Thanksgiving

            Holidays always seem to be a time of warmth and relaxation. Family members from far away come to enjoy each other’s company and greet one another with love and excitement. Thanksgiving is a holiday where these comforting feelings are present from the moment the smell of food reaches your nose. This year, I was especially looking forward to Thanksgiving. Upon returning home from months of school I felt that I had established myself, even in the smallest of ways, to finally be qualified at the forum of “elder” members of my family. After months of work and freedom from the household it was nice to come back to those who were supporting me all the while but the one aspect of thanksgiving that always troubles me  is my inability to “come of age” at family holidays. As I find myself at the kids’ table again, I wonder when I will be able to engage in the more adult conversations on the other side of the dining room. I feel able to contribute to conversations about politics and work related issues yet still I seem to lack the credibility necessary to participate. The questions that many guests ask me seem to be very generic and simply out of obligation. I continue to hope every year to finally break out from these invisible chains that seem to bind me to my youth. However, this complication that I encounter every year is nothing new and doesn’t keep me from enjoying one of the most relaxing holidays of the year.

The Electoral College Is Undemocratic

There are common ideals that many Americans share. These principles, chosen by the founding fathers, establish many of the fundamental rights guaranteed by our constitution.  I personally think it would be difficult to find someone who would knowingly forfeit these rights, especially when choosing a president. Therefore, by using historical examples, common sense and statistical evidence, it will become clear that the Electoral College is undemocratic. Justice, equality and the importance of promoting the common good are ideals that clearly conflict with the electoral process. In my essay, I will contrast these ideals with facts from past elections and through the demystification of the Electoral College, the necessity of reform will appear. The Electoral College fails to reflect the national will of the people. It discriminates geographical areas based on population size, favoring more rural states. This gives more voting power to some voters compared to others. Where is the equality or justice? In addition, there have been instances where the elector that has been chosen to vote, breaks from the votes of the people and casts his personal vote. This is known as a “faithless” elector and there are various examples of these “faithless” in history. Although states have recently put in penalties for disobedient electors, so far not a single faithless elector has been persecuted. This system also politicizes the distribution of electors in each state, which should be a completely objective process. This redistribution has become increasingly difficult due to rising amount of interstate travel and greatly increases the margin for error. It also provides an incentive to illegally divide geographic regions in order to garner more support. This is known as gerrymandering. The source I plan to use for these points of argument come from the National Archives and Records Administration. Secondly, the Electoral College prevents third parties from coming to power. It ensures a two party system, and many have argued that it will stay this way because of the security that it gives to the two political parties currently in power. Lastly, evidence from four different elections where outcomes would have been different, had there been a direct vote instead of the Electoral College system are presented to the reader. Currently there have been four minority presidents put in office, the most recent being George W. Bush.  The purpose of this paper is not to give an alternative to the Electoral College. I only hope to show its undemocratic nature and the necessity of change in our election process.

I cite additional information from a document written by the deputy director of the Federal Elections Commission and I use quotes from a professor at Calif. Berkeley who researched the statistical margin for error within the Electoral College.

Potential Topic for Paper Four

The Supreme Court ruling in January of 2010 repealed the McCain-Feingold Law, which restricted corporate funding in political campaigns. The result of this ruling may have significant impact on campaign process. Those in support of this argument have argued that the first amendment prohibits governmental regulation of “free political speech.” Those who oppose the ruling, argued that by allowing corporations to “flood the political marketplace, it would corrupt democracy.”  Each of these arguments relies on certain assumptions. When the Supreme Court ruled on this decision it gave an explicit interpretation of the first amendment. If corporations have the same rights as individuals then the first amendments right to the freedom of speech in elections applies to them. If corporations are not legally “individuals” then the first amendment, which is the basis for the argument, is irrelevant. Therefore, the underlying issue is whether or not corporations are individuals. Conversely, the latter argument says that by allowing corporations to contribute limitlessly towards campaigns and advertisements, big business will not only control the media with biased advertisements but also “undermine the influence of small contributions made by average Americans who are supporting their preferred candidate.” {Barack Obama} Many fear that this will put a higher price tag on campaigning, which is already an extremely expensive endeavor. In addition, many fear that politicians will issue favorable legislation to organizations that helped fund their campaigns, but this is pure speculation. Basically dissenters argue, because corporate funding in elections is not restricted, our democracy will be corrupted.  This would force us to define democracy and how and to what extent it is corrupted. Although, I personally disagree with this Supreme Court ruling I can understand issues on both sides. In my paper I would write it as if I was appealing to the Supreme Court to decide against the ruling that was ultimately decided upon. 

Close Reading

In the music videos by Kid Cudi the song “Pursuit of Happiness” entwines the audience’s emotions within its tone, imagery and voice that resonates throughout the song. A somber feeling of contentment and a longing for happiness develops as the song progresses and one lyric in particular conveys a message that seems to be common in popular culture. Cudi’s outlook on life becomes apparent in the lyrics, “If I fall, if I die, I know I lived it to the fullest. If I fall, if I die, I know I lived it missing bullets.” The two lines express a rebellious attitude and determination to pursue what he wants despite cultural norms that establish right from wrong. Within these lyrics Kid Cudi shows a realization of the fact that his lifestyle has risks. He parties, drinks, smokes and wouldn’t exactly qualify for perfect role model status. However, he understands this and although people in his life have tried to shoot down his socially unacceptable lifestyle, he remains true to himself and is willing to accept the consequences that might follow. This realization comes through with a somber tone. The thought of falling or death seems to haunt him as he searches to find what truly makes him happy. Death seems to go hand in hand with a carpe diem mentality because if one treats every day like it is their last then life takes on a level of finality. The repetition of the first half of the lyric may suggest that his attempt to, “live his life to the fullest” and be-all-he-can-be, may take more than one try. This would fit with the idea of being in “pursuit of happiness” instead of simply “happiness.” In conclusion, this lyric shows a rebellious nature that is popular in modern society and a realization that life should be lived to the fullest regardless of the social implications or risks; or in Shakespeare’s words, “above all else, to thine own self be true.”

Quote By Albert Einstein

There are college students today who overlook the extraordinary opportunity they have been given by being able to attend higher education. As tuition costs continue to rise and the economy continues to struggle, attending college is a privilege that only a select few will be able to experience.  With that being said, that privilege comes with immense responsibility and expectations that not all teenagers share. This opportunity can either be squandered or embraced. There are numerous students that will never make it through college and others who simply decide that the student life is not for them. However, the ones that endure separate themselves from the rest. So what makes it worth it? There are hundreds of various reasons on why students make it through college, but one very common reason in particular stands out, these are the students who are motivated only by money. The students who seek to be as financially successful regardless of the cost are the ones who should reflect on the opportunity they’ve been given. These students should “try not to become men (and women) of success but men (and women) of value.” One who wishes to be financially successful looks for only personal gain. Success implies fame, fortune and status. However, value carries a different meaning entirely. To be of value can also mean wealthy, yet it holds a deeper connotation. Value implies one who upholds moral character and someone who is worth more than their paycheck. A person of value understands that success is not only rewarded financially but there is something to be learned along the way. Those who bring meaning to work are valuable and only then can they truly be successful. Thus, students should be advised. Those who strive for personal gain should be reminded of the opportunity they have been given. They should not only seek to be successful but also seek to make a difference and strive to bring value to society.

 Quote By Albert Einstein

Reverse Chronology

He pulled the knife out of his stomach and concealed it within his cloak. Trent had been anticipating this moment ever since he knew the truth. He grabbed the man he was standing over and fiercely dragged him to his feet. The man was Charles, his neighbor. Trent started screaming at him. Yelling everything that came to his head, “I thought I could trust you!” The conversation ended abruptly. He quickly ran away from Charles and got back into his car. He drove around the corner just out of sight. He could see the front door to his house from where he was parked but he was sure no one could see him. Charles left Trent’s house and walked over into his. This is exactly what he was afraid of. Trent sat in his car for about an hour but it seemed like three to him. At first, Trent could barely control his rage. His hands began to ache from unknowingly clenching the wheel so tightly. It was as if he was attempting to strangle it his car to death. His imagination ran wild and he couldn’t believe it had come to this. His anger seemed to slowly be subsiding and transformed into disbelief and eventually denial. Trent doubted the entire situation. He knew Charles and never thought his wife would betray him like this. Yet, his suspicions still seemed to be pricking his mind as he started his car and drove back to work.  When he got to his office he logged onto his computer and for some reason he decided to check his home security cameras. To his surprise he saw his wife in the bedroom wearing an insufficient amount of clothing for anything but sleep. This struck him as odd considering she was suppose to be at work.