Public School Essay Example for Free

Public School Essay The Perfect Public School will be established with the vision to provide the quality education to the students of the Fateh Muhammad Jatoi and to enable them to compete at the national and international level. To achieve this vision the school will have the very well experienced and well groomed faculty that will provide the education on modern lines that will inculcate the students as well as their parents for the betterment of their children career development. The quality education that provide in our school is at low price as compared to our major competitors Beacon house, Frobels, roots and City school etc. The Perfect school is developed in order to facilitate the Pakistanis to get education as good and excellent as the students in Perfect school Pakistan. The Perfect school is located in Pakistan and is well renowned in all over the world for its Excellency in education field. Students from far flung countries go there with the aim to study and to get benefit from their quality education system. The Perfect school of Pakistan is also ranked among the top ten schools of the world. Moreover the Sindhi students also go abroad to study in this school and they score quite well as compared to other fellow students. The only difficulty that the Pakistani students face while going abroad is that they have to pay a huge sum of money for visa and passport requirements. The Perfect public school is going to be established to provide quality education as did other schools of Pakistan. The Perfect public school will be affiliated with the B. I. S. E Sukkur. The educational industry that provide these types of services includes the competitors like beacon house, Frobels, Roots and City school. These institutions are established with the purpose of providing the quality education but initially they have done their job quite well in providing excellent education, and with the passage of time they start diverting from their core mission of providing quality education. Now their focus shifts to provide the luxurious environments to the students and not to provide the quality education. The students living in the luxurious environments are used to enjoy the beauties or luxuries of life and are not willing to hard work, normally student involves in other activities which lead them to depression and illegal works. The Perfect staff is well trained to guide the student about their career development. The Perfect school is one of the prestigious students and established in the capital of Pakistan in F-10 Islamabad. The reason behind choosing this location that is capital of Pakistan is that we can get attention to the people. Secondly the people living in that part are very well aware of the educational needs and they fully know the importance of good education. Thirdly there are a reasonable number of foreigners living and they want to get their children to get a quality education. Fourthly there are mostly living the elite class of people in Islamabad and our business is mostly targeted to the elite class. The Perfect public school comprises of an elegant building, three grounds for outdoor sports activities of the students and one sports complex for indoor activities like table tennis, badminton, squash etc. The school will consist of almost 5-7 class rooms, 1 staff room and one principal office. The class rooms will be very well decorated and well furnished. The male and female staff will be hired for better education. As principal, I will regularly visit the classes, our progress towards implementing the strategies within the Business Plan, as well as the achievement of milestones and targets. Our values Success for every student. Diversity Ideal Customer The ideal customer for the Perfect Public Schools foreign language programs falls into one of two categories. The first is a middle class working person who feels the need to learn a foreign language either for a pressing work-related need, a desire to have more options in career, or a wish to travel to a foreign country and enjoy the experience more. These individuals, however, feel they cannot afford one-on-one tutoring, but are too social to be able to be content with a book, online program, or software to learn the language. They desire a classroom experience both as a structured approach to force them to make a commitment to the language learning and as a means to have extensive social interaction through the process. Market Description Perfect Public School targets customers with the following characteristics: 05 to 15 years of age Locals Male and Female Situation Analysis The Perfect Public School will be in the first year of business as a start-up operation. The School believes that the market demand for their services will be great and are convinced that a cohesive marketing strategy is required for The School. Market Summary The Perfect Public School possesses good information regarding their market and the target segments that they wish to serve. The School will leverage this information to better understand who is served, their specific needs, and how The School can better serve them. Market Needs The Perfect Public School will provide the education with a source of knowledge. This market need is important as many parents’ are faced with the dilemma of using their limited income on education. Pricing: The Perfect Public Schools fees will be noticeably better than local schools. Market Trends The market trend for schools reinforces consolidation. Market Growth In 2012, the global educational system/industry as a whole was 897 Million industry. The education system is forecasted to continue its record growth. Pakistani society in particular has become increasingly reliant on education. This conclusion seems to be fairly intuitive as many individuals have a vested interest in living longer and more educated. SWOT Analysis The following SWOT analysis captures the key strength and weaknesses within  the area, and describes the opportunities and threats facing The Perfect Public School. Strengths †¢A unique, current business-environment-appropriate business model. †¢Excellent staff who are highly trained and very competent. †¢Games. Weaknesses †¢The lack of visibility and brand equity of a start-up business. †¢Lack of true experience. †¢Government intervention/regulation into education is possible. Opportunities †¢Outside pressure on students. †¢The constant growth of the number of students taking education. †¢Newly formed alliances of school systems. Threats. †¢The entry into the market by an established school. †¢Some event that cripples education. Competition Competition takes many different forms in the education industry. †¢Chain of schools: These are private national chains such as City School. Keys to Success The keys to success are: Male and female students. Low overhead and operating costs. Normal prices and services. Financial Objectives A double digit growth rate for the first three years. Reduce the variable costs associated with servicing each student order by 4% a year. Profitability by the end of year. Sales Forecast. Sales Forecast 2013 2014 2015 Sales Walk-in customers (students) 83,056 243,778 343,540 New Old customers 76,994 976,543 1,234,654 Total Sales 360,050 1,720,321 2,078,194 Direct Cost of Sales 2001 2002 2003 Walk-in customers 111,664 453,705 514,559 New Old customers 79,647 439,444 555,594 Subtotal Direct Cost of Sales 191,311 893,149 1,070,154 Expense Forecast Marketing expenses are to be budgeted so they ramp up quarterly. These intervals are chosen because they are the common intervals that students who are getting several types of courses in same school. Controls. The purpose of the marketing plan is to serve as a guide to the organization. The following areas will be monitored to gauge performance: Revenue: monthly and annual. Expenses: monthly and annual. Repeat business. Students’ satisfaction. Contingency Planning Difficulties and risks: Problems generating visibility. Difficulty developing sufficient talent. An entry into the education market from an already established, larger schools like City and Grammar School. Worst case risks include: Determining that the business cannot support itself. Having to lab equipment to cover liabilities. Competition.

Advance strategic management. Consumerism Essay Example for Free

Advance strategic management. Consumerism Essay 1. What is consumerism? DEFINITION Consumerism can be defined in two different ways; 1. Consumerism is a theory which states that buying and consuming goods and services in a large amount are more beneficial to the economy. Thus this theory appreciates gradually increased consumption of goods and services. 2. Consumerism means ‘consumer protection’. It is a movement or policy that protects the interests of consumers via truthful packaging, honest advertisement, improved safety standards and product guarantees. Consumerism involves policies that regulate methods, products and services, standards, selling and advertising in the interests of the consumers. These protect buyers from defective products, misleading advertising, unfair practices etc. Such policies can be mandatory, legislative, institutional or voluntarily accepted by the industry. e.g., consumers’ interests can be harmed by mispricing, adulteration, artificial demand etc. IMPORTANCE Consumerism encourages economic growth by providing good quality goods and services to the customers. Increased consumption by the customers shows the economic growth level. Increased demand would lead to increased production thus raising the gross domestic production. It helps to make informed decisions through truthful advertising, environmental and safety standard laws. Thus consumerism provides protection to buyers. Implementation of consumer protection laws shield consumers against exploitation, discourage anti-social activities and unfair trade practices, provide complete and latest information to the customer which aids in buying  decision making process. 2. What IS STRATEGY? Why it is important? Choose a company, study its strategy and then make its competitive analysis. DEFINITION 1. Strategy is business game plan used by management to stake out market position, conduct its operations, attract and please customers, compete successfully and achieve organizational objectives. 2. It is a process through which a company concentrated its resources on optimal opportunities to achieve short term and long term goals and other competitive advantages. IMPORTANCE Strategy answers three central questions about the company (i) where are we now? (ii) where do we want to go? (iii) how will we get there? Strategy tells about the current position of the company, its future plans and the approaches it will follow to achieve its objectives. Strategy encompasses actions to attract customers, actions to deliver value at optimal price and cost equilibrium, actions to respond to changing market environment, approaches to pursue available opportunities and plans to gain competitive edge. A powerful strategy makes a company distinctive and provides sustainable and durable competitive advantage in creating, producing, distributing and marketing the company’s products/services. An effective strategy results in best possible business performance in terms of financial profitability and market position. Strategies are desperately needed to direct the activities of the company in a way that its goals and objectives are achieved in a right way through right approaches and at the right time. An excellent strategy that is excellently implemented is a good measure to evaluate the management competencies and performance. A strategy-focused company has a strong performance, profitable earnings, revenue growth and favourable return on investment. COMPANY : COLGATE-PALMOLIVE Colgate Palmolive has $17.1 billion consumer products and serves people around the world with renowned brands by offering four types of products/services: oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition products. This company operates globally and approximately 75 percent of its sales are from outside the home country while majority of its products are manufactured in its own facilities. Colgate-Palmolive 2011 to 2015 Strategy The main focus of Colgate-Palmolive’s five year strategy is on people, performance and planet with measurable goals in accordance with the company’s business objectives. 1. Promoting Healthier Lives The objective was to promote health and wellness in order to minimize employee health risks by 15 percent, to achieve 5 percent reduced health costs by improving on time diagnosis and treatment of diseases and to focus on safety of employees. 2. Contributing to The Communities Where We Live and Work This parameter of the strategy aims to increase the impact of company on the community by $300 million. For this purpose five objectives were set which will provide greater focus to the company’s contribution towards the community. Partnership is done with dental professions to improve the oral care of the community. A program of â€Å"Bright Smiles, Bright Futures† is scheduled to contact 1 billion children by 2020. To provide hand-washing awareness to over 50 million households. To work with 250 thousand veterinarians to educate pet owners and provide over $100 million pet food. Continue to provide company’s products after natural disasters and to invite more  volunteers in this community program. 3. Delivering Products That Delight Consumers and Respect Our Planet The objective is to increase the sustainability of all the products by (i) ensuring that ingredients continue to meet the standards of safety, health and quality (ii) reducing the impact of environment on the products and packaging. This is achieved by increasing the use of recycled contents and more usage of sustainable materials. 4. Making Every Drop of Water Count The strategy aims to reduce the consumption of water during manufacturing by 24 percent. The objective also aims to take steps to promote access of clean water and water conversation awareness among over two billion consumers. 5. Reducing Our Impact on Climate and Environment The intention was to reduce energy consumption and carbon emission during the manufacturing process by 20 percent. COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS The stated strategy of the company can be analysed on the bases of three broad terms. The following stated questions will determine the goodness of the strategy implemented by Colgate-Palmolive i.e. whether the strategy was able to improve the market position and financial performance of the company or not, how good was the company at handling the environmental dynamics and gaining competitive advantage. 1. How well does the strategy fits with the company’s situation? The main competitor of Colgate-Palmolive is Procter Gamble with the same strategy of sustaining products and environmental safety but Colgate-Palmolive has got a competitive advantage in the year 2011 and 2012 by having strong presence in personal care products and emerging markets in different geographical areas. Due to broad operation bases globally the company has got the strength to lead the market. 2. Is the strategy helping the company achieve a sustainable competitive advantage? Yes the strategy implemented by the company has made it to be a global leader in oral care. Colgate-Palmolive’s market is the single largest market by value shares and is insulated from the downturns. The company’s strategy focuses to meet market challenges, committed to increase product sustainability and focuses on segmentation by function. Colgate-Palmolive has improved sustainability profile in 24 percent of products. 3. Is the strategy helping in better company performance? The strategy has helped the company in attaining better financial and ethical performance. Colgate-Palmolive has shown best environmental performance in past years and is able to sustain its past competitive advantage. The company had $17.1 billion worldwide sales in 2012. Its gross profit margin was 58.4 percent in fourth quarter of 2012. Colgate-Palmolive won 100% Code of Conduct Certification, stood No. 1 in beauty and personal care products and was announced No. 1 at ‘Most Admired Companies in 2013’ by Fortune World. Colgate-Palmolive had operating profit of $4.02 million in 2012. 35 percent of its packaging material is from the recycled material thus fulfilling its goals of safeguarding the environment and reducing costs. Three different products of Colgate-Palmolive have won title of ‘Product of the Year 2012’ and Ethisphere magazine has given the company title of ‘ 2013 World’s Most Ethical Companies’ US E.P.A declared the company to be ‘Designed for the Environment’ for many of its home care products. The above analysis shows the strengths and the competitive advantage earned by the company due to its best performance and leading activities. Surely the above mentioned performance is only attainable because of an excellent strategy and its excellent execution. _________________________________________

Gillette Fusion Case Study

Gillette Fusion Case Study Introduction Gillette holds leadership market share which is 70% within the razors market (PG 2008). The companys success has been created by regular product innovations and prestigious campaigns in order to boost the sales. However, one product namely Fusion, which is the first five bladed razor has captured 55% of all new razor sales in the US just four weeks after launch (Datamonitor, 2008). What is more, Fusion was expected to be Procter and Gambles fastest ever product to reach a US$1 billion in sales (Datamonitor, 2008). This paper will focus on why it is so important to move customers to Fusion and how to attain and promote this migration. Why Gillette is so desperate to move all customers to Fusion The Boston Consulting Group matrix provides a framework for allocating resources among different products. This technique is useful for multi-divisional and multi-product companies such as Gillette since it allows them to compare different products and decide where to invest the money. As can be seen above single blade razor is a dog which means that this product has a low market share and low growth rate and it do not generate large amount of cash. However, dogs can turn out to be a cash trap since Gillettes money can be tied up there with no potential for the future increase. Furthermore, Mach 2 double blade razor is between being a dog and question mark but due to market saturation and product advancements Mach 2 soon will be a dog with low market share and growth. Mach 3 triple blade razor on the other hand, is between a question mark position which is low market share but high market growth rate and a star. Star can generate large sums of money because of its strong market share but at the same time can consume a lot of resources due to high growth rate. Mach 3 has the potential to gain market share and become a star however, Gillette found out that when Mach 3 did not become a market leader there was a possibility that it would become a dog with a little market growth. As a result, Gillette focused all its attention on Fusion which is between being a star and a cash cow that gives greater return on assets than the market growth rate. Consequently, Gillette analysed the BCG matrix and decided that the company needs to persuade all the customers to buy Fusion in order to achieve a status of cash cow for this product and bring continued profit with relatively little investment in the future. Furthermore, according to Armstrong and Kotler (2008) the best way for Gillette to achieve that position was to introduce new product in this case Fusion that outdate the existing ones Mach 3 Mach 2 and single blade razors. Therefore, Gillette is using positive cannibalization practice. This means that the company is focusing its marketing resources on switching its own customers from Mach 3 to more profitable Fusion line instead of trying to gain more market share from competitors (Ritson, 2009). In the long run this is more effective strategy as it is cheaper for Gillette to market to existing customers and easier to covert them than anyone else (Holland 2008). The marketing plan Marketing mix is a part of marketing plan that involves different techniques to influence perception favorably towards the product (Keller Kotler, 2006). The main parts of marketing mix are four Ps which are known as Product, Price, Place and Promotion: Product: Gillette Fusion is the first shaving system for men that combines revolutionary blade technologies on the front and on the back (Gillett, 2008). Price: The next part of the marketing plan is the pricing strategy as this will indicate what kid of ROI (Return on Investment) the company will have (Dewhurts Burns, 1989). However, the charge has to be competitive but still allow the company to make a reasonable profit (Barrow et all 2005). In this case reasonable will depend on the customer. Gillette charges 40% price premium over Mach 3 and to persuade its customers to switch for a Fusion the company needs better communication. This means by educating existing consumers on product advancements and improved shaving performance, only then higher price can be justified. Place- Distribution as shown below Instead of selling directly to the consumer Gillette sells through an intermediary such as a wholesaler and retailer who resell companys products Fusion razors. Promotion Marketing communication which is a different term for promotion constitutes part of the marketing mix. It is not a single entity but rather, involves a wide range of activities that aim to convey marketing messages to target audiences (Pickton Broderick, 2001). Those activities can be classified into four overlapping heading. To promote the migration from older Gillettes products to Fusion the company can use sales promotion. That means launch an introductory promotional discount joined with a competition with entry via product purchase. This could grab the attention of male consumers and encourage existing to switch. Another idea to convince existing consumers to use Gillette fusion is to advertise it for different parts of the body and not only for the face. The advertisement can be supported by online campaign (interactive videos) which will encourage the clients to use Gillette razors to shave for example their armpits. Finally, new form of public relations should be used to spread the word via blog. Gillette could create a shortlist of influential bloggers that are male between 18 and 35 years of age. Then, the company would send them a gift pack including Fusion razor, shaving gel and aftershave with some background details of the product. Further, Gillette could influence them to use it for a short period of time and write about their experiences on their blogs. As a result, this could promote migration of companys existing customer base to Fusion from the older razor products. Conclusion After detail analysis it can be concluded that Gillette wants to migrate companys existing customer base to use Fusion. Since Fusion is perceived as a cash cow which brings continuous profits with relatively little investment in the future. Furthermore, the best way to attaining a massive migration to Fusion will be by sales promotion, online advertising and writing blogs. Consequently, massive migration to Fusion will be achieved. References: Armstrong, G. and Kotler, P. (2008) Principles of marketing 13th ed., New Jersey, Pearson Prentice Hall Aaker, D. A. (1995) Strategic Market Management, 4th ed. John Wiley Sons, New York. Barksdale H. C. and Harris C. E (1982). Portfolio analysis and the plc Long Range Planning, 15(6): 74- 83. Barrow.C.Barrow.P.,Brown,R.,(2005) The Business Plan Workbook, 5th Ed, Cambrian Printers, Wales. Burns.P. (2007) Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 2nd Ed, Palgraive Macmilla, New York. Datamonitor, (2008) Gillette Fusion case study: developing a US$1 billion brand available from http://www.market-research-report.com/datamonitor/CSCM0171.htm (accessed 2 December) Dewhurts.J.Burns.P.,(1989) Small Business Planning Finance and Control , 2nd Ed, Macmillan Education, London. Gillette (2008) P G Annual Report available form http://www.scribd.com/doc/5892225/PG-2008-Annual-Report (accessed on 2 December). Holland A. (2008) Sherpa Blog: Quick, Easy Step to Increase Repeat Buyers (Profits) Real-Life Marketing Story available from http://www.marketingsherpa.com/article.php?ident=30687 (accessed 3 November). Keller K.L. Kotler,P (2006) Marketing Management, 12th Ed, Pearson Education, New Jersey. Kotler P. Armstrong G. Saunders J. and Wong V. (1999) Principles of Marketing, 2nd European edn, London: Prentice Hall Europe. P G (2008) Annual Report overview 2008 available form http://www.pg.com/annualreport2008/financials/mda-overview.shtml (accessed 3 December) Pickton D. W. and Broderick A. (2001) Integrated Marketing Communications, London, Financial Times Prentice Hall. ch. 1. Ritson M. (2009) 5 Reasons Gillette Is The Best A Brand Can Get available from http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2009/06/5-reasons-gillette-is-the-best-a-brand-can-get.html (accessed 3 December) Shimp T . A (1997). Advertising and Promotion and Supplemental Aspects of Integrated Marketing Communications, 4th ed, Fort Worth: Dryden Press.

Its Time for Voluntary Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide :: Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide

America Needs Voluntary Euthanasia      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are at least two forms of suicide. One is 'emotional suicide', or irrational self-murder in all of it complexities and sadness. Let me emphasis at once that my view of this tragic form of self-destruction is the same as that of the suicide intervention movement and the rest of society, which is to prevent it wherever possible. I do not support any form of suicide for mental health or emotional reasons.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But I do say that there is a second form of suicide -- justifiable suicide, that is, rational and planned self-deliverance from a painful and hopeless disease which will shortly end in death. I don't think the word 'suicide' sits well in this context but we are stuck with it. Many have tried to popularize the term 'self-deliverance' but it is an uphill battle because the news media is in love with the words 'assisted suicide'. Also, we have to face the fact that the law calls all forms of self-destruction 'suicide.'      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Let me point out here for those who might not know it that suicide is no longer a crime anywhere in the English-speaking world. (It used to be, and was punishable by giving all the dead person's money and goods to the government.) Attempted suicide is no longer a crime, although under health laws a person can in most states be forcibly placed in a psychiatric hospital for three days for evaluation.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   But giving assistance in suicide remains a crime, except in the Netherlands in recent times under certain conditions, and it has never been a crime in Switzerland, Germany, Norway and Uruguay. The rest of the world punishes assistance in suicide for both the mentally ill and the terminally ill, although the state of Oregon recently (Nov. l994) passed by ballot Measure 16 a limited physician-assisted suicide law. At present (Feb. l995) this is held up in the law courts.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even if a hopelessly ill person is requesting assistance in dying for the most compassionate reasons, and the helper is acting from the most noble of motives, it remains a crime in the Anglo-American world. Punishments range from fines to fourteen years in prison. It is this catch- all prohibition which I and others wish to change.

Teaching Philosophy :: Education School Essays

Teaching Philosophy Children are our future and it has been a dream of mine to guide them into the right direction by the way of a good education. Having two children of my own, and preparing them for school, prompted me to want to achieve my goal of teaching. Watching their faces beam with pride as they learned something new, made me so proud. Teaching them preschool activities required research in knowing what I should teach to prepare them for elementary school. I used workbooks that I purchased from stores and I printed out worksheets from the Internet to help them learn. I considered myself a traditionalist; I directed the activities and had emphasis on a core curriculum that I planned for daily. After seeing them succeed from my teaching efforts, I decided I wanted to help other children succeed. I believe the purpose of education is to gain knowledge and to know how to use it to be successful in life. Without an education, a productive life cannot be had. I hope that I can always instill in my students the desire to want to know more and therefore become more knowledgeable. I want them to be excited about learning and not to look at school as a punishment. I want them to realize every goal they may have can be reached through a good education. I want to see all of my students succeed and I want them to know that I will do anything to help them. Anytime a student should need my guidance, I will do my best to help. I want them to not only gain knowledge, but to also have self-confidence and to be proud. I know, from experience, when a child is struggling in school, their self-confidence is low and their grades will reflect it. However, when a child finally grasps the knowledge he needs, his self esteem will soar as well as his grades. It's so important that s tudents feel good about themselves and I want to make sure I can do my part in making sure that happens. My classroom will reflect a realist philosophy. I will have a linear seating arrangement and they will all face the blackboard. Teaching Philosophy :: Education School Essays Teaching Philosophy Children are our future and it has been a dream of mine to guide them into the right direction by the way of a good education. Having two children of my own, and preparing them for school, prompted me to want to achieve my goal of teaching. Watching their faces beam with pride as they learned something new, made me so proud. Teaching them preschool activities required research in knowing what I should teach to prepare them for elementary school. I used workbooks that I purchased from stores and I printed out worksheets from the Internet to help them learn. I considered myself a traditionalist; I directed the activities and had emphasis on a core curriculum that I planned for daily. After seeing them succeed from my teaching efforts, I decided I wanted to help other children succeed. I believe the purpose of education is to gain knowledge and to know how to use it to be successful in life. Without an education, a productive life cannot be had. I hope that I can always instill in my students the desire to want to know more and therefore become more knowledgeable. I want them to be excited about learning and not to look at school as a punishment. I want them to realize every goal they may have can be reached through a good education. I want to see all of my students succeed and I want them to know that I will do anything to help them. Anytime a student should need my guidance, I will do my best to help. I want them to not only gain knowledge, but to also have self-confidence and to be proud. I know, from experience, when a child is struggling in school, their self-confidence is low and their grades will reflect it. However, when a child finally grasps the knowledge he needs, his self esteem will soar as well as his grades. It's so important that s tudents feel good about themselves and I want to make sure I can do my part in making sure that happens. My classroom will reflect a realist philosophy. I will have a linear seating arrangement and they will all face the blackboard.

Lower Legal Drinking Age Essay -- essays research papers fc

Since the states increased their drinking age to 21 in 1987, every citizen of this country between the ages of 18 and 20 have been oppressed by the very people elected to power to protect their rights. It is evident that the legal drinking age among Americans should be lowered to the legal age of adulthood, 18 years. At this age, any American can marry without their Parent’s approval and can move out of their guardian’s house and live on their own. Why are these adults deprived of their right to consume alcohol? A police officer unexpectedly arrived at a party where many young adults were drinking alcoholic beverages. He asked to see two young gentlemen’s identification to prove that they were of legal age to be consuming. Both were respectable citizens. Neither had caused a disturbance or been involved in any trouble. They both were voters, they were peaceful and respectful, they were both registered for the selective services, as every 18-year-old man is requi red to do, and both paid their taxes. However, since one of the men was only 20 years of age, he was issued a citation that cost him over one hundred and seventy five dollars and he lost his privileges to drive a car for an entire year. The other, who was 21, was of course allowed to continue on without further interferences. The issue presented in this scenario is a very serious problem today and threatens the very liberties that make this country so exemplary. There may not be one credible or plausible reason why this age group is lawfully bound from having a beer after graduation or a glass of champagne on their wedding day, yet everyday more and more Americans are arrested or cited for practicing what should be a legal prerogative. Many young adults face these extreme injustices on an account of this unwarranted restriction that so unjustly harasses them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is a simple and agreeable solution to this matter. The government should revise the law back to what it was years ago. Most states in the 1970’s had a legal drinking age of 18, 19, or 20, the majority of those being 18 years of age. According to Daniel N. Allen, M.A., David G. Sprenkel, M.A., and Patrick A. Vitale, Ph. D., changing the age limit for one to consume alcohol in the eighties was a failure in its mission to control drinking and lower deaths from alcohol related automobile accidents. Statistics hav... ... and to preserve our meticulous way of life. When the government is not protecting the rights of its citizens, reform is most definitely required and so it is needed here. The United States is the only country with a minimum drinking age above 20. It is the highest and most absurd of any state in the world. Our free country just does not seem so free if its people cannot partake in something as simple as a glass of wine with their dinner. It is time for the American community to regain and to keep hold of their much-deserved rights. Works Cited Allen, D. N., Sprenkel, D. G., and Vitale, P. A. â€Å"Reactance Theory and Alcohol Consumption  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Laws: Further Confirmation Among Collegiate Alcohol Consumers.† Journal of Studies  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  on Alcohol 55 (1994): 34-40. Hanson, David J., Ph. D. â€Å"The Legal Drinking Age: Science or Ideology.† Alcohol: Problems and Solutions. 8 Nov. 2001. . ---, â€Å"The United States of America.† International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture. Ed. Dwight B. Heath. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1995. 300-315.

Flag Desecration Amendment

Central Texas College| Political Review One| Flag Desecration Amendment| Dr. Karen Waugh| Jamorion Stanford| 9/17/2012| Flag Desecration The American flag is one of the most recognizable symbols this country has today. As children, we learn in school to cross our heart with our right hand and recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States of America, while facing the flag, a beloved symbol. As a soldier in the United States Army, I proudly wear a flag as a part of my Army Combat Uniform (ACU). It is worn by soldiers like me to show the love of country, honor and commitment to this great nation.It is cherished by veterans who have fought for this country, and families of the fallen soldiers cherish it because it is a symbol that their loved one lost their life for this country. With all the great things the American flag stands for in this country, where does the right to desecrate it stand? Is it indeed a form for a person or persons to express their right of freedom of speech by the First Amendment, or an outright disrespect of a national treasure that should be protected at all costs? If so, what are those costs? Flag desecration doesn’t come as an easy choice.One would think that this would be the case, but in reality the decision is just not a simple. The decision by Congress on whether to protect the flag from desecration is not that cut and dry. Many views must be taken into consideration when delving into this issue. On one side you have the supporters whose arguments include, that burning the flag dishonors American who fought and died for this country, the 49 states that have called for Congress to pass the Amendment, and the power taken form Congress to protect the flag by the Supreme Court in 1989, was wrong and needs correcting.The opponents arguments suggest that passing such an Amendment would alter our nation’s history for the first time, that there is not enough to justify making such a change to a big part of the First Amend ment, and that flag burning is rare. The next thing to do is consider all the different point of views. When an image of the flag being desecrated is shown, many of us whether you served in the military or not, can’t help but feel disrespected. This holds true for supporters of the Flag Desecration Amendments.For Americans who fought and still fight for this country, an act of desecrating the flag is a slap in the face to the service they provide and the sacrifices they have made while serving. The flag is a national treasure not just a cloth with colors and stripes. It is symbol that stands for freedom and unites this country. Supports for the Flag Desecration Amendment strongly believe that such a national treasure should be upheld and backed by congress, so much so that 49 states have called to Congress asking that the Flag Desecration Amendment be passed.The Flag Desecration Amendment reads; Congress shall have the power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States. (How a Member Decides to Vote) The power to protect the flag is believed by supporters to have been wrongfully taken from Congress by the Supreme Court in 1989. Passing the Flag Desecration Amendment would reverse that action, and protect the sacred symbol. This amendment is about restoring a freedom to the people. The people's freedom to protect their flag, a freedom they enjoyed and exercised for 100 years. Flag Burning Debate and Poll) Supporter’s reasons of the proposed Amendment are convincing, like those of Brooke Brown, a nine year old, who wrote about the flag being a national treasure and that it should be protected, support even from a child are convincing, but there are always two sides to a story. Opponents of the Flag Desecration Amendment, propose reasons that make sense in not passing such an amendment and in doing so would lead to an ultimate betrayal of the freedoms granted to us by the First Amendment.In passing the Flag Desecration Amend ment, it would mean that if a person wanted to express political freedom of speech by desecrating the flag they could not. A proposed Amendment would undermine the First Amendment. As Americans we are granted many freedoms and the freedom of speech is a major one, so if congress were to say that a person could not express themselves and to have it in writing then what else would change. Opponents also make a point that flag burning is rare.They say that is doesn’t happen every year, but when it has that it was to express political speech as the Supreme Court held in 1989. Opponents also say that once freedoms such as this be taken away then what’s to say what else congress will regulate and subject to violations. Anna Ross, form the â€Å"How a Member Decides to Vote† module mentions, that while it might make us mad to see our flag being desecrated, it is not good enough reason to weaken one of the most important principals of democracy.The module simulation was very informative; the how a member decides to vote module shows the steps that are taken by a person in congress on voting for such a change. The process is difficult, it takes a bit of personal beliefs and also being able to be objective and have the rights of the people in mind. One must be open-minded and not be subjected by a single side. The good of all should be considered when taking a vote on a matter such as the Flag Desecration Amendment.Considering the thoughts and feeling of those for the amendment such as what it means to Americans who serve for the symbol of the flag, the 49 states that have called for a change, and for those that think a decision needs to be corrected, while not forgetting that with a passage comes a history altering change, considering that a desecration action is not a common everyday occurrence, and that there is not enough to justify undermining the freedoms given to Americans through the First Amendment.No one likes to see the symbol of our nati on, the one that unites us being hurt; it is not just a piece of fabric with colors on it, but a symbol that stands for freedom. The module shows how difficult a task this can be to undertake and personal beliefs and public interest can conflict, so it goes without saying, can we protect our symbol while upholding the First Amendment? I learned that initially I was for the Flag Desecration Amendment, it must be protected, but as I considered all the views presented surprisingly, I found that I voted NAY.I thought, although I proudly wear a flag on my ACUs, the flag was not the freedom itself but a symbol. The first amendment grants freedoms and to vote for the Flag Desecration Amendment, would take a specific freedom away. Although I fight for this country, this country is not the flag itself, it is a symbol, but what it stands for is the many freedoms granted in which I believe are the bigger picture.The combination of these points as a whole need to be considered by congressmen an d women when casting a vote on this difficult subject, one must take into account all points and try not let his or her own views be the only means on which to vote. Works Cited Flag Burning Debate, Political Debates and Polls Forum, September 17, 2012, http://www. youdebate. com/DEBATES/FLAG_BURNING. HTM The Center on Congress at Indiana University and work the â€Å"How a Member Votes† module, September 17, 2012, http://congress. indiana. edu/interactive-learning-modules, Central Texas College Blackboard