Abstract
This paper defines pork barrel spending, analyzes its origins and evolution in the national debate and suggests reasons why it is a constant topic when government spending is discussed. The paper also discusses how pork barrel spending is used by the party in charge and how the party out of power accuses their opponents of pursuing wasteful or partisan spending.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Major Concepts and Variables
Origins and Definitions of Pork Barrel Spending
Hypothesis
Research Methodology: Data Collection Steps and Procedures
Testing the Hypothesis
Literature Review
Research Findings Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Farm Bills are notorious for under-spending their allocation. That is because the price supports sections, which are a significant part of the bills, generally fall below that which is allocated. For this reason, the author chose to analyze actual amounts spent each year on agriculture (totaling for every 5 years) rather than the amounts of the Farm Bills in question. The one exception to this is the 2007 Farm Bill, which at $290 billion is more than twice the previous five-year period, and an increase from 6% to 13% of the Federal budget. While the Farm Bill actual expenses could be higher , the expected continuation of high farm commodity prices suggests that much of that portion of the bill will not be spent in the upcoming period. Since the Federal deficit in 2007 is historically low (1.0%, as compared to 2.6% over the past 50 years), that means that the Farm Bill's correlation as compared with previous 5-year periods is fairly low. Even a reduction to 8-10%, however, would show a low correlation with Federal deficits, as the pork barrel spending is increasing as the deficit is decreasing."

Tags:deficit, Farm Bill, congress budget

Abstract
This paper discusses "Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water," written by Marc Reisner. It specifically focuses on chapter nine, entitled "The Peanut Farmer and the Pork Barrel." The paper discusses the content of chapter nine and then examines the historical importance of the book and of this chapter in particular.

From the Paper
"An interesting point mentioned in chapter nine is that the start of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 was able to stop Tellico in 1973 because of a rare fish that zoologist David Etnier saw while snorkeling in the Little Tennessee - where the Tellico Dam was to be built. Because its habitat was confined to one place, the rare fish, called a "snail darter" (because it darted after snails), made its way onto the endangered species list and thus came into consideration the "protection of habitat" under the NEPA law."

Tags:habitat, endangered, NEPA, water

Abstract
This paper discusses the concept of love and separateness found in the short stories "The Magic Barrel" by Bernard Melamud, "Maria Concepcion" by Katherine Ann Porter and "Feathers" by Raymond Carver. The paper describes how each author portrays love within their story and discusses the complexities surrounding this particular human condition.

From the Paper
"The authors know as well as any that the popular idea of romantic love embedded in western cultural consciousness does not exist. Despite this understood truth, the myth remains and its debunking continues to inspire great art. Carver, Malamud and Porter do not suggest universal truths; their vision is one of relayed experience. Carver in Feathers betrays himself through the intimately written details of dysfunctional marriage. This closeness is also suggested in Malamud's The Magic Barrel; his sly witticism as to Jewish customs and the bookish young man who rejects them suggests intimate recollection. Porter may not have grown up in a village, yet the perfectly rendered emotional states of love spurned in Maria Concepcion imply she writes what she knows. As mentioned, the writers do not expound answers to love's real meaning. What they have done masterfully is explore the complexities surrounding a human condition - the pursuit of love to express physical passion and to ease loneliness. Taping into a great universal influence, this flows though art and life like an undersea current."

Tags:passion, loneliness, emotions

From the Paper
"Negotiation is an act of compromise. The mere agreement to discuss an issue via the process of negotiation represents a willingness to consider non-aggressive solutions. In the realm of politics, negotiation and compromise are the meat-and-potatoes of daily life. So it has been for the debate over the North American Free Trade Agreement - NAFTA - during the past few months. NAFTA posed, for the Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch of the United States government, respectively, an important socio-economic issue in which the two parties found themselves lined up on opposite sides. Negotiation, in the public forum and in classic behind-the-scenes backroom maneuvering, was the key tool that allowed President Bill Clinton his NAFTA victory in the House of Representatives - by compromising on enough minor elements of the proposal to enable a ... "

Abstract
This paper examines how, Bernard Malamud's, "The Magic Barrel"; Bashevis Singer's, "Gimpel the Fool"; and Irwin Shaw's, "The Lament of Madame Rechevsky", demonstrate in a variety of ways the reoccurring theme of relationships and their influences.

From the Paper
"Long after finding the picture of Stella, Leo undergoes many changes in which he tries to get rid of the feelings he has towards her, but "fearing success," he "concluded to convert her to goodness, himself to God" (2551). Although this story is interesting in that Stella is a prostitute, there is still the desire for love and the urge for a relationship. Leo is willing to go beyond all the norms of religion and society to ensure peace within himself, and although we do not know if Stella's reaction is the one Leo is expecting, we can see how love and relationships are major influences to this work."

Tags:and, barrel, bashevis, fool, gimpel, irwin, lament, madame, magic, of, rechevsk, shaw, singer, the

Abstract
The paper relates that in November of 2008, Statistics Canada reported that the inflation rate in Canada dropped to roughly 2.0%, which is down from 3.5% only one quarter ago. Similarly, the paper notes that the inflation rate in the United States fell to 1.1%, which is a significant decrease from comparatively staggering figures in July of the same year, where inflation was at 5.6%. The paper reveals that Canada's decreased inflation rate represents the first time since 2003 that its inflation rate has been less than that of the United States and this is undoubtedly related to a drop in the price of oil, which is now less than one-third of what it was in July of last summer: "It has fallen from nearly $150 USD per barrel to below $40 USD per barrel. But that is over a limited time frame of only four months. The latest inflation numbers incorporate three interesting energy price movements" (Carrick, 2008 par.3).

From the Paper
"In November of 2008, Statistics Canada reported that the inflation rate in Canada dropped to roughly 2.0%, which is down from 3.5% only one quarter ago. Similarly, the inflation rate in the United States fell to 1.1%, which is a significant decrease from comparatively staggering figures in..."

Tags:economics, inflation, deflation

Abstract
The paper relates that one of the biggest impacts on Arabs was the June 1967 defeat by Israel that presented Arab society, cultural politics and critical thought with many changes. The paper discusses the traditional Arab society where the family is the main point around which the society and social life revolves. The paper examines the prospects of Arabs attacking America's oil installations which could push up the price per barrel of oil. The paper discusses how Islamic forces talk about pluralism and moderation, but their base is still on their ideology and claims of the superiority of Islamic ideology over the rest of the world. The paper shows how the Arabic world's social customs and treatment of women are behind other parts of the world.

Outline:
Introduction
Analysis
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The land of the Arabs stretches for a length of some 5,000 miles and that is nearly double the distance between New York and San Francisco. In geographic terms, this is from the Atlantic coast of northern Africa in the west to the Arabian Sea in the east, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the north to Central Africa in the south. The total area is of 5.25 million square miles, whereas, United States comprises 3.6 million square miles. The total population of all the Arab nations was approximately 253 million as of 1994 and the largest proportion of them were youths and this can be seen from the position that almost half of the population was under fifteen years of age. If the present annual rate of increase persists, the population would have grown to around 280 million by the year 2000."

Tags:oil, weapons, terror, religion

Abstract
The paper examines Exxon's yearly revenues and growth. The paper explains that the 2005 revenue figures have shown an increase since the last year's results during the same period, due to an increase in the price of a crude oil barrel and the repositioning of the company. The paper evaluates the 2006 budget as one that will profit from the operational areas where the company is already relying on a huge success (crude oil, recognized brands), while planning to develop and sustain secondary areas of activity where it can become highly successful in time (smaller brands, the chemical industry, gasoline refining). The writer concludes that in his/her opinion, this kind of strategy will provide a balanced approach to long-term development.

From the Paper
"The 2005 revenue figures have shown a remarkable increase since last year results during the same period. On one hand, these were generated by an increase in the price of crude oil barrel, which has attained levels of over $60 in the last couple of months. On the other hand, the management team has thought out a certain repositioning of the company, which meant that some of the other sectors where the company is operating, such as the chemical industry or the gasoline refining market, although less profitable than the crude oil extracting operations, have begun to show small financial profits."

Tags:revenues, growth, finance, crude, oil

Abstract
This paper explains, using Porter Five Forces Model, that there is a limited threat of new entrants cutting into Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Gulf, and Exxon's market share because the industry is fairly oligopolistic, with only a few giant firms controlling the majority of the industry even on the global scale. The author points out that the world's oil-producing nations are very influential in the supply and demand factors associated with oil production and consumption through the Organization of Oil Producing Countries (OPEC). The paper stresses that, as globalization increases the world's demand for oil, it will be critical for the oil-producing nations to maintain a steady cost per barrel, while, at the same time, meeting the high production demands because there are few new technological advances or regulatory controls available to overshadow the basic economic formula of supply and demand. OPEC promises to control pricing for the industry. Tables.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Industry Overview
Five Forces Model
Major Competitors and Strategic Group Mapping
Future Trends
Opportunities and Threats
Conclusion
Appendix A: Oil Industry

From the Paper
"The oil and gas industry are driven by the price of crude oil. The industry was shaped in the late 1990's when the price of oil lagged around $10 a barrel forcing many smaller independent companies into seeking bankruptcy protection and the larger oil companies like Shell, Mobil, Texaco, Gulf and Exxon to look for partners through acquisition or merger. This entailed reduced refining and exploration activities and less gas production. However, today, the industry must contend with a new global economy that has increased demand for energy to record levels, which has allowed a robust rebound in the oil and gas industry. "Oil prices advanced closer to $50 a barrel Monday as domestic and foreign supply concerns persist amid strong global demand". "

Tags:porter, opec, supply, demand, price

Abstract
This paper details the roles of lobbying, campaign contributions, political action committees and the role of personal influence in the political arena. Specifically, the paper looks at how corporations use these areas to influence government. A study of lobby and contribution expenditures of 1998 is done as well as brief historical perspectives on PACs and personal influence. It is concluded that if the present trends continue, corporate America will, in effect, own the U. S. government lock, stock and barrel.