Abstract This paper discusses the need to transform the US military in order to optimize its capabilities both for overseas warfare and domestic warfare. The paper explains that there are two challenges facing the military which require its transformation: it must become a more lethal force, which can be mobilized overseas, and must play a major role in homeland security. The paper then explains that the transformation of the U.S. military is basically a plan of modernization, which integrates new concepts, organizations and technology.The paper relates that, as the Army continues to fight in more non-traditional environments, including heavily urbanized terrain, the elements of the military need to be treated holistically as part of a system-of-systems
Table of Contents
Homeland Security
Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and Homeland Security
National Guard as the Lead Military Agency in Homeland Security
U.S. Army Transformation
From the Paper "The experience of military forces in both Afghanistan and Iraq has led the U.S. administration to believe that there should be a change in the U.S. army. Both the Army and the Marine Corps that were assigned in Iraq found out that there is a need for more protection. There became a particular need for what is now known as Medium-Armor Units composed of armored vehicles that are heavier than Humvees but are lighter than Abram or Bradley Tanks. It was noted that as the tanks were effective, they were too much and are often described as "overkill" to most cases."
Abstract This paper analyzes the effectiveness of the Transportation Security Administration with respect to airport security from September 11, 2001 to 2007. The paper discusses the problems with the TSA's improvements in airline security and shows how technology upgrades and increased personnel training are the most suitable solutions to improve the effectiveness of airport security in the United States.
Outline:
History
Problem
Stakeholders
Criteria
Alternatives
Impacts of Alternatives
Valuation and Tradeoff Identification
Political Feasibility and Implementation
From the Paper "Prior to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, airport security efforts focused primarily on screening passengers and carry-on luggage with metal detectors and X-Ray machines. Following the tragedy, Congress ordered the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to screen all checked baggage for explosives and random searches were added to security lines. Other enhancements to airline security post-9/11 included allowing pilots to arm themselves and placing air marshals on commercial flights. The new security measures and extra precautions have conflicted sharply with traveler efficiency and convenience, and pressure has built from the public to reduce this friction between safety and expediency."
Abstract This paper examines how the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) was passed by Congress with a purpose of setting a national standard for privacy protection of health information. Even though the regulations include the improvement of access to affordable healthcare insurance coverage, the paper focuses on privacy and looks at how HIPAA regulations apply to medical records maintained by healthcare providers and health plans.
Outline:
Introduction
Description of Act
Positive Impacts
Negative Impacts
Cost and Quality
Conclusion
From the Paper "The HIPAA regulations protect medical records and other individually identifiable information that is written, electronically stored or communicated orally. Under HIPAA, covered health plans, doctors and other healthcare providers must provide a notice to their patients how they may use personal medical information and their rights, which patients need to sign for acknowledgment (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). HIPPA laws do not restrict the ability of healthcare providers to share information needed to treat patients, but personal health information cannot be used for purposes unrelated to healthcare. Individual patients must authorize the disclosure of their personal information for marketing purposes (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). "
Abstract This paper studies the way media and other special interest groups, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, affects public policy and political socialization. The author defines media, special interest groups, public policy and political socialization and concludes that though the media and special interest groups do indeed notably affect America's public policy and political socialization, the public should consider their source before believing information that is presented to them.
Outline:
Research Findings
Analysis of Findings, Including Public Policy Considerations (Pros and Cons)
Statement of Issues Based Upon Findings and Analysis
Conclusion
Recommendations
Works Cited
From the Paper "Special interest groups are thought by many people to help shape public policy. Special interest groups are a major platform from which citizens can express their opinions to policymakers. Their participation in policymaking may improve decision-making processes; they do this by supporting policies that coincide with citizen preferences and blocking policies that solely reflect the interests or wishes of the politician or the governing elite. One example of how interest groups played a role in the policymaking process is through the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The interest groups effected the legislation passed by congress after September 11 attacks. On the other hand, due to the fact that some policies often impose costs on parts of the public, the policy-makers may be blinded and not implement the most efficient policies. This results from the intense pressures that special interest groups produce."
Abstract The Family and Medical Leave Act has evolved considerably since its inception in 1993. Since then, employers and employees alike have been struggling with the administration of the program and the costs associated with it. The lack of knowledge in FMLA laws and the misapplication of the Act have been two of the reasons for numerous lawsuits. Does a concerted effort to inform, educate, train, and monitor an organization's FMLA compliance responsibilities reduce the administrative and legal costs of the organization? This paper offers the history of FMLA, key administration items, consequences for non-compliance, suggestions for lowering the risks of litigation, and research methods for obtaining information regarding FMLA. Several tables are included with the paper.
Contents:
Abstract
History of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Background
Time-line and Evolution of the Act
FMLA Administration
Eligibility
Entitlements
Maintenance of Health Care Benefits During Absence
Employer Responsibilities under FMLA
Employee Responsibilities under FMLA
FMLA Violations
Family and Medical Leave Act Enforcement Increased
Consequences of Noncompliance
Suggestions on How to Lower the Risks of Litigation
Outsourcing Human Resources Management Responsibilities
Electronic Program Administration
Training and Education
Certification Programs
Online Resources
Conclusion
Research Methods
References
Appendix
From the Paper "According to the available information regarding FMLA administration and violations, many of the lawsuits and much of the legal fees could have been avoided had the companies invested in training and education, outsourcing of HR responsibilities, or through the purchase of FMLA management software. Training and education seems to be the key to the successful administration of the FMLA program. There are a variety of sources where employers and employees can go to get training and general information regarding the Act."
Abstract This paper relates the history of banks in the U.S. the panic of 1907 and the creation of the Federal Reserve System (the Fed). The author points out that, even though the Fed has exercised its functions, presently, the United States economy is in turmoil due to financial crisis. This financial disorder, the author believes, was caused by the breakdown of subprime mortgage lending; however, the Fed is taking steps, which are described in the paper, to promote financial regulation and financial stability.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Federal Reserve System in Today's Economy
The United States History of Banking
The Panic of 1907
The Creation of the Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve Handling of the Present Day Financial Crisis
Regulations on Mortgage Lending
Regulations on Government Agencies, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac
Conclusion
From the Paper "As you can see, banks at this time were not stable without the regulation of the Federal Reserve. There was no required reserve ratio in place yet for banks to make sure they had enough cash on hand to satisfy withdrawal demand. They also could not lend money in the long-term because of this. Also, the fact that banks would get stuck with worthless paper due to not having enough cash on hand without the Fed's required reserve ratio policy, which in turn slowed down the economy as a whole."
Tags: surplus bankruptcy regulation mortgage, government enterprises
Abstract This paper explains that the long-term healthcare of Iraq veterans and their families is requiring more and more integrative efforts from many health disciplines especially in the area of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related syndromes. Selecting the best model to improve both their mental and physical healthcare, the author states, has created a vigorous debate. The collaborative or integrative models, which recommend merging many health fields and the integration of science, technology and the mental-health profession, are analyzed. A complete anecdotal interview of an Iraq war veteran is also included.
Table of Contents:
What Studies Suggest About Personal vs. Environmental Causes
The Debate over Problems and the Problems of Debate: Barriers to Care and the Collaborative/Integrative Model
One-Size-Fits-All Approaches to Military Healthcare: Population-based and Collaborative Models
Barriers to Treatment
Personal, Familial and Communal Impacts of Deployment
Adolescents Reactions to a Military Oriented Family
Appendix: Interview with Mike Harrel, Army Reserve
From the Paper "Studies on the first Iraq war in 1991 provide helpful information as to the prevalence and range of disorders suffered by military personnel, particularly those stationed in the war zone. These personnel had higher frequency of impairments both physical and psychological, occurrences of somatic symptoms, general health decline, and "psychosocial functional impairment". Research has shown that upwards of 12%-13% of those veterans within the first few months of ending their service suffer from PTSD."
This paper illustrates the market-friendly ideas of the 40th American president, Ronald Reagan. Included are the basic immediate fiduciary effects of his administration.
1,015 words (approx. 4.1 pages), 6 sources, 2000, $ 35.95
From the Paper "There are many Republicans that credit Ronald Reagan with winning the Cold War, reviving the economy, and restoring American confidence. Yet, this actually undermines his contribution to his party- a technical decision of his administration in 1981 started the ball rolling for an explosion of stock ownership that is transforming American politics."
Abstract This paper is an in-depth study of the Philadelphia health care market, paying close attention to the unique problems faced by the City of Brotherly Love. The paper begins by providing specific background on the ?Philadelphia particulars,? and the ways in which they create problems themselves and make some nationwide problems worse for residents of the region. It then examines in more depth the economic ramifications of two issues that have helped to create the dire situation that the city is in: nonprofit versus for-profit providers and insurance companies (particularly HMO?s) versus hospitals. Finally, possible solutions, with significant focus on hospital mergers and acquisitions, are suggested that could help Philadelphia turn things around.
From the Paper "Pennsylvania hospitals are in sad shape. A quarter of all of the acute-care facilities in the state are losing money, and even those that are coming out ahead are seeing profit-margins shrink. The average total profit margin for hospitals in Pennsylvania decreased from +3.8% in 1997 to +2.7% last year, while operating profit margin dropped from +2.9% to +1.1% over the same year (Hensley 1999b)."
Abstract A detail look at the flood management schemes on the river Chichester that flooded in 1994. The author offers a detailed analysis of the effects of the flooding and these were controlled.
From the Paper "In January 1994 Chichester suffered extensive flooding. The national Rivers Authority (NRA), west Sussex Council the fire brigade and other emergency services battled together against the floods that deluged the city of Chichester and the surrounding area. The flooding occurred when the river Lavant burst its banks in its upper catchment and could not be contained in the culvert, which runs underneath Chichester. As a consequence, the hornet district of the city was inundated several times and large areas to the east lay under waters for days."
Tags: geography, schemes, flood, environment, control
Abstract In the post cold war era, the role of nuclear weapons and the policy of deterrence has changed, yet the military policy lags behind it. This paper analyzes the reasons for the slow changes in military policies.
From the Paper "The strategic defense initiative, SDI, a US government program responsible for the research and development of a multi-pronged missile defense system was announced by President Reagan in 1983, and has since been the source of intense controversy. The initial intent of the SDI program was to shield the US against missile attacks from the Soviet Union, but with the collapse of the latter in the early 90s, it had lost its reason for existence. Since then however, President Bush Sr. and the incumbent President George W. Bush have pushed hard for rapid development of its descendant, the National Missile Defense program, citing the "rogue state threat", even at the expense of jeopardizing existing agreements including the ABM treaty of 1972 and START II."
Abstract This paper takes a studied look at the historical justification for the Electoral College. The author traces the major events that took place over the course of the evolution from the original election process of the constitution to a virtual direct popular vote of the president. The author also examines the current arguments on why this system should either be changed or completely disregarded.
From the Paper "The destruction of the Electoral College in this country is the only wise alternative. As it has been shown, this institution was originally based on selfish intentions and false, and illegitimate justifications and has been inherently corruptible since its conception. Though it has been greatly reformed it is still not free from corruption and is still capable of electing illegitimate candidates. Beside that fact it no longer applies to our society. Therefore, the Electoral College must be replaced with the only true form of representative election, which is popular vote. "
A complete history of the construction of Eastern State Penitentiary and an exploration of the famous inmates and stories that are associated with the prison.
1,640 words (approx. 6.6 pages), 25 sources, 2001, $ 53.95
Abstract A detailed paper that outlines the history of one of Philadelphia's national historical landmarks, Eastern State Penitentiary. The author describes the history of its philosophy and construction, as well as facts regarding the massive penitentiary.
From the Paper "Construction began on May in 1822. The penitentiary received its first prisoner in October of 1829, though the prison would not be completed until 1836. Eighteen-year-old Charles Williams was Eastern's first prisoner, sentenced to two years for theft. The identity of Charles Williams disappeared, there was now only prisoner number one in his place. As he was walked to his cell, a black hood was placed over his head, to protect his identity and to help minimize escapes. The only person to see an inmate was a guard who brought meals to an inmate, which were deposited through a slot in the door. The walls were eighteen inches of thick stone. Pastors and ministers would make rounds to Eastern State on a weekly basis, reading scriptures and preaching sermons, but even for this, inmates remained in their cells. Inmates were not allowed to converse, whistle, sing, or even know who the president was at the time. Any inmate not obeying these strict rules were deprived of dinner that night. However, during the exercising sessions, inmates would throw pebbles over the walls with a note attached to communicate with other prisoners."
Abstract A discussion about government policies over retirement protection. The author examines the issues such as retirement funding, schemes, individual savings, investment and social welfare. The author focuses on retirement plan developments in Hong Kong.
From the Paper "In Hong Kong, discussions about government policies over retirement protection have spanned a lengthy period of about 30 years. It was only until recently that the decision has been made to institute the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF). However, in other countries, various schemes of retirement protection have been practiced over the past decades, with all kinds of experience that Hong Kong could beneficially refer to. Since retirement funds could be either fall into two categories 1. Pays-as-you-go/ 2. Fully-funded. They could either be managed by the government or the private sector. Yet, this is crucial to understand the pros and cons of these different kinds of schemes, and determine which is the most appropriate for Hong Kong. Furthermore, retirement protection is closely related to the issues of individual savings, investment, and social welfare. It affects the economic well being of all members of society, and also the performance of the economy as a whole. In this research paper, several comprehensive views and findings would be addressed, and some discussions on the impacts of MPF after the Asian Financial Crisis would also be stated for conclusion. "
