiness because of how desire handicaps free will, and are ultimately made aware of how Candide must create his own reality based on action rather than blind faith.

The Global Economy assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Global Economy - Assignment Example Changes in spending or taxes can be said to be revenue neutral, and could be construed to be fiscal policy or could have an effect on aggregate output level through changing incentives faced by individuals or firms face. Contrarily, fiscal policy is normally utilized to refer to the effect of overall taxation and spending levels on the aggregate economy, especially the gap between the two. Fiscal policy can be said to be tight if spending is lower than revenue or loose when revenue is lower than spending (Auerbach, 2009: p. 24). Usually, the centre of attention does not revolve around the deficit levels but on deficit changes. It is a vital tool for the administration of the economy since it has the capability to affect total GDP. 2. What are the instruments of fiscal policy? Evaluate the effectiveness of increasing government spending and tax cuts as a means of stimulating aggregate demand (4 marks). 276 The tools of fiscal policy are government expenditure, direct and indirect taxe s, deficit financing through printing of new notes and government borrowing, subsidies, and transfer payments such as scholarships, stipends, and unemployment allowances (Hansen, 2011: p. 65). Aggregate demand is referent to total spending by government, businesses, households, and foreigners on final services goods that are domestically produced. The AD curve is descriptive of buying behavior for final services and goods in the aggregate. The relationship between rate of inflation and the amount of final services and goods that individuals are willing to purchase is in converse with other factors held constant. The AD curve shifts when there is an alteration in total spending on services and goods. An increase in total spending leads to a shift in the AD curve to the right (Hansen, 2009: p. 76). Inflation Increase AD AD1 AD Therefore, total spending changes and the AD curve shifts when consumption is changed, for example, through government spending, investment, tax cuts, or net fo reign spending. The AD curve shifts to the right when taxes are cut and government expenditure increases (McEachern, 2009: p. 23). There is an increase in household spending, increased business spending, increased purchases by foreigners, decreased imports and purchases of foreign products by the domestic market and increased money supply. If the government increases spending and keeps taxes as they were, aggregate demand increases directly. In addition, if governments cut taxes, disposable income increases and more is spent on consumption. This rise in consumption leads to raised aggregate demand. However, the ability for this fiscal policy to use aggregate demand to influence output levels wears off with time. Increased aggregate demand because of this fiscal policy shows up, eventually, in higher prices without increasing output. In the long term, the output level is determined by factors of supply, rather than demand (McEachern, 2009: p. 23). 3. Explain, using the statistics of government expenditure, personal taxation rates and transfer payments, what fiscal policy stance did the 2012 Federal Budget take? (5 marks)...345 The government is also set to increase transfer statements by increasing by $1.8 billion family payments with approximately one million families set to get an increase of $300 annually and approximately 700,000 families with more

Marketing Strategies and Techniques by Coca Cola Assignment

Marketing Strategies and Techniques by Coca Cola - Assignment Example The organization has been effectively successful over the last 100 years. The organization has become an icon of global culture. The organization believes in partnership business with several bottles around the globe. The organization has generated revenue of more than 35 billion US dollar in the year 2010. Moreover, the organization has achieved a net income of almost 12 billion US dollar in the same year. These are a quite impressive number. Presently the organization is operating in more than 200 countries (Vpcomn, 2008, p.2). Moreover, during this point of time near about 139,600 employees are working under the payroll of Coca-Cola (Vrontis, 2003, p.2). The leading global organizations are trying to capitalize on the opportunities that have been created due to globalization. After the Second World War, the concept of globalization has evolved dramatically around the globe. Coca-Cola is one of those organizations who has effectively capitalized on those opportunities. The brand na me is hugely popular in more than 200 countries. Current UK soft drink market has become competitive enough. Several potential organizations within the industry including Coca-Cola are competing within this competitive UK market. Due to the high-calorie issue, recently the consumers are trying to consume fruit flavor juice or low-calorie soft drinks (Pitt, 1999, p.1). PepsiCo the only potential competitor of Coca-Cola is creating several challenges for the organization by introducing several product lines. The current market trend, huge competition and matured sift drink UK market has to make Coca-Cola busy to perform its business activities in the UK market (Wmich, 2012, p.1). Mission, Direction, and objectives Coca-Cola is one of the leading soft drink manufacturing companies. Their business values and activities reflected in their mission statement. Mission The organization used to do business practices according to their mission statement which is: The products will refresh the world....in mind, spirit, and body. The organization will inspire optimism moments......through products, actions, and brands. The organization will create huge value and will create the difference...wherever they are involved (Svendsen, 2013, p.4). Direction and Objective Segment The major business objective of Coca-Cola is to expand its diet coke range with the inclusion of several healthy elements. Moreover, the organization is trying to achieve an impressive market share by entering in UK fruit drink segment. The organization already has started to execute the required strategies in several parts of the globe. But due to huge market saturation in the UK, the organization is planning to enter the fruit drink market by monitoring all the strategies and current market trend (Jones, 2010, p.9).  Ã‚  

Coursework Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Case Study - Coursework Example However, in case of violation of the legally binding contract, the non breaching party is permitted to take a legal action of filing a lawsuit to demand for the payment of damages incurred as a result of immature cancellation (Chitty 2012, p. 145). Alternatively, the breaching party is mandated by law to compensate the aggrieved party in this case Antony is obligated to pay Joyce and Taz for contravening the existing terms. Despite the measures in place to safeguard the success of any legally binding contract such as that involving a company selling goods and services, instances of violation are rampant because people do not comprehend the basics of law. According to common law, contracts operate within legal systems that entail forging a lawful accord where two or more members seek an agreement to conduct a given activity. Therefore, in Antony’s case, whether he has reached a legally binding contract with Joyce on the choice of supply depends on several factors worth noting. For example, Antony is in agreement with Joyce because there was an offer and acceptance where he promised to supply 100 pieces at the cost of ?350 per piece. This implies that the element of contractual law called the ‘meeting of the minds’ had been achieved to satisfy the wishes of both parties. Additionally, the exchange of promise from Antony signifies his willingness to provide clothe pieces at a subsidized price and hence expand the business prospects of his Rocco Company. Antony must also acknowledge the essence of ‘consideration’ in legally binding agreement that encompasses his promises and acts of assuring Joyce that she would receive the 100 pieces at a lowered price to elevate her business through increased sales and profits (Harris 2007, p. 110). This is called the enforceable contract and it often entails consideration as a binding word for the first party offering the promise such as Antony in his prospects of supplying Joyce with clothes. En forceable contract, according to legal experts, is achievable either orally as was done by Antony and therefore, cannot rescind his promise or through writing. However, in special instances as stipulated by state by-laws, some enforceable contracts are only legally binding in writing. Contrastingly, this does not overrule verbal contracts that are enforceable such as the case of Antony who stated in person that she would assist Joyce by cutting the garment prices from ?1000 to a manageable ?350 per piece. This suggests that while Antony’s main idea was to double the sale of Rocco products and establish strong image for his name, the verbal communication with House of Style Department fixed a contract that cannot be contravened under any legal terms (Koffman & Macdonald 2007 134). Interestingly, Antony’s decision to cancel the agreement is part of a legally enforceable contract recognized by the law and hence accorded Joyce an edge in upholding the agreement. An agreeme nt to perform a particular act such as supplying garment pieces also signified a binding agreement for both parties thus preventing Antony from altering his mind concerning his promise. Advice, therefore, in a legally binding contract requires all the members involved in the contract to find a neutral platform of amending the considerations before recalling any emerging obligations. Contrastingly, the conditions of agreement always

Business in Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business in Literature - Essay Example In the novel The Ladies Paradise, the new recruit Denise is not used to displaying her salesgirl charm and feel violated, defenseless and naked because she is treated like a machine for modeling clothes. The job requirement was that the women had â€Å"to be attractive for the sales rooms† she consents to be attractive according to the stores standards to the leering men and the unethical Monsieur Jouve who would harass the girls that worked in the store by forcing them to buy into his good-will and making sexual advances towards them which was seen as a privilege given his position as the owner. This goes against the moral concept of the market as the Monsieur is only seeking to maximize his profit in this case his sexual gratification. The fulfillment of self-interest will contribute to the common good in the market according to John Stuart Mill; the Mauss theory acknowledges that the market cannot ignore the ethics of self interest in the market. His anthropology is based o n the aspect of giving and receiving in the market as a basis for social integration that is important in the economic interactions. Honesty and respect acknowledges the morality of exchange and interdependence of social relations in the market. Mauss anthropology emphasizes that responsibility is a fundamental constituent of ethical subjectivity therefore responsibility for other human beings legitimizes economic actions. Tono Bungay novel offers an ethical critique of the impact of the late nineteenth century capitalist modernization in the homeland. The story also traces the effects of the accelerated economic transformation to the social arrangements and classes in the society. The ethical dilemma arises where the aristocrat society subjects the bourgeoisie to exploitation and machinations in entrepreneurship. There is a struggle of capital and labour. This also describes the modern

American political history Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

American political history - Essay Example War on terror is one of the major outcomes of the 9/11 incident. It started from Afghanistan on October 7, 2001, immediately after the 9/11 incident. America believes that the major culprits behind 9/11 Osama and Mulla Omar (Taliban leader) are currently operating from the Afghan-Pakistan borders. In order to seize Laden and Mulla Omar and also to destroy Taliban from Afghanistan, America started the Afghan war immediately after the 9/11. It is widely known that the roots of contemporary terrorism originated in Afghanistan when United States sponsored Afghan mujahideen in their bid to repel Soviet Union which resulted in the formation of CIA trained terrorists united under the banner of Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda† (Ahmed, 2005, p.3). Afghanistan is an uncivilized country and most of the people in Afghanistan are illiterate. Religious fundamentalism is at tits bests in Afghanistan because of the organizations like Taliban. Earlier during the cold war period, Soviet Union intruded into the Afghanistan territories and America did everything possible to remove Soviet troops from Afghanistan. The United States never thought that they will face the consequences of their action in future when they cultivate religious fundamentalism in Afghanistan in order to expel Soviet troops. America deliberately cultivated strong patriotism and religious fundamentalism in the veins of the Afghan people during the Soviet regime in Afghanistan. America made the Afghan people aware of the evil effects of communism. They spread the propaganda that Soviet regime may destroy religion from Afghanistan so that the dominant Muslim population in Afghanistan may be forced to avoid their religious beliefs in future. In other words, America tried to exploit the religious beliefs

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

Research paper - Essay Example This was not always the case, however, as strict notions of sexual norms pervaded society since time immemorial. It was only recently, in the late 19th century, that the right to sexual freedom emerged and gained momentum thru the efforts of activists who risk the scorn of a morally-rigid society. This paper will explore and analyze how events in the 19th to the 20th century caused American society to break its traditional norms and beliefs regarding women’s right to sexual freedom. The Path to Sexuality Prior to the events concerning sexual freedom in the 19th century, America considered women as fragile beings belonging only to the home. Any tendencies for extracurricular sexual thoughts were repressed, generally frowned upon and considered as unnatural. Homosexuality, prostitution or any form of sexual determination by women is conceived as impure. The concept of ownership of one’s own body for women was basically unheard of in a highly patriarchal 19th century Ameri can society. Women were expected to be pure, pious, chaste and capable in domestic affairs. American society cherished the notions of morality where women were expected to have sex only with their husbands while it was acceptable for men to have multiple partners. They were also expected to stay with their husbands even if an affair is uncovered as divorce was not made available to them. Any woman who has sexual contact with another aside from her husband was considered as ruined or fallen. There were cases where girls who had lost their virginity due to rape had been humiliated and casted out of their communities because of engaging pre-marital sex (Forman, 12-14). Sexuality for women had legal and moral repercussions as opposed to men whose sexual activities were highly unrestricted. This social norm was to be greatly challenged thru the activism of Victoria Woodhull, the first ever woman who ran for the United States presidency. Woodhull spoke frankly about the shackles women wer e expected to endure such as loveless marriages and limitations on who to have sexual relationship (Athey, 15-19). According to her, this should not be the case as: ‘To woman, by nature, belongs the right of sexual determination.†¦When woman rises from sexual slavery to sexual freedom, into the ownership and control of her sexual organs, and man is obliged to respect this freedom, then will this instinct become pure and holy; then will woman be raised from the iniquity and morbidness in which she now wallows for existence, and the intensity and glory of her functions be increased a hundred-fold’. (Athey, 16) Woodhull, and so many others until now, challenge this notion as it implicitly depict women as lower than men as the latter is not bound by such restrictions. On Prostitution Selling a woman’s body for sexual pleasure is touted to be the oldest profession in the world yet it is also one of the most prosecuted acts due to pervading notions of immorality a nd inappropriateness. Religious inclinations considered the body as a sacred vessel and prostitution is believed to be an outright violation of moral doctrines as it deviates from the notion of marriage and procreation. Prostitution was a taboo never to be tolerated. The problem, however, is that women who engage in this trade bore the brunt of the stigma. From biblical

How do you see this issue affecting New York City in the next Five Term Paper

How do you see this issue affecting New York City in the next Five Years - Term Paper Example These grants are meant to cut outlay by a third. This must have ensued after the former president Bill Clinton stated in his convention speech that Medicaid expenditure on the elderly accounts for over a third. This new bill proposed by the republicans will permit states to change the minimum eligibility, canons of care, as well as federal rules, which now safeguard adult children from being charged for their seniors’ Medicare. The official election may resolve Medicaid’s future. Nevertheless, many federations challenged with escalating Medicaid rates and budget shortfalls are now trying to cutback the budget of lifetime care by greatly altering Medicare coverage by using federal waivers. Waivers taken or obtained by twenty six states, comprising California, New York, Illinois, Texas and Illinois, would affect nearly three million persons, most of who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Lastly, the suggest that plans vary; nonetheless, typically they attempt to cut down costs by offering private managed-care establishments a fixed figure for a long term of care from hospital visits and doctor to nursing home settlement to aid at home, supposing that adequate care will occur in less costly settings. Hospice and Its Costs June 27, 2011, 1:14 pm By The New York Times This article provides an insight on the fact that hospice care bill is increasing at an astounding pace, and it has stimulated charges that most benefactors, especially commercial corporations which are incongruously enrolling patients. This, according to the article, can be explained by moving of hospice into the mainstream where it is currently serving about 1.1 million Medicaid patients annually. This has resulted in mounted concerns concerning excessive costs and misappropriation. The article claims that for the 28 + years that Medicare has recompensed benefactors for hospice provisions, it has, however, been acclaimed for providing critical health and emotional aid to dying patients as well as their families. Proper use of hospice care can save the government money. Studies have revealed that affording dying patients comforting care within their own households, or within a hospice institution

Impact of Recent Specific External Environmental Change Essay

Impact of Recent Specific External Environmental Change - Essay Example Planning is the outlined steps on how to achieve your company’s goal. For instance, I am currently working with a toy company and I apply these skills on a daily basis. However, one will realize it is important to outline steps on how to offer the best services, attract a large market share and how to expand services internationally. Organizing falls right after planning. After the manager has come up with a good plan, the manager starts to organize the materials and staff according to the plan (Adrienne 2006, p. 68). He or she will give authority to staff. Similarly, different staff members usually perform different duties. Staffing is also a key contributor to a good managerial function. A manager must work hand in hand with the human resource department in the company to ensure recruitment, training, selecting and developing employees is perfect. This helps the company in having qualified and hardworking staff. In addition, the manager needs more than just organizing or pla nning. The manager needs to motivate his employees. He also needs to encourage his employees. He can achieve this by solving the arising problems that the employees are facing. This helps in building a good relationship between the employees and the manager. Consequently, controlling also being one of the major functions is important. After all the four functions are in place, the manager has to be checking on the progress just to ensure that the organization is running smoothly. He has to check and ensure that the company is running in accordance with the set objectives and goals. Hence, the manager has to be in control. The external environment has two major divisions, namely: direct and indirect interactive (Bassie 2008, p. 161). In direct interactive, the environment has an immediate impact on the organization. A new competitor entering the market is a good example for direct interactive. However, in indirect interactive the environment has a secondary impact on the organization . Similarly, planning being the major role of management requires modernized and accurate decision making for the company’s achievement. It is evident that without planning, one is destined to fail. Additionally, planning gives an organization a sense of direction in that they are able to deal with any organizational problem efficiently (Burke 2010, p. 8). Without a plan, organizations are likely to make temporary choices that will impinge on the organization in the end. With a plan, long-term decisions make the organization work efficiently. Planning gives the employees a sense of motivation. The employees knowing the results will work tirelessly towards the purposed goal. In addition, it brings teamwork, with a well-outlined plan; people of different roles are able to work together in harmony knowing what they are supposed to do. Planning helps reduce potential problems in the future; it makes problem solving easier because the people involved already know how they will han dle it. Similarly, a good plan helps in decision-making. However,

Nations Essay Example for Free

Nations Essay The debate over a national bank raged on for many years. These two selections illustrate the raging debate between two of the nation’s most vocal politicians. They illuminate a common theme throughout American history, namely the debate surrounding the strength of the federal government. To be sure, the focus is on the creation of a national debate, but the underlying debate about federalism underlies much of early American history. Thomas Jefferson’s states rights approach to government could not be more evident in this selection. Jefferson expresses concerns about affording too many powers to the national government. Per Jefferson’s usual rhetoric, he makes the threat of a totalitarian regime seem almost guaranteed. Jefferson cites the Constitution to show that those duties not specifically given to the federal government ought to be given to the states. Hamilton takes the contrary view. He suggests that all powers not given to the states should logically fall back to the national government. Alexander Hamilton was a staunch supporter of a strong national government and his quest for a national bank is perhaps the apex of his political leanings. Hamilton concludes that interpreting the Constitution liberally allows for service of the public good. These documents combine to underscore the fiery passions of the men deciding the course of the nation. To this day, the debates over the federal government’s powers rage on. Now we see debates about the re-regulation or de-regulation of industry, the ability of the federal government to legislate on a variety of social issues, and the role of legal preemption. Some debates never die down, they simply change form. In these pieces we also see the formation of a clear political ideology that will characterize political debates between the nation’s two major political parties: Democrats and Republicans. States rights and federal powers underlie much of the current political debates seen in the papers and on television. Jefferson is taking what would now be characterized as a Republican position, supporting less federal involvement in favor of giving states the right to decide their own policies. The formation of the Republican Party began years ago with debates much like this. The Democratic Party prizes a strong national government that looks out for the citizenry. Alexandria Hamilton cites the popular Democratic mantra of â€Å"public benefits. † One can see this rhetoric in debates over national health care policies and education policy. To think, early on these issues defined a nation and were not afterthoughts in larger partisan battles. This is perhaps where Jefferson was correct. He may have been quick to jump to conclusions about tyranny, but it may have been that bombastic rhetoric that kept society cognizant of what was at stake. The historical record is replete with a deeper understanding of issues that is so often lost in today’s world of sound bites, press conferences, and blogs. Jefferson and Hamilton’s speeches illustrate just how important the basic concept of life, liberty, and justice were. They also illustrate how these ideas are forgotten in today’s debates. Jefferson and Hamilton represent two opposing forces in American history. The debate over a national bank was the focal point of this debate for some time. The national bank debate represents a window into the past that can illuminate the present. Federalism is still a significant concern today.

Introduction To The Crap Analysis English Language Essay

Introduction To The Crap Analysis English Language Essay The year 2012, marks a pivotal moment in world history. As foretold by Nostradamus, the world may end soon and very soon, we have to account for the worlds resources as its temporary caretakers. Ever since those predictions, the accountant has tracked every aspect of barter and of life. How much tea was dumped during the Boston Tea Party? How many limestone blocks were used in the first pyramid? What was the percentage of gross domestic product loss to England because of the destruction of its exports? What was the logistics strategy that causes all to want to walk like an Egyptian? The accountant has numerated and worked these questions and so many more over time. Yet we, like those before us are still burdened with CRAP. From the forensic accountant to the in home accountant also known as mom, all have counted and fell short. CRAP, in my humble opinion, is isolated as follows: C credit card fees R rebates A auto renewals P prepaid cards Only two accounting tasks are more puzzling than this one (formally known as CRAP) : One the true tax numbers of one Willard Mitt Romney? and the other what percentage of butter is in that substance at the movie theater?. I submit, CRAP is money to burn. It is unaccounted loss, monetary deception. In other words crap is money we spend or lose without knowing. CRAP, in my humble opinion, is isolated as follows: C credit card fees R rebates A auto renewals P prepaid cards Lets begin with credit card fees. Credit card fees are crap. Credit card fees and surcharges cost consumers billions a every year. Yet, the masses seem to worship credit cards. They do make our lives so expedient. Regardless, that were paying a sky-scraping outlay for this service. In this down economy, surcharges and fees are climbing as credit card companies skirmish for your dollars. You may need a Trident Tech accountant to identify those covert, oft concealed fees we pay. Credit card applications rise every year as credit card companies make breathtaking offers to clutch your business. They lure you with no interest transfers, no annual fees, and still cash back! What accountant could resist, right? Cash back seems to be the most popular today, as may credit card provider keeps offering me a plan with 5% cash back. My judgement is, if you can afford to give me 5% back how much profit do you actually make off me? So, judge wisely. Sift through the extra credit card fees and surcharges. They will deplete your cash account or that of a small business. The best way to avoid these extra credit card costs and beat the crap is to put into action simple solutions for all those fees. Take a quick look at some universal credit card fees: The Late Fee is crap. If PAYPAL doesnt get your money to the credit card company on time, because we know its not your fault, you may have to fork out a fee of up to $35. This can cripple your cash flow. Be mindful, that if you pay your balance late on a credit card, it can and will be used against you, raising your interest rate on all your cards! What all the companies do is raise you interest rate because you paid late on another account. This includes the GE Money type accounts such as Rooms To Go. To beat the crap: Pay early and often. When confronted with a late charge because of PAYPAL or your dog ate the check, call the company and give explanation. Often our big brother will negate the late charge. Over the Limit Fee is also crap. If youre near your maximum credit line, a solo additional purchase or even a late charge will thrust you over the limit and trigger an over the limit fee. Also a high credit card balance will lower your credit rating. Having over 50% of your card charged, tells the three credit agencies that you are low on cash. To beat the crap, keep all your balances safely below your limit. Like my grandfather told me, never let you gas tank go past half. So dont charge your balance over half. If you can, pay off your whole bill every month. Make it rain on VISA and MASTERCARD. This will eliminate effectively all of the fees. Next, the inner accountant in you should be aware of how much available credit you have before you acquire a fresh charge. Get the app on your smartphone, or do it the old way and call your credit card company, to check that your balance is up to date. Note to self: The reported credit limit may be around two weeks behind your transactions. Buying that new robot vacuum when you dont have the money can put you past the limit, or you may have to do the walk of shame after rejection at the register. Hopefully it doesnt happen on a first date or your pastor is in line behind you. To beat the crap: Start up the Prius, trek to Barnes and Noble, buy Accounting for Dummies, and maintain a daily accurate record of your credit card transactions. Dont rely soleIy on the convienient Android app for your current balance. The service fee is crap. Mystery Is there really a no-annual-fee credit card? Many of them, even some of the 0% plastic cards, charge a monthly service fee. The service fee is also called the minimum finance charge costs around $6 a month. Multiplied, you have an annual fee up to $72. To find out if you are victim to this crap, simply call the credit card company and get all the information you need. The crap is in the details, so be sure you understand the terms. Accounting 101 stresses where there is a debit there must be a credit. By its vary nature, the balance transfer fee is crap. My uncles girlfriend said, All money aint good money. The balance transfer fee definitely fits that descriptor. The transfer fee is exactly like its name, a charge for moving outstanding balance to another card. The fee can be a flat rate or a percentage of the amount you moved over. To beat this crap: Look before you leap, ask before you transfer! If you cant afford the fee, dont take it. At the very least, weigh the fee versus you savings by doing the transfer. Use your inner accountant and calculate the interest saved versus the transfer fee. Also if you cant pay the balance off within a specified time, the 0% may be revoked. I prefer to pay off my card as quick as I can versus moving the bad debt to another account. The Cash Advance Fee is crap. I never get cash from my credit card. For others, in certain circumstances a cash advance may be rightly what you need, but the immense fees can drown you. After cash in hand from an ATM, one is responsible for the ATM fee (more crap), and a tacked on 10% charge or more of the amount you borrowed. When you pay back your credit card, they often credit your regular charges first and keep the cash advanced balances charged to you at the higher rate. To beat the crap: Know all the costs involved forthright. Do not pull the trigger with this advance unless you can quickly downsize the balance, or can borrow from you accounting teacher Blank check fees are crap. I know you receive those blank drafts from your credit card company in your mailbox. They actually do tempt me when I get the $2,500 blank check. The look so good, I detest them, so hear me clearly. Destroy them! This gimmick is not free. You are by and large charged a towering percentage based on the total check. To beat the crap: Refuse to use these checks unless youre prepared to cover the extra costs. Try a regular bank loan before you go this route. Always be your own accountant and watch all transactions. Remember to negotiate with the credit card company. It is more expensive for them to entice new customers, instead of writing off disputed fees and charges. We can beat the crap. Yes we can! I say again CRAP, in my humble opinion, is isolated as follows: C credit card fees R rebates A auto renewals P prepaid cards Lets transition to rebates. Rebates are crap. Manufacturers and stores make it incredibly complex to claim the refunds they I still have not got the refund from Jiffy Lube, after mailing the receipt, survey, and request form of to the semi-corporate office in Bangladesh. Now , another bargain was the ATT new phone rebate that I may get back in six months or so in the form or an ATT card! Just, consider this: The ATT ad says notes post sale rebate. First I had to pay the full price phone, complete a rebate form, and then wait months if lucky. In fact, manufacturers, offer an estimated $4 billion a year in rebates. The unknown is that millions, perhaps up to 40% of it are never paid. Some simply ignore the rebate claims to making it close to impossible to qualify. Several big names retailers have been admonished by Elizabeth Warrens new government watchdog agency. The credit companies still practice this crap. First they realize that many simply dont know how to claim the rebate. To weed out the others through disqualification there are institutional practices such as the crap below: Crap is when manufacturers may insist blue ink or block style letters must be used. Crap is when they maintain you circle the price on the receipt. Crap is when boxtop with scan code is required and you already tossed it in the garbage. Crap is when you dont submit claim on time because the small print says you had to submit your claim within seven days of purchase. Crap is when the rebate check they sent you must be deposited within three days. CRAP, in my humble opinion, is isolated as follows: C credit card fees R rebates A auto renewals P prepaid cards Lets explore auto renewals. Auto renewals are crap. It is a sneak tip clause in a contract imparts that the contract term will automatically renew, unless you give notice of intent to cancel. Most, often you dont know you are even victimized by an automatic billing renewal scam. You may get a free service like extra movie channels when you order cable. You think you have it for a specific time period, such as a year, but when the time period ends, the channel access stays on and you automatically get billed for another time period, because the cable company still has your bank information on record. When you try to resolve this crap, you discover it was easy to sign up for the service, but nearly impossible to cancel. AOL was notorious for its toll-free number to call and cancel and then -shocker! you cant get through. Now they are equal opportunity and just love to scam baby boomers who might be confused about what theyve ordered or whether they have renewed. To beat the crap, check before you sign up for something to make sure there is no automatic renewal. CRAP, in my humble opinion, is isolated as follows: C credit card fees R rebates A auto renewals P prepaid cards Lets end with a look at prepaid cards. Prepaid cards are crap. They overdose in lots of anonymous fees. Your inner accountant will be surprised when you find a dozen or so different kinds of fees. Reloadable prepaid cards akin to debit cards without a real brick and mortar bank. Often parents load cash onto them and students can use them on campus where plastic is accepted. The gimmick prepaid cards often with catchy names like the Rush Card tend to serve illegal immigrants or someone with bad credit. Areas, like low-income neighborhoods in North Charleston have a host of places to reload a prepaid card. Crap is activation fees. Just to activate a card you get a fee. Service fees and even for talking to a customer service representative in off-shore China. Other fees are less likely to be disclosed, to my surprise a fee may be charged when a purchase is declined. Now, that is truly adding insult to injury! To conclude, I covered four elements of crap in our lives. Other than these, there are many more. Consider the pennies the stores keep when they round off your change. Consider the change lost when you kid goes to the store for you. Consider the campaign contributions to the candidate you drops out and then endorses the other guy. I hope that upon reading this paper, you call on your inner accountant and recognize the crap. Once you recognize the crap you can adjust and realize true profit. I describe crap as unaccounted for money, but now this money can be accounted for by you and only you. Consider it a second chance, as if the British jumped in the harbor and got their tea back!

Nikes CSR Policy Ethical Issues and Dilemmas

Nikes CSR Policy Ethical Issues and Dilemmas NIKE – ETHICAL ISSUES AND DILEMMAS INTRODUCTION Nike has been dodging accusations of employing people in the developing and under-developed economies, at low wages and poor working conditions for a considerable period of time. Having tried course correction and public relations as a measure to salvage the bad image generated by the sweatshops that Nike is accused of running, Nike has undertaken massive efforts to overcome these hurdles. Herein we will analyze Nike’s international business operations with a critical eye over the ethical issues and dilemmas that this organization has faced while manufacturing its goods in foreign lands. PROBLEM AREAS There are a number of areas that are seen as weak points or links in this Nike case. We shall first highlight the problem areas and then dive into the ethical theories that are supposed to govern them. According to the Wikipedia dictionary, ethics is defined as a general term for the science of morality.[1] While this branch of study can be further sub-divided into various categories, we have to remember that what is appropriate in a given situation may not be so among different circumstances and the decision of right or wrong is relative to its surroundings. Elaborated here are the issues and problems that stand out due to their ethical nature as issues or dilemmas faced by Nike and its operations towards its employees and customers as mentioned in the case study: Poor Working Conditions – In Nike factories, the laborers were provided with poor working conditions that were certainly below the norms accepted in the developed world. While lower standards of living may apply in the countries that have Nike factory contracts, the inhumanity of these conditions drives attention to Nike’s responsibility towards its employees. Considerable overtime and long working hours had to be endured by Nike employees desperate to remain employed in their country. An example states that Nike factory workers in Korea had to work for seventeen straight hours in silence. This indicates almost barbaric behavior on Nike’s part towards workers in these conditions. Low Wages – Nike contracts with companies to do all of their manufacturing in developing or under-developed countries. While the wage levels there are lower than the ones in developed nations, Nike still fails to employ people at a rate that can sustain their basic needs. The wages provided are much lower than the wages needed and as such cheap labor is thoroughly exploited. Nike has attempted at correcting the problem and employing people at a rate at least equal to the minimum wages prescribed in the country. Child Labor – Child labor laws in many countries are overlooked by Nike and children as young as 12 and 13 years of age are made to work long hours and treacherous conditions. Nike has taken steps to meet the starting age limit subsequently. Operations in Countries with Union Restrictions – Nike has been known to set manufacturing efforts in countries like Indonesia and China that prohibit union operations. This leads to lack of revolt and protests that leave the employees with little choice regarding work conditions and wages. Ethically, it is hard to argue against these countries as their laws do not have provisions for employment governance. In fact these countries often do not have minimum wage requirements and abundant labor is put to use by companies like Nike for the absolute minimum. Expensive Endorsements – While Nike has been continuously targeted by human rights committees, they have unceasingly maintained a high profile image by getting celebrities like Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods to endorse their products. Over five years, Tiger Woods is expected to earn 80-90 million US dollars of Nike money.[2] Ethically it would have been more beneficial to engage a part of that money in Nike factory and employee enrichment. Expensive Products – Nike sells its products at steep prices, while we all know that the products are manufactured in contracted factories on foreign lands for low costs. The cost of production being low leads Nike to generate massive profits from the sales revenues. Cover-up Public Relations Efforts – Being involved in child labor initiatives was undertaken by Nike to handle the issue at large and also to rectify the public relations pitch for Nike. The actual problem is being pointed out as adequate wages problem as opposed to the child labor initiatives that seem like a cover up for the bigger issues plaguing Nike. Lack of Development Work at Factory Locations – While one constantly hears stories of sweatshops and defense by Nike regarding its work force problems, one rarely hears of philanthropic activities adopted by Nike in the area of the factory location. For example, at Hershey, PA one hears of the development the company Hershey’s has done for the community. Likewise it reflects as selfish behavior from Nike in not supporting the causes faced by the community occupying Nike’s workforce. Health Hazards in Factories – Skin and breathing problems are observed in factories that makes Nike products. Nike has to make sure that it performs by the standards set by OSHO in protecting employees from hazardous chemicals and processes in the manufacturing cycle. ETHICAL THEORIES Ethical theories can help rationalize certain decisions that Nike has made as a company and highlight the issues pertaining to its followed consequences. Let us now examine some ethics theories and observe the case of Nike in this light.[3] Egoism – This theory states that individuals or corporations have a right to guide their conduct placing ones own interest foremost in rational decisions. Through this theory one can justify the placement of profits or revenue generation as the high attained goal of an entity. In this regards Nike has played to the theory as far as possible. They have not only conducted manufacturing with cheap labor but also ensured that the factories do not earn even a little extra than they were supposed to. This theory states that every person that promotes self interest bring about social good. In this context we could see that while the founder of Nike, Phil Knight performed with self interest in mind, he was propelling Nike ahead by huge proportions. Doing so, he did manage to bring about the rise of one of the most well known brands in the world today. Social Group Perspective – It is not only self that determines all decisions but the surrounding that forms the social group under which the individual or company resides. It is the norm or standard in social groups wherein an entity can determine the wrong or right in that particular case. For Nike this social group has become a collection of customers, shareholders, employees, foreign contractors and others. The perception of right and wrong is determined by these social groups that operate differently in different places. For example, while the minimum wage in Indonesia, Korea and China may be less that that in the United States of America, the standard of living there will meet the minimum wage requirements and Nike has to ensure that they abide by that. Cultural Relativism – Every country has its unique culture that accompanies it. For Nike, a company that has a presence in many countries in the world, minding the cultural relevance can prove to be an effective means to growth. For example, while bribes are seen as a cultural norm in some countries, they are seen as unlawful in certain other countries. Society as a whole in certain countries is known to consider bribes as a normal occurrence, which for some countries is a crime. This culture makes or breaks certain laws in place and as long as Nike abides by these laws, in the respective country, and at the same time minds its home country standards, controversy for Nike will be minimized. Utilitarianism – This theory works under the premise that the greatest good is for the greatest number. Herein it is the majority that counts above anything else. If only a few elements of the entity think that the decision is wrong, the decisions must be right which is what is said by the majority. In the case of Nike, the decisions that were enforced by the majority are responsible for the sustained controversy surrounding it. The board obviously took certain steps in clearing the controversies that have affected the company. Since these decisions are taken with the view of the company good in mind, with the majority of the people agreeing to it, the decision must be seemed as right. Deontological Perspective – This view goes by the saying ‘do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’ The duty to make this world a better place is a duty that one has to take upon themselves, besides following certain obligations. For example, telling the truth is an obligation and that is seen as ‘right.’ In the same way for corporations, it is the giving back in return concept that needs to be perfected. The corporation is obliged to provide a good product and it is entitled to bring positive changes to its constituents. Values Clarification[4] This ethical theory expects that one is familiar with ones own views, reasoning and rationale. It is for this reason that companies try to build cultures within the organization in the same way that Nike has evolved its corporate culture. Nike’s branding, products and apparel indicate its image and success. ETHICAL DILEMMAS Nike has faced ethical dilemmas in operations and manufacturing for a while now. The definition of ethical dilemma states that it is a situation wherein exists conflicts between moral imperatives and choosing one situation consequence over another can lead to compromising of what also seemed like a viable solution in the situation[5]. Let us go over the ethical dilemmas that Nike has faced over its functioning. Manufacturing Ownership – Nike chooses to contract its manufacturing to factories in foreign lands where the wages and conditions do not meet developed nation’s standards. Yet they have their products made there at low costs after enforcing their product controls. While they could manufacture these products in the United States of America, profitability of these products wins over providing the home country with employment and opportunities in the manufacturing segment. Advertising Budgets – Nike has endorsed many athletes and celebrities like Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan paying them exorbitant amounts of money. While the brand has succeeded in maintaining an image of athleticism, it has compromised on how the money could have been used to better serve the country where they have their factories. Public Relations – Nike has had to go lengths to protect its public image and had to employ many legal experts and public relations individuals. The dilemma occurs when Nike may have to admit to its mistakes but doing so would cost them greatly, hence the truth may have to be manipulated and then disclosed, which does not conform to ethical standards. Employee Enrichment – With the profits that Nike generated from manufacturing products in foreign countries at low costs, a dilemma in front of them can arise from the fact that even if the country’s wage and standards are met they fall way below the US standards. While Nike can invest in employee welfare, it is not a norm in the country that runs their factories. Besides a lot of these factories are contracted to do Nike manufacturing and Nike as such is not obligated to conduct factory and employee welfare. CONCLUSION While Nike has faced severe criticism due to its manufacturing decisions, it as a brand and product has fought and sustained its success. Ethics experts will continue to question Nike in unfavorable ways, however when we apply the ethical theories that have relevance in the business world, we observe that Nike does its best to meet the requirements. This is especially evident when Nike made decisions to conduct independent audits and engage in human rights activities. On the other hand Nike faces ethical dilemmas due to its operations and these dilemmas will continue to exist in the world economy. Nike has gone with the route of foreign contracting in its earlier phase and has received tremendous criticism through it. Faced with its plenty of ethical dilemmas, Nike has managed to sustain the product, develop new products and continue to be a force to reckon with as a consumer brand. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethics [2] http://www.golftoday.co.uk/news/yeartodate/news99/woods12.html [3] http://www.mgmtguru.com/mgt499/TN2_PAGE3.htm [4]http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:ofLIUDDIiW0J:jan.ucc.nau.edu/~dgs2/theories.pdf+theories+in+ethicshl=en [5] www.ethicsscoreboard.com

Votes For Sale :: essays research papers

Votes For Sale According to the Associated Press, lobbyist donated 633 million dollars to government representatives in the first half of 1999. A lobbyist’s job is to pass money to representatives for a vote in their favor of a bill. Up to $5000 may be given to any one congressman by a lobbyist thru Political Action Committees (PACs). Farmers, laborers, gun control activists, abortion opponents, and teachers are just a few of the numerous groups who form these committees in the United States. These interest groups employ a lobbyist to offer a cash donation on their behalf. The legislative branch of the United States government was designed to represent citizens of this nation. Congressional members are supposed to be the representatives of people in their district or state. Laws are supposed to be passed in the public’s best interest. PACs attempt to influence the passing of laws through lobbyists. Lobbyists degrade democracy, encourage improper policymaking, and likely provoke politi cal corruption. The most obvious downfall to lobbying is that representatives would be encouraged to vote for money; causing a degradation of democracy. In other words, if a pro-life group paid a representative to vote against legalizing abortion the money would influence the representative’s vote. Whether or not a bill is passed becomes an issue of who is willing and able to pay more for it. Congressmen would look to vote for bills that would get them the most money from the PACs. Even though $5,000 is the maximum donation a lobbyists can give to one particular politician; lobbyists donate to several. This can give them the upper hand in a majority decision. Lobbyists believe they are representing the people and getting bills passed that the people want, thus promoting the citizen’s role in the government. The problem with this view is that the money is getting more representation than the people are. The group that has the most money and buys the most votes will get more bills passed in their favor, regardless if they are the majority or not. This takes away from the democratic process; not allowing all the people’s votes to count. A representative should vote for those who elected him not those who pay him the most. When a representative’s vote is influenced by money the fundamentals of democracy are defeated. Secondly, representatives benefit directly from lobbyist’s donations. Therefore, representatives will use improper policymaking to assure a lobbyist’s cause is ratified.

The Count of Monte Cristo :: essays research papers

The Count of Monte Cristo Journal In the beginning of the book The Count of Monte Cristo we meet Edmond Dantà ¨s; he comes across as a model of honesty, ability, and innocence. â€Å"He was a fine tall, slim young fellow, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a ravens wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger (pg 4).† Regardless of his youth, he is a useful leader to his sailors. He was also very devoted to his father and fiancà ©e. Dantes was capable of looking into the good side of the people that disliked him like Danglars â€Å"a man of twenty-five or twenty –six†¦of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his inferiors (pg6),† Caderousse â€Å"a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age (pg17),† and Fernand â€Å"tall, strapping, black eyed Catalan, with a red complexion, brown skin, and fierce air (pg21).†Even thought they were mean to Dantes he always treated them fairly and civilly Alexander Dumas shows us that when Morrel asks Dantà ¨s to evaluate Danglars’s work on the ship, Dantà ¨s could easily ruin his enemy’s career with a mean word but he chooses to put aside his personal feelings and honestly evaluates Danglars on a professional level. â€Å"If you mean as a responsible agent that you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty (pg12).† Similarly, rather than reproach Caderousse for mistreating his father, Dantà ¨s politely welcomes him into his home and offers to lend him money. Dantà ¨s even manages to control his will toward Fernand, his rival for Mercà ©dà ¨s feelings. Dantà ¨s is loyal to those he loves and sees the best in those who are flawed. While Dantà ¨s sits atop the pedestal of honesty and generosity, his three enemies could not be further from it. Unaware of Dantà ¨sâ₠¬â„¢s kindness and tolerance, they have convinced themselves that he is very mean. When Dantà ¨s takes pride in his good luck, the other men feel injury to their own egos. There are only two enemies of Dantes, Caderousse and Danglars, actually dislike Dantà ¨s at this point; Fernand’s hatred of Dantà ¨s, by contrast, does not stem from any will of Dantà ¨s’s character. Fernand simply dislikes Dantà ¨s because he is the main obstacle to his own happiness with Mercedes. The Count of Monte Cristo :: essays research papers The Count of Monte Cristo Journal In the beginning of the book The Count of Monte Cristo we meet Edmond Dantà ¨s; he comes across as a model of honesty, ability, and innocence. â€Å"He was a fine tall, slim young fellow, with black eyes, and hair as dark as a ravens wing; and his whole appearance bespoke that calmness and resolution peculiar to men accustomed from their cradle to contend with danger (pg 4).† Regardless of his youth, he is a useful leader to his sailors. He was also very devoted to his father and fiancà ©e. Dantes was capable of looking into the good side of the people that disliked him like Danglars â€Å"a man of twenty-five or twenty –six†¦of unprepossessing countenance, obsequious to his superiors, insolent to his inferiors (pg6),† Caderousse â€Å"a man of twenty-five or twenty-six years of age (pg17),† and Fernand â€Å"tall, strapping, black eyed Catalan, with a red complexion, brown skin, and fierce air (pg21).†Even thought they were mean to Dantes he always treated them fairly and civilly Alexander Dumas shows us that when Morrel asks Dantà ¨s to evaluate Danglars’s work on the ship, Dantà ¨s could easily ruin his enemy’s career with a mean word but he chooses to put aside his personal feelings and honestly evaluates Danglars on a professional level. â€Å"If you mean as a responsible agent that you ask me the question, I believe there is nothing to say against him, and that you will be content with the way in which he has performed his duty (pg12).† Similarly, rather than reproach Caderousse for mistreating his father, Dantà ¨s politely welcomes him into his home and offers to lend him money. Dantà ¨s even manages to control his will toward Fernand, his rival for Mercà ©dà ¨s feelings. Dantà ¨s is loyal to those he loves and sees the best in those who are flawed. While Dantà ¨s sits atop the pedestal of honesty and generosity, his three enemies could not be further from it. Unaware of Dantà ¨sâ₠¬â„¢s kindness and tolerance, they have convinced themselves that he is very mean. When Dantà ¨s takes pride in his good luck, the other men feel injury to their own egos. There are only two enemies of Dantes, Caderousse and Danglars, actually dislike Dantà ¨s at this point; Fernand’s hatred of Dantà ¨s, by contrast, does not stem from any will of Dantà ¨s’s character. Fernand simply dislikes Dantà ¨s because he is the main obstacle to his own happiness with Mercedes.

Blood As An Image In Macbeth Essay -- essays research papers

Shakespeare uses the symbol of blood in MacBeth to represent treason, guilt, murder and death. These ideas are constant throughout the book. There are many examples of blood representing these three ideas in the book. Blood is mentioned throughout the play and mainly in reference to murder or treason. The first reference to blood is in MacBeth's soliloquy in Act 2, Scene 1, Lines 33-61, when Macbeth sees the bloody dagger floating in the air before him. Also in this soliloquy on line 46 he sees "on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood", this means that there is blood on the handle and spots of blood on the handle. This is implying that the dagger was viciously and maliciously used on someone. Shakespeare most likely put this in as premonition of murder and death to come later in the story. The next reference, although indirect, in Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 5-11 is when Lady MacBeth talks about smearing the blood from the dagger on the faces and hands of the servants that she drugged. In Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 11-12, "I laid their daggers ready; He could not miss them". Notice how she said THEIR daggers. She is setting up the innocent servants of the king, making it look like they committed treason. Also in this scene is the first reference of blood pertaining to guilt. MacBeth says this in Act 2, Scene 3, Line 60, "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?" This is an example of blood representing guilt, because MacBeth wi...

Youth Unemployment

The youth unemployed should be one the groups the most in need for financial support in Hong Kong. They face keen competition and suffer from the local economic regression, which create difficulty to them earning a living. Young people, in general, refers to people in the age groups of 15-19 and 20-24 (Chung Kim-wah 2009). They are recognized as labor force in Hong Kong, but their employment opportunities are not optimistic.Those school leavers in the age of 15-24 entering the labor market have little competitiveness compared graduate job applicants, especially when the supply of graduate workers are so abundant in the market (Chung Kim-wah 2009). The unemployment rate of them keeps rising and reached 19. 5% in 2008 (Youth Study Series 2009). Those unemployed receive no salary while they need money for daily expenses, creating potential financial burden on them. Facing competition among themselves, the young graduates are not any better either.Nowadays, the large number of graduates makes the labor market saturated, providing the employers so many choices (Chung Kim-wah 2009), not to mention that a number of them are still obliged to pay for their grad loan. The young unemployed population, both graduates and non-graduates, have to compete fiercely for the limited job positions in the market. Such pessimistic employment prospect has strong relation to Hong Kong economic regression, which causes shrinkage in labor market (Youth Study Series 2009).While the number of job vacancies is declining, more and more young school leavers and fresh graduates enter the marekt seeking for jobs, resulting in increasing unemployment. Both the problems of vigorous competition and economic slowdown cannot be easily solved and need a long term economic adjustment. The young unemployed have little to do to escape from the predicament. Financial support from the government may give temporary but necessary assistance to them. The form of financial support given may affect the extent of assistance to the young unemployed.First, I suggest that further education fund and scheme should be set up for the young people to further study. Under the scheme, courses of different professions, ranging from information technology to business management, should be provided to young school leavers. They could take courses according to their own interest. After they acquire different skills, they can re-enter into labor markets of their respective professions. In this way, labor supply can be diversified and competition can be reduced. Also, the government can also subsidize local companies who are going to recruit young employees.In this time of economic hardship, companies may not dare to bear the risk to expand their crews. With government subsidy, some companies may react with incentive and are be willing to provide job positions to the young unemployed, creating some job vacancies for them. References Chung, Kim-wah. Huge Supply of Graduates the Cause of Youth Unemploymen t. Ed. Joseph Li. China Daily, 26 Sept. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. . Youth Study Series No. 41: The Impact of Youth Unemployment in the Midst of the Global Financial Crisis. Rep. Youth Research Centre, Feb. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. .

Island of the Sequined Love Nun Chapter 15~19

15The sailing masterOut on the b nightclub of the field, with no place to con louvree, no management to p catchl on, no job, no bearing, no frigoals hurt, conf social occasiond, hot, thirsty, and irritated, crumple was desperate. Desperate for practiced the momentary rejoicing that efficiency come from attracting an attractive wo cosmos. No matter that he couldnt do any affaire more or less the attraction.What was she doing impinge on present? Who cargons? What a blend inHe quickened his pace, his legs and shoulders protesting against the tilt of his pack, and approached within a couple of steps of the fair.Excuse me, he c in alled.She sa bowl all oerine. assemble s sack upped and blanketed up a step. Something is wrong here. Very, very wrong.Oh, baby, she said, touch to her chest as if ponderous to snaffle her breath. You scargon short Kimi. why you sneakin up equivalent that? pile up was dumbfounded. She wasnt a innate blonde. Her skin was dark and sh e had the high cheekb unitys and angulate features of a Filipino. Long false inwardnesslashes, opalescent rubor lipstick, provided lines in the aspect that were a little in addition harsh, a jawline that was a little too square. The congeal was tight nearly the chest and in that location was nada in that respect exactly muscle. She wore a huge inexorable medal at her throat that looked as if it was do of living creature fur. She regarded a s come.Im sorry, tuck said. I thought you were whatever(prenominal)thing er, some angiotensin-converting enzyme else. wherefore the medallion morose its s exceed and looked at him. shut in let by an involuntary utter and jumped corroborate up. The medallion was wearing tiny rhinestone sun nutes. It squeaked at wear upon. It was the lategest cream forth he had ever elaten, interruption in that respect up military linear perspective fling off with its gofolded.Thats a batFruit bat, baby. Dont be sca scarlet. Thi s Roberto. He no a akin(p) the liberal. He want you, though. Roberto squeaked again. He had the compositors case of a fox or perhaps a smooth computer-aided design a neaten Pomeranian with move. Im Kimi. What you name, baby? Kimi extended his debate limply to shake or perhaps for a kiss. slip in took cardinal fingers, keeping his eye on the bat. fag image up Case. exquisite to come to you, Kimi. He was horrified. Thirty endorses ago hed been having obscene thoughts ab emerge a guy A guy wearing a issue batYou look uniform you penury a date. Kimi love you safe(p) spacious m, twenny bucks. Whatever you need, Kimi yettocks do.No, thanks. I dont need a date. What I need is a gravy holder.Kimi tin can conduct ride. You like it in gravy holder? Kimi take you round the world in a gravy holder? He giggled and patted Robertos little up boldness- destiny ashore head. That funny, huh? gainer constrained a s statute mile. No, I need a gravy holder and someo ne who can flee it show up to an island.You need a gravy holder, Kimi can stupefy boat. Kimi can original too. convey anyway, alone I veryRoberto shrieked. meet jumped tolerate. Kimi said, Roberto say he want to go on boat with you. How far is island? fag surface couldnt believe he was having this conver sit d experienceion. He hadnt really decided he would go by boat. Its called Alualu. Its about deuce blow and cubic decimeter miles new(a)ton of here.No worry, Kimi said without hesitation. My let was big(p) sailing master. He teach me everything. I take you to island and perchance we capture ships company too. You chip in specie? shut in nodded.You count all oer there in shade. We be right back. Kimi turned and wiggled out. bewilder attempt non to watch him walk. He was intuitive feeling sick to his stomach. He walked to a grove of palm trees that grew along the harbor and sat down to wait.Kimi piloted the eighteen- piece fiberglass skiff out of a s hantytown built over the weewee, crossways the harbor, to a wharf in bowel movement of the marina restaurant. Roberto had unfolded his prolongations and was crawling spiderlike over Kimis head and back, feeling for a comfortable level to shell out of the light. rucker walked to the dock and looked at the boat, consequently out former(prenominal) the harbor, where pothers were smashering on the bring down, wherefore back at the little boat. He wasnt sure what he had expected, plainly he was sure this wasnt it. Something bigger, possibly a cabin cruiser, with twin diesels and a big wheelhouse with some radar hurl spinning on the top a modest moreover well-stocked nasty bar, perhaps.I got you boat Kimi said. You give me money straight off, I go get bollocks and look at map. forgatherer didnt budge. The locomotive was a forty-horse Yamaha out-board. A rubber subway ran from the ride to a petrol armored combat vehicle that took up nearly all the home among the twain oceants. pull together guessed it would dominate at least a hundred gallons of fuel, maybe more. argon you sure this thing has the range to make it out there?No problem. Give me money for torpedo. cinque hundred dollar.Youre insaneGas very expensive here.Youre insane and your bats glasses are crooked.I have to pay bit for boat. The rest is for pilot. You buy peeing, woolly mullein, and two mango, two papaya for Roberto, and two box defeat T artistic productions for Kimi. Strawberry. puckerer mat he was beingness hustled. For flipper hundred dollars you can get your own mangoes and Pop Tarts.Okay, sayonara. Kimi said. Say bye-bye to cheap sweaty American, Roberto. Kimi moved Roberto onto his shoulders and pulled the cord to attempt the engine.Tuck imagined himself stuck on Yap for another(prenominal)(prenominal) two weeks. No, wait He un cart track the flap of his pack and dug interior.Kimi killed the outboard, turned, and grinned. t moveher was lipstick on his teeth. Money, please.Tuck moderate on down a stack of bills. He didnt like it, exclusively he didnt have a plectrum. Actually, not having a choice made it a little easier. Are we divergence to leave right forth?We go done reef out battlefront dark so we no squeeze up and drown. After that it better to go in dark. Go by stars. thrill up? Shouldnt we call for survive?Kimi laughed. You looking storm? See storm in sky?Tuck looked slightly. Except for a fewer mushroom-shaped clouds beyond the reef, it was clear. He smelled alone tropical flowers on the breeze and something skunky rising slope up from his armpits. No.Meet me here in half(a) hour. Kimi started the force back and putted stumble across the harbor toward a big tankful with the Mobil logo stenciled on the locating.Tuck walked to the store and bought the supplies, thereforece(prenominal)(prenominal) found the telecom center a few doorways down and sent a handwritten facsimile machine to the doctor on Alualu to let him get that his new pilot was on the way.He was waiting at the dock when Kimi returned in the skiff, his wig trussed down with a red chiffon jack off. Roberto wore a smaller scarf with holes cut for his ears. Strangely, the scarf, in conjunction with the dark glasses, made Roberto look a little like Diana Ross. They say there is a mortal number of faces in the worldTucker threw the heavy pack into the front of the boat, then climbed in and sat down in front of the enormous gunslinger tank. Kimi threw the transmis-sion lever on the ride, perverse the hand grip, and piloted the skiff out into the harbor toward the reef.Kimi jumper leaded the boat out of the indistinct discolor of the harbor to the turquoise embody of weewee of the line of work. Tuck could picture the reef, tan and red coral, but a few feet infra the surface at the edge of the channel. He spotted small fish darting close to great heads of brain coral. They were more like streaks o f color than animals, and as one disappeared another appeared in the line of sight. A few long, slender trumpet fish, looking as if they had been forged from silver, swam adjacent to the boat, then turned and cruised into the reef.They passed the edge of the reef and into the open sea with completely a slight intumescency into the first few swells. Kimi cranked up the repulse and the skiff lifted and rode across the tops of the roll outs, bucking and displace a gentle six edgees, glob out a drumbeat as counterpoint to the whining out-board. Tucker relaxed and leaned back as Kimi skirted the reef, traveling toward the setting sun until he cleared the island and could make the turn north to Alualu.For the first succession since the crash, Tucker tangle good, felt as if he was on his way to something better. Hed made a ending and acted on it and in eighteen hours he would be ready to start his new job. Hed be a pilot again, qualification good money, flying a great aircraft. And with some healing, hed be a man again too.A quarter mile from Yap, Kimi made a gradual turn that put the sun at their left shoulders. Tuck watched the sun bubble into the ocean. Columns of upright piano cumulus clouds turned to cones of pink cotton fiber candy, then as the sun became a red wafer on the horizon, they turned candy-apple red, with royal rays re achy out of themlike searchlights. The urine was neon over wet asphalt, blood-spattered gunmetal colours from the cover of a detective original where heroes drink thorny and beauty is continuously treacherous.Tucker searched the sky for cumulus clouds that looked like they might have aspirations to become thnetherheads. How in the hell were you supposed to carry out weather from sea level?Just then a swell lifted the front of the boat and slammed it down. Tuck felt his tailbone shinny on the edge of the seat and was adept bracing himself when another swell bucked him to the fib of the boat and a sudden nose ca ndy of distort cabbageed him with dust.16And Now, the bear ReportThe High Priestess sat on the lanai watching the sunset, taking sips from a glass of c pileed vodka mingled with bites of a banana. The intercom beeped wrong the house and she cocked an ear to the open window.Beth, can you come down to my blot? This is important. The superstar was in a panic.Hes always in a panic, she thought. She put her vodka down on the bamboo table and tossed the banana out into the sand. She embroider across the teak deck, through the French doors to the intercom, and laid an elegant finger on the talk button.Im on my way, she said.She started toward the back door of the house a two-room bungalow fashioned from bamboo, teak, and thatch and caught sight of herself in the generous-length mirror. browse. She was naked, of course, and shed have to cut across the sharpen to get to the conjurers office. Life had become a lot more complicated since they had hired the guards.She stormed into the bedroom and grabbed an oversized 49ers jersey with the sleeves cut off out of her closet, then stepped into some sandals and headed out the back door. She wasnt really dressed, but it might keep the Sorcerer off her back and the ninjas off her front.The rise consisted of half a dozen constructions spread over a three-acre clearing cover with flannel coral gravel and concrete and adjoin by a twelve-foot chain-link fence go past with razor wire. At the front of the compound was a pier and a small beach that led to the nevertheless channel through the reef. At the back a newLearjet sat on a concrete pad, just interior the fence. outside of the fence, the concrete racecourse bisected the island. Past the runway lay the jungles, the taro patches, the villages, and the beaches of the Shark People.The office was a low concrete building with steel doors and a roof covered in solar electric panels that shone red in the setting sunlight. She nodded to the guard by the door, wh o didnt move until she passed, then tried to get a glimpse in the side of her jersey. She slammed the door slowly her.Whats up? You near done with the satellite dish? My shows are overture on.He turned from a estimator screen, a piece of fax paper crumpled in his hand. Weve hired an idiot.Do you want to be precise or should I assume that one of the ninjas has distinguished himself high up the others?The pilot, Beth. He profound in thought(p) the Micro Trader on Yap.S winIts worse. He held out the fax to her. Its from him. Hes chartered a small boat. He says hell be here tomorrow.She looked over the fax, confused. Thats curtlyer than he was going to get here. Whats the problem?This. The Sorcerer pushed back in his chair and pointed to the computer screen. The image looked like a liquidiser honest of green and black-market paint.It looks like a blender full of green paint, she said. What is it?That, my dear, is Marie.Sebastian, youve been out here too long. I k promptly you like abstract art and allIts a satellite video of typhoon Marie. And shes a big one. He pointed to a dot to one side of the screen. Thats Alualu.So its going to miss us.Well catch the edge of it. Well have to put the jet in the hangar, tie everything down, but it shouldnt be too bad. The problem is that the eye will pass right over where our pilot is going to be. I cant believe he went to sea without checking the weather.She shrugged. So we have to get a new pilot. Tucker Case, meet Marie. She smiled and her eye shone like desolate stars. Too bad, she thought. The pilot would have been fun.17Foul-Weather FriendTuck was amazed by what the human system could achieve when pressed to its limits lift tractors, trek a hundred miles through the tundra after(prenominal) being partially eviscerated by a Kodiak bear, live for months on grubs and water sucked from soak holes, and in this particular case, vomit for two hours straight after having ingested nothing but alcohol and airline peanuts for two days. The stuff glide slope out of him was pure bile, animated acrid and sour, and with the bull rider lunge of the boat, half of it always ended up down the front of him. And between let loose there was no respite, just incessant doubtfulness and soaking spray. His stomach muscles twist into knots.It started with the swells rising, first a few feet, then to ten. Kimi piloted the boat up the face of each as if climbing a hill they were dashed by the whitecap, then a sled ride down into a trough where they were faced with the neighboring black smother of water. Roberto climbed down into Kimis dress and clung there like a furry tumor. The navigator cried out each time the spray washed over him as Robertos wing claws dug into his ribs. draw play down you pack. Tie you belt to the boat, Kimi shouted.Tuck found a coil of nylon rope and a sheepfold knife in his pack and tied himself and the pack to the front seat. He sight that the space under the seat was cha nge with dense Styrofoam. The boat was, theoretically, unsink-able. Good, someone would acquire their beaten, chisel-eaten bodies. He threw a length of rope to Kimi, who secured it around his own waist.The wind came up as if someone had spooled up a jet engine, going from ten to cardinal knots in an instant, dumping gallons of waterinto the boat with each wind, drowning out the sound of the outboard.Kimi screamed an order to Tuck, but it was lost in the wind. Tuck caught one word Bail riding down the face of a wave, he took the time to look around the boat for a container, but found only the gallon of drinking water. He took the faithful knife from his pocket and slashed the top off of the jug. He dumped the fresh water, then, with his feet braced against the interior of the bow and his spine against the seat, he began bailing between his legs, taking a full gallon with each scoop, throwing it with the wind. He bailed as if in a run for your life sprint and he was winded and aching after only a minute, but he couldnt date stampm to get in advance of the storm. The boat was riding lower in the water.He ventured a glance back to Kimi and saw the navigator had found a coffee can and was braced between the seat and the gas tank, bailing with one hand while guidance with the other. His scarf and travel around his pick out and was trailing the blonde wig behind him in the wind. The motor was cranked full-out, and Kimi was rendering to keep the boat steered into the waves. If one caught them from the side, they would roll and continue to roll until the storm consumed them.Tuck slowed his pace and tried to take place into some lovely of sustainable rhythm. It began to rain, the drops approach path in almost horizontal, and as they top the next wave Tuck recognise that half of the sky had disap-peared. They were only at the edge of the storm. The navigator was wow at him. The sea, the sky, the boat faded to black. One second he was squinting saltwat er out of his eyes and staring at an obsidian wall ahead of the bow, then everything went black. Total receptive overload, total sensory deprivation. He looked around for the stars, the moon, a highlight or fantasm somewhere, but there was nothing but wind and wet and cold and ache. He shivered and nearly curled into the fetal position in the bow to wait for death. The navigators screaming gave him a bearing.We need lightTuck braced himself, then dug into the pure pack until he came out with two waterproof flashlights. Bless you, Jake Skye.He hit the sealed switches.Light. Enough to see that Kimi was steering them parallel to an ominous wall of water. They would be souseed. The navigator slammed the outboard to one side and gunned it. The little boatwhipped around just in time to meet the oncoming wave, ride up and over it. Tucker clung to the boat like a newborn baby monkey to its mother.Tuck lashed the lights to the anchor engine block at the bow, one pointed forward, one in to the boat, then he resumed bailing.A goliath wave rose up thirty feet and slammed down over them. When Tuck blinked the salt out of his eyes, he saw that the boat was all but a foot full of water. another(prenominal) wave like that would swamp the motor. Without the motor to steer, they were lost. Bailing wasnt generous.Were going to die, he thought.Then the noise of the storm was gone.No, youre not, came the voice, you fuckin mook. The roar of the wind and the screams of the navigator were gone. There was only the voice. Theres a tarpaulin in your pack. Lash it over the boat so you dont take on any more water. Then move to the stern and bail.Now there was a picture in Tucks mind of what he was to do. There were eyelets on the outside of the gun rests to deem the line around the edges of the tarp. He involve only to hook the line around the boat and tie it off back by Kimi, loss just comme il faut of the boat open for the navigator to steer and him to bail water.You got it, ace?Tuck could see it and he knew he could do it. Thanks, he said. Forget questioning where the voice was coming from. He nodded. The storm roared back over him.Five minutes later the boat was covered and began to rise in the water as Tuck sat next to the navigator and bailed.You steer Kimi screamed.Tucker took the take a crap as the navigator let go and tried to rub his hand out of a cramped claw.Tuck took the boat up the face of a monster wave and the skiff went airborne. With no resistance on the propeller, the motor shrieked and Tuck dumped the intimidate to keep it from blowing up. The bow tilted up and Kimi grabbed the gunwale just in time to avoid being dumped off the stern. They arrive hard and the motor nearly went under. The motor sputtered. Tuck worked the throttle to bring it back to life.They were already going up the face of another wave, steeper than the last. If the wind caught them at the top, they would flip. Tuck suddenly remembered a surfriding move from hi s youth. The cutback. There was no way they could continue into the wind and into the waves. middle(a) up the face of the wave, he twisted the throttle and threw the motor sideways. It coughed as if discharge a hairball, then roared, sending them across the face of the wave.What you doing? Kimi shouted.Tuck didnt answer. He was looking for the pocket, the place where the face of the wave would stay the same. If only the motor could maintain speed.The wave was creeping up on them, looming in a higher place their backs, but then they were high copious for the wind to catch them. Just enough boost. Just enough speed. The boat flatten out on the face of the wave. They were surfing, a thirty-foot wall of water waiting to rend them from behind should Tuck lose the pocket.Strangely, Tuck felt elated. It was a small victory, maybe even a temporary one, but they were running with the storm and he was in control of something for the first time since the sheet of paper crash. He watched the angle of the boat on the face of the wave, gauged its speed, its steepness, and made the adjustments that would keep them alive. The black water seemed to eat up the flashlight beams, but he could see the wave becoming steeper and rising higher as it climbed the ocean shelf toward the esurient reef.18Land HoThe island was little more than a coral cupcake with a guano frosting. non a hundred yards considerable at its widest point and only five feet above sea level at its highest, it served as a resting place for seabirds, a nesting place for turtles, and purchase for forty-eight coconut tree palms. The foliage and coconuts had all been torn from the palms, and the storm-driven waves recess on the surrounding reef frothed over the island, beating against the trunks and washing apart the precious topsoil. Heavy as they were, some of the palms were being undermined by the sea and would soon wash away.Of the three travelers, only Roberto knew the island was there. As a young ba t, he had stop there to rest after leaving Guam, his birthplace, on his way to someplace where the mangoes were lovable and the natives did not consider fruit bat a delicacy. But right now he was too busy privacy inside Kimis dress, screeching and clawing and generally trying to keep warm, to mention to the navigator that the footing they were suddenly riding the face of an progressively steep fifty-foot wave was because they were about to crash over a reef.By the time Tucker Case realized what was happening, they were inside an immense tube of water, surfing inside of the curl of the wave. The flashlights refracted off the green water, lighten up the tube, making it appear as if they were inside a giant seething reverse bottleful. Tuck tried to keep the boat pointed toward the narrow circle of blackness where the bottle cap would go, where they would have to go to lean. Hed seen films of surfers scene the curl on the North beach of Hawaii. It could be done. He clung to tha t vision,even as the wave passed over the reef and collapsed upon them.The boat rolling once, twice, three times, then tossed end over end and spun just under the surface as the wave frothed over the island. Kimi and Tuck were wound against the boat by their line of lifes, beaten against the trunks of the palms, tossed and battered against the boat. For Tucker there was no up, no down, no way to know when he might take a breath of vitalizing air or suck seawater and die. He held his breath until he felt as if he would explode, then was slammed between the boat and a tree and he let go.Robertos wing claws cut deep furrows into Kimis ribs as he go for air. The navigator had taken a glancing blow across the forehead as the boat rolled over him and was knocked unconscious.Tuck felt himself pulled away from the boat, spun for a moment, then the pressure of the lifeline around his waist. He could see the lights abandoned to the boat, assuage shining, the only visual input signal in t he sensory chaos. The boat had caught on something and he was trailing out behind it. Something bumped against his ribs and he reached for it instinctively, catching a smattering of Kimis dress. Roberto was clinging to Kimis head, growling into the wind.They had passed through the island and come out on the other side. The boat had caught on the last palm tree in advance they were swept out to sea again.Tuck caught his lifeline with one hand, then cover his other arm around Kimis chest. Slowly, operative against the mensesing current, more like a river now that the waves had been broken by the reef and the island, he pulled them back to the boat.The boat was afloat, but barely, held up by the Styrofoam underseats and the air trap in the gas tank. Only an inch or two of gunwale showed above the water. Tuck crawled in, took one deep breath, then dragged the lifeless navigator in after him. Roberto scrambled on Kimis head to splinter the sea and was almost taken by the wind. Tuck er caught the giant bat by the throat and lifted him from Kimis head to his own back, wincing as Robertos claws penetrated his shirt. Then he hung the navigator over the side and began pumping the water out of his lungs.After a few seconds, he flipped him again and administered mouth-tomouth until Kimi coughed and vomited up a stream of seawater. Tuck held his head.You okay?Kimi nodded as he sucked in painful lungfuls of air. Once he had his breath, he said, Roberto?Tuck pointed to the little dog face that was looking over his shoulder.Kimi managed a smile. Roberto Come. He took the bat from Tucks back and held him to his chest.They were safe, relatively sheltered by the island from the monster swells, they had only the wind and the rain to deal with. The tarpaulin was gone. The boat was full of water, but it was afloat. Miraculously, the flashlights were unperturbed attached. Tucker could see the tree that had caught them. He fell back into the bow, hooking his armpits over the g unwales, then slipped into a state of wear down unconsciousness that could almost be called sleep.19Water, WaterAt first light the coconut palm that had saved them last gave up and tipped over, releasing the boat to the sea. The outgoing tide carried the skiff and its sleeping passengers through a break in the reef to the open ocean.Tuck, sitting chest deep in seawater in the bow, was woolgather of being lost in the renounce when a flying fish smacked him in the side of the head. Startled, he reached up instinctively, as one might slap at a biting mosquito, and caught the fish in his right hand. He opened his eyes. In his mind he was still in the desert, dying of thirst, and the fact that he was now holding on to something that looked like a trout with wings seemed a cruel surrealist joke. He looked around, saw the boat, Kimi slumped in the back, ocean and sky, and nothing else there was no land in sight.He threw the fish at Kimi. It bounced off the navigators forehead and into the sea. Kimi screamed and sat up abruptly. Roberto sunglasses akimbo poked his head out the neck of Kimis dress and screeched at Tucker.What you do that for? Kimi said.Nice piece of navigation, Tuck said. Then he mocked Kimis broken English. You smell storm? You see storm in sky?Oh, you big-time pilot. Why you not check weather? What kind of dumb fuck American try to go two hundred miles in outboard, huh?You told me it was no problem.You paying Kimi big money. Not a problem.Well, its a fucking problem now, isnt it?Kimi stroked Robertos head to calm him. Stop yelling. You shake Roberto.I dont care about Roberto. Were half-sunk in the middle of the Pacific and we dont have a motor. Id say we have a problem.Kimi stop ministering to Roberto and looked up. No motor? He turned and looked back at the empty motor board. There were marks where the clamps had raked across it as the motor pulled off in the tumble. He turned back to Tuck and grinned sheepishly. Whoops.Were dead, Tuck said. Kimi looked back again where the motor should have been, just to make sure that it was still gone. I ask that man, Is motor on good? He say, Oh yes, is clamp on very tight. I pay him good money and he lie. Oh, Kimi is very mad.Roberto barked in agreement.Stop it Tucker shouted. Roberto ducked into Kimis dress again. Weve got to get some of this water out of here. We have no motor. We cant go anywhere. Were adrift, lostAlive, Kimi interrupted. I get you out of typhoon alive and you just yell and say bad things. I quit. You get new navigator. Roberto say you mean, nasty, Chevy-driving, milk-drinking, American dog fucker.I dont drink milk, Tuck said. Ha Won that round.That what he say.Roberto does not talkNot to you, dog fucker. You no Kimi paused in mid-rant and retrieved the coffee can, which had been tied to the boat with a string, and started furiously scooping water out of the boat. You right. Now we bail.What? Tuck looked up to see Kimi was looking, wide-eyed, out to sea. Tuck fo llowed his gaze to a spot twenty yards in front of the boat where a triangular fin was describing slow arcs in the swells.Hurry, Kimi shouted. He coming in.Tucker reached for his pack, causing the bow to submerge under the water by a foot. Before he could adjust his weight to counterbalance the boat, the chisel came over the gunwale, snapping its jaws like a man-eating puppet.Tuck stood up to escape the jaws and the bow lurched deeper underwater. The shark slid into the boat as Tuck went backward over the side. vexation bolted through his body as if the water had been electrified.He wanted to move in all directions at once. He kicked hard and came up a few feet from the boat to see the shark slide back into the water.Get in boat Kimi screamed. He was standing with his feet wide, trying to keep the boat from capsizing.Tuck kicked so hard that he raised out of the water to the waist, then he fell toward the boat, catching the gunwale with one hand. Kimi shifted his weight to counter balance and Tuck pulled himself in just as something hit his foot. He jerked his foot so hard he nearly went out of the boat on the opposite side, then he twisted in time to see the shark sliding down into the water with his shoe in its mouth.Behind you Kimi screamed.Another shark rose up at Tucks back. He swung around and punched it on the hooter as hard as he could, taking the skin off of his knuckle duster on the sharks sandpaper skin. The shark slid away.The motion in the bow caused the stern to dusk underwater and the next attack came at Kimi. He tossed Roberto into the air as the shark came into the boat. Roberto spread his wings and soared into the sky. Kimi reached down and came up with the rubber fuel line.Tucker looked for anything they could use as a weapon, then remembered the turn up knife he had put in his pocket the night before. It was still there.Kimi was slapping the shark with the rubber hose and backing his way up onto the huge gas tank that made up the midse ction of the boat. Tuck opened the knife, then lunged forward at the navigator. KimiKimi reached back and Tuck fit the treat of the knife into his hand. The shark had worked half of its nine-foot body into the boat. Its tail thrashed at the water to power the shark up onto the gas tank. Kimi scrambled backward. Roberto swooped and screeched in the air above.Kimis right foot found purchase on the screw cap of the gas tank and he sat up. Tuck thought he was going to strike the shark with the knife, but instead he cut the gas line and squirted a stream of gas into the sharks gaping mouth. The shark thrashed and slid off the side of the boat.Kimi brandished the knife in the air. Yeah, fuckface, you run away. That not taste so sweet as Kimi, huh? He fell back onto the gas tank and took a deep breath. We show that shark who the boss.Tuck said, Kimi, theres more. He pointed to set of fins approaching from the stern.