Mapping an Argument Essay

The first article talks about the lack of regulation on the quality and safety of our food supply even though there are health food options, such as fruits and vegetables. Especially, in the federal school lunch programs that have contributed to poor health of our younger citizens. The United States has had one of the safest food systems in the world, but within the last few years 70 million Americans have gotten sick, 300,000 have been hospitalized, and 5,000 die from food-borne illnesses each year. Consumers always identify with wholesome – not harmful foods. Our children today are most at risk from these food threats, with about half of all food-borne illnesses hitting children under 15. The tens of millions of victims of food-borne illnesses represent only a small segment of the causalities from our failure as Americans to require safe and nutritious foods. A regulation of chemicals, many of the fruits and vegetables that should be healthy and nutritious are being laced with dangerous pesticides. Many foods that are being marketed to our children have trans-fats and high fructose corn syrup, that have contributed to the epidemic of obesity in young children, heart disease and diabetes in older populations. It is far from perfect, but the Food Safety Enhancement Act (HR2749) was passed by the House of Representatives in 2008 and has taken steps in the right direction. The Act has given more authority to the FDA, which had restored some of the power to conduct food inspections and strengthen oversight. Yes, many regulations have been in place but since January 2010, over 850,000 pounds of beef have been recalled due to E. oli. Like I said it is far from over, but many more safety legislation should be able to target the largest causes of these food-borne illnesses. I believe that all of this would not happen if the growth of small farms. The less risk of contamination and not as many people would be put into the hospital or even die because the animals, fruits and vegetables would be processed and cleaned correctly. They would be handled with no pesticides and would actually be more healthy then what is grown today. The second article talks about online poker. Many states are trying to outlaw online gambling, for example Minnesota, their arguments are trying to save citizens from ruin, but many states are running their own casino and betting operations. A ban on poker, a game the requires skill, is against American and capitalist principles and would restrict people’s freedom. Monday April 29, 2009, The Minnesota Department of Public Safety gave notice to all major internet service providers that they will be ordered to block service to a list of 200 internet gambling related sites. It may expand to â€Å"thousands† of sites, depending on compliance. Chris Fox, who plays poker for a living, is very biased about the issue since he plays poker for a living and if the ban is upheld, then he would have to move states. Canada on the other hand has not made online poker illegal and are much more friendly toward online poker players. Online poker is all about skill and defined on the Department of Public Safety’s own website, games of skills are not illegal. When the government all of a suddenly tries to attempt something like enforcing a law that does not even really exist and try to prevent players from doing something that is actually legal, it is always about money or politics. In conclusion, there is really no conclusion since there are many ways around this prohibition and that it will not prevent anyone who really wants to play from getting online and playing poker where ever they choose to. The Wire Act of 1961, which was meant for preventing the transmission of sports bets over phone lines and the internet did not exist. Many people have emailed the Department of Justice to let them know that people play online poker every day and that they should come arrest these people, but never heard anything back. The threats that are used now are very minimal and will find other Americans to hassle.

Professional Solder

What does being a professional solder mean to me? Professionalism as a solider is exemplified by the constant display of knowledge of what it means to be a soldier and showing that in your everyday duty. As a professional solider you should constantly have situational awareness, knowing how to address your superior and subordinates, maintaining your military bearing and how to do your job efficiently are the cornerstones of being a true professional solider..For instincts being a professional solder means to serve our country from foren or domestic enemies so that all the people of the United States of America can live a happy and free lives . being part of that one percent that decided to join the armed services. Having young and older generations look up to you for being who you are. It also means living up to your seven key army values. Many people know what the words are and what they mean loyalty- Bear true faith and allegiance to the U. S. Constitution, the Army, your unit and other Soldiers, duty Fulfill your obligations.doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks; Duty means being able to accomplish tasks as part of a team, respect- Treat people as they should be treated. In the Soldier’s Code, we pledge to â€Å"treat others with dignity and respect while expecting others to do the same, selfless service-Put the welfare of the nation, the Army and your subordinates before your own. Selfless service is larger than just one person, honor-Live up to Army values, integrity-do what’s right, legally and morally.Integrity is a quality you develop by adhering to moral principles. It requires that you do and say nothing that deceives others, personal courage Face fear, danger or adversity (physical or moral). But how often do you see someone actually live up to them? Being a professional solder I have to live by them values on a everyday bases. As a professional solder you also need to live by the army creed, I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States, and live the Army Values.I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional. I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.The main thing we pull out of all that and keep to heart it the worrier ethos, I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade. I the army we have a long and strong tradition of military structure that demands that those of lower ranks refer to their superiors in certain ways. If you do not know how to properly address superior officers, you can find yourself being reprimanded or, even worse, â€Å"smoked† (put through vigorous physical punishment).

Pride And Prejudice By Jane Austen - 983 Words

Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice, written by Jane Austen, presents a case of almost lost love, while presenting characters of extreme diversity. Love, marriage, and the views of opposite sexes are common outlooks presented in Volume I of Jane Austen’s novel. One of the main characters that takes readers through a loop of different emotions is Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a wealthy gentlemen by birth. He has women flaunting over him at all times, so when Elizabeth gives him the cold shoulder, he is incredibly taken by surprise. His view on love starts out very materialistic, but slowly as his relationship with Elizabeth grows, we see a change in his behavior. Marriage, in Mr. Darcy’s opinion, should be kept within social classes and because of his wealth and wide range of women to pick from, his partner in marriage must possess every, almost unobtainable characteristic in which he admires. Darcy views women as objects, instead of human being s. He is more worried about what they have, instead of who they are. Although he seems set in his ways, readers start to slowly see a shift in these views as the volume comes to an end. Mr. Darcy has a skewed view of love because he is so used to women just falling at his feet because of his extreme wealth and handsome looks. In the beginning, we see a very materialistic love. He acted as though looks and social statuses were the only thing that enticed him. Mr. Darcy proves his worldly feelings when heShow MoreRelatedPride And Prejudice By Jane Austen Essay1724 Words   |  7 PagesThe 18th century novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, is a fascinating book about a young woman’s struggle with family and love. Pride and Prejudice was originally published in 1813, but, the most common version of the story, and the one used for this research, is from the version published in 1892, still by only Jane Austen, though many other authors have contributed to this book over time. Austen often references the class system at the time, often noting one of the multiple heroine’s struggleRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen1467 Words   |  6 Pages P ride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a classic novel that has remained relevant even years after its release. Its themes and symbols are understandable to even the most modern of reader. One of the many themes is sisterhood, something that is focused on constantly throughout the novel. Elizabeth Bennet, the protagonist of the novel, finds many of her decisions to be based upon the actions of her sisters. Making sisterhood a main driving force. Whether they are confiding in each other for marriageRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen872 Words   |  4 PagesIn my personal cherished novel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, the worlds of two immensely divergent people display the marxist idea of the importance of social status and its affect on the people. The two main characters seem to be on opposite ends of the earth in terms of an affluent Mr. Darcy being so privileged while on the contrary, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is of a lower class. Throughout the novel, there is a fine d istinction between their clashing opinions and actions that are highly influencedRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen Essay1711 Words   |  7 Pageshe 18th century novel, Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen, is a fascinating book about a young woman’s struggle with family and love. Pride and Prejudice was originally published in 1813, but, the most common version of the story, and the one used for this research, is from the version published in 1892, still by only Jane Austen, though many other authors have contributed to this book over time. Austen often references the class system at the time, often noting one of the multiple heroine’s struggleRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen1285 Words   |  6 PagesPride and Prejudice Analysis I.Introduction Jane Austen wrote her novels during the time period known as the Regency. The Enlightenment and the Age of Reason, a time where ideas like democracy, secularism, and the rise of developing sciences were making their way across Europe had come to an end.It was replaced with the wave of horror that was the French Revolution, a once minor revolt that escalated into a violent war, concluding with the rise of Napoleon, which whom England fought against the majorityRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen1384 Words   |  6 PagesNicole Voyatzis Professor W. Acres HISTORY 1401E May 26, 2015 Discussion Paper - Pride and Prejudice Pride and Prejudice written in 1813 by Jane Austen tells the story of The Bennet’s and their five unmarried daughters. The family live as part of the lower gentry in early 19th century England. With that being said, Mrs. Bennet’s primary focus in life is to ensure that all her daughters are married, preferably to wealthy men. The book begins with Mrs. Bennet seeing an opportunity for her daughtersRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen1570 Words   |  7 PagesThe comical novel Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen depicts the love life of women in the early 1800’s. Austen shows the hardships young women in that time period had to go threw to find their place in this world. Women were thought of as objects to the men, they were supposed to be stay at home mothers, or simple just a accessory to their partner. Women were the subordinates in life, as they still are today. Austen tells the story of how Mrs. Bennet (a mother of 5) works tirelessly to get her daughte rsRead MoreJane Austen: Pride and Prejudice 1086 Words   |  5 PagesJane Austen, born December 16, 1775, was an English novelist whose works of romantic fiction earned her a place as one of the most widely read authors in English literature. Austen’s novels critique the life of the second half of the eighteenth century and are part of the transition to nineteenth-century realism. Though her novels were by no means autobiographical, her fictional characters do shed light on the facts of her life and but more importantly, they offered aspiring writers a model of howRead MorePride And Prejudice By Jane Austen914 Words   |  4 Pages Bell 1 Natalie Bell Pedersen English 4 honors 29 February 2016 Pride and Prejudice Essay Jane Austen s novel, Pride and Prejudice, focuses on the social conflicts of England during the 1800s. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy fall in love, and face social criticism. Mr. Darcy struggles with the ideology of societal expectations while falling in love with Elizabeth Bennet. After persistent self-reflection, Mr. Darcy overcomes the stereotype of whom he should marry, and marries ElizabethRead More Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen 1104 Words   |  5 Pagesrate of over 50% from 1970-2010. However, during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, marriage was often one of the few choices for a woman’s occupation. Reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen from the twenty-first century perspective might make some matters that are stressed in the book seem dated or trivial. As Pride and Prejudice was set sometime during the Napoleonic Wars, it is only fitting that finding a proper marriage is on the minds of many of the women in the book. Marriage and marrying

Should Illegal Immigrants Be Deported - 1811 Words

Illegal Immigration i Should Illegal Immigrants Be Deported? Philosophy 518 Dr. Davis June 25, 2012 Illegal Immigration 1 Introduction It is important for businesses and professionals to be versed in ethical issues because it helps with decision-making when faced with different situations that create a moral dilemma. Business and professional ethics help to develop a certain moral standard and expectation in the business world. The ethics in which a business or a professional operates within benefits both the giver and receiver. Engaging in the exchange of goods, services and information requires some level of trust in order to maintain civility. The thought that a person or a business is doing things that are unethical†¦show more content†¦Deportation will hurt a lot of businesses that rely on foreign labor for jobs that Americans won’t do. Counterpoint: There are American citizens with minimal skills that earn less money and have fewer job opportunities because they have to compete with immigrants in the job market. Legal citizens are required by law to adhere to the labor and wage laws. Having illegal immigrants in the work force only adds to an already-existing surplus of low-skilled workers. Having these jobs filled at such a low rate drives down wages and work conditions. Illegal Immigration 4 Point: Many illegal immigrants have kids who are U.S. citizens and deportation would tear these families apart. This would result in more single parent or no parent households. The psychological and financial hardship would force their U.S. citizen children into deportation with their family. These American children may have to start over in a country with an unfamiliar language, culture, and fewer resources. Counterpoint: That’s unfortunate, but not the United States problem. The act of breaking the law is not a coincidence, but a conscience choice with built in risk. There is a process to gain legal citizenship in place to help properly integrate immigrants into this country. The kids that are US citizens of illegal immigrants are burdened by the enormous responsibilities on having to help theirShow MoreRelatedIllegal Immigrants Should Be Deported1483 Words   |  6 Pageswill happen to illegal immigrants. But, beside the president should we keep the illegal immigrants and let them live in the US without fear of being deported or should we deport them back to their native countries such as Mexico and other hispanic areas. As research shows immigrants bring danger to the roads, they fill up prisons, and they suck off of American education. All of these will result in americans being affected negatively in some way. Illegal immigrants should be deported. FirstRead MoreShould the Illegal Immigrants in the U.S Be Deported?1092 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Immigrants create San Francisco† is common sense people around the world acknowledge to praise the contributions immigrants have made. America, as we all know, positioned as the most prosperous and humanistic country in the world, gives immigration a very crucial role due to its function forming the diverse culture of America. Every year, thousands of immigrants move to the United States, seeking superior living conditions such as employment, welfare and education. However, that movement inevitablyRead MoreIllegal Immigrants Should NOT be Deported Essay example916 Words   |  4 Pages Did you know that there is an estamated 3.1 million american children with at least one parent who is illigally in the united states? Illegal immigration has always been a problem in the U.S dating all the way back to 1875. In 1882 president Chester A. Aurthor was the first president to bann all chinese workers. Soon after, the criminals and the mentally ill were refused from theU.S. Immigration wasnt always a problem before this. In 1892 the first portal oft immigration opened up in EllisRead MoreIllegal Immigrants in the United States Essay1209 Words   |  5 PagesMany people in America have something against immigrants who come to this country looking for a better life and to escape from violence. â€Å"It is certainly not fair that undocumented immigrant workers do not pay taxes, and it is certainly unfair that they use public services without contributing to it† (Miller 55). For these Americans, their perspective on illegal immigrants is that they are nothing but a waste of space in this country and they are taking away this country’s resources and money withRead MoreThe Effects Of Illegal Immigrants On The United States1356 Words   |  6 PagesThere are millions of illegal immigrants in the United States, as Markon (2016) argues that the majorit y are from South and Central America, Europe, and Mexico. They form a population of between 10 million to 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. One of these illegal is my father, who came to the U.S.A in 1996 to work and tried to pay the numerous debts that he got in my country; in addition, my country had a large concern where there weren’t jobs and several banks had gone brokeRead MoreDeportation Of The United States Essay1527 Words   |  7 Pagesa nation since the first newcomers arrived over 400 years ago. Immigrants contribute deeply to many of the economic, social, and political processes that are foundational to the United States as a nation. Millions of immigrants are deported every year. The ethnicity of immigrants living in the United States come from all around. Mexico has the largest population of immigrants coming to America. â€Å"The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States is estimated to 11.2 million, the majorityRe ad MoreThe Family Left Behind By Elise Foley1325 Words   |  6 PagesHuffington Post article written by Elise Foley, in 2013 alone the United States deported 72,410 immigrants that claimed to have children that were born here (Foley). This situation that is common in a town where immigrants have settled. St. James Minnesota for example, has a very large immigrant population relative to the town’s size, and many St. James residents have friends and family members that have been deported. This has afforded many of the town’s residents the opportunity to witness the damagesRead MoreIllegal Immigration : Illegal Immigrants949 Words   |  4 PagesIllegal immigrants have been a hot topic lately due to the popularity of this topic amongst the Republican Presidential Nominees, especially Donald Trump. These illegal immigrants bring various things to this country when they come. Some things are positive, such as a family simply seeking to find a better life, while some thin gs are harmful to the United States, such as the amount of crime among illegal immigrants. In July 2015, the most recent estimate of illegal immigrants was 11.2 million. ThisRead MoreUndocumented Immigrants Should Be Legal949 Words   |  4 PagesAmerica is a nation of immigration but America also faces the problem of illegal immigration. In America the debate of whether undocumented immigrants should be able to get full amnesty is still a controversy. Even though illegal immigrants did make an illicit action, many see the United States as an opportunity for a better future. In addition, undocumented immigrants should be granted citizenship because it will benefit the United States. Creating an amnesty for the students will help the UnitedRead MorePersuasive Essay On Illegal Immigration906 Words   |  4 Pages Illegal immigrants have traveled to the USA to obtain better opportunities for themselves and their families. The idea of fleeing your home country to find a more suitable area to live in is what almost every immigrant has dreamt of. Most illegal immigrants have moved to America to find new opportunities which they have not had in their home countries. They move here because they know they have better chances of providing for their families. It is imprudent to claim who is an American citizen and

The Legalization And Practice Of Abortion Essay - 1636 Words

Ever since the Roe v. Wade decision legalized abortion in 1973, clashes between those who favor and oppose the practice have occurred frequently. The issue quickly became one of the hottest topics of discussion, as people sprinted to one side or the other. Politicians have debated for and in opposition of the action, and many voters decide who to cast their ballot for solely on which side of the issue the candidates prefer. Protests and rallies have brought out scores of people in both a peaceful and violent manner. People who support the legalization and practice of abortion are considered part of the pro-choice category, while those who oppose the law and practice belong to the pro-life group. The hashtag #UnplannedParenthood is a peaceful activism aligned with the pro-life movement who use this hashtag to urge mothers who are considering abortion to choose to keep their child or give their baby up for adoption, instead of killing their child through the practice of abortion. Membe rs of the movement look to meet the pro-choice party in the middle of the aisle by allowing the legalization and funding of abortion while clearly focusing on gently persuading mothers to choose a different alternative than abortion. As a whole, this activism movement does not look to defund Planned Parenthood, make abortions illegal, or condemn women for having an unwanted pregnancy and/or an abortion. Of course, some users who insert #UnplannedParenthood wish for the government to defundShow MoreRelatedThe Debate of Abortion Being Legal1170 Words   |  5 Pages The legalization of abortion has been a long debate since 1865 and is still being debated today. An abortion is a procedure to end a pregnancy. Many people believe that abortions should not be legalized because it is essentially killing a human being. Others believe that it is the right of the woman to choose whether or not to have an abortion and say abortions should be legal. Since an abortion involves the terminat ion of a potential human life, it has been illegal through most of the U.S historyRead MoreAbortion Should Not Be Legal1274 Words   |  6 PagesMr. Cartusciello 12 March 2017 Abortion has been a hotly debated topic for years now. Abortion-rights advocates won a major victory in June when the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law requiring doctors to obtain permission to practice at hospitals near their offices and to have abortion clinics adhere to hospital building codes (guttmacher.org). A landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court upon the issue of abortion was Roe v. The right of an abortion is to only the individual and notRead MoreMichael Schmittinger. Mr. Homan, P.3. America In History1512 Words   |  7 Pages Wade, around 38 million women have gotten away with murder (Williams 54). An abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often occurring in the first 28 weeks (Merriam). The Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade ruled that abortions performed in the first trimester are legal and abortions performed out of that time period were to be decided by the individual state (Blackmun). The history of abortions goes all the way back regardless of whether it was legal or not. Women would eitherRead MoreAbortions Have Not Affected the United States Population1090 Words   |  5 Pageslegalized abortion had an impact on population? Most would expect that an increase in the number of abortions would have an impact on the population. The reasoning being because women, who would not have terminated their pregnancies due to abortions being illegal, now had that option available to them. Although many think of abortion as a legacy from the 1960’s, abortions were as frequent on the eve of the Civil War as it is now (Olasky, 1992). There were roughly 160,000 abortions in 1860Read More Abortion Must be Illegal Essay1721 Words   |  7 Pagesare right. In my opinion, some of these reasons are the legalization of abortion vs. women who killed their infants after birth and contract laws; - people vs. insurance companies. These are laws that are worth changing in relation to Holmes’ philosophical ideas. The legalization of abortion contradicts normal sense like Holmes ideas. The Roe vs. Wade decision of 1973 legalizes abortion in the U.S. Since then, the U.S. statutes makes abortion related issues insignificant while all murder cases areRead MoreLimitations Of Women s Rights1082 Words   |  5 Pagesyears of age. Abortion has been legal in the United States since Roe V. Wade; a 1973 landmark decision held that the Fourteenth Amendment’s right to personal privacy covered the woman’s choice to carry a child or not. Republican Administrations such as those of Former Presidents’ Ronald Raegan and George W. Bush have been tough on abortion rights and sparked anti-abortion movements (Joffe 2013, 56). With a new Republican president in the White House and existing restrictions on abortions, it is importantRead MoreAbortion : Pro Life And Pro Choice983 Words   |  4 PagesAbortion has been a heated debate in the United States for decades. Since before the ruling on R oe v. Wade, it is clear that this is an issue that is far from ever being decided upon. Between those who are pro-life and those who are pro-choice, scholars from both sides work on disproving the morality of the other side. With the evolution of abortion laws and regulation through the decades, it is difficult to imagine the United States without conflict pertaining to abortion. Despite pro-life and pro-choiceRead MoreThe Issue Of Pregnancy Termination1215 Words   |  5 Pagesyears of age. Abortion has been legal in the United States since Roe v. Wade, a 1973 landmark decision held that the Fourteenth Amendment’s right of personal privacy covered the woman’s choice to carry a child or not. Republican Administrations such as those of Former Presidents’ Ronald Raegan and George W. Bush have been tough on abortion rights and sparked anti-abortion movements (Joffe 2013). With a new republican president in the White House and existing restrictions on abortions, it is importantRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legalized?1394 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Abortion has been a recurring issue in our society for over a century, responsible for countless marches, protests, and debates. Both sides display zealous passion for their belief. Since the well-known Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade, declaring that women can constitutionally decide for themselves whether or not to have an abortion, Pro-life activists across the country have have dedicated their lives to overturning this amendment (Roston 2008). Beginning in the late 1800s, asRead MoreShould Abortion Be Legalized?1490 Words   |  6 PagesOne of the most controversial debates nowadays is whether abortion should be legalized or not. Having used abortion procedures since 1550 BC, which had been accepted in ancient Rome and Greece without any critics regarding to morality, ethicality or religiosity. It has become a main point of public discussion and one of most banned acts in the last century. In the beginning of the 19th century, this technique was advertised as a legal practice in United States. However, in the early 20th an increase

KMart VS Sears free essay sample

On January 22, 2002, Kmart Corporation became the largest retailer in U. S. history to seek bankruptcy protection. Kmart management said that they would outline a plan for repaying Kmart’s creditors, reducing its size, and restructuring its business so that it could leave court protection as a viable competitor in discount mass-marketretailing. Emerging from bankruptcy in May 2003, Kmart still lacked a business strategy to succeed in an extremely competitive marketplace. Out of bankruptcy, Kmart became profitable primarily by closing or selling (to Sears and Home Depot) around 600 of its retail stores. Management had been unable to invigorate sales in its stores. Declared guilty of insider trading, Martha Stewart went to prison just before the 2004 Christmas season. In a surprise move, Edward Lampert, Kmart’s Chairman of the Board and a controlling shareholder of Kmart, initiated the acquisition of Sears by Kmart for $11 billion in November 2004. The new company was to be called Sears Holdings Corporation. Even though management predicted that the combined company’s costs could be reduced by $500 million annually within three years through supplier and administrative economies, analysts wondered how these two struggling firms could ever be successful. Sears Holdings Corporation is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, consumer electronics and automotive repair and maintenance in United States. Its key brands includes Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered by Sears and Kmart in 2011. It is the ninth largest retailer by annual revenue in the United States trailing behind Wal-Mart, The Home Depot, Costco, Target, CVS Caremark, Walgreens, Kroger, and Lowes in 2009. It is currently listed at number 48 in the Fortune 1000 companies list in 2011. It has a very strong retail network in United States and Canada. The company operates 3,900 retail locations under the mastheads of Sears, Sears Grand, Sears Essentials, Sears Hometown Stores, Sears Hardware, Kmart, Big Kmart, Super Kmart, The Great Indoors, Orchard Supply Hardware, and Lands End stores. The company has a very strong managerial capability that manages its wide range of retail outlets in USA and Canadian markets. Weaknesses After the merger of Kmart and the Sears, Roebuck and Co. , the Sears Holdings Corporation has faced consistent declines in its revenues. The first year after its merger, the income of Sears Holdings plunged 84% from $858 million in 2011. Eddie Lampert has held the title of chairman of Sears Holdings over time period of declines. The first quarter of 2011 did not appear any better, with the company posting a net loss of $170 million for the quarter ended April 30. Some industry analysts feel the heart of the problem is caused by Eddie Lamperts penny-pinching cost-savings by stifling investment into stores. Instead, the company has been buying back stock and increasing its presence online in 2011. This situation has increased the debt requirement threat for the company in order to meet its business operations requirements. Sears Holdings Corporation has its retail outlets mainly in US, Canada and Puerto Rico. There is a trend in the market that large number of organizations is directing their business operations to the emerging markets of China, India and Japan. These developing markets show great potential of growth and success to the companies operating in them. If Sears Holdings expands its business operations to these markets, then there is a strong likelihood of its success in these markets. There is a growing trend in the American markets for the retailing of health care related brands. Sears can think of entering into this segment to expand its branding and business portfolio. This can increase its market share to many folds. Moreover, there is a common practice among the other market players that they are engaged in the manufacturing, and marketing of private labels. Sears Holdings already has lot of private labels in the markets. All it has to do is to re position its brands in order to maximize their impact in the current markets. There are number of threats that can adversely affect the business of Sears Holdings Corporation. The biggest threat faced by Sears Holding Corporation is the competition among the local, national and international retail companies. The retail business is a cut throat competition. The market players have multitude of businesses across various states of US and around the globe. Moreover, many companies are merging and becoming large entities. The recent merger of K-Mart and Sears has allowed Sears Holdings Corporation to offer each other’s product lines in both stores reaching a larger consumer base. Another threat faced by all these market players is the recession faced by the US economy. Sear’s revenue growth will likely be affected. The housing market crisis combined with an increase in food and utility prices leaves consumers with less disposable income. Then the minimum wage rate set by the US government has increased the labor costs of the companies operated in the United States which has in turn increased their costs of doing business in the markets. Sears Holdings business has been and will continue to be affected by the worldwide economic conditions; a failure of the economy to sustain its recovery, a renewed decline in consumer-spending levels and other conditions, including inflation, could lead to reduced revenues and gross margins, and negatively impact its liquidity ratios. Many economic and other factors are outside of control, including consumer and commercial credit availability, consumer confidence and spending levels, inflation, employment levels, housing sales and remodels, consumer debt levels, fuel costs and other challenges currently affecting the global economy, the full impact of which on Sears Holdings business, results of operations and financial condition cannot be predicted with certainty. These economic conditions adversely affect the disposable income levels of, and the credit available to, customers, which could lead to reduced demand for merchandise. Their vendors are also affected, upon which it depends to provide with financing on the purchases of inventory and services in 2011. Sears Holdings compete with a wide variety of retailers, including other department stores, discounters, home improvement stores, consumer electronics dealers, auto service providers, specialty retailers, wholesale clubs, as well as many other retailers operating on a national, regional or local level. Online and catalog businesses, which handle similar lines of merchandise, also compete with Sears. Walmart, Target, Kohl’s, JC Penney, Macy’s, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Best Buy are some of the national retailers with which it competes. Home Depot and Lowe’s are major competitors in relation to the home appliance business, which accounted for approximately 16% of 2010 and 15% of 2009 and 2008 reported revenues. Sears Canada competes in Canada with Hudson’s Bay Company and certain U. S. -based competitors, including those mentioned above, that may be expanding into Canada. Success in these competitive marketplaces is based on factors such as price, product assortment and quality, service and convenience, including availability of retail-related services such as access to credit, product delivery, repair and installation. Additionally, Sears Holdings is influenced by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the cost of goods, consumer debt availability and buying patterns, economic conditions, customer preferences, inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, weather patterns, and catastrophic events in 2011. The threat of substitute products in case of Sears Holdings Corporation is high. There are various retailers in the market competing with each other. This makes the great degree of availability of alternative products to the buyers. They have significant amount of product choices and option available. The high rate of substitutes for products is then considered a threat for Sears Holdings Corp. But there are certain barriers to entry in the markets currently. This means that the threat of new competitors in the markets is low. The new entrants have to comply with the government regulations in order to enter the markets. There is trade restrictions imposed on various levels that discourages many new entrants to start their business set up. In retail industry, Sears Holding Corp. and its counter parts are protected by a number of barriers to entry, which makes it difficult for new business entrants to rise and compete. One of these barriers is the requirement of huge working capital to start the business operations in order to compete with the existing giants in the market. In order to acquire the right workforce, supplies and distribution channels, the starting company must have a high initial capital. This barrier to entry then prevents other firms to compete effectively with other global companies such as Sears Holdings Corp. Sears should have of had a better Functional strategy.

To Act Or Not To Act Essay Example For Students

To Act Or Not To Act Essay In William Shakespeares tragic play Hamlet, the main character, Hamlet, struggles with procrastination throughout the play. As Samuel Taylor Coleridge said, No brilliant intellect can be considered valuable if one withdraws from action. It is this tragic flaw of inaction that eventually brings about Hamlets downfall. In the beginning of the play, Hamlet is given explicit instructions by the ghost to kill his uncle/step-father Claudius to avenge his fathers murder; yet, he fails to do so. Hamlets inaction and hesitation to kill Claudius is justified in his own mind and to the audience. Hamlets initial disbelief in the reliability of the ghosts claim, Hamlets belief in religion, and the fact that Hamlet is trained in thought rather than in action, all lead to Hamlets inaction, and ultimately, Hamlets downfall. The ongoing duel between Hamlets procrastination and his final action begins with Hamlets perception of the ghost. The ghost appears in form, as Horatio describes it, a figure li ke your father, armed at point exactly (1.2.209-210). When Hamlet first meets the ghost, he immediately calls the ghost by his fathers name and follows it to where the ghost beckons him. In response to the ghosts claim that the serpent that did sting thy fathers life now wears his crown, Hamlet answers, O my prophetic soul! (1.5.46-48), revealing that Hamlet has already contemplated this possibility. The ghost does little to persuade Hamlet of the cause of his fathers death because Hamlet is already convinced of his uncle/step-fathers guilt due to his great distrust and dislike for Claudius. Although at first, Hamlet reacts with anger, a thirst for vengeance, and grief, Hamlet becomes suspicious of the ghosts origin. He begins to wonder whether the ghost is a devil, an angel, or a sign of Hamlets own grief. Hamlet says the spirit that I have seen may be a devil, and the devil hath power tassume a pleasing shape; yea, and perhaps, out of my weakness and my melancholy, as he is very potent with such spirits, abuses me to damn me (2.2.627-632). Fearing deception, Hamlet has doubts, which initiate his inaction. His hesitation is somewhat resolved in the form of a play. In order to test the truth of the ghost, Hamlet devises a scheme to perform a play to catch the conscience of the King(2.2.634), by reenacting a scene similar to the events recounted by the ghost about King Hamlets murder, in order to prove Claudius guilt. Here, Hamlets inaction results not only from his distrust of his fathers apparition, but from his distrust of his own senses. Had Hamlet trusted his father in death as he had in life, Hamlets life would never have resulted in such a tragic end. We will write a custom essay on To Act Or Not To Act specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Once Hamlet is sure of Claudius guilt, it is Hamlets belief in his religion that leads him to inaction. In Hamlets mind, it is now his rightful duty to avenge his fathers murder. At the end of Act 3 Scene 3, Hamlet has a perfect opportunity to kill Claudius, when he sees the King kneeling in prayer. Hamlet enters the Kings private chapel with a sword in hand, ready to kill Claudius. As Hamlet enters he observes, now he is a-praying, and now Ill do t(3.3.77-78). But, Claudius is agonizing over his actions. He has committed murder, yet he prays for a heavenly pardon. O, my offence is rank, it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon t, a brothers murder(3.3.40-42). Claudius realizes that although he may have escaped judgment on earth, there is no escape for him in heaven, except for Gods forgiveness. Though he finds he is in no state to pray or repent, he calls on angels to help and kneels to pray, Art more engaged! Help, angels! Make assay. Bow, stubborn knees, and heart with strings of steel be soft as sinews of the newborn babe(3.3.73-75). The kings prayers delay Hamlet. Hamlet believes that if he killed Claudius then, after he had prayed for forgiveness, Claudius would be forgiven for his sins and have the opportunity to go to heaven. Hamlet therefore decides to wait for a moment When he is drunk asleep, or in his rage, or in th incestuous pleasure of his bed, at game a-swearing, or about some act that has no relish of salvation in t then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, and that his soul may be as damned and black as hell, whereto it goes (3.4. 94-100). Despite his original intentions, Hamlet does not carry out his scheme and, instead, delays the killing of the king. Hamlets belief in religion and his fear that Claudius might be sent to heaven force him to defer from his original intention. Had Hamlet acted without such beliefs he might have avoided much heartache as well as his own untimely death. .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .postImageUrl , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:hover , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:visited , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:active { border:0!important; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:active , .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55 .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u8135f3137071213978e043b9e7561c55:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: ------------------------------------ (1039 words) EssayHamlets delay of avenging his fathers murder is also due to his problem of introspection. Throughout the play, Hamlet is concerned about integrity and righteousness of his action, a concern the ghost recollects when he says to Hamlet, taint not thy mind (1.5.92). Hamlet realizes that few taints are more permanent than the murder of an innocent man. If Claudius is guilty, Hamlet wants to carry out his revenge properly. Hamlet has no desire to become a clone of Claudius, the cold-blooded murderer of a relative. All of this thought is what causes Hamlet to delay so much in the action that he promises to take. Hamlet leaps into the role of the avenger without thinking. He swears his allegiance without the introspection that later delays him from fulfilling his promise. However, towards the end of the play, Hamlets emotions are less passionate. Hamlets thoughts about his role begin to become less self-assured. The time is out of joint. O cursed spite, that ever I was born to set it right!(1.5.210-211). Although he feels it is his duty, he is resentful of his apparent fate, and he sees his revenge as a problematic task. Hamlet is a man of philosophy rather than heroic action, he thinks deeply about his feelings and actions, which he sees as a fault, but at thirty years of age, Hamlet has been well educated throughout his life. With such an education, it would be impossible for Hamlet to undertake as serious an action as the assassination of a king without exploring all of his options and their contingencies. When Hamlet does act in haste, the result is the murder of Polonius. However, by analyzing ever y aspect of a possible action, Hamlet inevitably finds a reason not to act. The recurrent procrastination of serious acts lead to an even more complicated situation. Hamlet is overly conscious and unable to make a decision because of the uncertainty of the consequences that might follow. By constantly questioning every aspect of a possible action, Hamlet ultimately finds a reason not to act. By his inaction, others make Hamlets choice for him, ultimately choosing his death over their own. Hamlets downfall is due entirely to his inaction. Throughout the play, Hamlet questions his actions to the point that he is no longer able to act. Although Hamlets hesitation is understandable and even justified by his disbelief in the ghost of his father, his belief in religion, and his education, it still brings about his untimely demise. By over analyzing any possible action he might take, Hamlet often finds a reason impeding him from taking any significant action. Although Samuel Taylor Coleridge claims that Shakespeare wanted us to realize that action is the chief end of existence, Hamlet proves that inaction is truly the chief end of existence. However, because of his indecisiveness, Hamlet is real; one can identify with him. The uncertainty of his life provides no clear path, but rather a rocky and winding road. Many times there is no right answer. He must use his discrimination to choose the best possibility. Hamlet, unfortunately, lacks this innate ability to decide. Instead of deciding, he chooses to make no decision and instead is left with no choice but death. Bibliography: