Should same-sex marriage be legalized in Hong Kong Essay Example

Should same-sex marriage be legalized in Hong Kong? Essay Should same-sex matrimony be legalized in Hong Kong? Content Introduction p.3-4 Title and Description Title Description 1.2 Background We will write a custom essay sample on Should same-sex marriage be legalized in Hong Kong? specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Should same-sex marriage be legalized in Hong Kong? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Should same-sex marriage be legalized in Hong Kong? specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer 1.3 Research Objective 1.4 Focus Question 2.Research methodological analysis p.5 2.1 Questionnaire 2.2 Interview 2.3 Restrictions 2.3.1 Restrictions on questionnaire 3.Findings p.6-11 3.1 Findingss 3.1.1 People’s understanding towards the issue 3.1.2 People’s stance 3.1.3 Impacts on citizens and the society 3.1.4 Other suggestions 3.2 Interview sum-up 3.2.1 Interview 1 3.2.2 Interview2 4. Analysis p.12-14 4.1 People’s understanding towards the issue 4.2 People’s stance 4.3 Impacts on citizens and the society 4.4 Other suggestions 4.5 Restrictions 4.Conclusion p.15 5.Reflection p. 16 6.Bibliography P.17 7.Appendix p.18-25 1. Introduction 1.1title and description 1.1.1Title Should same-sex matrimony be legalized in Hong Kong? 1.1.2 Description Same-sex matrimony is a ceremonial brotherhood of two people of the same sex [ 1 ] , a matrimony or a marrige-like relationship between two work forces or two adult females. Through this undertaking, I would wish to happen out whether same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong. Besides, to happen out other possible things that we can make to assist the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. 1.2 Background In recent old ages, same-sex matrimony has been legalized in different parts of the universe. More and more people support and talk out for the LGBT twosomes. It is such a hot and argumentative subject that it drew my attending and my involvements in happening out whether same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong. What impacts will same-sex matrimony bring to the society? Is the legalisation of same-sex matrimony executable in Hong Kong? Different parts of the universe are transporting out different policies protecting the rights of the LGBT twosomes. Until now, 18 states, including Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Uruguay, the United States and certain sub-national legal powers, including parts of Mexico allow same-sex twosomes to get married [ 2 ] . While in Hong Kong, what has the authorities done protecting the rights of the LGBT twosomes? Harmonizing to the information collected, the Hong Kong authorities has merely set up a ‘discrimination ordinance’ so far for protecting the LGBT twosomes from being discriminated and treated below the belt, which is non plenty for protecting the LGBT twosomes, and this affect the individuality of the LGBT citizens and their quality of life. In add-on to different related issues that raised, such as a transsexual lady contending for matrimony in Hong Kong. I decided to utilize this subject as the rubric of my independent question survey. 1.3 Research aims From the background information, we know that the Hong Kong authorities has merely set up a ‘discrimination ordinance’ so far for protecting the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong from being discriminate, which is really limited. Due to this, I wanted to happen out ways for assisting the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. The aims of the independent question survey are as follow: -to happen out whether same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong ; -to happen out how the quality of life of Hong Kong would be citizens affected if same-sex matrimony is legalized ; -to happen out how the legalisation of same-sex matrimony would alter towards the societal individuality of Hong Kong citizens ; -to find out other possible ways to assist protect the rights and battle for equality for the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. 1.4 Focus Questions -What has the Hong Kong authorities done so far for assisting or profiting LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong? -What jobs or troubles are LGBT twosomes confronting in Hong Kong? -What are the positive or negative impacts on societal facets on general populace? -What are the positive or negative impacts on societal facets on LGBT twosomes? -Other than legalising same-sex matrimony, can we/the authorities do any other things to assist the LGBT twosomes? 2. Research methodological analysis 2.1 Questionnaire The questionnaire consists of 14 MCs, the mark interviewee aged between 0-65. A entire no. of 337 samples have been collected and most of them aged between 10-18. In the questionnaire, it includes inquiries like ‘what negative or positive impacts will the legalisation of same-sex matrimony be brought to the society? ‘ , ‘do you think that same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong? ’ , etc. Through the questionnaire, I can happen out the positions of Hong Kong citizens towards this issue, how much they understand and support the issue. 2.2 Interview Two interviews with representatives from Blessed Minority Christian Fellowship ( BMCF ) and the Equal Opportunities Commission have been conducted. The representative of the BMFC mentioned that they do back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, this is because God creates everyone and all people should be treated every bit. Whereas the representative of the Equal Opportunities Commission mentioned that they besides support same-sex matrimony, they think that there should be suited Torahs protecting the rights of people with different sexual orientations. 2.3 Restrictions 2.3.1limitations on questionnaire The sampling size is non big plenty, it can’t stand for the position of the general populace. Apart from this, the sampling size is non broad plenty, as most of the respondents are female respondents and most of them aged between 10-18. Due to the above restrictions, the truth and the representativeness of the survey is therefore affected. 3. Findingss 3.1 Questionnaire 3.1.1People’s understanding towards the issue In fig3.1, it shows whether the respondents know that same-sex matrimony has been legalized in 17 states. The figure shows that 51 % of the respondents didn’t whereas 49 % of they did. In fig3.2, it shows whether the respondents know that the authorities has merely set up a ‘discrimination ordinance’ for protecting the rights of LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. The figure shows that 58 % of the respondents knew that whereas 42 % of they didn’t. 3.1.2People’s stance From fig. 3.3, when respondents were asked whether they think that same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong, 78 % of them respond that they think that it should whereas 22 % of them think that it shouldn’t. From fig3.4, it shows that most of the answering thinks that same-sex matrimony should be legalized as everyone is equal, some people thinks that it’s because of human rights, some thinks that Hong kong should be more unfastened, and a few people think of other grounds, such as love has no boundaries. From fig3.5, it shows that most of the answering thinks that same-sex matrimony should non be legalized as it will take to tonss of argument, some people thinks that it affects moral and traditional value, the fewest respondents thinks that it’s because of reiligous ground. 3.1.3 Impacts on citizens and the society From fig3.6, it shows that most of the answering thinks that same-sex matrimony will let Hong Kong citizens to hold a stronger sense of belonging, some of them thinks that it can better the populating criterion of Hong Kong citizens, can assist advance Hong Kong’s Economic development and a few respondents thinks that it can increase the freedom of HongKongers. From fig3.7, it shows that most of the answering thinks that same-sex matrimony will impact teenagers’ values towards matrimony, and a few of the respondents thinks that it will take down the quality of life of the Hong Kong citizens and that they will hold a lower sense of belonging. A few of them besides thinks that it will impact the population of the city.. 3.1.4 Other Suggestions From fig3.8, it shows that apart from legalising the same-sex matrimony, respondents thinks that the authorities should put up Torahs to protect the rights of the LGBT twosomes, set up non-profit organisation or cooperate with NGOs to assist the LGBT twosomes that are in demand. 3.2 Interview Summary 3.2.1 Interview 1 The first interview was carried out with the representative of the Equal Opportunities Commission. In the interview, the interviewee mentioned that their organisation support that the authorities should make something like puting up the SODO in order to assist the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. But they have no stance towards the legalisation of same-sex matrimony. Despite the fact that they don’t have a stance towards the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, I can see that they tend to back up it as they mentioned that they don’t see any disadvantages that may be brought approximately by the legalisation of same-sex matrimony and they think that the legalisation make the society more equal. 3.2.2 Interview 2 The 2nd interview was carried out with the representative of the BMCF. In the interview, the interviewee mentioned that their organisation back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony. However, as there are still many voices and different sentiments, they think that the authorities can foremost put up Torahs like the SODO or advance the civil brotherhood, and take farther actions like legalising same-sex matrimony in the hereafter. 4.Analysis of findings 4.1People’s understanding towards the issue From the information collected, it is shows that merely around half of the respondents know what have the authorities done so far for protecting the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong and that same-sex matrimony has legalized in 17 states. This reflects that Hong Kong citizens by and large don’t have a really clear apprehension on the issue on same-sex matrimony and the state of affairs of LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. 4.2People’s stance Despite the fact that the information collected shows that a minority of citizens do non back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony in Hong Kong, as they think that the legalisation can take to tonss of argument which is non executable. It is still shown that most of the respondents back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, as they think that everyone is equal and that they should bask the same rights. Furthermore, from the interviews conducted, it is known that the BMCF and some other related organisations support the legalisation of same-sex matrimony. Apart from this, the Equal Opportunities Commission tend to back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, as they mentioned that the legalisation of same-sex matrimony cause no injury to the society and that everyone, no affair what their sexual orientation are, should be treated every bit under the jurisprudence. Apart from the questionnaires and interviews, from a study conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong, it’s shown that people with higher instruction degree have higher credence towards homosexual. As the society develops, people in Hong Kong are more educated and the degree of credence towards homosexual will be higher, the degree of acceptancy towards the legalisation is therefore higher and it shows that the legalisation of same-sex matrimony if executable. The above reflects that the legalisation of same-sex matrimony is executable, as most respondents back up it. Apart from this, Hong Kong citizens by and large have a high acceptancy towards the LGBT twosomes and that everyone in the society should be treated every bit. 4.3Impacts on citizens and the society For the positive impacts, it’s shown from the questionnaire that most respondents think that after the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, Hong Kong citizens will hold a stronger sense of properties. This is because they by and large thinks that after the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, the LGBT twosomes can bask the rights that normal twosomes do and they can be treated more every bit comparing with the current state of affairs, which improve their quality of life. The societal will be more harmoniousness as struggles between LGBT twosomes, citizens and the authorities will diminish, and this addition the sense of belonging of Hong Kong Citizens. For the negative impacts, it’s shown from the questionnaire that most respondents think that after same-sex matrimony is legalized, the values of adolescents towards matrimony will be affected. This is because, at present, matrimony is known as a relationship between a adult male and a adult female, but when same-sex matrimony is legalized, they may get down to believe that matrimony can be a relationship between two work forces or two adult females alternatively of one adult male and one adult female. This can hence impact the traditional value. From the interview conducted with the Equal Opportunities Commission, the interviewee mentioned that in the traditional value of Chinese civilization, a adult male should get married with a adult female and reproduce their following coevalss, nevertheless, after the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, two people of the same sex may acquire marry and they won’t be able to reproduce to their following coevalss which affects the t raditional value. From the interview, it’s besides reflected that people who support and those who don’t have a really different ideas towards the impacts that will be brought approximately by the legalisation of same-sex matrimony. It’s mentioned that people who support the issue thinks that the legalisation of same-sex matrimony can do the society more just and equal as the LGBT twosomes can bask rights that normal twosomes do. Whereas, those who do non back up the issue thinks that the legalisation will take to unfairness as they may hold to portion their benefits and rights will the LGBT twosomes after the legalisation. 4.4 Other Suggestions From the findings, it’s shown that most respondents think that the authorities should put up Torahs to protect the rights of the LGBT twosomes. In the interviews conducted, both the BMCF and the Equal Opportunities Commission mentioned that they hope that the authorities can put up Torahs, for illustration the sexual orientation favoritism regulation, in order to protect the rights of the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. Apart from this, they besides think that the authorities can follow other states to transport out civil brotherhood, supplying more freedom and rights for the LGBT twosomes. 4.5Limitations Some of the secondary informations used is excessively old and is non updated, this may impact the truth of the analysis. 5.Conclusion The subject of my independent question survey is whether same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong. Through this survey, I would wish to happen out whether same-sex matrimony should be legalized in Hong Kong ; how the quality of life of Hong Kong would be citizens affected if same-sex matrimony is legalized ; how the legalisation of same-sex matrimony would alter towards the societal individuality of Hong Kong citizens and other possible ways to assist protect the rights and battle for equality for the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong. Besides, I would wish to happen out replies for my focal point inquiries. From the survey, I can see that most of the respondents back up the same-sex matrimony should be legalized. Although most people are back uping the issue, there are still many different voices and statements towards it. Some people do back up that same-sex matrimony should be legalized, as they think that under the jurisprudence, everyone is equal and that the LGBT twosomes should be treated every bit and should hold the chances to bask the same rights as normal twosomes do. However, there are still some people who do non back up the legalisation of same-sex matrimony, as they think that it can impact moral value, traditional value and the value towards matrimony of the following coevalss. As there are still many different voices and sentiments, it’s known that same-sex matrimony can non be legalize in short term. But for the clip being, I think that the authorities can still take actions supplying aid for the LGBT twosomes in Hong Kong, for illustration puting up Torahs like the sexual orientation favoritism regulation or advancing the civil brotherhood. 6.Reflection Through this survey, apart from cognizing more about what same-sex matrimony is, what difficulties the LGBT twosomes are confronting in Hong Kong, I besides learnt how to believe from multiperspective. For illustration, when I am analysing the information collected, I will seek to walk in the places of different stakeholders and think from their point of position and attempt to explicate why they have such an sentiment. Personally, I support the legalisation of same-sex matrimony and I do trust that it can be legalized every bit shortly as possible. But as I know that there are still many different voices and sentiments on the issue, same-sex matrimony can non be legalized in short term. So at the clip being, I hope that the authorities can pass on with and roll up thoughts from the general populace foremost and take farther actions like advancing the civil brotherhood or puting up Torahs for assisting the LGBT twosomes every bit shortly as possible so as to let the LGBT twosomes to hold a better life. Last, if I am making similar sorts of surveies once more, I will seek to roll up a larger sample size with wider distribution, so that I can hold a more accurate and dependable consequence for my findings. 7.Bibliography 1.Same-sex Marriage Law A ; Legal Definition, USLegal, 2014, lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //definitions.uslegal.com/s/same-sex-marriage/ gt ; ( 16 November 2014 ) 2. Same-sex matrimony, Wikipedia, 2015, lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Same-sex_marriage gt ; ( 2July 2015 ) 3.e ¦Ã¢â€ž ¢a? ­?-†¡a ¤Ã‚ §a ­? ea†º?eâ„ ¢?eˆse ­Ã¢â‚¬ ¢Ã¢â€ž ¢e‚?c §Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ GEU4011M – a °?ee?Ze «- lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //ucgeu.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/GEU/images/2009/GEU200910120.pdf gt ; ( 1July2015 ) 4. My3q, online quesionnaire lt ; hypertext transfer protocol: //my3q.com/research/yuichingcheung/59291.phtml gt ; ( 1July2015 ) 1

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Possibly prompted by the Bermudan example and by a few other states identified as ‘high priorities’, the OECD set about defining a tax haven in a seminal 1998 paper that continues to reverberate to this day. Most significantly, a tax haven country has a policy of not imposing taxes (or only nominal ones); offers itself or is viewed as offering itself, as a place that permits non-residents to escape taxation in their homeland (or nation of residence); does not have an effective exchange of information with outside parties; lacks transparency; and attracts businesses with no ‘substantial’ activities – these last two criteria, especially, will be touched upon at various points later in this paper. In the defence of these two states, each one does impose indirect taxes; for instance, Bermuda has a fairly hefty payroll tax and also places taxes upon on all goods purchased on the island. Nonetheless, only the most ardent supporter would suggest that these two countries fail to rise to the level of tax-haven states. In terms of attracting foreign multinationals, tax haven policies are difficult to beat. However, critics charge that countries like Bermuda do not simply attract ‘real’ economic investment but also ‘brass plate’ or ‘booking operations’ that are characterized by a lack of actual business activity; in other words, international organizations like the OECD become suspicious when they see companies locating to places like Bermuda (or even Ireland) which do not have a lot of business-related action taking place. For countries that are trying to attract jobs as well as foreign capital, it would seem as though having tax haven policies can be a bit of a double-edged sword in the sense that a) other countries are sharply critical towards their ‘preferential’ taxation practices and b) these policies may not attract the jobs the aforementioned countries are hoping for. In fairness, tax haven policies in the United Arab Emirates (specifically, in the port city of Dubai) have attracted plentiful foreign investment on a scale that has (amongst other things) allowed the city to develop its communication and infrastructural capabilities while simultaneously wooing upscale tourists. One other problem with tax haven policies that offer low or non-existent tax rates is that international organizations like the OECD have asserted that they undermine the tax base (presumably of the countries that are seeing businesses flee elsewhere) and erode public services; in fact, ‘harmful’ tax competition has been compared to competitive devaluations and to tariff wars. To expand on this last point, the OECD (in 1998), released a study which argued that tax haven countries divert large amounts of foreign direct investment and ‘taxable income’ away from OECD member states. The tension between the OECD and tax haven nations has long threatened those lands trying to give corporations and individuals advantageous tax rates as well as the benefits of greater privacy. However, there is some sense that this tension is dissipating as more and more tax haven states belatedly embrace international best standards of practice. Be that as it may, only the most wildly optimistic person would dare say that the current hostility between the OECD and small tax haven states is not problematic; the willingness of the above-mentioned countries to cut multinationals ‘slack’ in terms of what they pay in the form of corporate taxes has raised the ire of the OECD and the powerful western nations which comprise its membership to such an extent that real political and even diplomatic problems could still linger in the future. To get to the heart of the problem, the OECD’s penchant for naming transgressors and then ‘shaming’ them in the court of international opinion has been perceived as bullying in some quarters; certainly, the nations that are targeted – or have been targeted – by the OECD are small, politically and economically weak and burdened with limited economic prospects, save for the financial services and tax breaks they offer to foreigners. One can maintain that a lot of this tension would simply go away if the countries engaging in tax haven policies and practices would cease their current practices – but that ignores the reality that these countries need the financial benefits that accrue from such activities; moreover, it is worth asking what the financial implications will be for multinationals and for the communities in developing lands that benefit – even if indirectly – from their presence. Individual Americans who think that tax havens are the perfect thing for them should give the idea a bit more thought: tax haven nations may be enticing in many respects, but US tax law makes it hard for individuals to spirit money somewhere else in the expectation they will not have to pay. For instance, US citizens are taxed on their world-wide income: the tax breaks found in places like the Caribbean, Luxembourg, or the Caymans do not apply to individual US citizens – just corporations. Furthermore, an offshore partnership aimed at mitigating the tax burden will not work for US citizens: the ‘rules’ simply assume that the private citizen earned so much money each year and do not view any profit from the partnership as being a simple long-term capital gain; as such, interest is added onto the taxes that the private US citizen must pay the government. As if that is not bad enough, the capital gains arising from the partnership is taxed as regular income and not as capital gain – which means higher tax rates in the end. Beyond what has been discussed above, individuals and companies using tax havens to avoid paying taxes may not simply be doing this sort of thing to spare themselves at tax time: money launderers like tax haven countries like the Bahamas because of the fact they disclose little information about the companies or individuals doing business within their environs; additionally, money launderers tend to exploit tax havens to the fullest extent possible. For all intents and purposes, tax haven policies really make life easier (though not trouble-free) for criminals eager to avoid the prying eyes of government. As an addendum, it must be mentioned that the United States government has recently taken action to reduce the ‘pay-off’ for wealthy individuals eager to exploit tax shelters. Remaining with America for just a while longer, the matter of off-shore tax havens has become so important to the United States government that exhaustive legislative hearings on this very matter have become de rigueur in recent years. Yet another challenge posed by tax havens is that they are so difficult to tackle from a legal point of view – something that clearly favours criminals at the same time as it grossly disadvantages law enforcement. To elaborate, at least one noted scholar has commented that it is well-nigh impossible to formulate a universal definition of a tax haven that can be used to effectively combat the fiscal abuses associated with this global phenomenon. Until such time as the international community comes to a universal understanding of the concept of a tax haven, criminals can feel reasonably secure that there will be at least a few places on earth willing to embrace them and their tawdry ‘business’ pursuits. Despite the conceptual challenges posed, the United States – as much as any nation – has decided that it has had quite enough of the tax evasion and money-laundering activities characteristic of tax haven nations with their generous tax avoidance policies. Recent court decisions in the US have expanded the power of US states to tax the income of corporations that do not have a ‘physical lexus’ with the state. In essence, the courts have taken the position that an out-of-state corporations so-called ‘in-state economic presence’ renders the absence of a physical presence (headquarters or office buildings or any kind of physical structure at all) entirely irrelevant as to determining the state’s capacity to pursue that corporation for money. Another problem that tax haven policies bring is that they give the wealthy one more means by which they can avoid paying their full weight in taxes. In essence, tax havens provide tax avoidance options to companies and to wealthy individuals; as a result, the tax burden ultimately ends up being borne (more and more) by the middle class and by those with fewer financial resources. Suffice it to say, as the rich grow richer while the poor grow poorer (courtesy onerous tax burdens), the ability of the poor to invest in education plummets. Over time, this can lead to a general decline in productivity – a decline causing great harm to the country that is unable to keep the rich from exploiting one tax avoidance scheme after another. The grim consequences of tax havens upon nations that are seeing the ‘flight’ of capital resources to far-off places reaches beyond just imposing a greater burden upon those ill-equipped to shoulder that burden; tax havens also imperil social services that are already under attack in an age of neo-liberalism. For example, in early 2005, it was reported that Canada’s top 5 banks shifted about $10 billion to offshore tax havens in the period from 1991 to 2004. According to the academic who headed up the study, the utilization of offshore tax havens and shelters is tantamount to engaging in economic terrorism insofar as the monies lost make it difficult (with the potential to be impossible) for the government to finance social programs that need public funds to survive. Despite the protestations of the banks in question that their foreign-based subsidiaries located in tax-haven lands such as Malta, Barbados and the Cayman Islands are simply a means of taking advantage of the competitive tax policies located overseas, the report stresses the aforementioned dollar figure and the fact that the total number of subsidiaries for the ‘big five’ stood at 73 as of the end of 2004. Nor is the problem of tax avoidance confined just to wealthy western nations that are finding it increasingly difficult to provide appropriate social programs in an era when their populations are aging at an alarming rate: in countries that feature (or have featured in the past) tax haven policies, the government is often unable to collect all the taxes it would like to service all the social programs it would like. For instance, whilst Chile has long been the most attractive country in the world when it comes to mining and direct investment in this field, the world’s leading copper producer also does not charge a royalty on the extraction of its most precious natural resource and its taxes are incredibly low – and sometimes non-existent because of legal accounting loopholes that allow for generous write-offs for things like equipment. Tax haven policies appear to offer many positives and more than a few negatives – something this paper has noted time and again. While it can be argued a number of different ways, one would be remiss not to point out that private equity firms (or maybe any firm) doing business in a country in the midst of a financial downturn can – and certainly have – used offshore tax havens to shelter the profits on their investments; American equity firms, as a matter of fact, did precisely this during the late 1990s to protect their investments in Korean financial institutions. Given what has been described in the last paragraph, it is tempting to say that companies which move their operations abroad to escape paying taxes at home benefit handsomely from the transfer; after all, why leave the technologically-advanced, human resource-rich and affluent west for a small or developing peripheral economy unless (amongst a few other reasons) the organization’s senior thinkers were intent upon saving as many dollars as possible from the taxman? Unfortunately, the expected tax savings do not automatically exceed the non-tax costs associated with the above-mentioned move; if anything, the decision to set up new subsidiaries (or to pick up stakes and move elsewhere) has manifested negative repercussions in the form of hidden and unexpected costs that negatively impact firm valuation. Proceeding along, it is commonly heard – maybe less so than in the past – that tax haven nations are predominantly nations that are less developed than those countries found in the west; the truth, though, is rather more different. Difficult as it may seem, even affluent western nations can properly be described as tax havens – the United Kingdom being the best example. In London in particular, the favourable tax laws are such that many Russian elites – who, in some instances, have reputations that warrant a bit of polishing – have injected vast sums of capital into the local economy. At the same time, London (and the United Kingdom in general) is not alone: Switzerland has also attracted plenty of Russian capital and it seems as though the two are responsible for the staggering flight of roughly $102 billion from Russia between 1998 and 2004. Again, the money that flows out of Russia now is the kind of money that could be directed towards such things as social programs and the like.

Its Time to Lower the Drinking Age :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

In the United States, it is illegal to consume alcohol until the age of twenty-one. At the age of eighteen people are considered adults. â€Å"The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen-years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age (Amendment 26, Section 1 of the Constitution). At the age of eighteen, a person can get married, vote, drive, take out loans, pay taxes, buy tobacco, have sex, be tried as an adult, have children, use credit cards, buy real estate, act independently of parents and be in the armed forces and die for their country. If we look at Vietnam War, half of the soldiers that fought in that war were under the age of twenty-one, and a lot of them were 17 to 19 years old. Yet that person still can not drink alcohol. Also we can smoke when we are eighteen. Smoking kills just as many people if not more than drinking. Smoking causes cancer, and many more conditions compared to drinking that causes liver problems only after sever abuse of it. Smoking has many chemicals including carbon monoxide which is so poisonous that we have alarms in our house that detect it, but we can smoke and not drink. We can vote when we are eighteen. We vote for bills and bonds that change our lives. We can vote for the senators and the entire Congress that propose laws that govern our society. We vote for the President who is the commander of millions of troops whom he can send to their deaths in a minute’s warning. It is imperative that the drinking age be lowered to the age of eighteen. The drinking age must be lowered t o the age of eighteen because this age would be consistent with other responsibilities that the government ____ grants eighteen-year-olds. For instance, at the age of eighteen, a person is liable to be in the armed forces. If a person is being trusted to fight or even possibly die for their country, it seems a lot less crucial to trust them with an alcoholic beverage. To add to the fact of dying for their country, these people are being counted on to kill other humans. This seems unreasonable that a person is liable to take on an adult’s job, that involves the future of the country, and still be unable to enjoy an activity that other adults are allowed to participate in.

Poet’s childhood Essay

â€Å"In Mrs. Tilscher’s Class† by Carol Ann Duffy deals with one central theme. The theme of growing up is the main idea within the poem and is repeatedly imprinted throughout the poet’s childhood. This theme leads on to the more abstract idea of the child already maturing into a great poet. Her mind’s eye is unbounded as she transforms her classroom into a place of riches and resides in her own world of imagination. Written improbably through the 2nd person viewpoint, the poem expresses these ideas personally to the reader, hence allowing us to empathise with the poet. The poet is able to recall several aspects of her primary school days, and is consequently able to paint a picture of her memories from the viewpoint of a young child. The writer not only conveys an inviting warm atmosphere of a 1960’s classroom, but also unveils a liberal outlook to her childhood. A colourful classroom with numerous displays is made known to the reader: â€Å"The classroom glowed like a sweet shop. † The classroom is made into a place of riches with this visual simile, used to radiate wonders of the child’s mind. The word â€Å"glowed† in this line is a metaphor all on its own. The metaphor allows the reader to visualise the sweetshop gleaming due to the light refracting through the glass jars and translucent sweets. The poet can also bring to mind the teacher’s blackboard, as she informs the reader of how â€Å"the chalky Pyramids rubbed into dust. † In a literal sense the chalky lines on the board became chalk dust. The poet imagines this to be great pyramids and monuments being eroded inevitably by time. The bell signifying the end of playtime is remembered as: â€Å"The laugh of a bell, swung by a running child. † This auditory image incorporates the personification of the bell, to compare its sound to an incessant laugh of a child. The bell’s laugh is a transferred epithet from the child, as the children too were laughing, overwhelmed with joy as they returned to their classroom for another dose of Mrs. Tilscher. The poet’s joy is so intense and infectious, that it reaches out and transforms the whole scene. Such is the magnitude of the poet’s emotion. The laugh is also a visual image, as the reader can see a smile as the arc of the bell, and the clapper hitting the sides of it is almost comparable to a tongue. However other images such as a â€Å"skittle of milk† are more informative and suggest the time setting of the poem. The poet also remembers a music room next door to her classroom, though only by means of â€Å"a xylophone’s nonsense† heard. This auditory image describes the noise of the xylophone next door and this is further expanded by the use of the single metaphoric word â€Å"nonsense† which implies the vague unclear noise heard and the fact that the primary school children are producing uncoordinated music. The â€Å"enthralling books† were not to be forgotten to the poet, as they had made her a slave to them continually, due to their alluring influence. All the images used to recall aspects of the poet’s primary school principally focus on an emotional and sensual level. The primary school classroom may have been a place memorable to the poet through various images, but the definitive piece of the poet’s 1960’s school life was Mrs. Tilscher. Mrs. Tilscher’s voice is not even forgotten, as the poet reminisces her voice as she â€Å"chanted the scenery. † Mrs. Tilscher’s chanting brings about connotations of music in her voice and melodic speech. It also brings about a sense of religion, as she is made comparable to a pastor in a church chanting a sermon, enlightening and entrancing us all. Mrs. Tilscher is portrayed as a compassionate teacher: â€Å"Mrs. Tilscher loved you† and shows kindness and care. The terms around the lines focused on Mrs. Tilscher also have an implication on how she is illustrated to the reader. Words with intense connotations such as glowed, sweet, sugar and coloured have associations with moods of joy, brilliance, love and bliss which all elaborate on Mrs. Tilscher’s image. The teacher is also illustrated to be appreciative: â€Å"Some mornings you found she’d left a good gold star by your name. † Although it seems that the poet finds aspects of the classroom just as unforgettable as Mrs. Tilscher, the poet essentially portrays the classroom’s essence to be the work of Mrs. Tilscher, through her tone of voice. Choices of words or diction such as â€Å"could† have connotations of possibility. When put into context and further developed on, the implications go as far as unconstrained and limitless possibility. The teacher opens up a whole world of possibility, and it is because of this the poet remembers so much about her classroom, a boundless environment. It is because of Mrs. Tilscher that the poets classroom surroundings were made to be so memorable. The poet’s tone of voice and language varies throughout the poem, and strong distinction is made between the first two stanzas and the last two stanzas. The language in the first two stanzas is exceptionally exuberant, more child-like in an emotional sense and the imagery is much more pleasant to envisage, filled with colour, vibrancy and liveliness: â€Å"Sugar paper. Coloured shapes. † Each individual phrase builds up an atmosphere full of warmth. However the last two stanzas are less joyous in their atmosphere, as the poet makes her transition to a state of being overwhelmed by hormones. The word connotations also vary greatly in these two stanzas, bringing suggestions of anger, accusation and dismay: â€Å"You kicked him, but stared at your parents, appalled. † The stanzas are also bleaker in description and imagery is uninviting: â€Å"The air tasted of electricity. † The poet’s feelings in stanza four are troubled, after being introduced to topic of how she was born: â€Å"A tangible alarm made you always untidy, hot, fractious under the heavy, sexy sky. † Such sentences furthermore use more mature and sophisticated language, which coincide with her growth as the language also develops. Therefore the poet’s outlook and tone of voice changes as she becomes much more interested in growing up than going to primary and learning in a high-spirited vibrant classroom. The reader of the poem is invited to personally explore the main ideas within the poem. This personal involvement of the reader seems appropriate, as the main theme conveyed, the journey of growing up, is your own personal exclusive journey. This personal involvement is due to the narration of the poem from the second-person viewpoint. This is shown through the excessive use of the second-person pronoun â€Å"You. † By using this narration style, the experience of the young poet is made universal and common. We can all be subjected to her experiences of growing up from the second-person narrative perspective. Although the reader finds it easy enough to face the poet’s experiences, Mrs. Tilscher feels that she should have no influence in the young child’s journey of growing up, and that such a journey should proceed at the person’s own pace. When the child asks the teacher about how she was born, â€Å"Mrs. Tilscher smiled, then turned away. † Mrs. Tilscher may have believed that the poet would learn in her own time, but the poet nevertheless encourages the reader to enter her journey. The poem illustrates two worlds in which the poet resided during her childhood days. The reader is able to capture not only the essence of the classroom, but also the limitless realm of the child’s imagination. Both these worlds exist alongside each other agreeably as the classroom is made into a creative place itself due to the influence of Mrs.Tilscher. The foremost apparent world presented by Carol Ann Duffy is the classroom. The classroom conveys images of riches, sweets, colour and joy. However beyond this, the classroom is seen to be a sanctuary. The classroom was a safe house against the world of murder and crime outside, as suggested by the mention of â€Å"Brady and Hindley† of the 1960’s. The real world begins to force an entry into the child’s reverie as she slowly begins to become conscious of the world outside. This is the first occasion in which the poet shows signs of growing up, which enforces the main theme of the poem. The girl learns that the real world isn’t to be trusted. The classroom however is portrayed as a world of its own, not troubled by the likes of such horrific murderers. The fear fades away in the classroom, and along with this so does the little hint of adulthood. She postpones her transition into adulthood for the meantime, as the poet shows us by using a child-like image after the allusion: â€Å"Brady and Hindley faded, like the faint uneasy smudge of a mistake. † This second component to the sentence indirectly illustrates the use of a pencil, and the occurrence of â€Å"silly mistakes. † It is because of this implication that the poet moves back into the state of childhood. The growth of the poet is exemplified in this classroom world, and therefore this world is very significant to the theme. Conversely, on a more abstract plane, the poem portrays another world within the child’s mind. A whole world of imagination and vision. The poet expresses that she â€Å"could travel up the Blue Nile with your finger tracing the route. † The poet is tracing her finger down the Nile, and is in her imaginative world of Egypt. On the other hand, in reality the teacher is demonstrating sketch maps on the board. The word within the poem, which establishes both worlds within and without, is a metaphor on its own. The word â€Å"travel† is the single metaphor, which suggests that the poet is on a journey within her mind, when actually she is stationary within her school seat. The poet also conveys the main theme in this imaginative world, as the child not only travels with her finger and during her daydream, but she furthermore travels through her journey of growing up. The child is beginning to grow into a great poet, and this is shown through various lines within the poem. A very strong contributor to this idea of the girl growing into a great poet is an example of synaesthesia: â€Å"The scent of a pencil, slowly carefully shaven. † This image appeals to all of the senses at once, and incorporates kinetic, olfactory, visual and tactile aspects. This line shows how the poet â€Å"carefully shaved† her pencil, just in the same way she carefully crafts sentences. This is extended even further by the link made between the writing tool and the writing process. The child poet is even able to link this image full of senses to the main theme of growing up. The act of the girl carefully shaving the pencil, symbolises how she is shaving or peeling off her childhood as she makes the transition into adulthood. The poet gradually conveys to the reader that there are two states of growth within the poem, and that the girl is maturing both into adolescence and into a mind of an exceptional poet. The last stanza of the poem focuses the atmosphere and the attitude of the poet into an uninviting overcast, but also centers in on the theme. It illustrates the â€Å"feverish† month of July, oppressed by the summer and heat. Alongside this are the hormones of the child, felt almost within the air. These hormones amplify the effect of the afflicting heat. The air also â€Å"tasted of electricity†, which conveys the anticipation of summer thunderstorms due to the heavy air. However â€Å"electricity† also relates with the hormones to suggest that the child will spark at random times and also that the growth of the child is full of charge, energy and excitement. Further along, the use of the phrase â€Å"a tangible alarm† portrays an almost touchable fear within the air. This fear made the girl â€Å"fractious under the sexy sky. † This expresses to the reader that the girl had many sudden outbursts of anger due to her hormones. These hormones influence her thoughts and are the causes behind the poet using the term â€Å"sexy† to describe the sky. The last line of the poem communicates how this adolescent phase is like a thunderstorm. The thunderstorm represents her feelings of puberty, as she feels as though the whole world is coming down on her, just as in a thunderstorm. The lightning of a thunderstorm also links to the connotations of the â€Å"electricity. † The lightning of the thunderstorm could symbolize the mood swings awaiting the child. The lightning also illustrates the fact that there is an unsettlement within the child, as if an electric current was continually running through her. The rain of a thunderstorm conveys the downpour of gloom upon the child throughout the hard times to come. On an overall view the experience of puberty and growing up is just a phase and in time will pass. Soon the child will be entirely in adulthood. Likewise the thunderstorm is just an unpleasant phase in the sequence of weather and in time shall pass. Before long the sun will overpower such a ghastly occurrence of weather. Overall, â€Å"In Mrs.Tilscher’s Class† by Carol Ann Duffy is a poem which allows the reader to personally identify themselves with the poet. The poem is contrastive between the stanzas and thus the poet is able to isolate the main idea. Two worlds are created expressing the wonders of the classroom, but also illustrating the unconstrained world of the girl’s imagination. Through these two worlds we see signs of the girl growing into a great poet. However the most essential idea of the poem is the theme of growing up and maturing. It is a journey through adolescence: â€Å"You ran through the gates, impatient to be grown. â€Å"

Use Fake Facts on Explorers to Teach Internet Research

Use Fake Facts on Explorers to Teach Internet Research If you Google the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, one of the top results youll get is a web page from the website  All About Explorers  that states: In 1519, at the age of only 27, he was supported by  several wealthy businessmen, including Marco Polo, Bill Gates, and Sam Walton, to finance an expedition to the Spice  Islands. While some facts in this information are accurate -namely the year of Magellans expedition to the Spice Islands- there are others that might set off alarms. Educators would know that Microsofts Bill Gates or Wal-Marts Sam Walton would not be around for another 500 years, but would students? There is recent research that suggests that many students in our middle schools, high schools, or  college would not question the information given about the life of this 15th Century explorer. After all, this website  looks  like a credible source! That is exactly the problem that the  Stanford History Education Group  (SHEG) discovered in a report titled  Evaluating Information: The Cornerstone of Civic Online Reasoning. This report released November 2016 tracked the research skills of students in middle, high school or college using a series of prompts. The study prototyped, field tested, and validated a bank of assessments that tap civic online reasoning. (see 6 Ways to Help Students Spot Fake News) The results of SHEGs study indicated that many students are  not prepared to distinguish accurate from inaccurate accounts  or  decide when a statement is relevant or irrelevant to a given point. SHEG suggested that  when it comes to evaluating information that flows through social media channels, they are easily duped  pronouncing  our  nations  students ability to research in one word: bleak.    But that   AllAboutExplorers website  is one bogus website that  should not be shut down. Use The AllAboutExplorers Website  for Internet Research Practice Yes, there is plenty of misinformation on site. For example, on the webpage dedicated to Juan Ponce de Leon, there is the reference to  an  American multinational cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company that was founded in 1932:   In 1513 he was hired by Revlon, a cosmetic company, to search for the Fountain of Youth (a body of water that would enable you to look young forever). In truth, the  misinformation on the  AllAboutExplorers  website is intentional, and all of the misinformation on the site was created to serve  an important educational purpose-to better prepare students in intermediate and middle schools to understand how to research accurately and completely using evidence that is valid, timely, and relevant. The about page  on the site states: AllAboutExplorers  was developed by a group of teachers as a means of teaching students about the Internet. Although the Internet can be a tremendous resource for gathering information about a topic, we found that students often did not have the skills to discern useful information from worthless  data. The AllAboutExplorers  site was created in 2006 by educator Gerald Aungst,(  Supervisor of Gifted and Elementary Mathematics in the Cheltenham School District in Elkins Park, PA) and Lauren Zucker,(Library Media Specialist in Centennial School District). Their collaboration 10 years earlier confirms what the SHEG research has recently concluded, that most students cannot tell  good information from bad. Aungst and Zucker explain on the website that they created  AllAboutExplorers in order to develop a series of lessons for students in which we would demonstrate that just because it is out there for the searching does not mean it is  worthwhile. These educators wanted to make a point  about  finding useless information on a site that was designed to look believable. They note that  all of the Explorer biographies here are fictional and that they purposefully mixed facts with  inaccuracies, lies, and even downright absurdities. Some of the absurdities that have been mixed with facts on famous explorers on this website include: Lewis Clark:...in 1795, they became the charter subscribers to the National Geographic Magazine. Both were so mesmerized by the stunning color photographs in the glossy publication that they determined–completely separately–to become world-famous  explorers. It wasn’t until 1803, when Thomas Jefferson saw an intriguingly brief posting by Napoleon Bonaparte on Craig’s List for a large tract of  land:  For Sale:  Louisiane, a tract of land in the middle of the North America. Acreage unknown. Contains the fourth longest river in the world. â‚ ¬60,000,000 OBO, local shipping included. Serious inquiries  only.Christopher Columbus: He  knew he had to make this idea of sailing, using a western route, more popular. So,  he produced and appeared on infomercials  which aired four times daily. Finally,  the King and Queen of Spain called his toll-free number  and agreed to help  Columbus. The authors have provided readers the cautions not to  use this site as a source of reference for research. There is even a satiric  update on the site that mentions a lawsuit settlement on a   (fake) claim that the information unfairly caused failing grades for students who used the information via the website.   The authors can be followed on  Twitter: aaexplorers.  Their website confirms SHEG reports that states there  are scores of websites pretending to be something they are not. In addition to the elaborate hoaxes on explorers there are more serious and credible  lesson plans designed to introduce students to the skills and concepts of good Internet researching: Just Because Its Out There Doesnt Mean Its GoodSo How Do You Find the Good Stuff?Google, What?Where Exactly Am I?How Could They Be So Wrong? Research Standards for Social Studies Research is not exclusive to any discipline, but the  National Council for the Social Studies has outlined specific standards for research in their  College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History   There is the standard:  Dimension 4, Communicating Conclusions  for grades 5-12,   the intermediate and  middle school grades levels (5-9) that could benefit from the lessons on the  AllAboutExplorers: D4.2.3-5. Construct explanations using reasoning, correct sequence, examples, and details with relevant information and data.D4.2.6-8. Construct explanations using reasoning, correct sequence, examples, and details with relevant information and data, while acknowledging the strengths and weaknesses of the explanations.D4.1.9-12. Construct arguments using precise and knowledgeable claims, with evidence from multiple sources, while acknowledging counterclaims and evidentiary weaknesses.   The European explorers are generally studied in grades 5 as part of American Colonial History; in grade 6 7 as part of European exploration of Latin and Central America; and in grades 9 or 10 in the study of colonialism in global studies classes.   The website AllAboutExplorers provides educators an opportunity  to help students  learn how to negotiate the Internet in research. Teaching students to better explore the web can be improved by introducing students to this website on famous explorers.

Case Analysis Costco Wholesale

Case Analysis Costco Wholesale Introduction Costco Wholesale Corporation is a membership club founded in 1983 and headquartered in Issaquah, US. The company deals in a variety of merchandise including televisions, computers, camcorders and phones.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case Analysis: Costco Wholesale specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In addition, the firm provides services such as website and online solutions, mortgage purchase and financing, business prescription insurance as well as payroll services. The corporation was formed with a mission of offering quality products as well as services to its members at achievable economical prices. Current situation The company’s competitive advantages are the business strategies, customer approach and the diversified trade model. Strategy elements Low pricing as well as limited selection of products are the foundation of the corporation’s strategy. Further, Costco’s treas ure-hunt merchandising is also an invaluable tactic applied by the firm in operations. Through treasure-hunt merchandising, the company is capable of purchasing high-end products and services on the gray economy from the vendors with the motive of eliminating surplus stocks. Competitive approach The company’s price leadership tactic attained through reduced handling and warehouse expenses, the utilization of just-in-time stocking principle and maintenance of in stock has proven invaluable in the reduction of prices and increased purchases. The corporation also maintains preeminent value packs that contribute hugely in attracting large numbers of customers. The company undertakes minimal promotional activities resulting in minimal number of expenses incurred. The business model The firm currently utilizes business model that focuses on the provision of restricted categories of trademarked national stock while anticipating high proceeds from vending as well as prompt stock retu rns.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In fact, the company’s just-in-time stock, minimal handling of stock, volume purchases as well as efficient delivery channels has enabled the firm to generate higher revenues from its operations. Further, the corporation’s treasure-hunt merchandise has created a process that attracts large number of clients. Analysis The macro-environment Costco Corporation uses PEST analysis in the examination of the macro-environment in which it operates. Political aspects The corporation recognizes the significant roles played by both the political and the legal sectors in ensuring excellent status, success and trust in its operations. As such, the firm adheres to business morals as well as the legal provisions provided by the international business organizations. The company offers goods and services that meet the standard s as well as gratifies the customers’ needs across the globe. Economic aspects The company’s repute appeals to large number of clients leading to increased sales. Additionally, the firm continues to offer superior goods and services to its clients. Further, the firm has spread remarkably across different states in the globe by opening various businesses causing an increase in its economic power and competitive position over similar firms in the industry. Socio-cultural aspects Culture influences the performance and productivity of Costco Corporation in a number of ways. First, the corporation recognizes the worth of its personnel’s ideas and beliefs without prejudice. The company also satisfies its client social assurance by the provision of high quality goods and services. Technological aspects The utilization of contemporary technology in businesses ensures efficiency and competitiveness. Costco is at the forefront of utilizing the current progression in exper tise to come up with innovative products that suit the needs of the customers. Further, the company’s website enables the clients to familiarize with the firm’s products and services. Key success factors The company’s business model is instrumental in defining its achievements. The firm recognizes cultural perspective by seizing opportunities in different locations. In addition, the firm’s circular vision is instrumental in the reinvention of innovations leading to efficient delivery of products.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Case Analysis: Costco Wholesale specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The corporation’s passion has been imperative in the designing of a collaboration-propelled paradigm enabling innovations of current value models. Moreover, entrepreneurial spirit and working for a purpose is invaluable in sharing ideas that deliver greater achievements. Strategic group ma p Corporation Business Model Revenue (billions) Comparable store sales(decline) Number of store locations Current strategy Costco Low costs and high volumes $70 6% 513 International economy Sam’s Club Low cost and high volume $45 4.5% 490 20 club locations nationwide BJ Club Low cost and high volume $10 3.5% 170 Retail shoppers and provision of more grocery The company relates with other two competitors including the Sam’s Club and BJ’s wholesale club. The map exhibits the stiff competition that Costco faces in the market from rivals. Based on the business model, all the firms apply low cost and high volumes model. In terms of revenue, Costco leads with $70 billion followed by Sam’s Club $45 billion and BJ†s Club at $10 billion. Costco’s sales have declined by 6%, Sam’s by 4.5% and BJ by 3.5%. The firms have diversified their stores all over the globe with the Sam’s Club leading with the number of stores at 590 foll owed by Costco’s 513. BJ Club has 170 stores. The firms are employing a number of current strategies to gain competitive advantage. For instance, Costco has diversified operations in the global economy while the Sam’s has opened up 20 new locations nationwide. The BJ’s Club focuses on retail shoppers as well as presenting volume groceries. Porter’s five forces New market entrants The corporation has a competitive advantage over rivals due to high barriers of entry into the market, low threats from new firms and diversified products at low-costs.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Competitive rivalry The company faces stiff competition from other firms such as the Sam’s Club. The firm’s delivery series is effortlessly duplicated leading to enjoyment of economies of scale. Low-cost strategies by many firms have resulted into meager proceeds to the firm. Supplier power The firm enjoys good working relations with its vendors who supply large quantities of products at low prices Purchasing power The firm enjoys high purchase bargaining power, high concentration and mobility of buyers Substitutes There is insignificant pressure of substitute and the customers get towering worth from the economical purchases as well as elevated membership maintenance. Internal environment SWOT analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Strengths The firm maintains devoted and rich clients, towering stock proceeds and consistent return on sales as well as resources together with incredible remunerations policy. All the aspects have enabled increased re venues. Weakness The company diminishing profit levels, weak promotion activities, lack of self-checkouts and the primary focus on the club’s members opposed to the general customers make Costco less attractive to many potential customers. Opportunities Higher growth prospects are presented to the firm due to operations in high GDP states, expansion in membership, good repute regarding employee remuneration and societal responsibility as well as the augmenting trademark among the masses. Threats The firm faces stiff competition from competitors such as the Sam’s Club and BJ Club. Additionally, the firm’s geographical diversification is insignificant compared to the Sam’s Club. Financial ratios Liquidity ratios The current ratio showed a decreasing trend from 116% in 2010 to 110% in 2012. The quick ratio and cash ratio were 60% and 47% respectively in 2010 and declined to 52% and 40% respectively in 2012. Profitability ratios Costco’s profitability ratios have remained constant over the years. For example, gross margin has been at 13%, operating margin at 3% and profit margin at 2%. Return on investments after tax has been increasing from 12% in 2010 to 14% in 2012. Value chain The Costco’s CRX program enables clients to obtain inventory requests in time. In addition, the program enables the firm to measure performance and productivity against competitors thereby increases priceless insights in the viable economy. The system has also provided efficient delivery series solution to the clients through updating stock information, forecasting and demand planning leading to enhanced business operations and reduction in costs. Key strategic issues The critical tactical aspects of Costco encompass low prices, limited product lines and selection as well as treasure-hunt shopping experience. In fact, the firm strives to offer quality goods and services to its members at economical costs achievable. The company operates a limited number of products approximated to be 4,000 through volume buying, effective delivery procedures and abridged inventory managing. Recommendations The firm should modify its strategies to address the shortcomings in its operations. For instance, the corporation should diversify selections of merchandise instead of limiting choices to only 4000 to expand the customer base. Secondly, the firm should build many warehouses across the globe to counter the rising number of competitors like the Sam’s Club that may attract a large share of the market. Thirdly, the company should also diversify applied cost and pricing strategies since competitors are utilizing the low-cost tactics.

East Asian Co-Production in Film Industry Research Paper

East Asian Co-Production in Film Industry - Research Paper Example Various scholarships have been offered on popular culture that is conventionally exploring the meaning of texts. This has resulted in popular culture co-productions and collaborations in East Asia, drawing on empirical studies of cultural industries in Korea, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines (Yau, 2003). This has consequently employed the usage of a regional framework in order to analyze the consequences of collaboration and co-production. In Asia, particularly East Asia, the rapid growth of the creative industry has induced a severe shortage of talented professional working force that includes the director, producer, and the scripter. The search to secure human capital is very significant to the success in this highly competitive field of creativity and artistry. However, the structure and dynamics of human capital development in this creative industry are yet to win the full understanding of its assessors in matters of a provision of efficient programs meant to accelerate human capital development. The resultant lack of understanding is caused by the complexity of work, as well as the fact that fostering creative talent requires a relatively long time that the rest of non-knowledge intensive industries (Chua, 2004). Japan is currently the nation under a considerable critical spotlight in the continuing debate on the Asia imaginary. Japan’s long history of cultural and economic hegemony in the region has always been challenged by Korea and China as from the early 1990s.

The Mind-Body Connection Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Mind-Body Connection - Assignment Example It should be understood that our physical health is strongly connected to our psychological health. This is because it is the nervous system and brain which is the principal co – coordinator in the physical functioning of our body. All the bodily organs function with the aid of brain and nervous system. Moreover our mind’s balance is what makes us an healthy person. The negative emotions like anger, aggression and fear can destroy mental and physical health. In case of stressors, the most effective tool to control it is physical activity. Everybody come across stress in their daily life and physical activity releases hormones to stabilize the stress factor in people. While exercising the body produces endorphins which act as a natural painkiller and also energize a person. The exercise impacts the brain and decreases the fatigue and increase the concentration and alertness of a person. Exercise increases the blood flow to the brain and this refresh the brain and nervous system which give rise to healthy mental