Abstract This paper examines how, faced with the worse economic slump in more than twenty years, President Bush is responding with a tax cut proposal that will adequately address many of the sources of the economy's woes. It evaluates how his plan calls for immediate actions to reverse the stock's market's downward spiral and to fuel consumer and business demand. It analyzes how Bush's plans represent a fair balance of benefits for the wealthy, middle income and low income households and how the negative short-term effects on the budget will be negated by the long-term prosperity generated by the economic stimulus package.
From the Paper "The key feature of President Bush's tax plan is elimination of the double taxation of dividends. The two-year bear stock market has seen losses of more than $7 trillion. These losses have devastated investment in technology startups because of the lack of an IPO-exit potential and have dramatically decreased the value of individual's investment portfolios and pensions. Currently, dividend income is taxed as corporate income to the business and as personal income to the receiver of the dividend, meaning that tax rates on dividends can run as high as seventy percent. These exorbitant tax rates reduce stock values, capital investment and savings. Dr. John Rutledge, a senior economist in the Reagan Administration and now president of Rutledge Capital, states that a dividend tax reduction would raise stock values by five to thirty percent because a cut would raise the after-tax return on dividend paying assets above that of other assets."
Tags: budget, portfolios, pensions, investment, income
Abstract This paper argues that the U.S.'s war against drugs is a failure and a waste of money. It presents arguments such as the medical uses of marijuana and the fact that most people who take the drug do not move on to stronger drugs. The writer claims that the legalization of the drug would make it less attractive to youth who are trying to rebel.
From the Paper "The reality of the situation is that a large percentage of the American public, including those who are opposed to the legalization of marijuana have experimented with the drug. During the sixties and the seventies, marijuana was symbolic of one's political beliefs. A large percentage of those who vocally opposed and eventually helped to end the Vietnam war used the drug on a regular basis. It is hypocritical for those who once used the plant as a status symbol to now condemn it as something which is dangerous and addictive."
Abstract This paper explains that Keynesian economics would not be so optimistic regarding Bush's dividend tax cut proposal primarily because of their assumption that investment spending is driven more by expectations of future profits that are difficult to forecast. The author believes that the Bush tax plan essentially agrees with Keynes regarding the important role of consumer demand in stimulating the economy. The paper points out that Keynes and Bush radically differ on which category of consumers should receive the benefits of the tax cut: Bush is clearly placing more money in the hands of the wealthy.
From the Paper "Keynes disagreed with supply-side methods for promoting vast degrees of income inequality. Instead, shifting income from high savers to high spenders, Keynes argued, would increase investment since firms would have more reason to add increased production capacity. Keynesians advocate using "automatic stabilizers" to counteract alleged instability in the economy. Keynesians argue that progressive income taxes and welfare payments counter variations in aggregate demand. Progressive income taxes and Welfare transfer income from upper income households to lower income households. Since upper income households save more of their income and low-income households consume more of their income, these practices keep aggregate saving low and aggregate consumption high."
Abstract This paper offers an explanation of the Federal Reserve System, otherwise known as the Fed. The paper begins with the history of the Fed, from its establishment in 1913 following an act of congress. The paper then explains how the Fed system works, its structure, management system, goals and purpose. The paper includes an explanation of some of the common terms associated with the Fed, such as the discount rate, which can increase the monetary supply and open market operations which is the tool most often used by the Fed to affect the supply of reserves in the banking system.
From the Paper "The Fed consists of the seven members of the Board of Governors and twelve Federal Reserve District Banks. Adhering to the underlying philosophy of checks and balances envisaged in the US constitution, the Congress has structured the Fed to be an independent institution within the government. The Fed, although accountable to the Congress, is insulated from political pressures in its day-to-day working, reflecting the principle that ?the people who control the country's money supply should be independent of the people who make the government's spending decisions.? ("How is the FR Structured"?)."
Abstract Since the events of September 11, 2001, American citizens have felt increased concern about the possibility of more terrorism within America's borders. Although the U.S. government has made monumental efforts to prevent future attacks, a terrorist only has to slip through once, whereas American vigilance has to be 100% successful at all times. The paper argues that because of that fact, it seems inevitable that eventually, we will see more terrorist attacks within the United States. The paper explores the threats against America and what is actually been done about it by the authorities.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
History of Terrorism
Current Terrorism Concerns
Can we Prevent Terrorism on U.S. Soil?
Plans for Dealing with the Threat
Bibliography
From the Paper "However, some experts on terrorism believe that we already have terrorists living within the United States. Steven Emerson wrote in his book(pp. 6-7) about accidentally happening upon a conference being attended by men in Middle Eastern Clothes. Curious, he went in. He found booths were books calling for the destruction of Christians and other "infidels" in a jihad. He heard speakers calling for death to Jews and "annihilation for the West" (Emerson, page 6). In researching these events, he found out that the FBI was not tracking internal terrorist threats and only concerned itself after crimes had been committed.
The conference he happened upon was held two months before the first attack on the World Trade Center in 1993."
Abstract After the devastating effects of September 11th, airline and airport security are paramount to most American travelers. The paper begins with a brief history of aviation security before examining what the American government is doing to enhance security today. The paper examines what the Federal Grant Program to Strengthen Aircraft Security entails and addresses additional changes such as the take-over of airport security by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
From the Paper "So why was airport security so poor and why has it been under constant scrutiny by the public and the FAA? Even before the terrorist attacks on September 11th, the airport security industry was troubled. Airport security companies were forced to work under a vicious cycle of economic forces that it could not control. Airlines, in order to save money, have commonly gone with the lowest bidder. In order to win these contracts, security companies paid a lower wage to its employees. Sometimes the old adage of you get what you pay for is true. Security staff workers at airports received little training and had limited backgrounds in the field of security. Most had no security background at all. (Boyne) This type of inert protection may have worked well in the 1970's when threat of a non-violent, non-suicidal hijacker with a metal weapon was involved."
Abstract This essay discusses how Marx asserts that those who have power and authority are resolved to maintain it. This concept of power and authority relate to that of Max Weber's notion of "bureaucracy" in that Weber saw power growing through rationalization. We see how both Weber and Marx understood power in their own contexts.
Abstract An examination of the life of Mohandas Gandhi, his philosophy of non-violence, his religious views, his achievements and his legacy as one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. The author discusses Gandhi's vital role in the Indian independence movement, provides a brief historical, religious, and political overview of India, examines factors relating to British imperialism in India, and examines political developments and challenges in India since independence was won from Great Britain in 1947.
Abstract This paper looks at understanding the nature of evolutionary social change in Marx by a direct comparison with Spencer, the ultimate social evolutionist. The theories of Karl Marx and Herbert Spencer concerning social evolution are very different. Marx tends to consider the social group while Spencer considers the individual to a larger extent; however, the theorists both deal with society as a whole rather than individual members and both provide a theory influenced by evolutionary theory.
Abstract This paper will discuss the book by George Soros entitled: "The Crisis of Global Capitalism: Open Society Endangered" and bring to life some of the key elements that make clear what he is saying. By giving a brief overview of this book, we can how Soros evaluates modern capitalist principles in a modern sensibility.
Abstract This paper will focus on a series of issues. Initially, the question of illegal immigration and undocumented aliens will be considered. Subsequently, broader reforms to American immigration policy will be considered. Essentially, it will be argued that illegal immigration and the employment of undocumented aliens is a problem that needs to be addressed while the assertion that immigration in general is problematic will be dismissed. America has historically been a nation of immigrants and it can continue to be so. However, illegal entry must be controlled.
Abstract This te essay examines the themes and subject matter of Kurt Vonnegut's novel, "Slaughterhouse Five", from a historical, biographical and Marxist point of view.
Abstract This paper considers the concepts of Insurance Providing Organizations (IPOs) and managed care and whether they indeed provide health care and save the economy money. It looks at the history of managed health care in America and the current advantages and disadvantages of the system.
From the Paper "Insurance Providing Organizations (IPOs) and managed care have risen in popularity over the past twenty years. Commonly thought to be better for the economy by saving money, many people jumped on the health care bandwagon and joined these insurance-providing agencies. Statistics from the past eleven years show that managed care has reduced national health care costs and the yearly inflation rate from 12% in 1993, to less than 5% in 1996 (Furrow, n/p); but at what cost? The driving factors behind managed care in today's society are becoming ever more skewed. Governmental health care reform in the United States has been so concerned with money that it has compromised the quality and standard of care. In the end, cost constraints are not proving effective because the readmission rate has risen due to care being provided at a lower standard. Quality of care is also being compromised by the constraints put on care to control expenditures by medical facilities."
Abstract This paper examines the concepts of modernisation and dependency theory in relation to developed and undeveloped countries. It shows how the theories are very different in their approach and the eventual outcomes of their analysis of the world system lead to very different ideas as to how the undeveloped world can "catch up" with the western world. It attempts to address the different elements inherent within the two theories, highlighting any differences and similarities and how they may be applied in the current global environment.
From the Paper "The theory of Dependency was according to Chong-Ya: ?in vogue in Latin America in the 1950s and 1960s,? although its origins as an established critique stem from the inauguration of the Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLA) in 1948. The major role of the ECLA was to initiate "more systematic economic research" whilst it also ?necessitated a policy of import substitution, later systematized into a fully-fledged development strategy.? Yet the theory still holds weight in light of the increase in supposed exploitative agents. Recent globalisation is thought to have been the origin of the exponential growth of the dominance of multi-national largely western corporations in the world system."
Abstract This paper emphasizes, using specific examples, how the systems of John Locke and Thomas Hobbes both leave too much room for abuse of power in their ideal governments. Specifically, Thomas Hobbes allows abuse of power by a monarch, and John Locke allows abuse of power by faction groups.
From the Paper "In all likelihood, there has never been a more controversial political topic than what constitutes the best regime. Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes and John Locke's Second Treatise on Government are two examples of political theorists attempting to determine the best regime through reasoning. This paper will examine the connection between each author's views on the state of nature and their idea of the best regime. It will also examine the problems with each author's idea of the "best regime". Although there is something to be said for the views of both authors, they fail to provide enough checks on political power to ensure freedom from absolute tyranny."
Tags: john, philosophy, political, politics, second, thomas
