Substitution and Income Effects of the Working Tax Credit on Labour Supply

Labour essay: Having considered the implications for the WTC, we can now analyse the effects of the policy on labour supply by determining the substitution and income effects. It’s clear that the effect of the working tax credit on work behaviour depends upon how much a worker is currently working. To analyse these effects we will only look at one type of individual; a lone parent in the labour force. This will simplify our analysis such that we can divide the diagram below into 3 sections and describe the effects separately. draw:frame} Figure 1: Diagram showing how the imposition of the WTC affects the individuals labour supply decision When the lone parent is either not working at all, or working less than 16 hours (Labelled A in the diagram), her current wage rate and therefore income is unaffected by the WTC. This is simply because they have not yet received any tax credit and therefore have no added incentives to work. However, if they work over16 hours, the programme wi ll raise their overall take home wage as they receive a lump sum payment, shown by the first vertical blue line. Therefore, at this low level of work, there is a very small, or 0, income effect, and a positive substitution effect, thus increasing the individual’s labour supply. These effects are the same as would be under an increase in the wage rate, shown diagrammatically in Figure 2. {draw:frame} Figure 2: Diagram showing the effects of a wage increase The movement around the original indifference curve from A to C is the substitution effect; this arises due the change in price of leisure relative to hours of work, holding utility as constant. As the wage rate has increased the opportunity cost of leisure opposed to work has risen. The substitution effect encourages the worker to decrease his hours of leisure. The movement from C to B donates the income effect illustrating the workers response to an increase in real income. Overall, the substitution effect dominates the income effect and therefore increases labour supply from L1 to L2. There is also the possibility that the income effect may overpower the substitution effect resulting in a decrease in the supply of labour. However, this depends on the position of the indifference curves, hence the worker’s preferences for work and leisure. On the other hand, it is unlikely at this low wage rate for the worker to choose leisure over the opportunity to earn a higher wage. Section ‘C’ of our WTC diagram shows the area at which an individual works more than 30 hours. The worker’s net income is now higher at this point, however the worker’s marginal wage is lower which is demonstrated by the gradient of the WTC line being shallower than gradient of the No WTC line. The Substitution and Income effects here are the same as would be with a decrease in wage. Both the Income and substitution effects work together to reduce the amount of labour; shown in Figure 3: {draw:frame} Figure 3: Diagram showing the effects of a wage decrease The substitution effect is shown by the movement around the old indifference curve, from A to C. The income effect is shown by the movement from A to B. Although the substitution effect is stronger, both effects work together to reduce the hours of work from L1 to L3. Lastly, section ‘B’ represents the area at which an individual works between 16 and 30 hours. Here, the effects of the WTC on labour supply are much more complex. Despite the gradient of the WTC line being the same as section C, this time there is the possibility of increasing work to above 30 hours and receiving the additional payment. This therefore results in lone parents bunching around the 16 and 30 hour marks in order to gain the greatest benefit from the WTC payment. Some will therefore substitute leisure for work and work longer hours to gain the additional bonus at 30 hours, whilst others will choose to forgo work for leisure and be content with the benefit of working over 16 hours.

TWC and Miramax

ETC creates and distributes entertainment throughout the world. Miramar Is part of the conglomerate, Colony Capital and Qatar Holding, which creates movies, among other products. By virtue of a contract, ETC has exclusive rights to distribute Miramar movies in the U. S. , the largest market (in terms of revenue). ETC uses its monopoly power to pay a lower price for Miramar movies than do other distributors. Is this sufficient justification for Colony Capital and Qatar Holding to buy out ETC?Expiate. (1 point) This is not sufficient justification. It certainly is an avenue to consider, however, the only way to truly Justify purchasing ETC is to weigh the other option available which is to start their own distribution company. If the cost of starting their own distribution company teamed with a higher cost to distribute the movies brings In a higher revenue than the cost of purchasing ETC teamed with distributing the movies at a lower cost than It would be better to start their own dis tribution company and vice versa. . In each of the following situations, why are firms likely to benefit from vertical integration? (1 point each) a. A grain elevator is located at the terminus off rail line. Owning grain elevator(s) is beneficial to the rail line because it allows the rail line more control over the grain elevator which in turn allows for more efficient planning and stream lined logistics as oppose to attempting to plan along with a separate company. B.A manufacturer of a product with a national brand-name reputation uses distributors that arrange for advertising and promotional activities In local markets. Vertical integration in this respect can allow the company to gain valuable insight onto the markets and in learning what they want through advertising and promoting can turn around and update their product or create new products to meet the various market needs. C. A biotech firm develops a new product that will be produced, tested, and distributed by an establ ished pharmaceutical company.The vertical Integration of a biotech firm owning a pharmaceutical company Is similar to the grain elevator and rail line In that communication, planning and logistics becomes easier and possibly more cost effective by owning the established pharmaceutical company. ND delivering each episode of the 1st season of the new series based on â€Å"Shakespeare in Love. † Suppose further that the contract included certain script requirements for background music decided upon by Miramar, and ETC spent an additional $20,000 per episode to meet those requirements.Then suppose that after pre-screening 3 episodes, Miramar claimed that Tic's efforts failed to live up to their contractual agreements. (2 points each: 1 for explaining the concept, and 1 for applying it correctly) a. Was either party earning rent? What assumptions do you have to make to assert this? ETC would be earning the rent. Their rent would be the profit ($20 million less the cost of producin g the episodes, including the additional cost per episode to meet the musical requirement. ) b.Was either party earning quasi-rent? What assumptions do you have to make to assert this? ETC would be earning quasi-rent assuming that they are able to see the episodes to another company or if they are able to come to an agreement with Miramar at a lower price than the original $20 million that they originally agreed upon. Their quasi-rent would be the difference between their rent (question a) and their new mount of revenue. C. Could ETC have held up Miramar? And/or could Miramar have held up ETC?Explain. ETC could definitely hold up Miramar by turning around and refusing to provide them with the episodes at the agreed upon price. This leaves Miramar to consider the costs and time involved with getting another affiliate to complete the Job or paying ETC the requested amount. Miramar can likewise hold up ETC through refusing to pay the agreed upon price. This leads ETC to choosing betwee n providing the episodes at a lower price or seeking another buyer who may not pay as much as they hoped.

Sainsbury and NHS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Sainsbury and NHS - Assignment Example The paper analyzes Sainsbury and NHS based of their financial and accounting performances. First paper of the paper analyzes the financial performance of the two companies whereas the second part comments upon the accounting profit as a measure to the organization. This includes critical discussion on the relevance of accounting profit as a performance measure in an organization. The financial analysis of two companies would be based on the CORE framework. Sainsbury Plc is a company listed in London Stock Exchange and is engaged in primarily the retailing business. The other businesses of the company include financial services and retail investment businesses within UK (Sainsbury Annual Report 2010). With the help of e-commerce technologies, the company provides home-delivery shopping services to its customers through internet. With a market capitalization of 1.59 billion, the company currently operates in over 900 stores in and around UK. The company was incorporated in 1869 with he adquarters in London (Sainsbury Annual Report 2010). National Health Service (NHS) was incorporated in 1948 in United Kingdom and is now the world’s largest publicly funded health service. The services of national health services are free of cost for anyone residing in UK. . It covers everything from antenatal screening to open heart surgery, accident and emergency treatment and end-of-life care (NHS Choices 2011). NHS is also certified with The Information Standard. NHS also has a fully functional website, which helps patients to provide online information and online services  . A patient can have access to the medical advice through the website of NHS (NHS Choices 2011). It also has a symptom checker that can assist patients in determine their disease, by checking for the symptoms and matching it with their own level of comfort. Analysis Sainsbury Key Financials       31/03/2010    31/03/2009    31/03/2008    31/03/2007    31/03/2006    mil GBP mil GBP mil G BP mil GBP mil GBP                   Turnover 19,964 18,911 17,837 17,151 16,061 Profit (Loss) before Taxation 733 466 479 477 104 Net Tangible Assets (Liab.) 7,918 6,954 6,850 6,680 7,746 Shareholders’ Funds 4,966 4,376 4,935 4,349 3,886 Profit Margin (%) 3.67 2.46 2.69 2.78 0.65 Return on Shareholders’ Funds (%) 14.76 10.65 9.71 10.97 2.68 Return on Capital Employed (%) 9.09 6.55 6.83 6.96 1.31 Liquidity Ratio (x) 0.41 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.68 Gearing (%) 63.81 66.09 44.54 65.97 169.92 Number of Employees 97,300 97,300 98,600 95,500 96,200 Top Grocery Stores Companies by Market Cap Company Symbol Price Change Market Cap P/E Tesco PLC TSCO.L 407.25   0.27% 10.87B 437.90 J Sainsbury PLC SBRY.L 341.90   0.06% 1.59B 236.77 Greggs PLC GRG.L 513.00   0.59% 1.53B 4,130.14 Wm Morrison Supermarkets PLC MRW.L 288.30   0.70% 1.53B 246.41 Ocado Group PLC OCDO.L 234.80   3.25% 1.22B N/A Wesfarmers Limited WESN.AX 33.31   0.42% 77.08B 41.40 Source: NHS Key Fina ncials PROFILE 31-01-10 31-01-09 31-01-08 31-01-07 31-01-06 Turnover 214,300 248,000 236,100 241,300 246,300 Profit (Loss) before Taxation -8,700 -17,400 3,100 4,000 15,700 Net Tangible Assets (Liab.) 70,700 102,600 104,900 107,300 114,800 Shareholders’ Funds 71,100 102,200 117,000 119,700 125,900 Profit Margin (%) -4.06 -7.02 1.31 1.66 6.37 Return on Shareholders’ Funds (%) -12.24 -17.03 2.65 3.34 12.47 Return on Capital Employed (%) -11.90 -16.59 2.61 3.29 12.28 Liquidity Ratio 1.21 1.33 1.62 1.52 1.51 Gearing Ratio (%) 2.81 3.23 3.93 7.60 4.77 Number of Employees 3,173 3,407 3,247 3,183 3,082 Ratio Analysis For analyzing the financial performance of Sainsbury and NHS, ratios would be an effective tool of control. In the

Tradition paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tradition paper - Essay Example The first homecoming event started with a football match between Pomona College and Wildcats. During the historic moment, Pomona college team lost to Wildcats before a crowd of the 1,500 University of Arizona alumni. The tradition continued annually with usual homecoming football game as kickoff. Thereafter, the tradition became famous, and other games joined including athletes. Homecoming tradition has changed since its inception in 1914. The tradition started with a remarkable football game on the afternoon before a crowd of approximately 1,500 people. Currently, homecoming tradition has grown into the largest and most famous event in college history. In addition, to the increased number of homecoming event attendance, officials of the tradition have increased the number of activities and celebrations done by the alumni. Moreover, homecoming tradition has evolved from when it used to register freely participants to the current state involving electing homecoming queens and kings. Furthermore, homecoming event officials hold enormous parades with more technical materials. The tradition has also designed mascots. It is evident that the praxis of homecoming queen and king begun after World War II. During the homecoming event, student council would normally elect a homecoming queen before the king. However, the tradition of electing the king heightened in 1983. Thereafter, homecoming event begun a praxis of crowning queen and King at pep rally situated close to Old Main and at the bonfire. Homecoming parade had also evolved from the time when student council operated it at along the streets of downtown Tucson. Thereafter, parade moved to the University of Arizona mall where it developed into the largest and entertaining parade. The most widely attended event among homecoming activities includes tents on the mall beside the football game. Tents on the mall event consisted of various

Philosophy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3

Philosophy - Essay Example hetical discussions that are meant towards moments of epiphany, or the awakening of their seeming ignorant selves into the glorious knowledge about the creator. Hume on the other hand projects his thoughts on the subject of God through the minds of the three characters, Cleanthes, Philo, and Demea in his work Dialogue Concerning Natural Religion. Rousseau looks at the problematic existence of man as a symptom that shows he cannot govern himself or protect his kind as well as he should. Implicitly he suggests that only divine order can protect man from self destruction. He traces the development of man from the age primordial barbarity until the modern times and sees through a continuum of strife that needs divine remedy. Rousseau would therefore suggest that the natural order as reflected at the early forms of society is enough proof for the existence of an intelligent designer of the universe. This is because this creative and almighty designer could only make the universe in form of his own image of perfection, peace, tranquility, and perhaps most of all, conflict free. Most probably the philosopher would have imagined the answer of the intelligent designer through his trade mark irony that seems to mock at the Hegelian dialectical progress of society. The progress of mankind as concerns society has moved through history from the epoch when he adjusted himself to his natural setting to a point in time when he wanted to benefit from the same environment. It might be deduced in line with this thinking that this movement preceded alongside the transformation of man’s society from good to evil. The disorders that accompanied man after the societies he created degenerated into skirmishes that resulted from primitive competition and accumulation of nature’s resources would therefore align with the departure of Godliness. The structures of the universe as created by the all-knowing and perfect designer no longer held. Instead in its place was man’s own

HW 8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

HW 8 - Essay Example -The company can also use results from PEST analysis to determine which upcoming markets are worth investing in, and the expected return, which when maximized, will help keep the business several steps ahead of its competitors. The economic crisis that hit the banking sector in 2008 that resulted in the failure of several banks across the world directly affected the business as it limited access to funds for investment. To counter this, the business resolved to increase efficiency in its production by reducing the use of natural resources and decreasing waste by employing lean production techniques. The result of which was a considerable decrease in cost of production, while at the same time keeping the environment clean. Secondly, during the 1970’s, a number of governments introduced rules that aimed at minimizing air pollution from running engines. The Company noticed an opportunity and came up with efficient catalytic converters that convert harmful gasses to less harmful substances. Human resource development refers to the ability to attach value to the human work force and developing their abilities to maximize output. The process is a dynamic one that involves proper selection of a good work force to hire, providing a good environment for the people to work on and deliver to their full potential, as well as giving the employees an opportunity to develop themselves. With increased employee engagement comes improved product quality. This is because better-engaged employees understand and live up to the company’s brand, which translates to excellence in the end product. Secondly, employee engagement also helps the workers in utilizing their full potential, enabling then to identify their strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities available for them to develop. There are three ways employed by Harrods in an attempt to involve its employees in

Ethical issues-drop box-12 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethical issues-drop box-12 - Essay Example If a prisoner who is a drug offender confessed that he still has been using drugs, there are different violations that must be noted and reported, as required: (1) the kind of drugs being used and the frequency by which they are used; (2) the manner by which the drug offender accessed the drugs; (3) if the drugs are used to manage his mental illness, as presumed; this must be validated with other medical practitioners within the prison setting; and (4) an impending escape plan must at all cost be duly reported to increase vigilance on his case; but with appropriate interventions to be provided in the form of intensified counseling with other collaborative rehabilitation techniques, as needed. As stipulated in â€Å"Ethical concerns in correctional psychology†, the psychologists’ primary mission is to â€Å"assist in offender rehabilitation and reintegration†¦Their primary focus is their application of direct psychological services with inmates, evaluation of the prison population, inmate management, and release evaluation and recommendations† (Decaire, n.d., par. 2). According to deontological theory, â€Å"people should adhere to their obligations and duties when analyzing an ethical dilemma. This means that a person will follow his or her obligations to another individual or society because upholding ones duty is what is considered ethically correct† (Rainbow, 2002, par. 10). In this regard, as a prison psychologist, one’s duty is to assist the drug offender to be rehabilitated and to be reintegrated in society in the future. One would therefore report his noted violations for the purpose of imposition of corrective interventions , as needed. The drug offender must be comprehensively assessed in his mental capacity to perform tasks that are consistent with a rehabilitated individual to prepare him for reintegration to society in the future. Rainbow, C. (2002). Descriptions of

Process laboratories Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Process laboratories - Essay Example This implies that more and more liquids rich in highly volatile components are being re-used back in the column. Separation then becomes easier and thus fewer trays are required to achieve the same operation degree. Minimum tray is needed under total reflux conditions that are distillate and are not withdrawn. On the contrary, as the reflux is reduced, the line of operation of the rectification section goes towards the equilibrium line (Owens, 2009, pp24-33). The ‘pinch’ between the operating and the equilibrium lines are highly pronounced and many trays are required. Distillation is the most widely used method of separation in the chemical process industries. Distillation uses about 24% of the total energy. Refineries rely heavily on distillation for separation of complex mixture of compounds found in crude oil into the products for sale. Distillation uses about 40% of all the energy consumed in refineries (Owens, 2009, pp24-33). First, distillation method is viewed from a steady state to make sure the process remains within safe working

Outline How Material Things Essay Example for Free

Outline How Material Things Essay This essay will outline how material things on City Road favour the activities of some groups of people over others by looking at Ethnicity, Class and Gender. City Road is a big road filled with lots of different cultures, gender, class, age and history. When walking down the road it can be seen that the belonging and not belonging in the society. It opens your eyes as to what exactly goes on in different societies and City Road is a big street with a lot of demands and structures in it. Over the years society changed and so did the street. It goes by what is in demand, how society changes and by the vast majority of different cultures coming into the area. You see a lot of people trying to conform to the society and many trying to hold onto their own identities. First of all I’m going to talk about the Ethnicity on the street. We are going to the Xquisite Africa shop. Janet, the lady that owns the shop originates from Africa and moved to the UK over ten years ago. When she came to the UK she thought that she had to change her identity and conform to the society. She sells a lot of things from Africa and by doing this she gets to hold onto her identity of the African culture and also appeals to customers from the same ethnic background. She felt after being in the UK for ten years that she had lost her identity and so she decided to take a trip back home to Africa to re-charge her batteries as she puts it. She wanted to re-gain her culture that she so desperately lost. This aspect could help her re-gain her culture and identity and allows her to share this with the right clientele from a multi-racial background. She can share a state of belonging to a social group that has in common a national or cultural background, whilst negotiating with people on the complex of different identities. She contributes to the African social life and society as well as on City Road. Therefore promoting her African background and understanding there is no need to conform to the society and changing her identity. We then move onto class in the Municipal Club. A social stratum, whose members share a certain economic, social or cultural characteristics. For this instance the working class. It is aimed at the local residents and has over 100 years of history. A group containing members regarded as having certain attributes of traits in common has slowly disappeared and they long for the society to change back to what they believed it was. Whilst in the (DVD, Making social lives on City Road, 2009, scene 5) Lloyd Robson talks to couple of residents in the club and gets their insight of what is going on. He asked them if they thought the club had a future. They said no. no-one wants to know it anymore and even the members have started to lose interest. But because the society has changed it meant that they described city road as being dangerous and rough. They long for the past. They want it to go back to what they say it used to be or imagined it. The inequalities and differences that has changed and also the traditions has been lost. They lack the sense of belonging they used to have when City Road used to be theirs. Then we come across the Sanna Silk shop. This is where the female is favoured over the male. It’s a family business orientated around females as they sell and make dresses of different materials. They get to choose their type of material and their patterns. It is mainly focused at Asian women. In the (DVD, Making social lives on City Road, 2009, scene 6 by Raghuran) she says â€Å"it is a very different way of portraying Asian women than I often seen in the media. † They also have a section for jewellery. Most of their jewellery is 22 carat gold and is mainly aimed at the women. They also have a selection for their wedding day. So it has an Asian culture that is even though yes men go in to buy but is very female orientated. Conclusion Therefore in City Road, my examples favour female gender activities over male, is a very multi-racial area and favours specific class over others. Therefore explaining that society changes all of the time and conforms to whatever is more in demand in that specific time of era.

Computer network Essay Example for Free

Computer network Essay Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as  justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network   Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology  offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete  network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for  centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access should be segmented from the company POS services. Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized. Connects three office computers and one computer used for Point-of-Sale (POS) services at each of your stores. You also want six (6) computers in the lobby/store where patrons can download music and you can run â€Å"training classes† for people to learn about using MP3 players and get other basic information. The two offices have to be connected into one cohesive network, sharing POS services and other critical company information. You also need to provide a â€Å"hand out† casual area for people to stop in and discuss music and connect wirelessly to the Internet (you might even offer free coffee to entice people to come in to your store). ï‚ · Provides adequate security for all of the company communications and documents (especially sensitive sales documents). All POS services must be protected. All general network access  should be segmented from the company POS services.   Fast and have additional capacity as the company grows Provides for centralized printing Supports the eventual addition of other stores to the network Provides customers with a general information Website and a secure Website where clients can buy services, and products Provides for limited downtime (24 hour downtime maximum) Provides for centralized management and control of the computers in the two stores, so that you can maintain the network from off-site Provides for long-term cost effectiveness Provides a suite of software tools for the employees to effectively communicate and a POS solution for the stores The company does not have any equipment. Your plan should include a complete network and computer system that meets these requirements and future expansion plans. The two store locations will (eventually) be within a five-mile radius of each other. The locations are within a suburban area that has current technological infrastructures and related technology offerings. The stores will need a sales system and print services for invoices. Complete your proposal including costs for computing equipment, network infrastructure, network servers, printers, and related hardware, software, and accessories. Include as much detail as possible as well as justification as to your selections. Diagram and explain your physical network and computer design as well as the logical network design (server installation, domain layout, etc.). As you are a small business, cost is a major factor and should be minimized.

Evaluating Verbal Nonverbal And Barriers To Communication Nursing Essay

Evaluating Verbal Nonverbal And Barriers To Communication Nursing Essay INTRODUCTION Communication is a process and has many aspects to it. Communication is a dynamic process by which information is shared between individuals (Sheldon 2005). This process requires three components (Linear model Appendix figure 1.1), the sender, the receiver and the message (Alder 2003). Communication would not be possible if any of these components are absent. While Peate (2006) has suggested that communication is done every day through a linear process, Spouse (2008) argues that it is not so simple and does not follow such a linear process. He explains that due to messages being sent at the same time through verbal and non- verbal avenues, it is expected the receiver is able to understand the way this is communicated. Effective communication needs knowledge of good verbal and non-verbal communication techniques and the possible barriers that may affect good communication. The Nursing and Midwifery council (2008) states that a nurse has effective communication skills before they can register as its seen as an essential part of a nurses delivery of care. (WAG 2003) Reflecting on communication in practice will also enforce the theory behind communication and allow a nurse to look at bad and good communication in different situations. This will then enforce the use of good communication techniques in a variety of situations allowing for a more interpersonal and therapeutic nurse patient relationship. This assignment discusses health care communication and why it is important in nursing by: Exploring verbal and non-verbal communication and possible barriers By exploring the fundamentals of care set out by the Welsh assembly and the nurse and midwifery councils code of conduct a better understanding of the importance of communication is gained. Reflecting in practice using a scenario from a community posting. VERBAL COMMUNICATION Verbal communication comes in the form of spoken language; it can be formal or informal in its delivery. Verbal Language is one of the main ways in which we communicate and is a good way to gather information through a question (an integral part of communication) and answer process (Berry 2007; Hawkins and Power 1999). Therefore verbal communication in nursing should be seen as a primary process and a powerful tool in the assessment of a patient. There are two main types of questioning, open-ended questions or closed questions (Stevenson 2004). Open-ended questions tend to warrant more than a one word response and generally start with what, who, where, when, why and how. It invites the patient to talk more around their condition and how they may be feeling and provoke a more detailed assessment to be obtained (Stevenson 2004). The use open-ended questions make the patient feel they have the attention of the nurse and they are being listened too (Grover 2005). It allows for a psychological focus to be given, this feeling of interest in all aspects of the patients care allows for a therapeutic relationship to develop (Dougherty 2008). Closed questions looks for very specific information about the patient (Dougherty 2008). They are very good at ascertaining factual information in a short space of time (Baillie 2005). There are two types of closed questions: the focused and the multiple choice questions. Focused questions tend to acquire information about a particular clinical situation (e.g. asking a patient who is been prescribed Ibuprofen, are you asthmatic?) whereas multiple choice questions tend to be more based on the nurses understanding of the condition being assessed. It can be used as a tool to help the patient describe for example the pain they feel e.g. is the pain dull, sharp, throbbing etc (Stevenson 2004). For verbal communication to be effective, good listening skills are essential. Sharing information, concerns and feelings becomes difficult, if the person being spoken to doesnt look interested (Andrews 2001). Good active listening can lead to a better understanding of the patients most recent health issues (Sheldon 2005). Poor listening could be as a result of message overload, physical noise, poor effort and psychological noise. Therefore being prepared to listen and putting the effort and time are essential in a nurses role (Grover 2005). NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION This type of communication does not involve spoken language and can sometimes be more effective than words that are spoken. About 60 65 per cent of communication between people is through non verbal behaviours and that these behaviours can give clues to feelings and emotions the patient may be experiencing (Foley 2010, p. 38). Non-verbal communication adds depth to speech; to re affirm verbal communication; to control the flow of communication; to convey emotions; to help define relationships and a way of giving feedback. The integration between verbal language and paralanguage (vocal), can affect communication received (Spouse 2008) Berry (2007, pg18) highlights the depth of verbal language due to the use of paralinguistic language. The way we ask a question, the tone, and pitch, volume and speed all have an integral part to play in non verbal communication. In his opinion, personality is shown in the way that paralanguage is used as well as adding depth of meaning in the presentation of the message been communicated. Foley (2010) identifies studies where language has no real prevalence in getting across emotional feelings, in the majority of cases the person understands the emotion even if they dont understand what is being said. Paralanguage therefore is an important tool in identifying the emotional state of a patient. Non-verbal actions (kinesis) can communicate messages, such as body language, touch, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact. By using the universal facial expressions of emotion, our face can show many emotions without verbally saying how we feel (Foley 2010) refer to Appendix table 2. For example, we raise our eye brows when surprised, or open our eyes wider when shocked. First impressions are vital for effective interaction; by remembering to smile with your eyes as well as your mouth can communicate an approachable person who is open. This can help to reassure a patient who is showing signs of anxiety (Mason 2010). BARRIERS TO COMMUNICATION An understanding of barriers in communication is also very important. The Welsh Assemblys fundamentals of care (2003) showed that many of the problems associated with health and social care was due to failures in communication. These barriers may be the messenger portraying a judgmental or power attitude. Dickson (1999) suggested that social class can be a barrier to communication, feeling inferior to the nurse may distort the message being received, making communication difficult to maintain. Environmental barriers such as a busy ward and a stressed nurse could influence effective communication. This can greatly reduce the level of empathy and communication given as suggested by Endacott (2009). People with learning disabilities come up against barriers in communicating their needs, due to their inability to communicate verbally, or unable to understand complex new information. This leads to a breakdown in communication and their health care needs being met (Turnbull 2010). Timby (2005) stresses that when effectively communicating with patients the law as well as the NMC (2008) guidelines for consent and confidentiality must be adhered to. This also takes into account handing over to other professionals. He suggests that a patients rights to autonomy should be upheld and respected without any influence or intimidation, regardless of age, religion, gender or race. The use of communication in practice is essential and reflecting on past experience helps for a better understanding of communication, good and bad. REFLECTION Reflecting on my experience while on placement in a G.P with a practice nurse in south Wales Valleys, has helped me understand and gain practical knowledge in communicating effectively in nursing practice. The duration was for one week and includes appointments in several clinics to do with C.O.P.D (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). I will be reflecting upon one appointment using the Gibbss reflective cycle (1988). Description Due to confidentiality (NMC, 2008) the patient will be referred to as Mrs A.E. The Nurse called Mrs A.E to come to the appointment room. I could see she was anxious through her body language (palm trembling and sweaty, fidgety, calm and rapid speech). The nurse asked her to sit down. The nurse gained consent for me to sit in on her review (NMC, 2008). The review started with a basic questionnaire the nurse had pre generated on the computer. It was a fairly closed questionnaire around her breathing including how it was, when it was laboured. Questions were also asked around her medication and how she was taking her pumps. Reflecting on these questions, I feel the questions did not leave much opportunity for Mrs A.E to say anything else apart from the answer to that question. The nurse controlled the communication flow. The Nurse did not have much eye contact with the patient and was facing the computer rather than her patient. I wondered if the nurse had notice the anxious non-verbal communication signs. The patient seemed almost on the verge of tears, I wasnt sure if this was anxiety, distress from being unwell, or she was unhappy about something else. I felt quite sorry for her as all her body language communicated to me that she was not happy. She had her arms crossed across her body (an indication of comforting herself) and she did not smile. She also looked very tense and uncomfortable. The Nurse went on with the general assessment and did the lung test and I took the blood pressure and pulse, gaining consent first as required by the NMC. Once all the questions had been answered on the computer the Nurse turned to face Mrs A.E and I noticed she had eye contact with her and had her body slightly tilted toward the patient (non verbal communication). The Nurse gave her information on why her asthma may be a bit worse at the moment and gave her clear and appropriate information on how she can make manage her COPD at this time of year. The Nurse gave her lots of guidance on the use of her three different pumps, and got her to repeat back to her the instructions, to make sure she understood. I could feel the patient getting more at ease as the communication progressed and also on the confirmation that she understood the instruction. The Nurse knew this patient well and then set the rest of the time talking to the patient about any other concerns she had and how she was fe eling in herself, using a more open question technique. The nurse used her active listening skills and allowed the patient to talk about her problems and gave her empathy at her situation as well and some solutions to think about. She gave the patient information of a support group that helped build up confidence in people with chronic conditions and helped them deal with the emotional side of their condition. Feelings After the patient had gone, my mentor explained that the patient was a regular to the clinic, she had many known anxiety issues which werent helped by her chronic asthma. Through-out the beginning of the review I felt very awkward. I thought, because I was sitting in on the review, may have been the reason the lady had not said why she seemed so anxious and upset. I also felt the nurse was not reacting to the sign of anxiety from Mrs A.E and this made me feel uncomfortable. I felt like I wanted to ask her if she was ok, but felt that I couldnt interrupt the review. However by the end of the review I felt a lot better about how it had gone. I did feel that by building up a relationship with the patients allowed the nurse to understand the communication needs of the patient and also allowed her to use the time she had effectively. She used empathy in her approach to the lady and actively listened to her. I understand that the start of the review was about getting the facts of the condition using a lot of closed questions, whereas the later part of the review was a more open questions and non verbal communication approach, allowing the patient to speak a bout any concerns and feelings about those questions asked earlier. Evaluation Effectively using closed questions allow for a lot of information to be gathered in a short space of time, and can be specific to the patients review needs. These pre-generated questionnaires are good at acquiring the information needed by the G.P. and also for good record keeping which are essential in the continuity of care delivered to the patient (NMC 2008). It can also protect the nurse from any litigation issues. The use of open and closed questions also allowed for the review to explore the thoughts and feelings of the patient, thus allowing for empathy from the nurse and is considered a vital part of the counselling relationship (Chowdhry, 2010 pg. 22). However the use of the computer screen facing away from the patient, did not allow for good non-verbal communication skills to be used. The lack of eye contact from the nurse may have exacerbated the anxiety felt by the patient. Hayward (1975, p. 50) summarised in research that anxiety highlighted an uncertainty about illness or future problems. This link to anxiety was also linked to increased pain. Nazarko (2009) points out, it is imperative that a person has the full attention of the nurse when they are communicating. He states that being aware of ones own non-verbal behaviours, such as posture and eye contact can have an effect on how communication is received by the patient. As evident in the reflection, the patient at the beginning of the review was anxious, upset and worried. By the end of the review her body language had significantly changed. The patient looked and felt a lot better in herself and had a better understanding of how her condition was affecting her and understood how to manage it. However if this information was badly communicated, the patients anxiety could have been prolonged (Hayward, 1975). This also links back to the need to understand medical conditions so that communication is channelled to the patients needs at the time. The fundamentals of care set out by the Welsh Assembly Government (2003), states that communication is of upmost importance in the effectiveness of care given by nurses. By looking at all the fundamentals of communication and the effect on patient care we can understand and recognise that the communication in this reflection was good communication in practice. Analysis The closed questions were used at the beginning of the review, had their advantages. They allowed the nurse to focus the on the specific clinical facts needed. The start of the review used mainly closed questions to get all the clinical facts needed to be recorded, such as Personal information, Spirometry results, blood pressure, drug management of COPD (Robinson, 2010). The structured approach allows the nurse to evaluate using measurable outcomes and thus interventions adjusted accordingly (Dougherty, 2008). The closed question approach allows the consultation to be shortened if time is an issue. However the disadvantage of this as identified by Berry (2007) is that important information may be missed. The use of closed questions on a computer screen hindered the use of non-verbal communication. Not allowing for eye contact, which is an important aspect of effective communication. The use of open questions in the review allowed the patient to express how they were feeling about their condition or any other worries. The nurse used active listening skills, communicated in her non-verbal behaviour. It gave the opportunity to the patient to ask for advice on any worries they might have. The use of open questions can provoke a long and sometimes not totally relevant response (Baillie, 2005), using up valuable time. Eye contact is another important part of communication in the reflective scenario. The eye contact at the start of the review was limited. The nurse made slight eye contact when asking the closed questions, but made none when given the answer. This may have contributed to the patients anxious state. However, the eye contact given during the open questions section. At this stage, there were several eye contacts between the nurse and patient and information was given and understood. The value of eye contact in communication is invaluable and has great effect at reducing symptoms of anxiety (Dougherty 2008). Reflection conclusion The use of communication in this COPD review was very structured. The use of closed questions helped to structure the consultation and acquire lots of information from the patient. The open questions allowed for the patient to express any feeling or concerns. The nurse used verbal and non-verbal communication methods, to obtain information about the patient; assess any needs and communicate back to the patient, within the time period. However in my opinion, if the computer screen was moved closer to the patient during the closed question section, better interaction could have been established from the beginning. It would also allow the nurse to look at the patient when asking the questions leading to a more therapeutic relationship, whilst still obtaining and recording a large amount of information. Therefore, the use of effective communication skills as seen in this review along with a person centred approach can significantly increase better treatment and care given to the patient (Spouse, 2008) and thus signifies good communication in practice. Action Plan The goal of the plan is to increasing patient participation in the use of the computer as an interactive tool. By allowing the patient to see what is on the screen and being written, allows the patient to feel more involved in the assessment and takes away any feeling of inferiority from social class difference. In attempt to achieving these goals, the following steps would be taken: Set up a team to investigate the issue which could involve nursing staffs or other hospital staffs. Drawing up a feedback questionnaire, to investigate how patients feel about the closed questions on the computer, including a section on how they would feel if they were allowed to look at the screen. Collation, analysis and review of the results of the feedback Identify barriers to the implementation of the plan (e.g. willingness of nurses to this change). Inform the NMC on the issues and the findings from the feedback questionnaire. Implementation of the plan. Set up a monitoring and evaluation team to see if the plan is being implemented appropriately. CONCLUSION This assignment has looked at communication and its importance in nursing practice. Communication is thus an important process involving the interaction between one or more persons using verbal and non-verbal methods. Understanding the barriers to communication contributes significantly to how effective a nurse communicates in practice. The use of questioning in nursing has been a valuable tool in assessing a patient and obtaining information. However the way this is done can have an effect on the development of empathy, trust, genuineness and respect, between the nurse and the patient. It is imperative for nurses to however reflect on their communication in practice to further improve the therapeutic relationship between them and the patient as has been identified as essential in the delivery of care (WAG 2003). REFERENCES Alder, RB. Rodman, G. 2003. Understanding human communication: (8th edition). USA: Oxford university press Andrews, C. Smith, J. 2001. Medical Nursing: (11th edition) London: Harcourt Publishers limited Berry, D. 2007. Basic forms of communication. In: Payne, S. Horn, S. ed. Health communication theory and practice. England: Open university press. Chowdhry, S. 2010. Exploring the concept of empathy in nursing: can lead to abuse of patient trust. Nursing times 160(42), pp. 22-25 Dickson, D. 1999. Barriers to communication. In: Long, A. ed. Interaction for practice in community nursing. England: Macmillian press LTD, pp. 84-132 Dougherty, L. Lister, S. ed. 2008. The royal marsden hospital manual of clinical nursing procedures. Student edition. 7th ed. Italy: Wiley-Blackwell Egan, G. 1990. The skilled helper: A systematic approach to effective helping. 4th ed. California: Brooks /Cole Ekman, p. Friesen, WV. 1975. Unmasking the face. Englewood cliffs, NJ: prentice-hall INC Endacott, R. Jevon, P. Cooper, S. 2009. Clinical Nursing Skills Core and Advanced. Oxford : Oxford University Press. Foley, GN. 2010. Non-verbal communication in psychotherapy. Psychiatry (Edgemont) 7(6) pp. 38-44 Gibbs, G. 1988. Learning by doing: a guide to teaching and learning methods. Oxford: Oxford further education unit. Grover, SM. 2005. Shaping effective communication skills and therapeutic relationship at work. Aaohn journal 53(4) pp.177-182 Hawkins, K. Power, C. 1999. Gender differences in questions asked during small decision-making group discussions, small group research.(30) pg.235-256 Hayward, J. 1975. Information A prescription against pain. London: Royal college of nursing. p. 50 Marie- Claire Mason 2010. Effective interaction: Nursing Standard 24(31) p 25. Nazarko, L. 2009. Advanced communication skills. British journal of healthcare assistants. 3 (09) pp 449-452 Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)2008. The Code: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London. NMC Peate, I. 2006. Becoming a nurse in the 21st century. England: Wiley and Son Robinson, T. 2010. Empowering people to self-manage COPD with management plans and hand held records. Nursing times. 106(38) pp. 12-14 Sale, J. Neal, NM. 2005. The nurses approach: self-awareness and communication. In Ballie, L. ed. Developing practical nursing skills. 2nd ed. London: Oxford university press. Pg. 33-57 Sheldon, L. 2005. Communication for nurses: Talking with patients. London: Jones and Bartlett publishers. Spouse, J. Cook, M. Cox, C. 2008. Common foundation studies in nursing (4th edition). London: Churchill livingstone. Stevenson C, Grieves M, Stein Parbury J. 2004. Patient and Person: Empowering Interpersonal relationships in Nursing London. Elsevier Limited. Timby, BK. 2005. Fundemental Nursing Skills and Concepts Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Turnbull J, Chapman ,S. 2010. Supporting Choice in Health Care for People with Learning Disabilities. Nursing Standard 24 (22) pp 50 55 Welsh Assembly Government 2003. Fundamentals of Care Guidance for Health and Social Care Staff Cardiff: WAG

Being There - A Bit More Like Chance Essay -- Being There Essays

Being There - A Bit More Like Chance While watching the movie Being There, the viewer begins to notice just how different the book and the movie are. While the book appeals more to the reader's emotions, the movie gives a comical outlook on the problems faced in both the book and the movie. The contrast between the two places them into separate categories--a touching story about a man trapped in a world of which he knows nothing about and a satirical comedy about the very same man. The book interests its audience, making them hungry to know more; the movie involves its audience, feeding that hunger for more details. Jerzy Kosinski's short novel, also titled Being There, is a bit more serious than his movie version of the same story . Here, the President is shown as a dignified individual and only on a professional basis. After speaking with Chance and quoting him in his speech, the President has his staff work diligently to find out more about Chauncey Gardiner. The movie, however, actually shows, quite humorously, how Chance's mysterious past affects the President and his personal life, a subject not touched in the book. Many scenes show the President and his wife in their bedroom a nd his wife wanting more than just casual conversation. The President is so preoccupied with the lack of information he is receiving about Chance that he cannot oblige his wife. Kosinski suggests in the book that Chance is something of an exceptional individual. Cha nce sees things on an entirely different, perhaps higher, level than most people. Before his television appearance, Chance thinks to himself, "Television reflected only people's surfaces; it also kept peeling away their images fro... ...ance is almost biblical. Is this the feeling that Kosinski intends? What exactly is he trying to say? Both the book and the movie leave their audiences with many unanswered questions. Although the book and the movie are two versions of the same story, it seems, in the end, that Kosinski intends almost the opposite effect. The book leaves its readers to believe that the story is about a confused man trying to make it in a new world, by telling of both his struggles and triumphs. The movie leaves its viewers with the notion that the story is a lighthearted comedy about a man who is so aloof that he does not even sense the new world aroun d him. So it seems, in a sense, that both of Kosinski's versions of Being There leave the audience with an opinion that is bit more innocent, a bit more inquisitive, a bit more confused -- a bit more like Chance.

Personal Narrative- My Dream Essay examples -- Personal Narrative Writ

Personal Narrative- My Dream I picture myself center stage in the most enormous and fantastically beautiful theater in the world. Its walls and ceilings are covered in impeccable Victorian paintings of angels in the sky. A single ray of light shines down upon my face, shining through the still, silent darkness, and all attention is on me and me alone. The theater is a packed house; however, my audience is not that of human beings, but rather the angels from the paintings on the walls come alive, sitting intently in the rows of plush seats. Their warmth encompasses my body, and I know at that moment that it is time to begin. I open my mouth. From deep inside my soul a melody flows out of my chest, off of my tongue, and finally caresses my lips with the sweetest touch, and my song fills the air with a boldness like that of the glory of the angels. The sound of my song is that of unfathomable wonder, a voice as sweet and smooth as the face of a child. I sing and sing and sing my heart out, and I wonder and wonder and wonder in awe of the sound that is coming from my mouth and my...

Meat and Maggots

This week we were asked to attempt a scientific experiment, I attempted to observe 2 jars, in each Jar I put a piece of meat. On one of the Jars I placed a stopper and on the other I left it open so that the air can get to the meat. I then watched for 3 days to see what happens.The question that I was trying to find out is do flys contribute to maggots forming on meat, if meat is exposed to the air and not covered do maggots develop? As I watched the meat I found that the meat that is exposed to the ir has been in contact with flies and maggots are forming in the meat. The meat that has been covered is still rotting because of the temp in the room but it is not forming maggots.What I think has happened is that as the flys come In contact with the meat they cause the maggots for form In the meat. After the meat was out for 3 days the experiment showed that the meat that was exposed to the flys and to the air has maggots. The conclusion is that If meat Is uncovered and exposed to the a lr and has been In contact with flys that It developed maggots which concludes that the flys laid eggs on the rotting meat and caused the maggots. Meat and Maggots This week we were asked to attempt a scientific experiment, I attempted to observe 2 jars, in each jar I put a piece of meat. On one of the jars I placed a stopper and on the other I left it open so that the air can get to the meat. I then watched for 3 days to see what happens. The question that I was trying to find out is do fly’s contribute to maggots forming on meat, if meat is exposed to the air and not covered do maggots develop? As I watched the meat I found that the meat that is exposed to the air has been in contact with flies and maggots are forming in the meat.The meat that has been covered is still rotting because of the temp in the room but it is not forming maggots. What I think has happened is that as the fly’s come in contact with the meat they cause the maggots for form in the meat. After the meat was out for 3 days the experiment showed that the meat that was exposed to the fly’s and to the air has maggots. The conclusion is that if meat is unco vered and exposed to the air and has been in contact with fly’s that it developed maggots which concludes that the fly’s laid eggs on the rotting meat and caused the maggots.

Protestant Reformation

Before his death at the Second Battle of Kappel (Capel) on October 1 1, 1531, at the age of 47, Zwingli had accomplished much in the way of developing the theology of the growing Protestant faith. While Zwingli and Luther may have agreed on many points of the faith one area of profound division was over the presence of Christ's body in the Communion. Luther held to the belief that when one partook of the bread and wine that, while the bread and wine did not change into the body and blood of Christ, the body and blood were present with them to nourish the believer. Zwingli, on the other hand firmly believed that that bread and the wine and the actions accompanying them in the Communion were strictly symbolic of a more spiritual reality. 6 According to Lindsay, the Fourth thesis at the Bern Disputation of 1 528 states that, † it cannot be proved from the Scripture that the Body and Blood of Christ are substantially and corporeally received in the Eucharist. 7 With this, Zwingli w ould agree. While Zwingli was not willing to part ways entirely with the Catholic Church in regards to infant baptism he was an ardent advocate of allowing the clergy to marry.In a meeting in which Zwingli had composed sixty-seven theses to be presented and debated he said, † I know of no greater nor graver scandal than that which forbids lawful marriage to priests, and yet permits them on payment of money to have concubines and harlots. Fie for shame! â€Å"8 There were many area of disagreement between the Reformers and the established Church, such as who should rule and ake laws governing botn church and state. Zwingli upheld the right ot the state to make laws and govern religion but also allowed the people to rise up and rebel against the ruling parties if necessary.This was in great contrast to the stand taken by the Anabaptist in later years. Though changes were slow in coming and in many cases were hard won, major changes were taking place in regards to how the church was to be governed, who was to receive the cup and bread, whether or not priests were allowed to marry, as well as many other theological issues. One group that came about as a process of Zwingli's teachings, though they did ot feel that Zwingli had carried scripture or the reform of the church to its logical conclusion, was the Anabaptists.Though often referred to as â€Å"rebaptizers† due to their unwillingness to accept infant baptism or baptisms performed by the Catholic Church, they would â€Å"re-baptize† those individuals. The Anabaptists themselves did not believe they were re-baptizing people because they had not been scripturally baptized in the first place. 9 Wanting to restore the church to what they believed it was in the first century, adherents were more accurately â€Å"restorationists† than reformationists. Called Radical Reformers they were considered heretical and seditious by the Catholic Church as well as other Protestant groups for their r ejection of the established churches. Believing that all other faiths had corrupted the Word of God and the practices established in Scripture Anabaptists broke from fellowship with other believers. One of the main forces of the Anabaptist movement was Thomas Muntzer. He wrote several scathing attacks against Luther, in one tract calling Luther, † the unspiritual soft-living flesh in Wittenberg, whose robbery and distortion of Scripture has so grievously polluted our wretched Christian Church. In he same tract he called Luther â€Å"Father Pussyfoot,† â€Å"Dr. Liar† and â€Å"the Pope of Wittenberg. â€Å"11 thus reinforcing the discontent and separation between the Anabaptists and other groups of Protestants. Change was occurring over many parts of Europe. Men like Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli were attempting to right what they believed were the wrongs and atrocities being forced on the people by a corrupt Church and nation. The Catholic Church and the Emperor s or kings throughout the time of the Reformation continued to resist the teaching of reformed theology, even to the point of executing those who would not recant their â€Å"unacceptable† views.Occasionally meetings (Diets) were called in an attempt to resolve many of the issues between the established church, the king , and the reformers. In response to Luther's posting of his 95 theses, in which he publically challenged and condemn many of the practices of the Catholic Church, on the door of Wittenberg church, a papal bull was issued excommunicating Luther from the Catholic Church. Luther publically burned the papal bull on a bonfire, in essence defying the authority of the Pope himself. A diet was called by Emperor Charles V.Held, April 16- May 25, 1521 in Worms, Germany it was intended to determine if Luther was a heretic. Luther was under the impression that it was a hearing to discuss or debate his beliefs, to his surprise he was presented some of his writings and comm and to recant. In Luther's response that he could not unless he was convinced that he was wrong. One result of this Diet was the issuing of the Edict of Worms, which condemned Luther as a, â€Å"heretic and an outlaw,† and commanded that he be arrested and his books burned. 2 While Luther struggled in the tight tor the truth in Germany, Zwingli was having more success in Zurich. In the first of four meetings, known as the Zurich Disputation in 529, Zwingli presented his 67 theses which condemned many of limitations and practices of the clergy. He believed that the Bible was its own authority and the Church did not give it power and truth. Jesus was the one and only way to get to God the Father, the Pope did not possess ultimate power over all spiritual matters, and works cannot achieve merit, for salvation, through their good works. 3 His writings were well received and the Council would put into practices some of his recommendations. Other notable events, though there are ma ny, would be the Augsburg Confession, and The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre on August 24, 1572. The first was written by Melanchthon, which laid out the fundamental beliefs of faith for the reformers. Presented at the Diet of Augsburg in 1530 it was rejected by the Catholic emperor but adopted by the Lutheran church as their foundational document of faith. 14 St.Bartholomew's massacre was an attempt by Catherine de' Medici to cover up an assassination of Admiral Coligny by Catherine and the Duke of Guise. Fearful that an investigation would reveal her part in the plan and that the Huguenots increasing violence, she ordered a massacre of the Huguenots gathered in Paris at the time. 15 Before the conflict was over thousands of Huguenots had been murdered or died from starvation. As has already been mentioned, some of the more well known writings of the reformation include the sixty-seven theses by Zwingli.https://global.oup.com/academic/product/zwingli-9780198263630?cc=ua&lang=en&htt ps://books.google.com/https://www.liberty.edu/online/ Protestant Reformation The Protestant Reformation was considered as the ultimate revolutionary incident in the 16th century. This was the period when the Church occupied the seat of power. Because of the authoritative control over their constituents and their questionable practices, many people became discounted with the situation. As a consequence, they were forced to choose between the traditional Catholic Church or the new concept of Protestant Reformation. Their dissatisfaction was rooted from many flaws of the Church. First, the Church focused on the conduct of rituals which many perceived as an evasion from the Church's original objective of helping their devotees to attain personal salvation. The Church sacraments became highly ritualized that they were no longer connected with the Europeans. Its meaning and significance have become senseless. Another major reason that induced the Protestant Reformation was the dispossession of the spiritual influence of the Church officials over their people which was caused by the manifestation of secularization. More criticisms commenced when popes and other high church officials adapted a king-like lifestyle wherein they lived in luxurious houses and palaces. More so, because of the acquired fortune of the Church, it instigated numerous forms of abuses which was unfortunately executed by representatives of the Church. As a result from all of these, many people have been driven to initiate changes in the doctrines and rituals of the Catholic Church( Kreis, 2006, â€Å"Protestant Reformation†). During the reformation, one man was bold enough to reveal the truth about the misconducts of the Church, he was Martin Luther. His incessant struggle to tell the truth amid constant intimidations and threat from the Church gave him leverage in gaining the interest and trust of the people. Also, he was able to capitalize on the brewing discontent of the Europeans that made it more difficult for the Church to manage and to put a stop on the dissension of the people (cited in everythingimportant. org, â€Å"What started the Protestant Reformation? †).

Ovarian Cysts During Pregnancy

Ovarian Cyst during Pregnancy What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures within an ovary. The term cyst refers to a fluid-filled structure. Therefore, all ovarian cysts contain at least some fluid. What causes ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. The most common type is a follicular cyst, which results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg. Follicular cysts form when the follicle grows larger than normal during the menstrual cycle and does not open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve on their own over the course of days to months. Cysts can contain blood (hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts) from injury or leakage of tiny blood vessels into the egg sac. Occasionally, the tissues of the ovary develop abnormally to form other body tissues such as hair or teeth. Cysts with these abnormal tissues are called dermoid cysts. What symptoms are caused by ovarian cysts? Most cysts are never noticed and resolve without women ever realizing that they are there. When a cyst causes symptoms, pain in the belly or pelvis is by far the most common one. The pain can be caused from rupture of the cyst, rapid growth and stretching, bleeding into the cyst, or twisting of the cyst around its blood supply. How are ovarian cysts diagnosed? Most cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound, which is the best imaging technique for detecting ovarian cysts. Ultrasound is an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce an image of structures within the body. Ultrasound imaging is painless and causes no harm. Cysts can also be detected with other imaging methods, such as CAT scan or MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging). How can the physician decide if an ovarian cyst is dangerous? If a woman is in her 40's, or younger, and has regular menstrual periods, most ovarian masses are â€Å"functioning ovarian cysts,† which are not really abnormal. They are related to the process of ovulation that happens with the menstrual cycle. They usually disappear on their own during a future menstrual cycle. Therefore, especially in women in their 20's and 30's, these cysts are watched for a few menstrual cycles to verify that they disappear. Because oral contraceptives work in part by preventing ovulation, physicians will not really expect women who are taking oral contraceptives to have common â€Å"functioning ovarian cysts. † Thus, women who develop ovarian cysts while taking oral contraceptives may be advised against simple observation; rather, they may receive closer monitoring with pelvic ultrasound or, less commonly, surgical exploration of the ovary. Other factors are helpful in evaluating ovarian cysts (besides the woman's age, or whether she is taking oral contraceptives). A cyst that looks like it's just one simple sac of fluid on the ultrasound is more likely to be benign, than a cyst with solid tissue in it. So the ultrasound appearance also plays a role in determining the level of suspicion regarding a serious ovarian growth. Ovarian cancer is rare in women younger than age 40. After age 40, an ovarian cyst has a higher chance of being cancerous than before age 40, although most ovarian cysts are benign even after age 40. CA-125 blood testing can be used as a marker of ovarian cancer, but it does not always represent cancer when it is abnormal. First, many benign conditions in women of childbearing age can cause the CA-125 level to be elevated, so CA-125 is not a specific test, especially in younger women. Pelvic infections, uterine fibroids, pregnancy, benign (hemorrhagic) ovarian cysts, and liver disease are all conditions that may elevate CA-125 in the absence of ovarian cancer. Second, even if the woman has an ovarian cancer, not all ovarian ca ncers will cause the CA-125 level to be elevated. Furthermore, CA-125 levels can be abnormally high in women with breast, lung, and pancreatic cancer. How are ovarian cysts treated? Most ovarian cysts in women of childbearing age are follicular cysts (functional cysts) that disappear naturally in 1-3 months. Although they can rupture (usually without ill effects), they rarely cause symptoms. They are benign and have no real medical consequence. They may be diagnosed coincidentally during a pelvic examination in women who do not have any related symptoms. All women have follicular cysts at some point that generally go unnoticed. A follicular cyst in a woman of childbearing age is usually observed for a few menstrual cycles because the cysts are common, and ovarian cancer is rare in this age group. Sometimes ovarian cysts in menstruating women contain some blood, called hemorrhagic cysts, which frequently resolve quickly. Ultrasound is used to determine the treatment strategy for ovarian cysts because if can help to determine if the cyst is a simple cyst (just fluid with no solid tissue, seen in benign conditions) or compound cyst (with some solid tissue that requires closer monitoring and possibly surgical resection). In summary, the ideal treatment of ovarian cysts depends on the woman's age, the size (and change of size) of the cyst, and the cyst's appearance on ultrasound. Treatment can consist of simple observation, or it can involve evaluating blood tests such as a CA-125 to help determine the potential for cancer (keeping in mind the many limitations of CA-125 testing described above). The tumor can be removed either with laparoscopy, or if needed, an open laparotomy (using and incision at the bikini line) if it is causing severe pain, not resolving, or if it is suspicious in any way. Once the cyst is removed, the growth is sent to a pathologist who examines the tissue under a microscope to make the final diagnosis as to the type of cyst present. Ovarian Cysts At A Glance Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled, sac-like structures. Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. When a cyst causes symptoms, pain in the belly or pelvis is by far the most common one. Most cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound. The treatment of ovarian cysts varies from observation and monitoring to surgical procedures. Case Study: Ovarian Cyst during Pregnancy I am 35 and 13 weeks into my second pregnancy. Four weeks ago, I went to the hospital for pain in my lower right quadrant. A sonogram showed a cyst on my right ovary, about 15cm. The doctor has had me in bed since then, and I have had two more sonograms. It hasn't gone down. The doctors seem to think it is fluid-filled and not cancerous. Can cysts really go down on their own? How long should I wait to see if it will go down? Have you heard of any cysts this large during pregnancy, and do they pose a danger to the baby? Cysts (fluid-filled structures) can go down on their own, but it is unlikely a 15cm cyst in pregnancy will do so. Cysts are not that uncommon during pregnancy, affecting about 1 in 1,000 pregnant women. The vast majority of ovarian masses found during pregnancy are benign; the incidence of ovarian cancer is 1 in 25,000 births. Ultrasound can be helpful in determining if a mass is benign or malignant, but it cannot do so with 100 percent certainty. If ultrasound shows that the mass is strictly fluid-filled, without septation or thick walls, it is probably benign. The problem with large, even benign, cysts during pregnancy is that they may rupture or torse (twist on themselves). Either of these events leads to significant pain for mom and the potential for miscarriage or preterm labor and delivery for the baby. Large (more than 6-8cm) cysts are usually removed surgically if they do not decrease in size spontaneously over the course of a few weeks. In pregnancy, the best time to operate is in the second trimester, ideally around 14-16 weeks. Occasionally, a cyst may be dealt with via laparoscopy, but very large cysts often require a large, open incision. A 15 cm cyst is rather big, and the potential for complications like rupture is high. If it has remained for more than two weeks, I suggest you talk to your doctor about your option. Your doctor may have been just watching you for now, until you get out of the first trimester (the first 13 weeks of pregnancy). I have removed several masses this size during pregnancy, and all of my patients went on to deliver normal, healthy babies.

NOrdstorm Case Analysis Essay

â€Å"Our staff is genuinely interested in seeing that all your needs are meet. They are professionals-will help you with everything from gift suggestions to wardrobe planning. They will even accompany you from department to department until you find exactly what you’re looking for† , a quote from Nordstrom directory as a benchmark for service exceptions. How is Nordstrom able to claim this unexceptional goal within retail industry? The answer lies with the great achievement of motivation produced within Nordstrom culture. The case in question is prepared by Richard D. Freedman and Jill Vohr, Stern School of Business, New york University. This case analysis is based on the experiences and background of retail giant, Nordstrom. The store started its operations with humble beginning of providing excellent customer service to constituents. Nordstrom operates almost 100 stores in 10 states. It’s a growing company with great working culture. There are approximately 35000 employees working within Nordstrom family. The focus of Nordstrom’s management is to create an ambitious and motivated team that provides customer service like no one else offers, service above and beyond the call of duty. All employees are made to feel like members of a family sharing in â€Å"the Nordstrom way†. Company has been able to create an environment where promotions are only from within the company, where employees keep a journal of customers to send thank you letters and upcoming promotions. Employees perform all operations relevant to their jobs, even unpacking items, shelving and storage responsibilities. The astonishing thing is that all these tasks are performed on off the clock. Nordstrom has been able to create an environment where employees are pushing themselves to limits. Doing chores during their lunch time or after the clock has been a Nordstrom culture for a while. Even though this practice had created some controversy with few employees and unions are trying to pursue Nordstrom to abolish these motivational techniques to have employees work off the clock to achieve better status and money. There have been various lawsuits involving Nordstrom employees and management. This analysis can provide us some insight on how Nordstrom has been able to use motivational theories to purse employees to be part of this huge enterprise. Motivation is a force that come from within a person that can help create a willful direction towards achieving some specific goals, where achievement is not due solely to ability or to environmental factors. Performance of a certain individual can be accounted using: Performance = f (Ability x Motivation) Nordstrom had created a place of business where they pick the best sales people from the given population and provide them motivation in form of promotion, excellent sales commissions and social stature of working for a prestigious retailer like Nordstrom. Nordstrom has been able to use content theories of motivation to produce current company’s culture. Using content from Hierarchy of Needs Theory by Maslow’s, Nordstrom can motivate people according to their desire to satisfy specific needs. Using physiological needs like money, Nordstrom had created an excellent base pay structure along with the opportunity to create more opportunities for sales people in form of high commissions. Nordstrom’s pay structure is more rewarding than its competitors. Using physiological paradigm as a motivation force, Nordstrom is an industry leader for harvesting the best talent within sale force. Second level of Maslow’s theory is Safety needs. Nordstrom had created a culture that resembles to an individual family boutique operating within its own means and create its own identity. Nordstrom managers are free to hire and the only rule exist is to help the customer by any way possible as long as it’s legal. This attitude towards management had created a safety net at work place thus helping Nordstrom employees achieve better motivation. Maslow’s theory also promotes social and belongingness needs. Nordstrom has a culture of creating a family within a certain store thus helping with social and belongingness needs of employees. Self Esteem is also considered an important factor of motivation used by Nordstrom. Employees of Nordstrom gladly introduce themselves to others due to the fact that Nordstrom has a certain place in society and this approach helps create more motivation for employees to be more productive. Maslow’s theory also embraces self-actualization for creating employee motivation. Nordstrom is one of the few companies that can help employees design their own business cards and schedules. The focus is to create entrepreneurial spirit among employees because Nordstrom want performance to come from ambition and motivation and not from corporate headquarters. ERG theory by Clayton Alderfed explains three categories, existence (E), relatedness needs (R) and growth needs (G). This theory can be considered one of the pillars within methodologies used by Nordstrom. Employees are motivated using growth, relatedness needs and existence needs. Using this theory as an approach for design business model, Nordstrom helped employees look for their basic goals and use Nordstrom as a vehicle to accomplish those goals. Theory of achievement, affiliation and power by David McCelland can explain the motivational force Nordstrom is using to achieve ambitious goals of sales and motivation. By creating goals to be achieve every month, quarter and year, Nordstrom can help employees create a schedule for themselves to achieve those goals. Nordstrom had created unofficial standard of excellence that can help set goals for employees. Need for affiliation is also used during the course of employment with Nordstrom. Managers acknowledge the best employees and considered as a pacemaker to others so others can follow their example of excellent customer services and sales. Need of power if another factor involved in creating motivated employees. Nordstrom use strict policy with promotions within the company, this process helps provide power to the ambitious and motivated employees in form of management and team leader positions. Even though traditional research had not supported claims by two-factor theory or dual-factor theory by Frederick Herzberg; Nordstrom has been able to use the concept of motivators like achievement, recognition, responsibility, growth and challenging work and hygiene factors like pay, working conditions , technical supervision, status , interpersonal relationship with peers and security. Nordstrom had implemented this idea to create a self-realization environment where employees create goals and motivation comes from within. Nordstrom’s focus on use of expectancy theory is another motivational factor for creating motivation. Expectancy is the subjective probability that a given amount of effort will lead to a particular level of performance. Using instrumentality and valence as an outcome, Nordstrom can increase motivational force. Another factor that Nordstrom is so successful in creating employee motivation is use of equity theory. Equity theory suggests that motivation is based on person’s assessment of the ratio of outcomes he/she receive (e.g., pay, status etc). Nordstrom had implemented these theories to create a model that help employees do things with motivation from within and increase productivity and motivation. Goal setting has been a key motivator for people working within Nordstrom. Even though, many controversial lawsuits and complaints by employees and union had surfaced in last few years, Nordstrom is still promoting its culture. Nordstrom had set aside more than $15 million for paying employee for times that has not been paid in past due to the fact it was not on clock. Nordstrom still embrace job enlargement and job enrichment policies. Job enlargement is a process of making a job more motivating by adding tasks that are similar in complexity relative to the current task. For example, Nordstrom employees work with a customer in any department to satisfy that customer’s needs. Job enrichment is a process of creating more job motivation by increasing responsibilities. For example, Nordstrom designate employees to take responsibility and act as a concierge and interact with customers using letters and photos and scrap book etc. Using these theories, Nordstrom, had increase employee motivation instead of creating a hostile work environment. I personally think that Nordstrom can alter few methods to treat with how employee time is compensated. Motivation theories applied at Nordstrom are brilliant and using those theories, Nordstrom had created a culture where employees are working hard to achieve success and reach the goals set by employees and not corporate headquarters. Some of the complaints mentioned in case seem legit but the role of motivation is a two way stream. Nordstrom should deal with these complaints in a manner where it can help employees gain more confidence and motivation. For example, Nordstrom should change the way feedback mechanism handled. Throughout the whole case, I saw a lack of feedback method that can help employees get better and increase motivation. Feedback plays and important role within company’s motivational efforts. Feedback process can clarify the goals and expectations of certain employees who seem to be abused by this culture. Nordstrom should also focus on including the time for extra circular activities to enhance sales on actual paid time. This would help employees use pay as a motivational factor to increase productivity as defined as Maslow’s, ERG and dual factor theories.

Barack Obama - Victory Speech in South Carolina

Barack Obama South Carolina Democratic Primary Victory Speech delivered 26 January 2008 Thank you, South Carolina. Thank you to the rock of my life, Michelle Obama. Thank you to Malia and Sasha Obama, who havent seen their daddy in a week. Thank you to Pete Skidmore for his outstanding service to our country and being such a great supporter of this campaign. You know, over two weeks ago we saw the people of Iowa proclaim that our time for change has come. But there were those who doubted this countrys desire for something new, who said Iowa was a fluke, not to be repeated again. Well, tonight the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the good people of South Carolina. After four great contests in every corner of this country, we have the most votes, the most delegates and the most diverse coalition of Americans that weve seen in a long, long time. You can see it in the faces here tonight. There are young and old, rich and poor. They are black and white, Latino and Asian and Native American. They are Democrats from Des Moines and independents from Concord and, yes, some Republicans from rural Nevada. And weve got young people all across this country whove never had a reason to participate until now. And in nine days, in nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business as usual in Washington. We are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again. But if theres anything, though, that weve been reminded of since Iowa, its that the kind of change we seek will not come easy. Now, partly because we have fine candidates in this field, fierce competitors who are worthy of our respect and our admiration and as contentious as this campaign may get, we have to remember that this is a contest for the Democratic nomination and that all of us share an abiding desire to end the disastrous policies of the current administration. But there are real differences between the candidates. We are looking for more than just a change of party in the White House. Were looking to fundamentally change the status quo in Washington. Its a status quo that extends beyond any particular party. And right now that status quo is fighting back with everything its got, with the same old tactics that divide and distract us from solving the problems people face, whether those problems are health care that folks cant afford or a mortgage they cannot pay. So this will not be easy. Make no mistake about what were up against. Were up against the belief that its all right for lobbyists to dominate our government, that they are just part of the system in Washington. But we know that the undue influence of lobbyists is part of the problem, and this election is our chance to say that we are not going to let them stand in our way anymore. Were up against the conventional thinking that says your ability to lead as president comes from longevity in Washington or proximity to the White House. But we know that real leadership is about candor and judgment and the ability to rally Americans from all walks of life around a common purpose, a higher purpose. Were up against decades of bitter partisanship that cause politicians to demonize their opponents instead of coming together to make college affordable or energy cleaner. Its the kind of partisanship where youre not even allowed to say that a Republican had an idea, even if its one you never agreed with. Thats the kind of politics that is bad for our party. It is bad for our country. And this is our chance to end it once and for all. Were up against the idea that its acceptable to say anything and do anything to win an election. But we know that this is exactly whats wrong with our politics. This is why people dont believe what their leaders say anymore. This is why they tune out. And this election is our chance to give the American people a reason to believe again. But let me say this, South Carolina. What weve seen in these last weeks is that were also up against forces that are not the fault of any one campaign but feed the habits that prevent us from being who we want to be as a nation. Its a politics that uses religion as a wedge and patriotism as a bludgeon, a politics that tells us that we have to think, act, and even vote within the confines of the categories that supposedly define us, the assumption that young people are apathetic, the assumption that Republicans wont cross over, the assumption that the wealthy care nothing for the poor and that the poor dont vote, the assumption that African-Americans cant support the white candidate, whites cant support the African-American candidate, blacks and Latinos cannot come together. We are here tonight to say that that is not the America we believe in. I did not travel around this state over the last year and see a white South Carolina or a black South Carolina. I saw South Carolina because in the end, were not up just against the ingrained and destructive habits of Washington. Were also struggling with our own doubts, our own fears, our own cynicism. The change we seek has always required great struggle and great sacrifice. And so this is a battle in our own hearts and minds about what kind of country we want and how hard were willing to work for it. So let me remind you tonight that change will not be easy. Change will take time. There will be setbacks and false starts, and sometimes well make mistakes. But as hard as it may seem, we cannot lose hope, because there are people all across this great nation who are counting on us, who cant afford another four years without health care. They cant afford another four years without good schools. They cant afford another four years without decent wages because our leaders couldnt come together and get it done. Theirs are the stories and voices we carry on from South Carolina the mother who cant get Medicaid to cover all the needs of her sick child. She needs us to pass a health care plan that cuts costs and makes health care available and affordable for every single American. Thats what shes looking for. The teacher who works another shift at Dunkin Donuts after school just to make ends meet she needs us to reform our education system so that she gets better pay and more support and that students get the resources that they need to achieve their dreams. The Maytag worker whos now competing with his own teenager for a $7-an-hour job at the local Wal-Mart because the factory he gave his life to shut its doors he needs us to stop giving tax breaks to companies that ship our jobs overseas and start putting them in the pockets of working Americans who deserve it and put them in the pockets of struggling homeowners who are having a tough time, and looking after seniors who should retire with dignity and respect. That woman who told me that she hasnt been able to breathe since the day her nephew left for Iraq, or the soldier who doesnt know his child because hes on his third or fourth or even fifth tour of duty they need us to come together and put an end to a war that should have never been authorized and should have never been waged. So understand this, South Carolina. The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders. Its not about rich versus poor, young versus old, and it is not about black versus white. This election is about the past versus the future. Its about whether we settle for the same divisions and distractions and drama that passes for politics today or whether we reach for a politics of common sense and innovation, a politics of shared sacrifice and shared prosperity. There are those who will continue to tell us that we cant do this, that we cant have what were looking for, that we cant have what we want, that were peddling false hopes. But heres what I know. I know that when people say we cant overcome all the big money and influence in Washington, I think of that elderly woman who sent me a contribution the other day, an envelope that had a money order for $3.01 along with a verse of Scripture tucked inside the envelope. So dont tell us change isnt possible. That woman knows change is possible. When I hear the cynical talk that blacks and whites and Latinos cant join together and work together, Im reminded of the Latino brothers and sisters I organized with and stood with and fought with side by side for jobs and justice on the streets of Chicago. So dont tell us change cant happen. When I hear that well never overcome the racial divide in our politics, I think about that Republican woman who used to work for Strom Thurmond, whos now devoted to educating inner-city children, and who went out into the streets of South Carolina and knocked on doors for this campaign. Dont tell me we cant change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can seize our future. And as we leave this great state with a new wind at our backs, and we take this journey across this great country, a country we love, with the message weve carried from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire, from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast, the same message we had when we were up and when we were down, that out of many we are one, that while we breathe we will hope, and where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we cant, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words: Yes, we can. Thank you, South Carolina. I love you.