What a women looks like Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

What a women looks like - Assignment Example The main essence lies in the exploring of how the country persistently follows the formula of tracing and evaluating an individuals’ characters according to their looks and attires. â€Å"In a highly mobile society, where first impressions are important and where selling oneself is the most highly cultivated â€Å"skill,† the construction of appearances becomes more and more imperative.† (Ewen, 1988: 85). Throughout the past and in the present as well, America’s view for women and men based on their appearance and dress remains unchanged. This can be best established through Douglas Bradley Smith’s question in his Quarterly Journal of Speech which asks: (1977: 215) Why has no communication scholar bothered to decode the specific meanings of the American wardrobe? While total absorption in such details might reduce us to public relations consultants, to ignore such details is to deny the global nature of human interaction. Clothing persuades. According to Susan S. Gilpin, an Assistant Professor at Marshall University, the matter has still not been explored in a deeper level by communication scholars (Gilpin, 2009). Her remark, â€Å"The workplace inequalities legitimated by contemporary dress for success rhetoric still requires scholarly investigation and critique†, (Gilpin, 2009) lucidly confirms the America still judges individuals as per their looks and attire. Despite the prevailing trend of judging men and women on the basis of their appearance and dress, a different school of thoughts still claims that America’s views in this regard has changed considerably. According to these opinions the country now perceives an individual by his or her potentials and qualities rather than the artificial facades. The best examples for them are Michale Jackson, who has rocked the world despite being not white and Barrack Obama, a black president

Feminist Therapy and Post-modern Approaches Essay Example for Free

Feminist Therapy and Post-modern Approaches Essay Feminist therapy (FT) arose in the 1960s as a result of women’s increasing awareness that discrimination resides in the way traditional psychology views female mental health. It was an attempt to enhance women’s autonomy and it was based on the integration of psychology and feminist theory. According to this theory, women form their identity through a perspective of constantly providing care for others at the expense of their own free will and initiative. This view represents the traditional gender role, which is not biologically determined but rather socially derived. FT emphasizes the principle of equality in all aspects’ of human experience. Its major tenet is that psychological difficulties arise from political and social causes, namely discriminative attitudes not only towards females but also towards ethnic, cultural, religious and sexual minorities (Landrine, 1995 Worell, 1997). FT attempts to provide care through a novel perspective which respects the patient’s wishes and needs instead of rigidly meeting societal expectations according to existing racial and sexist stereotypes. The client holds a central place in the treatment setting, and is encouraged to take initiative and guide the therapeutic process. The therapist is not viewed as an authority but as an equal partner, whose task is to educate and empower the patient. Therapists aim at demystifying the process of therapy in order to enhance clients’ sense of power and self-efficacy. In addition, they are particularly careful at avoiding power display in the therapy setting and may frequently use self-disclosure to restore equality and reciprocity in the therapeutic relationship (Worell, 1997). FT supports the idea that the client knows better than anyone what is best for him/her. Its main aim is to increase people’s awareness of internalized stereotypes and replace them with more realistic beliefs, to elaborate on issues of control and power and how they affect human experience and to enhance independent decision-making. Apart from gaining self-awareness and free choice, clients are also encouraged to actively participate in political and social groups, given that personal experiences are considered deeply political and personal evolution can arise only through social change (Landrine, 1995 Worell, 1997). The vast majority of feminist therapists and clients are women. However, it is a theory that hopes to address issues concerning both genders, ignoring any societal and cultural bias. The principles of FT are fruitfully applied in the field of physical and sexual abuse, eating disorders, body image distortions and issues of somatic health and reproduction. Commonly used techniques include gender-role analysis and intervention, power analysis and intervention, bibliotherapy, assertiveness training and self-disclosure (Landrine 1995, Worell, 1997). FT has provided new insights on managing mental health issues through a social and cultural perspective. It has fought prejudice in the practice of psychology, by adopting an egalitarian approach, regardless of gender, race, religious affiliation or sexual orientation and it has focused on the clients’ individual needs, strengths and wishes. The therapeutic context enhances collaboration and reciprocity and individuals are encouraged to become active members of their society in order to produce change. However, when placing too much value on cultural and social causes of mental disorders, there is the risk of ignoring the significance of personal factors and intrapsychic phenomena. When all psychological difficulties are considered to stem from the abuse of power and the effect of social prejudice and discrimination, then the individual fails to assume responsibility for his/her experience. In this way, true personal evolution may be sacrificed for the sake of social activism. In addition, the collaborative nature of the therapeutic process and the misuse of self-disclosure by feminist therapists may abolish professional and ethical boundaries and further damage the clients’ fragile psyche. Finally, this approach may prove extremely frustrating for people and cultures that place great emphasis on traditional societal roles. Post-modern Approaches Post-modern Approaches (PMA) evolved through the influence of post-modernism on the theory and practice of psychotherapy. Traditionally, philosophy and science have been dedicated to the conquest of the absolute truth. Post-modernism suggests that there is no such thing as objectivity and reality is constructed through language. In this view, mental illness is considered a social construct, originating from the dominating societal tendency to dichotomize and label all aspects of human experience (Boston, 2000). PMA, which include Solution-Focused Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Social Constructionism, are client-centered. The therapist’s role is not to provide authority-driven solutions but to help the client develop a new communication and new interpretation of his/her experience. Contrary to traditional psychotherapeutic views, they do not focus on symptoms and their historical context but on the present and on clients’ strengths and wishes. Post-modern theories place great value on language as a way of creating reality and consequently as a tool to produce change (Boston, 2000 Walker, 2006). For example, in Solution-Focused Therapy, clients are encouraged to discuss goals for change and means by which this change can be achieved (Gingerich, 2000 Lethem, 2002). Likewise, in Narrative Therapy the explicit description of the presenting problem allows the client to see his/her difficulties as a matter of personal and societal interpretation, distinct from his self-identity, thus contributing to the formulation of a less dysfunctional narrative (Boston, 2000). Post-modern Therapy is based on the individual’s existing strengths and resources. It frequently uses the technique of exceptions by urging clients to contemplate on paradigms where their difficulties were not so prominent. In this way, it empowers clients and provides them with a glance to future change. Another common technique is coping questioning which reveals effective coping strategies already used by the client, when faced with his/her current problems. Problem-free discussion is also used to address non-problematic domains of the client’s experience and enhance his/her sense of self-efficacy and confidence (Gingerich, 2000 Lethem, 2002). PMA have been successfully used in eating disorders, substance abuse and relationships problems. Psychiatric patients, couples, youth and criminal offenders have benefit from their application. Their techniques, which focus on the person and not the diagnostic label, may enhance the therapeutic alliance and the development of empathy, both associated with better therapy outcomes (Lethem, 2002). Social Constructionism which suggests that mental illness is a social construct, a product of medical terminology, has contributed to fighting discrimination and stigma. However, it entails the risk of devaluating all achievements in the field of psychiatric research. In addition, the abolishment of the therapist’s authority may for some individuals produce a sense of insecurity and confusion. Finally, another major disadvantage is that the efficacy of Post-modern Therapy is hard to be scientifically evaluated. Both FT and PMA have challenged traditional views including the classical Christian axioms (Arlandson, 2010). Nevertheless, their emphasis on equality, empowerment hope and motivation for change, seems to be in agreement with the spirit of the Bible’s teachings. To my opinion, counsellors should take into consideration their clients’ needs, strengths and aspirations as both FT and PMA dictate. To be effective, the counselling process must focus on the present and the future instead of trying to unravel mysteries of the distal past. Although most clients come to therapy with certain difficulties, a significant therapeutic force regardless of the counsellor’s theoretical background is the development of an empathetic alliance which can provide a sense of self-efficacy to the client and hope for the future. References Landrine, H. (1995). Bringing cultural diversity to feminist psychology: Theory, research, and practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Worell, J. , Johnson, N. G. (Eds. ). (1997). Shaping the future of feminist psychology: Education, research, and practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. Boston, P. (2000). Systemic family therapy and the influence of post-modernism. Advances in psychiatric treatment, 6, 450-457. Walker, M. T. (2006). The Social Construction of Mental Illness and its Implications for the Recovery Model. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation. 10 (1), 71-87 Lethem, J (2002). Brief Solution Focused Therapy. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 7(4), 189-192. Gingerich, W. J. Eisengart, S, (2000). Solution-Focused Brief Therapy: A Review of the Outcome Research. Family Process, 39(4), 477-498. Arlandson, J. (2010). Postmodernism and the Bible: Introduction. The American Thinker, 2010.

Mcdonalds rewards

Mcdonalds rewards The Reward System I have read the reward system of McDonald and personally we are very impressed and committed with this so that’s why we are gating that idea from McDonald reward system. A Global food services retailer knows as McDonalds is the leading global foodservice retailer. Details about its operations: Founder : Ray Kroc Number of Restaurants : 31,000 Approx Number of People Serve : 58 Million Approx (118 countries) 75% of McDonalds restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women. Some famous dishes of McDonalds World Famous Fries, Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, Chicken McNuggets and Egg McDuffie. The well-built foundation that he built continues today with McDonalds idea and the commitment of our talented managers to keep the shine on McDonalds Arches for years to come. http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/our_company.html Reward system of McDonald For McDonalds Corporation U.S. employees at corporate, division and region offices, our many benefits are organized into four categories: Security and Health Security, health and insurance remuneration Medical Vision supplement plan Dental stretchy spending accounts Short and long term disability Employee and dependent life insurance Accidental death dismemberment (ADD) Travel and business travel accident insurance Salaries and Rewards Remuneration, compensation, reward and recognition programs Basic pay motivation pay Company car program Recognition programs Future incentives Reserves, investment and financial management programs Profit Sharing and Savings Plan MCDirect Shares Mc$ave Credit union Financial planning services Others benefits Job/life remuneration leave Holidays Anniversary splatter Sabbatical program Summer Hours Leave of absence substitute Work Approach taking up assistance Kids concession Educational support identical gifts program worker Resource relationship Auto and home insurance group concession program International Fitness Club Network afar Work Internet discount program http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/careers/employee_benefits.html Now we can discuse in detail the reward system The Reward System Statement and knowledge are significant components of the change procedure. However even if the change message is well communicated and well conservative, and people are given the chance to study so they can act if you see in the quite new atmospheric no one can go to alter their performance. If they see theyre not leaving to revolutionize. What do you thing the reward system is important? If the company fail to give the reward to employees you can see that effect will go to company profit because of this company will go downward. So the reward system will be play main role in it. If you give the benefits to your employee you see every employ will try to improve work for the organization. People only work for the rewards. Reward system is very attractive thing for employees of the organization, reward system increase and enhance their working capacity and commitment. For some people the reward may be mostly monetary. Similar like this any company or any Originations rewarding system always brought positive crash. Rewards Rewards are grand arent they? But keep in mind, so when the reward goes to employ the employ will use that benefits of the organization and with the help of this they also maintain the life and enjoy every moment of life. Now you want them to work in a different way. and to behave differently And dont remember, they are thoughts if Ive got to labor to get unique skills, whats in it for me? Hows it going away to work if Im doing an enormous job, but the other team members arent why should I lose out because the others arent performing? And how am I going to move ahead if there are smaller number levels in the association? What sort of prize determination I get? Is it worth the attempt to change? So previous to plummeting ahead with a alter project, you need to reply a few question concerning the current and prospect reward system. Primary, regarding What are the current rewards? What is at present rewarded? How do you provide the reward? And then about the future organization What do you want satisfied? What are the rewards leaving to be? Whats the score system going to be? Whos going to be doing the scoring? How will rewards be given? Who is leaving to be satisfied? Who will do the rewarding? CEOs, heads, directors, managers, supervisors, and simultaneous Engineering team members all need to be informed of the answer to his question upfront. And make it unadorned frank to the people who do the rewarding that if they dont give a reward that is due, they will be in deep problem because it will give the feeling that youre not grave about change. And once people start thinking that youre not serious concerning change, and start to hesitation your honesty, and then no one is leaving to alter their activities. The not on time moderator Tuttle said, the expert mans only asset is himself. If he does not contain the quality of honesty he is valueless. If he does he is invaluable. Good alter managers must have the excellence of integrity, and are invaluable. http://www.aboutmcdonalds.com/mcd/careers/employee_benefits.html Do YOU AGREE WITH PROFERMCE LINKED AWARD SYSTEM? I would like to share copied the meaning of Reward system along with that what is reward? Why we should be decided with satisfying scheme within our association. Plunder are great arent they? But keep in mind, after the hard work when the company give the attractive pay and other things for this hard work with the help of this the company goes up for these benefit in the shape of reward employee enjoy the life and that enjoyment makes his mind to more hard work for the company and for more to get the reward and make the life good and the employee desire them to work in a different way and good treat. Then you want prize them in a different way. Primary,ok and that benefit into the shape of reward change the employee’ you can get the prospect. Youll want to reward them for changing getting the right skill and behave the right way. Youll want to prize them for going a bit additional than average and doing things really right. Performance management includes processes that effectively communicate company aligned goals, evaluate employee performance and reward them fairly. Your Pay and Rewards (ref from McDonald’s reward system) Attractive program follows a pay for appearance beliefs: The better your results, the greater your pay opportunities. Base Pay Since employees bottom pay is the most important portion of their recompense, McDonalds maintain the competitiveness of our base pay through an annual review of both external market data and interior peer data. In our business, division and region offices, McDonalds has a broad banding compensation system. Broad banding allows for suppleness in terms of pay, movement and growth. Incentive Pay Inducement pay gives our workers with the possibility to earn spirited total compensation when performance meets and exceed goals. For our corporate, parting and region office, the Target Incentive Plan (TIP) links employee presentation with the presentation of the business they hold up. TIP pays a gratuity on top of employees base salaries base on business presentation and their person appearance. Long Term Incentives Long term incentives are granted to entitled workers to both prize and retain key employees who have shown continued presentation and can crash long-term value creation at McDonalds. for the befits of employees the long term incentives are very helpful because when the organization has a policies of incentives or long term incentives then the employees of the organization feel secured and work hardly for the organization. Similar like this any company or any Originations rewarding system always brought positive crash. Recognition Programs Our recognition programs are intended to reward and recognize physically powerful performers. For our corporate, separation and region offices, these take in the president Award (given to the top 1% of individual performers worldwide) and the Circle of fineness Award (given to top teams worldwide to be familiar with their aid for advancing our vision). Once start to hesitation your honesty, and then no one is leaving to alter their activities Appraisal system is also very helpful and makes a positive competition and encouragement in between the employees of the organization. Promotions will be appraisal based which encourage employees for hard work. Company Car Program Our company car program provides entitled employees with a company car for both business and individual / personal use. If entitled, employees can decide from. This is also very encouraging and motivating incentive for employees. It creates competition between employees and they work hard to get this incentive. I had explained earlier above in easy words which are also explaining the definition of rewarding system within Organization. I am really agreed by satisfying system in any system which is very much helpful for the worker of company or Organization’s person who is been rewired in past work more harder for future to get better achievement in his life’s would like add one simple example of satisfying system why we should be agreed because if we deliberate hard then institution of higher education Reward us with Degree which greet the internal feelings of any person. Similar like this any company or any Originations rewarding system always brought positive crash. Rewarding system is basically encouragement for employees and appreciation for their hard work. Rewarding system is very beneficial for the organization too. Rewarding system always longed-for either it is for client reward to make them content for keep coming back to you or reward for urn worker for the best services. Rewards for clients or employees is very attractive and worth full. Organization will get many benefits from awarding system. The primary emphasis: In the approach discussed above is on as long as monetary plunder to be familiar with teams and cooperation. A recent study shows the feasibility of using non-financial rewards for this purpose. The study (Shaw Schneider, 1995) focussed on recital and reward management practices in large organizations using full-time teams of excused employees. Its results point to that only one-fourth of the organization surveyed used financial rewards to be familiar with teams; the rest used a wide variety of non-financial rewards including public recognition of high performing teams. Many organizations reward employees who are effectual team contributor through highly valued job and team assignments. Teamwork itself can provide intrinsic rewards through swelling and enrichment of work. Being a member of a well-known, highly prestigious team may be perceived as an even more intrinsically pleasing reward. Much organization gives targets to their employees. When they achieve their target, organizati ons reward them. Devising reward systems: A figure of design issue should be kept in mind while devise prize systems to be familiar with team success and human being team members aid to this achievement. To begin with, it is very important to set team objectives which spell out evidently what is usual from the team. These objectives can then be used to decide team level prize. Sometimes, teams are encouraged to compete against each other for a team level prize. This practice can hamper cooperation, information-sharing, and coordination across teams. Inter-dependencies among teams should be considered before implementing such competitive rewards. The next main issue relates to the distribution of team level reward among individual team members. Reward could be dispersed equally or differentially. Equal distribution can endorse cooperation among team members. But, it can also. DESIGNING A REWARD PROGRAM The keys to just beginning a reward show is as follows: Credit of corporation or group goal that the reward program will support Identification of the desired employee performance or behaviours that will strengthen the companys goals strength of mind of key measurements of the performance or behaviour, base on the person or groups preceding achievement Determination of suitable rewards Communication of program to employees. This system is depends on Employees performance and behaviour, if there performance and behaviour is positive then they will get more benefits from the organization. On the other hand, if they their performance and behaviour is not good then there is not reward for them, this will be encourage them for hard work and positive and good behaviour. DIFFERENTIATING REWARDS FROM MERIT PAY AND THE PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL In scheming a reward program, a little business landlord needs to divide the salary or value pay system from the reward system. monetary rewards, especially those given on a regular basis such as bonuses, gain sharing, etc., should be tied to an employees or a groups activities and should be careful pay at risk in order to coldness them from salary. By doing consequently, a manager can avoid a sense of entitlement on the part of the employee and ensure that the reward] highlight fineness or achievement rather than basic competency. Performance appraisal is based on the performance and behaviour of the employees, this is very beneficial for the company to make a good competition between the employees, if company give those benefits on the basis of their performance and behaviour / attitude and hard work, and this will encourage and attract the other one who is not performing well. Conclusions It is very much clear that current prize systems require changes to fit with the rising organizational realities. Skill-based pay, broadband pay structures, variable pay, and team rewards are among the new approaches that have been suggested in the creative writing. When we will give those Prizes, rewards, pays according to their skills and behaviour and performance then they will feel secured and this will increase their working skill. The discussion in this paper indicates that logic underlying this approach appears to be sound, but many key design issues confront them. I-O psychologists and other behavioural scientists can play a significant role in addressing this issue. Question: How will you define a Career? Describe the Strategies adopted for career development in Organization. Definition: The initiative for your future has long been searched in the social sciences. It has been described as being in connection with individuality and as long as a residual trace of the individual’s relationship with work. A constructionist approach to research enables a focus on the language of career-talk as an opaque incidence. The analysis of 54 interviews with university alumnae working by one large, UK based, high street seller provides an illustration of how common sense understandings nearby career work as a backdrop to individual financial records. Career as a strategic plan is denied, yet negotiate as a legitimate, even attractive, behavior of the employing association. Although the focal point of analysis is on the tools and does of communication, situated at a micro level, this analysis illustrates how specific constructive practices make worldwide notions of career relevant and up for re-negotiation in interaction Palming for making the good future: How are major UK utilizing institutions commerce with career growth in situation which we are told threaten the very idea of a future career? Carer building is one the important aspect of human resource management and it plays an important role in motivation of employees. Pressures building change in the concept of good career as imbursement together safety and series have come from hard works shortage and continually changes in company. They have brought attractive and beautiful successful ways leave the work protection, very less job atmosphere, no one can made the career. These things which are different on the earth one more thing raises for the success of these jobs. Growth we mean all those performance increasing the human mind and then he use the batter in the work as well as teaching and guidance. Changing tasks The case study organisations plays their role in this in this investigates have surely been under strong stress to review their facts about career growth. Most of them have abridged the promise of the organisation to managing the career progress of the labour force from director of manager. It was explained that in job shift batter meant of future (career) employer managed it. (Board of director who had the power and daily basis employer for the well result specially arranging the employee (by the employee)( personal development plans). Modified to over come organisational and individual need. Segmented strategies What is visibly incidence is that beneath the universal rhetoric of career growth (most often about helped self-development), real strategic place differ from each other Workforce to another: Older managers and experienced workers are receipt rehabilitated attention and are still usual for career with the farm either if it is not career of life. Successful plan work stay for long-time, and the build-up the group is also planned. For the career improvement: The maximum hard workers here the original company problem. if the every one try to encourage and push up the others so the that thing will be improve the level of activity in the organization and for this everyone will be honest with the job and the organization will be improve day by day Knowledge of the organisations in this investigate research plan based on gap point of three Keyes .each of which needs to be stopped up before oratory and realism align. A complete honest message The primary hole is flanked by the wants of the business and the fixed message from the top concerning careers and advance. This gap occurs either because the career expansion point is no good, it is badly and not fair linked or because it is poorly or dishonestly communicated. Specific the original career development place may be segmented, belied by a worldwide message. Workable career development processes. The moment hole is involving the career improvement clue accepted and the processes or interventions which HR people put in place. At in attendance these processes do not seem to bring into line with the message, they do not fit jointly, and they are not well unspoken. Real intention to deliver The third break is stuck between the official messages — of rule and/or processes — and the realism of employment and development practices. This hole clearly occurs if the message is lying. It also occurs if workers see that systems are not important for used, actually that previous plan are not suitable for promise and causes. It is just because of this gap that recourses for labour force to observe career growth scheme as mere rhetoric. What workers and their managers need at current is a much clearer sight of: The assumptions the company is creation about their prospect service and its intention to support their progress Practical processes for deploy people and delivering enlargement which are consistent with these intention The reserve and promise for taking these types of program used If we see in past we can get that simple ways in which the company could use the out test for the planed strategies and special and important clues for the good results. Ref: www.aboutmcdonalds.com.

Paul Krugmans The Accidental Theorist :: Federal Reserve Monetary Policy

Paul Krugman's The Accidental Theorist In the piece entitled Four Percent Follies from The Accidental Theorist Krugman discusses how some people think Alan Greenspan should let the economy grow faster. Four Percenters, those against Greenspan, feel that he is not putting enough currency into circulation therefore slowing growth. If more money is put into the economy then it will grow faster but if too much is put in, inflation will occur. Also, they feel that this will remedy the low rate of unemployment which will soon cause inflation to spiral upward if it continues to decrease below the standard 6%. Adam Smith would surely understand the Four Percenter’s plea. He would want the economy to be free from too much government control. Greenspan is abusing his place and should let the currency flow into the market rather then hold back. Sure, Smith would say some mediation is necessary to keep too much money from pouring in so inflation doesn’t occur. Smith believes that the economy should be free from the government yet the government should still silently oversee it to prevent any problems. Greenspan is preventing problems but is being too cautious and Smith would want him to let more currency into our market but still keep it from getting out of control. My view on this matter is quite similar to that of Adam Smith’s view on the matter. I also feel that an economy should be allowed to flourish and grow to its fullest capacity. As the article illustrates, inserting more money into the economy will certainly cause the economy to grow and also help fix the unemployment rate. So I feel that Greenspan should loosen his control over the money and let more currency be distributed into the economy. But I also feel that it is very important that Greenspan maintains a watchful eye over this inserting of money into the economy. His job is to keep the economy prosperous and safe. So while he must let more money flow he still must be sure to keep too much money from entering our market.

Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay

Democracy: â€Å"1 a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2: a political unit that has a democratic government† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) With the 2008 elections fast approaching, and a highly fueled and hotly contested primary and general election campaign waning, the public is forced to consider the problems and opportunities in the American democratic system. Is there something wrong with the democratic system in the United States of America? If so, what? If there is a problem with democracy in America, what is it and how can it be fixed? The United States of America was born of an act of legislation designed to promote democracy. The United States has developed into a world superpower by enacting and enforcing legislation designed to enhance democracy. Today, legislation is passed by elected officials who then vote in national, state, and local legislative assemblies. In other words, voting and the electoral system, is the catalyst for maintaining democracy. The United States can improve democracy by improving the voting system that facilitates the democratic process. Federally mandated voter registration Today, many men are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving their mothers the right to vote. All ethnic minorities are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving African-Americans the right to vote. Voter registration is still optional, and considered a privilege. But now is the time to make voter registration a responsibility of all American citizens. Voter registration should be treated like Selective Service registration, a must for those who wish to receive any other benefits of citizenship including financial aid and government employment. It is not difficult to keep track of eligible voters, especially in this information age where all children are issued a social security number at birth. This process can be as simple as using the existing social security system to send registrations to those who have reached their 18th birthday and maintaining a national database similar to the social security and selective service rolls. Enforcement can be as simple as cross referencing social security numbers for registration upon application for jobs, financial aid, and public assistance. Compliance can be mandated by withholding benefits pending registration. This is a minimal effort and may not increase voter participation. But this registration plan could eliminate most existing barriers to voter registration. Federal authority over state and local elections This idea expands on the idea of the federal registration system. The Federal Elections Commission already exists. With electronic voting and reporting, federal authorities should require that all state and local elections comply with the same guidelines as national elections. This would work by applying residency requirements to both congressional elections and local elections. In other words, a person registered, residing, receiving benefits in Idaho cannot register to vote in local elections in Columbus, Georgia. This simply uses the wealth of electronic information captured on citizens to manage voting. This system would have to also account for citizens with multiple residences by requiring that everyone declare a primary residence which would be the location for their voting. If they know that they will be in a secondary residence at election time, the registration system should allow them to easily request absentee balloting which could be completed by mail or turned in at a local agency of the federal board of election. Citizen assemblies control re-districting activities Legislative assemblies and committees currently control political re-disctricting plans. In other words, elected officials decide when and how (and if) voters want, need, and get additional elected officials. Rapid economic development causes some districts to grow and change materially and demographically such that a single elected official cannot effectively serve the interests of the entire district. In that case citizens should have the right to send a message, at the voting booth, that they need additional representation. A citizen assembly should bring together elected and public officials, urban and economic planners, and affected citizens together to draw districting plans that represent the interests of all parties without compromising a sitting official’s position or ignoring a constituent’s special needs. A series of re-districting alternatives can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Voter responsibility education Schools should be required to include a course that teaches voting rights and responsibility as part of a social studies, American government, and civics curriculum. This course should be repeated at the university level to account for foreign students that will eventually become United States citizens. For older Americans who are beyond the educational system and for older immigrants, community based programs should be implemented that instill that voter registration is a responsibility of citzenship, not just an optional right or privilege. Tax deductible campaign donations Public financing for campaigns is generally not a tangible benefit for lower income voters. Many may see public financing as a way for candidates who do not have their interests in mind to advance their campaigns. Allowing federal and local tax deductions for small campaign donations can help to decrease feelings of disenfranchisement of lower income voters. They have the opportunity to directly support the candidate or issue of choice, and receive a ture public benefit (both the donation and the deduction). This could replace the current system and be managed at the federal level as well. Conclusion The United States can enhance democracy by modifying its election system. By placing activities such as deciding on political districts and adding value to campaign donations, voters are enfranchised in a greater way. Education makes citizens understand the benefits of voting. Consolidating the registration and polling makes the system as fair and not subject to less error. References democracy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/democracy Gerkin, H. , et al. (2006). Six Ways to Reform Democracy. Boston Review, September/October 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://bostonreview. net/BR31. 5/gerken. php

What to Do If Youre Bored in College

What to Do If You're Bored in College When you thought of what college would be like, you probably didnt think about it being boring. Despite all the activity that takes place on a college campus, there can be times when things do get a wee bit slow. So what can you do to help pass the time? 1. Walk to a New Part of Campus If you need something to do, one of the best ways to find something exciting is to step outside and see whats going on. Put on a pair of comfy shoes, grab your phone, and head outside to explore a part of campus youve never visited before. You just might stumble across a few friends playing rugby, a cool new part of campus where you can study, or an art exhibit that piques your interest. 2. Head to the Gym Dont feel like working out? Hitting the gym might be just the pick-me-up you need to get some energy, refocus your priorities, and pass some time. Plus, youll get exercise and the health benefits to boot. 3. Join or Start a Pick-up Game If things are a little slow on campus, chances are you arent the only one looking for something to do. Head to the gym, see who else is hanging out, and start a pick-up game. Youll burn calories, meet some new people, get some exercise, and pass the time- while possibly earning bragging rights. 4. Read Something for Fun It may sound crazy given how much reading you do in college anyway, but think about it: When was the last time you read a gossip magazine just for fun? Or caught up on the latest news about your favorite sports team?  Head to the bookstore or a local supermarket and, for a few bucks, treat yourself to some fun, easy reading that doesnt require you to take notes. 5. Do Homework in a New Location Consider this, would you rather work on your homework when youre bored or when there are tons of fun, exciting things going on that you dont want to miss? Finding a new study location can also help make doing your homework feel less tedious. A new environment can do wonders for your focus, outlook, and productivity. 6. Hang out in Your Residence Hall Lobby Your residence hall common area might seem like a place that you just pass through on the way to and from your room every day. If you time it right, you can head down, enjoy the extra space, perhaps watch a game on the TV, and meet some new people or hang out with ones you already know. It can be a nice way to do something new in a place that already feels familiar. 7. Watch a Game in Person If youre bored on campus, see if theres a game scheduled. Choose a sport you havent seen in person before. Watching rugby, soccer, softball, lacrosse, or water polo can be a great way to spend an afternoon. 8. Watch a Game on TV or the Internet So, things on campus are a little slow and boring. Grab some friends, head to the dining hall, pick up some snacks and drinks, and watch the game on TV or on the computer in your room. It might not be as exciting as watching the game in person, but it can be a great way to pass the time- especially if the weather outside is far from ideal. 9. Go to an Event Youve Never Attended   The chances of absolutely  nothing  happening on your campus at any given point in time are pretty slim. The problem might be, however, that the things that are going on just arent on your radar. Challenge yourself to step outside of your comfort zone and attend an event that youve never gone to before. 10. Go to a Cultural Event off Campus Cant find anything to do on campus? Check out the local entertainment listings of whats happening  off  campus. A  poetry slam, art fair, music festival, or some  other event can be just what you need to turn a boring day into a memorable one and get familiar with your new city at the same time. 11. Go to a Museum off Campus Youre in college because you enjoy learning new things and living an intellectual life. Take that smarty-pants brain of yours and go learn something new at a museum exhibit in town. Viewing something new and exciting from a certain time period, artist, photographer, or sculptor can be a great learning experience. If youre lucky, you can even use what you learned as bonus points in an upcoming class assignment. 12. Call and Catch up With a High School Friend Things can get so busy in college that it can be difficult to  keep in touch with your high school or hometown friends. When was the last time you had a nice, long phone call with a friend you knew before you left for college? If you have some free time and are a little bored, use the break to your advantage and catch up with an old friend. 13. Hang out in the Campus Coffee Shop The campus coffee shop offers far more than just your favorite kind of coffee. It can be a good place to get some work done, surf the Internet, people watch, or otherwise just hang out. And if youre bored, it can be a great place to get a change of scenery without spending  too much money. 14. Grab Some Friends and Head to a Movie off Campus   If you use your  student discount, you can catch a new movie, have some social time, get off campus, and mentally check out  from the stress of college life  for a few hours- all at a discounted price. 15. Grab Some Friends and Watch a Movie Online   If the weather is bad but you need something to do, grab some friends and stream a movie in someones room. Even if its a horrible movie, you and your friends will have something to laugh about. 16. Do Something Creative   For students lucky enough to have a creative streak, the time to relax and make something just for fun is rare. Turn a boring afternoon into one of those moments when you can let your creativity flow without having to worry about your upcoming assignment. 17. Crank up the Music and Organize Your Life Use a free (read: boring) afternoon to do all the things you dont want to  do  but actually need to get  done. Do your laundry,  clean up  your room, organize your paperwork, make sure your  calendar/time management system  is up to date, and generally get your  to-do list  done. Cranking up the music (or watching a movie) can help make the tasks go faster. The way youll feel when everything is done will be well worth it.