Abstract An analysis of the current budget deficit and its causes--a slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts. The paper also addresses the economic effect of a deficit on the economy and the desirable and adverse effects caused by a deficit. This essay concludes that spending would be more productive if directed to structural elements of the economy.
From the Paper "Budget deficits occur when government expenditure is greater than revenue, forcing the government to borrow to meet its requirements. There are many potential economic effects of a deficit; the most apparent is an expansionary effect on the economy caused by injections of money being greater than withdrawals. Fiscal policy, among many other mechanisms is used to manipulate the economy. However, budget deficits should be used as to not adversely affect the economy. The federal budget deficit set the new record of $374 billion in 2003, doubling last year's efforts (Fram). The record deficit has been caused by the slow economy, tremendous spending on the Iraq war and tax cuts for the rich. This indicates that the great America does not know how to balance the checkbook, and certainly does not know how to spend wisely."
Abstract This paper cites applicable legal cases to support its arguments in favor of legalizing euthanasia. Included, also, are ethical reasons for favoring legalized euthanasia and rebuttals against arguments that oppose euthanasia. Finally, the overall moral dilemma of euthanasia is discussed, with both the pro and con arguments presented.
From the Paper "We all must die one day, and most people hope for a quick and painless death. But sometimes life isn't so easy. Some people suffer unbelievable pain from cancer or other diseases. Others may lie in a permanently unconscious state due to an accident or some other cause. Euthanasia is the practice of kindly and painlessly putting a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or extreme oldness to a supposedly peaceful death. Derived from the Greek words eu, good, and thanatos, death, euthanasia is ordinarily identified as mercy killing. Today, only Oregon and Maine have legalized euthanasia or PAS."
Abstract This paper looks at the issues surrounding the gay rights activists' fight for the recognition of same-sex marriages in the United States. It looks at the reasons they claim this recognition to be important and also discusses the claims by religious and political leaders about the problems that this recognition would create.
From the Paper "There are many political groups that are for and against the passage of a law allowing gays and lesbians the right to marry. Opponents of same-sex marriages say that giving marital recognition to gays and lesbians degrades the institution of marriage. They argue that the state should have the right to maintain the institute of marriage the way it was designed- as a union between a man and a woman. Opponents of same-sex marriage include most social and religious conservatives, the hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church and most Protestant denominations."
Abstract A look at how affirmative action is a necessary policy in college admissions because it promotes diversity on campus. This paper discusses how a diverse learning community is essential in order to create a well-rounded student. The University of Michigan Supreme Court lawsuits are used to emphasize the main points of this argument.
From the Paper "Affirmative action, a policy introduced in 1965 by President Johnson, has always been a topic of heated debate. Initially created as a program to give reparations to minorities, especially blacks, for past discrimination, affirmative action is now seen in a slightly different light. These days, the goal of affirmative action is not so much about paying reparations as it is about promoting diversity. Racial, socioeconomic, and ethnic diversity are the basis in the argument for affirmative action, as they provide a richer, more varied, and real-world learning environment for students. Affirmative action, although controversial, is a necessary evil in our society as it is required in order to promote the integration of various ethnicities and races into the melting pot of American society. As the University of Michigan President Mary Sue Coleman stated, ?Our diversity is our strength." "
Abstract This paper provides an overall look at the death penalty debate. It begins with a history of capital punishment from 18th Century B.C Babylon to present-day Japan and United States. The paper takes a look at the opinions of both death penalty proponents and abolitionists and examines how the debate is reflected in moral values and public opinion. The author concludes with the opinion that, if true justice is to be served in a blind and non-discriminatory manner, the bar for imposing the death penalty should be raised.
Paper Outline:
Introduction
History
Nature of Debates
Debate as Related to Ideological and Cultural Values
Public Opinion
Conclusion
Bibliography
From the Paper "One of the biggest fears of abolitionists is the irreversibility of an execution. Statistics show that since 1900, in this country, there have been on the average more than four cases each year in which an entirely innocent person was convicted of murder. Scores of these individuals were sentenced to death. In many cases, a reprieve or commutation arrived just hours, or even minutes, before the scheduled execution. These erroneous convictions have occurred in virtually every jurisdiction from one end of the nation to the other."
Tags: Supreme, Court, homicide, Amnesty, International
Abstract This paper is based on Anzia Yezierska's novel, "Bread Givers," which is based on a story of Jewish family who migrates from Russia to New York. The paper covers the trials and tribulations of this family and the difficulties they face as new immigrants in New York.
From the Paper "It is only Sara who truly stands out in this family. She is the one who during hours of extreme poverty for the family, takes on the courage to go out and earn. She goes out and sells herring. She is the only one who understands the value of standing on her own two feet, to save herself and her family from reaching a state of misery where no choice is left except to beg. Only she understood and realized that she could not just sit around like her father while all of them starved to death."
Abstract This paper discusses how, since its conception, the USA Patriot Act of 2001 has been criticized by privacy and civil liberty organizations as being too intrusive upon American private citizens, as well as legislative bodies of government. It discusses its inception in the wake of September 11, 2001, in an effort to find the terrorists responsible for the horrific actions on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and looks at its implementation in different sectors of society.
From the Paper "The objective of the Patriot Act is to make it easier for federal agents to investigate and identify possible terrorist threats in the U.S. (Henderson 2002). To achieve this, "Congress modified preexisting surveillance law, which among other things established the conditions under which the government could electronically monitor various types of ongoing communications within the United States in non-emergency situations" (Henderson 2002). Among the modifications is the pen/trap order, which previously was only valid in the district where it was obtained, however, now once an order is obtained it is valid throughout the United States (Henderson 2002)."
Abstract This paper is a research proposal to investigate how the media portray homosexuality in the news, sitcoms, and advertisements. The paper looks at the imbalance in the positive and negative portrayals of homosexuals and proposes a need for further research in this area.
From the Paper "Homosexuality is a very popular topic on the news. Homosexuals are portrayed as "unnatural," "threatening to society," and are being harshly scrutinized. Throughout the News, such as ABCNews, the point of argument is whether or not gays should be able to get married or if they should be able to adopt children. Such negativity is not only shown throughout every state but our President of the United States, George Bush, is trying to "redo" the constitution so that homosexuals will be unable to get married or adopt. Public support for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages has grown in the last month, leaving the nation split down the middle as President Bush announced his support recently for an amendment(Morris). The implications of this amendment will be negative toward the homosexual community."
Abstract The death penalty is one of the most controversial issues in America today, and it cannot fail to elicit mixed responses among individuals. This paper discusses two arguments against capital punishment: one associated with the fact that there have been several historical cases where the death penalty has been employed against those who have later been found innocent of the crimes they were convicted of and the other is the fact that the legal system is clearly administered unfairly, more often than not convicting individuals who lack the financial means for an adequate defense.
From the Paper "For many people the simple evidence that even one individual has been wrongly convicted of a capital crime, sentenced to death and eventually executed should be enough reason for the whole institution of the death penalty to be questioned, yet it is simply not enough for individual states, or the federal government to eradicate it."
Abstract "How the other Half lives" is one of the most celebrated books on the subject of deplorable living and working conditions of immigrants at the turn of the century. Jacob Riis's powerful account of life in tenement buildings in New York City was first published in 1890 and took American's largely complacent majority by storm. The paper shows that the book may have been about the poor and the destitute of New York City, but it was meant for the 'other half' that was not portrayed in the book. The readers were those who had little or nothing in common with the real life characters of the book, and this explains the main purpose of the book to us. The paper explains that Riis saw the immigrants' heart-rending life in the tenements from the eye of his camera and then made the middle-class and upper-class Americans see it for themselves through his sharp essays and scathing images.
From the Paper "Riis accuses the wealthy and the influential of complacency and apathy and holds them responsible for at least some of the problems that tenement occupants faced. He feels that since the public is kept in dark about the gravity of the situation, the poor immigrants keep suffering and the government is never held accountable. Riis contends that normally the other half, the affluent half of the country, never attempts to get the whole truth and for this reason, a person dying of utter deprivation and starvation is classified as case of "improper nourishment". "
