Effectiveness of the Free Market Economies over Mixed Economies Essay

Effectiveness of the Free Market Economies over Mixed Economies - Essay Example Competition is one of the simple reasons why there are generally so many diverse varieties of goods for consumers to choose from. On the production side of the market, firms making goods which are more popular with consumers can sell them at competitive prices and earn profits. But producers who make uninvited products, or operate unproductively and pay too much to create their products, will suffer losses, eventually, they must either learn to create and compete efficiently making produces customers need at competitive rates, or they will verve out of business. Another effectiveness of free market economies is that companies can fine-tune easily to changes i.e. they don’t have to follow the government procedures when they want to change the kind of products to produce. This is better as opposed as opposed to mixed economies where unsuccessful regulations may paralyze production processes. This can lead to shifting of economic balance. In a mixed economy, the government also d ecides on the amount of tax to be levied on products which lead to people grumpy about high taxes and their reluctance to pay. The main advantage is that a free market economy enjoys the determination of prices by forces of demand and supply without monopolistic or oligopolistic influences. The role of the state is very limited in determining what goes on in a free market as opposed to mixed market which is controlled by both government and private enterprises. Government regulation stimulates inefficiency. Free market leads to optimal allocation of resources in a country. This would only happen in a state of equilibrium or where the demand and supply are equal and there is a unique price for every commodity in question. In a practical world however...This essay offers a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the free market economy, as a type of the economic system. The free market example is The United States Of America. Economics system is the resolving system for the basic econom ics problem. There are three types of the economics system; planned economy, mixed economy and free market. Businesses and consumers select the products they will produce or buy in free market economy. In other words, the producers decide on the kind of goods to produce, how they are to be produced and what price to charge on the final goods produced and even what to pay their employees. The choices are made by persons themselves and not the government. Free market economies offer numerous advantages. One of the main advantages is competition Competition helps keep prices lower because several companies will be competing for customers. Lower prices are an effective way of attracting and retaining customers. Another effectiveness of free market economies is that companies can fine-tune easily to changes i.e. they don’t have to follow the government procedures when they want to change the kind of products to produce. This is better as opposed as opposed to mixed economies where unsuccessful regulations may paralyze production processes. In a free market economy innovation is compensated Producers who are innovative will come up with more efficient methods of production. Innovation of new products will see the needs of consumers in better ways that existing goods and services.

The Reasons We Drink Beer Essay Example for Free

The Reasons We Drink Beer Essay There are most likely hundreds of reasons, good and bad, why people drink beer. Everyone who drinks beer has their own personal reasons. Beer is a worldwide commonly known and used beverage that has become a part of our society. It’s been brewed and consumed for over several thousand years. Why is this drink so popular? Today we’ll explore a handful of reasons why people drink beer. Taste – Beer is an acquired taste. I doubt there are many people who admit that the very first beer they ever tried in life tasted very good. But those who kept trying beer grew accustomed to how it smelled, felt in the mouth and tingled the tongue. Once your taste buds lose their training wheels a whole new world of flavors are opened up to you. Buzz – Let’s face it, alcohol is a big reason why many people drink beer. It provides mind altering capabilities that offer some people enjoyment, others a distraction, and still for others nothing more than problems. Getting a beer buzz is an attraction for many as well as a regrettable side affect. Everyone has different limits, so get to know just how much beer is enough to get your buzz on. Social – Sharing a beer with friends or acquaintances is one way of sparking conversation and just being, well, sociable. It becomes a common bond between partakers. Not only does it loosen the tongue a bit, but also causes some to open up a bit. Identity – It’s funny how some people find a beer they like and stick to it. For some, it becomes part of their identity. Brand loyalty is hard to break for some. The beers you started drinking when you were a young adult often become the beverage of choice later in life. Many beer drinkers will try other beers for a new experience and find a new brand to identify themselves with. The type of beer you drink may say something about you that you didn’t realize. Variety – Beer comes in over 100 different styles and in thousands of different brands. No one beer brand is identical to the next. You could spend your entire life trying to sample all of the beers that are available in the world and still not be able to try them all. Very few beverages can claim this kind of variety. Health – This could be an entire subject in of itself. There must be dozens of reasons why beer is healthy for you. Taken in moderation, beer: †¢ is good for your liver. It expands the blood vessels and helps speed up metabolism. †¢ can help lower your risk of heart attacks and stroke. †¢ prevents cholesterol from oxidizing. Some hop compounds prevent LDL from oxidizing and clogging arteries. †¢ boosts vitamin B5, B12, folate and other valuable mineral levels. Unfiltered beers have more of this benefit. †¢ may help in combating cancer. The compounds in some hops are showing promise for preventing certain types of cancer. (Bingham report 1998) †¢ helps ensure healthy bones. Bone improving nutrients are leached from the brewing process in a form that is readily accessible to the body. †¢ helps you relax and sleep more easily. Two vitamins, lactoflavin and nicotinic acid are present in many beers and helps to promote sleep. Beer is also a natural sedative. †¢ Contains antioxidants that can help slow the aging process. †¢ Contains fiber. A liter of beer can have up to 60% of your daily recommended fiber. †¢ Helps fend off gallstones and kidney stones. Peer Pressure – One of the sad reasons why many drink beer. The pressure to conform and fit in with others is a constant issue. Many people, especially teens, drink beer just because their friends are doing it. For others, drinking beer is a right of passage in life. Heritage – Breweries have been part of communities for generations and generations. Many communities in ancient and modern society rally around their local brewpubs and breweries throughout the world. Beer was one of the many bounties of a year long harvest. Locally made beers garner more loyalty. Colorado – we live in one of state’s that produces the most amount of beer in the nation. With nearly 100 different breweries and brewpubs, the availability of hundreds of quality craft beers simply can’t be ignored. Colorado is a travel destination for many of the world’s beer drinkers. Even one of the biggest beer festivals in the world, the Great American Beer Festival, is held here each year in October. Food – Beer makes the perfect compliment for lots of different kinds of food. Pairing food and beer is becoming quite popular, just as it has been for wine. There are beers that go well with just about every type of food, from meats, appetizers (cheeses, breads, snacks) and desserts.

COP 3530, Discrete Data Structures and Algorithms, Summer 1999, Homework 3 :: UFL Florida Computer Programming Homework

Class Notes: Data Structures and Algorithms Summer-C Semester 1999 - M WRF 2nd Period CSE/E119, Section 7344 Homework #3 -- Due Thu 10 June 1999 : 09.30am This is the key for Homework #3. Answers are in blue typeface. * Question 1. Given an 8-element sequence S = (3, -10, 4, -3, 8, 6, 5, 1), diagram the merge-sort tree (architecture) for the divide, sort, and conquer phases of the merge-sort algorithm, as we did in class. Label each level (e.g., L1, L2, etc.), as you will need this information in Question 2. Do not write code for merge-sort. Answer: Level 1 (3, -10, 4, -3, 8, 6, 5, 1) / Level 2 (3, -10, 4, -3) ( 8, 6, 5, 1) / / Level 3 (3, -10) (4, -3) (8, 6) (5, 1) X X X X

Should Drinking Age Be Increased to 21

Should drinking age be increased to 21. It is no secret, that people drink alcohol before they turn 21. Stories about drinking on college campuses and high school parties are very easy to find. That is why underage drinking can be stopped if the law were changed. The major reason that people drink at an early age is because they feel it is fun and exciting to do something they are not supposed to. However, if it would be lowered to 18, then the trill of doing something illegal would vanish. Besides that, 18 is the age of adulthood in the United States, and adults should have the right to make their own decisions about alcohol consumption.What is also very important, that other countries had demonstrated that young people, who are allowed to drink at the age of 18, don’t go wild. Although the legal alcohol purchase age is 21, a majority of college students under this age consume alcohol in an irresponsible manner. This is because drinking by these youth is seen as enticing â₠¬Å"forbidden fruit†, a â€Å"badge of rebellion against authority† and a symbol of adulthood. According to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism the major argument for lowering the drinking age is that prohibitions have always provoked over – indulgence.Those of us who have attended college over the last 25 years can certainly attest to the fact that the law has done nothing to diminish freshman and sophomore access to alcohol. It has only pushed underage consumption underground. The statistics show that many underage people drive home after a night of drinking in order to hide it from their parents. If the drinking age were lowered, young adults would feel less pressure to notify their parents that they have been drinking. Ultimately, the greatest threat to people’s safety comes, when young adults drive home under the influence.In addition, we say that 18 year olds are adult enough to kill and die in the armed forces, change the course of a n ation in the voting both, judge other adults on a jury, be prosecuted as an adult, enter into binding contracts, operate automobiles and heavy machinery, smoke tobacco, own and operate a business, have a bank account and credit card, own a house, be married and have a family of their own. As a Froma Harrop, nationally syndicated columnist wrote in her Feb. 9, 2010 article â€Å"Age Discrimination for the Young† â€Å"Being adult who cannot have a beer is highly, absurdly inconsistent. â€Å" According o her, in our imperfect world, the law has to draw lines, however arbitrary. But laws that only appear to address a problem by burdening young people aren’t wise, and they aren’t fair. For the past 20 years, the U. S. has maintained a Minimum Legal Drinking Age of 21, while in most other countries is 18, and in U. K. is as low as 16 in restaurants. According to John Cloud, writer for Time Magazine, all those countries with drinking age under 21 tend to have fewer alcohol – related problems, than we do in the U. S. In those countries, people learn how to drink from an early age and do so in the safe and supporting environment of the home.Alcohol statistics say that teens coming from homes that had no alcohol and were not taught how to drink responsibly had more issues with alcohol. The behavior in these teens was less risky if parents allowed them to drink at home. In today’s world alcohol is and always going to be a problem no matter what age we are. However, there is no evidence of massive brain impairment, alcohol dependency, or underage alcohol abuse, which the experts tell us, will be the inevitable result of lowering the drinking age in the United States.By lowering drinking age, young adults would be allowed to drink in controlled environments such as restaurants, taverns, pubs and official school and university functions. In these situations responsible drinking could be taught through role modeling and educational prog rams. Mature and sensible drinking behavior would be expected. If the drinking age was lowered, it will help kids realize how important alcohol is, and how mature we must become when we are under the influence of alcohol.

A World Lit Only by Fire: the Medieval Mind and the Renaissance

In the first section of William Manchester’s A World Lit Only By Fire, we are taken into a world that is vastly different from our own, and we see a kind of attitude which is rarely seen today. Manchester stresses the fact that the peasants in the Dark Ages had no knowledge of what was happening in the rest of the world. In our age of twenty-four-hour news networks and instantaneous access to information from across the globe through the internet, it is hard to fathom that if we were still living in the Dark Ages most of us would be completely oblivious to the activities of the rest of the world outside of our small village.Manchester also points out that the common people in the Dark Ages had no conception of time. Most would not have known what century it was, let alone the specific date. For most peasants, time passed in a cycle of seasons, and they only needed to know the days of the week in order to know when it was the Sabbath. This is in stark contrast to the life of a modern man. We can know time down to the second. And we need to know time with greater precision. While the peasants of the Dark Ages needed only to recognize the passing of the seasons and when the Sabbath was, modern man often needs to know the time of day precisely.We are constantly on a schedule. School and work starts at a certain time, and we must be there on time. Another fascinating difference which Manchester points out is the fact that most of the peasants did not have surnames and were either referred to by their first name alone, or by a nickname. I found this very strange. Manchester does a good job of showing the differences between the modern mind and the medieval mind. Being aware of these differences allows the reader to appreciate the huge impact that the Renaissance had on Europe.Now in the next section of A World Lit Only by Fire, entitled â€Å"The Shattering,† Manchester shows us several events that â€Å"shattered† beliefs during the Renaissance. Most of these had something to do with the Church at the time because religion was one of the most important parts of Medieval and Renaissance life. The first event that shattered beliefs and changed life did not immediately cause a revolution but had a long-lasting impact on the future of Christianity. That event was the dissemination of the works of Erasmus.With his constant criticism of the Church and his calls for papal reform, he proved that one could criticize the church without being a radical revolutionary, for Erasmus was a devout Catholic. Before Erasmus, few had dared to criticize the Roman Church and those who did were not taken seriously. However, with his satires, Erasmus appealed to all classes of people and gave the people the encouragement to call for reform and criticize the Church. This may have influenced Martin Luther, even though he disliked Erasmus’ work, to nail his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door at Wittenberg.The fact that Erasmus was widely pop ular also contributed to the change in the thinking that anyone who criticized the church would be damned to hell. Even though Erasmus didn’t do anything as revolutionary as Martin Luther, his brilliant satires were able to change the mindset of Europeans and may have enabled, against his own wishes, the Protestant Reformation. The next event discussed by Manchester is the Reformation itself. Sparked by Martin Luther’s outrage at the sale of indulgences, this is the event that split Christianity in half.Those loyal to the existing Christian Church headed by the Pope became known as Roman Catholics, and those who were not loyal to that Church formed different Protestant Churches. Before the Reformation there was one authoritative representative of the word of God; i. e. , the Pope. Most Christian literature was in Latin, but since Latin was essentially a dead language, most people could not read or understand it, and this helped the Church maintain control of Christians of the age. Within this system, freedom of religious thought was extremely limited.Saying anything that contradicted the pope could get you labeled as a heretic and sentenced to jail, or even death. After the Reformation, several different Churches formed and as they formed, they warred with each other. The pope was no longer the supreme head of Christianity as he had been before the Reformation. Bibles where published in living languages. All kinds of opinions were published in pamphlets. One undesirable consequence of the Reformation was the different sects fighting with each other.Each different sect believed it represented the one true religion. Fighting between sects became common. Fighting between Catholics and Protestants was rife. Protestants burned Roman Catholic churches, smashing mosaics and statues, and even killing innocent women and clergy. The Roman Church started its notorious Inquisition, which was especially violent in Spain. Before the Reformation there was only one Christian Church so religious violence in Europe was rare, but after the Reformation religious violence and persecution became commonplace.The Reformation was a major turning point in the history of Christianity. Without it, America today would be a different country, since many settlers in early America came to escape religious persecution. Manchester’s section on the Reformation is therefore perhaps the most important section in the book. In the last section of A World Lit Only by Fire, entitled â€Å"One Man Alone,† Manchester writes about Ferdinand Magellan and his circumnavigation of the globe.In this section, Manchester takes time to go into extremely fine detail about Magellan’s voyage in order to explain what type of man Magellan was, and, more importantly, to show how big the odds were against his actually finishing his voyage. Manchester seems to idolize Magellan, in part because Magellan wasn’t seeking fame or wealth, but instead simply had a dream and was determined to make it a reality, something that I think most people can respect.

How To Turn Spanish Adjectives Into Adverbs

How To Turn Spanish Adjectives Into Adverbs In English, it is common to create an adverb by adding the suffix -ly to the end of an adjective. In Spanish, we can do something almost as easy- create an adverb by adding the suffix -mente to a certain form of the adjective. How to Use -Mente The -mente is added to the singular feminine form of the adjective. For example, the singular feminine form of ruidoso (noisy) is ruidosa, so the adverb form is ruidosamente (noisily). The adjectives with separate masculine and feminine forms are those whose dictionary listings end in -o, such as quieto (quiet). To create the corresponding adverb, change the ending to -a, in this case quieta, and then add -mente. Thus the corresponding adverb for quieto is quietamente (quietly). Since many adjectives have no separate masculine or feminine forms, the suffix is often simply added to the singular. So the adjective triste (sad) can be turned into the adverb tristemente, and feliz (happy) can easily be turned into felizmente (happily). Examples of Adjectives With Corresponding Adverbs Here are some of the most common Spanish adjectives that have corresponding -mente adverbs along with possible translations. Note that in a few cases the meanings of the Spanish adverbs are different than what you might expect simply from adding -ly to the English equivalent adjective. abierto (open), abiertamente (openly, obviously)aburrido (boring), aburridamente (in a boring manner)alto (tall, high), altamente (highly)cansado (tired), cansadamente (wearily, tediously)comà ºn (common), comà ºnmente (commonly, normally)dà ©bil (weak), dà ©bilmente (weakly)dulce (sweet, kind), dulcemente (sweetly, gently)equivocado (mistaken), equivocadamente (mistakenly)feo (ugly, dreary), feamente (horribly, badly)grande (large, great), grandemente (extremely, greatly; largely can often be translated using en gran parte or principalmente)inteligente (intelligent), inteligentemente (intelligently)justo (fair, just, exact), justamente (fairly, justly, exactly)lento (slowly), lentamente (slowly)limpio (clean), limpiamente (cleanly, with integrity or honesty)lindo (pretty, beautiful), lindamente (beautifully, elegantly)llana (flat, level, unpretentious, modest), llanamente (plainly, frankly, straightforwardly)loco (crazy), locamente (with lack of prudence or moderation)nuevo (new ), nuevamente (anew, again; a common way of saying newly is recientemente) pobre (poor), pobremente (poorly)rpido (quick, fast), rpidamente (quickly, rapidly)repugnante (repugnant), repugnantemente (repugnantly)raro (rare), raramente (rarely)rico (rich), ricamente (richly, very well, abundantly)sano (healthy), sanamente (healthily, healthfully)seco (dry), secamente  (coldly when referring to behavior; curtly)simple (simple, easy), simplemente (simply, straightforwardly)sucio (dirty), suciamente (in a dirty or filthy way, meanly)tonto (stupid, foolish), tontamente (stupidly, foolishly)tranquilo (quiet, calm), tranquilamente (quietly, calmly) Avoiding Overuse of -Mente Adverbs Even though a -mente adverb may exist doesnt always mean its the only or even the preferred way of expressing something. First, in Spanish, more so than English, it is common to use an adverbial phrase even though a single-word adverb may exist. For example, while baratamente can be used to indicate that something was bought or made cheaply, it is more common to say a precio bajo (at a low cost) or even de forma barata (in a cheap way). Second, there are a few adjectives that are often used as adverbs even though separate adverbial forms exist. Among the more common are rpido and lento, which can mean not just fast and slow, respectively, but also rapidly and slowly. Spelling and Pronunciation of -Mente Adverbs As in the above examples of dà ©bil and rpido, if an adjective has an accent mark, the corresponding -mente adverb retains the accent mark, even though the spoken emphasis likely will be on the next-to-last syllable. Adverbs in a Series When two or more s: Habla lenta y claramente. (She speaks slowly and clearly.)Anda cuidada, dolorosa y pacientemente. (He walks carefully, painfully and patiently.)Creo que ests equivocado: triste, absoluta y totalmente equivocado. (I think youre mistaken - sadly, absolutely and totally mistaken.)

What to See at the 10 Best London Museums

What to See at the 10 Best London Museums SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips London has many attractions, but almost all visitors to the city will carve out time for its world-class museums. Many of London’s museums, spanning history, art, science, and more, contain some of the largest collections in their field, as well as many historical and priceless pieces. Other museums are smaller and more intimate, showing individual stories of Londoners through the ages. This guide explores the ten best museums in London. It’s organized into history museums, art museums, as well as off-the-beaten-track museums. In addition to describing the museum’s collections and standout pieces, the descriptions include each museum’s hours, costs (most of the museums on this list are free!), and the closest tube station to help you get around. London truly has a museum for all types, and this list contains museums that will appeal to history buffs, art aficionados, science geeks, garden lovers, and more. The Best London History Museums London has one of the richest histories of any city. The collections of these museums span prehistory to the modern age, and they showcase artifacts from London, the whole of the United Kingdom, and places, past and present, around the world. Entrance to the Natural History Museum The British Museum Hours: Open daily from 10AM-5:30PM and until 8:30PM on Fridays Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Stations: Tottenham Court Road and Holborn If you can only visit one museum in London, make it the British Museum, the most visited museum in the city and one of the world’s great museums. With roughly 8 million pieces, the British Museum’s massive collection includes works from Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania, and the Americas. The British Museum specializes in ancient history and has some of the world’s most extensive collections from ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, Assyria, and Mesopotamia. Two of the museum’s most famous pieces are from their ancient history collections. The first is the Rosetta Stone, used to decipher the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic language, a huge moment in the historical world. The second is the Parthenon Marbles, also known as the Elgin Marbles because they were brought from Greece by the Earl of Elgin. These marbles once adorned buildings on Athen’s Acropolis such as the Parthenon, and there is a longstanding debate on whether they should be returned to Greece. Despite the controversy, the huge marble friezes, adorned with classical Greek sculptures, are beautiful to see. This large museum spans three floors and contains nearly 100 galleries. There are maps inside, but it can be helpful, especially if you’re short on time, to review floor plans of the museum so you know where to go and what to see once you arrive. The British Museum was established in 1753, and in many ways it’s an old-school museum. There are not many interactive exhibits, and most pieces are exhibited in standard glass cases with labels describing their history and importance. This can cause children and non-museum people to get bored after awhile. However, many of the museum’s pieces are so historically important and beautiful to see that every visitor to London should at least stop by for an hour or so to marvel at pieces from all over the world. Additionally, entrance to the museum is free, although some temporary British Museum exhibitions do charge a fee; you can book tickets for these online. Also, the British Museum’s hours are extended on Fridays if you’re looking for something to do in the evening. If you’d like help navigating the museum, there are regular tours held throughout the day focusing on different parts of the collection. Some of these tours are free while others you have to pay for and book online ahead of time. The British Museum’s website has information on all tour times and prices. Museum of London Hours: Open daily from 10AM-6PM Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Stations: Barbican and St. Paul’s For those who want their museum to have a narrower focus, the Museum of London does an excellent job of chronicling the history of the city from the prehistoric age to modern day. The museum has a large collection, with over 6 million objects, but because it only focuses on the history of London, as opposed to the history of many world regions, it can feel more straightforward and less overwhelming to visit. There is only one route through the galleries which take you in chronological order through London's history. The exhibitions start with prehistoric London and include part of a 200,000-year-old mammoth jaw, a 6,000-year-old axehead made from jadeite, and an Iron Age chariot decorated with intricate Celtic-style designs. The galleries then continue through the history of London, covering the Roman era, Medieval London, the Black Plague, the Great Fire of London, the Victorian era, the Industrial Age, modern London, and more. Each gallery contains numerous artifacts from the time period it covers. In fact, the Museum of London contains the world’s largest urban history collection. Some highlights of the museum include a large collection of Medieval jewelry, the death mask of Oliver Cromwell, and the Lord Mayor’s State Coach from the 18th century. The Museum of London is highly interactive with quizzes, touchscreens, props to try on, and recreations of Victorian streets and pleasure gardens that visitors can walk through. Appropriately, the museum is located within one of the oldest parts of the city, a few blocks from St. Paul’s Cathedral. The building (which has plans to move within the next few years) is flanked by the remains of a Roman wall, so you’ll be looking at historical objects before you even set foot in the door. Imperial War Museum Hours: Open daily from 10AM-6PM Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Stations: Waterloo and Elephant Castle Spanning the start of World War I to present day, London’s Imperial War Museum puts a human face on the impacts of war and armed conflicts. Though the museum now has exhibits on all modern armed conflicts Britain and the Commonwealth have been involved in, it originally only covered World War I, and this period is still a major focus of the museum. When you enter the museum, you’ll be greeted by multiple large military artifacts, including tanks, guns, and aircraft hanging from the ceiling. The most extensive galleries in the museum, on the first and second floors, cover World War I and World War II. To show the effect war had on individuals and to make its impact more personal and relatable, the museum presents stories and artifacts from individual people instead of focusing primarily on strings of numbers or lists of battles. Individual stories from both the front lines and the home front are included. The collection includes letters written to and by soldiers, trench art, souvenirs brought home from battles, and historical photographs, as well as large collections of badges, weapons, and uniforms. Highlights include a rifle owned by Lawrence of Arabia, a pistol of Winston Churchill’s, and a Union Flag recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Towers. As you move to the upper floors, the tone gets noticeably darker. Galleries cover atrocities of the Holocaust, the history of antisemitism in Europe, and modern warfare and ethnic violence. This is not a museum for children (the Holocaust exhibition is restricted to visitors ages 14 and older), nor is it a museum for people looking for a light and cheery way to spend an afternoon. However, the Imperial War Museum does an extremely moving job of covering some of the most important periods in world history. Natural History Museum Hours: Open daily from 10AM-5:30PM Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Station: South Kensington It’s famous for its dinosaurs, but the Natural History Museum covers nearly the entire breadth of the world of science. It has over 70 million specimens organized into five main collections: botany, entomology, mineralogy, paleontology, and zoology. The Natural History Museum is one of the most eminent science museums in the world, and its collections include specimens collected by Charles Darwin, exhibitions of dinosaur fossils, and a life-size model of a blue whale. Within the museum’s 36 galleries, visitors can view thousands of specimens, learn about the human body, study geologic forces that shape the Earth, and marvel at dinosaur fossils and full-size models. The Darwin Centre Cocoon, where guests can watch scientists at work in the labs, is also a popular spot to visit. The museum is housed in a large, ornate building dating back to the mid-1800s; some visitors simply drop by to marvel at the architecture. With such an expansive collection spanning several centuries, the Natural History Museum can provide a bit of an inconsistent experience. Some of the older exhibits, like some of the taxidermy and animal models, have a slightly dated look. Newer exhibits, particularly those on dinosaurs, human biology, and volcanoes and earthquakes, are much more modern and interactive. In general, though, the Natural History Museum is a favorite among visitors to London. If you’re tired of reading labels, it’s easy to simply walk through the galleries and admire the specimens. Kids in particular are always impressed by the large models of animals that are a standout attraction at the museum. The Best London Art Museums London's museums are a mecca for art lovers. These three art museums each have some of the largest and most prestigious art collections in the world. From traditional galleries lined with paintings to avant-garde fashion exhibitions, these museums have it all. Ophelia by John Everett Millais, on display in the Tate Modern The National Gallery in London Hours: Open daily from 10AM-6PM and until 9PM on Fridays Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Stations: Charing Cross and Leicester Square Housed in a large Classical building that dominates Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery of London is the city’s most-visited art museum. The museum displays over 2,300 Western European paintings dating from the 1200s to 1900. The collection includes masterpieces from numerous periods including the late Medieval period, Renaissance Italy, and French Impressionism. Museum highlights include Sunflowers by Vincent Van Gogh, The Virgin of the Rocks by Leonardo da Vinci, and The Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck. There are also pieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt, Goya, Monet, and Renoir, among many others. The National Gallery follows standard art museum conventions: priceless paintings displayed attractively in different galleries without a lot of extra frills. Art enthusiasts will love the variety and quality of the works displayed and could happily spend a week viewing the collection, and even people not normally interested in art should stop by to check out the highlights. This museum contains London’s (and one of the world’s) most prestigious collections of art. However, if the thought of spending hours looking at centuries-old paintings doesn’t inspire much excitement, you may want to keep your visit short and move onto other activities after you’ve viewed the most important pieces. The National Gallery also hosts regular lectures, holiday events, and concerts, as well as guided tours (most of these charge an admission fee). Victoria and Albert Museum Hours: Open daily from 10AM-5:45PM and until 10PM on Fridays Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Station: South Kensington If the National Gallery represents the apex of what a traditional art gallery can achieve, the newly refurbished Victoria and Albert Museum (the VA) is a much more modern take on an art museum. The VA is dedicated to decorative arts and design, and its collection spans seven floors and 150 galleries. Works include paintings, photographs, textiles, jewelry, architecture, ceramics, and glass. The museum includes pieces spanning 3,000 years and multiple continents. There’s a huge breadth of pieces here, and you may find yourself wandering past Japanese suits of armor, 16th-century Persian rugs, gilded German writing cabinets, newly created glass pieces commemorating the British Antarctic expedition, and a collection of over 2,000 miniature paintings, to name a few. The VA is a great museum to visit if you’re not interested in the traditional oil painting-filled art galleries. Its diverse collection means each gallery has something different, and the museum’s extensive renovations have given it a clean, modern look. In addition to the works in the galleries, other pieces of interest include a massive glass chandelier hanging from the ceiling in the entrance and a courtyard with a fountain and wading pool. If you have an entire day (or week) to spend at the museum, you may be content to wander the galleries and see what you discover, but many visitors may want to scan an overview of the museum’s collections beforehand so they know what they want to see when they arrive. Tate Modern Hours: Open daily from 10AM-6PM and until 10PM on Fridays and Saturdays Cost: Free (Some temporary exhibitions charge a fee) Closest Tube Stations: Southwark and Blackfriars The Tate Modern is London’s standout gallery for modern and contemporary art. Situated along the bank of the Thames, the Tate Modern picks up where the National Gallery leaves off, showcasing works of art from 1900 to the present day. Unlike the National Gallery; however, the Tate Modern doesn’t only contain paintings. There are also photographs, sculptures, videos, mixed media, and architectural pieces. Some of the most popular pieces include a looming spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois, Ophelia, a painting by Sir John Everett Millais, and works by Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, and Georgia O’Keefe. The museum is housed in a former power station, and the building retains much of its original industrial feel. In stark contrast to the Classical buildings of many other London museums, in the Tate Modern visitors will make their way past massive former oil tanks and a soaring turbine hall. While admission to the permanent galleries of the museum is free, the Tate Modern also has frequent temporary exhibitions and performances which do require an admission fee. Visitors who aren’t particularly fond of modern art may find some of the Tate’s pieces confusing or boring. However, come with an open mind and this is one of the best museums in the world to get a taste of the breadth and quality of what modern and contemporary art can offer. You may leave a newly-converted modern art lover. Best Off-the-Beaten-Track Museums in London These are less-known, typically small museums that provide a very different experience than the most famous London museums. They generally focus on how individuals lived in London and, unlike the above museums, some of them charge admission fees. The entrance to the Geffrye Museum Leighton House Museum and Art Gallery Hours: Open Wednesday-Monday from 10AM-5:30PM. Closed Tuesdays Cost:  £7 for adults,  £5 for concessions (discounts) Closest Tube Stations: High Street Kensington and Kensington (Olympia) It’ll be hard to get an audience with the queen while you’re in London, but anyone can get a glimpse of one of the city’s most opulent interiors if they visit Leighton House. The building was once of the home and studio of Victorian artist Lord Frederic Leighton, who filled the house with his own pieces and works of art he gathered during his travels. Though it looks fairly ordinary from the outside, the interior of the house is so sumptuous it’s like walking around a jewelry box. While there are Victorian elements such as gilded and carved columns, antique wooden furniture, and marble work, the highlight of the house is its bold Middle Eastern decorative style. The house’s showpiece is the Arab Hall, a two-story extension decorated with glittering Middle Eastern tiles collected by Leighton. The house also contains stained-glass windows, an extensive collection of paintings and sculptures, elaborate paintwork, a gilt-painted dome, and, to top it all off, a fountain in the middle of the house. If you’re tired of seeing art displayed individually in plain glass cases, this is a great museum to see how one of London’s elite incorporated works of art into his home. Geffrye Museum Hours: Open Tuesday-Sunday from 10AM-5PM. Closed Mondays. Cost: Free Closest Tube Stations: Hoxton Station (London Overground) Located in Shoreditch, London, and easily reached by taking the Overground (as opposed to the tube), the Geffrye Museum is housed in a series of attractive 18th-century almshouses. Like the Leighton House, it’s a former home converted into a museum, however; instead of focusing on one man’s expensive tastes, the Geffrye Museum explores the history of typical middle-class homes from 1600 to present day. The rooms go in chronological order so visitors can see how houses have been decorated throughout the centuries. However, the highlight of the museum is outside. The grounds of the museum are surrounded by period gardens that showcase the changes lawns have undergone during the same time period the museum’s rooms cover. There are also herb gardens and walled gardens to see. Scattered throughout the gardens are benches and chairs for visitors to relax in, as well as an onsite cafe. Unlike many museums, the Geffrye Museum doesn’t have a â€Å"must-see† piece. Instead, take in the homey experience the entire museum offers. The gardens are best from April to October and, during this time, the Geffrye Museum is a great place to enjoy a rare sunny day in London and take a break from spending time indoors. Foundling Museum Hours: Open Tuesday-Saturday from 10AM-5PM and Sunday 11am-5PM. Closed Mondays. Cost:  £8.25 for adults,  £5.50 for concessions (discounts) Closest Tube Station: Russell Square For an in-depth look at one of the more unique and poignant sides of London’s history, check out the Foundling Museum. This museum tells the history of the Foundling Hospital, which was founded in 1739 as England’s first hospital for abandoned children. It covers the founding of the museum, the circumstances of mothers who had to abandon their children, how they handing-over process worked (each mother left their infant with a token, such as a button or piece of cloth, to later identify the child if she ever returned), how the children were cared for, and the museum’s current charity work. Visitors to the museum will see record books used to record children who came into the hospital, notes on which mothers were deemed â€Å"acceptable† to leave their children there, schoolbooks and uniforms used by the children, and tokens left behind by children whose mothers never returned. The museum also contains a diverse art collection, with numerous paintings and sculptures lining the rooms and hallways. Most of these were done by 18th-century artists who donated the works themselves to help support the hospital. Visitors can also see the preserved 18th-century interiors from the original hospital, period furniture, and a collection of Handel memorabilia (Handel was a prominent fundraiser for the hospital during his lifetime). Additionally, the museum frequently has temporary exhibitions that show art related to women and children. The Foundling Museum movingly tells the story of one of the less-discussed parts of London’s history, and it’s an excellent place to visit for people interested in learning about both art and history. This is a small museum that can be visited in an hour or two. However, there is a lot of text to read within the rooms if you want to get the complete history of the hospital, so if you’re looking for an easy stroll through exhibits, it may not be the best choice.

19th-Century Military History

19th-Century Military History The documentation of military history begins with the battle near Basra, Iraq, circa 2700 B.C., between Sumer, now known as Iraq, and Elam, called Iran today. Learn about wars of invasion, revolutions, wars of independence, and others, and track the guideline below to learn more about military history. Military History February 9, 1801 - French Revolutionary Wars: The War of the Second Coalition ends when the Austrians and French sign the Treaty of Lunà ©ville April 2, 1801 - Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson wins the Battle of Copenhagen May 1801 - First Barbary War: Tripoli, Tangier, Algiers, and Tunis declare war on the United States March 25, 1802 - French Revolutionary Wars: Fighting between Britain and France ends with the Treaty of Amiens May 18, 1803 - Napoleonic Wars: Fighting resumes between Britain and France January 1, 1804 - Haitian Revolution: The 13-year war ends with the declaration of Haitian independence February 16, 1804 - First Barbary War: American sailors sneak into Tripoli harbor and burn the captured frigate USS Philadelphia March 17, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Austria joins the Third Coalition and declares war on France, with Russia joining a month later June 10, 1805 - First Barbary War: The conflict ends when a treaty is signed between Tripoli and the United States October 16-19, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon is victorious at the Battle of Ulm October 21, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: Vice Admiral Nelson crushes the combined Franco-Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar December 2, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians and Russians are crushed by Napoleon at the Battle of Austerlitz December 26, 1805 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians sign the Treaty of Pressburg, ending the War of the Third Coalition February 6, 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: The Royal Navy wins the Battle of San Domingo Summer 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: The Fourth Coalition of Prussia, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and Britain is formed to fight France October 15, 1806 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and French forces defeat the Prussians at the Battles of Jena and Auerstdt February 7-8, 1807 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and Count von Bennigsen fight to a draw at the Battle of Eylau June 14, 1807 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon routs the Russians at the Battle of Friedland, forcing Tsar Alexander to sign the Treaty of Tilsit that effectively ended the War of the Fourth Coalition June 22, 1807 - Anglo-American Tensions: HMS Leopard fires on USS Chesapeake after the American ship refused to be allowed to be searched for British deserters May 2, 1808 - Napoleonic Wars: The Peninsular War begins in Spain when the citizens of Madrid rebel against French occupation August 21, 1808 - Napoleonic Wars: Lt. Gen. Sir Arthur Wellesley defeats the French at the Battle of Vimeiro January 18, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: British forces evacuate northern Spain after the Battle of Corunna April 10, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: Austria and Britain begin the War of the Fifth Coalition April 11-13, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Royal Navy wins the Battle of the Basque Roads June 5-6, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Austrians are defeated by Napoleon at the Battle of Wagram October 14, 1809 - Napoleonic Wars: The Treaty of Schà ¶nbrunn ends the War of the Fifth Coalition in a French victory May 3-5, 1811 - Napoleonic Wars: British and Portuguese forces hold at the Battle of Fuentes de Oà ±oro March 16-April 6, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: The Earl of Wellington lays siege to the city of Badajoz June 18, 1812 - War of 1812: The United States declares  war on Britain, beginning the conflict June 24, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon and the Grande Armà ©e cross the Neman River, beginning the invasion of Russia August 16, 1812 - War of 1812: British forces win the Siege of Detroit August 19, 1812 - War of 1812: USS Constitution captures HMS Guerriere to give the United States the first naval victory of the war September 7, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: The French defeat the Russians at the Battle of Borodino September 5-12, 1812 - War of 1812: American forces hold  out during the Siege of Fort Wayne December 14, 1812 - Napoleonic Wars: After a long retreat from Moscow, the French army leaves Russian soil January 18-23, 1812 - War of 1812: American forces are beaten at the Battle of Frenchtown Spring 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussia, Sweden, Austria, Britain, and a number of the German states form the Sixth Coalition to take advantage of Frances defeat in Russia April 27, 1813 - War of 1812: American forces win the Battle of York April 28-May 9, 1813 - War of 1812: The British are repulsed at Siege of Fort Meigs May 2, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon defeats Prussian and Russian forces at the Battle of Là ¼tzen May 20-21, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussian and Russian forces are beaten at the Battle of Bautzen May 27, 1813 - War of 1812: American forces land and capture Fort George June 6, 1813 - War of 1812: American troops are beaten at the Battle of Stoney Creek June 21, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: British, Portuguese, and Spanish forces under Sir Arthur Wellesley defeat the French at the Battle of Vitoria August 30, 1813 - Creek War: Red Stick warriors conduct the Fort Mims Massacre September 10, 1813 - War of 1812: U.S. naval forces under Commodore Oliver H. Perry defeat the British at the Battle of Lake Erie October 16-19, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Prussian, Russian, Austrian, Swedish, and German troops defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Leipzig October 26, 1813 - War of 1812:  American forces are held at the Battle of the Chateauguay November 11, 1813 - War of 1812: American troops are beaten at the Battle of Cryslers Farm August 30, 1813 - Napoleonic Wars: Coalition forces defeat the French at the Battle of Kulm March 27, 1814 - Creek War: Maj. Gen. Andrew Jackson wins the Battle of Horseshoe Bend March 30, 1814 - Napoleonic Wars: Paris falls to coalition forces April 6, 1814 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba by the Treaty of Fontainebleau July 25, 1814 - War of 1812: American and British forces fight the Battle of Lundys Lane August 24, 1814 - War of 1812: After defeating American forces at the Battle of Bladensburg, British troops burn Washington, D.C. September 12-15, 1814 - War of 1812: British forces are defeated at the Battle of North Point and Fort McHenry December 24, 1814 - War of 1812: The Treaty of Ghent is signed, ending the war January 8, 1815 - War of 1812: Unaware that the war has ended, Gen. Andrew Jackson wins the Battle of New Orleans March 1, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Landing at Cannes, Napoleon returns to France beginning the Hundred Days after escaping from exile June 16, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon wins his final victory at the Battle of Ligny June 18, 1815 - Napoleonic Wars: Coalition forces led by the Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) defeat Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, ending the Napoleonic Wars August 7, 1819 - Wars of South American Independence: Gen. Simon Bolivar defeats Spanish forces in Colombia at the Battle of Boyaca March 17, 1821 - Greek War of Independence: The Maniots at Areopoli declare war on the Turks, beginning the Greek War of Independence 1825 - Java War: Fighting begins between the Javanese under Prince Diponegoro and Dutch colonial forces October 20, 1827 - Greek War of Independence: An allied fleet defeats the Ottomans at the Battle of Navarino 1830 - Java War: The conflict ends in a Dutch victory after Prince Diponegoro is captured April 5-August 27, 1832 - Blackhawk War: U.S. troops defeat an alliance of Native American forces in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Missouri October 2, 1835 - Texas Revolution: The war begins with a Texan victory at the Battle of Gonzales December 28, 1835 - Second Seminole War: Two companies of U.S. soldiers under Maj. Francis Dade are massacred by the Seminoles in the first action of the conflict March 6, 1836 - Texas Revolution: After 13 days of siege, the Alamo falls to Mexican forces March 27, 1839 - Texas Revolution: Texan prisoners of war are executed at the Goliad Massacre April 21, 1836 - Texas Revolution: The Texan army under Sam Houston defeats the Mexicans at the Battle of San Jacinto, winning independence for Texas December 28, 1836 - War of the Confederation: Chile declares war on the Peru-Bolivian Confederation, beginning the conflict December 1838 - First Afghan War: A British army unit under Gen. William Elphinstone marches into Afghanistan, starting the war August 23, 1839 - First Opium War: British forces capture Hong Kong in the opening days of the war August 25, 1839 - War of the Confederation: Following defeat at the Battle of Yungay, the Peru-Bolivian Confederation is dissolved, ending the war January 5, 1842 - First Afghan War: Elphinstones army is destroyed as it retreats from Kabul August 1842 - First Opium War: After winning a string of victories, the British force the Chinese to sign the Treaty of Nanjing January 28, 1846 - First Anglo-Sikh War: British forces defeat the Sikhs at the Battle of Aliwal April 24, 1846 - Mexican-American War: Mexican forces rout a small U.S. cavalry detachment in the Thornton Affair May 3-9, 1846 - Mexican-American War: American forces hold out during the Siege of Fort Texas May 8-9, 1846 - Mexican-American War: U.S. forces under Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor defeat the Mexicans at the Battle of Palo Alto and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma February 22, 1847 - Mexican-American War: After capturing Monterrey, Taylor defeats Mexican Gen. Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna at the Battle of Buena Vista March 9-September 12, 1847 - Mexican-American War: Landing at Vera Cruz, U.S. forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott conduct a brilliant campaign and capture Mexico City, effectively ending the war April 18, 1847 - Mexican-American War: American troops win the Battle of Cerro Gordo August 19-20, 1847 - Mexican-American War: The Mexicans are routed at the Battle of Contreras August 20, 1847 - Mexican-American War: U.S. forces triumph at the Battle of Churubusco September 8, 1847 - Mexican American War: American forces win the Battle of Molino del Rey Septebmer 13, 1847 - Mexican-American War: U.S. troops capture Mexico City after the Battle of Chapultepec March 28, 1854 - Crimean War: Britain and France declare war on Russia in support of the Ottoman Empire September 20, 1854 - Crimean War: British and French forces win the Battle of Alma September 11, 1855 - Crimean War: After an 11-month siege, the Russian port of Sevastopol falls to British and French troops March 30, 1856 - Crimean War: The Treaty of Paris ends the conflict October 8, 1856 - Second Opium War: Chinese officials board the British ship Arrow, leading to the outbreak of hostilities October 6, 1860 - Second Opium War: Anglo-French forces capture Beijing, effectively ending the war April 12, 1861 - American Civil War: Confederate forces open fire on Fort Sumter, beginning the Civil War June 10, 1861 - American Civil War: Union troops are beaten at the Battle of Big Bethel July 21, 1861 - American Civil War: In the first major battle of the conflict, Union forces are defeated at Bull Run August 10, 1861 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win the Battle of Wilsons Creek August 28-29, 1861 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Hatteras Inlet during the Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries October 21, 1861 - American Civil War: Union troops are beaten at the Battle of Balls Bluff November 7, 1861 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces fight the inconclusive Battle of Belmont November 8, 1861 - American Civil War: Capt. Charles Wilkes removed two Confederate diplomats from RMS Trent, inciting the Trent Affair January 19, 1862 - American Civil War: Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas wins the Battle of Mill Springs February 6, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Fort Henry February 11-16, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are defeated at the Battle of Fort Donelson February 21, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces are beaten at the Battle of Valverde March 7-8, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops win the Battle of Pea Ridge March 9, 1862 - American Civil War: USS Monitor fights CSS Virginia in the first battle between ironclads March 23, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops are defeated at the First Battle of Kernstown March 26-28, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces successfully defend New Mexico at the Battle of Glorieta Pass April 6-7, 1862 - American Civil War: Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant is surprised, but wins the Battle of Shiloh April 5-May 4, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops conduct the Siege of Yorktown April 10-11, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces capture Fort Pulaski April 12, 1862 - American Civil War: The Great Locomotive Chase takes place in northern Georgia April 25, 1862 - American Civil War: Flag Officer David G. Farragut captures New Orleans for the Union May 5, 1862 - American Civil War: The Battle of Williamsburg is fought during the Peninsula Campaign May 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate and Union troops clash at the Battle of McDowell May 25, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops win the First Battle of Winchester June 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win the Battle of Cross Keys in the  Shenandoah Valley June 9, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces lose the Battle of Port Republic June 25, 1862-   American Civil War: Forces meet at the Battle of Oak Grove June 26, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops win the Battle of Beaver Dam Creek (Mechanicsville) June 27, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces overwhelm the Union V Corps at the Battle of Gaines Mill June 29, 1862 - American Civil War: Union troops fight the inconclusive Battle of Savages Station June 30, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces hold at the Battle of Glendale (Fraysers Farm) July 1, 1862 - American Civil War: The Seven Days Battles ends  with a Union victory at the Battle of Malvern Hill August 9, 1862 - American Civil War: Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks is defeated at the Battle of Cedar Mountain August 28-30, 1862 - American Civil War: Gen. Robert E. Lee wins a stunning victory at the Second Battle of Manassas September 1, 1862 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces fight the Battle of Chantilly September 12-15, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate troops win the Battle of Harpers Ferry September 15, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces triumph at the Battle of South Mountain September 17, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces win a strategic victory at the Battle of Antietam September 19, 1862 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Iuka October 3-4, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces hold at the Second Battle of Corinth October 8, 1862 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces clash in Kentucky at the Battle of Perryville December 7, 1862 - American Civil War: Armies fight the Battle of Prairie Grove in Arkansas December 13, 1862 - American Civil War: The Confederates win the Battle of Fredericksburg December 26-29, 1862 - American Civil War: Union forces are held at the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou December 31, 1862-January 2, 1863 - American Civil War: Union and Confederate forces clash at the Battle of Stones River May 1-6, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces win a stunning victory at the Battle of Chancellorsville May 12, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Raymond during the Vicksburg Campaign May 16, 1863 - American Civil War: Union forces win a key victory at the Battle of Champion Hill May 17, 1863 - American Civil War: Confederate forces are beaten at the Battle of Big Black River Bridge May 18-July 4, 1863 - American Civil War: Union troops conduct the Siege of Vicksburg May 21-July 9, 1863 - American Civil War: Union troops under Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks conduct the Siege of Port Hudson June 9, 1863 - American Civil War: Cavalry forces fight the Battle of Brandy Station July 1-3, 1863 - American Civil War: Union forces under Maj. Gen. George G. Meade win the Battle of Gettysburg and turn the tide in the East

Does it make sense to say that a fetus has a right to life Explain the Essay

Does it make sense to say that a fetus has a right to life Explain the general beliefs about the nature of rights which underp - Essay Example This is an interesting debate since it brings out the most intriguing debates on abortion and its legality. This paper will bring out the philosophical arguments that surround the notion of life and juxtapose them to each other in an attempt to reach a conclusion. It will be an effort when one can claim that fetus acquires the right to life in the process for pregnancy and that there is no outright black or white answer to the question of whether fetus has a right to life. To begin with, the central issue in this question is the status of the fetus. There are in total three different philosophical grounds for this debate: the liberal, the conservatives, and the moderates. Let the paper begin with the liberalist’s argument on the topic. Mary Ann Warren, a famous liberalist on this notion, analyses the concept of personhood. Her claim is that if one assumes fetus to be a person, then it justly proves its right to life but then the whole question boils down to the definition of p ersonhood. Therefore, Warren suggests a five-point postulate, which is agreed upon by pro-life and pro-abortion alike (Baumgardner, 15). First, a person is conscious of objects and events, which exist externally and internally with respect to his being particularly, the ability to sense pain. Second, a person can exercise reasoning, which means that one has a capacity to solve complex problems. Third, a person can carry on activities on motivation derived by his own self. Fourth, a person has an ability to communicate and lastly, a person is the one who possesses self-concept and self-awareness. Using this as a criterion, warren argues that despite the fact that the fetus will eventually grow up to be a person fulfilling all these standards, it does not, in its present status possesses any moral status and thus a right to life. However, one cannot ignore that this definition of personhood and demolishing fetus from being considered a person legally provides just grounds for infantic ide. Thus, the argument of personhood becomes illogical and irrelevant until a divine ‘rationale’ is introduced. Hence, this definition of personhood denies the potentiality and eccentricity of the fetus. Now the paper turns to conservatives. These people argue that a fetus has a moral status since the day of conception. John Noonan, a pro-life activist defies the argument of stages of development of fetus. He contends that these stages do not exist in real and that the human development takes place with continuity. He notes that whether the fetus is a result of rape or not planned or is a sufferer of any defect, these exceptions should not be exempted from the rule. The only way this school of thought permits abortion is when the embryo poses danger to the life of mother. Between these polar and raging extremes lies the moderate school of thought. Jane English, a famous proponent of this view suspects the concept of personhood explained by Warren and takes into conside ration both the views and gives her decision in favor of what US Supreme Court decided a in the case of Roe vs. Wade in 1973 (Romaine, 105). Her basic

It's Beginning To Hurt by James Lasdun Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

It's Beginning To Hurt by James Lasdun - Essay Example According to Brooks, the Sultan lived in great luxury. Brooks also points out that the Sultan had ruled for at least 50 years and accumulated riches, honors and pleasures of all kind (Brooks SR1).   However despite the vast amounts of wealth he possessed, the Sultan discovered that he was only genuinely happy for 14days during in his entire reign. In the story of anxious man, Ladsun writes about a man, Joseph Nagel who is in a situation where he knows very well that he cannot control. Nagel goes for a vacation with his wife and daughter. He works as a dealer in antique prints and furniture shop and his wife is a web designer. Contrary to the Sultan in Brook’s story who is extremely rich, it is clear that Nagel’s family lives a modestly comfortable life. Nagel’s wife inherits some money and they both decide to invest it in Wall Street. The stock market later presents the two with an irrepressible reality (Ladsun 3). They cannot sell their shares when ahead because they might miss on the chance to sell at a higher rate in future and they cannot sell when they are down, because of losses and the market might change for the better. Therefore, they cannot get out and cannot sell. This is a problem that torments Nagel even when they are on their vacation. In Brook’s story readers learn that humans have put much effort in pursuit of pleasure, happiness and wealth to  alleviate their misery. However, he is quick to note that the pursuit of these elements in life has only prolonged humans suffering. In addition to prolonging suffering, human being’s pursuit of pleasure, happiness, fame and wealth has also created a disconnect in the society. Therefore, he asserts that people continue to be selfish in their lives and acquire wealth through any unfair mean necessary. Thus, humans have lived by the principle of loving material things and not their fellow human being (Brooks SR1). This is why he applies the term

Comprehensive planning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Education Pendulum Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

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Discussion question Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion question - Research Paper Example As such, crop rotation still proves to be an effective tradition of regulating destructive pests to enhance crop production. By an inclusive task of allowing legume growth and green manure, crop rotation potentially facilitates soil renewal through addition of the necessary nutrients (Redelf). Similarly, zero tillage is able to provide agricultural sustenance to a rather limited extent due to complexity in managing weed control. This practice however, results to lower risks of unfavorable environmental impact and a significantly economical alternative of reducing costs with fuel, labor, and equipment (Redelf). In the next fifty years, with the fast-changing trends in technology and most industries in general, adjustments with agricultural measures would inevitably follow and necessitate shifting course. Certain agriculture experts have conjectured that if artificial standardization proceeds via pursuing biotechnological objectives with advanced breeding approach, number of food crops according to category would diminish, eventually leading to a worldwide famine (Redelf). It is therefore a must to keep a well-balanced biodiversity in the farm produce that are amply cultivated for human consumption by innovating new ways that satisfy instead the reverse order of current aim in advancement (Redelf).

Integrated Marketing Communication Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Integrated Marketing Communication - Case Study Example The present research has identified that along with the internal marketing, the integrated marketing communication is also one of the important concepts because it is only with the help of the integrated marketing communication that how and why the product becomes more important and how the customers are influenced to buy that particular product. Integrated marketing communication is the most important process and with the help of which any brand can gain success and can gain popularity too. Gaining success is the most important for any company. According to the American Marketing Association, Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) is termed as a planning process which is designed to assure that all the brands which are created are according to the needs and demands of customers. (IMC) integrated marketing communication is termed as a holistic approach to the marketing level. Along with this, the concept of integrated marketing communication also consists of the offline and online marketing channels. Online marketing channels basically consist of different kinds of e-marketing programs or campaigns, from the different level of search engine optimization, different kinds of the email banners and also the pay per click programs. Whereas on the other hand, the offline marketing channels are one of the main examples of the traditional prints like newspaper or magazines. These above-mentioned marketing channels are the main source for any kind of company in order to provide such working environment where people can work easily and can generate better results. Marketing channels basically provide the target through which any company can identify its customers in order to achieve their targeted goals. It is all because of the marketing channels that how the company is working and how their products are becoming more popular among people. When a company launches any product, only half of the work is done and almost half is left. The work which is left is the main and one of the most important works that are how to make this produced product popular among people. People can only know about any product with the help of marketing. When the marketing is done for that product only then everyone will know that what exactly the product is and what it actually means. There are several kinds of strategies which are related to (IMC) integrated marketing communication in order to develop into a primary and the most important tool for the market: - Media advertising towards the multiple kinds of communication. - Mass media towards the most specialized media also known as niche media. - Manufacturer dominating market towards a retailer dominating a market. - General kind of the focus advertisings towards the data based marketing. All the above-mentioned strategies are very much important in the area of integrated marketing communication as it plays an important role because if there are no strategies company can gain no profit and therefore in the result, i t will suffer loss. Nowadays integrated marketing communication has become a wide perspective which is now also done via internet. Now everything can be done via internet and via networking.

Discussion question Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discussion question - Research Paper Example As such, crop rotation still proves to be an effective tradition of regulating destructive pests to enhance crop production. By an inclusive task of allowing legume growth and green manure, crop rotation potentially facilitates soil renewal through addition of the necessary nutrients (Redelf). Similarly, zero tillage is able to provide agricultural sustenance to a rather limited extent due to complexity in managing weed control. This practice however, results to lower risks of unfavorable environmental impact and a significantly economical alternative of reducing costs with fuel, labor, and equipment (Redelf). In the next fifty years, with the fast-changing trends in technology and most industries in general, adjustments with agricultural measures would inevitably follow and necessitate shifting course. Certain agriculture experts have conjectured that if artificial standardization proceeds via pursuing biotechnological objectives with advanced breeding approach, number of food crops according to category would diminish, eventually leading to a worldwide famine (Redelf). It is therefore a must to keep a well-balanced biodiversity in the farm produce that are amply cultivated for human consumption by innovating new ways that satisfy instead the reverse order of current aim in advancement (Redelf).

Why i want to become Nurse Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Why i want to become Nurse - Essay Example Doctors need nurses to deliver their optimum healthcare performance. Nurses study hard to prepare for this responsibility. Since nurses are important, their jobs are also important. Every hospital can have as many nurses as they need. For that, nursing has become of those jobs that offer job security. Good salary. Since nursing is a very delicate job; and it involves some people’s lives, it is a difficult job. Many people let their lives be steered by a stranger who was trained to give the utmost care and compassion for a fellow human being. That training, that compassion, the difficulty and the responsibility of having another life in his hands is a great deal. Actually, the responsibility, duty and the workload for that job is priceless. But because of that, the wage has been translated to having a big salary. That makes nursing a lucrative career. It’s a difficult job, but then it pays. Challenge. Nursing has a lot of challenges to offer a very curious mind. I am a person who loves to learn and I easily get bored when things become too routine. Nursing offers a different day everyday as no day is ever the same! There is never a dull moment in this career and as you get to move in different areas in the hospital, there is much to learn: from new skills to new information. Nursing is a profession that would offer constant challenges for those who do not want to stop learning and improving. Nurses are also the best people that I have ever known. They are compassionate, patient and empathic people. Not to mention that they are also the smartest and skilled people. I want to be one of them as they are experts and they are also humane. Being a nurse is a lifetime vocation and it sure is a difficult job. However, I am prepared for this responsibility. I love doing what nurses do; I love being able to help with people, learning all the time. I like to have new skills; and at the same time get paid for it. The job offers constant challenges

Hiring Manager Essay Example for Free

Hiring Manager Essay I have recently found through your online advertisement that your company is in need of an administrative support specialist to fill the position of clerical support staff. I am confident that upon your review of my credentials you will find that I am a perfect match for the job.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I have five (5) years of extensive experience in administrative posts in a variety of professional environments. I have working knowledge of all general office procedures. I am fluent in many languages and exceptionally competent in office related computer software.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Details of my qualifications can be found on the attached resume. Professional and personal references are available upon request. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.

a memorable moment :: essays research papers

On April 17th, 2004, my eldest sister went into labor around 5:30 A.M. I honestly wasn't in the mood to go to the hospital so early in the morning, but my mother told me I should. My mom told me that it was a time when my sister really needed us. All I thought about was that she wouldn't even know whether I was there or not. My family and I took her to the hospital, and then everyone waited in the adjacent room. I never thought much about it, so I fell asleep. To me it was like," Whatever," she's just having a baby, another niece or nephew for me. You see, my sister and I were never that close to begin with. While we all waited in the waiting room, the nurse unexpectedly came in and asked for me by my name. She told me to follow her. My sister said that she wanted me by her side as she delivered. In my head I was thinking," Me...why me?" As I walked into the room, my sister looked at me and whispered," Hello." The doctor told me to keep feeding her ice cubes and keep her calm because the contractions were getting closer together and stronger. More doctors and nurses started pouring in and then it was time. Something inside me told me to just go to my sister and comfort her, so I went to her and grabbed her hand. She was experiencing a lot of pain, but still she managed to look at me and smile. I couldn't do anything but smile back. It seemed that everything was happening so fast because the next thing I remember was the doctor yelling," It's a girl!" My sister and I were so excited and we were both crying tears of joy. My sister hadn't let go of my hand, and I felt her squeeze me a little bit. I turned to her and she mouthed to me," Thank you," just before they handed her the baby. That one simple word just made me feel the warmest sensation in the world. It was as if everything at that moment was right. I stayed with me sister that day and the next and just stared at my niece until I fell asleep.

symbolaw Symbols and Symbolism Essay - Symbolism in the Title of Chopins Awakening :: Chopin Awakening Essays

Symbolism in the Title of Chopin's Awakening Kate Chopin entitled her second and final novel, The Awakening. In doing so she did not just give an abstract name to her work, but she chose a title with meaning and symbolism. By titling her work The Awakening, Chopin is indicating her feelings and opinions of the Creole society, Edna, her life, and her ultimate decision. The title also symbolizes how Edna defies the constraints of her ordained life as a Creole women and becomes and individual. Furthermore the title the Chopin's novel symbolizes the theme of her novel. In Edna Pontellier's adopted culture, the Creole culture, women have a certain expectations in society. A Creole women must be beautiful, motherly, a good wife to their husbands. "They were women who idolized their children, worshiped their husbands, and esteemed it a holy privilege to efface themselves as individuals and grow wings as ministering angels" (pg. 8). This is what was expected of women, it was their place in Creole society. However Edna awoke from this social institution in which women have a predestined life, which they must live the Creole way. Edna became conscious of the fact that this culture is what kept her from doing what she really wanted to do, to love, live, be independent and to express herself as an individual. Throughout the work Edna is constantly awakening from her naps, constantly awakening to a world she cannot escape. "Each morning she awoke with hope..." (pg. 104) and "When Edna awoke with the conviction that she had slept long and soundly ." (pg. 37), these are a few examples of Edna awakening from slumber. It is only through these frequent naps that Edna defies the constraints of the world she lives in. Her awakening from her naps is symbolic of her awakening from the Creole culture and her husband. Not only does the title symbolize Edna's awakening from her social constraints, but the title also conveys Chopin's opinion of society and Edna. By entitling her novel The Awakening, she is stating that there is an injustice to women in society that people need to conscious of, which people need to awaken to and that Edna has indeed awakened to it.

CanGo Company Analysis Essay

Issue 1: Absence of planning for the startup business. Analysis and Recommendation: The founder of the CanGo Company had given little thought to the long range plans and direction of the company beyond the basic steps required to get the business in place. The organization’s successes could be attributed to the unique niche the CEO was able to fill for consumers mixed with old fashioned luck. Yes However, relying on these attributes to carry the business indefinitely would be ill advised. The largest risk in not utilizing strategic planning is failing to anticipate for fundamental changes in customer expectations, employee morale, regulatory requirements, competitive pressures, and economic changes. The company may lose valuable lead time and momentum when trying to catch up to these changes that could be severely detrimental to the company (Olsen). The first order of business for CanGo to move the company to the next stages and build a sustainable business would be to generate a vision statement, mission statement, and a specific strategic plan that can be used as roadmaps for the company’s next two to five years of operation. These elements should be considered the most important and immediate objectives for the top management of the company. They will form the basis of all other business decisions to be made in the organization’s foreseeable future. Issue 2: Missing strategic planning for  the future of the company. Analysis and Recommendation: The failure of management to have a realistic plan is clear when analyzing the speech given to the Hudson Valley Business association. Liz fails in her ability to outline the steps she took in order to create a successful business. Instead she covered her tracks with analogies of the ideas that were used to start the business. While having a good entrepreneurial concept is a commendable start if will not maintain a profitable business in the long term. The speech highlighted the disorganization of the company’s management. There was no mention of setting goals, strategic planning, market analysis, or financial considerations, or any other type of due diligence. The lack of a comprehensive plan will also impact the health of the internal portion of the organization. The reaction of other employees to the speech was that of disbelief of just how much of their livelihood has been left to chance. Employees clearly have a lack of confidence in the leadership of the company. This becomes even more apparent at the staff meeting that shortly followed this speech that announced the changes in the company’s direction to move toward online gaming. What is the recommendation? A comprehensive plan? Issue 3: Deficiency exists in research for decision making. A formal structure to company decisions is nonexistent and there is a failure to utilize team strategic planning. Analysis and Recommendation: The company was looking to start a new venture in the new and fast growing market of online gaming. The key employees of the company did not seem to be very interested or enthusiastic about the idea of online gaming. They proposed other ideas that were quickly shut down or were completely ignored. When starting any new product or service in a company there is a need for designated teams who can do the research to find out if the product or service will work well in the designated market. Along with the research team the company needed to involve their financial department to see where the company stood financially and risk analysts to analyze the risks associated with the new product or services. It is clear that CanGo did not have any type of formal strategic plan for moving forward. All the members  of the planning team needed to be on the same page. Andrew, the company’s Director of Marketing, just seemed to be thinking about having fun. â€Å"I know this is a hard concept, but we’re talking about fun. You know fun? Remember when you were young?† (Prentice Hall, 2002) while Ethel, the Director of Accounting, was concerned more about the financial aspects of online gaming, how it’s going to impact the organization, and where it is going to take the company. Elizabeth, the CEO and company founder, needs to have another meeting with the key members of all the departments and pay attention to her staff’s concerns pertaining to the online gaming venture before moving any further with the online gaming plans. Issue 4: Lack of direction and good communication practices Analysis and Recommendation: The Director of Operations assigned Nick, a senior staff member, the task of developing an implementation plan. There was a brief description of the different tasks involved with this project. The conversation was purely one sided. Without the necessary feedback the result was a loss of clarification. In order to create the type of motivation and momentum for such an implementation plan a simple project diagram or network could have been used. â€Å"The project network is the tool used for planning, scheduling, and monitoring project progress. The network is developed from the information collected for the Work Breakdown Structure and is a graphic flow chart of the project job plan† (Larson & Gray, 2010). In order to get the online gaming implementation plan going there needed to be an organizational hierarchy. A Gantt chart, project network diagram, or just a simple prioritized to-do list would have helped Nick to give his task a good start. Good. Instead he had to depend on his co-workers for guidance. This took them away from their own work and created inefficiencies. In project work there is no time to lose on assumptions. The only way that a project will succeed is with good practices of communication and organization. The CanGo implementation team had to play catch-up when they should have been breaking down the tasks into a Work Breakdown Structure format which could have been shared by all team members involved. Issue 5: Deficiencies exist in communication and  organizational/prioritization skills. Analysis and Recommendation: When assigned to launch a new gaming project on behalf of the company, Nick didn’t exercise any structured plan of action. Neither had he requested for any supervisor help when it was required for project implementation. Nick should have visualized a proper project plan for introducing a new online gaming system on behalf of the company. Nick and his team members were able to initiate the project implementation based on management approval. By using a Gantt chart, Nick should have prioritized his team work assignment according to project goals. By using proper project planning Nick would have performed better and allowed him to address all identified issues such as hardware, software, recommendations, price comparisons, and testing. Nick did not ask the right questions during project implementing nor during the assignment of the project to him. When projects were allocated to him, his statements were obscure and incomplete. He should have informed management if he knew about his personal shortfalls in the first place. During the project implementation, he should have gathered more knowledge and direction from supervision to successfully implement the assigned project. Issue 6: Absence of clear direction and prioritization from management. Analysis and Recommendation: Employees were presented with the news that sales were about to be increased by five hundred percent. The â€Å"coach† discussed different tasks that needed to be completed due to the increase in sales. He gave priority to order fulfillment. The significance of other tasks was debatable because the coach did not necessarily put the rest into any kind of order. The Coach gave a timeframe of October and I am assuming that he expected the team to decide in what order the tasks were to be completed. I like most that he opened up the floor to discussion to decide if there were any other tasks that were needed to be completed that he may have left out. This was a good way to include his subordinates in the planning process but again there was not any indication on priority for any suggestions that were given. I feel that too much leeway was given to the team. The coach should have used a Gantt chart to explain the tasks at hand, what needed to be completed, and given specific deadlines. References: Larson, E., & Gray, C. (2010). Project management, the managerial process. (5th ed., p. 158). Olsen, E. (n.d.). Risks of having no strategic plan. Retrieved from http://www.dummies.com/ how-to/content/risks-of-having-no-strategic-plan.html Prentice Hall (Publisher) (2002). Mastering management: Planning. Retrieved from http://www.devryu.net/re/DotNextLaunch.asp? courseid=8122292&userid=8123623&sessionid=02bf3430d3&tabid=3hOXWa4X+vEY bMogOOfyF/Y92qckiqw5bkr3INJJiCQ=&sessionFirstAuthStore=true&macid=MKq5/ WI0XIZJfxogF9ZSb8WSMMXJQO4uX3qPSN9LnLH61T9jATzfp X4V+WdAFCff8okk3HfeqPJT1u4URUXCDuBTt6q2Rv8h3nkOlI/ bowSZIVwVacF6cGBZ6dIyKpp8ojt9strwWUQ2rz0UTljeefD9/ maBRs+49nMB+RDjmwSFQ1vJvleOgIJwFo/e8j+aJWL8/SUmKonAXixcZgSL6w== Prentice Hall (Publisher) (2002). Mastering strategy: Concepts of strategic management. Retrieved from http://www.devryu.net/re/DotNextLaunch.asp?courseid=8122292& userid=8123623&sessionid=02bf3430d3&tabid=3hOXWa4X+vEYbMogOOfyF/ Y92qckiqw5bkr3INJJiCQ=&sessionFirstAuthStore=true&macid=MKq5/ WI0XIZJfxogF9ZSb8WSMMXJQO4uX3qPSN9LnLH61T9jATzfp X4V+WdAFCff8okk3HfeqPJT1u4URUXCDuBTt6q2Rv8h3nkOlI/ bowSZIVwVacF6cGBZ6dIyKpp8ojt9strwWUQ2rz0UTljeefD9/ maBRs+49nMB+RDjmwSFQ1vJvleOgIJwFo/e8j+aJWL8/SUmKonAXixcZgSL6w==

A Tragedy Revealed: A Heroines Last Days

A Tragedy Revealed: A Heroines Last Days Today you are going to read an amazing story wrote by a man named Ernst Schnable, this story is about a young girl named Anne Frank. Anne Frank lives in Amsterdam. Anne and her family must go into hiding at the Secret Annex to hide from the Nazi’s. After two years of hiding they are found and taken away to a concentration camps. Today I will be telling you about Anne and some characteristics about her. Anne is very confident, energetic, and also very caring.Anne is confidant in many ways, she is confident because when things go wrong or people start to think negative Anne stays strong, and positive. Anne always sees things on the bright side why think negative when you can think about things in a positive way. Anne also does not give up when she is taken away from her family and friends and sent away to a concentration camp. While Anne is away at the concentration camp she is kind of happy to be there because she gets to feel the cool b reeze, smell the air, and see the sky.When other people saw how confident Anne was they thought why not be confident to and have hope in being free soon. Anne is energetic because she is always talking, smiling, and playing around trying to have some fun. Before Anne went to the Secret Annex, she went to school and did normal things just as we do now. One day while she was at school she was talking so much that her teacher called her Ms. Quack Quack. Even though Anne has went into hiding she still trys to have some fun, though she must be quiet all day she still manages to have fun in any way possible.Anne is also caring because she loves to be around people. She always loves to help anyone when they are in need of something. Though at times Anne may argue with her mother about helping her do house work Anne really has a soft heart. The one thing that I found very touching was that Anne stayed by her sister Margot’s side the whole time she was ill until she passed away. Now y ou know some characteristics about Anne Frank, but their are many more than just the three I have listed. I recommend this story to any age or skill level reader.This story teaches you a lesson on what we should think about people and things, and that we should take a second look at the different things in life. I hope this story will delight you as how she did me, and to imagine what she felt when she was in this situation, and try to relate with one of your own experiences. I hope you enjoy this lovely story about a girl named Anne Frank. Also think of other characteristic than just confident, energetic, and caring, and see the bright side of things as did Anne. Do pass on this story as a reminder that threw good or bad everything happens for a reason.

Healthcare Reform

Healthcare Reform By Kim LeFave Healthcare is one of the hottest political topics in the news. It affects every man, woman, and child. I’m sure most if not all of you have caught something on this topic. As I researched this topic on the internet I was surprised to learn some of the statistics on healthcare in America. Even though our nation is faced with recession and more than 8% of Americans are unemployed I still assumed the rest of the 92% of working Americans had some kind of healthcare insurance. I was alarmed to learn that 15% of Americans have no coverage. This is roughly 47 million Americans. To me it is obvious that healthcare reform is necessary. We are still one of the richest countries in the world. Why are so many without any healthcare insurance? Those of you who work full-time, how many of you pay a certain amount out of your weekly check for healthcare insurance? It seems to go up higher than the cost of living each year. Do you have adequate coverage? Most Americans are not happy with the out of pocket expenses they have to pay in addition to paying high premiums. Do you have a co-pay every time you see a doctor? Do you have to pay a portion for drug coverage? These costs can add up. When was the last time you saw a doctor? Do you avoid doctors unless you are absolutely sick? The reason I am bombarding you with these questions is to get you to think about what healthcare reform might mean to you. What is it you want out of your healthcare insurance provider? Most of us might say lower out of pocket expenses, like low or no co-payments for doctor’s visits, or low or no co-payments for needed drugs, or even no money taken out of our paychecks to pay for that health insurance. Wouldn’t that be nice? Do you realize that most developed countries have universal healthcare systems, which means whether or not you are employed you are covered for your healthcare needs. After watching a PBS program about universal healthcare in other countries I was very surprised that our country was not trying to do some of the same things that these other countries were doing. Take for instance Japan, under their universal health care system MRI’s are about two hundred and fifty dollars, and in America it is about two thousand dollars. No doctor in Japan is getting rich quick, but people are able to afford healthcare more easily. It is much of the same in other countries that have universal healthcare systems. Okay let’s get back to what is now going on in this country. Basically the Healthcare Reform Bill under President Obama’s administration is a very small step in actual healthcare reform compared to what other countries have done. I’m sure most of you have heard that under the new reform bill insurance companies cannot deny coverage if you have a preexisting condition. Also it limits sky high premiums because of gender and age. It will also prevent insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it the most. It will eliminate extra charges for preventative care like mammograms, flu shots, and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. It is supposed to protect medicare for seniors by extending new protections for medicare beneficiaries. It will also eliminate the â€Å"donut-hole† gap in coverage for prescription drugs. If you don’t have insurance this new reform bill will create a new insurance marketplace called the Exchange. This will allow people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. It will also provide new tax credits to help people to buy insurance. It will give tax credits to small businesses and give affordable options for covering employees. It will offer a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice. It will offer new, low-cost coverage through a national â€Å"high risk† pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created. Hopefully this can all be achieved as proposed. It is not supposed to add to the national deficit and is paid upfront from the immediate savings from the initial healthcare reform. If savings are not realized essentially cuts will be required by the President to ensure that the plan does not add to the deficit. In addition these reforms will begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality. It will create an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. It will order immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, instead of practicing on defensive medicine. To do this the Secretary of Health and Human Services is instructed by the President to award medical malpractice demonstration grants to states funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Also large employers with more than fifty employees who can afford to buy insurance so everyone of their employees share in the responsibility of reform will be required. Their will be a â€Å"hardship exemption† for those who cannot afford the premiums. Okay so there it is the basics of the new Healthcare Reform Bill proposed by President Obama and his administration. To me this is just a minute scratching of the surface for healthcare reform in this country. I suppose you have to start somewhere. Not every American will be happy with the proposed changes. To me it should be done more on a trial basis, but let’s get real try it before you buy it in this country is virtually unheard of especially when it come to healthcare. I’m sure we will learn as we go and that it will be an honest effort to avoid high cost health insurance. What bothers me the most is that many things that make the healthcare too costly are not being addressed. What about the cost of a doctor’s visit, or the cost of a procedure, or the cost of your drugs? Will it go down? This reform bill hardly explains if this will happen. I think because of the newly created Exchange, healthcare insurance may go down a bit, but only time will tell if by the year 2013 when the exchange is fully active if it will affect the cost of the quality of healthcare as a whole. I read a blog online that made me question what is in the future for Americans when it comes to healthcare. How are people who can’t afford healthcare now supposed to afford healthcare when this new reform bill goes through? The blog questioned the validity of our government taking over another area where they have continuously failed in other areas. The point was that the Medicare / Medicaid system is already nearing bankruptcy as well as the U. S. Postal Service. It questioned how all this was going to be paid for by suggesting that the only real way to get the money is more taxes. Does that offer Americans a choice or is this being forced on us? These are very important points and even tougher questions that any American would be concerned about. Another blog for the healthcare reform bill suggests that there are many areas that the government has handled well, for instance; fire departments, police departments, waste water management, military, and coastguard. Although most of us think of some of these on a local level they are all federally funded. The strongest point was that this healthcare reform bill will reduce administrative costs from 20-30% to 2-3%. This would also reduce the profit that big time insurance companies and their biggest investors would make. My sister-in-law had that laser surgery on her eyes. When she researched cost she found that she could go to Canada and pay far less for the same procedure. She paid about three thousand dollars compared to the hefty price tag of seven thousand dollars here in the States. Many people have gone to Canada to receive cheaper procedures and cheaper drug prices. To me this is the real issue in this country. Yes, the insurance is expensive, but if you think about it procedures are even more expensive. If the cost of procedures and drugs go down along with the cost of insurance then this would make more sense to me. I think it will be at least another 5-10 years before we see this happen in this country. I think this bill will force some insurance companies to either go bankrupt or lose a tremendous amount of money. How will they compete with the less expensive insurances? Will it be just what happened to our banks? I see lots of merging insurance companies in our future. I hate to be clique but I think only time will tell how this will work out for all our citizens, our government and our insurance companies. Healthcare Reform ? Health Care Reform It should come as no surprise that the United States’ current health care system is in need of some major changes. Everyone knows that going to the doctor or hospital in the United States can cost a lot of money out of pocket, whether you have insurance or not. Americans who do have insurance pay into it with every pay check, only to go to the doctor and have to pay more. What it would be like to not have to worry about how much money there is in the bank when someone is sick? When a person is ill there are enough things to worry about without having to worry if they can afford the doctor bill. What are some of the pros and cons of a health care reform for the United States? No one person or company is safe when it comes to the burdens of the rising costs and decreasing quality of care in our current health care system. â€Å"Per-person health care expenditures in the United States have risen 6. 5 percent per year since 2000, and 5. 5 percent per year on average since 1994. † (Furnas, Ben. (January 2009). â€Å"American health care since 1994: the unacceptable status quo†. Center for American Progress) Many Americans who do have insurance are not safe from the rising costs of insurance. â€Å"Health care costs burden American mployers, who are forced to cut back on providing coverage and benefits or suffer a competitive disadvantage against international companies who don't bear health costs. † â€Å"Premiums for employer-provided health care have doubled since 2000. † (Furnas, Ben. (January 2009). â€Å"American health care since 1994: the unac ceptable status quo†. Center for American Progress) Due to the recession, many Americans have lost their jobs and are left with no insurance. There are 46 million Americans with no health insurance. A large number that do have health insurance are under-insured. Under-insured means that some who have insurance re not adequately protected from high medical costs. Many people with no or little health insurance will put off preventative care and even care they may know they need, until it is so bad that it ends up costing even more money. Individuals with no insurance will end up being diagnosed in later stages than those with insurance. â€Å"Effective chronic disease management and preventive care have been woefully neglected as a national priority and should be a key piece of any comprehensive and effective Reform. † (Furnas, Ben. (January 2009). â€Å"American health care since 1994: the unacceptable status quo†. Center for American Progress) â€Å"Nearly 25% of uninsured children and 40% of uninsured adults have no regular source of medical care. † â€Å"Inadequate insurance coverage carries with it financial as well as medical risks: the costs of medical treatment are a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States† (Oberlander, Jonathan. (2002). â€Å"the U. S. health care system: on the road to nowhere? â€Å". Canadian Medical Association Journal , 67, 163-67. ) As a â€Å"great and free† country, we can not sit by and allow our fellow Americans to be denied medical care simply because of their income. A lot of what is rong with the current health care system can be shown in our infant mortality rate. It is fact that the United States’ infant mortality rates is among one of the highest. The United States ranks 26th in the world in infant mortality. How one of the largest and most modernized countries in the world have such a high rate? The answer to that is, it shouldn’t. A Commonwealth Fund Study found that the United States achieves â€Å"an overall score of 65 out of 100 when comparing national averages with benchmarks of best performance achieved internationally and within the United States. † It is clear that the United States is coming in well elow the standards of health, efficiency, and care. What would it be like to have a universal health care system? When it comes to why universal health care could be good for the United States, it's encouraged to watch the movie â€Å"Sicko†. It is one of Michael Moore’s documentaries. Whether loved or hated, it can’t be denied what is obviously working for other countries. In the movie he visits countries like, Canada, France, and Norway, and even Cuba. Yes, Cuba has nationalized health care. In the movie he takes a good look into what it might be like to be able to go to the doctor or hospital and not worry about how much debt might follow. Those people don’t have to worry about whether or not their insurance company is going to cover the cost of certain treatments or procedures. They don’t have to worry about being denied needed treatment, because of a pre-existing condition. People in these countries are generally healthier than Americans simply because they partake in more preventative health care. How is it possible that a country led by Fidel Castro has a better health care system than the United States? It’s simple. These countries have decided that everyone deserves to have health care, and everyone pays taxes for everyone to have it. One of the biggest complaints I hear from people who are against nationalized health care is, â€Å"Why should I have to pay for someone else’s health care costs? † The fact is, we are already paying for others health care. Everyone who works pays into Medicare and Medicaid. The way things are looking now, when I am eligible to use that money, there won’t be any for me. The current government health care system is bankrupting fast. Yes, everyone’s taxes will be raised. Paying more taxes seems reasonable to not have the financial burden be dropped on a single individual and their family in the middle of a stressful time of someone being sick. The costs of medical treatment are a leading cause of bankruptcy debt. † Half of all bankruptcy in the United States involve a medical reason or a large medical debt that they can not afford to pay The plan that President Barack Obama is proposing to the American people has a catching and enticing phrase. The bil l proposes that we build on what works in today's health care system, while repairing the aspects that are broken. To be able to provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending. This bill has public and private options for the people, a sliding scale afford ability credits, it will share responsibility among workers, employers and the government so that all Americans can have essential health care coverage and benefits. This bill will make it illegal to not insure people due to pre-existing conditions. It will allow coverage and benefits for mental health and substance disorder abuse. One of the biggest complaints of President Obama's bill is that it is said to include government funded abortions. The truth is, this bill does not clearly state either way whether the government will pay for abortions. It does say that under the public option plan, abortion costs can be covered. Pregnancies due to rape, incest, and when the mothers life is at risk are already covered by the government if the individual receives government benefits. .â€Å"Comprehensive health insurance for all Americans, are long overdue. The best time to fix American health care was [more than] a decade ago. The second best time is now. † (Furnas, Ben. (January 2009). â€Å"American health care since 1994: the unacceptable status quo†. Center for American Progress) American’s need to stand up and demand adequate health care for everyone. American’s have been great at banding together in times of tragedy, as after the 9/11 attacks. People need to look at our health care system and recognize that this is a time of tragedy for the American people. It seems that most people are afraid of change, but sometimes change is needed. Reference Page (Furnas, Ben. (January 2009). â€Å"American health care since 1994: the unacceptable status quo†. Center for American Progress) Oberlander, Jonathan. (2002). â€Å"the U. S. health care system: on the road to nowhere? â€Å". Canadian Medical Association Journal , 67, 163-67. Healthcare Reform Healthcare Reform By Kim LeFave Healthcare is one of the hottest political topics in the news. It affects every man, woman, and child. I’m sure most if not all of you have caught something on this topic. As I researched this topic on the internet I was surprised to learn some of the statistics on healthcare in America. Even though our nation is faced with recession and more than 8% of Americans are unemployed I still assumed the rest of the 92% of working Americans had some kind of healthcare insurance. I was alarmed to learn that 15% of Americans have no coverage. This is roughly 47 million Americans. To me it is obvious that healthcare reform is necessary. We are still one of the richest countries in the world. Why are so many without any healthcare insurance? Those of you who work full-time, how many of you pay a certain amount out of your weekly check for healthcare insurance? It seems to go up higher than the cost of living each year. Do you have adequate coverage? Most Americans are not happy with the out of pocket expenses they have to pay in addition to paying high premiums. Do you have a co-pay every time you see a doctor? Do you have to pay a portion for drug coverage? These costs can add up. When was the last time you saw a doctor? Do you avoid doctors unless you are absolutely sick? The reason I am bombarding you with these questions is to get you to think about what healthcare reform might mean to you. What is it you want out of your healthcare insurance provider? Most of us might say lower out of pocket expenses, like low or no co-payments for doctor’s visits, or low or no co-payments for needed drugs, or even no money taken out of our paychecks to pay for that health insurance. Wouldn’t that be nice? Do you realize that most developed countries have universal healthcare systems, which means whether or not you are employed you are covered for your healthcare needs. After watching a PBS program about universal healthcare in other countries I was very surprised that our country was not trying to do some of the same things that these other countries were doing. Take for instance Japan, under their universal health care system MRI’s are about two hundred and fifty dollars, and in America it is about two thousand dollars. No doctor in Japan is getting rich quick, but people are able to afford healthcare more easily. It is much of the same in other countries that have universal healthcare systems. Okay let’s get back to what is now going on in this country. Basically the Healthcare Reform Bill under President Obama’s administration is a very small step in actual healthcare reform compared to what other countries have done. I’m sure most of you have heard that under the new reform bill insurance companies cannot deny coverage if you have a preexisting condition. Also it limits sky high premiums because of gender and age. It will also prevent insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it the most. It will eliminate extra charges for preventative care like mammograms, flu shots, and diabetes tests to improve health and save money. It is supposed to protect medicare for seniors by extending new protections for medicare beneficiaries. It will also eliminate the â€Å"donut-hole† gap in coverage for prescription drugs. If you don’t have insurance this new reform bill will create a new insurance marketplace called the Exchange. This will allow people without insurance and small businesses to compare plans and buy insurance at competitive prices. It will also provide new tax credits to help people to buy insurance. It will give tax credits to small businesses and give affordable options for covering employees. It will offer a public health insurance option to provide the uninsured and those who can’t find affordable coverage with a real choice. It will offer new, low-cost coverage through a national â€Å"high risk† pool to protect people with preexisting conditions from financial ruin until the new Exchange is created. Hopefully this can all be achieved as proposed. It is not supposed to add to the national deficit and is paid upfront from the immediate savings from the initial healthcare reform. If savings are not realized essentially cuts will be required by the President to ensure that the plan does not add to the deficit. In addition these reforms will begin to rein in health care costs and align incentives for hospitals, physicians, and others to improve quality. It will create an independent commission of doctors and medical experts to identify waste, fraud and abuse in the health care system. It will order immediate medical malpractice reform projects that could help doctors focus on putting their patients first, instead of practicing on defensive medicine. To do this the Secretary of Health and Human Services is instructed by the President to award medical malpractice demonstration grants to states funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Also large employers with more than fifty employees who can afford to buy insurance so everyone of their employees share in the responsibility of reform will be required. Their will be a â€Å"hardship exemption† for those who cannot afford the premiums. Okay so there it is the basics of the new Healthcare Reform Bill proposed by President Obama and his administration. To me this is just a minute scratching of the surface for healthcare reform in this country. I suppose you have to start somewhere. Not every American will be happy with the proposed changes. To me it should be done more on a trial basis, but let’s get real try it before you buy it in this country is virtually unheard of especially when it come to healthcare. I’m sure we will learn as we go and that it will be an honest effort to avoid high cost health insurance. What bothers me the most is that many things that make the healthcare too costly are not being addressed. What about the cost of a doctor’s visit, or the cost of a procedure, or the cost of your drugs? Will it go down? This reform bill hardly explains if this will happen. I think because of the newly created Exchange, healthcare insurance may go down a bit, but only time will tell if by the year 2013 when the exchange is fully active if it will affect the cost of the quality of healthcare as a whole. I read a blog online that made me question what is in the future for Americans when it comes to healthcare. How are people who can’t afford healthcare now supposed to afford healthcare when this new reform bill goes through? The blog questioned the validity of our government taking over another area where they have continuously failed in other areas. The point was that the Medicare / Medicaid system is already nearing bankruptcy as well as the U. S. Postal Service. It questioned how all this was going to be paid for by suggesting that the only real way to get the money is more taxes. Does that offer Americans a choice or is this being forced on us? These are very important points and even tougher questions that any American would be concerned about. Another blog for the healthcare reform bill suggests that there are many areas that the government has handled well, for instance; fire departments, police departments, waste water management, military, and coastguard. Although most of us think of some of these on a local level they are all federally funded. The strongest point was that this healthcare reform bill will reduce administrative costs from 20-30% to 2-3%. This would also reduce the profit that big time insurance companies and their biggest investors would make. My sister-in-law had that laser surgery on her eyes. When she researched cost she found that she could go to Canada and pay far less for the same procedure. She paid about three thousand dollars compared to the hefty price tag of seven thousand dollars here in the States. Many people have gone to Canada to receive cheaper procedures and cheaper drug prices. To me this is the real issue in this country. Yes, the insurance is expensive, but if you think about it procedures are even more expensive. If the cost of procedures and drugs go down along with the cost of insurance then this would make more sense to me. I think it will be at least another 5-10 years before we see this happen in this country. I think this bill will force some insurance companies to either go bankrupt or lose a tremendous amount of money. How will they compete with the less expensive insurances? Will it be just what happened to our banks? I see lots of merging insurance companies in our future. I hate to be clique but I think only time will tell how this will work out for all our citizens, our government and our insurance companies.