Culture and Religion in Malaysia

Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays, Chinese and Indians living side by side. The Malays are the largest community. They are Muslims and speak Bahasa. Malays mainly control the political power in Malaysia. The Chinese comprise about a third of the population. They are Buddhists and Taoists, speak Hokkein, Hakka and Cantonese, and are dominant in the business community. The Indians account for about 10% of the population. They are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India. They speak Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, and live mainly in the larger towns on the west coast of the peninsula. Eurasians and indigenous tribes make up the remaining population. Iban of Sarawak is the main indigenous tribe of Malaysia. They number around 3, 95,000. They are largely longhouse dwellers and live along the Rejang and Baram rivers. The Bidayuh (107,000) are concentrated on Sarawak's Skrang River. The Orang Asli (80,000) live in small scattered groups in Peninsular Malaysia. The tribals were mainly nomadic agriculturists but gradually they are being absorbed in the modern Malaysian society. The traditional architectural style of Malaysia is the long-house, found particularly along the rivers of Sarawak. Families live together (though they have their own private space) in one long building, raised on stilts, sharing the open verandah which runs the whole length of the building. Also raised on stilts are the wooden houses in other parts of rural Malaysia. These stilt-houses are around two meters above the ground to protect against floods and wild animals, while providing extra ventilation and also shelter for the family's domestic animals. The style of the houses varies from region to region, the most famous being the saddle-shaped roofs, which rise up into what are known as â€Å"buffalo horns†. A third style of home common in Malaysia is the Chinese â€Å"shop-house† where the ground floor is a shop, with the family living above. Malaysian music is heavily influenced by Chinese and Islamic forms. The music is based largely around the gendang (drum), but includes percussion instruments (some made of shells), flutes, trumpets and gongs. The country has a strong tradition of dance and dance dramas. Some of them are of Thai, Indian and Portuguese origin. Other artistic forms include wayang kulit (shadow-puppets), silat (a stylised martial art) and crafts such as batik, weaving and silver and brasswork. Religion: More than half of the population (52%) follows Islam. Other religions followed in Malaysia are Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Sikhism. In addition Shamanism is practiced in East Malaysia.

On Being Isolated

I have been a doctor for two decades now, always ready to aid people who are in need, to heal them in the most impossible way that a man can, to cure others who asked of me over and over in the most isolated provinces in this wounded nation. But all of these can disappear from an instant blink of an eye. The whole nation is desperately in need of healing, to be quite frankly. It is hard to think of a proclamation of Jesus that is harder to understand – or believe – than â€Å"blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven' because truthfully, from whereI am standing, I don't quite see it at all. Vive seen death in everywhere I go, pre-school children died from being exploded by a bomb of the ABA Safe conflict in Sambaing, a sick mother who died after giving birth to a twin because his husband who happens to be a conductor in a bus company can't afford a proper three-day meal for the family despite his almost 24- hours shift. And Just like last week, Vive seen a woman who was stabbed by her own sister-in-law out of Jealousy.I bring this up in the context of considering that poverty is everywhere, that no matter how much we think about the did an Dana' it won't bring the Filipino people in good condition. I believe, as a Doctor, health is one of the most important elements in society. It takes a great deal of effort to come up with plans and proposal to keep the nation in balance with health. The President Just stated his State of the Nation a few days back, and it is sad that promoting good health and proposing for cheaper medicines and health benefits doesn't seem like its included in his flagships.True, that the administration is still on its process of rehabilitating what was lost in Samara-Letter regions, but in ejaculating all of the medical assistance is by far most unknown in his propaganda. Thankfully enough, we are living by the hands of the foreigners. All of the countless relief's we received are from all over the wo rld. It is also quite considerate when Peons cabinet members and Local Government Officials are working hard for the safety of everyone, but why it seems that everyone is still coping up with the devastation.It has almost been a year since it happened, but why are these dreams seems to be washed out by the typhoon? You see, I am Just a Doctor, who can't even help himself, because I am being dragged y the system and by the looks of it the government can't even help its people. I wish all those people who made decisions could come down to see what the consequences of their decisions would be like. But really, who are those' people in the first place? Tobacco executives who market a carcinogenic product? Conglomerate food industries that contribute to obesity (and poor dental health)?Insurance companies that leveraged debt in credit default swabs and contributed to global inflation? Even if I help myself in building a hospital, do you think the government would support me on that? How would I even know that all of hose pain and effort in helping people would really pay off? No matter how much I think about going abroad and dedicate myself in contributing to the nation's rising economy (even though it doesn't seem quite felt), it would reflect on me, and the media will use its persuasive power to kill people like us (doctors, nurses, therapists) like we are the most gruesome professionals in the world.The clinic that I usually attend to in Panamanian, every time Vive visited it, is about as anti-Aquinas as it gets, so it is hard for me to reconcile the claims that insurance (since when does every Filipino has insurance and I wish everyone can) and co-pays should be under IPPP with the insistence that whatever our misfortunes might be, they are the product of unfair treatment at the hands of power and privileged. In the President's speech he talked about preparing for future disasters and even focuses on how his administration carry over responsibilities in all of those who are affected.I was one of the Doctors that immediately went to see how wrecked the place was, but a one single official was never really there to go and look in many far- lung areas. Relief's were distributed almost three days after that typhoon. There used to be several health centers in Tactical (where I was assigned) but last January, it stretched to the limit. People cannot even walk to the main health center in Tactical. There are trees everywhere and they have essentially been cut off.We set up in the destroyed former health clinic and received a lot of patients. It was non-stop and people were happy that my team arrived. And in everyday was the same, we went to another remote village and the patients did not stop coming. It is clear that there is a massive need. As a freelance Doctor, I cannot save the whole country, but many people are currently surviving without medical care and we will try to fill that gap until services are restored. Till when can I accept this tragic fact?Back in Tactical, we are mainly treating respiratory infections, and we've also seen some patients with diarrhea. Without proper shelter and being exposed to the elements, a lot of people have colds and fevers, especially the kids. Vive also encountered people who have been affected mentally by the typhoon. They are resent with physical symptoms that you can't really pinpoint, but often we see that this indicates psychological distress. It's common to see this after such a traumatic event, so psychological care is in need to.As I continue my distress over the things I saw back last November when the Typhoon was out in the Philippine Area of Responsibility, I was drawn to more facts about this illness of my country in providing deserved health benefits. Equipment and facilities are still not up to the standard of private institutions. Government hospitals remain largely ill equipped and have offered years due to the decline of government spending on health care. Accessibi lity to public healthcare still remains a contentious issue, particularly in more rural areas.Ideally, everyone is entitled to health care through Philately, but the problem still is, some are discouraged to pay for this because they still choose ‘Panamanian Eng than' over health care and not all medical procedures are covered by the Philately scheme and often the balance for medical expenses is to be paid by the patients. The other day, Budget Secretary Butch Bad presented the 201 5 proposed budget of PA. 06 trillion ($60 billion), 15% higher than the previous year. For health, the government wants a APP. Billion budget for the upgrade of 1,242 bargain (village) health stations, 587 rural health stations, 128 local government unit hospitals, and 1 1 treatment and rehabilitation centers. The government also seeks a PA. 3 billion budget to minimize 2. 2 million children and to provide pneumatically vaccines to 1. 4 million senior citizens and 429,000 infants. Big money is allot ted in Health. If only the President would consider this, a plan where he can control the distribution of budget appropriately for everyone.Although, he dispensed an allotted amount in covering future calamity funds and increase in providing the National Health Insurance Program from APP. 3 billion ($810 million) to APP. 2 billion ($850 million); increase in coverage from 14. 7 million to 15. 4 million beneficiaries, it would be quite enough to sustain what the nation needs, but the big question here is that if the administration can provide this fairly and legitimately. As a Doctor, I am not enraged by how the administration works. I am furious on how they manage everything.I am not against to those who are now in the position, I believe they are placed there for a reason, a reason that neither of us would know. But to be quite honest, my heart goes to the people who deserved a better life. A life of happiness, stability, and even the most taken for granted acts. I am not taking si des in considering that the Philippines is not a choice anymore; I won't want to believe that. It is probably one of the reasons why I still keep myself flowing as much as possible, helping those poor; I believe that social protection and social services should be given a much more credit, a bigger perspective to end this misery.But for now, I'll keep my hopes up. I will definitely wait for the right time. But I won't lose my hope in this administration and in this passion in serving others. I challenge the President in helping and promoting us, especially those who are in the medical world, in healing our nation's wounds. It might be hard, it is not easy, but there's no need to worry, it will be all well and right, if we all keep ourselves closely knit, together, hand in hand.

Health Status of African American Men Essay

Introduction Research and technological advancement made in the United Stated of America (USA) has led to the improvement of health outcomes among the citizens of this country. People are living longer, cures are being developed daily, and many unanswered health questions are being answered then ever before. However, despite this multitude of improvement in the health status of Americans, African American men are disproportionately affected by health inequalities as compared to their Caucasian men. This paper will identify a minority group and offer relevant information of the factors that preclude minorities from quality health care, with noted barriers and interventions that will lead to improved health care and achieve the goal of quality life styles for not just one culture of people, but all people in the United States. Identifying Health disparities in African American Men African American men have the highest mortality rates and the lowest life expectancy rates among women and men in all of the racial and ethnic groups in America. The mortality rate for African American men is about 1.3 times that of White men. Life expectancy for African American men is 70 years old compared to White males living to age 76 (Xanthos, 1998). The death rate for blacks are 3 times higher than whites, due to the social and economic conditions of poverty, unemployment, stress, education, neighborhoods and their disproportionate risk for disease (Net wellness, 2014). African American men die 2.5 times more than White men from prostate cancer; African American men are 8 times more likely to die from HIV; African American men are 2 times more  likely to develop heart disease and 3 times more likely to develop hypertension (Men’s Health). When compared to White men, African American men development diseases earlier, suffer from more severe diseases, and have less acce ss to medical care. The most disturbing fact to access to care is that White men are more likely to receive state of the art treatment than African American men. The exploitation of race and gender has been rooted in class status. This widespread behavior has been seen since the founding of this nation. Class has been used as a way to Indirectly suppress the poor in all sectors of life. It is the ways in which access to a variety of social goods such as the employment, housing, power; education and income are distributed in this country. Many of the questions and issues regarding this have been and continue to adversely affect the health of African American men. Having the understanding that there are barriers that are difficult to address in any one health promotion, and being able to rethink how these barriers function in the lives of African American men, will result in likely success in promoting quality healthcare. How is Health promotion defined by this group? Life style plays a major role in the prevalence of chronic disease. Given the factors that impact racial discrimination concerning the health care of African American men, we can start by promoting policies which address all racial discrimination. We must strengthen anti-discrimination legislation that addresses unemployment. We reform and improve the interaction with African American male students, by increasing funding to the African American communities, which would lead to having more marketable African American men in the work force. We must also address the racial biases in the criminal system, reducing the number of African American in our jails. If we use the landmark law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we will enable over 30 million people with much needed health insurance coverage. With the provisions of the ACA not only will health insurance coverage be accessible, but provisions related to disparities be reduced, data collection and reporting will be more effective and inclusive of quality improvement and prevention. This act will promote prevention and wellness  programs, giving all people more control over their health care (Sebelius, 2011). According to the Healthy People 2020, one of the goals is to â€Å"achieve health equity, eliminate disparities and improve the health of all groups.† By tracking death rates, acute and chronic diseases, injuries and all health related behaviors, this will assist health care providers become more proficient in diagnosing and providing treatment in the areas of cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV and diabetes while being culturally competent (Healthy People, 2020). Our local, regional, and national organizations must take an action role in providing guidelines to develop comprehensive health care interventions that are designed for people of all cultures (Argondezzi, 2001). The successful strengthening of infrastructures to prioritize the challenges of reducing health disparities of African American men will achieve the much needed sources to eliminate unequal treatment. Exponents for social justice and equality have continued to disseminate information on the importance of addressing this problem. Many professional organizations, governmental and non- governmental bodies such as WHO and Public Health Organizations as well as individuals like Paul Farmer and Barbara Ehrenreich have been active on the forefront either directly or indirectly in advocating for social justice. Given the multi-faceted nature of the problem Barbara Ehrenreich a writer by profession and PhD by education, conducted an experimental study on class in the United States of America by self experiencing the reality of living as a lower class citizen with a lower and unskilled paying job in her book entitled; Nickel and Dime (Ehrenreich, 2008). Nickel and Dime is a non fictitious writing that depicts the social class of America. Barbara Ehrenreich, is a reporter and a writer who decided to experiment on how unskilled low wage workers are able to live on their minimum wages. To experiment the effects of living as a lower class citizen in this country, she decided to live in three different states month by month while living on just what she made as an unskilled worker. Her decision first took her to Key West, Florida, where she begun working as a waitress in a restaurant. She was able to find an affordable living accommodation in a trailer on the outskirt of the city. Acknowledging that one job could not pay her living expenses, she sought a  second job as a hotel maid. The physical demands of both jobs resulted in Barbara leaving her second job. She was unable to complete the whole month before moving to Portland to continue her next experiment (Ehrenreich, 2008) . In Portland, she found a job as a maid with a residential housekeeping service. There she also took a second job as a dietary aide in a nursing home in order to meet her monthly living  expenses. She was indirectly forced to work seven days a week to meet the need of paying her monthly rent, food and clothing. She became an advocate for her co-workers while working as a maid, even though, she was able to win a day off for one of her co-workers who had sustained an injury at the job but afraid of losing her job kept working while injured (Ehrenreich, 2008) . Barbara’s final destination on her experiment was in Minneapolis, Minnesota where she was hired to work at a Wal-Mart store, putting clothes on shelves. In Minnesota she was not able to afford an expensive apartment due to her salary. The apartment vacancy rate in Minneapolis was so low that she had to stay in motels until she completed her experiment. Barbara had advocated for the lower class through her book, regarding the experience that lower class citizens go through in terms of self esteem, housing, education and power. She highlighted the deplorably conditions and humiliation that they face each day at work. She summarized some of the reasons why wages are kept low, the rationale for the humiliation, the yelling on and the psychological derailment of their self esteem that keeps them in a lower salary while the upper class reap off all the benefits from their hard labor in an exchange for coffee and donuts at times instead of a pay raise (Ehrenreich, 2008). There is a direct correlation between lower class and poor health. Conclusion Health disparities are often measured in terms of income, education, wealth, politics or influence and occupation. The combination of these factors including race and gender often determine our social worth. The experiment of Barbara Ehrenreich is a great example of discrimination, disparity, and she was a woman. African American men experience much more and receive much less. Looking at different cultures is not new to nurses, even Florence Nightingale analyzed her population to determine the care and services that were needed. Understanding and influencing culture, economics, the physical environments of our patient’s health practices, while assisting them to access to care will lead to promising outcomes (Jones, 2014). As quoted by Kathleen G. Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, â€Å"It is time to refocus, reinforce, and repeat the message that health disparities exist and that health equity benefits everyone.† References Argondezzi, Theresa (2001). The Many Faces of Health Care: Disparities in Minority Health. Retrieved November 13, 2014 from http://www.nursing.advanceweb.com/Article The -Many –Faces-of-Health-Care-Disparities –Minority. Barbara Ehrenreich (1999). Nickel and Dimed. Retrieved November 14, 2014 from http:// www.wesjones.com/ehrenreich.htm. Health and Human Services. A Nation Free of Disparities in Health and Health Care. Retrieved November 13, 2014. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/npa/files/Plans/HHS/HHS_Plan. Jones, Linda (2014). Letting Data Lead the Way. Retrieved November 14, 2014 from http:// www.nursing.advanceweb.com/Archieves/Article-Archive/Letting-Data-Lead-the-Way. Men’s Health Consulting. African American Men Experience Disproportionate Risk for Disease and Death. Retrieved November 15, 2014 from http://www.menshealth.org/code/ afroamer.html. Sebelius, Kathleen. Secretary, Health and Human Services

Ability to learn is affected by the classroom environment

The schoolroom environment is the ambiance and scene of the room that pupils learn within. It includes a broad scope of educational constructs that include both the physical and psychological environment. These constructs consist of both societal context and instructional constituents related to teacher features and schoolroom scene ( Konza, Grainger & A ; Bradshaw, 2001 ) . â€Å" The physical environment of a schoolroom explains a batch about the outlooks of a instructor towards their pupils † ( Konza, Grainger & A ; Bradshaw, 2001 ) . Before a pupil begins larning efficaciously they must be provided with a safe, positive and supportive learning civilization. In return will cut down struggle and enhance acquisition capablenesss. A pupil ‘s instruction is affected by the undermentioned constructs of the schoolroom environment: pick of coloring material, type of lighting, noise degree, room temperature, category size and ornament. A classrooms pick of coloring material impacts extremely on pupils larning. Certain colorss used on the walls of the schoolroom create both good and bad tempers ; impacting pupil larning. Mood is a pertinent facet of larning within a schoolroom. A pupil who is in a good temper and environment by others in a good temper will seek to larn and take in more from their lessons. Where as a pupil who is in a bad temper and surrounded by others in a bad temper will be loath to larn and seek distraction. Konza, Grainger & A ; Bradshaw ‘s, ( 2001 ) research proves the colors orange, yellow, green, and light blue used in schoolrooms create a cheerful, sociable environment with minimum ill will and annoyance. In return allow for pupils to increase the consumption of information and apprehension for larning. Opposed to the dull, white, brown and black colorss used in a schoolroom that creates a non- stimulating nor productive environment. Hence colour itself is a critical portion in promoti ng comfy and effectual acquisition. Consequently the pick of coloring material when utilizing in a schoolroom puting demands to be addressed as it impacts extremely on a pupil ‘s temper and in return affects their learning abilities. Sound is another construct that impacts on a pupil larning. On a day-to-day footing the schoolroom encounters many sums and different types of noise and can run from: schoolroom treatments, background noise, conversations and music. Nevertheless Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" sounds are all around us, nevertheless when sounds are unwanted they are redeemed as noise † . In order to larn pupils are subjected to conversations throughout their twenty-four hours, if non by the instructor, but themselves and other equals. The degree of variable noise will change depending on scenes such as the difference between libraries to art categories. Every schoolroom has background noise such as fans, airing, treatments and conversations which is step in dBs as BNL ( Background noise degrees ) . Marsh ( 2008 ) . A instructor can pass on clearly in a quiet voice when the BNL rises to 35dB, supplying a safe and comfy ambiance. A normal voice will transport good over a BNL of 40dB where larni ng takes its extremum as information and instructions can be delivered and heard clearly. Opposed to anything over 45dB or 50 dubnium where a instructor or pupil must talk really aloud which in return can do distraction, annoyance, emphasis and weariness ( Marsh, 2008 ) . Due to the fortunes of being subjected to a assortment of different degrees of noise within a schoolroom, pupils can change between efficient acquisition and aside. This clearly outlines the importance of noise degree in the schoolroom and its effects on instruction. There is much research grounds based on the effects of category size that is redeemed to be contradictory, whether it impacts on pupils accomplishments or non. However there are many survey ‘s that do place the significance of category size and its impact on pupil larning. Such as, Larkin, ( 2004 ) who states â€Å" that by cut downing category size, particularly for the younger kids, will hold a positive consequence on pupil accomplishment † . In making so will construct better instructor pupil relationships which will break their attitude towards larning and better their instruction. The province authorities had taken action to cut down category sizes for illustration New South Wales had aimed to hold category sizes changing from 20 to 24 pupils in the first three old ages of schooling for all province schools by 2007.Marsh ( 2008 ) . The pupils within these schoolrooms will hold the chance to derive more of the instructor ‘s clip, attending and instruction. Leti ng for more one- on- one instruction to take topographic point in the schoolroom and clip and attending for inquiries and replies that will heighten pupil cognition and better their instruction. Rather than, the pupils being subjected to big category size where the instructor struggles to run into the demands of all his or her pupils. In return go forthing the pupils troubled, unconfident and discerning towards their instructor, schooling and in peculiar instruction itself. Based on the synthesis of Course, Minus, & A ; Passing. ( 2008 ) that little categories in the early classs generate better environments for pupils and these are greater the longer the pupils are exposed to the smaller categories. Due to the consequence of pupil accomplishment displayed in the authorities ‘s actions to make smaller category sizes, it is now more of precedence within schools to move on the information and work towards smaller categories as it is turn outing to be successful. Based on authori ties consequences and theoreticians, the success of the passage to smaller categories is sketching the significance category size has on pupil acquisition. When measuring the schoolroom environment, temperature is a critical construct as it can impact pupil ‘s behavior and in return their ability to take on cognition. Marsh ( 2008 ) states that â€Å" Common sense would bespeak that there is a reasonably limited temperature scope in which school pupils might be expected to work at their best † . She explains that high temperatures can do some pupils to be cranky and uncomfortable and in utmost instances both unenrgetic and nauseating. Equally good as cold temperatures that may convey out aggression and negative behavior in some pupils within the schoolroom. The temperature of a schoolroom can be altered through the usage and execution of osculating ceiling fans, oil and gas fired warmers and air-conditioning. Marsh ( 2008 ) . It is the duty of the instructor to be cognizant of the possibilities of temperature emphasis if excessively high or low temperatures prevail and adjust their activities consequently. Temperature is a critical facet on the schoolroom environment. It can change how a pupil feels and in return their attitude to school and instruction. Therefore temperature has considerable impact on a pupil ‘s ability to larn comfortably and expeditiously. A pupil ‘s ability to larn is extremely affected by the constructs of the schoolroom environment. Students go to school to be educated and this instruction can be manipulated by many factors that exist within the schoolroom. Therefore changeless alteration and appraisal of schoolrooms is needed to guarantee that there is an addition of sufficient and effectual acquisition taking topographic point without distraction and hurt. By researching and admiting that the schoolroom environment has many constructs to it such as pick of coloring material, degree of noise, category size and temperature that all impact on how a pupil learns and their ability to larn. The school and instructors can work together to make a comfy acquisition environment to accommodate the acquisition demands of pupils.

Credit risk management of CDSs, case from AIG Essay

Credit risk management of CDSs, case from AIG - Essay Example In regard to the bailout, AIG was presented with access to a $85 billion credit facility. In exchange, the United States government was presented with warrants for a 79.9% equity stake in AIG and the power to expel dividend payments to shareholders. AIG’s misfortunes started in a unit known as AIG Financial Products, which traded in credit default swap (CDS). A CDS acts as a safeguard against a default on assets that are connected to corporate debt and mortgage securities. The losses to AIG’s portfolio of CDSs were prompted by the disintegration of the subprime mortgage1 market. A groundbreaking amount of defaults by subprime borrowers with adjustable rate mortgages initiated the current catastrophe in the global financial markets in 2008. Most of these began in 2005 and 2006 when lenders remarkably loosened up on underwriting standards. Figure 4.2: Subprime mortgage originations Source: Bradford (2008) ‘The Subprime Mortgage Meltdown, the Global CreditCrisis and the D&O Market.’ Advisen : Productivity&insight for insurance professionals. The assumption was that homeowners would refinance prior to the monthly payments being readjusted, but decreasing real estate prices made it inaccessible for the majority of subprime borrowers who had hardly any or no equity in their houses to refinance. As they were incapable of paying the increased monthly payments, many borrowers had no choice but to default. Defaults in U.S. mortgages rose beyond record levels in the second quarter of 2007, and the fallout rapidly expanded all through the financial markets. The subprime mortgage debacle immediately brought forth the worldwide credit crisis. AIG is one of the financial institutions with credit default swaps business that was also affected during these circumstances. From then on, many CDSs were sold as insurance to cover those exotic financial instruments that created and spread the subprime housing crisis. As those mortgage-backed securities2 and collateralized debt obligations3 became more or less valueless, abruptly that reputedly low risk event saw an actual bond default occurring on a daily basis. AIG sold CDSs were no longer taking in free cash. It had to pay out a large amount of money. The crisis at AIG is a â€Å"question of liquidity, not of capital†, according to ROB Schimek, EVP and CFO of AIG Property Casualty Group. Despite the fact that there have been a small amount of losses paid under the CDSs, contract provisions demand of AIG to post collateral in cash if the value of the assets underlying a CDS declines. At the parent level, AIG has approximately $80 billion in shareholder equity, though the majority of that is secured in the company’s insurance operations and cannot be converted to meet the collateral calls of the financial products unit. Since it did not have enough cash to meet the collateral demands, the company faced a liquidity crisis and bankruptcy protection. 4.3 What AIG actual did leaded the company go down 4.3.1 The undoing of AIG liquidity crisis AIG reported â€Å"an unrealized market valuation loss of $11.5 billion on [the] super senior credit default swap (CDS) portfolio† held by its subsidiary, AIG Financial Products in the annual report for 2007. The definition of CDSs was discussed in chapter 2.2. This initiated a drastic downfall and ended AIG’

J.P Morgan and the Rise of Business Research Paper

J.P Morgan and the Rise of Business - Research Paper Example Discussion J.P. Morgan was born in 1837 in Hartford Connecticut to Junius Morgan and Juliet Pierpont. Being the only son among four other siblings made him to be more entrenched in the family business. He was to gain invaluable experience from working at George and Peabody Company, a firm in which his father had entered a partnership. Upon his return from New York, he became involved in working for the Duncan Sherman and Company from which he gradually rose in the ranks. Morgan established the J.P. Morgan & Company in 1861 which was to be the subsidiary of his father’s J.S. Morgan. J.P. Morgan made a name for himself through many shrewd deals which involved manipulation of gold prices for a profit. Since his father did not look kindly upon such shady dealings by Morgan, he forced the company into a partnership with Charles Dabney a successful Philadelphia banker (Geisst 35-39). J.P Morgan was involved in the rapidly developing railway industry during this time from which he ma de handsome returns. By the year 1869, Morgan was in charge of Susquehanna and Albany Railroad. By 1879, Morgan had made a name for himself from the sale of stock worth twenty five million dollars in the New York Railroad through a surreptitious consortium. Morgan made a handsome return on his investment in the deal which made his name famous making his to be appointed to the board of the New York Central Railroad board of directors soon after. A series of cunning business deals culminated with the formation of the Interstate Commerce Railway Association whose main aim was to thwart competition (Kwak and Simon 78-87). The group was composed of railway tycoons who were keen on protecting their businesses from increasing competition from small holders. The practice by the Interstate Commerce Railway Association of running down competing railroads through cartel led to the enactment of the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 which made it illegal for companies to behave in cartel like beha vior. Most of modern day American laws on cartels are based on this act of 1887 (Chernow 172-3). Morgan began to associate closely with the Union government in 1872 through his purchasing of treasury bonds and bills. The 1893 financial panic further increased the profile and stature of Morgan when he was put mandated to act as a central bank by the government. The US had no central bank system and was such in danger of collapsing due to lack of controls on the monetary system. In conjunction with European bankers with whom his father and he had acquired connections, he made a deal for the United States to get a loan of 65 million dollars from Europe. While Morgan made a lot of money from the transaction, he has been tagged as a robber baron by many critics since he declined to divulge how much he had made from the syndicate. Modern day history scholars in the field of economics acknowledge Morgan with saving the economic system of the US from imminent disintegration by his act (Morr is 69-78). Morgan has also been involved in the funding of many major American utilities companies. In 1879 Morgan was actively concerned in the giving of financial support to the research of the Edison Electric Company. Morgan is credited with the merger between Edison Electric Company and a rival to form the giant General Electric. Morgan was heavily involved in the provision of

Compare and Contrast of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Fast Food Essay

Compare and Contrast of The Jungle by Upton Sinclair and Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser - Essay Example Do the writings of the authors, Upton Sinclair and Eric Schlosser have the latent strength to change the value systems and beliefs of the readers permanently? Schlosser makes the readers thinks hard and achieves the purpose to convince the public to change their views on the fast food industry, and change the current conditions of the industry by individual action and group protests. The discussions amongst the readers have created a strong lobby against the meat processing industry. Sinclair has different types of ambitions and his writings are politically motivated. He wishes to promote the cause of socialism and he tries to convince his readers to change their mental set-up. He presents a case before them in his earnest efforts to veer them round to the socialist principles. Emotional content and the facts related to the issue: Comparatively, Fast Food Nation appeals strongly to the reader’s sense of ethos, pathos and logos and it categorically achieves its purpose. Schlosser begins the book with a clear warning to the American people. He writes, â€Å"Hundreds of millions of people buy fast food every day without giving it much thought, unaware of the subtle and not so subtle ramifications of their purchases. They rarely consider where this food came from, how it was made, what it is doing to the community around them. They just grab their tray off the counter, find a table, take a seat, un-wrap the paper and dig in.... They should know what really lurks between those sesame-seed buns. As the old saying goes: You are what you eat," (Schlosser, p. 10). It kindles an everlasting awareness amongst the readers and evokes fighting spirit against the current inhuman trends that have become pat of the culture of the meat processing industry. The Jungl e takes to the path of propaganda literature and the reader remains unconvinced about the issues raised and the solutions tendered. Socialism is Sinclair’s view of life, not the