American Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

American Government - Essay Example A democracy is flawed when government officials act in their self interest rather than the publics and when a portion of the populace is served more than others. We cannot be of the people if we are not by the people. Any reason for low voter turnout whether internally, from apathy or external sources such as intentional acts of voter suppression degrades and makes a mockery of a democracy, an ongoing experiment, a system that works only as well as people make it. By strengthening instead of weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965, changing the voting day (Tuesday) and instituting mandatory voting among other techniques, voter turnout will be increased which is a victory in and of itself, a victory for the democratic process and we the people. Low voter turn out Pandering Political leaders usually show little interest in catering to segments of the population that historically vote in smaller numbers than the norm. They use their limited campaign resources, time and money, where it w ill do the most good. The 2012 presidential election is a good example. Republican candidate Mitt Romney courted the far-right of his party to win the primary because this was the most emotionally motivated group meaning they would vote in high numbers. Romney is credited for instituting the model for the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) as Governor of Massachusetts, a law that covers abortion and illegal immigrants. He did what all politicians do, pandered to the people going to the polls. The far-right Tea Party does not represent mainstream Republicans. Their voice is over-represented. Even after the presidential loss Republicans have not showed interest in attract minority voters. Voting blocks such as the Tea Party have a larger voice in government, a circumstance that does not accurately represent the population. Bad outcomes occur when a highly motivated minority carries a disproportionate voice such as when the House of Representatives shutdown the federal government, have vo ted to repeal Obamacare more than 40 times and is not allowing a vote on the immigration bill. Apathy A democratic government is designed to reflect the will of the majority and protect the civil liberties of all. Apathy, the lack of interest in the democratic process, acts to distort the ideal of democracy and not in a positive way. When half of those registered to vote choose not to exercise that right it results in a government that does not represent all people equally. People don’t vote for a variety of reasons including, ‘too busy,’ ‘don’t like either candidate,’ ‘have a disability’ and ‘just don’t care about politics.’ Voting apathy is getting worse. In 1960 nearly two-thirds of eligible voters made it to the polls, a number smaller than many other democracies but the largest turnout in the 50 years previous as well. In 2008 that relatively low number dropped to just over 50 percent. Those figures are fo r presidential elections. Off-year elections are much worse when voter apathy reaches two-thirds, a dismal number especially when compared to other democracies. Several countries consistently surpass more than 90 percent voter turnout including Australia, Belgium, Austria and Italy. (Ghosh, 2011). Voters who are more educated and of a higher socio-economic class vote in larger numbers than poor and less educated voters. In the 2008 election, according to the U.S Census Bureau, â€Å"76 percent of voters earning a median income of $50,000 or more voted, while only 59 percent of Americans

Global Business Situation and Opportunity Analysis [Marketing Plan Essay

Global Business Situation and Opportunity Analysis [Marketing Plan Part 1] - Essay Example Scanning the potential business environments and analyzing business opportunities and strengths with threats and weaknesses are critically important components in developing and establishing a market. Kraft Foods is one of the largest food processor in North America and has now emerged to be the second largest food processor of the world as it went global and made its presence in more than 100 countries. As part of its further marketing development, the company proposes to launch one of its most successful brands- namely Philadelphia- in India and therefore the company requires careful assessing and effective analyzing of situational and environmental factors that may impact the company. Marketing plan is an important success pathway to building any market. This paper presents a brief analysis of global business opportunity and business situation of Kraft Foods in relation to its prospect to launch a new brand in prevailing market, India. Introduction Globalizing the market has becom e a strategic effort to defend or promote competition, because globalized markets endogenously intensify competition between firms and force them to be highly competitive, innovative and to use latest technological developments (Blossfeld, Klijzing and Mills, 2012, p. 5). Almost all the fortune 500 companies have globalized their business to seize greater opportunities from foreign markets. This paper analyzes global business situation and opportunities for Kraft Foods Group Inc in relation to its business prospect to launch one of its most reputable brands, namely Philadelphia to one of its existing markets, India. Company structure, Capabilities and Resources . Kraft Foods Group Inc. is 50th largest Fortune 500 companies (CNN Money, 2013) and is renowned to be a global snacks-powerhouse with varying brands that seem unrivaled for the reputation they gained. It operates food and beverages in North America considerable market position in Canada and other countries. It manufactures a s well as markets refreshment beverages, liquid concentrates, coffee products, confectionary and grocery products and convenient meals in more than 100 countries (Reuters.com, 2013). It is a highly successful company in the way it has differentiated the products. It offers its products in a number of different brands such as Cadbury, Jacobs, Nabisco, Philadelphia, Trident, Maxwell House, Kraft etc (Reuters.com, 2013). Kraft Foods Group Inc. is very keen about preparing its recipe for positive change by reducing, reusing and recycling water and other important resources. The company put in efforts to make the difference by using less water for manufacturing and to reduce product packaging so as to produce less wastes (Kraftfoodscompany.com, 2013). Forbes (2013) ranks Kraft Food as the 46th world largest company for most powerful brand and as 63rd largest for most innovative firm. It employs more than 126,000 employees throughout the world. Products, Markets and distribution of Kraft Foods Kraft Foods offers mainly 7 different lines of products, namely baking & desserts, cheese & diary, coffee & beverages, deli meat & hot dogs, sauces & condiments, side dishes