All of life is Economics. No matter what you do, you are applying economics. Economics is "the social science that studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Greek for oikos (house) and nomos (custom or law), hence "rules of the house(hold)." A definition that captures much of modern economics is that of Lionel Robbins in a 1932 essay: "the science which studies human behaviour as a relationship between ends and scarce means which have alternative uses.""(Wikipedia) This brings us to the topic of scarcity.
Everything is scarce in modern society. For something to be scarce means that there is not enough of it for everyone to have as much of it as they want. Of course, this is an economic term and only applies to services and tangible goods, not emotions or memories. We often refer to scarcity in the terms of there being very few of something. Lets use cell pones as an example. There could be enough cell phones for every person in the world to have one million each. However there will always be one spoiled brat who isn't satisfied with just a million.
In my life right now, it is so easy for me to see so many examples of how all of life is economics. I work at Starbucks, where I provide a service and customers receive a tangible good, and therefore so do I. I am also a student who plans on attending college next year. I will have to pay money to get a degree so i can be an elementary teacher. Therefore, I am giving up alot of money so that I may apply and get a good job at various private schools. Economics is all about decisions.
You must always make choices regarding the things that are most important to you because of this scarcity, or supply-in-demand. There will never be enough tangible goods or services to please every single person. Things are always in demand. But that is the only way economics can work, survive, and improve.
Economics is so important to our daily lives. We make choices in everything and people make choices for us. It all depends on what is important to us. If we say more money later is more important than more money now, that is economics. If you would rather have a big expensive truck than a decent house, that is economics. Even choosing between a venti and a tall latte is economics. It all depends on what is important to you personally and what you want to spend your money on. But no matter which way you choose, it proves that all life truly is economics.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Christmas Break!!!
Woo Hoo!!!! Its finally Christmas Break!!! I'm so excited!!! it is going to be great!!!!! as of today...there are 5 days till Christmas!!! 11 till New Years Eve!!! Its going to be great=]
~Amanda<3
~Amanda<3
Saturday, December 8, 2007
December 8, 2007
December 8- Free topic within the subject of American Government on any topic that interests you.
We have so many famous Presidents that have done so very much for our country. We live fairly comfortably in today's world if we work hard. And we have all of our Presidents to thank. They run our country so that we can live in it. Whether they have done a good job or a widely criticized one, they still worked very hard so that we can remain a free country. In this blog, I will take a better look at the role of our first President, George Washington.
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. He grew up the then colony of Virginia and his famous home, Mount Vernon, is located in his beloved state. He was a tall boy and seemed to be very bright. His father died when George was only eleven, and he had a very strained relationship with his mother.
In 1754, Washington joined the French and Indian War at 22 years old. "With his American Indian allies led by Tanacharison, Washington and his troops ambushed a French scouting party of some 30 men, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Washington and his troops were overwhelmed at Fort Necessity by a larger and better positioned French and Indian force. The terms of surrender included a statement that Washington had assassinated the scouts and their leader at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. Released by the French, Washington returned to Virginia, where he resigned rather than accept demotion....In fall 1755, Washington was given a difficult frontier command in the Virginia mountains. In 1758, he took part in the Forbes Expedition, which successfully drove the French from Fort Duquesne. Later that year, Washington resigned from active military service and spent the next sixteen years as a Virginia planter and politician." (Wikipedia)
He also served a major part in the American Revolution serving as Commander in Chief. Between the two wars, He married his wife Martha Dandridge Custis. Among his many awards was his being voted unanimously as President over the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. Then in 1789, he was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States.
George Washington died on December 14, 1799 at the age of 67. He was a very important and influential person in American History. We owe a lot to this man and can in turn learn a lot from him. It is largely thanks to him that we live in the free country today.
We have so many famous Presidents that have done so very much for our country. We live fairly comfortably in today's world if we work hard. And we have all of our Presidents to thank. They run our country so that we can live in it. Whether they have done a good job or a widely criticized one, they still worked very hard so that we can remain a free country. In this blog, I will take a better look at the role of our first President, George Washington.
Washington was born on February 22, 1732 in Virginia. He grew up the then colony of Virginia and his famous home, Mount Vernon, is located in his beloved state. He was a tall boy and seemed to be very bright. His father died when George was only eleven, and he had a very strained relationship with his mother.
In 1754, Washington joined the French and Indian War at 22 years old. "With his American Indian allies led by Tanacharison, Washington and his troops ambushed a French scouting party of some 30 men, led by Joseph Coulon de Jumonville. Washington and his troops were overwhelmed at Fort Necessity by a larger and better positioned French and Indian force. The terms of surrender included a statement that Washington had assassinated the scouts and their leader at the Battle of Jumonville Glen. Released by the French, Washington returned to Virginia, where he resigned rather than accept demotion....In fall 1755, Washington was given a difficult frontier command in the Virginia mountains. In 1758, he took part in the Forbes Expedition, which successfully drove the French from Fort Duquesne. Later that year, Washington resigned from active military service and spent the next sixteen years as a Virginia planter and politician." (Wikipedia)
He also served a major part in the American Revolution serving as Commander in Chief. Between the two wars, He married his wife Martha Dandridge Custis. Among his many awards was his being voted unanimously as President over the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787. Then in 1789, he was unanimously elected as the first President of the United States.
George Washington died on December 14, 1799 at the age of 67. He was a very important and influential person in American History. We owe a lot to this man and can in turn learn a lot from him. It is largely thanks to him that we live in the free country today.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
December 1, 2007
December 1- What areas do you think our government should play a bigger role? Which a smaller role? Why?
In our current Government, we have established a system of checks and balances where some people have many duties and some have very few. Whether or not you believe this system is working or not, it obviously is to some degree, because our country is not just surviving, it is thriving. However I believe that some people have so few duties, it would be good for them to take some of the load off of others who seem to be carrying the world on their shoulders. I am referring, in this case, to the President and the Vice President.
The President has many roles in our country. He serves as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen. To explain a few, Chief of Party means that he is the acknowledged leader of the political party in control of the executive branch. As Chief Citizen, he is the representative of all the people in the United States. Of all his jobs as President, I believe that one of his most important roles is Chief Executive.
"The president is the chief executive of the United States, putting him at the head of the executive branch of the government, whose responsibility is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed". To carry out this duty, he is given control of the four million employees of the vast executive branch, including one million active duty personnel in the military. Both the legislative and judicial branches maintain checks and balances on the powers of the president, and vice versa."(Wikipedia)
The Vice President holds two jobs. He is the head of the Senate and he is first in line to take over if the President is unable to fulfill his duties (25th Amendment). There have been many jokes made about how little the Vice President has to do. Theodore Roosevelt, who had come to the White House after the Vice Presidency, had an annoying chandelier in the Oval Office. It made such a loud tinkling noise that he had it taken to the Vice President's office, where it still is today, saying, "He doesn't have anything to do, it will keep him awake."(McClenaghan 373)
"The informal roles and functions of the Vice President depend on the specific relationship between the President and the Vice President, but often include drafter and spokesperson for the administration's policy, as an adviser to the president, as Chairman of the Board of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as a Member of the board of the Smithsonian Institution, and as a symbol of American concern or support. Their influence in this role depends almost entirely on the characteristics of the particular administration. Cheney, for instance, is widely regarded as one of George W. Bush's closest confidantes. Al Gore was an important adviser to President Bill Clinton on matters of foreign policy and the environment." (Wikipedia) To this day, the role of Vice President has not changed. Considering how our County is thriving so far, it may not be necessary. It may be helpful, but it is also good that the Vice President has so few jobs, because then the President can receive help from him without the Vice President being swamped with work. The Vice President is there just waiting for a job, and that is how our country has been working since John Adams and George Washington.
Sources
Brinkley, Alan/ Dyer, Davis. The American Presidency. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004
McClenaghan, William A. "American Government." Needham, Massachusetts: Prentice Hall, 1989.
In our current Government, we have established a system of checks and balances where some people have many duties and some have very few. Whether or not you believe this system is working or not, it obviously is to some degree, because our country is not just surviving, it is thriving. However I believe that some people have so few duties, it would be good for them to take some of the load off of others who seem to be carrying the world on their shoulders. I am referring, in this case, to the President and the Vice President.
"Among the salient characteristics of the American presidency is that it has usually played a role in American life that extends well beyond the formal responsibilities of the office. Almost all presidents-whatever they have or have not achieved-have occupied positions of enormous symbolic and cultural importance in American life. They have become the secular icons of the republic- emblems of nationhood and embodiments of the values that Americans have claimed to cherish." (Brinkley, Dyer)
The President has many roles in our country. He serves as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen. To explain a few, Chief of Party means that he is the acknowledged leader of the political party in control of the executive branch. As Chief Citizen, he is the representative of all the people in the United States. Of all his jobs as President, I believe that one of his most important roles is Chief Executive.
"The president is the chief executive of the United States, putting him at the head of the executive branch of the government, whose responsibility is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed". To carry out this duty, he is given control of the four million employees of the vast executive branch, including one million active duty personnel in the military. Both the legislative and judicial branches maintain checks and balances on the powers of the president, and vice versa."(Wikipedia)
The Vice President holds two jobs. He is the head of the Senate and he is first in line to take over if the President is unable to fulfill his duties (25th Amendment). There have been many jokes made about how little the Vice President has to do. Theodore Roosevelt, who had come to the White House after the Vice Presidency, had an annoying chandelier in the Oval Office. It made such a loud tinkling noise that he had it taken to the Vice President's office, where it still is today, saying, "He doesn't have anything to do, it will keep him awake."(McClenaghan 373)
"The informal roles and functions of the Vice President depend on the specific relationship between the President and the Vice President, but often include drafter and spokesperson for the administration's policy, as an adviser to the president, as Chairman of the Board of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), as a Member of the board of the Smithsonian Institution, and as a symbol of American concern or support. Their influence in this role depends almost entirely on the characteristics of the particular administration. Cheney, for instance, is widely regarded as one of George W. Bush's closest confidantes. Al Gore was an important adviser to President Bill Clinton on matters of foreign policy and the environment." (Wikipedia) To this day, the role of Vice President has not changed. Considering how our County is thriving so far, it may not be necessary. It may be helpful, but it is also good that the Vice President has so few jobs, because then the President can receive help from him without the Vice President being swamped with work. The Vice President is there just waiting for a job, and that is how our country has been working since John Adams and George Washington.
Sources
Brinkley, Alan/ Dyer, Davis. The American Presidency. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004
McClenaghan, William A. "American Government." Needham, Massachusetts: Prentice Hall, 1989.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
November 17, 2007
November 17- Which issues do you think should be at the forefront of the debate leading up to the 2008 Presidential election? Why?
This is certainly going to be a very interesting and intense race for President. There are many people who are willing enough to run and all are certainly qualified, some more than others. With the state our country is in after so many disasters, there are many issues that should be at the front of the campaign. They include border patrol, the war in Iraq, and health care. All topics are very important to the well being of our country.
Border patrol definitely needs to be more enforced. As Californians, we see everyday how week it is, there are so many illegal immigrants in our country looking for a better way of life. Some of them eventually find it and then take the proper steps to become a full citizen. However some do not find it and end up living in poverty. In return, they have children in the States who are then legal citizens and the poverty in America goes up. That is something that certainly no one wants. Our candidates must find the “origins of the problem, Mexico’s population growth, the burden on US social services and public assistance, the effect on the labor market, border violence and drug traffic.” (James 2)
The war in Iraq is also a very important issue. Our troops have been over there for quite some time and for the average American, there doesn't seem to be much of an end in sight. However there is constantly work going on for this cause.
“U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared on Egyptian television. The interviewer, Mervat Mohsen, summed up the changes in Iraq from a Sunni perspective. ‘Excessive meddling has brought the Shiites in Iraq to power. The neighboring Iranians are Shia. The Sunnis are compromised. America’s trusted Arab allies are Sunnis. There is a civil war brewing in Iraq. What have you done?’ Rice insisted Iraq’s political process was fully on track. ‘Well I don’t think there is a civil war brewing in Iraq…Now that the dictator is gone, you have the Iraqi people, who come from may different sects, from many different ethnic groups, trying to use a political process of compromise and politics, to replace repression’” (Galbraith 4).
In the debates, I would like to know what the candidates plan to do to bring our troops home. With my best friend in the Air Force Academy, I certainly want the war to be over before he has graduated and is ready to go over and serve. I don't want to lose any more of the men and women currently serving in Iraq, especially not my friend. I would like to know what they are doing to help that cause.
Finally, there is the issue of health care. This needs to be addressed because every American wants to know what kind of medical care will be provided for them when they need it most. In some countries, the policy for health care is that it is completely free. There are of course good and bad qualities to this. It could have a negative affect because if you are getting payed a certain amount as a doctor, your pay is not set according to how many people you get and therefore how good you are as a doctor. If this is the case, it will be hard to be motivated to do a good job when the mean, lazy doctor next door is getting payed as much as you are when you try your hardest to be perfect and kind. It would also have a positive effect, tho. Many people in America die because they cannot afford health care. For me, when i go to college next year, my parent's insurance will not be able to cover my health care. Luckily, I have a job at Starbucks where, if i work enough hours to be considered a part-time employee, I can get insurance through them. However that means that i will not have enough time to do the two extra-curricular activities(and therefore scholarships) that i hold most dear, choir and cheer leading. Having free health care would be great because then i would not have to work part time.
There are many important issues in this election. Many of them might be more important in the long run or simply to a select group of people. However to me, the three most important issues are border patrol, the war in Iraq, and health care. In the 2008 election, I hope a person is selected that will certainly help our country out in all these areas of need.
Sources
Galbraith, Peter W. “The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End.” New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 2006
James, Daniel. Illegal Immigration: An Unfolding Crisis. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2006.
This is certainly going to be a very interesting and intense race for President. There are many people who are willing enough to run and all are certainly qualified, some more than others. With the state our country is in after so many disasters, there are many issues that should be at the front of the campaign. They include border patrol, the war in Iraq, and health care. All topics are very important to the well being of our country.
Border patrol definitely needs to be more enforced. As Californians, we see everyday how week it is, there are so many illegal immigrants in our country looking for a better way of life. Some of them eventually find it and then take the proper steps to become a full citizen. However some do not find it and end up living in poverty. In return, they have children in the States who are then legal citizens and the poverty in America goes up. That is something that certainly no one wants. Our candidates must find the “origins of the problem, Mexico’s population growth, the burden on US social services and public assistance, the effect on the labor market, border violence and drug traffic.” (James 2)
The war in Iraq is also a very important issue. Our troops have been over there for quite some time and for the average American, there doesn't seem to be much of an end in sight. However there is constantly work going on for this cause.
“U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice appeared on Egyptian television. The interviewer, Mervat Mohsen, summed up the changes in Iraq from a Sunni perspective. ‘Excessive meddling has brought the Shiites in Iraq to power. The neighboring Iranians are Shia. The Sunnis are compromised. America’s trusted Arab allies are Sunnis. There is a civil war brewing in Iraq. What have you done?’ Rice insisted Iraq’s political process was fully on track. ‘Well I don’t think there is a civil war brewing in Iraq…Now that the dictator is gone, you have the Iraqi people, who come from may different sects, from many different ethnic groups, trying to use a political process of compromise and politics, to replace repression’” (Galbraith 4).
Finally, there is the issue of health care. This needs to be addressed because every American wants to know what kind of medical care will be provided for them when they need it most. In some countries, the policy for health care is that it is completely free. There are of course good and bad qualities to this. It could have a negative affect because if you are getting payed a certain amount as a doctor, your pay is not set according to how many people you get and therefore how good you are as a doctor. If this is the case, it will be hard to be motivated to do a good job when the mean, lazy doctor next door is getting payed as much as you are when you try your hardest to be perfect and kind. It would also have a positive effect, tho. Many people in America die because they cannot afford health care. For me, when i go to college next year, my parent's insurance will not be able to cover my health care. Luckily, I have a job at Starbucks where, if i work enough hours to be considered a part-time employee, I can get insurance through them. However that means that i will not have enough time to do the two extra-curricular activities(and therefore scholarships) that i hold most dear, choir and cheer leading. Having free health care would be great because then i would not have to work part time.
There are many important issues in this election. Many of them might be more important in the long run or simply to a select group of people. However to me, the three most important issues are border patrol, the war in Iraq, and health care. In the 2008 election, I hope a person is selected that will certainly help our country out in all these areas of need.
Sources
Galbraith, Peter W. “The End of Iraq: How American Incompetence Created a War Without End.” New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 2006
James, Daniel. Illegal Immigration: An Unfolding Crisis. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America, 2006.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
November 10- gone for Mexico Mission Trip
November 10- Answer this question “How important is the office of President of the United States? “ Why?
I believe that the office of President of the United States is very important. In fact, it is
vital to the lifestyle that we Americans have grown to expect. The job of President of the U.S. is certainly an important job and I'm sure that it is very rewarding. however it is not all the glamor it is often portrayed as.
I used to view the role of President to be a high paying luxury job. I saw him as being payed to be a famous celebrity. I believe many Americans do. He is just the person who gives out the various jobs while he supervises and his cabinet really does all the work. Others may view him, or possibly her one day soon, as being the spokesperson. They are simply there for everyone else to blame. Although sometimes the President is to blame for some things, no one is perfect. What few seem to realize is that it takes a special person to do this job.
The President has many roles in our country. He serves as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen. To explain a few, Chief of Party means that he is the acknowledged leader of the political party in control of the executive branch. As Chief Citizen, he is the representative of all the people in the United States. Of all his jobs as President, I believe that one of his most important roles is Chief Executive.
"The president is the chief executive of the United States, putting him at the head of the executive branch of the government, whose responsibility is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed". To carry out this duty, he is given control of the four million employees of the vast executive branch, including one million active duty personnel in the military. Both the legislative and judicial branches maintain checks and balances on the powers of the president, and vice versa."(Wikipedia)
As i hope you can now see, the role of President of the United States is an extremely vital role. We need this special person to help us organize our country, we would be a mess without him or her. As our country grows, so do the President's jobs. “The last two centuries have seen the president’s role in government grow tremendously. Indeed, over the past 50 years, the office has frequently been accused of overstepping the boundaries set forth in the Constitution. That’s why many presidents think of the Constitution as, in the words of John Adams during 1798’s signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, ‘a decent jumping off point” (Stewart 41) Finally, as our first Vice President John Adams said, "I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything."(McClenaghan) In our growing country, the President is everything.
Sources
I believe that the office of President of the United States is very important. In fact, it is
vital to the lifestyle that we Americans have grown to expect. The job of President of the U.S. is certainly an important job and I'm sure that it is very rewarding. however it is not all the glamor it is often portrayed as.
I used to view the role of President to be a high paying luxury job. I saw him as being payed to be a famous celebrity. I believe many Americans do. He is just the person who gives out the various jobs while he supervises and his cabinet really does all the work. Others may view him, or possibly her one day soon, as being the spokesperson. They are simply there for everyone else to blame. Although sometimes the President is to blame for some things, no one is perfect. What few seem to realize is that it takes a special person to do this job.
The President has many roles in our country. He serves as Chief of State, Chief Executive, Chief Administrator, Chief Diplomat, Commander in Chief, Chief Legislator, Chief of Party, and Chief Citizen. To explain a few, Chief of Party means that he is the acknowledged leader of the political party in control of the executive branch. As Chief Citizen, he is the representative of all the people in the United States. Of all his jobs as President, I believe that one of his most important roles is Chief Executive.
"The president is the chief executive of the United States, putting him at the head of the executive branch of the government, whose responsibility is to "take care that the laws be faithfully executed". To carry out this duty, he is given control of the four million employees of the vast executive branch, including one million active duty personnel in the military. Both the legislative and judicial branches maintain checks and balances on the powers of the president, and vice versa."(Wikipedia)
As i hope you can now see, the role of President of the United States is an extremely vital role. We need this special person to help us organize our country, we would be a mess without him or her. As our country grows, so do the President's jobs. “The last two centuries have seen the president’s role in government grow tremendously. Indeed, over the past 50 years, the office has frequently been accused of overstepping the boundaries set forth in the Constitution. That’s why many presidents think of the Constitution as, in the words of John Adams during 1798’s signing of the Alien and Sedition Acts, ‘a decent jumping off point” (Stewart 41) Finally, as our first Vice President John Adams said, "I am Vice President. In this I am nothing, but I may be everything."(McClenaghan) In our growing country, the President is everything.
Sources
Stewart, Jon. “America (The Book): A Citizens Guide to Democracy Inaction.” New York: Warner Books Inc., 2004
McClenaghan, William A. "American Government." Needham, Massachusetts:Prentice Hall, 1989.Tuesday, October 30, 2007
7th Amendment Work Cited Page
7th Amendment Work Cited Page
FindLaw
McClenaghan, William A. American Government. Needham, Massachusetts: Prentice Hall, 1989.
Measuring Worth
National Constitution Center
Wikipedia
FindLaw
McClenaghan, William A. American Government. Needham, Massachusetts: Prentice Hall, 1989.
Measuring Worth
National Constitution Center
Wikipedia
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