American Association of Retired Persons

American Association of Retired Persons is the largest organization representing the interests of retired persons in the country. With the number of retired persons increasing in the United States, AARP has been in the forefront to influence public policies that serve the interest of this population segment especially on important issues like health, housing, and others.Apart from serving the current senile generation, AARP has also carried out intensive lobbying campaigns on issues that will impact the future generations. The main aim of the organization is to create positive social change and enhance the quality of life for the aged. The group uses different strategies but most important has been its advertising campaign, research reports from its Policy Institute, and many others.The group has been most influential in shaping of public health care policies and its policy influence clearly indicates that it advocates for pluralism. AARP has been providing the best services for the aged and it will continue to influence public policies in the future.Background of the organizationAccording to Charles (1996) American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was founded in 1958 by Dr. Ethel Percy. Initially, it started as the National Retired Teachers Association (NRTA) which had been established in 1947 with the aim of promoting healthy aging philosophies and to provide health insurance for teachers.   It is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization which mainly comprise of individuals from 50 years and above (Charles, 1996).AARP.org (2009b) shows that currently the organization has more than 40 million members and its offices are spread in all 50 states and also in District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S Virgin Islands. Membership status has also changed and it no longer requires individual to be retired to be eligible but only to have reached the age of 50 years. AARP is the largest membership organization for individuals above the age of 50.   It h as been leading a major revolution to change the perception of life after 50.Major policy goalsFor the last half century, AARP has been in the forefront in creating positive social change not only to its members but to the whole society as well.   The mission of the organization is to enhance the quality of life for all the aged, leading positive changes in the society, and delivery of quality services and value to its members mainly through provision of timely information, advocacy, and services to members.AARP.org (2009b) asserts that the organization strongly believe in the working principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and the power of collective purchasing. These are important principles that guide the organization in all its work. This can exemplified by its Divided We Fall campaign launched in 2007 to influence health care policies.AARP has worked tirelessly in order to fulfill its vision of creating a society in which everyone ages with a lot of dignity and pu rpose and also help aging individuals to fulfill their dreams and goals in life.   The organization speaks in one voice and has a common motto of â€Å"To serve, not be served† (AARP.org, 2009b).

Imagery essays

Imagery essays Imagery is used throughout the Odyssey and the story of Oedipus. In the Odyssey, Odysseus is compared to objects, other people and animals. In the story of Oedipus, Oedipus is compared to riddles and objects. In the Odyssey, Odysseuss adventure brings him through many tragedies and hard time. His name is revealed in the story as being one who suffers. Toward the end of the story he is compared to a lion when he emerges victorious against the suitors and the maids are described as small animals scurrying away from him. He is described missing his wife as a shipwrecked swimmer misses the shore. His wife Penelope is described grappling Odysseus as a swimmer that has finally reached land. Throughout the Odyssey Sleep is used to convince the reader that Odysseus is mortal. When he sleeps something bad happens. Sleep means he is not like the Gods peppered through the story. He is mortal and Gods dont have to sleep. In the story of Oedipus his name is swollen feet. This imagery of swollen feet is the key to his identity. The image of the foot in the riddle of the sphinx is used to describe man and Oedipus. He has 4 feet when he is a young child he has 3 feet when he is old and blind and needs the assistance of a cane and he has two feet when he is at the height of his power. There is curse over Thebes, making the land and women infertile. The image of fertility is given with the Goddess of the earth giving the curse upon the land and women. Throughout both the Odyssey and Oedipus the image of family is used. In the Odyssey lineage is used with Odysseuss father son and himself bringing a sense of family values to the story. In Oedipus the link between him being Husband and son to his wife and mother and father and son to his children also relates to his multiple identities. As well as his family his identities are shifted to being a band of ...

Any topic relating to Macroeconomics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Any topic relating to Macroeconomics - Essay Example The exchange rates have a close impact on the exports and imports of the country because when people exchange goods across borders they want to be paid in their own currency and hence the need to exchange value and an exchange rate arises. There are certain benefits and certain disadvantages associated with each and every trade system and so does the free floating exchange rate, the free floating exchange rate is the basis of uncertainty in the economy because there are no blockades at any end for the free floating exchange rate to be limited, it fluctuates rapidly and hence the environment for trade and investment is not a very feasible one. Another added disadvantage of this type of this kind of an exchange rate is the element of speculation. The advantage of the exchange rate system is that it balances the balance of payments and the governments do not have to worry in this regard. b)Dirty Floating: dirty floating, as the name implies is managed exchange rate systems, these systems are managed by the central bank of the country and it basically determines boundaries within which to keep the exchange rate value, if the rate crosses the maximum value then the central bank supplies more into the market so that the rate falls down and when it rises exactly the opposite happens. The advantage of having such an exchange rate system is that it adds a lot of certainty to the trading and the investment procedures and cracks down on speculative measures. The disadvantage of this system is basically to the government because it has to take measures to control the whole system and also the added responsibility of the balance of payments falls squarely on to the shoulders of the present government. c) Fixed exchange rates: In this type of exchange rate systems the rate is fixed at one point and the government should be ready to buy and sell as soon as there are any

Descriptive writing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Descriptive writing - Assignment Example I won’t pack up the porch furniture today, because I want to hold on to this late remnant of the warm days just a little longer. The squirrel is sitting there by the pond, grooming herself. She turns and bounces towards for her store of hazelnuts. Every year I try to beat her to it, but every year she strips the tree before I even realize it is time to gather the harvest. She moves like a sine-wave, swift and light on her feet, chattering as she goes. Every hour of daylight means another layer of provisions in the dark earth. Soon she will sleep. I wonder if the squirrel dreams of summer in her hibernation haven? A solitary bee settles on the hedge before me. Just one. When I was a child there were lots of bees, and the hedge reverberated with their buzzing. Now there is only one and he drops lazily onto a tired-looking rose blossom. He lumbers on, somewhat clumsy, and carrying too much weight, in search of the last remaining blooms. Making the most of the time, he is, like me, grateful for the sun’s cheerful company. It is very still in the garden now. Where have all the bees gone? The rhythmic crash of the farmer’s mowing machine in the distance reminds me that the bees, too, have to adjust to modern lifestyle changes. Solitary bees, like self-employed couriers in the city, must learn to occupy their time alone, zooming from place to place, picking up and dropping off, guided by the logic of supply and demand. A cloud creeps over a quarter of the sky. The landscape before me now is cast in two shades: full color and muted shadows. Perhaps I should fetch my jacket. A pink petal drops from the fading rose. Fingers of cloud reach out for the sun, and now half of the sky is gray. The back door creaks behind me, as a light wind rises in the West. Now the sun has gone and the temperature has dropped. My old summer chairs need a coat of paint, and the table has a shaky leg. I make a mental note to have a look at

Evaluation of Aphrodite Greek Restaurant in Greater London Assignment

Evaluation of Aphrodite Greek Restaurant in Greater London - Assignment Example   A deferential Maitre d’ guides the customer to a table or the Bar, either directly or through the adjacent cloakroom. The front half of the cloakroom is divided into two by a lit-up wall, which has the figurines of the twelve Greek Gods in bas-relief, six on each face. Entrance from there into the restaurant is through a red-curtained doorway or into the bar through a blue-curtained doorway. Food is served both indoors and on the terrace, weather permitting. The terrace features Doric columns and a fountain around a statue of Aphrodite, â€Å"the Greek goddess of Love, Beauty and Eternal Youth†, epitomizing the Restaurant complex. The new tables and chairs have an elegant marble look about them. Crisp Greek linen is used, with embossed The comprehensive Menu Card is elegantly designed with bold lettering; items and prices can be read easily. It lists dishes from across the country, like Moussaka (stuffed tomatoes, aubergines or paprika), maridaki (fish) and Britzoles (chops). A separate barrel-shaped card provides the equally comprehensive Wine List. Lighting is automatically controlled to maintain a fixed luminosity. The walls feature discreet Hellenic art. The non-slip floor is dark brown wood that pales inwards into cream-colored marble. The Centre-piece is a Harp which provides mellifluous live music, reminiscent of the Seas around Greece. sets. The well-stocked bar displays many types of the traditional Greek drink, Ouzo, with its strong aroma of aniseed. Though colorless, Ouzo turns milky white when ice or water is added.

Health and Wellness for Children Essay Example for Free

Health and Wellness for Children Essay The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that the financial cost of childhood obesity tips the scale at 3 billion dollars annually. Children of all ages need to engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on a daily basis and become informed about proper nutrition benefits with the support of their parents. Physical education, provided from school, is an ideal way to encourage activity and develop fitness among children and, for many children, will be their only preparation for an active lifestyle. For this reason, the CDC, the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), and the American Heart Association all recommend comprehensive daily physical education for children K-12. Obesity itself is a problem, but it also contributes to many other health issues. The obese children of this country are now at risk for many other diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular problems, and may become obese adults if the problem is not managed. According to the Surgeon General Report (2010) over weight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults; which then puts them at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. The Surgeon General Report (2010) also states that children perceived as overweight suffer from social discrimination, meaning they have poor self-esteem and depression. A solution to keep children from becoming overweight, obese, or to reduce obesity is to generate a before or after school exercise program including nutrition information. Parents need to become involved as well. Children should be assigned 60 minutes of physical activity and a nutrition information sheet for homework every day. A binder must be developed so the parents and children can log their activity and keep track of their nutrition information. To help keep the children and parents interested and knowledgeable about exercise and nutrition the schools can hold a before or after school sessions for parents and children to attend if the they would feel more comfortable being instructed versus on their own. Families can either plan at home activities to meet the  requirements, or attend the school’s program where they will have a safe environment to exercise. The CDC (2010) recommends giving a child a safe environment in which they can play actively and be encouraged to swim, bike, skate, and play sports. Physical activity before or after school should provide opportunities for all students, including those with disabilities, to practice what theyve learned in physical education, work towards the nationally recommended 60+ minutes of daily moderate-vigorous physical activity, and prepare the brain for learning. Additional benefits include social interaction and engagement of students in safe, supervised activities. The Department of Health and Human Services (2008) recommend that children’s activity time include moderate to vigorous aerobic activity, muscle strengthening, and bone-strengthening exercises, and that young people should be encouraged to participate in age-appropriate, enjoyable, and diverse activities. There are many examples of physical activity, including not only team sports but also walking, biking, swimming, hiking, dancing, gardening, and many other group or individual activities. Recreational activities enjoyable to youth help ensure that they continue to engage in those activities. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed in a variety of locations and are often less expensive, more accessible, and can foster life-long activity. To accommodate all children’s needs and desires for physical activity the school can link their activities with the other local programs at various locations such as the YMCA, girls/boys scouts, boys and girls clubs, etc†¦ The children will gain a self-motivation to become a healthy life-long active individual. This program can reduce the rates of overweight and obese children around the world. Much of the world has become sedentary due to new technologies and the busyness of the world. The program will help children learn the importance of physical activity and help them feel and act more energetic. They will start to learn and implement a healthy lifestyle that they will be able to carry on to adulthood. The persons who implement and agree upon this program will help to keep children safe and will benefit from assisting them to improve their lifestyles and help prevent and reduce obesity. The program will be successful because it will allow the overweight and obese children to be more active which can help aide in weight loss. By teaching them these behaviors all through their school age they will learn the behaviors and hopefully prevent obesity as an adult and all the other associated health problems. The Surgeon General Report (2010) says that it is recommended for Americans to accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week for children, and even greater amounts may be necessary for the prevention of weight gain, for weight loss, or sustaining weight loss. Many schools do not have the funds to support a physical education program. There are numerous grants that provide funds to schools in need of these programs. Many of the organizations are non-profit groups while others are run by the state or federal government. Some of the grants are: Carol M. White Physical Education Program, PTA Healthy Lifestyles, Funds for Fuel Up to Play 60, and ING Run For Something Better School Awards Program. Aside from grants schools can also advertise for professional volunteers to help assist with exercise and nutrition classes held before or after school to educate the children and parents. As childhood obesity rates climb, attention is being directed towards school lunches as a possible solution to the problem. Even if children are provided vegetables and fruits, many children won’t eat them unless they’ve been over-steamed, which drains nutrients, and many fruits are in sugary syrups. The healthy options given at lunch time can’t simply be forced onto the children’s plates because it will just end up in the garbage. But that’s where the nutrition education portion comes in. Teaching children about the dangers of being overweight and being afflicted with childhood obesity, and letting them come to terms with it if they are, is an essential step in the right direction. Changing the school lunches and the vending machines to healthier foods will help in reducing obesity, but these overweight and obese children need more than just a healthy option for lunch and a snack. They need lifestyle changes that carry on to adulthood which includes education on how to choose the right foods for breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner as well as participating in physical activity on a daily basis. Children should have several opportunities to be active throughout the week and year round. Activity should be a normal part of a child’s day, from walking or biking to and from school, where appropriate, to participating in a physical education class, to engaging in active games during recess, after school, or in the summer at home, in a park, or on a playground. All children benefit and gain enjoyment from physical activity, regardless of ability or disability status, gender, or athletic inclinations and talents. The benefits of physical activity extend beyond childhood too young people who grow up physically active more likely to be active adults. Likewise, young people who feel supported by friends and families or are surrounded by others interested in physical activity are more likely to participate in both structured and non-structured activities. These social areas are powerful in determining children’s actions.

What You See is the Real You, Willard Gaylin

What You See is the Real You, Willard Gaylin   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the passage What You See is the Real You, Willard Gaylin argues against the way some people use the insights that psychoanalysis provides. He explains that psychoanalysis is used to explain the motives and purposes behind human behavior, yet it leads to the tendency to think of the inner man as the real man and the outer man as an illusion. Gaylin supports his position with his discussion of how the real self is not the inner self, but what one seems to be from ones character traits, attitude, and behavior. He also points out that intentions play no role in constructing the real self. Because of this, Gaylin convincingly shows that the self is affected by ones attitude and behavior and ones actions and that the intentions to construct the real self play no role.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Gaylins argument is convincing because he claims that what we pretend to be, what we are perceived by others is the real self. Ones real self can be distinguished through what one seems to be. According to Gaylin, A man may not always be what he appears to be, but what he appears to be is always significant of what he is. A man is the sum total of his behavior. In other words, ignore what he is or has done, and focus on the behavior, character traits, and attitude that comes from him. For example, in the story Of Mice and Men, one of the main characters was thought to be a huge, scary guy because of what the others perceive him to be, thus they stayed away from him. Yet, he was the softest one out of all the characters even though his physical attributes say something different. Though due to the others ignoring his behavior and attitude, it lead to his death because they were scared of him. If the others had paid attention to his behavior and attitude more instead of his physical attributes, I believe that he wouldnt have died and that he could of became one of their good friends. Before judging a person, t ake the time to look at how his behavior, attitude, and character traits represents them because that is his real self.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The good intentions of a person are another form of self-advancement. Gaylin states that You are for the most part what you seem to be, not what you would wish to be, nor, indeed, what you believe yourself to be; therefore the intentions made by a person to construct his real self is to make them look good. In other words, he is doing good deeds to cover up for his bad side. For example, a boy supports his two younger siblings through mugging senior citizens. Sure, the money is used to support his siblings and not for drugs, but that still does not explain why he doesnt find a job to earn money instead. The intentions in this act doesnt construct the real self, but instead, it constructs the inner self as to making him look like a good boy and not a bad boy. In the end, instead of having good intentions to construct the real self, just be yourself in the way where you are who you are, not because of your deeds.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I strongly agree with Gaylin that the ideas of the real self being constituted from behavior, character traits and attitude, and that the intentions a person as can make another person perceive him as a good person. According to Gaylin, the inner man is a fantasylike any fantasy, it serves your purposes alone. It has no standing in the real world which we share with each other. Through all means, if youre trying to make yourself look like a good person, keep it to yourself because it wont change a persons view of you that much. For instance, when the world found out that singer Chris Brown physically abused his girlfriend Rhianna, he apologized to the world with a video of him stating his actions. It made no difference. Fans werent able to stand watching their favorite singer knowing he physically abused his own girlfriends. Even after doing community service wont change the views people have. In the end, being oneself and not having intentions is a good way to getting people to know your real self.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, Willard Gaylin argues in his passage, What You See is the Real You that some people are using the insights that psychoanalysis provides wrong. Through this way, people are thinking that their inner self is their real self, and the outer self is an illusion. I strongly agree with Gaylin that the real self is not constituted by the inner self, but by his behavior, attitude, and character traits. I also agree with him that intentions are made by a person to construct ones real self into a good person. By doing this, one will look good, but one will never be their true self.