Tiny Tim Essay Example

Tiny Tim Paper In this paragraph I will focus on the character of Scrooge how he starts to realise his social responsibility. Dickens made Scrooge the main character to represent all the rich people in London, so if he could change Scrooge, he thought he could change all the rich people in London, and to help the poor. At the beginning of the novel Scrooge can be described as:- A squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching old sinner. This range of adjectives show what a man Scrooge was. Also this simile shows what Scrooge was like: Hard sharp as a flint. His views on Christmas and on giving money to the poor are very negative. When the members of a charity come to collect money, Scrooge uses humour to express his views:- Everyone who likes Christmas should be buried with a stake of holly through their heart, and should be boiled with their Christmas pudding. This shows what Scrooge thinks of Christmas. Visits from the ghosts help Scrooge realise his social responsibility by showing him what will happen in the future, if he does not change his ways. The ghost of Christmas past takes Scrooge back into episodes from his past life to show him his mistakes. We will write a custom essay sample on Tiny Tim specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Tiny Tim specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Tiny Tim specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer When Scrooge was a boy he was very lonely and he was always by himself, then later Scrooge says:- Nothing, there was a boy singing a Christmas Carol at my door last night. I should have given him something. This shows that Scrooge is thinking of that boy as himself and knows what it is like to be lonely, and regrets not giving him something. Also Scrooges sister, Fran was very kind to him, and rescued him at Christmas, then when the spirit asks him if he has any relatives he replies:- Scrooge seemed uneasy in his mind, and answered briefly Yes. This shows that Scrooge is remembering how much he loved his sister, and how badly he has been treating his nephew, Fred. Also then they go to Scrooges old bosss Christmas party, his old boss Mr. Fezziwig invites everyone round, stops all work, treats Scrooge very well, he brought in a fiddler to play music, there is lots of food drink, and everyone is happy jolly. Then suddenly Scrooge says:- I should like to be able to say a word or two to my clerk just now. This shows Scrooge starting to think of other people, and how badly he treated Bob Crachet. After that suddenly Scrooge breaks up with Belle(Scrooges girl friend), Belle says:- But if you were free today, tomorrow, yesterday can even I believe that you would choose a dowerless girl. This shows that Belle is letting Scrooge go, because he will not get a dowery, a dowery is when the father of the bride gives the husband money to take her away. Also a few years later, Belle had a child with someone:- He thought that such another creature, quite as graceful and as full of promise, might have called him father. This shows that Scrooge regrets breaking up with Belle, and wants he to be her husband, and the childs father, so Scrooge is very jealous. In this paragraph I am going to analyse the character of Tiny Tim and why he is significant. When Tiny Tim enters he is described as:- Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore a little wooden crutch, and had his limbs supported by an iron frame. This shows that Tiny Tim is disabled and cant look after himself. Dickens made Tiny Tim a child because people feel more sympathy towards children. Plus Tiny Tim represents all the poor people and children who need help around the world. Tiny Tim is Bob Crachets son, later Bob talks about his son to his wife, he says:- He hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple. This shows that Tiny Tim wants people to remember Jesus at Christmas through him. Tiny Tim makes Scrooge change by making him realise how poor him and his family are. But the Crachet family are not greedy though; Nobody said or thought it was a small pudding for a large family. This shows that the Crachet family were very grateful for what they had. Tiny Tim also likes to says:- God bless us everyone. This shows Tiny Tim is thinking of others a lot of the time. Near the end of the chapter, Scrooge and the spirit are talking about Tiny Tim:- What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. This shows the spirit is using Scrooges own words back at him when he was talking to the charity workers. Tiny Tim helps Scrooge to change by making him realise how badly he has been treating Bob Crachet, and that if Scrooge does not pay his clerk more salary then Tiny Tim will die, because the Crachet family need the money for more food and medicine. Scrooges nephews views about social responsibility are very different from Scrooges, because Fred does not only care about himself and his money, he cares of others and helping others:- And therefore uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good.

The Incorporation of Venezuela into Mercosur

The Incorporation of Venezuela into Mercosur Introduction Mercosur (Southern Common Market) initially started with the Asuncion Treaty which was inked by Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay in 1991 to establish a free trade province and finally to establish a common market. In 2007, Venezuela joined the forum. (Tondi 353).Advertising We will write a custom thesis sample on The Incorporation of Venezuela into Mercosur specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The main aim of Mercosur is to offer the probabilities to expand exports, to augment investment and to create a greater economic development among member nations. (Dominguez Oliveira 178). The core objective of Mercosur is to institute a customs union in common and a market place in common between member nations of Mercosur. (www.associatedcontents.com). Mercosur market includes free transportation of products and exclusion of custom duties among members within regions. (Motley 2006). When there was an expansion in Mercosur in J uly 2006, the internal dynamics of Mercosur are being altered. Admission of Venezuela, which is the third major economy of Mercosur group after Brazil and Argentina which aggregates over 250 million population in the regional bloc and an aggregate of a GDP of $ 1.1 trillion. To become a full member, Venezuela is required to implement Mercosur regulations and rules, which include espousal of CET and transpose Mercosur contracts with third nations into its domestic legislation. (UK House of Commons Report 80). Venezuela’s government expenditure and its economy are depending upon its oil income. About thirty percent of Venezuela’s GDP comprises of oil income. Further, oil exports constitute about eighty percent of Venezuela’s export. About 16% of Venezuela’s GDP is made up from its service sector. Though, t he economy of Venezuela is very robust, its entry into Mercosur will help to expand its economy. The main objective of associating with Mercosur is to ex pand its business within the region. (Motley 2006).Advertising Looking for thesis on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Venezuela became a full member of Mercosur in January 2006. However, Venezuela’s membership is not absolute as there is a midway phase to depart CAN and to synchronize strategies with other associate nations of Mercosur. (Massabie 153). Though Venezuela approved the† Climate Change Convention in March 1995†, but it was the very last Latin American nation to approve in â€Å"February 2005 the Kyoto Protocol. â€Å" For many years, Venezuela declined to approve the Kyoto’s Protocol in consonance with the OPEC as Kyoto Protocol did not acknowledge condition Venezuela as the major seller of oil. (Massabie 153). Mercosur has been deteriorated frequently due to political chaos between its member nations. The admission of Venezuela to the Mercosur in the ye ar 2008 brings a new member with a clearly varied political ideology into the Mercosur and has once again posed a threat to the political decision authority of Mercosur. (Tondl 28). It is to be observed that Venezuela is playing an active role in all Latin American integration mechanisms. Venezuela was an associate of the â€Å"Andean Community of Nations (Comunidad Andina de Naciones, CAN)†. (O’Keefe 99). However, Venezuela said goodbye to CAN in 2005 averring grave divergence with other member nations. In 2004, Mercosur together with Colombia and Ecuador became an associated member of Mercosur. The Protocol of Adhesion stipulates that it will be enforced once it is approved by all five signatory nations of Mercosur. The Venezuelan congress approved the Protocol of Adhesion as early as August 2006. As of January 2009, it is yet to be approved by the Paraguay and Brazil legislatures. Once the Protocol of adhesion comes into effect, Venezuela will have about four-year t ime to espouse the full array of Mercosur norms, which includes CET also. Venezuela’s immediate integration into Mercosur is also hindered by the fact that Venezuela, though it has formally withdrawn from the Andean Community as early as 2006, it is still subject to the Andean intra-regional liberalization scheme until the year 2011. (O’Keefe 99). The Southern Common Market (Mercosur) crossed nineteenth year of formation in 2010. In these nineteen years, the region transformed from a major restricted trade phenomenon to a free –trade province practically, with extra efforts in creating a customs union and moving on to a common market.Advertising We will write a custom thesis sample on The Incorporation of Venezuela into Mercosur specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In spite of these developments, the assimilation process sustained impediments due to varied economic happenings such as Brazil’s currency devaluat ion, Asian financial crisis and later, the uncertainty of economy witnessed by Argentina. Thus, delays to the integration phases generate creditability concerns and could endanger the future of the Mercosur. This research paper evaluates the present magnitude of economic assimilation of Mercosur, the tempo of the phases and the outcome of varied levels of economic integration. It also evaluates the entry of Venezuela, the benefits, disadvantages, the roadblocks witnessed by it to become a full member, how Mercosur has benefited due to ingression of Venezuela and what are all the future challenges to be confronted both by Venezuela and Mercosur in detail. Analysis As a new member of Mercosur, Venezuela is in a transition phase from its earlier Andean Community Association. Venezuela’s integration into Mercosur is a phased one. By 2012, its tariff to Argentina and Brazil are to be removed with privileged access for main imports from Uruguay and Paraguay, which is to be offered instantly and free trade by 2013. Venezuela has to espouse the Mercosur common external tariff within four years. Some sectors like livestock, food, electronic equipment, software and automobiles are protected sectors. Venezuela is now required to implement Mercosur trade regulations and rules, which include the adoption of the region’s Common External Tariff and to swap Mercosur’s agreements with third nations into its domestic laws. Definitely, Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur will transform the course of the region’s development. With Venezuela as a member in Mercosur, there is greater political risk is involved. Recently, another six year term of the presidency was won by President Hugo Chavez for a third term in Venezuela. This has raised an alarm among business and industry that nationalization of various main industries in Venezuela is on the card. Out of 175 ranks, Venezuela has been ranked as 164 by World Bank for doing business. (UK House of Co mmons Report 65). Significance of Venezuela’s Entry into Mercosur Entry of Venezuela into the Mercosur free trade province under the Protocol of Adhesion brings more grand factors than included in ALDI ACE NO.59 which is the present free trade agreement which Venezuela is having with each other Mercosur nations.Advertising Looking for thesis on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For instance, under earlier ACE NO.59, many tariff curtailments are not anticipated to be wholly introduced till January 1, 2018 and there are even goods, which are excluded from free trade permanently. On the contrary, both Brazil and Argentina, under the Protocol of Adhesion (POA), as a normal rule, will abolish tariffs on all imports from Venezuela from January 1 2010 whereas Uruguay and Paraguay will eliminate the tariff for all imports from Venezuela from January 1, 2013 and in turn, Venezuela will abolish all tariffs on all imports from Mercosur nations from January 1, 2012. Immediately, after entry into the force of POA, Venezuela has consented to throw open up its market instantly to for a number of Paraguayan and Uruguayan imports. For so –called agricultural products, the protocol contains a provision that permits for a longer phase-out period ending January 1, 2014. The Political Aspect of Venezuela’s Entry into Mercosur The main aim of the Venezuela’ s intention to join Mercosur as a full member is predominantly political. Before joining Mercosur, Venezuela is not a poignant export market for the Mercosur nations. Both Argentina and Brazil, to some smaller magnitude, export some valuable manufactured products to Venezuela, mainly auto parts and also agricultural products and food items in a small quantity. Incidentally, there are few exports to other Mercosur nations from Venezuela. Currently, oil is being imported by Brazil in large quantities from Venezuela and however, these imports by Brazil from Venezuela are of miniscule as compared to global petroleum exports by Venezuela. (O’keefe 100). It serves medium and short-term economic interests to other Mercosur nations by the decision to admit Venezuela as a full member. The Argentines are much fascinated in collaborating with PDVSA, the Venezuelan state owned Petrol Company, which has offered investment capital to develop offshore natural gas and oil fields in Argentina . Brazilian state owned petrol company namely Petrobras which evincing keen interest in joint ventures with its Venezuela’s equivalent to develop and explore oil wells, mainly to explore heavy oil in Venezuela’s Orinoco River Valley, which can be exported to northeastern Brazil. Both Brazilian and Venezuelan oil companies have already invested about US$ 2.5 billion in heavy oil refinery in Pernambuco, which is in the North Eastern side of Brazil. The state petrol company of Uruguay also has a joint venture with PDVSA to establish heavy oil wells in the province of Orinoco and to establish an oil refinery in Uruguay, mainly to refine heavy crude. Further, a natural gas pipeline is being constructed from Bolivia to Paraguay and Uruguay, which is funded by Venezuela. Further, Venezuela is having planned to construct a natural gas pipeline from Venezuela to the Southern Cone of Mercosur. (O’Keefe 100). Mercosur –Venezuela Trade In recent years, there has been a rapid increase of trade flow between Venezuela and Mercosur nations. It reached a record high of US$ 7.2 billion in 2007. This represents an increase of 25% increase of the figures of 2006 and an increase of 34% increase 2003 figures. However, Venezuela’s exports to the Southern Cone bloc nations experienced a moderate increase of 10.8% between 2003 and 2007. It even shrank by 15.3% in 2007 aggregating to US$ 1.1 billion. Due to this, there was growth of US$4.9 billion in 2007 in trade balance in favor of Mercosur. It is significant to note that the trade flows between Venezuela and Mercosur were much more balanced till the start of this decade and in some instances, exhibited a marginal increase in favor of Venezuela, as in 2000, when Venezuelan sales touched the magic figure of US$1.5 billion. (Instituto Para La 56). There has been a substantial increase of exports by the four Mercosur nations to Venezuela, which stood at 60.5% in 2006 and was about 38% during the first six months of 2007. Thus, the four Mercosur nations accounted for 12% of Venezuela’s total imports. The larger drive of sales to this destination as contrasted to shipments the other parts of the world, demonstrates that the Venezuelan market’s capability for the Mercosur products, especially manufactured products like pharmaceutical products, plastics , auto and automobile parts , food , cardboard and paper. It is to be noted that Colombia was the nation which was badly affected due to Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur as it had earlier supplied of above mentioned products under preferential tariff stipulations to other Mercosur nations. Further, Mercosur imports from Venezuela demonstrated strong increase during 2006, which stood at 146.1% but declined towards 9.9% during the first half of 2007. For all Mercosur nations except Uruguay, the significance as a supplier of the bloc is relatively limited. Uruguay is the only country which soaks up almost fifty percen t of the bloc’s imports from Venezuela. Moreover, in terms of energy, Venezuela has become a significant trading partner and its fuel symbolizes almost the whole of imports from the nations in Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay and over sixty percent in Brazil. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf.   http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf.   Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. Source: http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2006/september/tradoc_113488.pdf. wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/its2010_e/its10_world_trade_dev_e.pdf Venezuelaâ €™s financial and capital account behavior is closely linked to the significant current account balance of 15.1 % of GDP during the year 2003-2006. The flip aspect of this high surplus is a debit balance allocated between financial and capital account and the excess in the international reserves. The current account surplus of Venezuela is mainly attributed to the oil exports by the Venezuela’s government oil company namely PDVSA. Venezuela’s government has the decision authority to decide what quantum of this surplus can be transformed into as official assets or international reserves and what quantum is to be earmarked for financial or real investment overseas. Venezuela witnessed a net outflow of capital since 1999 which in 2006 touched 12.4% of its GDP. This balance symbolises both the surge in Venezuelan assets in foreign countries and the fall in the external liabilities. All Mercosur nations except Argentina witnessed accumulation in their international rese rves during 2006 in line with the aim of minimizing external vulnerability in a context of escalating uncertainty at the international level. Thus , Venezuela has reformed its policy towards the accumulation of reserves, which declined August 2007 to US$ 10b as against the US$37b maximum at the end of 2006 mainly because of its reallocation to the National Development Fund namely FONDEN. (Carciofi et al 3) One another advantage of Venezuela in Mercosur is that it promotes investment by Venezuela in other member nations, and investment is also made by other member nations in Venezuela, Thus , this prolonged business cycle will assist to fortify nations within Mercosur.( Bassi 2006), Venezuela will derive advantages from the introduction of total liberalization for the majority of products of interest to it in trade with other individual members of Mercosur. The greatest benefit will be in trade with the Brazil and Argentina as these nations have undertaken to introduce liberalization forward to 2010 onwards. (Carciofi 111). Major advantages may be obtained from elimination of the exception to complete liberalization and of the price band system presently applied by Venezuela in its trade with Mercosur nations. (Carciofi 112). According to Maduro, Venezuela’s foreign minister, there has been an enhanced commercial relations between Mercosur and Venezuela as trade has grown to $28 billion from the just $2 billion. Mercosur will also strive to achieve a common custom’s code to kindle and minimize the cost of commerce among Mercosur nations. Further, there is an effort by Mercosur to remove double-taxation and associated transport holdups on imports that is being transported through one member nation to arrive at another Mercosur member nation. It is estimated that by 2014, there will be complete elimination of double-taxation of imported merchandises and there will be a single Mercosur customs union, unifying terms so that duties on exports and impor ts can be arrived at and exchanged across Mercosur member nations.(IntelliBriefs 2010). Disadvantages From the above table, it is evident that the entry of Venezuela into Mercosur as a new full member has a moderate brunt on the region’s trade and economic profile. Though Venezuela is having a higher per capital GDP as compared to the Mercosur’s mean, the value of Venezuela’s annual import is not very admirable. The chief part in cost-benefit analyses of Venezuela’s admission into Mercosur is the energy capabilities that the Venezuela adds to the region. (Carciofi 101). There are fewer disadvantages for Venezuela’s accession to Mercosur. Member nations are of the view that many agreements and rules framed by Mercosur are of one sided. One another disadvantage is that Venezuela may face that it may be the victim of intellectual property privileges. With more exports of electronic products from Venezuela into other Mercosur member nations may end in copying of ideas of Venezuela’s products thereby resulting in the emergence of grey markets for Venezuela’s electronic products. (Ledesma 2008). Despite advancing the time frames which will usher advantages to Venezuela, it is significant to note that majority of selected goods already have momentous preference margins. The effect will be relatively modest even by advancing timeframe to enjoy the advantages in market access norms. This symbolizes despite there are chances for trade expansion, membership of Venezuela in Mercosur does not symbolize momentous transformation in market access norms for those associated, given the present preference as the trade liberalization deadlines already discussed in ECA 59. (Carciofi 111). External Agenda of Mercosur will be influenced by Venezuela’s Entry One of the major anxieties ventilated by the business sector over Venezuela’s ingress into Mercosur is that it may wield its influence on the external agenda of the b loc. As per National Confederation of Industry, immediately after inking the Membership Protocol, Venezuela will attain the status of inclusion in the Mercosur delegation for negotiating with other nations and blocs. Thus, without going through the transition period, Venezuela may have its articulation in such discussion as one of the framer of the Mercosur’s negotiating programs with the EU and U.S.A. (Carciofi 117). Democratic Clause in Mercosur Among the founding members of Mercosur, democracy was a common value and was visualized as a precondition for integration. It is to be noted that in the preamble either in the constituent treaty of Mercosur or the Treaty of Asuncion signed in 1991 contained democratic clause. The first ever mention about democratic setup is seen in the â€Å"Declaration of the Second Presidential Meeting of Mercosur† of June 1992. Mercosur member nations in July 1996 reiterated the significance of democratic conditionality by sealing the â₠¬Å"Declaration of the Democratic Agreement.† In July 1998, the Democratic agreement was officially instituted into the â€Å"Treaty of Asuncion â€Å"by means of the Protocol of Ushuaia. This protocol specifically provides after a phase of consultation, the rights of a member state of Mercosur can be suspended where the democratic order is in chaos, mainly to deliberate in the institutions of Mercosur. (Hoffmann Vleuten l 180). It will be interesting to follow the effect of the democratic clause, given the polemic circumstances of the democratic credentials of Chavezs government. It is to be noted that decision to include Paraguay in the Treaty of Asuncion was regarded in 1989 only after the end of the dictatorship. (Vaz 126). It is to be noted that no stringent action was taken during the Venezuela crisis other than support expression for a return to a democratic rule by Mercosur nations. It is pertinent to note that Mercosur does not have an adequate explanation on how to handle corrosions of democratic ruling. (Morton, Halperin Galic 109). Chavez’s autocratic style and Paraguay’s Opposition Though Venezuela’s request to admit as a full member of Mercosur was approved in June 2006 in Caracas by the leaders of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, the proposal has to be accepted by the legislatures of the concerned nation also. Both Uruguay and Argentina legislatures were the first to acknowledge the Venezuela’s incorporation as a full member. Brazil’s Senate, after three long years of debate approved the Venezuela’s inclusion in Mercosur in December 2009. Paraguays senate is yet to accord its approval since the Paraguay’s President Fernando Lugo does not enjoy the adequate support and his opponents have raised their voice against inclusion of Venezuela in Mercosur on the ground of â€Å"autocratic practices and style â€Å" of President Chavez, which is in clear opposition to the main slogan of â€Å" Mercosur Democratic Clause.† According to Senator Romero Juca, a senator from Brazilian ruling coalition, Venezuelas role is extremely significant for the economic and social development of South America and hence, Brazil would exert its utmost pressure on Paraguay on the necessity for acknowledgement of Venezuela’s admission as a full member in Mercosur. (Brazil Mag 2010). Paraguayan opposition opposes the political style of the President Hugo Chavez and not the entry of state of Venezuela into Mercosur. They view Chavez as an undemocratic and they are of the opinion that his arrival may harm Mercosur. Some critics are of the view the Mercosur as a mirror of the European Union and lament that their entry of Chavez may injure the trade pact with EU. It is to be observed that Venezuela major imports are foodstuff and Paraguay can benefit from exporting to Venezuela its oil seeds, grains and meats.(UPI.com 2010). Whether Mercosur is a successful and what is its fu ture? Since its start-up, Mercosur has turned to be Latin America’s most elegant integration agreement. However, both Argentina and Brazil were passing through a recession and there was a disagreement on which foreign exchange policy to be perused. This disagreement has become a real threat to the future of Mercosur. (Gillespie, Jeannet and Hennessey 46). The initial success of Mercosur was demonstrated by the truth that international trade among the four nations soared to 200 percent in the 1990s. However, after 1999, trade and commerce were badly impacted due to Brazil’s currency devaluation and its consequent financial crisis and there was default of external debts by Argentina. The economy and trade were affected severely between 2000 and 2002 and especially in 2004. In particular, Argentina flouted the Mercosur access conditions by introducing several protective measures and barriers to free trade. Due to non-coordination between members, the future of Mercosur is now uncertain. (John, Craig Lynk 308). Recent happenings do not seem good for the future of Mercosur. In the year 2006, a dispute between Uruguay and Argentina over whether to permit European companies to establish two paper mills along the river that separates their border was not resolved through Mercosur’s internal dispute resolution mechanism. Further, Uruguay expanded its trade with the U.S.A and even cautioned that it may withdraw from Mercosur commenting that Mercosur is to serve the interest of Brazil and Argentina. Moreover, Mercosur has not resolved trade asymmetries that have arisen within its members, yet to resolve the concern of double tariff on certain imports from outside the bloc, yet to codify a custom code that is common and this has led some analyst to view that Mercosur has turned to be a forum of foreign policy modeling. These beliefs have only been corroborated by recent discussions between the European Union and Brazil regarding the possibility of a bilateral trade negotiation. (Seelke 8). Why Paraguay Has Not Allowed Venezuelas Entry To The Bloc? What Are/Would Be The Consequences It The Country Decides To Finally Admit Venezuela? For Paraguay, in spite of economic advantages derived by Paraguay due to Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur as its full member, the aristocrat style of Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan president elevates the cause of worry for Paraguay. The political style and personality of Chavez is just conflicting to Mendez, the present president of Paraguay who emphasizes moderation. Paraguay is of the opinion that Mr. Chavez’s extreme patriotism will fetch more chaos to Mercosur. Paraguay is of the opinion that Venezuela’s confronts with Colombia will need of redrafting of its stance for Mercosur since Paraguay is of the view that Venezuela’s entry may bring a blockade in the negotiation for creating a trade relations between European Union and Mercosur nations. The adversaries of Chavezâ₠¬â„¢s program for a substitute style of integrating South American economies, which insists issues of social justices which are not restricted to his domestic foes. Both the big businesses from Venezuela and member nations of Mercosur especially Paraguay have a common grumble against Chavez may destabilize the Chavez’s effort of amalgamating the South American nations against Washington. Already, Paraguay is entangled with the heightening brawls with Argentina and Brazil, as the national leaders of Paraguay are questioning the real advantage of awarding full membership to Venezuela. Further, Paraguay is having a legitimate concern over equity treatment that travel back to very first day of formation of Mercosur. For instance, Brazil and Paraguay, which enjoy the gargantuan dam namely â€Å" Itaipu Dam† which is being one of the globe’s biggest hydroelectric energy projects an d Paraguay has raised dispute over dominance of Brazil in the Itaipu project. This has made the Paraguay politicians to allege that Paraguay’s association with the Mercosur is a disgrace since the Mercosur membership does not offer any meaningful advantages to Paraguay. Paraguay is actively engaged in establishing a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S.A which has compelled Chavez to give up his nation’s economic tie-up with the other nations of South American trade group that have followed Paraguay’s FTA with U.S.A and could end in Mercosur fugitives to renounce full membership in the Mercosur. Paraguay is of the view that Chavez main aim to join Mercosur is to shape his counterweight to U-S supported freed trade agreements thereby uttering that admission of Venezuela as indicator for integration of South American economies and a sign of triumph against U.S.A’s colonialist economic strategies for the region. Thus, there is a need on the part of Chavez to stop this encouraging the exit of Paraguay which means fracturing of Mercosur intern al unity which would symbolize a devastating philosophy rout in Chavez’s struggle to keep U.S.A’s authority isolated in the region. If at all Venezuela wants to isolate U.S.A, it should come forward to offer lower tariffs for Paraguayan merchandises well before free-trade regions are concluded for the balance of Venezuela’s inter-Mercosur commerce for the period between 2012 and 2013. This approach will help Venezuela to get the support of Paraguay by helping it to tackle Paraguay’s negative economic scenarios and it will also heighten small economies like Paraguay attitude towards Venezuela as Paraguay may have to weigh the real benefits from Venezuela’s participation in Mercosur. According to erstwhile Paraguayan President Duarte Frutos that if real aim of the Mercosur is to criticize the protectionism of EU and U.S.A, they should practice the same protectionism among the small member nations of Mercosur and if this continue, then these small mem ber nations like Paraguay may decide their concern would be served outside Mercosur. Further, Chavez call to build a common army for Mercosur may kindle Chavez’s economic and political adversaries to join under one roof to retort his action for integration or may spoil hesitant allies to get back their support to Mercosur. (Coha 2010). Paraguay is having strong political disparity but at the same time it is also of the view that Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur is more interesting to it economically. Paraguay opposition is vehemently against Chavez and not against Venezuela as his attitudes are not only undemocratic towards the press and opposition but also Chavez’s meddling in other nation’s domestic business for ever. However, adequate pressure is exerted by Argentina and Brazil on Paraguay to shift its stance against Venezuela which can have considerable impact on landlocked Paraguay given its trade discrepancies and geographic location. One another stu mbling block is that approval of both houses of Paraguay’s congress is to be obtained before the bill for accrediting full membership for Venezuela which is to be inked by Paraguay’s president Lugo. However, since Lugo is lacking majority in any of the houses of congress and hence Logo is compelled to negotiate with the ruling coalition which itself is splintered. (MercoPress 2010). Conclusion It is obvious that membership of Mercosur has not paved the way for change in the replica of economic development. Nor have the assurances of enhanced trade opportunities, larger international profile and access to new markets. Rather than an increase in exports, Mercosur has witnessed a concentration of exports. Economic growth has been disappointing and flow of FDI is rather stagnated. No doubt, Venezuela’s entry into Mercosur will definitely make aligning the bloc’s trade agendas more of a challenge. Venezuela’s foreign trade and productive structure are p oignantly differing to the present member nations of Mercosur, and this will definitely have a say on its trade policy preferences. There are two chief challenges to the future of Mercosur.The first one is the political and economic crisis. The chances of survival are not encouraging without a speedy recovery from the present global economic turmoil. There are three structural deficiencies of the present concept of Mercosur, and they are the lack of macroeconomic coordination, the institutional weakness and the intra-industry trade strategy. (Weintraub, Rugman Boyd 148). The above mentioned deficiencies can be corrected. By fine tuning the relatively demanding theory of a â€Å" Common Market† to the political realities by acknowledging the fact the readiness to share sovereignty and by substituting the greatly personal –decision making measures through a more rule oriented system and By keeping away from macroeconomic doctrines at the national level which intimidate s to generate deformed real exchange rates within the region? To rejuvenate and revitalize Mercosur, it is the need of the hour to reform its productive capabilities following comparative benefits. Mercosur’s structural weakness still remains to be resolved. If this disadvantage is considered seriously, it is obvious that the future of Mercosur must remain in doubt, even if the current economic turbulence can be conquered. (Weintraub, Rugman Boyd 148). Bassi, Raul. 12 September 2006. Venezuela in MERCOSUR. A New Mercosur. 19 October 2010 www.spectrezine.org/LatinAmerica/bassi.htm. Brazil Mag. (April 2010). Brazil to Pressure Paraguay into Accepting Venezuela into Mercosur. 19 October 2010 brazzilmag.com/component/content/article/84-april-2010/12157-brazil-to-pressure-paraguay-into-accepting-venezuela-in-mercosur.html Carciofi, et al. Mercosur. Report Number 12:2006 [Second Semester]. New York: BIDINTAL. Coha , K B. 20 July 2010. Venezuela’s First Meeting as Mercosu r Member Begins Today.5 November 5, 2010 http://venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/1847 Dominguez Francisco Oliveira Marco Aurelio Guedes de. Mercosur: Between Integration and Democracy.Brasilia: Peter Lang, 2006. Gillespie, Jearnet Hennessey. Global Marketing. London: Dreamtech Press, 2009. Great Britain, Parliament: House of Commons. Trade with Brazil and Mercosur. London: TSO, 2007. Hoffimann Andrea Ribeiro, Vleuten Johanna Maria Van Der. Closing or Widening the Gap? Legitimacy and Democracy in Regional. London: Ashgate Publications, 2007. Instituto Para La Integracion de America Latina Y el Caribe, INTAL. Mercosur Report Number 13:2007, Second Semester -2008. New York: BIDINTAL, 2008. John D, Craig R Lynk Michael. Globalization and the Future of Labour Law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. May. (6 August 2008).An Investment Under the Mercosur Trade Centre. 19 October 2010 www.associatedcontentment.com/article/919219/an_investment_under_the_mercosur_trade_pg2_pg2.html? Massabie German. Venezuela: A Petro-State Using Renewable Energies. New York: VS Verlag, 2008. MercoPress. 11 June 2010.Paraguay Admits Pressure from Brazil to Vote for Venezuela’s Mercosur’s Incorporation. 5 November 2010 http://en.mercopress.com/2010/06/11/paraguay-admits-pressure-from-brazil-to-vote-for-venezuela-s-mercosur-incorporation Morton H, Halperin and Galic Mima. Protecting Democracy: International Response. London: Lexington Books, 2005. Motley, La’Sarah-evette Patrice. 6 January 2006. Mercosur –The Southern Common Market. 19 October 2010 associatedcontent.com/article/16507/mercosur_the_southern_commom_market_pg2_pg2.html?cat=3. O’Keefe, Thomas Andrew. Latin America and Caribbean Trade Agreements: Keys to a Prosperous. New York: Brill,2009. Seelke, Clare Ribando. BRAZIL –U.S.A Relations. London: Diane Publishing Company, 2009. Tondl, Gabriele. Trade Integration and Economic Development: the EU and Latin. New York: Springer, 200 8. Vaz, Alcides Costa. Cooperacao, integracao e processo necociador. Brazil: Instituto Brazileiro de Relacoes, 2002. Weintraub Sidney, Rugman Alan M Boyd Gavin. Free Trade in Americas: Political and Economical Issues for Governance. London: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2004. www.associatedcontent.com.(23 March 2010). Advantages and Disadvantages of Mercosur Membership. 19 October 2010 associatedcontent.com/article/2808740/advantages_and_disadvantages_of_mersocur.html www.intelliBriefs.com. (6 August 2010). Mercosur Summit Discusses Venezuela-Columbia Situation. 19 October 2010 http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2010/08/mercosur-summit-discusses-venezuela.html. www.upi.com.(6 August 2010). Venezuela Again Stopped at Mercosur’s door. 19 October 2010 upi.com/Top_News/Special/2010/08/06/Venezuela-again-stopped-at-Mercosurs-door/UPI-60711281118533/

Discussion question Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Discussion question - Essay Example While this is true however, education does not necessarily translate into economic growth of a country, it is only a single factor to the various reasons for economic growth. Education has faced a significant expansion in the last decades across the world, with countries registering double-digit growth patterns. In the 1990s, the world, according to Easterly (73), had 99 percent enrollment for primary education. Education investment has brought little or no impact in the world economy and especially for the countries themselves. Growth of human capital in a country does not necessarily mean that their contribution to the growth of a country. If the argument that education brings growth to a country, fresh graduates should be entitled to higher salaries than experienced workers should. However, salary increment is based on the years of experience, making this belief to be untrue. In fact, Easterner (77) is of the opinion that, the contribution of education growth and growth of a worker’s output is negligible, stating that in some African countries, this growth is actually negative. The Gross Domestic Product per worker in is just a small percentage in most Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union countries. With time, the median growth rate of poor countries in the world has kept a declining trend overtime, indicating a poor education contribution to growth, yet education received a massive growth. Due to in direct effects of human capital, countries with higher initial human capital are likely to have a faster growth than those with low initial human capital.in case the level of human capital and physical capital are both high, there will be high returns on physical capital investment until there is a balance between the two(76-77). In all nations worldwide, variations in the country’s growth have little contributions from variations in growth of the human capital, rising more serious concerns regarding initial schooling and

EXPLAINING bEHAVIOUR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

EXPLAINING bEHAVIOUR - Essay Example According the psychoanalytical theory of Freud, a child goes through a series of psychosexual stages as he grows up. Each stage is dominated by the development of sensitivity in a particular erogenous or pleasure-giving zone of the body. Freud identifies five stages of psychosexual development: the oral, anal, phallic, latent and genital. The oral phase starts from the moment of birth, when both needs and their fulfilment involve participation of child’s tongue, lips and teeth. Mouth is the first zone of body the child can control and due to this the most part of his sexual energy is focused on it. Later, when the child can control other parts of his body, a certain part of his energy still remains ‘cathected’ to his mouth. Therefore it is natural for a child to have a moderate interest to oral pleasures at this stage (Frager & Fadiman, 2000). As the child grows up new zones of pleasure appear. At age between two and four years the child is learning how to control the anal sphincter and bladder, they obtain much of his attention. The process of toilet training excites the child’s interest to self-discovery. Since parents interfere with elimination pleasures, the child develops ambivalent attitudes toward them. As children resolve the conflict between their needs for parental love and instinctual gratification they evolve lifelong attitudes toward cleanliness, orderliness, punctuality, submissiveness, and defiance (Bateman & Holmes, 1995). At the age of tree years the child enters the phallic stage of development: he focuses on his genitals. This phase is called phallic because the child starts to realize whether he has penis or not. At that point children understand the difference between two sexes. During phallic stage of development children treat their parents as a potential threat to fulfilment of their needs (Frager &

Software Requirement Specification Essay Example for Free

Software Requirement Specification Essay Students to several process modeling techniques for representing business processes. Although this chapter focuses primarily on data flow diagramming, brief overviews of functional hierarchy modeling and Oracle’s process modeler are given. After a brief introduction to process modeling, data flow diagramming techniques are introduced in a section called â€Å"Data Flow Diagramming Mechanics. † This section demonstrates the basic DFD symbols, definitions, and rules. The authors use the Gane and Sarson symbol set throughout the book, and these symbols are explained in this section. Hoosier Burger, the food ordering system first mentioned in Chapter 2, is used to illustrate basic data flow diagramming concepts. This section also includes explanations of decomposition and balancing. Chapter 8’s third major section introduces four different types of DFDs: current physical, current logical, new logical, and new physical. Hoosier Burger’s inventory control system (which is manual) is used to illustrate the first three types of DFDs. Current practice in using DFDs indicates that very little time should be spent on the current physical DFD. The fourth major section in this chapter, â€Å"Using Data Flow Diagramming in the Analysis Process,† introduces guidelines for drawing and using DFDs. This is different from the mechanical rules presented earlier. Topics include completeness, consistency, timing, iterative development, primitive DFDs, and analyzing DFDs for system inefficiencies and discrepancies among DFDs that are supposed to be modeling the same system. A Hoosier Burger example helps illustrate these guidelines. The â€Å"Oracle’s Process Modeler and Functional Hierarchy Diagrams† section introduces students to two other process modeling tools. These tools are Oracle Designer’s process modeler and functional hierarchy modeling, a tool found in several CASE products. In this section, the authors show how to prepare basic process models and functional hierarchy diagrams. Additionally, the authors compare and contrast Oracle’s process models to data flow diagramming. In the last section of this chapter, the authors’ overview process modeling for Internet-based electronic commerce applications. As they explain, process modeling for Internet-based electronic commerce applications does not differ from more traditional applications development projects. Instructional Objectives Specific student learning objectives are included at the beginning of the chapter. From an instructor’s point of view, the objectives of this chapter are to: 1. Show how to logically model processes with data flow diagrams. 2. Teach students data flow diagram symbols and the mechanical rules necessary to create accurate, well-structured process models. 3. Show students how to decompose data flow diagrams into lower-level diagrams. For people who are not familiar with data flow diagrams, the students should find that it is relatively easy to show them that data flow diagrams are a better way to model processes. Chances are that this person’s original picture already has many of the elements of a standard data flow diagram anyway. Research has found that process modeling is a very natural activity for most people, even when they are not formally trained in this technique.

HIV/AIDS in India:An epidemic Essay -- AIDS India Health

What may be seen as a result of a surplus of labor by an economist, has ultimately led to an epidemic. India's population, estimated to be 1.35 billion, suffers extensive poverty as more than thirty seven percent of its population lives below the poverty line. (Economy Watch) This surplus of labor has driven the price of labor in India to incredibly low amounts, hence the outsourcing which has become rampant. Low labor prices compounded with exclusion due to the caste system and high dependency on agriculture all have amplified the poverty which in turn, has given rise to the largest population—2.3 million--within the borders of a nation to be infected with HIV/AIDS. (India HIV and AIDS Statistics.) Though those who are infected represent less the one percent of the total population, the environmental conditions of the society by which India presides are conducive to the rapid spread of this problem. More importantly, of those that are infected, thirty nine percent are women which increases the probability of parent-to-child transmission of this STI(Sexually Transmitted Infection). While an entire forty percent of the HIV bearing population is constituted by women, only a fraction of a percentage point of those women who choose to get screened test positive for the infection indicating a major problem—those who have it, are unaware or choose not be screened*. Close to eighty five percent of the transfers are through sexual transmission, five percent through parent-to-child transmission and the remainder through injecting drug use. As observed, red-light districts in India have given obvious rises and have some of the highest incidence of AIDS (fifty percent in Mumbai and Pune), but the other regions of the country do not r... ...ohen, J. "HIV/AIDS IN INDIA: HIV/AIDS: India's Many Epidemics." Science 304.5670 (2004): 504-09. Print. Cohen, J. "HIV/AIDS IN INDIA: HIV/AIDS: Till Death Do Us Part." Science 304.5670 (2004): 513-17. Print. "HIV/AIDS." UNICEF INDIA. 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2010. . "Poverty in India | Economy Watch." World, US, China, India Economy, Investment, Finance, Credit Cards | Economy Watch. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. . "India HIV and AIDS Statistics." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. . "Stigma, Discrimination and Attitudes to HIV & AIDS." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. . HIV/AIDS in India:An epidemic Essay -- AIDS India Health What may be seen as a result of a surplus of labor by an economist, has ultimately led to an epidemic. India's population, estimated to be 1.35 billion, suffers extensive poverty as more than thirty seven percent of its population lives below the poverty line. (Economy Watch) This surplus of labor has driven the price of labor in India to incredibly low amounts, hence the outsourcing which has become rampant. Low labor prices compounded with exclusion due to the caste system and high dependency on agriculture all have amplified the poverty which in turn, has given rise to the largest population—2.3 million--within the borders of a nation to be infected with HIV/AIDS. (India HIV and AIDS Statistics.) Though those who are infected represent less the one percent of the total population, the environmental conditions of the society by which India presides are conducive to the rapid spread of this problem. More importantly, of those that are infected, thirty nine percent are women which increases the probability of parent-to-child transmission of this STI(Sexually Transmitted Infection). While an entire forty percent of the HIV bearing population is constituted by women, only a fraction of a percentage point of those women who choose to get screened test positive for the infection indicating a major problem—those who have it, are unaware or choose not be screened*. Close to eighty five percent of the transfers are through sexual transmission, five percent through parent-to-child transmission and the remainder through injecting drug use. As observed, red-light districts in India have given obvious rises and have some of the highest incidence of AIDS (fifty percent in Mumbai and Pune), but the other regions of the country do not r... ...ohen, J. "HIV/AIDS IN INDIA: HIV/AIDS: India's Many Epidemics." Science 304.5670 (2004): 504-09. Print. Cohen, J. "HIV/AIDS IN INDIA: HIV/AIDS: Till Death Do Us Part." Science 304.5670 (2004): 513-17. Print. "HIV/AIDS." UNICEF INDIA. 2007. Web. 04 Dec. 2010. . "Poverty in India | Economy Watch." World, US, China, India Economy, Investment, Finance, Credit Cards | Economy Watch. Web. 08 Dec. 2010. . "India HIV and AIDS Statistics." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. Web. 05 Dec. 2010. . "Stigma, Discrimination and Attitudes to HIV & AIDS." AIDS & HIV Information from the AIDS Charity AVERT. Web. 07 Dec. 2010. .

Poverty in New York City

Josh Williams Religion 10 3/16/13 Mr. Martinez Cause Of Poverty In The United States Poverty is an increasing problem in the United States. The cause of poverty in the United States is a plethora of things, Such as the economy getting worse so jobs and factories had to make budget cuts so many people lost their job because Of the worsening economy.This is not the only reason though there is also people who have serious drug and alcohol addictions and use all their money on their addictions and then become poor, there is still the gamblers that loose all their money and there’s the people that never got a good education so never got a good job and was never able to support themselves or families.Poverty is very tragic but sometimes its not only Because someone got laid off their job and there’s nothing they could do about it, but also it can be the persons fault for addictions, gambling and never taking school seriously and regretting it when their older and don’t have a job to support yourself or family. During the Holocaust there were many events that occurred which violated just about every principle of Catholic Social Teaching’s. There are three that stand out the most; these principles are life and dignity of the human person, option for the poor and vulnerable, and also care for Gods creation.These principles were violated in many ways and various occasions during the holocaust. The holocaust violates life and dignity of the human person in many ways one is that it god decides when ones life shall end and how their life shall go but the holocaust killed many innocent people for no reason and that is not what god planned for these people. â€Å"If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example. † – Anne Frank.This quote by Anne Frank shows even though Jews were put through so much suffering and were denied their dignity they will still be powerful and great people. â€Å"What exactly was the difference? He wondered to himself. And who decided which people wore the striped pajamas and which people wore the uniforms? † – John Boyne. This quote is saying that killing humans is not fair because what if the killer was being killed and god decided who is who so a person should not be able to decide if he or she should live or not that is gods decision.Option for the poor and vulnerable is that people should not be prosecuted or treated differently for any reason but in the holocausts case it was the vulnerable being attacked and treated differently because Hitler and his Nazi army out numbered the Jews. â€Å"I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. † – Elie Wiesel.This quote is showing that the Jews were vulnerable to the Nazi attacks and that no human should have to go through that pain and suffering no matter what condition of living. â€Å"We are alive. We are human, with good and bad in us. That's all we know for sure. We can't create a new species or a new world. That's been done. Now we have to live within those boundaries. What are our choices? We can despair and curse, and change nothing. We can choose evil like our enemies have done and create a world based on hate. Or we can try to make things better. † – Carol Matas.This quote shows that humans no matter how poor, rich, small, tall, or whatever ethnicity or religious beliefs should not be held vulnerable to a force of terrorists or extremist group such as the Nazi’s on the Jews. The last principle of catholic social teachings that were violated by the actions of the Nazi’s during the holocaust was care for God’s creations. This is the principle that was violated the most, throughou t the holocaust Jews were abused and worked to death and killed with various ways of torture showing complete disregard to God’s wishes of loving all and his creations. Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed. Never shall I forget that smoke. Never shall I forget the small faces of the children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes.Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself. Never. † – Elie Wiesel. This quote shows the experience of a Jew who was actually in a concentration camp and he had to deal with the pain and suffering and this quote brings out all the si ck torture he received in a quote and how he will be scared for life and will never forget what happened to him at the concentration camp. â€Å"They thought we were stupid to do it, (hide Jews) of course; in fact, it was beyond their comprehension that we would risk so much for Jews. – Diet Eman. This quote shows even if it was stupid to help Jews and hide them because of the risk of being killed it was worth it because he was aware of God’s wishes and how the creation of god should be loved so this noble man sacrificed and put his own life at risk just to help and care for one of God’s creations. The cause of poverty in the United States is many things in today’s society, such as the worsening of the economy, job cuts, drug and alcohol addiction, gambling, poor income, and not attending college.In many cases some of these cause’s can intervene and affiliate with each other. For example if someone is poor from spending all of their money on alcoh ol and drugs the might try to gamble to get money back, or if someone does not attend college they might not get enough money from their job to provide for themselves or a family if they have one. â€Å"If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich. † – John F, Kennedy.This quote by the former president of the United States claims that if a nation can’t help their people who are suffering through poverty it can’t save the corrupt rich citizens who don’t donate and try to help the struggling lower class then they don’t disserve to be wealthy. This is a secondary source because John F. Kennedy did not suffer from poverty. â€Å"Poverty is often concealed in splendor, and often in extravagance. It is the task of many people to conceal their neediness from others. Consequently they support themselves by temporary means, and everyday is lost in contriving for tomorrow. – Samuel Johnson. This quot e is a secondary source because Samuel Johnson did not suffer through poverty. This quote is saying that poverty is not just brought upon someone but if you don’t work hard enough it will come upon you so you must stay humble and never become to lazy and always strive for the best. â€Å"I am a poor man, but I have this consolation: I am poor by accident, not by design. † – Josh Billings. This quote shows that poverty is not planned but if you don’t work hard enough it will come to you, this man did not want to be poor but it caught up to him because his lack of effort and laziness.This quote is a primary source because it is written by someone who has experienced poverty. â€Å"The seven deadly sins†¦ food, clothing, firing, rent, taxes, respectability and children. Nothing can lift those seven millstones from Man's neck but money; and the spirit cannot soar until the millstones are lifted. † – George Bernard Shaw. This quote represent s everything that can corrupt a man and transform a good man into a sinner and these actions will leave him corrupt and poor. Poverty is experienced through out the world in large numbers but continues to grow as a huge struggle for The United states.I have my own personal experience with poverty in my life, as do many citizens of the United States. My personal experience with poverty was about two years ago my aunt who is also my godmother, and a very strong woman in my life whom I look up to was fired from her job because her company needed to save money. This impacted my life in a huge way because my aunt had nowhere to stay and she had to live with e and my family until she found a new job and was able to afford a new house.During this time period every day after my homework I would look in the newspaper with my aunt and help her find jobs that sounded like fun because it made me sad seeing my aunt like this because I looked up to her and she is one of the most inspirational wom en in my life because of the way she faugh through her struggles and overcame poverty and is now very successful. But sadly after my aunt was back on her feet and doing good at her new job a few months later she was diagnosed with breast cancer.When I heard this news I was heartbroken but I didn’t let it upset me because I know that my aunt is the strongest women ever and she can overcome anything she has been cleared of cancer twice and keeps fighting it off I know she can do anything. Poverty even in today remains as one of the United Stats biggest tribulations. More then 15% of the United States suffers from poverty, this is not acceptable we as proud citizens of the United States should fight for each other and always have one another’s back in hardships such as poverty.Ways average people can help decrease the poverty rate s very simple and will not even contribute too much time out of their day, there are easy fast simple ways we can help people suffering from po verty. These ways are doing charitable acts such as donating money, food and shelter to homeless people, or simply just can food drives at your local school just try to get involved and help your fellow neighbor’s. Poverty may be strong but as a powerful unified nation we can do anything and poverty would stand no chance against us because we are gods children and we can do anything!