http://www.economist.com/node/21543532
This article from the Economist discusses the reversing trends of London's demographics. In many places like America, Australia, Italy, and Spain people are getting older; the countries are "graying". This has put a heavy burden on industries that cater to elderly folk like nursing homes, health care, and pension systems.
Lately, in London, there has been a resurgence of births. These births don't greatly outnumber the deaths, but the concentration of births is making London bigger, disproportionately so with the rest of Britain. This shift in demographics has put strain on the education system, the National Health System, both which are struggling to begin with. The money that is going to these two systems now, has been taken from other vital projects, mainly infrastructure.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Current Event #2
http://www.economist.com/node/21547243
In this article, Syria and its continuing protests, unrest, and violence is in the spotlight. Syria's president, Bashar Assad, has many advantages. His military forces will readily kill their own people, they're more loyal and organized, and unified. The only way to defeat Assad is to unify the rebel forces, get the West involved, and create a safe haven for refugees. Also, the West would not dare interfere before Assad's forces are weakened and for that to happen, Russia and China have to back down.
Personally, the fact that the violence in Syria has gone on for this long is ridiculous. The West needs to step in and intervene as soon as possible and workable because the longer we wait, the more people die.
In this article, Syria and its continuing protests, unrest, and violence is in the spotlight. Syria's president, Bashar Assad, has many advantages. His military forces will readily kill their own people, they're more loyal and organized, and unified. The only way to defeat Assad is to unify the rebel forces, get the West involved, and create a safe haven for refugees. Also, the West would not dare interfere before Assad's forces are weakened and for that to happen, Russia and China have to back down.
Personally, the fact that the violence in Syria has gone on for this long is ridiculous. The West needs to step in and intervene as soon as possible and workable because the longer we wait, the more people die.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Current Event #1
http://www.economist.com/node/21543199
Nigeria sits on one of the biggest oil reserves in the world, which is basically the only thing that keeps them on the map. In the past, the Nigerian government has funded a fuel subsidy to keep prices low. But this subsidy has put the brakes on new infrastructure projects and a fueled a fuel mafia. While most Nigerians do not own cars or generators, the subsidy cut has raised prices on everything: bus fares, food, and almost everything else.
Since the announcement that the government was going to cancel the subsidy, protests have swept the nation. Nigerians are protesting the rise in fuel prices that will help them in the long run, make things extremely difficult in the present. In response to the protests, President Jonathan has revoked his former statement and has promised instead a partial subsidy to cover a little more than half. While this has quelled protests for now, Nigeria still has a long way to go to balance their mafia problems and citizens requests.
Perhaps if Nigeria could find a way to compensate for the subsidy price in a new corporate oil tax, they could abolish the subsidy and have money leftover to improve their countries infrastructure and well-being.
Nigeria sits on one of the biggest oil reserves in the world, which is basically the only thing that keeps them on the map. In the past, the Nigerian government has funded a fuel subsidy to keep prices low. But this subsidy has put the brakes on new infrastructure projects and a fueled a fuel mafia. While most Nigerians do not own cars or generators, the subsidy cut has raised prices on everything: bus fares, food, and almost everything else.
Since the announcement that the government was going to cancel the subsidy, protests have swept the nation. Nigerians are protesting the rise in fuel prices that will help them in the long run, make things extremely difficult in the present. In response to the protests, President Jonathan has revoked his former statement and has promised instead a partial subsidy to cover a little more than half. While this has quelled protests for now, Nigeria still has a long way to go to balance their mafia problems and citizens requests.
Perhaps if Nigeria could find a way to compensate for the subsidy price in a new corporate oil tax, they could abolish the subsidy and have money leftover to improve their countries infrastructure and well-being.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Question of the Week #6
It's still pretty hard to believe that this time next year I'll be in college (you know, hopefully, if all goes well). Even though senior year has been long, and I'm not even done, it's been good. I've worked really freaking hard, probably harder than I ever have before, and I hope it shows. I'm so grateful to be done soon, because honestly, I just want to go to college and get on with my life.
Current Event #6
http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3445575.1326321533!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon by Walt Handelsman is a depiction of a news reporter who is absolutely shocked that the economy is indeed improving. He's reporting that the unemployment rate is falling (currently 8.5% of the labor force) and that consumer confidence is on the rise. He's so shocked he has to read the report twice. I think this cartoon is meant to really enforce the fact that our economy is indeed improving despite doubt and shy stepping. Handelsman is displaying his shock through his work with this cartoon.
This cartoon by Walt Handelsman is a depiction of a news reporter who is absolutely shocked that the economy is indeed improving. He's reporting that the unemployment rate is falling (currently 8.5% of the labor force) and that consumer confidence is on the rise. He's so shocked he has to read the report twice. I think this cartoon is meant to really enforce the fact that our economy is indeed improving despite doubt and shy stepping. Handelsman is displaying his shock through his work with this cartoon.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Question of the Week #5
I think the GOP candidate will be Mitt Romney. It's not that other candidates don't have support, but that Romney has an organized campaign set up where as others do not. He can successfully manage a strong national campaign, a strong point where his fellow nominees have been lacking. Also, some Republican voters think he is the only candidate that has a serious chance of beating President Obama. I think that if Mitt Romney wins New Hampshire, the GOP will have it's nominee.
Current Event #5
http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3433656.1325880963!/httpImage/image.jpg
In this cartoon Walt Handelsman portrays two New Hampshirites warming their hands with a space heater/ Newt Gingrich. Handelsman is suggesting that Newt is so angry about New Hampshire, that he is boiling and potentially heat up his surroundings. Gingrich is reading a paper that says "Mitt UP, Newt DOWN". This cartoon features the recent trends in GOP voting of certain candidates surging, then losing support. Since Newt Gingrich was endorsed by the Union Leader, a conservative New Hampshire newspaper, and Mitt Romney's poll numbers are predicting a decisive victory, this is especially embarrassing for him.
In this cartoon Walt Handelsman portrays two New Hampshirites warming their hands with a space heater/ Newt Gingrich. Handelsman is suggesting that Newt is so angry about New Hampshire, that he is boiling and potentially heat up his surroundings. Gingrich is reading a paper that says "Mitt UP, Newt DOWN". This cartoon features the recent trends in GOP voting of certain candidates surging, then losing support. Since Newt Gingrich was endorsed by the Union Leader, a conservative New Hampshire newspaper, and Mitt Romney's poll numbers are predicting a decisive victory, this is especially embarrassing for him.
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