Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay Example for Free

Enhancing Democracy in the United States of America Essay Democracy: â€Å"1 a: government by the people ; especially : rule of the majority b: a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections 2: a political unit that has a democratic government† (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) With the 2008 elections fast approaching, and a highly fueled and hotly contested primary and general election campaign waning, the public is forced to consider the problems and opportunities in the American democratic system. Is there something wrong with the democratic system in the United States of America? If so, what? If there is a problem with democracy in America, what is it and how can it be fixed? The United States of America was born of an act of legislation designed to promote democracy. The United States has developed into a world superpower by enacting and enforcing legislation designed to enhance democracy. Today, legislation is passed by elected officials who then vote in national, state, and local legislative assemblies. In other words, voting and the electoral system, is the catalyst for maintaining democracy. The United States can improve democracy by improving the voting system that facilitates the democratic process. Federally mandated voter registration Today, many men are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving their mothers the right to vote. All ethnic minorities are the beneficiaries of laws enacted giving African-Americans the right to vote. Voter registration is still optional, and considered a privilege. But now is the time to make voter registration a responsibility of all American citizens. Voter registration should be treated like Selective Service registration, a must for those who wish to receive any other benefits of citizenship including financial aid and government employment. It is not difficult to keep track of eligible voters, especially in this information age where all children are issued a social security number at birth. This process can be as simple as using the existing social security system to send registrations to those who have reached their 18th birthday and maintaining a national database similar to the social security and selective service rolls. Enforcement can be as simple as cross referencing social security numbers for registration upon application for jobs, financial aid, and public assistance. Compliance can be mandated by withholding benefits pending registration. This is a minimal effort and may not increase voter participation. But this registration plan could eliminate most existing barriers to voter registration. Federal authority over state and local elections This idea expands on the idea of the federal registration system. The Federal Elections Commission already exists. With electronic voting and reporting, federal authorities should require that all state and local elections comply with the same guidelines as national elections. This would work by applying residency requirements to both congressional elections and local elections. In other words, a person registered, residing, receiving benefits in Idaho cannot register to vote in local elections in Columbus, Georgia. This simply uses the wealth of electronic information captured on citizens to manage voting. This system would have to also account for citizens with multiple residences by requiring that everyone declare a primary residence which would be the location for their voting. If they know that they will be in a secondary residence at election time, the registration system should allow them to easily request absentee balloting which could be completed by mail or turned in at a local agency of the federal board of election. Citizen assemblies control re-districting activities Legislative assemblies and committees currently control political re-disctricting plans. In other words, elected officials decide when and how (and if) voters want, need, and get additional elected officials. Rapid economic development causes some districts to grow and change materially and demographically such that a single elected official cannot effectively serve the interests of the entire district. In that case citizens should have the right to send a message, at the voting booth, that they need additional representation. A citizen assembly should bring together elected and public officials, urban and economic planners, and affected citizens together to draw districting plans that represent the interests of all parties without compromising a sitting official’s position or ignoring a constituent’s special needs. A series of re-districting alternatives can be placed on the ballot for voters to decide. Voter responsibility education Schools should be required to include a course that teaches voting rights and responsibility as part of a social studies, American government, and civics curriculum. This course should be repeated at the university level to account for foreign students that will eventually become United States citizens. For older Americans who are beyond the educational system and for older immigrants, community based programs should be implemented that instill that voter registration is a responsibility of citzenship, not just an optional right or privilege. Tax deductible campaign donations Public financing for campaigns is generally not a tangible benefit for lower income voters. Many may see public financing as a way for candidates who do not have their interests in mind to advance their campaigns. Allowing federal and local tax deductions for small campaign donations can help to decrease feelings of disenfranchisement of lower income voters. They have the opportunity to directly support the candidate or issue of choice, and receive a ture public benefit (both the donation and the deduction). This could replace the current system and be managed at the federal level as well. Conclusion The United States can enhance democracy by modifying its election system. By placing activities such as deciding on political districts and adding value to campaign donations, voters are enfranchised in a greater way. Education makes citizens understand the benefits of voting. Consolidating the registration and polling makes the system as fair and not subject to less error. References democracy. (2008). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://www. merriam-webster. com/dictionary/democracy Gerkin, H. , et al. (2006). Six Ways to Reform Democracy. Boston Review, September/October 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2008, from http://bostonreview. net/BR31. 5/gerken. php

Beowulf - His Last Words :: Epic of Beowulf Essays

Beowulf - His Last Words In the society in which the poem Beowulf takes place, war and kingship are normal factors in daily life. Beowulf's world is a very violent society with wars as a dominant part of daily life. Dragons and monsters are a constant threat to the Danes and the Geats. Warriors are a necessity to this war-like society. Beowulf is a hero and an example of a great warrior. He fights against monsters. In the section of the poem we are about to discuss, Beowulf is ready to fight a dragon with his thane Wiglaf. He is going to fight a dragon . Beowulf has no fear of the dragon, because he has fought many enemies that were much more ferocious. For example one of Beowulf's great battles is the fight with Grendel. No one other than Beowulf is brave enough or strong enough volunteer to fight Grendel. We are now about to enter a new age of Beowulf's life. With all his great achievements, he finally becomes king of his homeland: Geatland. Even in his old age, his code of honor still obligates him to fight against an evil, fiery dragon. For fifty years he has governed his kingdom well. While Beowulf is governing, the dragon "...kept watch over a hoard, a steep stone-barrow" (Norton 55). Under it lays a path concealed from the sight of men. Over centuries no one had disturbed the dragons kingdom until one day when a thief broke into the treasure, laid hand on a cup fretted with gold This infuriated the dragon. "The fiery dragon had destroyed the people's stronghold, the land along the sea, the heart of the country" (Norton 57). Wiglaf is the only person who stays with Beowulf to serve his lord and to fight the dragon. Everyone else becomes cowardly and runs into the forest to hide from the dragon. It turns out that Beowulf's sword can not even penetrate the dragon. The dragon gets the best of Beowulf, he "...seized all his neck with his sharp fangs: he was smeared with life-blood, gore welled out in waves" (Norton 62). Wiglaf, then, summons his wits and they killed the dragon: "The wound which the dragon had dealt him began to burn and swell; at once he felt dire evil boil in his breast within him"( Norton 62). Our hero is finally defeated. Even though he is seriously injured, he still had the strength to break the fifty foot dragon in half.

My Ending to Lamb to the Slaughter

Lamb to the Slaughter’s Ending It’s the same nightmare that haunts me every day. I wrapped bed sheet around my fragile frame covering my body, which is drenched with cold drops of sweat. I crawled to the darkest corner in my bedroom trembling of fear as I sank in the darkness. The voices never leave my side; they echo in my head like a drum whether I am awake or asleep. The moon light was tickling my eyes. I felt like an empty shell as I sat there on the freezing-cold ground while my high body temperature was emerging with the coldness of the ground.I leaned my bare back against the cold wall. I closed my eyes, lifted my chin up, and covered my ears very tightly. â€Å" You must find the truth â€Å" the voice said. It’s the same voice in my nightmare. Even though I don’t remember it when I wake up, but I have this feeling bottled inside of me that I have been having the same nightmare over and over every day, and that this voice haunting me is the same voice in my nightmare. I heard the creaking sound of the door opening as I saw my mother, the only person I have left, appearing like a shinning angel reaching out her hand for me in the darkness.She took her steps towards me as her soft brunette hair brushed my face, and her wide crystal emerald green eyes were glued to me. â€Å"Another nightmare? † she looked worried. â€Å" I just feel that there is something I am missing in this world,† I continued, â€Å" That there is something I must discover to put these nightmares and voices to sleep†. â€Å" You have a big day tomorrow , so go back to sleep,† she threw me one of her fake smiles. My name is Jessica Patrick. I got my ghostly-while skin from my father. I mean I totally look like Casper and his ghost buddies!I have a shiny golden hair that falls, beneath my shoulders into a tassel of soft curls. My eyes are lovely midnight blue and around my pupil, I have a silver lining around both of them on my e yes. I am twenty-five years old. My father was murdered before I was even born, but they never find out the murderer; as a result, the case was closed. I only saw my father’s face through pictures, but Mom never really talked about him. I only heard about him from our neighbors. They said that my father was a fine man. He loved my mother a lot, and he was really looking forward to y birth, looking forward to see the face of his very first child. I also heard that he was a police officer, and that he was very serious and passionate toward his work. The wrinkles that filled his face in a young age indeed was just a proof of that. He never skipped work, but he also made sure that his wife doesn’t have to look at the clock for too long. Everyone used to love him because of his consoling, yet serious personality. He just used to be the centre of the attention in his work, but they said he changed before he was killed. He was acting really strange as if something was botheri ng him.Everyone is saying that I look, act, and even think just like him. Today, is an important today in my life because today I will finally graduate from college and can work as a detective. I want to find the one who killed my father. I know that twenty-five years have passed since then, and the possibility of actually finding the murderer is almost impossible. I am sure I can do it though. I barely stood up as I was trying to steady my balance. I stand on my trembling legs wondering how is it that I can keep standing up with my legs shaking like this.I follow the same footsteps I walk on everyday to go to the bathroom. As I was washing my face, I felt hot air on my back. I turned around to see blood covering every inch of the room. I could barely see any color other than red. â€Å" The nightmare has begun. Your life shall be mine. PE PRAPERED! YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE COME HERE TODAY. Your time is running out,† was written by blood. I had no idea what did that mean. It wasn’t good news for sure. I started stepping backward as slowly and as soundlessly as possible until my back touched the sink. I turned around to look at the mirror. There was something wrong!I was there in the reflection, but in a totally different place. I couldn’t help but to touch the mirror. I don’t know what exactly happened but I opened my eyes to find myself in a totally different place. This is my childhood. I was looking at myself being bullied by the other kids at my school. I was always called ‘freak’. It’s not that I am a freak. It’s just that unlike other children. I didn’t want a doll. I wanted to buy a DVD of Detective Conan. I always wanted to be a detective. I was always jealous of the other kids in my school when their fathers used to pick them up.They just looked so happy. Why is it that they can be happy, and I can’t? Why did my father have to die? I wanted to take their happiness away. I wanted to be wrapped by my father’s hands. I wanted to be hugged by his warmth and never have to feel this coldness. I always thought that maybe if I found the murderer maybe then I can be happy. â€Å" Guilt is something we humans always feel. It is guilt that keeps us awake in the night. We always think that if we only could go back in time we would have done that and this. Don’t you agree with me Jessica Patrick? I heard as everything disappeared leaving nothing but me. â€Å" Who are you? How do you know my name? † I demanded. â€Å" You should find the answers yourself. How about we play a game of fate and destiny? † He questioned. â€Å" A game? † I raised an eyebrow. â€Å" Jessica Patrick. You’re twenty- five years old. You want to be a detective, and find the murderer that killed your father. When you used to be a child, you used to be envious of everyone because they all had fathers, and you didn’t. Is that correct? † He sound ed as if he was smirking. â€Å" Wait! How do you know all that? I panicked. â€Å" in front of you there are two door. The one on your right shall take you back to the real world. You would wake up normally and won’t remember a thing; however, you won’t have any another chance. The door on your left might change your life. If you choose the left door, you can discover the one who killed your father and even stop the death of your father; however, be warned changing the future is extremely dangerous. Which door will you choose? † He asked for my decision. So basically if I chose the door on my left, I will go back to my life.I can to my life, but there is big chance that I won’t find the murderer. Though I won’t remember this, but still I don’t want to have an opportunity like this and let it fly away. The door on the left side can change my whole life. I don’t know If it can kill me, but I guess the only way to find out for sure is to give a try. â€Å" I choose the left door,† I said with a slight hesitation hidden in my voice. â€Å" Very well, I shall give you an advice. The future can change by the simplest changes. The one you are looking for is someone you know.Beware of your enemy. No one is to be trusted but yourself. Before you start, you must know a few things,† he pointed out. â€Å" What kind of things? † I asked. â€Å" You only have two chances. If you father gets killed again, your soul will be mine; in other words, you will be nothing but an empty doll in the real world, and a clock will appear on your left shoulder the moment you walk into that door,† he cleared out. â€Å" I get it,† I said trying to look unshaken by his words. I finally saw everything. It left me awed-struck at the beauty of it.The fountains are covered in diamonds from head to toe. The water inside shimmered brightly. I saw an endless amount of doors wondering what existed behind them. Exo tic lamps made of pure gold. Statues were everywhere. The door on my left was huge and silver with black swirls all over it as twine does. The door opened as I took my steps cautiously towards it. I opened my eyes to find myself in a house that kind of looked similar to me. I had a feeling inside of me that I’ve been to this house. I suddenly saw my father sitting in the living room along with my mother.He looked bothered by something He sounded as if he was breaking up with my mother. I looked at the clock. I just understood. I only have one hour to solve this and change the future. I have to find the truth no matter what. I followed them to find mom swinging a big frozen leg of lamb high in the air and brought it down as hard as she could on dad’s head. I can never believe that my mother was the one who killed my father. I went back the moment my father entered the house, but the time I have left is only thirty minutes now. I have to do the right thing, but what is i t?I quickly ran down and closed the door so that my mother won’t be able to open it that way she can never take the leg of the lamb, and my dad will leave her. The clock was shinning. I know that by doing this I’ve made a choice, which means I have to go back to my time and find if I made the right decision. â€Å" I see you’ve stopped your mother. Very simple way, yet very effective. You listened and understood my advice carefully as I said the future can be changed by simple changes. You do realize that you trying to have another chance to save your father costs you something right? † He asked me straightforwardly. Yes,† I closed my eyes. â€Å" You shall forget everything. When you wake up, you will be blind and you won’t remember ever coming to this place,† he said. It appeared that my father was having a dangerous case that’s why he had to leave my mother. He didn’t know when can he go back to her; as a result, he di dn’t explain it to her. After a year, he came back to her side. I believe that she was happy that she couldn’t open the door at that time and killed my father. I may have become blind, but at least now I can feel warmth. I always know that my parents are there by my side, and I never had nightmares again. The End.

Prostitution The Oldest Profession On Earth - 1352 Words

Prostitution is considered as the oldest profession on Earth. Sexual service in return for payment is called prostitution. Prostitution is a big issue effecting women, men, and children all over the world. This is a world-wide controversy and it is something that people are not comfortable talking about. The question is whether people who are involved in the sex industry are willing or are forced to do it. Our society has different points of view on this issue. Some people agree and want to legalize it; some people are strictly against it. Either way throughout our society people look at the work in sex industry as degrading work. Prostitution is closely associated with many accompanying phenomena that threaten the internal security of the country; therefore, it is perceived very negatively by our society. This means that a serious crime such as a drug-related crime, human trafficking, and commercial-sexual exploitation of children goes along with prostitution. Also, health risks STD (sexual transmitted diseases) accompany this activity. â€Å"Reaching sex workers is a critical effort for public health. Not only are sex workers at risk for higher rates of HIV and other STDs, sex workers who are unaware of their HIV status can endanger their own health and increase their risk of transmitting HIV or STIs to others† (CDC). In eight European countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Greece, Latvia, and Turkey prostitution by itself is legal. ThisShow MoreRelatedProstitution : The Oldest Profession On Earth1107 Words   |  5 PagesProstitution Prostitution is considered as the oldest profession on Earth. Sexual service in return for payment is called the prostitution. Prostitution is a big issue effecting women, men, and children all over the world. This is a world-wide controversy and it is something that people are not comfortable talking about. The question is whether people who are involved in the sex industry are willingly or are forced to do it. Our society has different points of view on this issue. Some people agreeRead MoreWhat is Prostitution?1838 Words   |  7 Pages According to the 2014 Merriam-Webster dictionary, prostitution is defined as â€Å"the act of having sex in exchange for money† (â€Å"Prostitution†). In the United States, the trafficking of sex sales has been illegal since the early 1900’s, with the exception of the 49th state, Alaska (Head). The trade was deemed unethical by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, also credited with the ban of drug use and the elimi nation of alcohol in the 1920’s. 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