http://www.economist.com/node/21547282
This article discusses the upcoming elections in Mexico. A woman, Josefina Vázquez, has been nominated for the first time as a candidate for a major political party, PAN. This is a big step towards women's rights in general in Mexico. Most women don't vote on a regular basis, if at all, and hopefully this upcoming election will spur them to take action and vote. The other two major political parties, PRI and PRD both nominated a male candidate. These two candidates are very unpopular because of their lack of knowledge about regular life in Mexico. For Ms. Vázquez to win, she needs female voters to practice their right to vote. They have over a quarter of seats in the state's congress. Brazil elected a female president with less women in their legislative body. Can Mexico do it too?
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Current Event #whatever.. I forgot
http://www.economist.com/node/21548949
This article discusses the growing dissent in Russia concerning President Putin and his continuing autocratic rule. He was president before, then having served his previous two consecutive terms, he transfered power to Demitri Medvedev, and now Putin is taking the presidency back. There have been grumblings in Russia and open protests against Putin's methods of keeping power (fixed elections, packing crowds for events, and restricting press).
Russians feel discouraged about their current political process and current political state. Few feel up to the challenge of opposing Putin. Finding candidates to run against him is incredibly difficult, and few Russians take them seriously. The present and growing discontent could possibly lead to an ousting from power, but it's not likely.
The rise of the new middle class in Russia leads the feelings of discontent behind Putin. Additionally, Russians on the whole feel disillusioned and unhappy with corruption of the bureaucracy and the oligarchy of business moguls. Some think Putin has not lived up to his promises, and are tiring with his antics and relentless quest for absolute control. Putin ignores requests for free elections and continues doing things his way, and only his way.
Protesters are reorganizing after an unpromising reelection of Putin, but no concrete outcome is certain.
This article discusses the growing dissent in Russia concerning President Putin and his continuing autocratic rule. He was president before, then having served his previous two consecutive terms, he transfered power to Demitri Medvedev, and now Putin is taking the presidency back. There have been grumblings in Russia and open protests against Putin's methods of keeping power (fixed elections, packing crowds for events, and restricting press).
Russians feel discouraged about their current political process and current political state. Few feel up to the challenge of opposing Putin. Finding candidates to run against him is incredibly difficult, and few Russians take them seriously. The present and growing discontent could possibly lead to an ousting from power, but it's not likely.
The rise of the new middle class in Russia leads the feelings of discontent behind Putin. Additionally, Russians on the whole feel disillusioned and unhappy with corruption of the bureaucracy and the oligarchy of business moguls. Some think Putin has not lived up to his promises, and are tiring with his antics and relentless quest for absolute control. Putin ignores requests for free elections and continues doing things his way, and only his way.
Protesters are reorganizing after an unpromising reelection of Putin, but no concrete outcome is certain.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Current Event #3
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.
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.
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.
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