Human Resource Issues Facing Companies

Human Resource Issues Facing Companies Introduction Human resource is the group of individuals who build up the work force of a company, a business or an organization. This is the team that helps steer an organization to success. The human resource department is the division charged with the responsibility of seeing to it that this team is fully effective.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Human Resource Issues Facing Companies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It is also expected to maintain a good relationship among employee. Issues causing tension between leaders of an organization and employees are also handled by this department. The department is also charged with other responsibilities such as interviewing, attracting, selecting, training, assessing and hiring employees. This is so as to ensure stable work flow in an organization and also avoid unnecessary delays in line of duty. Workers’ welfare and grievances are also looked into by the depar tment and necessary recommendations made to the management. The human resource department is vital to a business regardless of how big or small the business is (Merkle 2006). This paper seeks to analyze factors affecting the human resource department. The paper will take as its case study human resource departments in New Zealand, a country that was hit by the Christchurch earthquake. This had devastating effects on the native businesses and to the economy at large. The human resource sector was not spared. This is largely due to the massive displacement of population. Recommendations will also be made on possible measures to mitigate these effects. Government efforts in trying to control the situation will also be discussed. Challenges Facing the Human Resource Department Despite its importance to an organization, the department faces numerous challenges. The major problem facing the department is talent shrink (Guyton 2009). As explained earlier, human resource is the actual workf orce that drives a company or business.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Without talent and skills, dismal performance is likely to be recorded by a business (Mayo 2008). Lack of talent also lowers the level of expertise exhibited by workers in an organization. The Christchurch earthquake forced many people to migrate from their homes and places of work. This caused brain drain with many businesses and companies left with few workers. Work negativity among employees is also a major challenge facing the human resource departments in many companies. Lack of job satisfaction among workers creates negativity. This may also be as a result of unfavourable environmental conditions. Natural disasters such as the Christchurch earthquake instil fear among workers and kill their morale. This fear leads to unfavourable working conditions. This trauma greatly reduces the efficie ncy of the workers and the businesses’ output. Workers also lose faith in the business’ success since they feel all their hard work would be in vain in case a future disaster destroys the business. Managing demographics has also proved to be a difficult task in the human resource department. This is the inability to balance the population of both young and old in the workforce. The young population is believed to harbour great ideas while the old population is considered to be knowledgeable and experienced. It is therefore important to integrate the two in equal measures to reap maximum benefits. Natural disasters displace populations especially the young and able. This is because they have lesser ties and are more flexible. Such people move to more secure regions in search of jobs leaving their old posts vacant. The old are left behind to run the affairs of the business in the absence of their young counterparts. This young population would also serve as future leader s of the businesses. Such businesses have no future in the market. Increased cost of labour is also a major problem facing the human resource departments. When a disaster occurs (as was the case with Christchurch earthquake), businesses are faced with brain drain as a result of migration. This causes an increase in the demand for labour.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Human Resource Issues Facing Companies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Those experts left behind resort to hiking the cost of their services to replace the departed ones. Additional salaries for workers increase the operating costs for these businesses resulting to a decline in turnover. A scenario arises where businesses pay more to workers yet they are making less than before. This can at times lead to the collapse of these businesses (O’Brien 2009). Evidence Gathering Procedures The article uses New Zealand as its reference point. Having be ing hit by a natural disaster, the area was more vulnerable to problems facing modern business firms and settings. Focus is more likely to be on the human resource departments since they are the ones charged with restoring order in the businesses. There was need to restructure the human resource so as to prevent more damaging outcomes. Businesses used in the research are chosen randomly and the research team immediately embarked on the study. The researchers analyzed the performance of the businesses prior to and after the earthquake and documented their findings. Human resource department leaders were interviewed and their views as to the state of affairs before and after the Christchurch earthquake recorded. Those who sought anonymity were assured that their identity will not be revealed. Issues Facing the Human Resource Departments The first blow to the human resource department was talent shrink as earlier indicated. This is however a common problem in the department. It results to poor working skills and is injurious to a business since it signifies deficiency in expertise (Ulrich 1996). This phenomenon was common in the case of New Zealand whereby many people moved out of the country to seek alternative jobs in an attempt to escape the effects of the earthquake. The workforce left behind comprised of less experienced and talented people who found it hard to reverse the downward trend. Because of this demand for workers, the cost of labour shot up. This meant that the businesses would pay more for labour provided to them despite their losses and the diminishing returns. Migration of the country’s population also robbed the businesses of the much needed market for their goods and services. This triggered more problems than solutions for the businesses some of which closed down due to diminished returns.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Work negativity is also a great problem facing the human resource department in many businesses. Considering the case of the Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand, billions worth of property was lost. Those who suffered lost the morale to work hard and felt that their days of hard work had gone to waste. Some of the workers lost their homes and jobs due to tragedies such as collapsing of houses. Scores of people lost their lives during the tragedy and left their loved ones disoriented. Such uninspired workers are likely to produce diminishing returns that are of no economic importance (Towers 2007). Great demographic variations are also a common problem facing the human resource department. General imbalance between the old and the young in a business is injurious to the business. This inhibits flow of ideas in the business. It also puts the life and future of the business at risk because the young are supposed to replace the old upon their retirement. The old also gives guidance t o the young because of their accumulated knowledge and experience in line of duty. It is not surprising to see that many businesses partner the old with the young to facilitate flow of ideas. In the case of New Zealand, the earthquake claimed the lives of some of the dwellers while others migrated to avoid this disaster. This left a void in many businesses. Majority of those who fled the effects of the Christchurch earthquake were young individuals who sought to find better living and working conditions without fear and risks. Native businesses had to start employee recruitment exercises to fill the vacant positions. A lot of time and other resources were also used before the workforce could start functioning properly. Problems facing the human resource sector can be compared to a chain reaction where one action gives rise to another and the chain keeps repeating itself. Efforts to mitigate the effects of one action indirectly lead to a new reaction. As explained earlier in this pap er, one problem leads to another. Talents shrink causes demand for skilled labour. Rise in demand for labour thus results to rising costs of labour (DeGraff 2010). Increasing cost of labour will also lead to inflation. Inflation triggers increased spending and workers loose morale since every penny earned goes into settling of bills and into household consumption. Work negativity arises and workers loose the urge to work hard because of unfavourable returns. Growing dissatisfaction then results to workers moving out of the country and out of jobs to work in areas with better rewards. The migration of workers in search of better working conditions leads to demographic imbalances in the business. This demographic imbalance threatens the life of the business. This means that the ratio of old to young workers is unfavourable. This may be as a result of worker migration. This leads us back to the beginning of the cycle that is talent shrink. This is what happened in the case of New Zeala nd. Attempts to stabilize the economy by offering loans to members of public led to inflation. The inflation makes living standards intolerable and the country’s population resort to moving out of the country. The migration of the country’s population also results to talent shrink that triggers a demand for labour that leads to an increase in the cost of labour (Wright 2011). Inflation leads to work negativity which makes people to move out in search of better returns. Migration also triggers demographic imbalance further aggravating the situation. The cycle repeats itself over time. Measures should be devised to try and change this turn of events for the better. Recommendations for the Government To try and change the situation, the paper makes some recommendations on what governments should do to normalise the situation. These measures would be aimed at preventing the recurrence of the negative effects and to change the economy once and for all. The governments shoul d start by initiating policies that will reduce the flow of money in the economy. This will be made possible by suspending lending of money to the businesses. The economy should be given an opportunity to heal itself gradually. Research has shown that pumping more money into an already ailing economy is not beneficial. To stop financial institutions from lending, the government will resort to measures such as increasing its lending rates to the banks. People should also be sensitized on the negative effects of borrowing (Conaty 2011). The government can also discourage brain drain through imposing policies that discourage travelling out of the country (Esbon 2010). The government could also impose penalties to individuals going to work outside the country and encourage the spirit of patriotism. People should be encouraged to focus on the bright future ahead rather than on the dull present (Ziment 2008). The government should also import skilled labour if possible. It should also res ort to training its own citizens to curb shortage (Elwood 1996). Expertise can be said to be the driving force behind prosperity. The government can also intervene and help in the reconstruction of destroyed structures. This does not necessarily mean pumping more money into the economy. Unskilled labour can be mobilized to undertake the reconstruction exercise. Conclusion It is a fact beyond doubt that human resource departments are the driving force behind any successful business. The department should therefore be strengthened and its recommendations implemented fully. Factors facing the human resource department also affect the entire economy (Esbon 2010). The government should be at the forefront in implementing policies that would strengthen the economy thus aiding the human resource department. References Conaty, Bill. 2011. The Talent Masters: Why Smart Leaders Put People Before Numbers. New York. Crown Publishing Group. DeGraff, Jonathan. 2010. The Changing Environment of Pr ofessional HR Associations. Boston. Harvard Business School Press. Elwood, Hellwood. 1996. Trends Toward a Closer Integration of Vocational Education and Human Resources Development. New York. Crown Publishing Group. Esbon, John. 2010. Insight on human resource development. New York. Free Press. Guyton, Hall. 2009. Human Resource. London. McGraw-Hill. Mayo, Elton. 2008. Hawthorne and the Western Electric Company. Boston. Harvard University Press. Merkle, Judith A. 2006. Management and Ideology. California. University of California Press. OBrien, Michael. 2009. HRs Take on The Office Human Resource Executive. California. California University Press. Towers, David. 2007. Human Resource Management Essays. California. University of California Press. Ulrich, Dave. 1996. Human Resource Champions. The Next Agenda for Adding Value and Delivering Results. Boston. Harvard Business School Press. Wright, Patrick. 2011. CHRO Challenge: Building Organizational, Functional, and Personal Talent. Bo ston. Harvard Business School Press. Ziment, Peter. 2008. Managing Human Resource in Disasters. New York. Free Press.

Montaigne in his Apology for Raymond Sebond Essay - 1

Montaigne in his Apology for Raymond Sebond - Essay Example He continued to indicate that philosophers were teaching various ludicrous doctrines about the human soul and the gods, which they did not clearly understand. He posited that the philosophers spoke in earnest on such matters, and in the process, they concealed their ignorance so as to accommodate public image. His essay was created with an aim of supporting and defending Christianity. He quoted Plato’s statements on immorality of the soul. In his arguments, Plato stated that, â€Å"I desire to be dissolved†, and Montaigne added, â€Å"and to be with Jesus†. Montaigne sought to indicate how philosophers can be pervasive in their teachings. He demonstrated that some of Plato’s arguments made some of his disciples to desire premature grave, because they hoped to enjoy the things that he had promised them soon enough. He compared the work of ancient philosophers and Christianity with the aim of teaching that human beings cannot attain certainty. In the introduction of skeptic arguments, Montaigne quoted the work of Plato. In the ancient world, the skeptics, just like Plato, aimed at striking a difference between appearance and reality. Additionally, both Plato and skeptics held that through appearance, people could develop opinions, and if they had a chance to encounter reality, the result would be knowledge. Plato and the skeptics had developed assumptions that could be used to differentiate between grasping reality and appearance. A good example that was used by Montaigne was Plato’s depiction character of reality in his idea of beauty. The main difference between Plato and the skeptics was that Plato believed that it was possible to rasp reality via exercise of reason and philosophy; while on the other hand, the skeptics denied the possibility. Concerning the concept of reality and appearance, Montaigne concentrated on implications. He carefully analyzed both sides of the

FDT 1 week 4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

FDT 1 week 4 - Essay Example Pena-Nieto’s administration should consider applying border initiative-operation Rio Grande. Rio Grande centralized local, state, county and federal law enforcement intelligence. Similarly, Pena-Nieto’s government should use current available assets including the National Guard under the supervision of Texas Homeland Security Director (Hesterman, 2013, p. 153). There should be viable strategies aimed at enhancing security at the Mexico-Texas border. Sustainable techniques include paying officers overtime to enhance patrols, coordinating state agencies, and sharing information with federal agencies (Hesterman, 2013, p.154). Pena-Nieto’s government should initiate programs that offer ammunition and training to law enforcers and oversight of security agencies operating at the Mexico-Texas border. Currently, Pena-Nieto’s government uses the army to conduct police related activities, in contradiction of provisions outlined under the Posse Comitatus law. Nieto has an established and healthy working condition with bordering countries. The administration employs foreign-based agents to work in coordination with Interpol and other international organizations on drug-related issues (Gaines, 2011, p. 231). Employment of more law enforcement agents is a key success of the administration in addressing challenges of drug cartels along Mexico-Texas

One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest and Clockwork Orange

One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest and Clockwork Orange In both Burgess and Kesey books we are hosted by characters that are rejected by society. Society which has impacted them so greatly, that it has caused them to make decisions that have affected the outcome of each of these brilliant novels. In the Clockwork Orange we are introduced to the character Alex. Alex in this novel can be viewed as the unreliable narrator, due to the fact that it is almost impossible to pick out what will be his next move in the novel, this creates an element of suspense. As we know the book is set in futuristic Britain and the way in which so called Futuristic Britain is laid out perhaps plays a big part in the behaviour of Alex. In One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey the narrator the Chief who is a half Indian man assumes the position of a half deaf, half dumb individual. Though his stance in the book shows his true position as through his eyes we see vividly what the other characters are like especially R.P McMurphy, we also throughout the book se e him as a reliable narrator. Though we wonder when reading one who flew over the Cuckoos nest, if the narrator should off in fact been R.P Mc Murphy. I say this because the majority of the novel is about him and his time in the insane ward, though we can firmly understand why he would not be suitable narrator because he would feel empowered to control the flow of the narration. However in Chief Bromdens case, he has not been lobotomized but freed and he is the one who tells the story of McMurphy and becomes an individual who we can trust to deliver the story accurately. The Chief tells us his story through memory and sometimes perhaps when he is sees a certain object he breaks down for example the fog. The Function of both narrators is to dictate the story and explore the faults in society. Through the psychological deterioration of McMurphy the Chief comments on how society has somewhat contributed to the downfall of R.P McMurphy. When we are first introduced to Alex we automatically as readers dislike him for the fact that he participates in ultraviolent activities and conforms to way of living which consists of going to milk bar, getting drugged up and beating someone up. However when look at Alexs we see an alternate view of society and somewhat we feel sympathetic about the way he behaves as he does not know any better, the writers in terms of both narrators forces the reader to consider what it would be like to live in their shoes of as well as highlighting the function each narrator holds. Based in an asylum in Oregon, One who flew over the Cuckoos nest uses the theme of Societys destruction of humans, the main protagonist succumbs to the machine and the machine suppresses him and his uniqueness. Here we see the main function of Chief Broomden as the narrator, we learn one of the many horrible truths about this hospital; he reveals that the hospital has not only destroyed his life but his compassion as w ell. The knowledge that we learn from Chief Broomden shows the sad life that the inmates live and how the machine is slowly tearing their humanity from them. The Chief begins by telling us what the insane asylum is like and in the opening sentence we hear him saying, Black boys commit sex acts in the hall and get it mopped up before I can catch them. This quote you can use in order to compare to the lifestyle of the inmates, they are individuals who have no future and have been mopped up by society and discarded. However in relation to this quote we cannot really put our full trust in The Chief as he proves that his memory is perhaps a little disjointed and his recollection of events are not exactly true. However The Chiefs character plays an important part in the way we are portrayed the story as his stance as a deaf and dumb person has allowed him to eavesdrop conversations which provide a sense of accuracy when they are conveyed towards the readers. The Chiefs character plays on the theme of Invisibility, the Chief throughout the book is in the background though his assumption that there are so called hidden machines contributes to his paranoia. The quote, I been silent so long now its gonna roar out of me like floodwaters and you think the guy telling this is ranting and raving my God; you think this is too horrible to have really happened, this is too awful to be the truth! But, please. Its still hard for me to have clear mind thinking on it. But its the truth even if it didnt happen. Is just an example of Chief Broomden mental state, this is taken from part one of One who flew over the cuckoos nest. Another example of the Chiefs character is where he is being taken in to be shaven he uses Air raids to describe what it feels like; however at this point from the story he has still not addressed the readers though the readers now have access to his thoughts. Kesey does this because he wants to get the readers familiar to the Chief and not discard the Chief just how society has discarded the Chief. In terms of the function of the narrator, one of Chief Broomden functions is to show what sort of hell patients of insane asylums go though just because they have been discarded by society. If we look at the last line of this quote we see Bromdens hallucinations are not just insane hallucinations but they provide a metaphorical perspective. In terms of the of the quote the metaphorical perspective is the fact that Broomden throughout this story regains some of his humanity back, he still sees the gruelling everyday life of the insane asylum. Even though the Chief is liable to hallucinations we have to trust the Chief to deliver the story of R.P McMurphy due to the fact that the Chief is our messenger. The Chief also assumes that the patients are controlled, by tiny machines who tell them what to do from the inside. However when R.P McMurphy is around he shows the patients by smashing the glass window that even if we cannot see that we are be ing controlled, he makes them remember that Society and especially Mrs Ratched are manipulating them. This occurs in the Clockwork Orange, as we see the story through the main protagonist Alex. Similarly in the Clockwork Orange Alex is subject to an experimentation which can also be interpreted as a way of tearing Alexs humanity away from him. He is subjected to the The Ludovico technique which makes him feel ill by thought and the viewing of violence. This quote represents Alexs lifestyle as he isnt like our other fellow narrator the Chief, The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus, milk plus vellocet or synthemesc or drencrom, which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultraviolence. We can tell for this quote that Alex lives in a world were sex, drugs and violence dominate. With Alex the way he talks symbolizes the fact that he is immature. He unlike the Chief is consistently uses slang vocabulary throughout the novel, the type of language that Alex uses is nadsat. Nadsat representing the Russian influence and socialist views that are presented in Burgesss Clockwork Orange. Burgess has cleverly implemented nadsat into this story as certain words have a hidden meaning. This in terms of our narrator provides a depth and deeper understanding of our main protagonist. For example in Alexs case the fact that Alex nicknames egg (eggiweg) and milk (moloko) gives us the image of a small baby who cannot fully pronounce a word. However it is clear that both egg and milk represent birth and youth. However the impact of Christ like figure in both novellas adds a religious aspect to the story. Both narrators acknowledge this, however in one who flew over the Cuckoos nest the Chief is more like the angel Gabriel and Mc Murphy is viewed more like Christ. In the Clockwork orange our narrator Alex can be interpreted as a Christ like figure. Alex in Clockwork orange serves two functions first as narrator and secondly as martyr figure. In terms of the martyr figure, Alex is seen to give who he is in order to conform to the system. The fact that Alex attempts to kill himself in the last part of the story shows how society can repress you that much that the only option is to take you own life. Alexs narration is similar to that of Christs final three days, as we know from the bible Jesus dies, buried and comes back to life. This is similar to Alex, Alex is caught by the police, thrown in prison and comes back to normal. Also in part two Alex makes a few comparisons to that of Christ, by turning the other cheek after being hit in the face. In relation to structure, when looking at A Clockwork Orange we can say that the novel is structured like that of a musical composition. The novel is structured in 3 parts, 7 chapters and each chapter conforms to an ABA pattern. When looking at part 1 we can see the similarity in part 3 as it mirrors each other. However part 2 is very different from both part 1 and 3. Both chapter 1 and 3 take are situated around Alexs home or area, however part 2 is taking place when Alex is in prison. When looking at Part 1 we see Alex saying Whats it going to be then, eh?, the same question is asked by the Prison guard in Part 2. When looking at the structure of the plot we see that the plot itself contains inversions. For example if we look back at Part one we see that Alex preys on other characters, however if we look at Part 3 Alex is the one who is getting preyed upon. When comparing the structure of A Clockwork Orange to One who flew over the cuckoos nest we see that that the book is seen to be a work of social criticism. This meaning that this book in a sense can be viewed as record book, as throughout the novel us as the audience develop our knowledge on each of these characters. When looking at individual chapters in the book Chapters 12 to 14 stands out as both of them start and end up quickly. The reason for this is perhaps to show how our narrator Chief Bromdens incoherent interpretation of the world around him. Our narrator throughout these two chapters in particular but also in most of the book presents only very short accounts of what is happening in the insane asylum. However when looking at Chief Broomden narrations in the relation to the structure he doesnt focus on what is around him, for example when the character Old Rawler commits suicide the details provided by the Chief are not clear at all. The Chief hardly ever in the story goes into detail what is around him, only when the fog is around he goes into description about the fog and how it affects him a nd the other patients on the ward. Bromden then in Chapter 15 compares the so called fog machine that the mental institution apparently have to the fog that he witnessed during the War. The story spoken by the Chief suggests to us that perhaps the reason why the Chief does not describe what he sees in full is perhaps due to an incident that happened in the war.

We have Decided Essay -- essays research papers

Since nearly the beginning of time, adultery has been thought of as morally wrong. Marriage, on the other hand, has been thought of as a sacred institution shared by most of the people and religions of the world. In the â€Å"Lais† written by Marie de France, we are given insight into the inner workings of five adulterous affairs, six pre-marital sexual encounters, and one instance of impure thoughts. Although Marie de France does not seem to condone adultery, she writes in a manner that allows the reader to feel possible sympathy with it, depending upon the situation. In fact, she seems to separate her lays into two categories. The first category consists of extenuating circumstances in which the reader is made (allowed) to feel empathy and compassion for the couple such as in â€Å"Yonec† and â€Å"Lanval.† The second category however seems to combine the ideas of sympathy and disdain. In this category belong only the lais of â€Å"Bisclaveret† and â₠¬Å"Equitan.† Although the lais focus entirely on sex outside of marriage, the affairs that take place in these poems were often rewarded with various prizes that included children, wealth, healing, and loving marriages. In the first lai, â€Å"Yonec† tells the seeming tragic tale of a beautiful young woman who is kept locked away in a castle by her rich and old husband. The poem tells us that â€Å"he kept her there more than seven years† (37), and that she was never allowed to come down not even â€Å"for a relative, not for a friend† (40). The young woman, who had no contact with anyone other than her husband’s sister, began to let herself go. â€Å"She lost her beauty, as a lady would† (48), when she no longer took care of herself. At this point in the lai, the readers feel ultimate sympathy for this unnamed woman. Although she is bound in a sacred marriage to a man, we look upon this situation as cruel and unjust. Our heart goes out to this woman. We first begin to feel sympathy for her when we are told she is married to an older man who keeps her locked away, but our sympathy deepens when we realize she is beginning to lose all hope. When we are told her beaut y fades, our hearts are filled with not only sadness, but also a desire to see her made whole again. The lai continues with the woman lamenting her sorrows when she says â€Å"God, who have power over all, Please hear, please answer now my call† (62-63). These two lines set this lai apart from all... ...rds the husband. Overall, I believe that Marie de France does a wonderful job in creating the many poems in which the stories of true love and betrayal are told. I do not feel that she condones adultery in any way, but rather presents a situation and allows the reader to decide their thoughts and opinions for themselves. Perhaps it is the idea that such powerful and pure love exists that allows us to put aside our moral and values if only for a minute to accept the affairs that occur in these poems. The reader is allowed to feel sympathy and understanding for the couples in some lais while they feel disdain and contempt in others. Sympathy arises in the situations in which there are cruel or unusual circumstances, while contempt develops when mischief and evil are plotted. Overall, these poems provide us with insight into fairytale and nightmare like situations. One moment as we read, we as readers are hoping the couples end up together, while the next moment we are hoping for revenge. In the end, Ma rie de France’s lais take us on a wonderful journey that is filled with many exciting highs and disastrous lows. The lais were a pleasure to read and a joyous adventure to undertake. We have Decided Essay -- essays research papers Since nearly the beginning of time, adultery has been thought of as morally wrong. Marriage, on the other hand, has been thought of as a sacred institution shared by most of the people and religions of the world. In the â€Å"Lais† written by Marie de France, we are given insight into the inner workings of five adulterous affairs, six pre-marital sexual encounters, and one instance of impure thoughts. Although Marie de France does not seem to condone adultery, she writes in a manner that allows the reader to feel possible sympathy with it, depending upon the situation. In fact, she seems to separate her lays into two categories. The first category consists of extenuating circumstances in which the reader is made (allowed) to feel empathy and compassion for the couple such as in â€Å"Yonec† and â€Å"Lanval.† The second category however seems to combine the ideas of sympathy and disdain. In this category belong only the lais of â€Å"Bisclaveret† and â₠¬Å"Equitan.† Although the lais focus entirely on sex outside of marriage, the affairs that take place in these poems were often rewarded with various prizes that included children, wealth, healing, and loving marriages. In the first lai, â€Å"Yonec† tells the seeming tragic tale of a beautiful young woman who is kept locked away in a castle by her rich and old husband. The poem tells us that â€Å"he kept her there more than seven years† (37), and that she was never allowed to come down not even â€Å"for a relative, not for a friend† (40). The young woman, who had no contact with anyone other than her husband’s sister, began to let herself go. â€Å"She lost her beauty, as a lady would† (48), when she no longer took care of herself. At this point in the lai, the readers feel ultimate sympathy for this unnamed woman. Although she is bound in a sacred marriage to a man, we look upon this situation as cruel and unjust. Our heart goes out to this woman. We first begin to feel sympathy for her when we are told she is married to an older man who keeps her locked away, but our sympathy deepens when we realize she is beginning to lose all hope. When we are told her beaut y fades, our hearts are filled with not only sadness, but also a desire to see her made whole again. The lai continues with the woman lamenting her sorrows when she says â€Å"God, who have power over all, Please hear, please answer now my call† (62-63). These two lines set this lai apart from all... ...rds the husband. Overall, I believe that Marie de France does a wonderful job in creating the many poems in which the stories of true love and betrayal are told. I do not feel that she condones adultery in any way, but rather presents a situation and allows the reader to decide their thoughts and opinions for themselves. Perhaps it is the idea that such powerful and pure love exists that allows us to put aside our moral and values if only for a minute to accept the affairs that occur in these poems. The reader is allowed to feel sympathy and understanding for the couples in some lais while they feel disdain and contempt in others. Sympathy arises in the situations in which there are cruel or unusual circumstances, while contempt develops when mischief and evil are plotted. Overall, these poems provide us with insight into fairytale and nightmare like situations. One moment as we read, we as readers are hoping the couples end up together, while the next moment we are hoping for revenge. In the end, Ma rie de France’s lais take us on a wonderful journey that is filled with many exciting highs and disastrous lows. The lais were a pleasure to read and a joyous adventure to undertake.

Process A Buying A House Essay

Your Journey to Home Ownership Buying a house is an exciting process; especially if it is your first home.   It may be a long or short process. But no matter how long it takes you will follow at least four steps throughout your journey to home ownership.   First, you will check your credit and examine your finances.   Next, you will shop for a mortgage loan.   Then you will shop for the right house!   Finally, you will move in.   Remember, you or other family members will probably live in your new house for the rest of your lives.   That is why it is important to understand the steps in the home buying process.   This brochure walks you through the process of buying a home. CREDIT AND FINANCES Know Your Credit It is not only important to know your credit scores, but to know your credit.   Know the basics about your credit before a mortgage lender pulls your credit scores.   It is helpful to write out a summary of your credit history as you know it.   What are your monthly payments?   If you have been late with payments, write down which ones, how often you have been late, the current status, and explain what led to the circumstances.   Also write down your loan and credit card balances.   And explain any collections, judgements, or other delinquencies that you think might affect your credit.   This way both you and the lender know what to expect when your credit report is pulled. Know Your Finances You must cover some part of a down payment (up to 20% of the purchase price) and some closing costs (at least 3% of the purchase price).   It is important to know that cash in the bank is not the only source of funds that are acceptable to a lender.   Will a relative give you part of your down payment as a gift?   If so, have them write a letter stating the amount they will give and include that amount as a cash asset on your loan application. Do you have an insurance policy with a cash value?   Do you have a retirement fund?   Include a most recent statement from those policies.   These cash assets help you to qualify even if the cash is not on hand.   If you need to use these sources, your lender will instruct you how to document the withdrawals or have the gift monies transferred when the time comes. SHOP FOR A MORTGAGE LOAN Shop for the Right Mortgage Company First, determine if you will use a commercial bank, a direct mortgage lender, or a mortgage broker.   The best thing to do is call each one and ask what programs and services they offer.   They can answer basic questions without taking a loan application or pulling your credit.   However, be careful about quoted rates.   Make sure that rates ore given for the type of loan you are interested in and qualify for.   In other words, if you are looking for a construction loan, don’t compare home improvement loan rates. Shop for the Right Mortgage Once you have decided what type of company to work with, they will help you determine the right mortgage program for you.   They will present you with scenarios for both fixed and adjustable rate mortgages; for 15-20-30 year loan periods.   They will also present loans for your specific financial and credit situation, for first time homebuyers, and for existing houses or new construction.   They will also tell you what loan amount you qualify for, what your down payment and closing cost cash contribution should be, and what your maximum purchase price can be. SHOP FOR YOUR HOUSE Location Location Location Take a drive around the communities that you are attracted to.   Determine how close they are to good schools, shopping locations, and other things that are important to you.   Be sure to note your commute to work from these areas noting accessibility to freeways and main roads.   Once you narrow the areas you like, write down what your home should look like and features it should have – how many bedrooms, bathrooms, 2-story or ranch style, older home or newer construction.   Once you decide these factors, you are ready to go shopping. Real Estate Agents Real estate agents can help you find what you are looking for.   The MLS allows the agent to plug in your parameters – price, style, location, size, amenities – and identify several houses for you to look at.   The agent will also present your offer to the seller, and help you negotiate contract items such as seller paid closing costs or repairs to be done prior to closing. MOVE IN Closing Once your loan is approved, the house is appraised and inspected, you will meet with a title company to sign the mortgage and title documents.   You will provide a copy of a homeowners insurance policy.   The seller will provide a transfer of title, a pest inspection, and general safety inspection or occupancy certificate, if required by your municipality.   The title company will provide you an insurance policy protecting against old liens against the property.   Once all documents are signed, the items are filed with the real estate department in your county, and YOU GET YOUR HOUSE KEYS! Moving In Remember to do things like submit a change of address at the post office.   And, if you are a renter, notify your landlord at least 30 days prior to moving.   Also, remember that you will now be responsible for paying property taxes and homeowners insurance.   If these items are not included with your mortgage payments, be sure to make billing and payment arrangements right away. RESOURCES Fannie Mae  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.fanniemae.com/homebuyers/index.jhtml;jsessionid=JNHAKUJNMMPBVJ2FQSHSFGI?&p=Overview Freddie Mac  Ã‚   http://www.freddiemac.com/corporate/buying_and_owning.html FHA  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.fha.com/ VA  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.homeloans.va.gov/ HUD  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/index.cfm Bankrate  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.bankrate.com/brm/rate/mtg_home.asp?link=5   

Impact of Big Business on Politics and the Economy Essay

After the Civil war, large businesses ruled America. Prior to the industrial revolution, the government upheld a hands-off approach towards business. Under the laissez-faire principle, free, unregulated markets led to competition, yet this system suffered under the wrath of growing corporations. The impact of big business on the economy and politics was immense during 1870 to 1899. Corporations were growing significantly in number and size, which had a domineering affect on American economy and defined American life. The growing corporations in America dominated most of the economy, creating a large gap between the rich and the poor. During this time period food, lightening, and fuel prices declined significantly, and the cost of living†¦show more content†¦This illustrates that the Senate is controlled by big business, and how easily wealthy people had power over the government. Moreover, the railroad presidents were seen as kings, they could delay lawsuits, control the government and the people, corrupt communities, and control the press (DOC B). Important railroad companies dictated government policies because the legal system favored railroad interests. Further, trying to better the political system, the Populist Party made themselves known. Their platform demanded that the government be restored to the hands of the â€Å"plain people.† They wanted to end oppression, injustice, and poverty (DOC F). Evidently, they were dedicated to political and social reform, and urged that t he government be strengthened and take responsibility of the people. The harsh working conditions resulting from industrialization drove laborers to organize into unions. Economist David A. Wells compares working in a factory to working in the military because workers are taught to perform one single task. Moreover, manufacturing has largely taken away workers’ pride in their work (DOC C). Mass production techniques led to specialization of labor, which subsequently decreased workers’ pride in their craft, as well as left workers largely unskilled. Further Samuel Gompers, founder of the AF to L, addressed the International Labor Congress in Chicago and stated that people should not be considered property. He advocated that laborShow MoreRelatedThe Implications Of Big Business1304 Words   |  6 PagesImplications of Big Business in America: Positive and Negative Aspects of Large Corporations for Society Big business has a constructive and positive influence on America. Corporations contribute much more to a country’s economic well being. Bigger businesses are more productive, pay higher salaries and hourly wages, generate more jobs, and are more successful in international markets. However, not everyone believes big business has a positive impact in the US. 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