Living Off Of Minimum Wage - 1490 Words

Living off of Minimum Wage in the United States In Barbara Ehrenreich’s documentary novel, Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America (2001), she claimed that it is almost impossible to live off of minimum wage in the united states. She supports her claim by writing a documentary novel explaining the details of the life of the American struggles caused by the minimum wage. Through her book, she supports that minimum wage salary is insufficient means of survival and leads to a difficult life. After encountering many people who falsely accuse welfare receivers of being lazy and not work hard enough, she wrote a book to challenge and change the public’s negative opinion towards them and also about the day when the minimum wage workforce will stand up for themselves and demand to have a higher wage. Ehrenreich’s purpose for writing this novel was to bring attention to wage workforce by showing the general American public the life of their fellow citizens who are struggling to survive. The main, primary theme that Nickel and Dimed focuses on is the hardship and distress caused by the poverty in the United States. Ehrenreich’s main concern regarding this theme is how it is practically impossible to have basic necessities for survival with the amount of money earned from a minimum wage salary. She grasps the reader’s attention and proves her claims and arguments by using a unique technique called investigative journalism, which allows her to get the first-hand experienceShow MoreRelatedMinimum Wage Needs A Change1184 Words   |  5 PagesDoherty Ms. Lee English 2 16 May 2017 Minimum Wage Needs A Change According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 14% of the nation lives below the poverty line, the current population is 326,474,013, and 45,706,362 of the population lives in poverty every single day. One of the reasons why such a large chunk of the population is in poverty is because they are not being paid a reasonable salary for them to support themselves and their families. Raising the minimum wage can lead to problems, but gradual increasesRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Not Be Raised858 Words   |  4 Pagesis of the opinion that the Minimum wage should not be raised. This is a large issue as the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 is not enough to support basic living costs in a fair number of states. Ted Cruz highlights the consequences of raising the minimum wage yet ignores the cons of it remaining static (Ted Cruz on the Minimum Wage). In an article in The Atlantic, the discussion of the cost of living is brought up. The article talks about how the â€Å"cost of living fluctuates with geography†Read MoreRaising Minimum Wage Will Benefit Our Economy1576 Words   |  7 PagesThere are many people who will debate whether-or-not raising minimum wage will benefit our economy. Money is what helps us survive and acquire our necessities of life. Most children are instilled with the thought that going to school, getting a good education, and obtaining a good job would guarantee success and happiness; although everyone does not have that privilege, and may end up with lower paying jobs. Almost anyone can get a job at a fast food restaurant, clothing store, or any general jobRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Not Reduce Poverty1214 Words   |  5 Pagesbelief persists that paying a higher minimum wage would aid in lifting people out of poverty by giving those with low paying jobs a higher income, however the evidence suggests otherwise. As the 2016 race for the White House heats up, the minimum wage battle stands at the forefront of every economic dis cussion. The rhetoric between candidates within and across party lines intensifies by the day. While the debate over whether or not to raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $15/hour ragesRead MoreEffects of Increasing Minimum Wage Essay988 Words   |  4 PagesThe idea of having a federal minimum wage is a good one. The idea is to protect low and unskilled workers from discrimination and allow all workers to earn a living wage. The recent debate on the floor, though, is whether or not to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour up to $10.10 per hour. President Barack Obama made this proposal during his annual State of the Union Address on January 28, and following this there were many hot debates about it. The debates focused not only onRead MoreFederal Minimum Wage Is $ 7.25 An Hour1339 Words   |  6 Pagesfederal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. This is an issue, nation wide because the price of living is increasing, while the pay has not. Teenagers are not the only people that are getting paid this amount, adults that are considered the â€Å"bread winners† are too, and struggling with it. Supposing that the living wage was increased, the cost of living would be more manageable, and less stressful for many. Hundreds of thousands of people are living in poverty, since they are making the bare minimum and unableRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Of 22 Swiss Francs1219 Words   |  5 Pagesrejected the world’s highest minimum wage of 22 Swiss francs, which in American dollars, is roughly $25 per hour. Even Switzerland, one of the more famous countries remaining on the gold standard, has a problem regarding their minimum wage. As a high school student working off of American minimum wage, Switzerland’s presented amount is considered lofty and idealistic. In America, the minimum wage is $7.25, not nearly enough for an adult, let alone a teenanger living at home with parents. TeenagersRead MoreMinimum Wage: Can You Make a Decent Living on It? Essay850 Words   |  4 Pages Research Paper: Minimum Wage Minimum wage has become a major part of the conversation on labor. The base hourly rate in this country is something that has been raised to $7.25 federally and can become as high as $9 in some states. This is important social policy because it deals with the distribution of wealth particularly with lower class workers. Part of the discussion about minimum wage is whether or not someone can make a decent living on it. Talks of subsidization and supplementation haveRead MoreArgumentative Essay On Minimum Wage1314 Words   |  6 PagesThe minimum wage has arguably become the most controversial topic regarding our economy today, as it influences one of the largest classes of people within the United States, the working class. Federally, the minimum wage has not been raised in eight years, so it has stayed at $7.25 per hour for all non-exempt workers (U.S. DoL). The opinions on this topic are typically split across a progressive-conservative line, with progressives being in favor of a raise from $7.25, and conservatives wantingRead MoreEffects of Increasing Minimum Wage794 Words   |  3 Pagesa federal minimum wage is a good one. The idea is to protect low and unskilled workers and allow workers to earn a living wage. The recent debate on the floor, though, is whether or not to raise the minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour up to $10.10. President Barack Obama made this proposal during his annual State of the Union Address, and after this there were many hot debates about it. The debates focused not only on the pro side and the con side of increasing the minimum wage, but also

Fences Is A Family Drama Written By August Wilson

Fences is a family drama written by August Wilson, which portrays the scenario of 50’s American society. The play explores the turmoil in the socio-economic situation faced by the African-American people in the period along with their experience of life, civil rights, personal relationships and racial situation. The play concentrates on describing different ‘fences’ of life, which were faced by the African-American society during 50’s. The play was set in 1950, almost a decade prior than the civil rights movement in America, which represented the major reasons or factors of the movement and radical changes evident in the nation. The play successfully depicts the history of America in terms of the problems raised in the society, which are derived from the experiences of the author and are shown through the different shades of the characters (Shilling, â€Å"Fences, duchess theatre, review†). The essay intends to conduct an argumentative discussion on the character ‘Rose’ to draw a relation between the character development and the theme determination of the play. August Wilson concentrated on an African –American family to portray the issues in life of the society in the era. The major characters in this play include Troy Maxson, the head of the family; Rose Maxson, Troy’s wife; Cory Maxson, Troy’s son; friend Jim Bono, younger brother Gabriel Maxson, Lyson Maxson, Troy’s son from previous marriage and daughter Raynell Maxson. The play started with Troy, who was a baseballShow MoreRelatedFences, By Eileen J. Morris966 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Fences† is a theater play run at Ensemble Theater located in Houston and it was written by August Wilson and directed by Eileen J. Morris. Fences is the African-American story of a black family trying to settle in the middle of the American Pittsburgh urban area in the 1950s. Wilson made special attention to the details of the time and brought them to the present, in a nice and original every day production. Fences play starts on a Friday, when Troy and Bono go to Troy s house as usual for theirRead MoreFences, By Eileen J. Morris968 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Fences† is a theatre play run at Ensemble Theatre, located in Houston and it was written by August Wilson and directed by Eileen J. Morris. Fences is the African-American story of a black family trying to settle in the middle of the American Pittsburgh urban area in the 1950s. Wilson made special attention to the details of the time and brought them to the present, in a nice and original everyday production. Fences play starts on a Friday, when Troy and Bono go to Troy s house as usual for theirRead MoreCharacter Analysis of Cory in The Play Fences by August Wilson1109 Words   |  5 Pagesbecause of a fear that was rooted in him nearly eight-teen years earlier. When Troy was released from prison he dreamed of playing Major League Baseball but at that time it was an impossibility because of racial dis he other primary relationship of Fences is that of Troy to his son Cory (Courtney B. Vance) - a promising 17-year-old football player being courted by a college recruiter. Troy himself was once a baseball player in the Negro Leagues - early enough to hit homers off Satchel Paige, tooRead MoreFences, By August Wilson895 Words   |  4 PagesFences written by August Wilson is an award winning drama that depicts an African-America family who lives in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania during the 1950’s. During this time, the Mason’s reveal the struggles working as a garbage man, providing for his family and excepting life as is. The end of segregation began, more opportunities for African American people were accessible. Troy, who’s the father the Cory and husband of Rose has shoes fill as a working African America man. He is the family breadwinnerRead MoreFences Is A Play Written By August Wilson In 1983.The Play1181 Words   |  5 Pages Fences is a play written by August Wilson in 1983. The play investigates the evolving African- American experience and looks at race-relations, among many other themes. The main character of the play is Troy Maxson, a 52-year-old who struggled to satisfy his family need. Troy has had his dreams taken from him. He wanted more than anything to be a pro baseball player, but his career was stopped because of racial discrimination, which, lead to a misconception between Troy and his son. In thisRead MoreEssay on An Analysis for the Play Fences1293 Words   |  6 PagesFences - An Analysis James E. May Averett University History of the Theatre TH 220 / BBA 469 Ronal Stepney November 07, 2011 The story line seemed melodramatic throughout the play. The author (August Wilson) has laid the ground work of many themes throughout the play. The play deals with Race, Men and their masculinity, Morality, Dreams and hopes of everyone involved, Family, Duty, Betrayal and Dissatisfaction. The play begins with Troy and his best friend Bono entering the yard chattingRead MoreFences Research1694 Words   |  7 PagesBoundaries in August Wilson’s Fences The early 1950’s was a time of enormous importance because of the Civil Rights Movement which emphasized equal rights for blacks and whites. According to the book Approaching Literature, this time period became very familiar to August Wilson, the author of the play Fences. Wilson, an African American man, was raised by his mother and his ex-convict father. For a short period of time, before moving back to his old neighborhood, Wilson lived in a primarilyRead More August Wilsons Fences - Building Fences Essay3028 Words   |  13 PagesAugust Wilsons Fences - Building Fences The first time I read August Wilsons Fences for english class, I was angry. I was angry at Troy Maxson, angry at him for having an affair, angry at him for denying his son, Cory, the opportunity for a football scholarship.I kept waiting for Troy to redeem himself in the end of the play, to change his mind about Cory, or to make up with Ruth somehow. I wanted to know why, and I didnt, couldnt understand. I had no intention of writing my research paperRead MoreMasculinity And Self Determination And Aggression1445 Words   |  6 Pagesattainment of success and status, self-determination and aggression (Clark). August Wilson was born in 1945 and was a play writer of America who composed work consisting of a chain of ten dramas, known as The Pittsburgh Cycle. Each play of the chain was written about a different era which represented the catastrophic and amusing features of African Americans in the previous century. African American masculinity was portrayed by Wilson in his different plays to lessen the negative image of black males inRead MoreFences : Fences 1783 Words   |  8 PagesWolf THTR 210 13 Oct 2014 FENCES Fences is a play, set in U.S. society in the late 1950s, which deals with serious and common issues of humankind. It is the sixth in Wilson s ten-part Pittsburgh Cycle. Like all of the Pittsburgh plays, the play was written in 1983. The beginning scene is about Troy, who is a strong character, in full control of his life, his wife, and his son Cory. The last scene is on the day of the funeral of Troy Maxson. Fences presents characters who are real

A World Of Diversity Essay Example For Students

A World Of Diversity Essay Ethnocentric, derived from the Greek words of Ethnos, meaningrace, people or cultural group, and Kentrikos, meaning concentratedabout or directed to a center is a word that greatly describes manycultures on this planet we call Earth . The official definition ofEthnocentric is characterized or based on the attitude that ones owngroup is superior or having race as a central interest. There is a wholeworld of problems, politics, and, other cultures, but it seems that theaverage Americans only interest is that of themselves. The reason I choseto focus more on the American being ethnocentric is because I have beenexposed the most to this culture. Why is it that in most foreign countries being knowledgeableabout world politics is just as important as their own cultures politics?America is the melting pot of the world with so many different culturesand we accept this variety into our country as we were accepted when ourancestors came over. Today I feel that people are arrogant towards thoseforeigners who dont wash away their former demeanor. Why dont werealize that we are so lucky to live in a secure and free country that shouldglorify diversity and not promote prejudice. When we make contact withpeople whose beliefs and cultural tradition challenge our own perspectivemost feel some sort of intimidation. Professor Michael Bond from SimonFraser University quoted:the mere existence of different others is inherentlythreatening because they either implicitly or explicitlychallenge the absolute validity of ones own perspective. According to this analysis, prejudice is a psychologicalinability to tolerate the existence of different others andresults from a need to maintain absolute faith in ones owncultural world view. Ethnocentrism in my opinion is very ignorant, unintelligent, and closedminded in that your normal rituals may seem just as strange to othercultures, but are seen by them in a more understanding way. Ethnocentrism has been instilled in us since birth, learning toattach our selves to our cultural groups depending on them for comfortand a sense of safety. Piagets theory on child development states that achild believes he is the center of the universe until he learns to de-centerhimself, i.e., he realizes that the world can be constructed from a numberof different perspectives. This is when the child starts to care for othersand takes a better understanding of respect and friendliness towardsthem. People as a whole in a way have to de-center their strongcultural beliefs, as well as the thought that their culture is the only oneimportant enough to concern themselves with. American sociologist,political economist and the originator of the term ethnocentric, WilliamGraham Sumner, in 1904 defined ethnocentrism as :the view of things in which ones own group is the center ofeverything and all others are scaled and rated, inreference to ones group. Each group thinks that its ownfolkways ar e the only right ones. And if it observes that otherpeople have other folkways, these excite its scorn. Ethnocentrism may manifest itself in behavior such as warfare,attitudes of superiority, hostility, violence, discrimination, and verbalaggression. In the past, groups such as the Nazis, the Crusaders and, theMuslims have waged wars and death over cultural and religiousdifferences using ethnocentrism as there incentive. Hate groups are alsoformed on this notion believing that their religious or cultural group issuperior to others when in reality their customs are simply different. I realize that we are all ethnocentric to varying degrees becausewe are born into a culture at birth and we cling to that culture as a

Orphan Drugs Essays - Pharmaceuticals Policy,

Orphan Drugs The term orphan drug refers to a product that treats a rare disease affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans. Orphan drugs help the companies that manufacture them, under the Orphan drug act. Under the act a small company can pick up a product that would be worth anywhere from $5 million to $20 million a year. The orphan drug act has helped in the development of products to treat drug addiction, leprosy, hemophilia, and rare cancers, as well as diseases most people have never heard of, such as cryptosporidiosis (an infection caused by a protozoan parasite found in animals intestines that causes diarrhea, fever, weight loss, and lymph node enlargement) and neurocysticerosis. In the past the FDA under the drug act has approved few years 41 orphan drugs. One of the premier examples of how well the Orphan Drug Act can work came with the approval of the drug PEG-ADA (adenosine deaminase and enzyme the body usually produces on its own). This was a breakthrough FDAs Haffner said of PEGnology , the enzyme replacement process developed by Enzon. If it works the way its thought it will, this technology will change the way we can provide drugs to the patients. The history of the Orphan Drug Act FDA set up the offices of Orphan Product Development in 1982 to focus on drugs, medical devices, foods for medical purposes, and biologics such as immune globulin for rare disorders. President Reagan signed the Orphan Drug Act into law on JAN. 3 1983. It guarantees the developer of an orphan drug seven years of market exclusivity and 50 percent tax credit for certain clinical research expenses. Imagine Pepsi or Coke having a monopoly on each others soft drink, that would be the equivalent on that. Initially, the act applied to only patient populations when it could be shown there was little or no hope of recovering development cost from sales in the United States. A later amendment to the act defined an orphan product as one with a potential patient population of fewer than 200,000 people. Under the Orphan Drug Act, the FDA makes grants for drug development, assists the drug developer in the designing the clinical studies required for marketing and can speed up the drug approval process. A lot of these drugs are for very serious and life threatening disorders, in some cases affecting only a few hundred people. You have the smaller NDA (new drug application) and a group of very needy people, and thats what expedites it. But the safety and the efficacy requirements are the same Marlene Haffner FDAs director of orphan product development. Since the enactment of the Orphan Drug Act, 41 drugs for rare diseases have been developed and brought onto the market. Activity in orphan products, which, in addition to drugs, can include biologics, medical devices, and foods marketed for medical purposes, is researching an all time high. According to Haffner, FDA has designated as orphans 375 drugs and at least 150 are being actively developed or are going through the approval process. The federal award grant available to fund orphan drug development have increased steadily from $500,000 in 1983 to $7.5 million in 1990. However hardly any of the federal grants go to private organizations such as NORD. Todays more common definition of Orphan Drug. Another definition of Orphan Drug refers to a drug that will serve so few patients that it will be commercially impractical for a manufacturer to sponsor it. Orphan drug also refers to compounds in the public domain for which there can be no patent protection once a company goes through expensive efficacy test and gets FDA approval, so that a competitor could immediately begin producing a generic copy at a fraction of the cost. The phrase was coined in a 1968 editorial in American Journal of Pharmacy, Homeless or Orphan Drugs. Accomplishments: The Orphan Drug Act has been a major success and a model federal program. The FDA has designated Fifteen years ago after its passage, more than 150 orphan drugs have been approved for marketing in the United States, and 800. Additionally, Japan, Singapore, and Australia have enacted orphan drug legislation, and the European Union is expected to enact a similar law in 1999.