Of mice and men & An inspector calls Essay

â€Å"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery†- Winston Churchill Winston Churchill thinks that socialism is a philosophy of failure however John Steinbeck author Of Mice and Men & JB Priestly author of An Inspector Calls would say that capitalism creates the failure in society not socialism. Both authors create a microcosm to show us how society was like at the time. This is called social realism. The two texts show how rich people are quick to take advantage of the poor and the vulnerable. The book of mice of men was written in 1937, by John Steinbeck. This book is set in 1930’s California, Salinas valley also known as south Soledad. It was after the war and after the Wall Street crash this is when everybody lost their jobs and became bankrupt. Everyone moved to South California to look for jobs on ranches to fulfil the â€Å"American dream â€Å"another reason why everyb ody had to move to South California is because of the Dust bowl also known as the Dirty Thirties due to the fact it was during the 1930’s. The dust bowl is a period of ruthless dust storms which affected America’s agriculture and ecology. The dust storms were caused by a long period of drought and years of bad farming techniques that caused such things as soil erosion. The weak soil then travelled majority of the United States leaving a thick fog of dust, the drought and erosion of the Dust Bowl affected 100,000,000 acres (400,000 km2) that centred on the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma and touched adjacent sections of New Mexico, Colorado, and Kansas. In many areas, over 75% of the topsoil was blown away by the end of the 1930s there were severe long-term economic consequences of the Dust Bowl, farmers couldn’t harvest any more crops because the soil was ruined. Counties that had experienced the most considerable levels of erosion saw a greater decline in agricultural land values the per-acre value of farmland decreased by 28% in high-erosion counties and 17% in medium-erosion counties. Furthermore banks failed in the Dust Bowl region with a higher rate of frequency than in the rest of the country, it was har der for farmers to gain access to the credit they needed to buy capital to shift crop production. Consequently Farmers & business owners had to move away because they had no more money. Steinbeck became sensitive towards the people in California. He  wants to help marginalised citizens. Steinbeck created this book to show how reality was to fight against the media. It was a miniature representation of something in this case 1930s California, his book was based on social realism. To show everyone real life as it truly is. He presents the protagonists & antagonists in the world. He is not concerned about idealizing things and making them beautiful when they are not. He is displaying real life as it is for political, social and moral reasons. Steinbeck wanted to indicate the socialism is better than capitalism. The play An Inspector Call is set in the city in Northern Midlands in 1912 and was written J.B Priestly. The book is set just before the First World War. (1911-1914) and that it’s the period history that Priestly chose to set his play on. Priestly play was written just after the World War 2 I think this is to show capitalism is wrong and how socialism i s right he portrayed this by showing Britain at its worst I think he wanted to influence socialism into the new, younger generation. He did this to avoid further war & conflict by showing how capitalism is wrong. The antagonist in of mice of men is Curley. This is because of his habit to think he is better than everyone. Curley’s appearance shows that he is a replica as his father; this is shown when both characters were introduced. The Boss was introduced first in chapter 2 â€Å"he wore high heeled boots with spurs to prove he is not a labouring man† spurs are the sharp silver circles at the bottom of boots; spurs are spiky and sharp this could suggest that the boss is dangerous and he shows this through his boots furthermore these specific boots are more expensive than a typical ranch hand could afford this could propose that the boss is to superior to help the workers like an socialist boss would, this is shown because the boots aren’t practical for workers because they are high heeled and we can’t work in high heeled boots. Curly was introduced in the same chapter(2) â€Å"Liked t he Boss he wore high heeled boots† Curly shows authority through the clothes he wears the quote â€Å"high heeled boots† show he wants to appear taller because of the fact he is short In addition it can also suggest that he is not like the ordinary ranch workers but more superior; He wants everyone else on the ranch to look up to him and treat him with higher authority. Curly is intimidated by Lennie because he is bigger and loftier than him and he tries to act immense around Lennie to show him that he is not scared. This makes us dislike him because we know  that even though Lennie is big and tall he wouldn’t hurt anyone out of meanness. Curley mirrors an animal when he spots Lennie smirking at him â€Å"his hands closed into fists, he stiffened into a crouch† describe him like an animal about to prance. Animals attack would be vicious and dangerous; reason why Curley is an antagonist because of the fact he acts like a scary ferocious and treacherous animal, this would affect the readers because nobody like violent nasty animals. Steinbeck may have done this so the readers of the novel or the people watching the play would change their views are realise that if they are capitalist how wrong it is due to the fact how Steinbeck exaggerated Curlys attitude. Curlys closed fists could mean he is hiding his fear from Lennie by shutting it out Curly has competition with every guy taller than him because he thinks they’re a threat to him. Curly picks on the marginalised characters and doesn’t even care for his dead wife but for revenge on Lennie this shows how cold hearted he is and since Curly is one of the main reprehensive of the capitalists in the book Steinbeck is showing us that the capitalists are the bad guys to the affect that they won’t even have a tad bit of sympathy for even their wife. Protagonists in Of mice and men are George and Lennie this is because they are always there for each other the quote â€Å"I got you to look after me and you got me to look after you† this shows that they got a lot of love for each other. George and Lennie have a brotherly relationship. George is the big brother & Lennie is the little brother. †a few beans slipped out of the side of Lennie mouth, George gestured with his spoon. The gesture which he did is something a mother would do to a child. We like Lennie because he is like a child. In Chapter 1 (pg21) the following quote stated by George to Lennie quite a few times is, â€Å"Say it over to yourself, Lennie, so you won’t forget it.† Here George is treating Lennie like a child because he can not remember anything and must be constantly reminded of what he has to do. Lennies childish behaviour is also shown in the last chapter when Lennie says â€Å"You ain’t gonna leave me, are ya George?† (p. 98) He is fearing, as a little child would, that he will be left all along, and both he and George know that Lennie cannot be on his own we admire Lennie because he is fair and treats everyone the same. We don’t know a lot about Lennie’s background. We don’t know what happened to Lennie’s family and parents and why he didn’t live with them, just that he was looked after by his Aunt Clara. George is  Lennies only family apart from his Aunt, We think of Lennie as a protagonist because he is like a child and everyone likes children we like George because he looks after Lennie and doesn’t take advantage of him to the effect which he treats him like his own family. George could have left Lennie when ever he wanted to. George could’ve left Reed and let the authorities take lennie so he would run off, start somewhere new with a better job and won’t have Lennie as a interference anymore, the fact that George helped Lennie escape shows that they really care for each other and he is like an big brother to him. We are shown Lennies childish behaviour at the start of the book we know he likes to touch soft things, He has a dead mouse in his pocket so he can stroke it as there walking along, When George sees this he treats him like a child and makes Lennie throw it away â€Å"give it here!† This shows there father-son like relationship as the harsh to ne he used when he asked Lennie for the mouse. The harsh tone is shown by the explanation mark. Other protagonist in of mice and men are candy and crooks. Candy is discriminated for being old and disables, readers will feel sympathetic towards him especially after Carlson killed Candy’s only companion his dog; Crooks is a Negro and is discriminated for his race. In the great depression black people suffered as much as white people and in majority of the cases even worse. They left the southern states hoping to find work majority of the time they won’t come across any and they would experience racism. Along with candy crooks character is used by Steinbeck to show the effects of discrimination. This time the prejudice is based on race, crooks is not allowed in the bunk house with the white people he is only allowed in Christmas and that is because he pays a collateral of fighting for their entertainment. The protagonist in of mice and men are coincidently the marginalised characters. Steinbeck shows us that the protagonists in the book are also the socialists. The protagonists in An Inspector Calls is the inspector this is because he feels remorseful for Eva Smiths’ death .In addition the Inspector is the only character in the play who didn’t do something to result in her dying. We can relate the inspector to the ghost from the Christmas tale â€Å"Ghosts of the Christmas past†. The ghosts try to change Ebenezer Scrooges behaviour the same way the inspector is trying to change the Birlings family manners and make them more socialists characters. Sheila is a protagonist because she changed from a  self-centred mummy’s girl to a mature and generous young lady. This is because the inspector showed that what she was did was wrong. In addition we like Sheila because she took full responsibility for Eva Smith’s death and the fact that she played a part towards it. Even after they realised that the inspector was actually a counterfeit and that they are not in trouble she felts guilty. Likewise Eric Sheila’s brother also changed his views he was already had socialists views at the start of play unlike Sheila however at the end of the play both characters took full responsibility and changed their capitalist views to socialist views. However Eric didn’t take full responsibility and tried to put some blame on Mrs Birling his mother. This is because Mrs Birling took no blame for the death of Eva smith. The fact that Mrs Birling takes no liability makes us dislike her similarly Mr Birling takes no blame and is actually relieved that the inspector didn’t come for him but his family this shows how subterranean he is, he didn’t mind the fact that his family might be in danger, only the fact that he is out of harm’s way. Mr Birling selfish and arrogant behaviour makes us dislikes him. Steinbeck and priestly are trying to demonstrate to us that the protagonists are socialists and that socialists are much loving caring and they are people we tend to like however capitalist are supercilious big headed and they are they bad people in life. Social mobility is when the poor attempt to ascend up to the prosperous however the prosperous push them down. This is shown in both texts of mice of men and an inspector calls. A classic example would be Eva smith from An Inspector Calls. She is a working class girl who committed suicide. This is because every time she stepped up or if something good happened to her the Birling residents pushed her down. Eva smith asked Mr Birling for pay raise however he said no for the reason that he claimed that if he paid her more he would have to increase the tax of the goods he sells the quote â€Å"They wanted 25 shilling I refused of course†. Proves my previous points point that capitalist are cold hearted, Mr Birling simply could have used his own money o pay the tax instead of increasing it however he is a capitalist and capitalists only care for themselves therefore to the only way to dispense of this problem was to sack Eva smith from work. The word â€Å"of course† shows u s that there was nothing to discuss and the answer to the raise is moderately perceptible. Mr Birling cares about himself and the profit he gains by getting rid of Eva smith, he  kept himself happy but didn’t realise he just ruined an innocent girls life. Sheila Mr Birling’s daughter took advantage of her father’s power. The quote â€Å"so you used the power you had†¦ to punish the girl just because she made you feel like that† shows the reader Sheila’s selfish attitude. The facts that Sheila got the girl fired because she was prettier than her shows us how priestly is trying to tell us that capitalists are snobby and bigheaded. They will also do anything they want to get what they want even if it’s distressing someone else. Mrs Birling refused to help pregnant Eva smith and said that it’s her fault and that she can’t do anything. This is also known as laissez faire which means not to interfere. The French word means let them do as they will. Mrs Birling doesn’t interfere with Eva Smiths life. This is an example of Mrs Billing’s cruel capitalistic behaviour. In my opinion I thinks that Mrs Birling is more capitalists then all the characters because of the fact she never had to work for money and she was born rich. Unlike Mr Birling who had to work for his money. They are the reason why society is failing and people can’t get jobs. It is ironic because they say they worked to get where they are now, but when one works, and gets rich the capitalists pus them down. In of mice and men, George and Lennie start of working in a ranch in southern California called Salinas’s valley. They are working together so they can get enough money to fulfil the â€Å"American Dream†. The American dream is to own a farm, live on it and the food that grows on the farm as well as the money they make of it. This represent the Jefferson ideal of agrarian society, Thomas Jefferson promoted an agrarian society for the United States of America during the nation’s early formation. Jefferson wanted America to live on farms and live on it and the food that grows on it. Curly the boss’s son abuses his power; he picks on Lennie and controls his wife, curly s capitalistic behaviour led to the failure of the American dream. Lennie had a dream and his dream was to live of the â€Å"fatta the land† the quote shows that Lennie wants to rise up and live and work for himself one day. Curley smashed lennies dream, he paid no attention o his wife so his wife tried communicating with Lennie. This eventually led to her death as she let Lennie touch her hair even after is past of killing soft thing like the puppy and mice. I think Steinbeck isn’t killing socialism but showing us how capitalism is killing it. Steinbeck and priestly show socialism and capitalism through the setting in texts.  Steinbeck shows the bunk house as underprivileged this shows how socialists are inadequately looked after along with their poor living conditions. Whereas priestly shows the Birlings house in the midlands as prosperous this represents the capitalists by saying that they can afford high-quality possessions. The bunk house is minute and un attractive the quote† white washed† shows that he people are deprived, the colour white shows that they can afford any other coloured paint because the colour white is unadorned as well as tedious , this must be why it’s cheap. The colour white is dull, coincidentally so are the people of the bunk house. Another interpretation could be that the boss was being cheap and indolent and that he didn’t want to spend allot of money on the workers, during the 1930s it was the time of the great depression this is when the country went into debt, people cut down on spending money this explains why the boss bought white paint as it must of been inexpensive. Steinbeck uses alliteration in the quote â€Å"white washed â€Å"to exaggerate the glumness of the colour white. The quote â€Å"floor un painted† manifests that the workers have a poor living condition. The quote indicates that not only was the boss cheap enough to get white paint, he couldn’t be bothered to buy enough to paint the floor. This shows that the boss is lazy and doesn’t care about his workers; the quote â€Å"small square windows† indicates that the windows are minuscule. The small window can indicate to their lack of freedom. The word small can mean petty and insignificant this implies that their freedom is negligible and trivial. The quote â€Å"solid door with a wooden latch† suggests that they are restrained within the bunk house. The word â€Å"solid† means hard and strong this can imply that the door is blocked off. The words wooden latch mean that they’re locked in this could imply that they’re trapped in the ranch house and in Steinbeck’s microcosm. The boss, curly and his wife live in another house however this house to superior to be explained in the story. The story is seen through George and lennies eye s perhaps Steinbeck is saying that they are not good enough to see their house. Steinbeck carefully controls the setting in Of mice and men. It is especially lucid in the last and first chapter, both chapters mirror each other you can see this because they start of at the Salinas River and end their journey there to. Steinbeck describes the nature vividly at the start and the end. The nature resonates with the theme of the novel. We can observe the relaxed aggression of nature. This  shows that everything Lennie did meant no harm and it was all natural. â€Å"Lennie never done it in meanness â€Å"the story foreshadows events from the start to the end. The conversation between George and Lennie reflects the firsts and last chapter. Their story goes round in circles like a hamster’s wheel it doesn’t take them anywhere. The ranch house may be poor and shabby however the Birling’s house is in the city in comparison to the country side. The house is advanced than a ranch house. The stage directions give an effect that it’s a comfy home. The lights were â€Å"pink and intimate† the colour of the lights reflected the mood of the play. This is shown in the book at the start whilst the family were celebrating the daughter engagement. When they shade of the lights was a â€Å"rose tinted glow† the family were still celebrating the daughter’s engagement to Gerald croft. The mood of the play was still romantic thus the use of warm coloured lights. The word rose means a shrub with prickly stems and a fragranced flower. A sore symbolizes love priestly may have used this to give a passionate sensation however roses have thorns so bristly, jagged and treacherous, Steinbeck might have been for shadowing the upcoming danger. The word glow means to emit light and heat devoid of flames. Priestly chose this to exaggerate the love and heat in the air emitted by the characters. Glow can also mean having a feeling of wellbeing or satisfaction. Something socialists can never feel because they are never happy due to the capitalists. However the atmosphere changes when the Inspector arrives and the lights are â€Å"brighter and harder† as if he is welcoming the family in to reality. The word â€Å"bright â€Å"is to emit intense light in comparison to the soft light emitted at the start of the play. The word â€Å"harder† means solid, firm and hard. Priestly may be indicating that things are getting ugly metaphorically. It can also mean an unkind feeling causing pain and sorrow of hardship it is as if priestly for shadows upcoming events through the illumination. The bright lights can resemblance the lights from one are getting interrogated by a policeman. The furniture in the Birling’s house is extravagant like the family itself the quote â€Å"solid furniture† means that the furniture in the Birling’s house won’t break because it’s expensive. A rich family tends to have expensive possessions in comparison to the bunk house in Of mice of men. There is only one woman in Of mice of men and that is Curleys wife. During the 1930s women were only used as housewives in  addition men only used them as sex objects this is sexism was more accepted in that centaury. Men paid no affection for their wife’s this is shown in of mice of men when curly would wear a â€Å"glove full of Vaseline† to keep his hand soft to pleasure his wife. This quote shows how curly has no respect for his wife and the fact that he goes around telling the people in the bunk house that shows how arrogant he is. Curly represents how men were in the 1930s in Steinbeck’s microcosm and due to his behaviour we can comprehend how egotistical capitalist men were in that time period. Women are discriminated in the book Of mice of men as well as during the 1930’s.in the time john Steinbeck lived women were only used to serve men they were not supposed high in regards. Women still tried to yearn for a better future by exploiting men. Curlys wife paraded around the bunk house wearing too much make up as well as stimulating clothing with red nails; red ostrich feathers and red mules. Steinbeck uses imagery to portray curlys wife as provocative that and the fact that she goes around the bunk house flirting with the workers and begging for attention. Curlys wife has no other way to communicate to somebody but through her body language. He quote â€Å"red finger nails , red mules , red ostrich feathers† plays a big part in her personality as she is wearing lots of the colour red, it could indicate blood and fire. These two features represents the devil. The devil brings danger so this could mean that curlys wife brings jeopardy. The colour red is intense a nd eye grabbing the fact that she wears these a lot of this colour could mean she wants all eyes on her and that she is seeking attention, implies that she is seeking love and desire both she is need of, she can only do this by wearing bright colours and dressing a certain way and through her promiscuous behaviour. Steinbeck’s preliminary portrayal of curls wife shows her to be a mean and seductive temptress. She is mirrored to eve in the garden of Eden. The same way eve seduced Adam. Curlys wife crushed George and lennies dream of owning a farm. Even curlys wife needed to dream of being a Hollywood actress, her beauty would have helped her fulfil her dream, and this made her vulnerable since she was not successful. The final chapters describe her as innocent. Steinbeck is shows us that everyone who are portrayed as bad may have some humanity in them. Steinbeck also refers to other women in of mice and men. Apart from the fact she’s not mentioned in the novel the girl from weed plays a big part as she is the  reason George and Lennie had to escape from the job in weed. We can conclude that the girl from weed and curlys wife are both temptations that encourage lennies curiosity and of course Lennie could not resist. Similarly how Lennie couldn’t resist to pet soft objects which comfort him ranch men could not refuse to accept the fact that they need to be seeking immediate gratification. Susy brothel households Clearly prove my point that women were just objects in the hands of men; this makes them victims of society. Many of the ranch men go there and participate in bordellos, its crystal clear that women were surplus and that they have no importance. In fact curlys wife’s name is not even mentioned in the novel. Steinbeck does not mention her name for the reason that he want to emphasise curlys ownership over her. He is depicting her as property rather than an actual person. She was the one who caused most the tension on the ranch the reason why her husband was always cranky. In spite of all the malevolence connected with women, Steinbeck also gives us an affectionate vision of Aunt Clara whose position is taken by George. Therefore in the novel we are made conscious that there is some good in women, on the other hand it seems as if that there can never be any harmony in the world were women are present because once eve contaminated Adam in the garden of Eden the world was tainted forever. There are not any main similarities between the three women in an inspector calls. Mrs Birling and Eva smith are from completely different spectra’s such as economical, social and personality apart from their gender there is no traits they share in common, Sheila is in between the two characters she is not as snobby as her callous mother neither is she un compassionate, however her social status is fa r away from Eva smiths. Sheila and Mrs Birling are related however they are more distanced. In this era it is common for parents to be distanced from their children, so as you can envisage in sibyls case she barely knew her own daughter. At the start of the play we see a much closed minded view of Sheila; she is like a Paris Hilton of the Victorian era because she is described as a shallow airhead. she gets bewildered over material goods. Especially when her fiancà © presented her an engagement ring. She called it â€Å"wonderful† and saying things like â€Å"look mummy isn’t it a beauty†. Sheila is in her twenties and his calling her mother â€Å"mummy† this is a classic example of her girlish, childish and immature behaviour. These two evidences prove my point as well  as going against it. They are figurative later on in the play, when Sheila’s impression change. Firstly she gives Gerald back her ring, claiming she wants to begin her relationship once again. Secondly she refers to her mum as â€Å"mother† and sees her mother in a new radiance; Sheila is un impressed and ashamed of her flippant and unsympathetic attitude. Sheila is initially very eager about her engagement and loves Gerald heaps; however she is not obtuse and knows he was doing something suspicious over the summer. Even though she didn’t know exactly what he was doing. She did mention it when they were drinking at the start of the play in an amiable approach† except for all last summer when you never came anywhere near me and I wondered what happened to you† despite the fact that Steinbeck does not let us know from the start that Gerald is up o no good we can guess it’s something to do with Eva Smith. Even before the characters do, priestly uses dramatic irony to emphasise this. Sheila is upset however she is not surprised by Gerald’s affair. As I mentioned earlier Sheila hands Gerald back the ring requesting to start the relationship anew. This shows her developing maturity towards the end of the play. During the final scenes Sheila is more peaceful and distinguished in manner as she is not delivering puerile hysterics that would have been expected from her at the star of the play. She knows she really loves Gerald deeply and she can’t complete life without him, however Sheila does not completely forgive him this is showing how independent she can be. Perhaps priestly is showing us that capitalists are stupid and immature and socialists are mature. Mrs Birling is one malicious piece of work. She is even more capitalists & cold hearted than her husband. She takes no accountability for the death of Eva Smith and tries to blame it on Eva by calling her â€Å"impertinent†. She seems to believe that since she is wealthy she is not to blame- typical capitalist behaviour. What’s even worse than her sickening uprightness is the fact that she is deluded. She believes everything she says is right. Mrs Birling is very comfortable with her situation in civilization. well we think she is, her bitter cold demeanour and her sour manner give of very little of her ambitions. She does not have a high status as the crofts however unlike her husband she in not ashamed and has no burning infatuation to be so. She is already her husband’s â€Å"social superior† and seems to be satisfied with that. It is ironic how Mrs Birling is the social superior as it is normally the husbands whom have a  higher status. she is very aware as well reprimanding her husband for the plain triviality of thanking the cook â€Å"Arthur you’re not supposed to say such things† as if a simple deed as thanking the chef is disgusting. Not only does Mrs Birling put herself on plinth, but she has aloofness for everyone else she even patronises her own offspring’s, treating them younger than they are. She finds the inspector extremely despicable as if she is exceeding the law when she says â€Å"I beg your pardon† according to her if she does not fond of the inspector’s attitude he would have to leave premises. Our image of Mrs Birling is pessimistic from the very start and only got worse she is representational of capitalism. The play was set out to expose and demoralize capitalism. Despite the fact that Mrs Birling is seen as the enemy of socialism, Eva smith is portrayed as its champion she is more of a representation rather than a character, seeing as though she doesn’t actually appear in the play itself Eva smith is very important. Edna and Eva are very alive as they are both working class women earning minimum wage, they hardly appear in the book this might be because of the fact priestly is showing that they are to low class to appear in the play. Both priestly and inspector Goole are similar because they support Eva smith while everyone apart from Mrs Birling felt sorry for her death, the inspector and priestly are the only one who haven’t done nothing wrong to lead to her death. At the start of the play The Birling family is drinking champagne and port both luxurious drinks priestly uses irony to show the rich capitalists are drinking expensive drinks however working class socialists Eva smith is drinks toxic disinfectant. Social Darwinism is the concept of survival of the fittest in this case it’s about women Steinbeck and priestly are shown that because women are women they are not significant enough for their power to increase this is shown through Curlys wife in On mice and men And Sheila in An in inspector calls, it is shown through curlys wife because of the fact she is a house wife and is nothing but a object to her husband. It is shown in an inspector calls when Sheila would try to talk but her father s tops her and tells her to go to her room and let the men talk. Both examples show haw the men think they there better and that women don’t deserve to rise up or speak for them self. In conclusion I realised that Both Authors Steinbeck and Priestly disagree with Winston Churchill’s statement about how socialism is a philosophy of failure, they do this by  writing about social mobility and how there isn’t any because the capitalist always push the socialists down. In addition both authors clearly state the protagonists and antagonists, coincidently the protagonists were socialists and the antagonists were capitalists, the authors are telling the readers that Capitalists is pessimistic and socialists is optimistic. They also show us how capitalists have tended to be rich and have nicer houses this is because they don’t share the money resulting in the socialists living in meagre bunk houses. The authors also discreetly mention social Darwinism and that only certain people rise to the top theses certain people are the c apitalists because they are loaded. Both authors created a microcosm to show us how society was like at the time. This is called social realism. The two texts show how rich people are quick to take advantage of the poor and the vulnerable .

Medicare Funding Crisis Essay

As the newly appointed chief of staff I have been tasked with responding to a proposal for reducing Medicare expenditures by enrolling participants in HMO. I understand that we have some key questions must be addressed and that we must justify our position on either economic efficiency or equity grounds. Outlined below are some of the questions that must be answered in order address this issue properly. Is Medicare in a state of crisis? Are you aware of the various policies that are being enacted from each state to state regarding the qualification of Medicare? Medicare is funded by the federal government and each state is responsible for operating the Medicare program as well as the local Medicaid programs. However, premiums have increased for Medicare and also, the coverage has changed in the past few years requiring people to purchase additional supplemental Medicare policies – this is difficult for elderly that have fixed incomes. If the elderly are unable to purchase Medicare, they will go uninsured. The Medicare system is double-funded. It is funded by the taxpayer (federal dollar) as well as the premiums being collected. But, in being double-funded, the coverage is still not as high as most private insurance companies making them appear with less quality. Are radical measures necessary to preserve the program? This is a very interesting question and you will have to take a more subjective approach to answering it. I don’t believe there are radical measures that must be taken to preserve the program because it is funded through two divisions – the federal government (taxpayer) and the premiums being collected. However, the cost of providing the medical services is much higher than the cost being collected. Perhaps a more responsible approach would be to evaluate the cost of the medical services being provided and standardize a cost table among all insurance companies including Medicare. For example, a client may be seen by a physician for a regular check-up and that provider is only allowed to charge Medicare $65. If a client came to that same physician with a private insurance policy, that physician is allowed to charge the private insurance $120. What happens then is that the service under the Medicare payment is not provided in the most quality manner (although, physicians will argue this) because they are getting paid much less by Medicare rates. The physician may spend more time, energy, and commitment to a private paying client because they are getting almost twice the amount of money from the private insurance. It is a matter of motivational service-delivery. The radical measures that need to take place are increasing Medicare rates of reimbursement or mandating lower rates of private insurance to neutralize the risk of receiving poor quality services. How is Medicare funded now? The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a branch of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is the federal agency that runs the Medicare Program and monitors Medicaid programs offered by each state. (In 2011, Medicare covered 48.7 million people. Total expenditures in 2011 were $549.1 billion. This money comes from the Medicare Trust Funds. (Medicare.Gov (2010). About OTPN. Retrieved from http://www.medicare.gov/about-us/how-medicare-is-funded/medicare-funding.html) Medicare is funded by the federal government (the taxpayer’s federal taxes out of their paychecks). People may believe that social security pays for Medicare, but it doesn’t. If less people are working, less money is going into the federal â€Å"pool† of money to distribute to Medicare. The nation is at an all-time high for reported unemployment – that means that there is millions of dollars not going into the fund account for Medicare. However, just as many people are seeking medical coverage from Medicare – an imbalance occurs. Why do the elderly feel that Medicare is an insurance program, not a welfare program? Is this perception accurate? Some elderly, in my opinion, believe that Medicare is an insurance program that they are entitled to. During the Great Society movement in the 40’s-60’s, various governmental programs were designed to provide citizens entitlements to human services and welfare needs. The Medicare and Medicaid coverage was designed to provide those that do not have any means to pay for health care a way in which they could maintain their health needs – a right that the government and society has deemed every person should be entitled to; their health. So, depending on the culture, upbringing, and personal philosophy.

Essay about Exelon Case Study - 946 Words

OVERVIEW Exelon Corporation is an electricity generating and distributing company headquartered in the Chase Tower in the Chicago Loop area of Chicago. Exelon came into existence in October 2000 after the merger between two large utilities: Unicom corp., the parent company of ComEd (Illinois) amp; PECO Energy Co. (Pennsylvania). Unicom owned Commonwealth Edison. Exelon has 5.4 million electricity customers and serves 485,000 natural gas customers in the Philadelphia suburbs. Exelon is the largest nuclear operator in the U.S. and the 4th largest power generator (in GW) of the nation. Question amp; Answers Question 1: How will branding benefit Exelon power? Answer: Exelon’s plan to brand Environmentally Preferable Power†¦show more content†¦Answer: Points to be considered before choosing any option: Companies are used to purchasing electricity as a commodity and focusing only on price. * Currently companies have only been purchasing between 5% - 10% of their needs in renewable energy. * EPP is something intangible that customers seem reluctant to pay a premium for. Many purchasers argue that they cannot bill their own customers for being environment friendly. * Energy represents a huge expense for Industrial customers, which are accustomed to negotiate purely on price. * If price premium is added for EPP then most likely the current share of renewable energy will not change amp; will continue to be 5% - 10 % or maybe a little more after the brand is establish. However there is still a risk of brand dilution due to blend of EPP amp; traditional power. Based on all the above points I’ll suggest not to add any price premium amp; rather choose Option 2 i.e., Increase the market share by offering the same price amp; running awareness campaigns so that societal pressure can be created to force the companies to go for clean energy. Another option can be to price EPP at a slightly higher (but lower than the intended Margin) price so that Industrial customers don’t see a veryShow MoreRelatedAlzheimer s Disease : A Disease That Affects More Elderly People906 Words   |  4 Pagesto stop the progression of Alzheimer’s. Researchers, with the help of doctors have been successful finding a way to slow down the progression, but not completely stop it. Although Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects millions of people, with new cases being diagnosed every day, researchers are still working frivolously to find a cure. In 1906, Dr. Alois Alzheimer saw differences in the brain of a woman that passed away from a bizarre illness in the brain. Before she died she experienced loss ofRead MoreThe Stages and Treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease Essay925 Words   |  4 Pagesof Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease with many different stages that slows one’s lifestyle and has no real cure. Alzheimer’s disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. The disease first appears around the age of sixty. Studies have concluded that as many as 5.1 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. A person with Alzheimer’s loses connections between neurons in the brain (1). Scientists do not know exactly what causes Alzheimer’s, but scientists say the diseaseRead MoreIs Dementia A Progressive Brain Dysfunction?1016 Words   |  5 Pagesdementia. Of those with Alzheimer’s disease, the vast majority, which is about 82%, are age 75 or older.† Alzheimer’s tends to mostly affect people older than the age of 65, and almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s are women. 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Hiroshi Sugimoto as a Popular Japanese Photographer Free Essay Example, 1250 words

In the Seascapes series, there is an inherent romanticism that prevails on the viewer. A series of black and white pictures that are horizontally divided seems to be abstract at first glance but gradually it appears to be horizon and ocean at different timings. Langford et al. state, Hiroshi Sugimoto s austere and highly refined presentation of the landscape . According to Burno, Sugimoto s seascapes are framed in a particular way that makes it appear as a film screen. Seascape series portrays transitional stages of horizons. Particularly his seascapes and theater series is visualized as a rectangular architectonics, with careful light it emerges as a series of absorbing geometry projection (Burno 52). In the Seascapes series, Sugimoto goes beyond the traditional idea of time and reveals intangibility and transgression as its very nature. He suggests that time is floating between receptions and production while urge us to think time as the event. The photographs are inclined to ent ertain the idea of bifurcation and indiscernibility that exist between actual and virtual of Deleuze s crystal image. Sugimoto visualized the idea of crystal-image. Time plays with the opposites. We will write a custom essay sample on Hiroshi Sugimoto as a Popular Japanese Photographer or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page A memory that is associated with going back to the roots is another interpretation of Sugimoto s images. A photograph captures a particular moment but Sugimoto s interprets time as a duration that makes the viewer feel that it is still but moves at the same time (Wittmann).

An Annotation of Section 24 of Walt Whitmans Song of Myself

An Annotation of Section 24 of Walt Whitmans Song of Myself Walt Whitmans Song of Myself is a vision of the American spirit, a vision of Whitman himself. It is his cry for democracy, giving each of us a voice through his poetry. Each of us has a voice and desires, and this is Whitmans representation of our voices, the voice of America. America, the great melting pot, was founded for freedom and democracy, and this poem is his way of re-instilling these lost American ideals. In this passage from Song of Myself Whitman speaks through his fellow man and speaks for his fellow man when his voice is not socially acceptable to be heard. The links from the poem below are best read in order from the beginning of the poem to the†¦show more content†¦Through me forbidden voices, Voices of sexes and lusts, voices veild and I remove the veil, Voices indecent by me clarified and transfigurd. I do not press my fingers across my mouth, I keep as delicate around the bowels as around the head and heart, Copulation is no more rank to me than death is. I believe in the flesh and the appetites, Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle. Whitman begins by creating a contradictory image of himself. On one hand he relays an egotistical representation by alluding that he is the center of the universe, a kosmos, of Manhattan the son, almost a deistic type of character. Whitman also describes himself as not being above any one person, woman or man, an obvious contradiction to his previous representation. His God-like persona is depicted in human terms, physical qualities that all humans possess. Whitman creates this contradiction to show his belief that he is everything, but is only this way because everything is a part of him. He represents himself as part of a wholeemdash;nature, mankind, and the universe are all a part of him. By being everything in nature and nature being a part of him, Whitman has the power to become the voice of nature as a whole. He speaks for nature and mankind when they do not possess the power to do so. Whitman is the voice of all. The doors are symbolic of imagination, and he is saying to unlock ones imagination. This

Love Develops Slowly Essay Research Paper 2 free essay sample

Love Develops Slowly Essay, Research Paper ? Love develops easy, for it is a capacity necessitating growing. It can non jump full blown at first sight, as infatuation does. ? True love is potentially limitless. Unlike infatuation, which lives and dies rapidly, friendly relationship, regard and matrimonial love grow with clip. Friendship is the start of all love ; true friendly relationship is love. Huck Finn, the authoritative male child character of Mark Twain, begins a escapade going by raft down the Mississippi River, with Jim, a slave he knows little more than in passing. At the beginning of the journey, Huck sees Jim as society so saw Jim, as belongings. Yet, they were excited at the beginning, and speedy, though improbable, friends. Had the novel ended in a 100 pages, Huck would hold been left with a affectionate memory. But as Huck and Jim see the river, and over clip jointly interact with the characters they meet, Huck begins to oppugn what he has been taught by the grownups in Huck? s life ; Jim seems unusually like a individual to Huck. We will write a custom essay sample on Love Develops Slowly Essay Research Paper 2 or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page And as Huck is forced to trust on Jim, and Jim to trust on Huck, Huck finds true regard, and even love, for this adult male. Time together nourished the infatuation of their initial meeting into love. Unlimited love may spread out beyond one or two friends. The Christmas film, ? It? s a Fantastic Life? , portrays a character who inquiries the worth of his ain life. Self absorbed in his ain jobs, George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart, is faced with an allegation of bank fraud. He inquiries whether he has made a difference in his household and his town, and even considers suicide. An angel arrives to demo George what Bedford Falls would hold been fifty Eisenhower had George non been born. He would non hold saved his brother? s life, or prevented the pharmacist? s carelessness. He would see empty tonss instead than the places he had helped construct. George is reborn when he sees that life is worth populating? and the ground is that he knows love. He has a married woman, and kids, and the regard of his friends. And, in a dramatic flood tide, the whole town, in love with George? s life-time of service to others, comes to his deliverance. A good title now and so is all right ; love for one? s neighbours over a long clip becomes common. The highest capacity for love is likely in matrimony. My grandparents will hold been married for 50 old ages in June. They have enjoyed the joys and calamities of raising three kids. They traveled around the universe for different occupations. They live now in New Mexico, and oversee six grandchildren and 100s of friends and relations, and possibly even a few enemies. My grandma and my gramps could stand entirely and successfully face the universe. But they choose to stand together in any jubilation or against any hardship. Even though my grandparents are more than 70 old ages old, anyone who knows them knows that their capacity for loving each other is still non met. Theirs is a half-century of love, built a twelvemonth at a clip. The loving relationships of Huck and Jim, or of George Bailey and Bedford Falls, or of my grandparents, are non the merchandises of an instant expression. Of class, each illustration enjoyed an infatuation of changing grades and strength. But, clip, continuance, and commitment lead to the authoritative love we treasure, in books, films, or existent life. It is so a fantastic life, when we take the clip to love a long clip.

Why Developed Countries Should Not Produce Nuclear Power

Introduction Nuclear power is often developed from the fission of nuclear elements to generate heat (Howtopowertheworld, 2010, p. 1). Over the years, developed countries have been at the forefront in the development of this source of energy, with current world statistics estimating that, there are about 31 countries which generate nuclear power.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Why Developed Countries Should Not Produce Nuclear Power specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Though nuclear power generation is slowly gaining prominence in the world, especially since the world is seeking more sources of green energy, nuclear energy is a unique source of energy because it bears unique characteristics which distinguish it from other sources of energy. For instance, nuclear energy has been identified to be a dangerous source of energy, especially if an accident happens (Howtopowertheworld, 2010, p. 1). This is the reas on why several countries are opposed to its use. For instance, developed countries such as Australia and Austria are firmly opposed to the development of nuclear energy (Breeze, 2005). The year 2011 saw the worst nuclear disaster in recent time, with radiation fears ripe, at Japan’s Fukushima plant, when the country was hit by a tsunami and earthquake, which affected the nuclear plant. In light of these concerns, several countries are slowly reviewing their nuclear power generation strategies. This study points out that, developed countries, which have been at the forefront in the generation of nuclear energy, should stop doing so, because the disadvantages of nuclear power generation greatly outweigh their advantages. This fact is supported by research studies suggesting that: nuclear energy has the potential of being used for terrorism; nuclear energy produces dangerous radioactive waste and nuclear energy is highly costly, and in case of a nuclear disaster, the consequence s may be very severe. Radioactivity Radioactivity is the major concern associated with nuclear power generation. In fact, in the recent Fukushima nuclear power generation disaster, residents were advised to vacate surrounding regions (around the nuclear power plant) to reduce the chances of being affected by radioactivity. The danger of radioactivity is severe because it may take tens of thousands of years to reduce radioactive rays to safe levels (Howtopowertheworld, 2010, p. 1). This fact means that, if a nuclear disaster ever happens, generations of human lives may live with its consequences and this will obviously have an adverse impact on humanity. The effects on humanity can therefore not be underestimated because studies have shown that, nuclear power radioactivity may have severe effects on the human’s reproductive system, and it also has the potential of causing burns, diarrhea, vomiting and other severe health effects. This is part of the problem associated with nuc lear power generation because with radioactivity, it may be very difficult to detect radioactive waves, even after several years (Furry Elephant, 2011). Though radioactive waves produced from nuclear power generation may not be directly absorbed through the human skin, it is highly likely that, human beings may ingest certain radioactive nucleus, in items such as foods, which are contaminated with the substance.Advertising Looking for research paper on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The manner in which radioactivity affects people are numerous and this is why most countries banned the important of food from Japan when it experienced its nuclear disaster. When these radioactive elements are ingested into the human system, it becomes very difficult to control them, let alone get rid of them, because they can possibly affect the human DNA, due to their high ability to ionize. This may therefore cause cancer, am ong other detrimental health effects, which also have the ability of causing death. Considering radioactivity has a high potential of affecting all aspects of life, it beats sense, tolerating activities which may possibly lead to the occurrence of such a disaster. If such a disaster strikes, humanity will possibly not be the same and from this understanding, it does not make sense for developed nations to expose humanity to such sort of fatal effects. Potential Terrorist Applications The immense power nuclear power generation has; makes it a prime tool of terrorism. Nuclear power generation can be used to create nuclear bombs, which are very lethal and can be used to wage terror on a given nation. For instance, there is enough evidence advanced by scientists to suggest that, nuclear power can be used to flatten an entire city, killing millions of people at a go (TMIA, 2011). Recent times have seen the US claim that, several countries across the globe, such as Iran and Iraq are makin g nuclear bombs, which may have an effect on world peace. Whether these allegations are true or not is not the subject of this study, but the situation exposes how nuclear power can be used to cause a lot of unrest, and possibly destabilize world peace. However, recent studies expose a more devastating threat to a country’s peace after it was affirmed that, an attack on a nuclear power plant by terrorists, is also another strategy to wage a nuclear war against a nation (TMIA, 2011). Obviously, the truth behind this assertion stems from the fact that, an attack on a nuclear power plant would amount to an emission of radioactive rays which would affect a nation’s population. This terrorist strategy is easier than assembling a nuclear bomb or having to deliver a nuclear bomb to a terrorist target. Moreover, this kind of attack is very deadly and its effects on human lives are unimaginable. From this analysis therefore, we see that, if developed nations continue producing nuclear energy and building more nuclear plants, they increase their vulnerability as a target of terrorism, and obviously exposing their citizens to the adverse effects of nuclear power generation. High Cost of Building Nuclear Facilities and the Small Possibility of Accidents The cost of building new nuclear power plants to generate electricity, or provide alternative sources of energy is staggering and out of reach for many countries.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Why Developed Countries Should Not Produce Nuclear Power specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More With a poorly performing world economy and with increased debt burdens for some major world economies such as America, it makes no sense for developed nations to continue developing nuclear power – channeling a lot of resources to such projects, while other sectors of the socioeconomic aspects of the economy such as health, education and such like factors remain underfunded. In the US, it is estimated that, the cost of power, generated from nuclear plants is triple that of the normal rates paid for electricity made from other alternative sources of energy such as hydroelectricity (Yanak, 2009, p. 1). It is further estimated that, the cost of paying for nuclear energy is ten times the cost of efficiency derived from such an energy cost. The high rates to be paid for nuclear energy obviously emanates from the high costs associated with nuclear power generation, and investors or governments need to pass this cost down to the consumers to recover such high costs. This kind of scenario only exposes citizens in developed nations to high costs of energy. When compared to other alternative energy production methods, nuclear energy stands out as the most expensive energy source ever invented by mankind. The production of nuclear energy therefore not only stands as a matter of critical economic importance, but also a matter of eth ical concern, considering a diversion of immense financial resources to energy production, amounts to a deprivation of other socioeconomic duties which governments in developed countries ought to provide. Conclusion Nuclear power generation in developed countries, though a good idea at face value, is marred with a lot of controversy regarding its safety and impact on human lives. Though its immense financial costs can be shouldered by several governments in developed countries, it should be understood that, there needs to be a cost-benefit analysis to quantify the cost and possible benefits that come from nuclear power generation. With several more important duties that governments have to perform, it is not ethical to divert a lot of state resources to produce nuclear energy, at the expense of other state priorities. Regardless of these concerns, nuclear energy has been turned to a political issue, with countries trading accusations and counter-accusations regarding the production of nuclear weapons, because it is known that, nuclear energy can be used to promote acts of terrorism, thereby destabilizing world peace.Advertising Looking for research paper on other technology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The effect of a nuclear terror act is enormous and unimaginable. Radioactivity is also another reason why developed countries should stop producing nuclear energy since they expose their citizens to the risks of radioactivity if a nuclear accident happens. Collectively, the elements identified in this study expose sever negative effects of nuclear power generation and from the entire analysis, it is impossible for any government to exist if such calamities ever happen to their citizens. To protect citizens from such adverse effects, it is important for developed countries to stop nuclear power generation. References Breeze, P. (2005). Power Generation Technologies. New York: Newnes. Furry Elephant. (2011). Why Study Radioactivity? Web. Howtopowertheworld. (2010). Disadvantages of Nuclear Power. Web. TMIA. (2011). Nuclear Terrorism. Web. Yanak, J. (2009). The Staggering Cost of New Nuclear Power. Web. This research paper on Why Developed Countries Should Not Produce Nuclear Power was written and submitted by user Kourtney Hardin to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.