How Sequestration and Mandatory Federal Spending Cuts Work

How Sequestration and Mandatory Federal Spending Cuts Work Sequestration is the federal governments way of applying mandatory spending cuts across most programs and agencies during the budgeting process. Members of Congress use sequestration to reduce spending across the board when the governments annual deficit reaches a point that is unacceptable to them. Congress imposed spending caps on discretionary portions of federal spending through 2021, a move that was designed to save taxpayers about $1.2 trillion over nearly a decade. Sequestration  Definition The Congressional Research Service defines sequestration  this way: In general, sequestration entails the permanent cancellation of budgetary resources by a uniform percentage. Moreover, this uniform percentage reduction is applied to all programs, projects, and activities within a budget account. However, the current sequestration procedures, as in previous iterations of such procedures, provide for exemptions and special rules. That is, certain programs and activities are exempt from sequestration, and certain other programs are governed by special rules regarding the application of a sequester. Whats Affected By Sequestration When Congress uses sequestration, spending cuts happen to to both military and non-military spending, including important social programs such as Medicare. Most of the mandatory spending cuts come from non-military agencies and programs in the departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Environmental Protection, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, NASA and Transportation. Whats Not Affected by Sequestration Several programs - most notable those for senior citizens, veterans and the poor - are exempt from sequestration cuts. They include Social Security, Veterans Affairs, Medicaid, food stamps and Supplemental Security Income. Medicare, however, is subject to automatic cuts under sequestration. Its spending cannot be reduced by more than 2 percent, however. Also exempt from sequestration are congressional salaries. So even though federal works are furloughed or laid off to save money, elected officials still get paid. Sequestration  History The idea of imposing automatic spending cuts in the federal budget was first put in place by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985. Sequestration is rarely used, however, because of the negative consequences severe spending cuts have on programs and services for citizens. Even when Congress uses sequestration, it does so as a political tool to force voluntarily spending reductions and often doesnt allow the full cuts to take effect. Modern Examples of Sequestration The most recent sequester was used in the Budget Control Act of 2011 to encourage Congress to reduce the annual deficit by $1.2 trillion by the end of 2012. When lawmakers failed to do so, the law triggered automatic budget cuts to the 2013 national security budget. A super Congress made up of a select group of 12 members of both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate was chosen in 2011 to identify ways to reduce the national debt by $1.2 trillion over 10 years. The super Congress failed to reach an agreement, however. The sequestration cuts imposed in the 2011 legislation took effect in 2013 and continue through 2021. Opposition to Sequestration Critics of sequestration say spending cuts threaten national security through Defense Department reductions and harm the economy because federal works are often furloughed or laid off. These cuts will make it harder to grow our economy and create jobs by affecting our ability to invest in important priorities like education, research and innovation, public safety, and military readiness, said President Barack Obama, who was in office when the sequestration cuts of 2013 took effect.

Cuban Missile Crisis - Political Theory Analysis Essay

Cuban Missile Crisis - Political Theory Analysis - Essay Example sed the tension between the US and the Soviet Union increased to an extent that the US Navy ships opening fire and engaging in warning shots as a way of calming down the situation. After the 1945 incident, the US was not ready to permit any nuclear war especially on their ground and it is for this reason that the Kennedy administration decided to play it cool. In October 28, 1962 14 days after the confrontation started, a resolution was reached. The US made a national promise never to attack Cuba secretly and the Cuban administration agreed to dismantle the Soviet Union missiles and ordered them back to USSR base. Moreover, the US decided secretly to dismantle all US built Jupiter IRBMs nuclear weapons that it had deployed in Turkey and Italy in preparation for a war against the Soviet Union. After having summarized this case study, we shall apply specific theories in an attempt to consider the conflict resolution process that may have led to peaceful resolution of the missile crisis considering that this was a very dangerous mission. In this paper, I am going to look at the Cuban missile crisis through the lens of three different theories. The first theory will be about the process approach based on theoretical framework as developed by Zartman and Druckman’s model. The second approach will be the Prospect theory as proposed by Haas and finally the Simple Game theory as developed by Zartman. According to Druckman, international negotiation is a process, which considers various factors such as political affiliations, economic impact, foreign policies and the side effects of the negotiation (Druckman 327). According to Druckman, the process of negotiation begins from a bottom to up process referred to as building a package. Druckman suggest that during the formation... Cuban Missile Crisis has been a subject under serious discussions and studies as many scholars aim at finding out how to apply the principles and theories of conflict resolution that led to the end of a 14-day crisis amongst the world superpowers. From this study, we learned about the process theory, which summarized that conflict resolution is a process that requires negotiation. We considered factors like the mission, aim, strategies, and reference points. We have studied also about the Druckman and Zartman contribution to the Cuban missile crisis. We have also learned about the simple game theory, which is a process that aims at maximizing the outcomes of the negotiations through several considerations. We have also learned about the prospect theory and its application to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The theory is summarized as follows. â€Å"When individuals perceive themselves to be experiencing losses at the time they make a decision, and when their probability estimates associat ed with their principal policy options are in the moderate to high range, they will tend to make excessively risky, non-value-maximizing choices†.

I, the Juror by Joyce Carol Oates Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

I, the Juror by Joyce Carol Oates - Essay Example Further the defending and prosecuting attorneys do their utmost to obscure the actual facts by drowning the jurors in a deluge of sheer verbosity calculated to bias the jury in favor of their respective clients. Consequently the behavior of the jurors as they half-heartedly try to arrive at the truth is characterized by prejudice and a singular lack of interest in the proceedings that are far-removed from their own lives. Oates description of the behavior of her fellow jurors is chilling. Their careless thoughtlessness is far more disturbing than deliberate maliciousness or spite, as the sheer subtlety of the former trait puts them in a position to do irreparable damage albeit inadvertently to those supplicants seeking justice. From the clothes worn by the jurors (one juror actually turns up in shorts) to their careless misrepresentation of facts in their final deliberation of the case, the jurors behave with a certain frivolity that shows a lack of respect for the gravity of the situation and their own responsibility to fellow human beings. Age old prejudices based on the color of the skin or sex thought long dead and buried rear their ugly heads and manifest themselves in the long-winding, precarious road to justice. Such conduct on the part of the jurors is surprising in the extreme. Their exposure to the dark underbelly of American society is a far cry from the pristine, squeaky-clean existence t hey are accustomed to. Most react by hastening to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the world of the victim and defendant, in which they want no part. Therefore the jurors made no attempt to grasp the facts or analyze them with any degree of insight or intelligence, the bottom-line being a largely white jury wanted no truck with the blacks and their doings. In this day and age, such a state of affairs is shocking and the

Cape Breton Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Cape Breton - Research Paper Example One has to plan a comprehensive excursion in order to truly enjoy the drive around Cape Breton. The trail, according to locals, loops around the Cape Island. It further cuts across the island, from the top, following the islands western and eastern coastlines. Most scenic route is following the clockwise direction of the trail. Drivers and passengers who are uncomfortable with driving close to steep slopes often use this direction. This ‘inside lane’, as it is commonly known, gives tourists the pleasure of viewing the full extent of the Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The other direction, counter-clockwise, gives tourists the opportunity of viewing the spectacular ocean vistas on the trail’s path. Many do not favour this direction; it is often left to the brave drivers and tourists who dislike slow traffic. The Cabot trail excursion is fulfilling to say the least. During our trip, we experienced memorable autumnal weather and an eye-catching coastline. The fall colours provided an almost perfect backdrop to the inlets and lakes. The trail was paused regularly by the various stopping points that gave us the opportunity of taking photos, like the one above. The anticlockwise, despite not being favoured, is the best route to experience the beauty of the trail. In my opinion, the ride from Baddeck to Cheticamp is the best as it gives one a once in a lifetime opportunity to view the magnificent scenery. The Destination Cape Breton brand is ‘My Heart will never leave’ and the photo captures this brand to the letter. The experience, that is Cape Breton, stays permanently with anyone who visits the place. The destination resonates with all tourists who visit the beautiful island. Despite its beautiful scenery, it has fewer tourists compared to other tourist attractions in Northern America. Cape Breton is more ample, in terms of sites and scenery, compared to other tourist attraction sites. In

A case study on supermarket management system

A case study on supermarket management system INTRODUCTION Problems can be solved by systems. Systems approach is an organized way to deal with problems. In this dynamic world, a wide variety of system development methodologies have evolved over the years, each framework with its own strengths and weaknesses (Paul, James Peter, 2004). This report will focus on waterfall type through analyze the process of EQs supermarket management system development. SYSTEM LIFE CYCLE System lifecycle is a structured process of developing and maintaining systems. It lists all processes and sub-processes required while developing a system. A combination of various activities in system development is referred as system development lifecycle (Kà ¤Ãƒ ¤rià ¤inen and Và ¤limà ¤ki, 2008). 1. PHASES OF SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE 1 .1 SYSTEM STUDY System development life cycle starts from system study. The system study separates in two phases. Firstly, a survey will help the designer to identify the scope of the system. Secondly, a depth investigation will help the designer understand users requirements and problems. Generally, a system proposal will carry out by analyst and offer to user to ensure the content is correct (Steven Glenn, 2005). EQ defined YDL as a small sized supermarket. The owner of YDL wanted to reduce employee (keep two people at most), monthly report can be presented faster and establish a membership system. 1.2 FEASIBILITY STUDY Based on system study, feasibility study takes place. The proposed system should be tested during this phase in four aspects: workability, requirement fitness, effective use of resources and the cost effectiveness (Steven Glenn, 2005). The main objective of this phase is achieving the scope. To achieve the scope, EQ assumed the SMS have six main functions, they are: sales, reporting, goods ordering, membership management, expired offers and inventory management. This proposed system only needs two people, which are cashier and inventory manager. Order goods and generate financial statement can be done by the system automatically. Therefore, a sub-system called membership management was added into this SMS. 1.3 SYSTEM ANALYSIS If a new system is decided to develop, the next phase is system analysis. It is a depth investigation based initial investigation and user requirements. Detailed data flow diagrams (DFDs), data dictionary, logical data structures and miniature specifications should reflect user requirements. Identification of data store, sub-dividing of complex process, and manual processes also should be included in system analysis (Steven Glenn, 2005). EQ established its project schedule, listed all major activities and tasks in WBS (Work Breakdown Structure), and the deliverables and milestones were also announced in the schedule. Task Description Duration Assigned Role Task Input Output Requirements Specify requirements General introduction about the system 1 week Management Team Team liaisons A requirements document, A architecture design document (system design document), A object design document, A test plan, A project plan. System/subsystem, and requirements overview 2 weeks Documentation Team Requirements elicitation General constraints, assumptions and dependencies 2 weeks Functional requirements 2 weeks External interface 1 week Non-functional requirements 1 week Milestones R 5 documents Design Design the architecture of the systeml System organization design 1 week Architecture Team A architecture design document System source code Subsystem design 2 weeks Architecture Team Asystem design document Design the user interface User interface design 2 weeks User Interface Team A object design document Milestones D System source code Development Design the specific objects of the system Database and configure the server 1 week Database Team System source code System User interface Programming 3 weeks User Interface Team Layout design 3 weeks User Interface Team Design the specific objects of the system Connection between subsystems 1 week Control Team Milestones De The system that is available to use Validation Implement the system Test the user interface 1 week User Interface Team System source code A document about the problems that the system still needs to be worked on Test the database 1 week Database Team Evaluate the system List the functions and problems 1 week Documentation Team Milestones V A document about the problems that the system still needs to be worked on Evolution Validate the system Adapt the user interface 1 week User Interface Team A document about the problems that the system still needs to be worked on Final system Adapt the database 1 week Database Team Adapt and improve the system Recheck the whole system 1 week Management Team Documentation Team Final system A document about the functions that the system can provide Milestones E Final system can be provided to client Source: http://www.docin.com/p-41243574.html Source: http://www.docin.com/p-41243574.html 1.4 SYSTEM DESIGN System design is the most crucial phase in system development lifecycle. Generally, the design advances in two stages: general design and detailed design. In general design process, the features of the system will be specified; costs and benefits of these features will be estimated. In detailed design stage, computer oriented work starts at first. Structure design becomes the blue print of system solution to those problems mentioned in system analysis phase. Furthermore, the programming language, the platform, input, output and processing specifications will decided in detail in this stage (Steven Glenn, 2005). Several tools and techniques used for designing are (Steven Glenn, 2005): Flowchart Data flow diagram (DFDs) Data dictionary Structured English Decision table Decision tree Based on the scope of this supermarket and proposed system, EQ used C/S model as development model. The source code were written in JAVA, Server hardware and software environment: â€Å"Hardware: IBM System x3200 M2. The x3200 M2 offers the latest quad-core Intel Xeon processor (up to 3.16 GHz/12MB/1333MHz), 4 GB memory (DDR II 800MHz), expansion slots (2 PCI (32-bit/33 MHz),2 PCI-Express (x8,x1), Remote Supervisor Adapter II), 4.0TB SATA HDDs hard drive. Software: Microsoft Windows Server 2008, MySQL Cluster 7.0, Avast! Anti-virus Server 4.8.1091, JDK 6 Update 16 with NetBeans 6.7.1† (E-Qun, 2009). Source: http://www.docin.com/p-41243717.html Source: http://www.docin.com/p-41243717.html 1.5 CODING TESTING After designing, the whole system should convert into computer understanding language. The programmer uses computer understanding language to write programs to coordinate the data movements and control the entire process in the system (Steven Glenn, 2005). Before implementing the whole system, a test run is done to remove all bugs and measure the stability of the system (CMS, 2009). Firstly, individual units of the system should be tested. Any uncertainty happening must be recorded and debugged. Then, in compliance with test plan, a given set of test data will put into the system. The outputs of the test run should be analyzed. If theres any output did not match the expected output, the errors in the particular program or system should be identified and fixed and further test should be done until the outputs match the expected results (Parkin, 1997). Modular development technique was used in this coding and testing phase. EQ divided the programmers in two team, database team and user interface team. Each team focus on their own area. Source: http://www.equn.net/product_1.asp Source: http://www.equn.net/product_1.asp 1.6 IMPLEMENTATION During implementation phase, the system is loaded onto the users computer. Then, user training starts. Generally four topics will be introduced to users: execution of the package, data input, data processing and reporting. After users are trained, computerized working begins at following two strategies (operational): parallel run or pilot run. Parallel run means in a certain period, both systems (i.e. manual and computerized system) are executed in parallel. Pilot run means the new system installs in parts. Some parts executed first and ran in a defined period. Other parts will be implemented only if the results satisfied the expected results (New York State Office, 2009). After five days training, two employees from YDL had mastered the operational skills. In the later month, manual working and computerized working were running in parallel to avoid the potential failure of system. 1.7 MAINTENANCE Maintenance means error correction and upgrade during the systems working life. Because of there always have some errors found in the system, system review is necessary to note and correct these errors. In addition, from system review, the developer can know the full capabilities of the system, required changes and the additional requirements. If a significant change needs to be executed, a new project has to be set up and proceed through all the life cycle phases (New York State Office, 2009). Currently, EQs supermarket management system is running in YDL. The supermarket had reduced 2 members. Nearly 500 people were registered as members. Moreover, the owner of YDL wants to turn his business to chain-store operations. EQ has started to evaluate this project. DISCUSSION According to Paul Davidson et al. (2003), waterfall model fits the situations where most appropriate that project has clear objects and solutions, the requirements are comprehensive and stable and etc. In this case, the lifecycle of this supermarket management system shows that E-Qun Web-Studio used waterfall method. This framework type is linear: Those deliverables and milestones were measurable. The whole project was divided into phases; emphasized on planning, time management, target dates and system implementation at one time; maintained control of project through using extensive documents such as project plan, test plan, etc. CONCLUSION To sum up, the lifecycle for information system development is mainly make up of eight aspects. They are system study, feasibility study, system analysis, system design, coding, testing, implementation and maintenance. Linear type is the simplest framework to develop the system (Paul et al. 2003). In small information system, if the system is not extremely complex, requirements are stable and can be identified easily, project team is less experienced and project schedule is unambiguous, it is strongly recommended that this project uses waterfall method as the develop methodology (Paul et al., 2004). REFERENCES: Alter, S and Browne, J, 2005, ‘A Broad View of Systems Analysis and Design, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, Volume 15, 2005, pp. 981-999, CMS, 2009, Testing Framework Overview, Centres for Medicare Medicaid Services, Available at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SystemLifecycleFramework/Downloads/CMSTestingFrameworkOverview.pdf [Accessed at 23th Dec, 2009] Davidson, P, Hedrich, R, Leavy, T, Sharp, W, Wilson, N, 2003, ‘Information Systems Development Techniques and Their Application to the Hydrologic Database Derivation Application, the Centre for Advanced Decision Support for Water and Environmental Systems, Available at: http://cadswes.colorado.edu/PDF/RiverWare/DavidsonLV2002.pdf [Accessed at 28th Dec, 2009] E-Qun Web-Studio, 2009, About Us, E-Qun Online, Available at: http://www.equn.net/aboutus.asp [Accessed at 29th Dec, 2009] Fisher, P, McDaniel, J Hughes, P, 2004, ‘System Development Life Cycle Models and Methodologies Canadian Society for International Health Certificate Course in Health Information System, Module 3: System Analysis Database Development, Part 3: Life Cycle Models and Methodologies. Available at: http://famed.ufrgs.br/pdf/csih/mod3/Mod_3_3.htm [Accessed at 14th Dec, 2009] J. Kà ¤Ãƒ ¤rià ¤inen and A. Và ¤limà ¤ki, 2008, ‘Impact of Application Lifecycle Management A Case Study, Enterprise Interoperability III, New Challenges and Industrial Approaches, Springer London Press, London New York State Office, 2009,System Implementation, Project Management Guidebook, Release 2, Available at: http://www.oft.state.ny.us/pmmp/guidebook2/SystemImplement.pdf [Accessed at 22th Dec, 2009] Rodney Parkin, 1997,Software Unit Testing, IV V Australia, Available at: http://www.ivvaust.com.au/UnitTesting.pdf [Accessed at 20th Dec, 2009]

Creating Other Worlds in Fly Away Peter Essay -- Peter

Creating Other Worlds in Fly Away Peter  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the novel Fly Away Peter, David Malouf explores the individual’s ability to transcend the immediate, and create ‘other worlds’ of his or her own: "Meanwhile the Mind, from pleasure less, Withdraws into happiness: ...it creates,... Far other worlds..." Malouf uses the continuity of life to highlight the importance of the individual’s mind set against the meaning of human existence. Malouf’s three main characters, Jim Saddler, Ashley Crowther and Imogen Harcourt, are used to present Malouf’s themes in a unique and sensitive manner. Malouf also implies that fate is predetermined and beyond the control of the individual. The only escape route offered is through man’s imagination. "It is the human mind, the imagination which makes us special..." Malouf suggests life has a continuity, that there is a ceaselessness surrounding time and as a result, individual life is to be savoured. Malouf uses symbolism to represent life’s perpetuity. A prominent example of this is the migrational patterns of the birds in the novel. Birds continue regardless of time: "The timespan for them was more or less infinite.". When Jim marvels at the sandpiper’s ability to find its way across the world and back: "...because the [memory] was ... there... in the long memory of its kind." The constant reference to bird migration becomes a clear symbol of the idea of continuity. The concept of the continuity of life is also expressed by the association of humans and earth. The notion "...that the earth was man’s sphere...", occurs throughout the novel and represents re-growth and the idea that life goes on regardless of circumstance. Jim felt himself ‘dissolving’ into the earth when he ... ...he suggestion that fate is predetermined. Another example of this is the young officer who was hit leading his men onto the battle ground. He died with the look, "I wasn’t ready. Unfair!" Malouf shows that fate is predetermined. The only way the individual can escape it is by creating his own ‘imagined’ world. Fly Away Peter is unique in its presentation of universal and prominent themes. The significance of the individual, as opposed to the meaning of life, man’s ability to transcend the immediate, the continuity of life and predetermined fate are all examined in a sensitive and perceptive manner. Malouf crafts his three main characters to portray and develop the essence of his main themes. The most prominent of these themes is summarised by Malouf when he said: "We can and must transcend the conditions we find ourselves in, however terrible they may be."   

Globalization: Video Games Essay

The global software market for video games was approximately $52 billion in 2012. In just the last 8 years, the emerging markets have gone from 12% to 47% of the market size and are growing at a compounded annual rate of nearly 30%. All of this growth in the international video game market offers a unique experience and cultural impact on many countries that previously would not have had exposure to these types of games. This exposure demonstrates the globalizing power video games have, and their effects on individual players. In order to quantify this effect several specific internationally popular games will be listed and described relating their content to cultures of industrialized, Middle-Eastern, and developing countries. The United States has long been one of the preeminent leaders in the computer and portable gaming production industry. Treyarch and Activision teamed up to deliver the Call of Duty series, including the recently popular Black Ops 2, which has been an international best seller. The game is available on many different platforms besides the PC including various counsels and even portable gaming formats. The game deals with warfare among several nations, including historical cold war missions that tie to an over arching premise linking these events to a future plotline. Through engaging war and nations in this manner a game like this could be seen to propel a certain ripple effect in perceptions of America among developing and middle-eastern countries. Many countries feel certain games have unfavorable portrayal of their nation or their religion and beliefs. Games like these may not necessarily induce violence, yet given the extreme realistic nature and handling of certain themes, there could be a desensitizing aspect to individuals playing the game. When speaking about video games globalizing affect on cultures, one important point to observe is that many instances of unfavorable reception or regulation of a game are done so in order to retain cultural heritage and beliefs. The Sims is a game by Electronic Arts, which has been around for over a decade and has many different expansions over the years. The reason t has been such a relevant and best selling game is because it is very customizable and gives people the chance to create their own lifelike character and family, subjecting them to many different scenarios. The game has been popular and has given many different countries an interesting look into a more Americanized living atmosphere and value system as hinted through the game play. They game is a great way to expose people to American and western customs in an interesting and fun way. However, certain countries have criticized it for the opulent centered outlook and encouragement of certain ideals deemed inappropriate in certain cultures. In much the same way other games treatment of drugs, alcohol and sex have unearthed new concerns for cultural boundaries in video games, especially countries with strict religious policies regarding such topics. American games influence on other cultures is not all negative. With advancements in the market, games have expanded and opened up many opportunities for countries to develop their own format and localized versions of games. American games also push the limits of technology further expanding the horizon and scope of games available in burgeoning new markets. Additionally, these new markets, including new industrialized and even increasing access in Middle-Eastern and developing nations, are expanding their technology to compete and offer consumers availability and access to such products. This proliferation in technology and broadband access also allows individuals in other countries the ability to communicate and interact with each other in online multiplayer formats. This exposure and introduction of consumers from different cultures is breaking down borders and increasing globalization. The video game industry has had to weather criticism since its inception as to its role in violence and other social issues. However, given its increased role internationally, and the gaming industry’s ability to help drive technology, there has been a resurgence in international acceptance of American video games and technology. The role games have on individuals may be a bundled and often complex topic, but there is no denying the increasing access and technological driving force video games represent to other countries. `