Bacterial Growth Curve

Several Escherichia coli (ATCC 11229) bacterial cultures were established using serial dilutions and simple agar plate pouring. The growth of the bacterial cultures was evaluated using spectrophotometric and colony counting methods. Data collected from a two-hour monitoring using 30-minute interval sampling of bacterial suspensions were plotted against the 30-minute interval collection times on a normal and semilographic coordinates. The resulting growth curves showed that the cultures progressed from the lag to the log phase, which are typical of a bacterial growth curve.The growth curves generated by spectrophotometric analysis were similar to the growth curve created by the colony counting method. The techniques employed in this experiment may serve as basis in determining bacterial growth on both liquid and solid culture media using other types of bacterial species. The methods used in this exercise may act as a method in estimating the number of cells that are generated through different types of culture conditions.The colony counting method seems to be a more reliable method because it involves actual visual inspection of live colonies while the optical density readings involve light transmission through the turbidity of the bacterial culture suspension. The growth of bacteria pertains to a process wherein a single bacterial cell generates two identical daughter cells. This simple doubling of bacteria is observed in cultures that are classically conducted in microbiological laboratories. The quantification of bacterial growth is generally performed through the use of either direct or indirect cell counting methods.Colony counting is an example of a direct counting technique while the measurement of turbidity is an illustration of an indirect counting procedure. The progress of a bacterial curve is generally described through the use of a growth curve (Novick, 1955). Four different phases comprise a bacterial growth curve. The lag phase involves the adapta tion of inoculated bacteria to the conditions of the culture medium. This phase denotes that time that the bacteria are undergoing maturation. The logarithmic or exponential phase involves the doubling of bacteria in culture.The rate of division is observed to logarithmically increase through time. The growth conditions and the chances of survival of the resulting daughter cells influence bacterial growth rate. The logarithmic growth of the bacterial culture is dependent on the availability of nutrients in the culture medium. The stationary phase pertains to the decrease in growth rate due to the exhaustion of nutrients in the culture medium and in turn, wastes have accumulated in the culture medium. During the death phase, the cultured bacteria lose nutrient resources and die. Materials and methods. The bacterial concentration of an E.coli culture (ATCC 11229) broth culture was determined through the employment of serial dilutions and agar plate counts. Approximately 1 ml of the E. coli culture at log phase was transferred to a flask containing 100 ml of brain heart infusion broth. The suspension was slowly swirled and 5 ml was transferred to a cuvette for optimal density (OD) reading at 600 nm absorbance. Another 1 ml of the log phase bacterial culture was transferred to a test tube containing 9 ml of water. The suspension was mixed well then 1 ml of was then transferred to another test tube containing 9 ml of water.The serial dilution was performed six times, resulting in 7 dilutions. Approximately 1 ml of the 0 time point dilutions (10-4, 10-5, 10-6, 10-7) was plated with 15 ml of melted agar, swirled evenly and set aside to solidify. The optical density (OD) of the broth culture was taken every 30 minutes by transferring 5 ml of the broth culture to a cuvette for spectrophotometric reading. All plated cultures were incubated for 24 hrs at 35-37oC. After 24 hrs incubation, the colonies that emerged on each plate were counted. The collected data from the OD reading and colony counting were then analyzed and plotted on semilog paper.Calculation for generation time (g) of the bacterial culture was performed using the following equation: g = time at absorbance 0. 41 – time at absorbance 0. 21 Results. The growth of the bacterial culture based on the concentration of bacterial cells was determined using two methods. Optical density (OD) reading using the spectrophotometer showed that the number of bacterial cells in the culture increased for the 2 hours that the cultures were monitored. The optical density reading were then plotted against the 30-minute interval collection times (Figure 1).Based on the collected data, the calculated generation time is 32 minutes. The generation time was determined as follows: g = 92 minutes – 60 minutes = 32 minutes Data collected from colony counting of broth cultures were plotted against the 30-minute interval collection times on a semilographic coordinates (Figure 2). The generation growt h curve was determined to be 10. 1 minutes, indicating that the bacterial culture had grown 10 times from the start of the experiment. The exercise involving determination of bacterial concentrations over 2 hours of monitoring showed that the broth culture of E.coli showed an increase in its growth. The data showed the features of the lag and logarithmic phases of a growth curve wherein there is a slow adaptation stage that shows minimal increase in the number of bacterial cells during the first 30 minutes of inoculation and then an exponential increase in the number of bacterial cells was observed soon after until the end of the experimental period. The results generated from optical density readings and colony counting show the same increasing trend in the number of bacterial cells in culture.The employment of two methods in determining growth rates of bacterial cultures provided an opportunity for comparison of these methods. The colony counting method seems to be a more reliable method because it involves actual visual inspection of live colonies on a Petri plate while the optical density readings merely involve light transmission through the turbidity of the bacterial culture suspension and this method does not differentiate the live from the dead bacterial cells but in turn just counts the number of bacterial cells that are present in the cuvette.It should be noted that the number of viable bacterial cells serve as the source of new daughter cells hence it is better to rely on the results that are generated by actual colony counts derived from visual inspection of Petri plates.However, it also should be noted that colony counting is also associated with a disadvantage wherein one colony may be composed of at least two to several bacterial cells hence the exact number of cells can not be determined. A colony composed of more cells can thus result in a bigger number of daughter cells than a colony comprised of only 2 bacterial cells. Reference Novick A (19 55): Growth of bacteria. Annual Review of Microbiology 9:97-110.

Theoretical Background of Lending System

There Is a meticulous proverb about the bank's lending -â€Å"If you owe the bank take problem. † To be frank, lending to the businesses, governments, and Individuals Is one of the most Important services banks and their closest competitors provide, and It Is the riskier. The principal reason banks and many competitor lenders are issued charter of incorporation by government is to make loans to their customers.Banks, thrift institutions, and other chartered lenders are expected to support their local immunities with an adequate supply of credit for all legitimate business and consumer financial needs and to price that credit reasonably in line with competitively determined market interest rate. Indeed, making loans to fund consumptions and Investment spending Is the principal economic function of banks and their closest competitors. How well a lender performs In fulfilling the lending function has a great deal to do with the economic health of Its region, because loan support the growth of new business and Jobs wealth the lender's trade territory.Despite all the benefits of lending for both the institutions that makes loan and for their customer, the lending process bears careful internal and external monitoring at all the times. When a bank or other lender gets into serious financial trouble, its problems usually spring from loans that have become unconvertible due to mismanagement, illegal manipulation, misguided landing policies or an unexpected economic downturn. No wonder, then, that when examiners appear at a bank or other regulated lending Institution they conduct a thorough review of its loan portfolio.Usually this Involves detailed analysis of the documents and collateral for the largest loan, a review of a sample of small loans, and an evaluation of loan polices to ensure their sound and prudent In order to protect the public funds. 1. 2 Background of National Credit & Commerce Bank Ltd (UNCLE) National Credit and Commerce bank Limited bears a unique history of its own. The organization started its Journey in the financial sector of the country as an investment company back in 1985.The aim of the company was to mobile resources from within and invest them n such way so as to develop country's Industrial and Trade Sector and playing a catalyst role In the formation of capital market as well. Its membership with the bourse helped the company to a great extent In this regard. The company operated up to 1992 with 16 branches and thereafter with the permission of the Central Bank converted In to a full-fledged scheduled private commercial bank In May 1993 with paid up capital TX. 39. 00 core to serve the nation from a broader platform.During providing sincere personalized service to its customers in a technology-based environment. The Bank has set up a new standard in financing in the Industrial, Trade and Foreign Exchange business. Its various deposit and credit products have also attracted the clients-both corporate and indi viduals who feel comfort in doing business with the Bank. The initial authorized capital of the Bank was TX. 75. 00 core and, paid-up capital TX. 19. 50, core at the time of conversion, which is now raised, to TX. 9. 00 cores. The present authorized capital is TX. 250. 00 core and paid up capital is TX. 60. 78 core. The sponsors of the new bank consisted of 26 (Twenty six) Members, who comprised the iris Board of Directors. The share price of the bank is currently being quoted at both Dacha and Chitchatting Bourse at an average price of TX. 320/- against per value of TX. 100/-. NC Bank based upon its commendable business performance for the year ended 2004, has meanwhile declared stock dividend at the rate of 30%.The Bank which started with 16 branches in 1993, has at present 41 (forty one) branches and 03 (three) Booths located in prime commercial areas of Dacha, Chitchatting, Sylphs, Fine, Chula, Josser and Ranging District Headquarters, out of which as many as 17 seventeen) are A uthorized Dealer Branches, fully equipped for dealing in direct foreign exchange businesses. 1. 3 Scope of the Report This report has been prepared through extensive discussion with my colleagues and with the clients.While preparing this report, I had a great opportunity to have an in depth knowledge of all the banking activities practiced by the NC Bank limited. It also helped me to acquire a first-hand perspective of a leading private bank in Bangladesh. This report covers overall areas of UNCLE. It can be grouped into the allowing sections: Origin and historical background of UNCLE. Theoretical description about the products and services, general banking activities and departments of the bank.Analysis of the performance of UNCLE through some ratios. 1. 4 Objectives of the Report Primary Objectives The primary objectives of the report are to orient the real life nature of the bank and to measure the Job satisfaction of the staffs of the NC Bank Ltd, Mailbags branch, Dacha. Seconda ry Objectives To measure the level of Job satisfaction of employees with respect to the company. To understand the components that trigger Job satisfaction of the staffs.To know the reasons behind the Job dissatisfaction of the employees from the findings. To Judge the level of Job satisfaction of employees on various parameters: Working Conditions Rewards and other benefits Relationship with employees of company Job Security 1. 5 Methodology This report is made based on my theoretical and practical knowledge and as project report. National Credit Bank Limited is one of the well-known private commercial bank in Bangladesh. Its public reporting system is appreciable. Data are well managed.This arrangement is logical that helps easy application of analytical tool. Two sources are used to collecting data. These are: Primary Source Secondary Source Primary Source: Face to face conversation with the bank officers and staffs Study of different files of different section of the bank. Un-o fficial discussion with bank official. Secondary Sources: Annual report of NC Bank limited (2009-2013). Website. Literature summery. 1. 6 Limitations of the Study 1. Data Insufficiency 3. Lack of Updated Information.

Literary Analysis “The Lesson” Essay

The predominant theme in â€Å"The Lesson† composed by Toni Cade Bambara is creating an understanding to adolescents of all the opportunities life has to offer; a lesson on social class and having a choice which society you choose to live in. Miss. Moore who takes on the responsibility to educate the young ones has intentions of more than just taking the children to the store for amusement. Miss Moore’s informal lessons are aimed at educating the neighborhood children  about how their lives differ from those of rich white children, nonetheless Miss Moore wants the children to see they can live the life of the rich and high society. An essential element that adds to the depth and enhances a reader’s comprehension of â€Å"The Lesson† is the author’s use of symbolism throughout the story. Sylvia, the narrator of the story, is a born leader. She is used to being in charge of what the rest of her friends think and do. Sylvia resents the appearance of Miss Moore in her life. Miss Moore is a new kind of black woman. She has no first name but is always addressed with her title. She has â€Å"nappy hair and proper speech and no makeup†(Bambara 98). The neighbors are not quite sure how to respond to her, which is illustrated by the way Sylvia describes her as someone to laugh at, â€Å"the way we did at the junk man,† (Bambara 98) who is considered arrogant and acting above his place. Sylvia also describes Miss Moore in terms of being an unpleasant obstacle, like the winos â€Å"who cluttered up our parks and pissed on our handball walls†(Bambara 98). Clearly the author shows the extent of which Sylvia dislikes Miss Moore. Although the people in the neighborhood are unsure of Miss Moore the parents of the children allow her to take them on an outing. Miss Moore, the children’s self appointed mentor, takes it upon herself to further their education during the summer months. She feels this is her civic duty because she is educated. She used F. A. O. Schwarz, a very expensive toy store, to teach them a lesson and inspire them to strive for success and attempt to better themselves and their situations. The extreme differences between the children’s neighborhood and the neighborhood of the toy store are first illustrated by the fact that the white people on Fifth Avenue wear furs and stockings even on a hot summer’s day. â€Å"Then we check out that we on Fifth Avenue and everybody dressed up in stockings. One lady in a fur coat, hot as it is†(Bambara 99). The children are thrown off balance in this neighborhood, as if it were a foreign country where even the approach to temperature is different. To Miss Moore, education is the key to more money and improved social conditions. To Sylvia, being educated means seeing things as they are. Sylvia and Miss Moore both have a considerable amount of pride. Sylvia thinks Miss Moore shows disrespect when she describes their neighborhood as a slum and their families as poor. Bambara has indicated that Sylvia’s family is striving for better conditions through the mention of the piano rental. Miss Moore views the children’s acceptance of their economic condition as ignorance and their ignorance as disrespect for their race. Miss Moore wants to change this attitude and encourages the children to demand more from the society that keeps them down. By the end of the story, both of these characters have made their points. Sylvia realizes that she feels in competition not only with Miss Moore, but also with her good friend Sugar, who is ready to slide back into their usual behavior after having had some surprising insights about the day. Rather than accompany Sugar, Sylvia decides to go her own way and makes a promise to herself that no one will get ahead of her in the future. Miss Moore’s character, with her emphasis on education, is the symbol of one way to fight the usual, fatalistic acceptance of economic conditions by the poor â€Å"The Lesson† is a wonderful work of fiction because of its use of language, humanistic theme, and symbolism. Work Cited Introduction to Literature, Wayne County Community College Edition, by Ed. Kathleen Shine Cain, Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Janice Neuleib, Stanley Orr, Paige Reynolds, and Stephen Ruffus: The publication of Toni Cade Bambara. â€Å"The Lesson† 2011. 98-104. Print.

Market Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Market Plan - Essay Example Advertising is the most expensive strategy in the promotional mix. The strategy would help WBC to spread information widely through paid media. It aims at attracting people to purchase the water. While making this decision, WBC needs to choose the best media of advertising that will send the company’s message to the target market. The media also needs to be economical for the company to reduce its expenses. Some of the advertising Medias that WBC could consider are radio advertising, outdoor advertising, television, ambient advertising, the internet, magazines, newspapers, and door drops. Personal selling is a process that involves helping and persuading potential consumers to buy the crystal clear, granite filtered mountain water. This is a personal to personal interaction during the sales process. Interaction can be in the form of personal correspondence and face to face discussions. This strategy demands WBC to target specific potential customers with the aim of altering their desired product. The process would help the company demonstrate the benefits of the water. Sales promotions are media and non-media marketing communication that are used for a specific period to stimulate market demand, improve the product availability, and increase the consumer demand for the water. Sales promotion is a direct and immediate inducement. It adds value to the crystal clear, granite filtered mountain water and hence prompts consumers to buy the product. Direct marketing is a form of marketing that will allow WBC to communicate directly with potential customers. The method aims at eliminating middlemen and implies that WBC markets to its consumer group without secondary media such as radio and television commercials. The company can use this strategy by applying tools such as distributing fliers. The method would help WBC get immediate response and encourages lasting customer relationships.

Magazine ad analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Magazine ad analysis - Essay Example Thus, designers pay meticulous attention to every minute detail of an image that the ad portrays, in order to ensure that it stays engraved in the viewers’ memory. The ad of Arby’s Burgers, appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which is appended as Annexure-I, is a relevant example that illustrates how creativity, aesthetics, color schemes, contextual nuances, enticing textual messages etc can be deftly aligned to enhance the appeal of an advertisement. This ad announces Arby’s plan to launch an â€Å"exciting† range of â€Å"new menu items† in the next March (Rovell). It functions on different levels to pique the interest of its audience and entice them into buying this product. The ad’s primary objective is to provide the intended audience with clear and specific information about the Roastburger, which is part of their new menu being launched. On the one hand, it conveys to them through textual messages that the burger is â⠂¬Å"exciting,† â€Å"done better,† â€Å"mouthwatering† and it will make them â€Å"drool† (Rovell). These are the most apt descriptions for the consumers to understand that Arby’s is offering a highly palatable food item. On the other hand, it uses the image also to give the consumers a vivid idea of the contents of the burger, by clearly showing green leaves, onion strings, big chunks of roasted meat, slices of tomato and cheese. Thus, the ad effectively integrates visual and textual communication methods to describe the product. In order for an ad to be effective, it should be able to sell the product or make the viewers buy the product. Arby’s ad uses various strategies to attain this objective. The crossed hands over the burger connotes to a woman covering her breasts. Thus, the ad is a definite eye catcher and has an instant appeal. The most primal sense that woman’s breast evokes in humans is hunger as breast milk is their first food. Thus, the ad has high contextual relevance and the audience can easily relate it with the product. Similarly, the textual messages in the ad directly link to the food item’s taste and, therefore, it will remain on the consumers’ subconscious mind long after they have viewed it. The words used in the textual message are highly alluring and the burger’s image also is indicative of its taste. Thus, through the manner in which it combines the immense possibilities of written and visual communication, the ad will definitely be able to lure its audience into buying the product. The ad relies heavily on the dexterous juxtaposition of color schemes to attain aesthetic beauty and create an impact on the audience. The background has a very light tone at the bottom and as it scales to the top, the hue is rendered darker because otherwise it would overemphasize the brown-yellow buns. Similarly, the color of the buns compliments the skin of the arms and thus makes the connotation to human breast conceivable. Further, by using darker hue around the thumb, the ad suggests depressions on the bun’s surface, to accentuate the softness of the bun. The burger’s filling begins with green and immediately contrasts with deep red, which gives it a catchy outlook. The color scheme then shifts to a brown tone of the roasted meat and softens out to the yellow of the cheese, which blends well with the color of the human hand and the bread. The deftness of the color scheme becomes evident even from such minute detail as the model’

Answer the questions below and support your points using case law not Essay

Answer the questions below and support your points using case law not the textbook references - Essay Example Similarly, an advertisement or brochure does not constitute an offer, but only an attempt to obtain an offer. However, the display of goods in a shop is an invitation to treat. Application In Harvey v Facey [1893] AC 552, it was held that it was insufficient to just provide a statement regarding the price. In this case the plaintiff had asked the defendant, by means of a telegram, whether he would sell the Bumper Hall Pen and to quote the lowest cash price. The reply was to be given by telegram to the plaintiff. To this the defendant replied that the lowest price would be ? 900. In reply the plaintiff conveyed his consent and stated that he would purchase it for that price and asked the defendant to send the title deeds of that piece of land. The court held that there was no contract between these parties, as the mere statement of price did not constitute an offer and was nothing more than the provision of information. In Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain v Boots Cash Chemists (Southern) Ltd [1953] EWCA Civ 6, the Appellate Court deemed the shop sign to be an invitation to treat. In this case, the issue considered was when a sale was completed in a self service shop. The court held that the sale was completed when the medicine had been selected and taken to the shop assistant, who then accepted it and completed the contract. The display of goods on the shelves of the shop was not an offer but merely an invitation to treat. This was reiterated by the court in Fisher v Bell [1961] 1 QB 394, in which Lord Chief Justice Parker held that the mere display of a knife with a price tag in a shop window did not constitute an offer for sale. In this case, the shop had displayed a prohibited type of knife in a shop window. The legislation in force had prohibited the offer of such items for sale. This was deemed to be an invitation to treat and not an offer by the learned chief justice. Conclusion Offer can become a contract after its acceptance. An Invitation to Trea t is not an offer, which can be accepted, and is merely an invitation for offers. Question 2 Explain the standard of care owed by one person to another in the tort of negligence Issue The standard of care owed by one person to another in the tort of negligence. Rule The standard of care owed by one person to another in torts, is based on the notions of reasonableness and foreseeability. Contributory negligence in the context of personal injury and death relates to the failure of a person, usually the plaintiff, to adopt reasonable measure to promote safety, which contributes to the injury suffered by that person. Damages awarded by the Australian courts are reduced to the extent of the contributory negligence of the plaintiff. Application There is a clear distinction between the notions of reasonableness and foreseeability. Thus in Bolton v Stone [1951] AC 850, their Lordships ruled that although it was foreseeable for injury to occur due to being hit by a cricket ball that had been struck over the boundary fence, it was very much unlikely to happen, and that this was sufficient justification for the respondents to ignore the risk. In general, it is unreasonable to undertake a risk that is foreseeable. However, when the chances of the risk taking place are very meagre, a reasonable person will undertake the risk. Another major consideration relates to the seriousness of the injury caused. Thus, in Paris v Stepney Borough Council

Discussing the Improvement in Perfomance and Possitive Influences on Essay

Discussing the Improvement in Perfomance and Possitive Influences on Individuals in a Working Environment - Essay Example The report will also highlight various leading forces that may improve the performance of the individuals who are working as a team. The discussion of the letter subject will help us understand how Microsoft can apply those suggestions in its own professional environment, which is necessarily a team-based. -------------------------------------------------- Introduction: The quality of work in a business environment is becoming the foremost concern in industries all over the world, which was not true until 1959 (Herzberg 1995). Considering the motivation of work, top priority is given to the worker satisfaction instead of achievement that is gained through the work qualitatively done. Improvement of worker satisfaction deals with the enhancement and development of human relations between the humans working together in an organization. Two main issues have been faced by the organizational management - in lieu of the aforementioned statements – that run side by side. While the in dustries are now struggling to resolve the unfathomable hygiene problems of evading the interpersonal dissatisfaction in working environment; they have neglected the other essential concern of workers’ motivation for training and quality production, which leads to even more dire consequences in terms of job dissatisfaction and health issues. In regard to these two important issues, Frederick Herzberg proposed a theory known as Two-Factor Theory or Motivation-Hygiene Theory, in 1995 that will logically respond to the above two problems collectively to provide a harmonic and synchronized solution that will keep the interpersonal relation at its best as well as provide the organizations qualitative work, and will ensure the employees to stay health and keep job satisfaction for a longer period of time. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory: According to this theory, people in a working environment are influenced through two factors, i.e. motivation factors, e.g. satisfaction and p sychological growth, and hygiene factors, e.g. dissatisfaction. The theory was established based on the investigations done by Herzberg on 200 engineers and accountants in the USA. Hygiene factors ensure the avoidance of the employees being dissatisfied with the job and working environment. These factors do not relate to the motivational aims but still without them the dissatisfaction is not avoided. Some of the most common yet essential and avoidable hygiene factors are as follows: working conditions, status, salary, quality of supervision, job security, company profile, interpersonal relations, and company’s administrative policies. Motivation factors on the other hand relate to the motivation of employees to make their performance better and let them achieve higher aims. Internal generators within employees are the actual cause of these factors. Some of the typical motivation factors are as follows: achievement, growth, recognition for achievement, interest in job, task re sponsibility, and recognition for the achievement. The combination of both the leading factors of theory leads to four underlying scenarios which differ from each other in terms of achieving the objects a business management official is seeking among his employees. The four scenarios will now be discussed under each of the two sections given below. One of the next two sections will strictly speak of the positive influences on the motivational enhancement of employees of Microsoft.

Macbeth Drama Review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Macbeth Drama Review - Essay Example bid to prevent his children from succeeding the throne of Scotland furthermore in Act 1 scene 7,lady Macbeth also taunt Macbeth to screw his ambition and courage to the sticking place after he had reflected on what he needs to attain his ambition, it highlights the destruction when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints. Macbeth is courageous man, who is not inclined to his evils deeds besides Lady Macbeth pursue her goal and further spur Macbeth to kill Duncan and to be strong in the murder aftermath, an ambition that focuses on the quest for power (Potter 185-190) There is linkage between cruelty and masculinity, that is seen when lady Macbeth manipulate Macbeth, wishes herself unsexed and question her husband manhood, further she agrees with Macbeth when he said woman should only give birth to boys finally Macbeth provokes the murderers by questioning their manhood. (Potter190-198) The drama depicts and reflects a tragedy of moral disorders, that reveals disastrous reputations on Macbeths ambition which are not only limited to him. it sees Scotland as a nation full of shakings by inversions of natural orders, just to mention a few is sleep, Macbeth announces that he has " murdered sleep " moreover androgyny as a theme is seen as an aspect of disastrous disorders Witchcraft and evil are seen in the play on numerous occasions :chaos, darkness and conflict represent that three witches in the play and their being conveys treason. Witches were taken worse as compared to evils in the play. In the 1st act, the witch line" Fair is foul and foul is fairest the tone for the entire play, the play is full of occasions where evil is taken to be good and good rendered evil, the line" double, double toil and trouble," is an intention of the witch that they only seek trouble for the mortals surrounding them (Dunning 58). The play was written by William Shakespeare, following the status quo of Scotland, during the period of Scotland war with whales, it clearly

Professionalism and the Accounting Profession Essay

Professionalism and the Accounting Profession - Essay Example This avoidance of their core responsibility is therefore described as being ethically incorrect. Engaging in activities that are contrary to social expectations is unprofessional (Johnson 1982, p. 267) Instituting initiatives whose main aim is to violate the existing rules and regulations is as well unethical and unprofessional. The available information and research findings have indicated that accounting firms in developed countries such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom have over the years devised schemes intended at impeding their role of paying taxes to the state. This evasion plays a significant role in spoiling the image of the accounting profession that was once held in high regard. Clever accountancy initiatives aim at fulfilling selfish interests of individuals and firms that seek to evade paying taxes (Habermas, 1976). In this way, clever accountancy does not support state projects and interest. The accounting profession claims to be high in profession alism. However the sale of tax evasion schemes casts them in negative light as regards their claims to professionalism. In application of the Weberian theory, paying taxes is a daily noble responsibility of everyone in the society. Weber describes that the daily activities of individuals in society is defined by practical rationality. Former American President Franklin Roosevelt once said that taxes are the â€Å"dues that we paid for the privileges of membership in an organized society†. Paying taxes is therefore considered a noble activity that one would engage in. In fact, a vast majority of business persons and private individuals pay their taxes effectively and... This essay aims to define clever accountancy, how it came about, how it serves the public interest and how it is cursed by the tax collector. The researcher of this essay also points out how it has massively affected the public image of the accounting profession. In this regard, different academic theories were cited to explain how clever accountancy has led to professionals being painted in bad light. Historical as well as contemporary evidence were documented to support some claims and opinions. The essay, among all other things, discusses how accounting could be done more professionally today. Clever accountancy was at first seen to enhance professionalism in the accounting field. It has, however, played as paying taxes is a major ethical responsibility of the members of the society to the state. Everyone in the society has an important part to play in paying taxes to enhance service delivery. However, accounting firms constantly use their social position and influence in the econ omy to evade their core responsibility of paying taxes. The researcher then concluds that accounting profession is the major culprit in the evil when it comes to unethical practice as it is often the main tool of the crime. A change for the better for the profession can help in alleviating the problem. The accounting profession, as indicated earlier, wields a lot of power in the current world. With such power it ought to be on the frontline in championing for positive social ideals. This can have ripple effects considering the power it has.

Discrimination Concerning African Americans Essay Example for Free

Discrimination Concerning African Americans Essay Differences in race lead to divergent levels of economic development within the United States. Analysts often try to explain this phenomenon by observing a specific ethnic groups tradition and cultural ideology. Economists expand their analysis on the economic behaviors of African Americans by taking into consideration personal histories and value systems of the group under study. American families measure economic status in terms of income, and factors associated with material security as a whole. These factors may consist of health care, college funds, and retirement plans. However, African American families lag well behind when conceptualizing economic development under these terms. The reason is due to numerous instances of discrimination that occur in the U. S. Many of Americas public policies aid in the underdevelopment of non-white families. Increased economic development within America is the key to upward political and social mobility. If minorities are denied inevitable rights to equality, access to economic development becomes a highly difficult process. Despite Americas idealized view on equal opportunity, it is valid to assume that economic security has been limited on the basis of race. Therefore, it is important to investigate why white American families are economically better-off than non-white American families. One must take into account aspects of political participation, education, and the number of children a family has in the home in order to understand this research question. Contemporary Viewpoints: The lack of political participation of minority groups is a prevalent issue within the United States, explaining why non-white American families are less economically developed when compared to white American families. According to Douglas S. Massey (1995), minority families increasingly speak languages and bear cultures quite different than the established norms within the U. S. regime. He has found that ethnic groups carry their customs into new generations, leading many non-white families to become displaced and impoverished. Brinck Kerr and Will Miller (1997) believe that it is necessary for non-white American families to participate in elections in order to obtain equal representation that they are now lacking. They go on to say that political representation is the key to higher employment levels, and is a significant determinant to the minority share of professional positions. William H. Frey (1996) finds that immigrants usually encounter highly stratified society characterized by high income inequality leaving little room for upward mobility. In addition, Paula D. Mcklain (1990) assumes that non-white American families will continue to reside in low economic subcultures that are institutionally incomplete if they are represented at much lower ratios relative to the population portions of whites. Susan Welch (1990) has found that minority groups have not even achieved half their population proportions in political elections. These numbers are even lower than what they were a decade ago. She states that other factors that lead to low political participation within minority groups is that a substantial number of non-white American families are not citizens, and therefore are not eligible to vote. Also, Massey has found that America enacts policies that hinder the socioeconomic status of immigrants for they are underrepresented at virtually all levels and institutions in United States government. Moreover, Friedberg and Hunt (1995) have found that non-white American families receive less benefits than white families because of geographic segregation within the community. The various dispersion of minority families in different low-income areas within the U. S. makes it difficult for these families to be represented proportionally. Consequently, Rodney E. Hero and Caroline J. Tolbert (1995) believe minority families can now be easily manipulated by government because they are not equally accounted for. Therefore, non-white American families are not able to take advantage of economically developed determinants such as health care and retirement funds. The inscription of the Statue of liberty expresses to the world to give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. America continuously contradicts itself on the validity of this concept due to the increasingly economic tension between Caucasian and non-white families. Friedberg and Hunt (1995) give the example of Proposition 187, which makes many non-white American families ineligible for certain services such as public health. Non-white American families are not given the opportunity to take advantage of benefactors the U. S. offers to white American families. Therefore, Non-white American families lack of political participation, and unequal representation in governmental institutions and legislative bodies, leads them to be less economically developed than white American families. Education is another obstacle to economic development that non-white families face. Education is a vital tool to economic security. However, Melissa Marschall (1997) has found that current policies demonstrate minorities have been denied equal access to education. She has found that assignment systems based on assessments of language deficiencies or other individual needs are used to separate non-whites from whites. According to Jeffrey J. Mondack and Diana C. Mutz (1997), inequitable school financing is equally detrimental to non-white students. Funding for public schools comes from property taxes. They go along to say that predomintly non-white schools tend to be in central inner city school districts which have a smaller property tax base. In addition, the Office of Civil Rights has identified practices that are termed second generation school discrimination. Practices such as ability grouping, suspensions, and tracking may appear on the surface to be normal educational practices. When examining these components closer, Brick Kerr and Will Miller (1997) have found they have a negative impact on minority students. Ability grouping is a form of segregation that separates minority students from whites. They have found that before even attempting to teach non-white students, they are diagnosed with having linguistic or intellectual problems. The students are therefore required to take special and bilingual classes, making it difficult for them to succeed. According to Robert E. England (1986), non-white students are many times pulled out of regular classes and placed into bilingual classes only on the basis of ethnicity rather than their understanding of English. Brick and Miller go on to explain that suspensions are a second tactic used to encourage the failure of minority students in school. Non-white students are given more harsh disciplinary sentences than white students. Moreover, studies show that the ratio of minority students kicked out of school is disproportionately higher than whites, making the students more likely to drop out. Marschall has found that schools also advocate differences in ability grouping and discipline, leading to distinctions in tracking between non-whites and whites. The majority white students in high ability groups are often counseled to choose college preparatory tracks. However, minorities in low ability groups are counseled into vocational or general tracks, making them less likely to attend post-secondary education. Mondack and Mutz believe that the overall pattern of racial inequality the school system has created makes non-whites less likely to receive a quality education than whites. This truth makes it difficult for economic development to occur within non-white American families. The number of children in a family lead to increased poverty levels and low economic development within non-white American families. M. Klitsch (1990) has found that minority women have children at an extensively higher rate than that of white women. Also, he states that non-white women represent a small percentage of the population, however they account for a greater number of births. Alejandro Portes and Cynthia Truelove (1987) go on to say that non-white families are generally poorer than white families because of the higher number of children in the home. This leads them to be more likely to live below the poverty line. In addition, Genevieve M. Kenney and Nancy E. Reichman (1998) have found the population of non-whites increases faster than whites every year due to high fertility rates. Similarly, the two have found that fertility rates of non-whites families living in impoverished communities is almost double compared to white families. Klitsch has found that non-white families have an estimated 5. 5 people to a household, while white families only 3. 8. Therefore, these high rates lead to low socioeconomic status, and limited opportunities to increase economic security. According to Kenney and Reichman, the high fertility rates are due to low percentages of minorities who use contraceptives. They have also found that non-white women are less likely to have an abortion than white women. One might view this as a positive aspect. However, Portes and Truelove believe that one must take into account the over a quarter of minority families who have an income below the federal poverty line, which is almost one half greater than those of white families. Therefore, the high number of children within non-white American families make them more likely to experience economic deprivation than white American families. There has been an abundance of scholarly research previously conducted on the economic differences between white and non-white American families. They usually consist of data sources such as the U. S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the U. S. bureau of the Census. The Foreign Born Population of the United States and Statistical Reports are used with the previously listed sources to compare ethnic groups (Friedberg and Hunt, pg. 5). These databases yield cross-sectional designs that develop into time series reports in order to make assumptions on variables dealing with GNP and income, proving distinct differences in the races under study. For instance, researchers assume that white families are more economically developed than non-whites. This is because the average white American family makes $44,000 a year, and the average non-white American family does not make half this amount (6-7). These figures are valid in drawing conclusions about correlative relationships, satisfying important ideological factors necessary to study when dealing with the dependent variable of race. A more effective method of analysis was a study derived from interviews in a low income Los Angeles county. The participants were white and non-white females. The study was conducted between January 1984 and May 1985 (M. Kitsch, 136-137). In addition, the sample consisted of a three-stage cluster of census tracks, blocks, and household addresses. This cross-sectional design embodied research dealing with fertility rates of different races. The minority women proved to have higher fertility rates in low income sectors, leading Klitsch to question the different ways non-white American families conceptualize economic development. Non-white American families have to deal with numerous accounts of racial discrimination. It is difficult for a non-white American family to become economically stable in terms of income and security plans. The reason is due to being a minority in a predominately white America. Therefore, non-white American families are less economically developed than white American families because: H1 non-white American families are less likely to participate in elections than white American families. H2 non-white Americans are more likely to be discriminated against in school than white Americans. H3 the more children in a household, the more likely a family will be economically deprived. Implications and Conclusion: Education, political participation, and the number of children a family has all affect the levels of economic development within the household for white American families. Even though education levels has a stronger affect toward higher levels of income, when the three variables are measured together, they are all highly statistically significant. In non-white American homes, education levels appears to be the key determinant of their economic status. Further test need to be measured in reference to how the number of children a family has and political participation affect the economic security of non-white American families. With this, the above hypotheses will prove to have more validity. However, in both cases it was important to measure education, the number of children a family has, and political participation together in order to understand the affect these variables have on each other, and how this affect leads to higher or lower levels of economic development within the family. These multivariate studies are also important in predicting the affect the independent variables will have on total family income in the future. It can be assumed that the highest year of school completed will continue to have a strong affect toward economic development in the future for both white and non-white American families. In addition, the number of children in a white American family and their political participation are significant variables to measure when determining their economic standpoint in future years to come. There are alternative approaches to identifying explanations to why non-white American families are less economically developed than white American families. One example is the difference in income between non-white and white American families who have single parents and ones that have two parents. Another alternative approach is identifying education as only an antecedent variable, and observing how it relates to occupation, the true independent variable under study. From here, one can observe how economic development is related to a persons occupation within the home. As anyone who walks the streets of Americas largest cities knows, there has been a profound transformation of different ethnic cultures within the United States. The rapidity of the change has led to growing competition of economic development between white and non-white American families. This competition has lead to ethnic prejudice and discrimination as the United States continues to assimilate into the melting pot for the American dream. Political participation, education, and the number of children within the home are variables that allow the transition to become a less arduous process for white American families. However, if non-white American families continue to do poorly in terms of economic development because of these variables, non-whites will continue to lag behind the income scale in comparison to whites. Research along these lines will lead to the study of relative differences between ethnic cultures. An example is the discovery of why almost half the number of minorities return to their country of origin after experiences of economic injustice. Previous research may also benefit other analysis in the field of economics by itemizing fertility rates in terms of the higher number of non-white American families who lack the finances to properly nourish their children. These new variables along with my research can in time become valid determinants in explaining why white American families are economically better off that non-white American families.

The Negative Impacts Of Soil Erosion Environmental Sciences Essay

The Negative Impacts Of Soil Erosion Environmental Sciences Essay Soil erosion is a process whereby soil (mostly the top fertile soil) is transported or swept away from its natural environment then deposited to other places. This usually happens as a result of blowing wind, water flow, rainfall, by the force of gravity (down slope movement of soil) and human together with animal activities. Erosion is a natural process although it has been seen to rise due to extensive use of land and more so in the agricultural industry. The reduction of soil cover and the cutting down of trees also triggers soil eroison. Agricultural land that is used on the industrial scale is seen to be the most affected as it is subjected to greater rates of erosion. This is evident especially when there is the use of tillage which clears vegetation covering the soil while disturbing soil structures together with roots holding soil particles together. Soil erosion triggers a number of impacts but the main area of concern in this report is soil degradation by erosion affecting the worlds food supply. Soil is taken to be the worlds most valued resource. The loss of this resource, through land degradation processes such as wind and water erosion, is one of the most serious environmental problems we are faced with as it is destroying the means of producing food (Willett, 89). This is a problem that affects the whole world as food is a basic need. Erosion, takes away the best organic matters, it tempers with the depth of the top rich soil, reduces the soils capacity to hold water, and affects the soil biota. Rainfalls beneficial impacts are reduced too due to increases in water runoff and reductions in the soils water holding capacity. Taken together or separately, these factors limit the soils productivity and, as a result, can reduce crop yields from 15 to 30 percent (Pruski, 15). A research carried out by the U.N showed that about 11% of the worlds best soils (which are as big as size India and China put together) have been spoiled by our activities from as early as 1935. About 9 million hectares of arable land have been irreversibly damaged by erosion through overgrazing, deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices. A further 1.25 billion hectares is considered to be seriously degraded and could be restored only at great costs (Hinkel, 81). There are many examples showing that erosion has really affected the worlds food supply. This one is explained by Lal who reveals that: Erosion is very significant in land degradation that leads to decline in crop production which eventually leads to a drop in the worlds food supply. On a global scale, the annual loss of 75 billion tones of soil through deforestation as a major cause of soil erosion costs the world about US$400 billion in a year (at US$3/ton of soil for nutrients and US$2/ton of soil for water), or approximately US$70 per person a year. It is estimated that the total annual cost of erosion from agriculture in the US is about US$44 billion in a year or about US$247/ha of cropland and pasture. In Sub-Saharan Africa it is much larger; in some countries productivity has declined in over 40% of the cropland area in two decades while population has doubled. Overgrazing of vegetation by livestock and subsequent land degradation is a widespread problem in these regions (Lal, 157).   The production ability of most land that has been subjected to soil erosion is seen to decline up to 40% due to soil erosion brought about mainly by deforestation. The reduction of yields in Africa as a result of erosion is about ten to fifty percent. The total mean loss for the whole continent stands at 9%. Africa is perhaps the continent most severely impacted by land degradation due to soil erosion, with the global average being lower, possibly in the range of 1-8% (Baanante, 224). With increasing land degradation due to erosion and deforestation triggering erosion on a bigger scale, food productivity might actually drop up to 50% necessitating international aid which in turn affects the supply from wherever the food is coming from. With the current rate of population growth and soil erosion it is said that by 2050 there would be a humanitarian crisis as far as food supply is concerned. Another good example is of an East African country (Kenya) which has had severe famine due to lack of enough produce. In Kenya agriculture is taken to be the backbone of the country. The country was initially self sufficient in terms of feeding its people. The famine that affected the country was attributed to soil erosion that occurred mainly by the use of unsustainable agricultural practices that exposed soil to erosion and deforestation. Kenya being a hilly country is highly prone to erosion by gravity. This issue is made worse by unsustainable agriculture that does not take care of the issue of soil erosion. Top fertile soil was extensively carried away leaving behind soil that was not good for agricultural food production. Due to lack of produce in the year 2007 and later rains were not sufficient in the year 2008 a great famine ensued leaving people to boil poisonous wild fruits for hours to extract the poison in order to fix a hot plate (Kamau 17). Research shows that lack of rain again was due to deforestation that is helping desertification in this nation. The country was forced to use all its food reserves to the extent of asking for emergency relief food from international organizations. Generally soil erosion occurs where there is lack of adequate soil cover, putting this in consideration; the situation can only worsen when necessary measures are not taken on time. When erosion continues all fertile soils will be swept away leaving behind soils that are not good for crop production or farming activities. Because of the lack of vegetation on land, rainfall attraction does not take place then a famine may be realized. Many countries having this problem rely on other countries for food supply thus creating imbalance in the supply of food. All this is brought about by not tackling the initial problem that is soil erosion. The percentage of desertification is very high in the world today. In deserts and arid areas very little crop production can take place. Deserts do occur because there is lack of vegetation which is responsible for rainfall attraction and soil cover for water preservation. When soil erosion takes place these areas lack the ability to have vegetation and thus there wont be water retaining capabilities or factors influencing rainfall attraction. What will be left is the soil exposure to wind and other factors that influence soil erosion. The main factor influencing this is deforestation. After sometime these areas lose all agricultural relevancies thus having a negative impact on food supply. Across the world research shows that after soil erosion (especially after over use of agricultural land or tillage erosion) has taken place the remaining soil is not good quality soil for food crops. What is normally done with this is the planting of other crops which can survive harsh conditions and the soils that are left behind. These crops are normally cash crops as food crops need more nutrients to grow. With the current rate of soil erosion most parts of the world lack the capacity to produce food crops and rely on other countries to produce food crops for them. This is also a negative factor to the worlds food supply since the initially food productive areas are unproductive at the time when the populations are high needing more food crops. This also has a negative effect on the worlds food supply. Soil erosion does not only create unfavorable conditions for crop growth through land degradation but as shown by Matende: The implications of soil erosion extend beyond the removal of valuable top soil. This is in regard to erosion brought about by water or rain. Crop emergence, growth and yield are directly affected through the loss of natural nutrients and applied fertilizers in the soil. Seeds and plants can be disturbed or completely removed from the eroded site by water erosion. Organic matter from the soil, residues and any applied manure is relatively light weight and can be readily transported off the field, particularly during spring thaw conditions. Pesticides may also be carried off the site with the eroded soil. This can effect negatively on the supply of food particularly when corrective measures are not taken on time or generally poor yields will be realized (Matende, 234). Wind erosion has also been seen to cause significant losses on food crops. The unavailability of lasting vegetation cover in a lot of areas has led to widespread wind erosion (Bramson, 21). Loose, dry, bare soil is the most susceptible; however, crops that produce low levels of residue also may not provide enough resistance. Wind erosion may also create adverse operating conditions in the field (Mathews, 67). Food crops can be destroyed completely bringing about expensive delays and necessitating reseeding. If not the food crops could are sandblasted and destroyed with the end result being no yield, low yield and poor quality yields that impact negatively on food supply. Off-site impacts of soil erosion are not always as apparent as the on-site effects. Eroded soil, deposited down slope can inhibit or delay the emergence of seeds, bury small seedling and necessitate replanting in the affected areas (Knight, 212). This kind of erosion is normally brought about by water or rainfall. When there are heavy rainfalls soils that are unprotected and do not have adequate cover or are loose due to tillage and human activities can easily be swept away. This type of erosion has its own share of negative effects as far as food supply is concerned as in the event of erosion taking place in wide areas crops will not only be buried but some will be left bare and thus germination will either not take place or the exposed seeds can be devoured by birds and other animals. If corrective measures are not taken on time there will be little or no production at all. This also affects the general food supply in the world today. Therefore as shown in this report various types soil erosion has adverse impacts on the worlds food supply. Nevertheless, enhanced land use practices if embraced can mitigate this situation, using techniques such as terrace building, conservation tillage practices, and tree planting can help reduce soil erosion. When these practices are used properly soil erosion can not only be reduced significantly to about the same rate of soil reform but also the world will realize better food crop production and there will be sufficient food security. Using these methods again food crop yields could increase up to 20% this is in northern America and from about 4 to 17% in Africa.

Free College Essays - Othello and Honesty :: GCSE Coursework Shakespeare Othello

Othello and Honesty    Honesty is one of the most important factors in Othello.   And although there is very little honesty actually present in the play the term is most commonly applied to Iago, who also happens to be the most dishonest character in Othello.   Due partly to the other characters naivetà ©, Iago is capable of manipulating, brainwashing, and molding the other characters to satisfy his need for revenge against Othello.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Iago would most commonly be referred to as dishonest, however beyond that he is also downright amoral and uses other’s weaknesses to manipulate them into doing what he pleases.   From the very beginning we see how Iago manipulates Roderigo by pretending he is looking out for his best interests in the matter of Othello’s elopement with Desdemona.   He makes Barbantio angry with Othello and Desdemona by telling him about their elopement then lying about the consummation of their relationship.   He then leaves Roderigo to take responsibility for his (Iago’s) actions.   In the meantime he goes off to inform Othello that Roderigo is accountable for telling Barbantio about the relationship and saying horrible things about Othello.   Iago later brings Roderigo back into his quest for revenge when he tries to get Cassio fired from the position that Iago originally wished to obtain.   Although Cassio knows it is aga inst his better judgement to drink, Iago manipulates him into getting drunk then stages a fight between Roderigo and Cassio.   He even goes as far as to try to make Cassio look bad by telling Montano that he gets drunk regularly. Upon Iago’s explanation of the situation Othello promptly fires Cassio from his position and Iago becomes more respected in Othello’s eyes.   Roderigo is a prime example of how Iago uses people to fulfil his desires.   Iago convinces Roderigo that he could win Desdemona’s love away from Othello and the only man that stands in the way is Cassio.   In this way when he plans to humiliate Cassio it seems as if he is doing it to help out Roderigo when, in actuality, he is seeking revenge on Cassio for taking his position.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One of the main reasons Iago is so successful at manipulating others is because they are too guileless to realize that he is taking advantage of them.   Cassio still comes to Iago for advice after Iago rats him out and gets him fired.

The Character of Claudius in Shakespeares Hamlet Essay -- GCSE Englis

The Character of Claudius in Hamlet As a supporting character in Shakespeare’s play, Hamlet, Claudius is not developed to his full potential. His primary role in the play is to initiate Hamlet's confusion and anger, and his subsequent search for truth and life's meaning. But Claudius is certainly not a static character. While Claudius’ qualities are not as thoroughly explored as Hamlet's,   the treacherous King of Denmark is a complete character. When we first see Claudius, he strikes us an intelligent and capable ruler. He gives a speech to make his court and country proud, addressing his brother's death and the potential conflict with Norway. Claudius knows that a change in government could ignite civil unrest, and he is afraid of possible unlawful allegiances and rebellion. His speech juxtaposes the people's loss with the new beginning they will have under his care, and he uses the death of Hamlet's father to create a sense of national solidarity, "the whole kingdom/To be contracted in one brow of woe" (I.ii.3-4). Claudius has assumed the role of the chief mourner, and the people can unite behind a collective suffering. He can now concentrate on his kingly duties, and he takes immediate and decisive action by sending Cornelius and Voltimand to appease the Norwegian king. He also deals sk illfully with Laertes' request to leave for France. "On the whole, then, there emerges a King who is well qualified for his office...there continually appears on the stage a man who is utterly unlike the descriptions, and this in turn gives to Hamlet's words their real value." (Lokse, Outrageous Fortune, 79). But Claudius, in private, is a very different person. The Ghost refers to him as "that incestuous, that adulterate beast" (... ... from indulging his human desires. He is not a monster; he is morally weak, content to trade his humanity and very soul for a few prized possessions. As the great critic Harley Granville-Barker observes: "we have in Claudius the makings of the central figure of a tragedy." (Granville-Barker, Prefaces to Shakespeare.3., 269) Bibliography Bradley, A.C. Shakespearean Tragedy. (New York: St. Martin's Press, 1966). Burnett, Mark, ed. New Essays on Hamlet. (New York: AMS Press, 1994). Evans Lloyd Gareth. Shakespeare IV. (London: Oxford university Press, 1967). Granville-Barker, Henry. Prefaces to Shakespeare.3 (New York, Hill and Wang, 1970). Loske, Olaf. Outrageous Fortune. (Oslo: Oslo University Press, 1960). Muir, Kenneth. Shakespeare and the Tragic Pattern, Proceedings of the British Academy, Vol.XLIV (London: Oxford University Press, 1958).

Religious Freedom Restoration Act :: essays research papers

Religious Freedom Restoration Act In this paper I will describe the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. This Act was used to contradict the decision of the court case of Employment Division v. Smith, which allowed the government to forbid any religious act without giving a reason. The RFRA brought back the requirement that the government provide an adequate reason to forbid any religious act. The government once again had to show that the act was of compelling interest against the state. In 1993 one of the most important acts that has gone thorough Congress was passed (Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA). This was the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) of 1993 (Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA). This act was passed to answer the 1990 court case Employment Division v. Smith (Questions and Answers, Map of the RFRA). Employment Division v. Smith was a court case in which the issue was whether â€Å"Sacramental use of peyote by members of the Native American Church was protected under the free exercise clause of the First Amendment, which provides that ‘Congress shall make no law...prohibiting the free exercise of religion'.†(Questions and Answers, Map of the RFRA). According to Justice Scalia, â€Å"if prohibiting the exercise of religion was merely the incidental effect of a generally applicable and otherwise valid provision, the First Amendment was not offended.† (Questions and Answers, Map of the RFRA). Thus, "...the government no longer had to justify most burdens on religious exercise. The free exercise clause offered protection only if a particular religious practice was singled out for discriminatory treatment. In short, free exercise was a sub category of equal protection. This placed religious rights in an inferior position to other First Amendment rights such as freedom of speech and press." (Questions and Answers, Map of the RFRA). This court case caused a series of court cases about religious freedoms (Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA). Congress enacted the RFRA to contradict the negative affect that court cases had recently had on religious freedoms(Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA). The RFRA is what it states it is in the title, a restoration act(Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA). Congress decided that in Employment Division v. Smith, "the supreme court virtually eliminated the requirement that the government justify burdens on religious exercise imposed by laws neutral toward religion and the compelling interest test as set forth in prior Federal court rulings is a workable test for striking sensible balances between religious liberty and competing prior governmental interests."(Religious Freedom, Map of the RFRA) In other words, the government did not have to have a reason to impose laws

Fiction and Work

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot. 1970 Also. Choose a work of recognized literary merit in which a specific inanimate object (e. g. , a seashell, a handkerchief, a painting) is important, and write an essay in which you show how two or three of the purposes the object serves are related to one another. 971. The significance of a title such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is so easy to discover. However, in other works (for example, Measure for Measure) the full significance of the title becomes apparent to the reader only gradually. Choose two works and show how the significance of their respective titles is developed through the authors' use of devices such as contrast, repetition, allusion, and point of view. 1972. In retrospect, the reader often discovers that the first chapter of a novel or the opening scene of a drama introduces some of the major themes of the work.Write an essay about the opening scene of a drama or the first chapter of a novel in which you explain how it functions in this way. 1973. An effective literary work does not merely stop or cease; it concludes. In the view of some critics, a work that does not provide the pleasure of significant closure has terminated with an artistic fault. A satisfactory ending is not, however, always conclusive in every sense; significant closure may require the reader to abide with or adjust to ambiguity and uncertainty. In an essay, discuss the ending of a novel or play of acknowledged literary merit.Explain precisely how and why the ending appropriately or inappropriately concludes the work. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1974. Choose a work of literature written before 1900. Write an essay in which you present a rguments for and against the work's relevance for a person in 1974. Your own position should emerge in the course of your essay. You may refer to works of literature written after 1900 for the purpose of contrast or comparison. 1975. Although literary critics have tended to praise the unique in literary characterizations, many authors have employed the stereotyped character successfully.Select one work of acknowledged literary merit and in a well-written essay, show how the conventional or stereotyped character or characters function to achieve the author's purpose. 1975 Also. Unlike the novelist, the writer of a play does not use his own voice and only rarely uses a narrator's voice to guide the audience's responses to character and action. Select a play you have read and write an essay in which you explain the techniques the playwright uses to guide his audience's responses to the central characters and the action.You might consider the effect on the audience of things like settin g, the use of comparable and contrasting characters, and the characters' responses to each other. Support your argument with specific references to the play. Do not give a plot summary. 1976. The conflict created when the will of an individual opposes the will of the majority is the recurring theme of many novels, plays, and essays. Select the work of an essayist who is in opposition to his or her society; or from a work of recognized literary merit, select a fictional character who is in opposition to his or her society.In a critical essay, analyze the conflict and discuss the moral and ethical implications for both the individual and the society. Do not summarize the plot or action of the work you choose. 1977. In some novels and plays certain parallel or recurring events prove to be significant. In an essay, describe the major similarities and differences in a sequence of parallel or recurring events in a novel or play and discuss the significance of such events. Do not merely su mmarize the plot. 1978. Choose an implausible or strikingly unrealistic incident or character in a work of fiction or drama of recognized literary merit.Write an essay that explains how the incident or character is related to the more realistic of plausible elements in the rest of the work. Avoid plot summary. 1979. Choose a complex and important character in a novel or a play of recognized literary merit who might on the basis of the character's actions alone be considered evil or immoral. In a well-organized essay, explain both how and why the full presentation of the character in the work makes us react more sympathetically than we otherwise might. Avoid plot summary. 1980. A recurring theme in literature is the classic war between a passion and responsibility.For instance, a personal cause, a love, a desire for revenge, a determination to redress a wrong, or some other emotion or drive may conflict with moral duty. Choose a literary work in which a character confronts the demand s of a private passion that conflicts with his or her responsibilities. In a well-written essay show clearly the nature of the conflict, its effects upon the character, and its significance to the work. 1981. The meaning of some literary works is often enhanced by sustained allusion to myths, the Bible, or other works of literature.Select a literary work that makes use of such a sustained reference. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain the allusion that predominates in the work and analyze how it enhances the work's meaning. 1982. In great literature, no scene of violence exists for its own sake. Choose a work of literary merit that confronts the reader or audience with a scene or scenes of violence. In a well-organized essay, explain how the scene or scenes contribute to the meaning of the complete work. Avoid plot summary. 1983. From a novel or play of literary merit, select an important character who is a villain.Then, in a well-organized essay, analyze the natu re of the character's villainy and show how it enhances meaning in the work. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1984. Select a line or so of poetry, or a moment or scene in a novel, epic poem, or play that you find especially memorable. Write an essay in which you identify the line or the passage, explain its relationship to the work in which it is found, and analyze the reasons for its effectiveness. 1985. A critic has said that one important measure of a superior work of literature is its ability to produce in the reader a healthy confusion of pleasure and disquietude.Select a literary work that produces this â€Å"healthy confusion. † Write an essay in which you explain the sources of the â€Å"pleasure and disquietude† experienced by the readers of the work. 1986. Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, an epic, or a play of recog nized literary merit and show how the author's manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 987. Some novels and plays seem to advocate changes in social or political attitudes or in traditions. Choose such a novel or play and note briefly the particular attitudes or traditions that the author apparently wishes to modify. Then analyze the techniques the author uses to influence the reader's or audience's views. Avoid plot summary. 1988. Choose a distinguished novel or play in which some of the most significant events are mental or psychological; for example, awakenings, discoveries, changes in consciousness. In a well-organized ssay, describe how the author manages to give these internal events the sense of excitement, suspense, and climax usually associated with external action. Do not merely summarize the plot. 1989. In questioning the value of literary realism, Flannery O'Connor has written, â€Å"I am interested in making a good case for distortion because I am coming to believe that it is the only way to make people see. † Write an essay in which you â€Å"make a good case for distortion,† as distinct from literary realism. Analyze how important elements of the work you choose are â€Å"distorted† and explain how these distortions contribute to the effectiveness of the work.Avoid plot summary. 1990. Choose a novel or play that depicts a conflict between a parent (or a parental figure) and a son or daughter. Write an essay in which you analyze the sources of the conflict and explain how the conflict contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid plot summary. 1991. Many plays and novels use contrasting places (for example, two countries, two cities or towns, two houses, or the land and the sea) to represent opposed forces or ideas that are central to the meaning of the work. Choose a novel or play that contrasts two such places.Write an essay explaining how the places di ffer, what each place represents, and how their contrast contributes to the meaning of the work. 1992. In a novel or play, a confidant (male) or a confidante (female) is a character, often a friend or relative of the hero or heroine, whose role is to be present when the hero or heroine needs a sympathetic listener to confide in. Frequently the result is, as Henry James remarked, that the confidant or confidante can be as much â€Å"the reader's friend as the protagonist's. † However, the author sometimes uses this character for other purposes as well.Choose a confidant or confidante from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you discuss the various ways this character functions in the work. You may write your essay on one of the following novels or plays or on another of comparable quality. Do not write on a poem or short story. 1993. â€Å"The true test of comedy is that it shall awaken thoughtful laughter. † Choose a novel, play, or long poem in which a scene or character awakens â€Å"thoughtful laughter† in the reader. Write an essay in which you show why this laughter is â€Å"thoughtful† and how it contributes to the meaning of the work. 994. In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary. 1995. Writers often highlight the values of a culture or a society by using characters who are alienated from that culture or society because of gender, race, class, or creed.Choose a novel or a play in which such a character plays a significant role and show how that character's alienation reveals the surrounding society's assumptions or moral values. 1996. The British novelist Fay Weldon offers t his observation about happy endings. â€Å"The writers, I do believe, who get the best and most lasting response from their readers are the writers who offer a happy ending through moral development. By a happy ending, I do not mean mere fortunate events — a marriage or a last minute rescue from death — but some kind of spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation, even with the self, even at death. Choose a novel or play that has the kind of ending Weldon describes. In a well-written essay, identify the â€Å"spiritual reassessment or moral reconciliation† evident in the ending and explain its significance in the work as a whole. 1997. Novels and plays often include scenes of weddings, funerals, parties, and other social occasions. Such scenes may reveal the values of the characters and the society in which they live. Select a novel or play that includes such a scene and, in a focused essay, discuss the contribution the scene makes to the meaning of the work as a whole.You may choose a work from the list below or another novel or play of literary merit. 1998. In his essay â€Å"Walking,† Henry David Thoreau offers the following assessment of literature: In literature it is only the wild that attracts us. Dullness is but another name for tameness. It is the uncivilized free and wild thinking in Hamlet and The Iliad, in all scriptures and mythologies, not learned in schools, that delights us. From the works that you have studied in school, choose a novel, play, or epic poem that you may initially have thought was conventional and tame but that you now value for its â€Å"uncivilized free and wild thinking. Write an essay in which you explain what constitutes its â€Å"uncivilized free and wild thinking† and how that thinking is central to the value of the work as a whole. Support your ideas with specific references to the work you choose. 1999. The eighteenth-century British novelist Laurence Sterne wrote, â€Å"No body, but he who has felt it, can conceive what a plaguing thing it is to have a man's mind torn asunder by two projects of equal strength, both obstinately pulling in a contrary direction at the same time. From a novel or play choose a character (not necessarily the protagonist) whose mind is pulled in conflicting directions by two compelling desires, ambitions, obligations, or influences. Then, in a well-organized essay, identify each of the two conflicting forces and explain how this conflict with one character illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. You may use one of the novels or plays listed below or another novel or work of similar literary quality. 2000. Many works of literature not readily identified with the mystery or detective story genre nonetheless involve the investigation of a mystery.In these works, the solution to the mystery may be less important than the knowledge gained in the process of its investigation. Choose a novel or play in which one or more of the ch aracters confront a mystery. Then write an essay in which you identify the mystery and explain how the investigation illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2001. One definition of madness is â€Å"mental delusion or the eccentric behavior arising from it. † But Emily Dickinson wrote Much madness is divinest Sense- To a discerning Eye-Novelists and playwrights have often seen madness with a â€Å"discerning Eye. † Select a novel or play in which a character's apparent madness or irrational behavior plays an important role. Then write a well-organized essay in which you explain what this delusion or eccentric behavior consists of and how it might be judged reasonable. Explain the significance of the â€Å"madness† to the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2002. Morally ambiguous characters — characters whose behavior discourages readers from identifying them as purely evil or purely good — ar e at the heart of many works of literature.Choose a novel or play in which a morally ambiguous character plays a pivotal role. Then write an essay in which you explain how the character can be viewed as morally ambiguous and why his or her moral ambiguity is significant to the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 2002, Form B. Often in literature, a character's success in achieving goals depends on keeping a secret and divulging it only at the right moment, if at all. Choose a novel or play of literary merit that requires a character to keep a secret.In a well-organized essay, briefly explain the necessity for secrecy and how the character's choice to reveal or keep the secret affects the plot and contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. You may select a work from the list below, or you may choose another work of recognized literary merit suitable to the topic. Do NOT write about a short story, poem, or film. 2003. According to critic Northrop Frye, â€Å"Tragic hero es are so much the highest points in their human landscape that they seem the inevitable conductors of the power about them, great trees more likely to be struck by lightning than a clump of grass.Conductors may of course be instruments as well as victims of the divisive lightning. † Select a novel or play in which a tragic figure functions as an instrument of the suffering of others. Then write an essay in which you explain how the suffering brought upon others by that figure contributes to the tragic vision of the work as a whole. 2003, Form B. Novels and plays often depict characters caught between colliding cultures — national, regional, ethnic, religious, institutional. Such collisions can call a character's sense of identity into question.Select a novel or play in which a character responds to such a cultural collison. Then write a well-organized essay in which you describe the character's response and explain its relevance to the work as a whole. 2004. Critic Rol and Barthes has said, â€Å"Literature is the question minus the answer. † Choose a novel, or play, and, considering Barthes' observation, write an essay in which you analyze a central question the work raises and the extent to which it offers answers. Explain how the author's treatment of this question affects your understanding of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 004, Form B. The most important themes in literature are sometimes developed in scenes in which a death or deaths take place. Choose a novel or play and write a well-organized essay in which you show how a specific death scene helps to illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 2005. In Kate Chopin's The Awakening (1899), protagonist Edna Pontellier is said to possess â€Å"That outward existence which conforms, the inward life that questions. † In a novel or play that you have studied, identify a character who outwardly conforms while questioning inwardly.Then write an essay in which you analyze how this tension between outward conformity and inward questioning contributes to the meaning of the work. Avoid mere plot summary. 2005, Form B. One of the strongest human drives seems to be a desire for power. Write an essay in which you discuss how a character in a novel or a drama struggles to free himself or herself from the power of others or seeks to gain power over others. Be sure to demonstrate in your essay how the author uses this power struggle to enhance the meaning of the work. 2006. Many writers use a country setting to establish values within a work of literature.For example, the country may be a place of virtue and peace or one of primitivism and ignorance. Choose a novel or play in which such a setting plays a significant role. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the country setting functions in the work as a whole. 2006, Form B. In many works of literature, a physical journey – the literal movement from one place to a nother – plays a central role. Choose a novel, play, or epic poem in which a physical journey is an important element and discuss how the journey adds to the meaning of the work as a whole. Avoid mere plot summary. 2007.In many works of literature, past events can affect, positively or negatively, the present activities, attitudes, or values of a character. Choose a novel or play in which a character must contend with some aspect of the past, either personal or societal. Then write an essay in which you show how the character's relationship to the past contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. 2007, Form B. Works of literature often depict acts of betrayal. Friends and even family may betray a protagonist; main characters may likewise be guilty of treachery or may betray their own values.Select a novel or play that includes such acts of betrayal. Then, in a well-written essay, analyze the nature of the betrayal and show how it contributes to the meaning of the work a s a whole. 2008. In a literary work, a minor character, often known as a foil, possesses traits that emphasize, by contrast or comparison, the distinctive characteristics and qualities of the main character. For example, the ideas or behavior of a minor character might be used to highlight the weaknesses or strengths of the main character. Choose a novel or play in which a minor haracter serves as a foil for the main character. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the relation between the minor character and the major character illuminates the meaning of the work. 2008, Form B. In some works of literature, childhood and adolescence are portrayed as times graced by innocence and a sense of wonder; in other works, they are depicted as times of tribulation and terror. Focusing on a single novel or play, explain how its representation of childhood or adolescence shapes the meaning of the work as a whole. 2009.A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or t hat creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2009, Form B. Many works of literature deal with political or social issues. Choose a novel or play that focuses on a political or social issue.Then write an essay in which you analyze how the author uses literary elements to explore this issue and explain how the issue contributes to the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2010, Form A. Palestinian American literary theorist and cultural critic Edward Said has written that â€Å"Exile is strangely compelling to think about but terrible to experience. It is the unhealable rift forced between a human being and a native place, between the self and its true home: its essential sadness can never be surmounted. † Yet Said has also said that exile can become â€Å"a potent, even enriching† experience.Select a novel, play, or epic in which a character experiences such a rift and becomes cut off from â€Å"home,† whether that home is the character’s birthplace, family, homeland, or other special place. Then write an essay in which you analyze how the character’s experience with exile is both alienating and enriching, and how this experience illuminates the meaning of the work as a whole. You may choose a work from the list below or one of comparable literary merit. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2010 Form B. â€Å"You can leave home all you want, but home will never leave you. —Sonsyrea Tate. Sonsyrea Tate’s statement suggests that â€Å"home† may be conceived of as a dwelling, a place, or a state of mind. It may have positive or negative associations, but in either ca se, it may have a considerable influence on an individual. Choose a novel or play in which a central character leaves home yet finds that home remains significant. Write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the importance of â€Å"home† to this character and the reasons for its continuing influence. Explain how the character’s idea of home illuminates the larger meaning of the work.Choose a work from the list below or another appropriate novel or play of comparable literary merit. Do not merely summarize the plot. 2011. In a novel by William Styron, a father tells his son that life â€Å"is a search for justice. † Choose a character from a novel or play who responds in some significant way to justice or injustice. Then write a well-developed essay in which you analyze the character’s understanding of justice, the degree to which the character’s search for justice is successful and the significance of this search for the work as a whole. 2011 , Form B.In The Writing of Fiction (1925), novelist Edith Wharton states the following: At every stage in the progress of his tale the novelist must rely on what may be called the illuminating incident to reveal and emphasize the inner meaning of each situation. Illuminating incidents are the magic casements of fiction, its vistas on infinity. Choose a novel or play that you have studied and write a well-organized essay in which you describe an â€Å"illuminating† episode or moment and explain how it functions as a â€Å"casement,† a window that opens onto the meaning of the work as a whole.Avoid mere plot summary. 2012. â€Å"And, after all, our surroundings influence our lives and characters as much as fate, destiny or any supernatural agency. † Pauline Hopkins, Contending Forces. Choose a novel or play in which cultural, physical, or geographical surroundings shape psychological or moral traits in a character. Then write a well-organized essay in which you an alyze how surroundings affect this character and illuminate the meaning of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

Fat Chance for the “Fat Tax”

Fat Chance for the â€Å"Fat Tax† Our bodies and what we put into them is our own business unless someone else is harmed in the process. I can understand a tax on drinkers and smokers because drinkers can harm others when they get behind the wheel of a car, and secondhand smoke is a killer of many, but a tax on what people eat is preposterous. People are still going to eat junk food no matter what the cost is; look at smoking, the price of cigarettes keeps going up but people continue to buy them.People already know that junk food is bad for them, but again and again they resort back to it because of the taste. We cannot depend on our government to help us with everything, we need to be independent and learn from our own mistakes, it’s the only way we will grow as a society. The fat tax would not work because it would make the poor spend more of their already limited income, people would still go back to junk food time after time, and obesity is a dilemma that would not be solved by a simple tax. Obesity and poverty go hand in hand; junk foods are cheap so the poor continue to buy them.By placing this tax we would be taxing the people who couldn’t afford it. Even people that are not obese would be affected by the tax, people like the taste of junk foods whether they are overweight or not. The poor would only end up poorer if the tax was set because even if they did stop buying junk foods, they would still have to pay more money for a healthy alternative. The tax could possibly end up making us a healthier nation†¦ possibly; but one thing for sure is it would definitely make us a poorer nation.Alan Maryon-Davis, President of the UK Faculty of Public Health stated that, â€Å"The downside of the tax is that it’s regressive in terms of it would hit the poorest hardest, and in the current climate when people are struggling to make a living, it’s a difficult balance. † Establishing this tax could also lead to job cuts a t corporations that have popular products that are considered unhealthy. To set a tax during a time when the economy is not up doesn’t seem to be a good idea any way you look at it; we will be taking more money out of people’s pockets.People prefer chips, fast food burgers, and fries over healthier things such as fruits, vegetables, and organic foods; so paying an extra . 20 or . 30 cents is not going to change their mind on what they like to eat. People might grumble about paying the extra money, but they will still dish it out in the end. If it were a four or five dollar tax then it would probably change their mind, but there would be some very angry citizens. Fatty foods will still be less expensive then healthier foods even if the tax was imposed.People are still going to do what they like to; cigarettes and alcohol are already taxed but people continue to smoke and drink, so how people think a tax on junk foods will change the way people eat is beyond me. Citizens should not look to the government to tell them what they should eat; they should be able to choose by themselves. The tax will either be too large for citizens to accept and they will get angry, or it will be too small for people to really care; there doesn’t really seem to be a happy medium. The June 2005 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition describes this in the article. ‘Overweight or obesity (BMI 25) was 29% among both semivegetarians and vegans, and 25% among lactovegetarians. For them, vegetarian and vegan foods are fattening. Should they be taxed? † (Satin). This seems to raise a very good question. Should people that are eating healthy but still seem to not be able to keep the weight off be taxed also? We should start using our time to spread healthy eating habits throughout the country instead of taxing things when they get out of hand.Obesity it not a problem that can be solved by a simple tax; just like smoking and drinking were not solv ed by taxes. If you take this matter as far as the Prohibition went then there would be people hiding out in places sneaking junk food around. William Saletan makes a good point in saying, â€Å"If you want to tax the hell out of soda, you need to make people think it’s a drug, not a beverage – that downing a Coke is like puffing on a cigarette† (Engber). If you want people to stop eating junk foods then you need to show them how bad they are, taxing them won’t help.Education on healthy eating habits and exercise would help the obesity epidemic more the tax would. Starting a fat tax would also form the opinion that the U. S. society is against overweight people, which could form insecurities for overweight people, and possibly be considered discrimination. The enabling of the tax might show a decline in obesity, while it could also possibly show a rise in diseases such as anorexia and bulimia. People would get uncomfortable about being overweight, maybe e ven to the point of depression.The tax could show a decline in obesity over many years, and the money generated from the tax could also help stimulate some of the anti-obesity organizations. The money could also be used to cover health care, medical research, or any other number of beneficial things. It might stimulate some people to start eating healthier and exercising more. Children might be fed healthier and down the road, in a couple generations, the obesity rate would drop. Even though people would still mostly likely buy junk foods it still might cut down on the over-eating of them.Denmark has already started to impose the fat tax and it will be fully done so in 2019. I still don’t buy it. The fat tax is a concept that should be thrown out the window. There are many other ways we can try to rid obesity; we could make companies state (in larger print) clearly what the shopper is buying when they look at the product, make healthy eating habits and exercise a bigger part of our children’s schooling, and inform citizens on the better choice of eating healthy and what it can do to help you. These are easy ways to help obesity prevention without taking money out of the pockets of our citizens. America is a free country and citizens should have a right to choose what they can and cannot eat.Works Cited Engber, Daniel. â€Å"Let Them Drink Water! What a fat tax really means for America. † Slate. 21 September 2009. Article. 19 November 2010. Satin, Mort. â€Å"Fat tax falls flat. † saltinstitute. Salt Institute. 29 July 2009. Web. 20 November 2010. Wilkins, Rebecca. â€Å"Danes impose 25% tax increases on ice cream, chocolate, and sweets to curb disease. † bmj. BMJ. 6 July 2010. Web. 20 November 2010.