Local, regional, or national current event or political issue Essay

Local, regional, or national current event or political issue - Essay Example Fiscal and tax policies impact the way people live directly or indirectly according to the rates they pay for their products and services. An increase in the rate of national insurance or the income tax rate will lead to a rise in direct tax, which effect reduces the net earnings of working individuals since net income is reduced for every hour spent in the workplace. This will lead to individuals working for extra hours in order to maintain their income targets to facilitate their needs. On the contrary, this effect might make people work less since the increased taxation might act as a deterrent to productive employment work due to the high taxes and low net earnings. Changes in the benefit and tax system seek to reduce the risk of eradicating poverty. Tax and benefit reforms can be used to increase the availability of labour, therefore, increasing the economic benefit derived from the economy and ease the general level of redundancy in the country. Changes in indirect taxes can ha ve great effects on demand patterns for goods and services. An example is the rising duty on beverages and cigarettes brands. This inconveniences the users as these products are a part of our daily needs. It’s designed to put grounds for substitution effect among users thus reducing demand for de-merits goods. On the contrary, government subsidies to the producer reduce their production cost, price in the market and encourage demand expansion. In business investments decisions, capital investment in purchasing new machinery, investing in innovation and technology, specialized skills and infrastructures leads to a shortage of funds. This leads to a shortage of monetary value in the country and forces the citizens to dig deeper in their pockets in order to maintain equilibrium in the economy and facilitate the end of the projects. A government spending on transport infrastructure increases real spending on transport though in the long term it will boost the competitiveness and productivity of the country. This leads to government borrowing and debt, which allows super powers to be a part of control in the country thus they invest in foreign land having an advantage as the government favours them. Once external forces control the market, they create monopolies thus controlling the prices of products in the market. This affects the economy and its people as standard prices are not guaranteed. Contrary a budget deficit can react positively in the long-run if used in financing extra capital and spending leading to an increase in national assets stock. For example, investing in infrastructure leads to improvement in the supply-side of the economy capacity. Increased investment in social amenities; health facilities and education institution brings optimistic effects on employment and productivity. Tax systems tend to be weak, the administration handling tax collection and accounts allow unpaid tax through practices like corruption and evasion. Most tax evaders hold businesses that earn large amounts of money and controls the economy and when they evade paying tax small and medium businesses are forced to step up by paying higher taxes. In this case, there is no equal distribution of resources in the country thus no equal income distribution of wealth and yet taxes are paid on a similar scale (Begun, Pointe and Luke, 2006). Re-pricing economic alternatives, taxation is government’

Abortion in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Abortion in America - Essay Example The first instance was of Connecticut which criminalized abortion in the year 1821. Even in the cases of rape and incest, filing a police first investigation report was a prerequisite. However a woman with the name of Norma L. Mcorvay filed a petition against the abortion laws which fueled up the great debate of pro-life vs. pro-choice In June 1969, Mcorvay found out that she was pregnant with her third child and immediately decided to have an abortion. However due to its criminalization she could not get it done at any hospital. She was advised to register as a rape victim, however it did not happen there was no police report about the alleged incident. In 1970, two lawyers by the name of Coffee and Weddington filed a petition against the laws criminalizing abortion. The lawyers represented Mccorvay under the alias of Jane Roe while the Texas state was represented by Henry Wade (Mohr). Before the start of the legal proceedings, Roe conceded that she had not been raped and that case was actually meant as a plea to grant freedom to women regarding their personal choices. After multiple hearings a decision was finally announced on January 22, 1973. The court made abortion one of the fundamental rights under the US constitution, marking the beginning of a new era (Hoffer and Hoffer). There were many proposals including the proposal of viability which said that a woman can only have abortion until the fetus in her womb is not viable. By viable, it meant that the fetus could survive outside the mother’s body. However much of the freedom was granted to women and she could have an abortion after consulting a physician. . The case raised a fiery debate not only in the judicial circles but also among political and social groups. On one hand, the decision was heralded as a victory for women rights while on the other hand it came out as a blow to the believers of pro-life. The decision was controversial and still a large population of the country believes that it s hould be reverted. Perhaps the biggest shock to the whole pro-life vs. pro-choice debate was dealt by Mcorvay herself when she revealed in 1995 that she had become a proponent of pro-life (Bergel). Since then she has spoken openly against abortion and even filed petitions to overturn the decision, which did not yield any conclusive result. In the light of the above arguments, it can fairly easily be said that the matter is a very complicated one because abortion does not only affect the physical well-being of women but also psychological and emotional well-being. Therefore there needs to be a thorough study of the statistical data about people’s opinions as well as a sound scientific study before any further decision in this regard is taken. Although both sides of the debate has very strong points, I believe that abortion should not be legalized unless in the most extremes of cases. There are many forms of contraception available including, early morning pill and condoms; the refore unwanted pregnancies can easily be avoided if these contraceptive measures are taken. Legalization of abortion actually demeans the reproductive function of sex and projects it only as a means of having pleasure. This encourages unprotected sexual intercourse since unwanted conception can easily be aborted causing a greater number of people to be at a risk of contacting sexually transmitted diseases. Since legalization of abortion poses more of a threat rather than relief to the general well-being of women, it should only is legal in extreme cases. For example, in a situation like rape where the conception actually reminds the women of the trauma and puts a negative impact on her psychological well-being, abortion should be legalized. Also in some pregnancies, some extreme

See the description Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

See the description - Essay Example As a start, it is important to define what is meant by stereotyping. A stereotype is the creation of a biased view or assumption about a certain ethnic, religious, or social group. In other words, an individual will take the behavior of one person and state that all people belonging to that particular group behave in the same manner.  The problem with stereotyping is that it encourages people to react and behave in a manner that is both judgmental and biased. The first common stereotyping inference people have about Moslems is that they are "extremists" and "terrorists". Moslems are seen as the most common source of terrorism and senseless violence. Besides, Moslems are also viewed as worshippers of an alien deity, who are intolerant of other religions and eager to use physical force to expand Islam. In addition, another negative assumption that people have about Islam is related to the Moslems view towards women. Most of the western world unjustly believes that Islam subjects women to harsh and demeaning discrimination and puts them in a status inferior to men. On the other hand, many western countries identify Moslems as persons who have many physical traits in common, concerning shape and dress. For instance, many people view Moslems as grim bearded men who wear robes and turbans. The negative image the West has about Moslems affect the way they treat Moslem residents in their lands. In many cases, Moslems in foreign countries suffer from extreme cases of discrimination and suppression. One of the Islamic practices that is fought and suppressed by the West is the veil of Moslem women. The veil or "Hijab" is the Islamic dress for females, which requires women to cover all their bodies, except their faces and hands. Moslem women are ordered by God to wear this kind of dress whenever they get out from their homes. So, the majority of Moslem women abides by this rule, and

The Tyranny of Choice Essay Example for Free

The Tyranny of Choice Essay Happiness is a long standing abstract concept. It starts from choosing the best options there is, induced by properly allocating and utilizing resources, and maintained when one can truly enjoy the gains from it while accepting the imperfection of his or her choices. And as such, every individual is always in search for happiness and well-being.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Utility and happiness are two intertwined notions (Verme, 2007, p. 2). The quest for attaining true happiness starts with choosing which options are best and what things should be utilized. The result of which comprises a persons well-being. The choices that an individual makes greatly affect the level of satisfaction one attains.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, the relationship between well-being and choice is ultimately complicated and not at all predictable. In making a choice, a person is usually thwarted by the abundance or lack of choices. Sometimes, the wideness of choice varieties creates a great amount of confusion for the person and as such it also increases the probability that the choices he or she might make will become regretful. The same way that the lack of choices gives a person a limited space of discovering better options. As such, opportunity costs engraved in every option open for an individual contribute to confusion, thus making it harder to choose and at the same time increasing the chances of regretting whatever choice that was made (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 2-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Making choices is immensely complex. Thus it causes people to become weary and conscious on selecting their options in order to avoid making choices that they will soon feel sorry about in the end. Individuals develop a false sense of looking for the â€Å"best option†, or settling down for a â€Å"good enough† choice. These kinds of individuals are labelled as either maximizers or satisficers (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 4-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Maximizers are individuals who are most keen on looking for the best option. They tend to strive hard in achieving this goal at the expense that in the process of their quest for looking for the best possible choice present, they are being daunted by the appearances of more choices. In the end, they become less satisfied of the choices they have made and they are more prone to experiencing regrets and depression (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 2-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On the other hand, satisficers are individuals who aim on ending up with a choice that is â€Å"good enough† for them. They seek not the best there is, but on finding something that can adequately meet their standards and is equally useful and worthy of their choice. These people experience less depression on the event that the option they chose did not work out as satisfying   as possible. They are more probable to be happy with their choice because they do not expect too   much from it, and hence are quite surprised when they gain positive effects from it (Schwartz, 2004, pp. 4-7).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Given the complexity of making choices, the people are still and always keen on the gift of freedom of choice. Even though the process of choosing makes people vulnerable to regret and depression, the right to choose what people think is best for them adds to the happiness and well-being that a person can attain. The freedom of choice and how it is always linked to peoples fulfillment is always an integral factor in measuring happiness (Verme, 2007, p. 3).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As such, it is a false notion for maximizers that the absence of choices will make them less prone to regrets. The same goes for satisficers that more choices will make them more happy. Being happy and satisfied rests on the individuals choice. To become truly happy, a person should know how to appreciate what he or she has; being contented with the choice he or she has made and stop thinking of what might have been if he or she decided to chose another option; and most importantly, do not expect too much out of something. Choosing something that is good enough can become the best choice if a person knows how to handle his or her priorities well. References Schwartz, B. (2004). The Tyranny of Choice. Retrieved June 27, 2008, from www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bschwar1/Sci.Amer.pdf Verme, P. (2007). Happiness and Freedom.   Retrieved June 27, 2008, from www.ppdoconference.org/session_papers/session15/session15_paolo.pdf

Anchoring Proteins Eukaryotic Chromosomes Biology Essay

Anchoring Proteins Eukaryotic Chromosomes Biology Essay The major difference between bacterial and eukaryotic supercoiling is due to the generally circular nature of bacterial chromosomes versus the linear nature of eukaryotic chromosomes and the fact that bacteria do not have nucleosomes. The cccDNA of bacteria is subject to more topological constraint and therefore tends to exist in state of greater negative supercoiling in either an interwound or spiral configuration. However, since the spiral configuration is usually associated with wrapping around a protein, this form is not as prevalent in bacteria. In bacteria, the level of supercoiling is maintained to primarily by the actions of DNA topoisomerase and DNA gyrase. In eukaryotes, negative supercoiling is achieved to a great degree via writhe in the form of left handed spirals around nucleosomes while stretches of nucleosome free DNA can engage in negative supercoiling in the interwound configuration. Nucleosomal supercoiling is controlled by a number of factors involved in chromatin remodeling including methylation and acetylation states of histones, binding of proteins to stretches of DNA altering the access to nucleosome wrapping, and interaction with the many components of the nucleosome remodeling complexes. As with bacteria, DNA topoisomerase and gyrase play a role in maintaining supercoiling in nucleosome free stretches of DNA. (c) Methods of Compaction The basic level of compaction in eukaryotic chromosomes is the nucleosome, a 146 nucleotide stretch of DNA wrapped around an octomer of histone proteins, with a 20-80 nucleotide linker regions in between. Chains of nucleosomal complexes are then further compacted into the 30 nm fiber in zig-zag or solenoid configuration. the 30nm fiber is then organized into 40-90kb loops held together at the base of the loop by the nuclear scaffold. Among other factors, the nuclear scaffold contains topoisomerase II (Topo II), and SMC proteins, which are chromosomal ATPases. TopoII and Smc2 and Smc4 are subunits of Condensin while Smc1, and Smc3 are part of Cohesin. Studies suggest that Condensins promote lateral compaction of chromosomes, while Cohesin promotes longitudinal compaction, through linking adjacent cohesion sites. TopoII is also a component of scaffold and colocalizes with AT-rich DNA sequences of the scaffold named SARs, which are thought to anchor DNA loops o nto the chromosome axis. TopoII seems to be involved in the assembly of chromatin structure, while Condensins are required for both assembly and maintenance. In contrast to eukarytic chomosomal organization, knowledge of bacterial chromosomal organization is much more limited. Bacteria have neither nucleosomes nor a nucleus. Rather the generally circular chromosomes are organized into compact, superhelical domains in a region called the nucleoid. The chromatin structure resembles a rosette with loops of supercoiled DNA radiating from a central core. Compaction is achieved by a combination of forces including supercoiling, compaction by proteins, transcription, and possibly RNA-DNA interactions. 2) a) Binding of proteins to DNA: Domains are like snap-on tools for proteins. They are interchangeable protein structures which confer specific functions on the containing proteins. In the case of DNA binding domains, they impart the protein with the ability to bind to DNA. The binding may use a variety of sequence specific and/or non-specific molecular interactions including hydrogen and ionic bonding, van de Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions, and may involve interaction with either the major or minor grooves and/or the DNA backbone. The number of residues involved and the type and strength of bonding between the molecules varies with the particular combination of protein domain(s) and DNA sequence(s)/structure(s) to which it is bound. DNA binding domains are generally classified into families which share with similar DNA binding domain properties and are grouped according to the predominant structure of the binding domain. For example: 1) HTH is 2 ÃŽÂ ±-helices connected by a turn. The recognition helix binds in a non-sequence specific manner via hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions with bases in the major groove while the other helix stabilizes the binding of the two molecules. 2) bHLH 2 ÃŽÂ ±-helices connected by a loop. The larger, basic helix interacts with major groove of DNA while the smaller helix functions as the dimerization domain. 3) HLH and leucine zipper motifs, an ÃŽÂ ±-helix connected by a loop to a longer ÃŽÂ ±-helix which may contains separate DNA binding and dimerization domains as in the leucine zipper. 4) ÃŽÂ ²-containing ÃŽÂ ²-sheets, perhaps in combination with intervening loops, or forming sheets/barrells/ sandwiches, and which may use either the ÃŽÂ ²-sheet or the loop for contact, e.g TBP and Ig-like domains. 5) Mixed ÃŽÂ ±-/ ÃŽÂ ²-proteins which use a mix of ÃŽÂ ±- and ÃŽÂ ²- structures and may contact using either or both structures, or via the intervening loops, e.g. Zinc finger proteins. It is important to note that even within a particular family or domain structure, the can be great variation in how the domain interacts with the DNA molecule. For example, although the ÃŽÂ ±-helix typically inserts into the major groove parallel to the DNA backbone, many other orientations are possible and found in practice. In addition to sequence recognition, another function of the domain is to bring the protein and DNA into spacial proximity and achieve a conformation conducive to binding. Thus, binding often requires recognition of structural deviation such as variation from the typical B form of DNA or other structural alterations such as torsion or bending. Binding may also involve/require torsional alteration in either or both of the structures either prior to or during binding. (b) binding of proteins to other proteins. Domains facilitate protein-protein interaction via dimerization domains, which, with the exception of the leucine zipper, are usually distinct from the DNA binding domain-add something here re:nature of dimerazation domains. Hetero- and homo- dimerization of proteins provides a method to increase the variety of target sequences, sequence specificity, and/or binding affinity. Furthermore, proteins can engage in a process called 3D domain swapping, a process by which 2 or more proteins can form a dimer or oligomer by exchanging identical structural domains. For example, the cro repressor of bacteriophage ÃŽÂ » uses domain-swapping to dimerize by swapping C-terminal strands. (c) domains that activate transcription. In addition to DNA binding domains as described in a), transcription factors generally contain one or more transactivation domains, which allow them to interact with other transcription factors and/or the basal transcription machinery. Transactivation domains are generally glutamine- or proline-rich, stretches of 30-100 amino acids which enhance transcription either directly or thru recruiting of other coactivators which cannot themselves bind DNA. In addition, many transcription factors generally act as homo- or hetero-dimers and thus also contain dimerization domains.

Gideon’s Freedom in Doris Lessing’s No Witchcraft For Sale Essay examp

Gideon’s Freedom in   Doris Lessing’s No Witchcraft For Sale Dr. Gosby’s Comments: This student did an excellent job of applying the ideas we discussed in class relating to the obedience to authority When Europeans moved into the bush of Southern Africa and realized that they were hopelessly outnumbered, they had to develop ways to create and maintain their authority over the native population. They had tremendous advantages in the obvious areas, as author Jared Diamond writes in his Pulitzer Prize winning book: The proximate reasons behind the outcome of Africa’s collision with Europe are clear. Just as in their encounter with Native Americans, Europeans entering Africa enjoyed the triple advantage of guns and other technology, widespread literacy, and the political organization necessary to sustain expensive programs of exploration and conquest. (398) The African natives, in this crippled state, had little choice but to submit to European authority. Many Africans lived a life of indentured servitude. Parts of their culture were mixed with that of their oppressors, and over time, so were their bloodlines. Some of their indigenous culture did survive, however. Shamanism, the practice of physical and spiritual healing by a medicine man that occurs in practically every hunting and gathering society, continued to thrive in Africa despite the oppression by European settlers. The concoctions and methods of this practice were well-guarded secrets, known only to certain African natives. The European medicine of the day was basically a version of our contemporary Western medicine in its infancy, and its doctors’ methods shared little, if anything, in common with the methods of the African medicine m... ...ignity. Noted philosopher Erich Fromm comments, "A person can become free through acts of disobedience by learning to say no to power"(380). Gideon's disobedience is his freedom.    Works Cited Anti, Kenneth Kojo. Women in African Traditional Religions. May 1996. http://cehd.ewu/cehd/feculty/ntodd/GhanaUDLP/KKAntiAfricanWomenReligion.html Diamond, Jared. Guns. Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1999. Fromm, Erich. "Disobedience as a Psychological and Moral Problem." Writing and Reading Across the Curriculum. Eds. Laurence Behrens and Leonard J. Rosen. New York: Longman, 2000. Getahun, Amare. Some Common Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Used in Ethiopian Folk Medicine.March 1976. . Lessing, Doris. African Stories. New York: Random House, 1980.

Negative effects of homeschooling Essay

An average day in the life of a 10 year old consists of waking up, eating breakfast, and going to school followed by coming home to their loving families at the end of the day. Would this routine seem complete without going to school involved? In some cases children are not sent to a public school, but taught at home by one of their parents or both. Without being sent to mingle with peers, the child most defiantly misses out on important skills and lessons one can only learn while interacting with other people their age. Crucial life lessons, social skills, and specific aspects of education can be missed out on as a home schooled child. An important aspect to remember if considering home schooling as an option is that the most successful parents who home school are school teachers and not stay at home moms. Even in this situation there is no way that a one person teaching system could even begin to compare to the wisdom, intelligence and experience one can get in a high school setting. Without the variety of influences from teachers there are a few gaps left in a child’s education. With only one influence, they will not have a broad view of the world due to the fact that anything they’ve ever learned of heard an opinion of is from one person. Isn’t education all about learning about all sorts of the view points out there in the real world? In most cases parents may home school their child in order to protect them from the horrible world of peer pressure and bad influences. Although a parent with a child nearing the schooling age would probably think this is a wonderful idea. They most likely do not realize that this is thinking short-term and not considering the long-term negative effects missing out on these experiences may be to a child. In a classroom children learn to follow orders from one who is in charge; sitting quietly and doing what their told is very important in ones life. Out on the playground they learn how to socialize with others their age and begin building sturdy friendships with others who share the same interests. The idea of staying at home learning by themselves is obviously not providing a child with any kind of social situation once so ever. Naturally not all school experiences are fun. It is a giving that in a public school there will be taunting and other unfortunate behavior from other kids. Learning on their own how to deal with  these experiences is extremely important in the grown up world. Without knowing how to cope with emotions and never experiencing the real world it could be extremely difficult learning how to handle other people. Going to college and getting a job would be made more difficult then it has to be. Among all the choices one can make for their kids, why would a parent chose to deprive them of important life skills and a quality education? The idea of â€Å"going to school† is a relevant building block in any person’s life. Not being at school learning with peers is missing out on very important aspects of childhood. Getting familiar with the ideas of how the world works is necessary to having a successful life. Schools are like a little community for children where they grow, learn and adapt to the many challenges life may put ahead of them.