Proven Ways to Lose Weight in College

Proven Ways to Lose Weight in College According to statistics, about 70% of college students gain weight during study years. With the escalating, the issue of obesity, the health of modern youth is threatened by fast food and harmful chemicals in products people consume every day. There is a common expression which applies to eating habits of college students – freshmen 15. It means that an average student gains about 15 pounds during the first year of education. Though its not supported by any statistical data, this expression is widely used for describing the beginning of college life. After graduating from high school, many students have their first experience of cooking on their own. The availability of various unhealthy foods and lack of parental control play a significant role in gaining weight. So, its not surprising that many students start working on their diets with an intention to lose weight in college. Here are a few tips that will help you stay healthy and fit. Exercising Movement is the essence of life. So, stop lying in bed and look at some of the most effective exercises which wont take too much time to do but will positively affect your body, such as the 7-minute workout. Which kind of sport do you like the most – swimming, football, dancing or maybe horse riding? Choose the best option for your studying schedule and for your liking. Encourage your friends or roommates to join you to make this more fun. Also, dont forget to check out apps that are designed for you to get fit: Aaptiv Fitbit Coach Asana Rebel Fitbod Some of the most common types of activities for weight loss are listed below. Yoga Yoga is a widespread discipline which integrates physical and mental practices. It helps to burn calories and calm down at the end of the intensive day or to boost vitality in the morning. Even 20 minutes of yoga training will make you feel more energized. There are plenty of types of yoga practices – you can definitely find the most suitable one for you: Hatha yoga Iyengar yoga Restorative yoga Hot yoga, etc. Yoga can be performed in a group or individually in a studio or at home. You can also do yoga with an instructor or using educational videos and manuals. For example, you can find yoga lessons at Do Yoga With Me, Daily Yoga, etc. Working Out Sport is great for your health – it gives you a good sleep and keeps your energy high. If you want to lose some weight, search for the nearest college health center (they are usually free) and find the most suitable schedule that wont damage the studying process. The best option would be working out with your friend; this way youd feel less awkward and can always get a helping hand. Do I need any equipment? You can also try out video lessons for exercising at home. You wont need specific equipment as you can use heavy books or bottles with water as weights. You can find useful lessons on YouTube or at platforms like Make Your Body Work. Running Running is a great cardio exercise. Its free, and you can run wherever you want. Choose the most suitable time for this (usually, it is morning before classes), pick some active music that gives you positive vibes and go for a run. Many people say that running for 30 minutes alternating with walking is a good and energetic start of the day. And we think so too! Track the distance and burnt calories with fitness trackers. They can also show you if your heartbeat is dangerously high. Use apps like Strava or Runkeeper to keep up with your progress. Adjusting Your Meals When it comes to healthy eating, many people think about exhausting diets and constant hunger. However, this is not the case when you have your meals balanced and nutritious. Putting yourself in tough frames is not good for your health. Thats why you should never exhaust yourself with strict diets and starvation. Many students ask â€Å"How to lose weight in college without exercise?† You need to balance your schedule and take care of your eating habits. First, go and see a dietitian. Only an expert with vast experience and in-depth knowledge of the digesting processes can develop a meal plan for your body type. This way you can get a personalized scheme with an explanation of what and when you should eat in order to lose weight. But if you want to get some hints on how you can eat healthy food and lose weight while not starving all day long, take a look at our useful eating tips that we have prepared for you. Stop Eating Junk Food Fast food, chips, and sugary drinks are not healthy. They contain a lot of chemical ingredients and urge food craving. While snacks are meant to fight off hunger, most of them make you even more hungry. This is the first reason why you eat much larger portions of food than your body actually needs. You can cook healthy snacks that are perfect for your daily routine filled with brainstorms and stressing tests: Nuts (quarter cup per one meal) Sugarless fruit bars Raw veggies with hummus (baby carrot is a perfect match) Dry roasted edamame Kale chips Apples with peanut butter Dont let fast food control your life – find the inner strength to say â€Å"No† when someone invites you to have lunch at McDonalds. Avoid drinking alcohol, as it contains tons of calories. And try not to use dorm vending machines – they rarely carry healthy food. Especially be careful with eating foods directly from packages, bags, and cartons. Eat Smaller Portions The more you eat, the more you crave for food. This is a vicious circle that you need to break. Your body doesnt know when you need to stop eating, but you can slowly teach yourself to understand and distinguish the real hunger from boredom or sadness. Here are some quick tips on how you can eat less: Use smaller plates. The portion you get will look bigger if there is less free space on the plate around it. You can trick your mind that you eat just as much as earlier. If youre eating in a dining hall, ask for a smaller salad plate. Eat slowly. When you consume food in a hurry, you dont give your body enough time to understand when it is full. Eat slowly, and you will catch the moment when your body tells you thats enough for you. Dont eat everything you put on your plate. Finishing your meal no matter what is what most people do because they dont want to throw the food away. However, you need to get a habit of stop eating when youre full, not when your plate is empty. If you follow these simple maxims, you will soon see that smaller portions are enough for a productive day. Adjust Your Schedule Everyone knows that eating at night is bad for your body. While youre sleeping, your body is resting too and isnt spending energy to digest all the food you ate before going to bed. This makes you gain weight while youre sleeping. Creepy, huh? Important: Skip meals that you usually have late at night. Yes, snacks count too! We know that it might be challenging at first, so, of course, you need a good motivation. Think not only about the benefits for your body but also about the chance to avoid health problems. Obesity provokes diabetes, heart and brain problems and fragile bones. You need to keep yourself fit. Healthy eating is what will help you in your journey. Caution: Remember, that all of these tips are strictly general, please get advice from a professional dietitian. And remember, that people gain weight not only during the freshman year, so you need to be attentive to your meals all the time.

Assignment 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Assignment 2 - Essay Example It tracks the chain of events that lead to the differences, right from Stage 1 through to Stage 4. Stage 1 occurs in a society that is yet to experience any level of industrial development. This stage is characterised by high CDRs and CBRs, which are determined by natural occurrences such as extreme weather conditions and plagues. At this stage, family planning techniques do not exist; even if they do, they are not practised because of the high value of having many children. Children are seen as a source of income due to the contributions they make to their families through carrying out tasks such as collecting firewood, fetching water, herding animals, and taking care of their younger siblings. The more children one has, the more respected he is; this keeps CBRs high. On the other hand, food supplies and sanitation standards are exceptionally low. This translates to poor health standards, keeping the CDRs equally high as the CBRs. The result is a balance between birth and death rates, which translate to low population growth rates. This, in turn, keeps populations low. This stage is characterised by improved food production and sanitation levels (Jean-Pierre 60). These, together with other improvements to human life such as in technology and healthcare lead to a reduced CDR, while the CBR remains high. This creates an imbalance, resulting in exponential population increase. Most developing countries, in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and Asia, are experiencing this phase of transition. These include Afghanistan, Nigeria, Uganda, Mali, Yemen, and Palestine. This stage marks the turning point of the transition process. It marks the transition from agriculture based economies to technological advancements. Women are highly educated and have access to a host of birth control measures. There is an increase in income and reduction in the value of children as sources of income; instead, they become a

Reflective and action plan evaluating positive and negative aspects of Essay

Reflective and action plan evaluating positive and negative aspects of the experience(my experience - Essay Example During my tenure at the ministry, I was responsible for the maintenance of records and making correspondences with the clients and other relevant stakeholders of the department, through sending and receiving mails. Occasionally I could accompany the tax collecting team to assist them, especially when the workload was more for them. This way, I also got an opportunity to meet and interact with different types of entrepreneurs, managers and business people, allowing me to enhance my communication skills while also learning some relevant business skills. Nevertheless, there are numerous challenges that come with such a job position, or any other job that entails dealing directly with clients (Brink and Berndt, 2004, p.77). While dealing with clients directly, tolerance and patience are some of the vital aspects that an individual should possess since some clients are uncooperative, while still others lack understanding. Thus, my tenure at the tax department has prepared me well for any future responsibility. Discussion Working is a responsibility that entails diverse concepts, as opposed to being a one-sided issue. While being recruited at the Saudi Arabian ministry of finance, Department of Tax, the consideration was made for the position of a clerical officer, whose responsibility entailed the maintenance of records and making correspondences with the clients and other relevant stakeholders of the department, through sending and receiving mails. However, in the course of my tenure in the department, it became apparent that employees, regardless of the job position they have been recruited for, must be flexible and adaptable to the multi-faceted working environment, which requires them to undertake some responsibilities which were not part of the initial job description, based on the prevailing circumstances. Thus, an individual is forced to switch roles and tasks, depending on how the situation and the expectations changes (Mintzberg, 1989 p72). Having been recr uited as a clerical officer responsible for maintenance of records and making correspondences, I ended-up working as a member of the tax collection team, whenever the team was over-burdened by the workload, or under circumstances where there was little clerical work to be undertaken. Additionally, I was delegated some duties that ought to be managerial duties, which included representing my seniors in certain meetings. Therefore, the first significant experience that I obtained from working in the Tax department of the Saudi Arabian ministry of Finance is flexibility and adaptability to changing situations and organizational needs, which can see an employee engaging in a responsibility that is totally different, from the initial responsibilities, as indicated under the job description (Brink & Berndt, 2004 p43). The next invaluable lesson that I learnt during my tenure in the Tax department is the value and the role of teamwork and interpersonal relationship within an organization. While every employee is recruited as an individual into an organization, there is no way in which the employee can fulfill the duties and responsibilities

Communication and Motivation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Communication and Motivation - Research Paper Example mmunication and motivation is widely considered to be one of the most effective leadership styles in the contemporary real world organizational management. Many recent empirical researches have revealed that employees normally feel disengaged from their organizations or work when they do not have feelings of emotional connection. On the other hand, proper communication and motivation of the workers and subordinates not only allow them to effectively carry out their day to day activities but also inspire them to challenge themselves and each other to greater performance. According to Yukl (2002), leaders and managers are increasingly incorporating communication and management in their leadership styles to enable them develops conditions in their workplaces that generate commitment, excitement and energy. For example, in most cases, managers, supervisors and top executives normally spend a significant amount of their time communicating to others in their day to day activities. . Some of the key potential benefits of this leadership style include allowing followers to work while informed of the organizational goals thus making them work better; making employees feel more appreciated thus resulting into increased productivity and providing leaders with an avenue to exert influence over their subjects. In addition, it is widely believed that employees tend to respond more enthusiastically to the leadership when they feel motivated, respected and inspired. Contrary to just giving orders, managers should develop tactics of helping their teams and the company to achieve its strategic goals. Generally, through communication, executives can easily build employee confidence in their leadership, enable them understand the general strategy of the company and identify their areas of contribution to the organization. However, different organizational cultures require different leadership styles in order to effectively communicate and motivate their workforce. This paper

Issue of Illegal Drugs in Music Lyrics

Issue of Illegal Drugs in Music Lyrics Julia Dugger Music is and always has been an integral part of society. It is, according to Glowacka Pitet, 2004, one of the longest celebrated traditions of humankind that enables the exchange of feelings and experiences that cannot be articulated by the use of common language. Moreover, its strength is based on the fact that it can provide us with meaning, without saying anything at all (Hormigos-Ruiz, 2010). Daily life does not exist without music and since every age group within a society is exposed to it, it comes to no surprise that each age group evaluate its importance differently. For example, studies conducted by various researchers (e.g. Arnett, 1996; North Hargreaves, 2008; Schwartz Fouts, 2003) uncovered that American adolescents did not just listen to music approximately two and a half hours per day, rather than also how they vigorously employ music to satisfy social, emotional and developmental requirements. However, according to Walker Kennedy (2010), the impact of popular music has sparked many debates. Particularly over the past decade, numerous news stories have claimed that bands like Marilyn Manson or Slipknot have negatively influenced the shooters at Columbine (US)/Erfurt (Germany) or that suicidal connotations in rock/metal music has led to an increase in adolescence taking/trying to take their lives (Walker Kennedy, 2010). It therefore comes to no surprise that North and Hargreaves (2006) have argued that music genres like heavy metal/hard rock, hip hop/ rap, and alternative/punk should be described as â€Å"problem music.† But labeling particular genres as â€Å"problem music† and denoting that adolescent listening to it are automatically negatively influenced, seems like generalization of a very complex issue. According to Walker Kennedy (2010), much research has been conducted on why adolescents listen to music and in short two main reasons can be noted: to explore identity issues including self-identity and peer relationships as well as regulation of emotional impulses. And although various themes of different music genres heavy metal lyrics often deal with hostility or vengeance and may contain sex, drug use, suicide, and alienation references (Arnett, 1996); rap lyrics are full of offensive language combined with subjects like sex, drug use, misogyny, violence (Epstein, Pratto, Sk ipper, 1990); pop music lyrics deal with a multitude of themes and typically reach a larger audience; and country music often tells a story that either deals with love; sadness; rebellious behavior, promiscuity, or betrayal (Ballard, Bazzini, Dodson, 1999) – can, according to Ter Bogt (2012), encourage listeners to interpreted these themes, particularly the negative ones, as cool, socially acceptable, satisfying, and not particularly destructive, it should be recognized that lyrics are merely one aspect of a song’s overall message. Unfortunately many studies limit themselves by only looking at one characteristics of a specific song, rather than also addressing that others, like the â€Å"sound† of the music or the associated broader cultural factors, can have obvious and powerful effects on how one interprets its meaning (Ter Bogt et al., 2012). For example, listeners preferring a particular genre often do not just listen to the music itself, rather than also have an understanding for the reputation of those genres and show familiarity regarding the lifestyles of musicians within them. As Ter Bogt et al. (2012) noted, given that an individual’s development is shaped by the observation of others, relevant behaviors portrayed by high-status people such as rock stars, may encourage adolescents to mimic it. However, due to the fact that numerous musicians have had encounters with the law over their drug/alcohol use and many even have died because of it, claiming that specific music genres only glamori ze or encourage drug us/abuse seems like a biased representation. How true this is can be seen when taking a closer look at the history of music lyrics, particular those of rock/hard rock/metal/heavy metal bands. According to Dodge (2004), rock songs of the 80s were party anthems with a positive attitude towards the motto sex, drugs, and rock n roll. However, during the 90s rock music lyrics became more critical. Exaggeratedly spoken, most of the music sounded whinny/moaning and the lyrics contained messages about how bad everything was (Dodge, 2004). Today, according to Dodge (2004), the dark elements still exist, but a new wave of album oriented/melodic rock and heavy metal bands has emerged. On the other hand, heavy metal emerged during the late 60s, yet, according to Hjelm, Kahn-Harris, and LeVine (2012), did not establish itself as a separate genre until the late 70s/early 80s when bands like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden set forth basic metal characteristics (distorted guitars, aggressive vocals, dark clothing, etc.) that are present to this day. Throughout the following decades (90s until today), metal has followed increasingly diverse musical pathways and has created numerous influential bands. And although the central concept for producing rock/hard rock/metal/heavy metal songs remains the same, a shift of song themes and in which kind of way they are communicated to the listener can be seen. According to Dodge (2009), drug reference in rock/metal songs have always been numerous and recurrent. However, according to Markert (2001), this does not mean that such songs praise or encourage the exploitation of drugs. Most drug representations, particularly those of more r ecent rock/metal tracks, are rather negative and these songs often do not instruct, lecture or admonish the listener, according to Dodge (2009), rather than they inform about possible results, rely on personal responsibility, and leave it up to the individual to make their own decisions. Moreover, since songs about drug use/abuse are again and again associated with a particular time frame and/or social group, they do not just reflect the principles of that group rather than also operate as a socializing instrument by suggesting how listeners should interpret their social surroundings (Markert, 2001). The truthfulness of this view can be seen when either rock/hard rock/metal/heavy metal songs of different decades are compared with each or when the lyrics/themes of the more recent ones are compared with other genres. Many themes of the older rock/metal songs (l960s – 1990s), with all sub- and hybrid genres considered, concentrated on the usage and the effects of drugs, while notions of caution or resulting negative consequences were rarely mentioned. For example, during the 60s songs like â€Å"Heroin† by The Velvet Underground (1967) or â€Å"Mothers little Helper† by The Rolling Stones (1966), told the listener how drugs alter emotional states and claimed that the end result – with an overall positive notion was to either be able to not care about anything anymore: â€Å"Cause it makes me feel like Im a man/when I put a spike into my vein†¦Cause when the smack begins to flow/And I really dont care anymore/Ah, when that heroin is in my blood/And that blood is in my head/Then thank God that Im as good as dead/And thank your God that Im not aware/And thank God that I just dont care†¦Ã¢â‚¬  or manage everyday’s tasks: â€Å"Mother needs something today to calm her down/And though shes not really ill/Theres a little yellow pill/She goes running for the shelter of a mothers little helper/And it helps her on her way, gets her through her busy day.† In the 70s, a similar trend could be seen, where songs about drugs yet again mainly describe the addictive properties of drugs or even glorify them. In his song â€Å"For Your Life† Led Zeppelin (1976), for example, illustrates how a drug user surrenders to his/her addiction: â€Å"You said I was the only†¦/Exhibition is your habit, Emotion second hand/Had to pull away to save me, Maybe next time around/And she said, dont you want it?/Dont you want coca-coca-cocaine?/Hadnt planned to, could not stand to try it†¦Ã¢â‚¬  and in their song â€Å"Snowblind† the Band Black Sabbath goes even further in glorifying the use of cocaine: â€Å"Feeling happy in my vein/Icicles within my brain (cocaine)/†¦Makes me happy, makes me cold†¦Dont you think I know what Im doing/Dont tell me that its doing me wrong/Youre the one whos really a loser/This is where I feel I belong.† In the 80s, however, some bands began to question In the past decade, most singer/songwriters in the rock/hard rock/metal/heavy metal genre have shifted their attention to not just on expressing how bad the usage of harmful/illegal substances is, rather than also their negative consequences. For example, in their song â€Å"Adios,† the band Rammstein (2009) did not just describe how a person injects a substance in their veins (â€Å"He lays the needle in the vein, asks the music to come inside†) and how this person feels while the substance travels through his entire body (â€Å"a battle rages in his blood, an army marches through his bowel†), rather than also address their often fatal attributes by closing the song with the words: â€Å"He takes the needle from the vein, the melody travels out of the skin, violins burn with shrieking, harps cut the flesh, he has opened his eyes, but he did not wake up.† A similar, yet less obvious approach to remind the listener about the highly destructive attributes of illegal substances, has been taken by the band Slipknot, who in their 2014 released song â€Å"Killpop† describe how a women injects something into her skin (â€Å"she is sticking needles in her skin†)  recently the song Habits (Stay High) has topped the charts, where the singer Tove Lo (2012) argues that dealing with emotional pain can only be achieved via a continuing high to not be missing a lost love (→ â€Å"Spend my days locked in a haze, trying to forget you babe†¦Got to stay high all my life, to forget Im missing you†). Other examples include: â€Å"We can’t stop† by Miley Cyrus (2013), where she sings → â€Å"we like to party, dancing with Molly (which is a reference to the drug MDMA), doing whatever we want;† â€Å"Rehab† by Amy Winehouse (2007), in which she states that → â€Å"they tried to mak e me go to rehab but I said: no, no, no, yes, Ive been black but when I come back youll know, know, know,†¦, hes tried to make me go to rehab but I wont go, go, go;† or â€Å"Diamonds† by Rihanna (2012), where she clearly downplays the destructive properties of alcohol (moonshine) and drugs (molly, which is a street name for MDMA and ecstasy) when she sings â€Å"we’ll never die† → â€Å"you’re a shooting star I see, a vision of ecstasy†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬  Palms rise to the universe, as we moonshine and molly, feel the warmth, we’ll never die, we’re like diamonds in the sky.† References Dodge, A. I. (2004). Sex, drugs, and rock roll: A Libertarian view [Pamphlet]. London, United Kingdom: Libertarian Alliance. Hormigos-Ruiz, J. (2010). Music distribution in the consumer society: The creation of cultural identities through sound. Comunicar, 17(34), 91-98. doi:10.3916/C34-2010-02-09 Markert, J. (2001). Sing a song of drug use-abuse: Four decades of drug lyrics in popular music—from the sixties through the nineties. Sociological Inquiry, 71(2), 194-220. Arnett, J. J. (1996). Metal heads, heavy metal music and adolescent alienation. New York, NY: Westview Press, Inc. North, A. C., Hargreaves, D. J. (2008). The social and applied psychology of music. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. Schwartz, K. D., Fouts, G. T. (2003). Music preferences, personality style, and developmental issues of adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 32, 205-211. North, A. C., Hargreaves, D. J. (2006). Problem music and self-harming. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 36(5), 582-590. DOI: 10.1521/suli.2006.36.5.582 Hjelm, T., Kahn-Harris, K., LeVine, M. (2011). Heavy metal as controversy and counterculture. Popular Music History, 6(1-2), 5-18. doi:10.1558/pomh.v6i1/2.5 Ahmadi, F. (2009). Hard and heavy music: Can it make a difference in the young cancer patients life?. Voices: A World Forum For Music Therapy, 9(2). doi:10.15845/voices.v9i2.345. Retrieved from: https://normt.uib.no/index.php/voices/article/view/345/269 Epstein, J. S., Pratto, D. J., Skipper Jr., J. R. (1990). Teenagers, behavioral problems, and preferences for heavy metal and rap music: A case study of a southern middle school. Deviant Behavior, 11, 381-394. Ballard, M. E., Dodson, A. R., Bazzini, D. G. (1999). Genre of music and lyrical content: Expectation effects. The Journal of Genetic Psychology, 160(4), 476-487. Primack, B. A., Dalton, M. A., Carroll, M. V., Agarwal, A. A., Fine, M. J. (2008). Content analysis of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs in popular music. Archives of Pediatrics Adolescent Medicine, 162(2), 169–175. Ter Bogt, T.F.M., Nic Gabhainn, S., Simons-Morton, B.G.,Ferreira, M., Hublet, A., Godeau, E., Kuntsche, E. Richter, M. (2012). Dance is the new metal: adolescent music preferences and substance use across Europe. Substance Use and Misuse, 47(2), 130-142.

Male Reactions to Female Power in Antigone Essay -- Literary Analysis

Western society has a long history of subjugating women to men. Some cite the idea that women are somehow weaker or inferior to men as a reason for the existence of this social dynamic. In Sophocles's Antigone and, Dürrenmatt's The Visit, however, the female leads show great strength and are even able to threaten the male leads with their power. Creon and Alfred Ill's disdainful and oppressive treatment of women stems not from the supposed inferiority of women, but from the theme that man is afraid to lose control. This theme is developed through particular events in the plot: the men begin in positions of power, which are then threatened by the women. Their amateur reactions to the powerful women cause them to lose more control until in the end, they have nothing. Their redemption comes not through defeating the women, but through accepting responsibility for their own actions. To begin with, Creon and Ill have power socially and politically. Creon is the King of Thebes and Ill is the â€Å"most popular personality† (Dürrenmatt 15) of Guellen. Sophocles and Dürrenmatt set the stage by implying that their current situation will last–– â€Å"the gods† (Sophocles 170) themselves appoint Creon as king and the people of Guellen unanimously â€Å"[agree] to nominate† (Dürrenmatt 15) Ill as the mayor's successor. Furthermore, foreshadowing of their actions towards Antigone and Claire appears as approval. The elders of Thebes assure Creon that he has power over the â€Å"living and the dead† (Sophocles 172), justifying his actions towards Polyneices's body and empowering his punishment of Antigone. Ill, on the other hand, represents Guellen's last chance for survival. â€Å"All depends† (Dürrenmatt 14) on Ill's ability to capitalize on his and Claire's ... ...no reason to continue mistreating Antigone and Claire. A series of events catalyzed by powerful women and ending with a tragic loss for the male leads of The Visit and Antigone reveals a reason for the mistreatment of women in western society. Dürrenmatt and Sophocles show that the oppression of women stems from man's fear of losing control. By identifying this fear, the authors underscore the importance of treating women as equals, as the decision of the male leads to blame the women rather than to accept responsibility for their actions is what causes their downfall. Works Cited Dürrenmatt, Friedrich. The Visit: a Tragi-comedy. Trans. Patrick Bowles. New York: Grove, 1982. Sophocles. The Oedipus Plays of Sophocles; Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus, Antigone. Trans. Paul Roche. New York: New American Library, 1958.

Monsanto — Appointing, Legislating, and Lobbying Its Way to the Top

Interest groups are defined as an â€Å"organized group of people that makes policy-related appeals† and they can have a profound effect on our government and society (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 419). These groups represent their interests in the political arena in a variety of ways; they can get government officials appointed to government positions, lobby government officials, and fund media to advertise their message to mobilize public opinion and sway voters. Businesses interest groups in particular utilize these strategies, because there is an economic incentive in passing favorable laws and conveying a good image to government and the public. One business interest currently benefiting from their interaction with the Obama administration is Monsanto. Monsanto is a billion dollar company responsible for genetically modified seeds, the chemical Roundup and its associated Roundup ready crops, the toxic chemical substance Agent Orange, bovine growth hormones (rBGH), and the synthetic sugar substitute known as aspartame—to name a few. As a business interest group, it has been a terrific success in using government to push its agenda, much to the dismay of environmental activists, scientists, and concerned citizens who want their government to regulate businesses and protect the public. This paper will examine how business interest groups like Monsanto have been able to further their agenda under the Obama administration through the appointment of employees to federal positions, lobbying, and use of media to mobilize public opinion. ) Appointment to Federal positions The appointment of employees in business to positions in government is a common occurrence today and is often referred to as â€Å"The Revolving Door†. This is the shuffling in and out of government and private sector jobs, and it is bad because it leaves these government officials with biases and the high chance of being favorable to their former employer. In the Obama administration, there are currently many revolvers from private industry (â €Å"Revolving Door†). One current revolver from Monsanto who is now making policy decisions regarding our food safety is Michael Taylor. Michael Taylor was named deputy commissioner for foods at the Food and Drug Administration in January 2010 and is a former Vice President of Monsanto’s Public Policy(â€Å"Meet Michael R. Taylor, J. D. , Deputy Commissioner for Foods and Veterinary Medicine†). This obviously creates a bias when making decisions about policies regarding products manufactured by Monsanto, such as genetically modified foods or the bovine growth hormones used in milk. When Monsanto employees like Michael Taylor get into these agencies, they are usually favorable to their former employer Monsanto when making decisions. They also ensure direct access for lobbyists to the agencies they are in control of; â€Å"many of Washington’s top lobbyists have close ties to important members of congress or were themselves important political figures, thus virtually guaranteeing that clients will have direct access to government officials† (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 414). Taylor is a former lobbyist and current government official who now gives Monsanto full access into the decision making of many of American’s decisions about food. Unfortunately, he is just one in a litany of government officials who have vested interests in the private sector while still being allowed to make decisions affecting the health and safety of the American public. By getting employees into federal positions, businesses increase their chances of creating a strong iron triangle system that supports their interest group. The iron triangle is a â€Å"stable, cooperative relationship that often develops among a congressional committee, an administrative agency, and one or more supportive interest groups† (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 418). This iron triangle system is powerful in creating favorable legislation and regulation for Monsanto; their good working relationship with legislative committees and executive agencies allows them to support their agenda and further their business by directly shaping policy outcomes. 2) Lobbying members of congress Lobbying is a critical part of how interest groups represent their agenda in government and seek passage of favorable legislation. A lobbyist’s goal is to influence policy in a certain direction by â€Å"mobilizing individual citizens to contact legislators (grassroots lobbying), testifying at hearings, submitting written comments to an agency or committee, press releases, and other activities† (Hasen 217). Lobbyists also take full of advantage of their direct access and â€Å"personal contact with legislators and taff members† to influence policy decisions (Hasen 217). Monsanto is incredibly adept in all these areas, and was the top lobbying client in the agribusiness sector with $8,831,120 spent in 2008 and $5,970,000 in expenditures in 2012 (â€Å"Annual Lobbying on Agricultural Services†). Business interest groups often lobby congress and the executive branch to promote their agendas and enact favorable laws and regulations. They do this by gaining dir ect access to members of Congress and federal agencies and making their interests heard. This is even encouraged by the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) that â€Å"requires most federal agencies to provide notice and an opportunity for comment before implementing proposed new rules and legislation† (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 434). This allows businesses like Monsanto to meet with agencies like the USDA, FDA, and EPA to weigh in on issues that affect them, such as the merits and safety of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s), discouraging labeling of GMOS’s, or enforcement rules on chemicals and pesticides. Research shows that business interest groups have gained legislative success through directly influencing the bureaucracy. According to research, the â€Å"significant trait in interest group influence is the privileged, institutionalized integration of some groups into public decision making† (Binderkrantz 177-78). Because of Monsanto’s high level of activity with government agencies and their ability to get access and lobby officials directly, their opinion is often integrated into public policy. Another way Monsanto lobbyists gain influence is through the information they have to offer the government. Research says â€Å"the most important factor governing the influence of a group was the ability of a group to provide lawmakers with both technical and political information† (Smith 235). Monsanto provides busy government officials with information about the issues that conveys authority and touts research backing, making policy decisions easier for a government official who may know nothing about the subject otherwise. In fact, many politicians say lobbyists are an essential part of government; in response to a 1978 bill expanding lobbying disclosures, Senators Edward Kennedy, Dick Clark, and Robert Stafford issued the statement that â€Å"Government without lobbying could not function. The flow of information to Congress and to every other federal agency is a vital part of our democratic system† (Ginsberg, Lowi, and Weir 431). This quote exemplifies how politicians rely on lobbyists as an essential source of information regarding policy issues. Lobbyist’s role as conduits of this information to government is crucial because they are in complete control of how information is presented—and thus how their agenda is received. One recent piece of legislation that Monsanto benefited from because of the information their ability to directly access lawmakers was House Resolution 933, an emergency spending bill passed to fund government operations through September and avert a government shutdown. The bill, signed by President Obama on March 26th 20013, will continue to protect this multi-billion dollar corporation from legal ramifications of the safety of its products. The budget bill, now dubbed the â€Å"Monsanto Protection Act†, inserted an unrelated provision that grants Monsanto against legal injunction for the next year and the ability to continue planting seeds and harvesting crops even if there are problems found with genetically modified organisms. Because they were trying to rush this bill through to avoid government shutdown, these shady provisions were able to sneak through. The Missouri Senator who added in the bill, Roy Blunt, admits he worked with Monsanto in creating the details of this legislature (â€Å"New Law Spurs Controversy, Debate Over Genetically Modified Crops†). This piece of protective legislation shows how corporations can use their direct access to government officials to alter policy changes. Because of this advantage of access and authority, business interest groups like Monsanto are extremely successful in transforming their agenda into public policy. Overall, research does indicate that there is a bias towards businesses. When comparing comments from business to nonbusiness commenters in federal agency hearings, there was a clear winner in policy outcomes. Agencies are more likely to be persuaded by lobbyists for business interests because of â€Å"the number of comments coming from business interests† and the fact that the â€Å"comments from business-related interests provide more information and signal a greater level of commenter expertise, causing agencies to respond to the requests made†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Webb 128). This research shows business interest groups have the advantage both in the amount of input, and the sense of credibility the information has coming from a large industry. Monsanto educates these government officials through their company’s own agenda and thus often succeeds in getting the policies it wants passed. This bias towards businesses undercuts the effectiveness of pluralism. Pluralism is the theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in the government, with the outcome of this competition being compromise and moderation. The idea is that people will belong to interest groups that affect them and let their voices be heard by government, so that their needs can be met. Unfortunately, business interest groups often have a much greater voice than other interest groups through their existing ties to government via federal appointments and because of their financial power to fund lobbyists. Because they have a greater presence, the corporation’s needs are met while the needs of the public become secondary. While â€Å"interest group pluralism presumes that public policy outcomes are determined principally through a contest for influence among organized pressure groups†, we can see that it isn’t a very fair contest when Monsanto’s lobbyists have millions more dollars to spend. Stephenson and Jackson 7) It is clear that there is a negative implication of lobbying when legislation begins to favor elite interests rather than the public good. Because business interest groups are able to influence government in a disproportionately higher rate than citizens, â€Å"legislative outputs no longer reflect the outcome of reasoned deba te, promoting the common good, or the preferences of the median voters. Instead, public policy reflects the preferences of lobbyists’ clients† (Hasen 219). 4. Mobilizing Public Opinion Through Media Monsanto, like other interest groups, often uses media to further its cause. It can be used to rally support for the products it makes or it can be used to oppose policies that could affect the company negatively. Because it is a multi-billion dollar company, it is able to spend an inordinate amount to advertise their agenda and gain public favor more easily than companies that are not as well off financially. Research shows the effectiveness of an interest group’s use of media is correlated to its money and size: â€Å"the best predictor of an interest group's ability to use the mass media as a political tool is the level of organizational resources (money, members, staff, etc. it enjoys† (Thrall 417). This shows that the advertising messages the public receives is determined by who has the most money to market themselves, and companies like Monsanto are obviously a dominant influence due to their resources. A recent example of Monsanto’s use of the media to further its agenda was the attempt at labeling genetically modified organisms (G MO’s) that failed because of Monsanto’s supreme ability to mobilize public opinion. The California Proposition 37 added to the ballot in 2012 was an initiative to label foods that contain genetically modified organisms. Even with mounting concerns about public safety, Monsanto was able to control this issue through media and advertising and ensure that California voters would not let the proposition pass. They were successful because large companies were able to out fund non-profits and other groups who donated a fraction of Monsanto’s budget. Because of their resources and ability to advertise, Monsanto and other agribusinesses were able to easily sway voters with their carefully crafted ad campaigns. By paying to run millions of dollars on ads that threatened rising food costs if food labeling was required, they swayed many Americans worried about tough economic times. Their use of the media convinced citizens that labeling genetically modified foods was against their self-interests financially, and this threat prevented many people from voting the proposition through. It was a big comment on the state of consumer affairs in the country that a simple labeling law could not be passed; though the administration could follow many other countries leads and mandate GMO labeling, Monsanto is left deciding the fate of food with its money, power, and influence. 4) Conclusion: reaffirms your thesis statement, discusses the issues, and reaches a final judgment: your conclusion based on your research and your reasoning. Business interest groups are a powerful force in the decision making process of our country and will continue to exert force over policy as long as they have resources and access. To make their interests known and accepted, they utilize the attainment of federal positions, lobbying, litigation, and funding of media. To get their agenda expressed through the government, they use federal appointments in a process called the â€Å"Revolving Door†. This leads to biased decision making throughout branches of the government that can negatively affect policy outcomes for the public. If this continues, citizens will become alienated and distrusting of the federal government which seems to be only serving the elite interests of corporations. Lobbying is another way that citizens are rightly beginning to lose trust in the system. While in theory all interest groups are supposed to be able to lobby the government, only those interests with large amounts of money, access, and connections will have a good chance at having their interests be heard. Though there are regulations on how much lobbyists can spend and laws requiring them to register, it is still clear that lobbyists for billion dollar corporations are experiencing a higher level of success than public interest groups with little funding. This shows that in government, those with the most money and access will prevail. Unfortunately when â€Å"businesses and trade associations make up more than half of the Washington lobbying community†, it is unlikely citizens will fare as well as corporations (Baumgartner 1194). This has major implications when research shows that â€Å"some special interest lobbies frequently influence legislation and regulation in ways that†¦are detrimental to the public good† (Baker 53). Regulations made from information presented by lobbyists doesn’t serve the public good—it serves Monsanto’s. The use of the media is another area in which Monsanto has dominated its competition. It was the highest contributor in advertising against Proposition 37, and the over seven million dollars poured into the cause was effective in squashing the issue of labeling genetically modified food. When a group like Monsanto is able to pour that amount of funds into mobilizing public opinion, they have complete control over the issue and how they want it to be seen and voted on by the American public. With enough money they were able to assuage concerns over the safety of genetically modified foods and managed to convince people it would actually go against their own self interests in terms of cost. The elite team of advertisers Monsanto has the funds to hire enables them to spin their issues in any way they need to in order to gain both governmental and public support for their agenda. By gaining support they can ensure individuals vote to Monsanto’s benefit and don’t actively oppose the company, leaving their profit motive as the single determiner of important public policy.

Allegory or Reflective Metamorphic Essay on What Ways I am a Prisoner

Waking up in the morning is may be the easiest part of my day. Going through the whole day, every day of my life is the hardest. This is the life of a prisoner, but I am not the typical behind-the-bars crook; I am a prisoner of my own life, with just a peephole as my only chance of escape. It’s not that I hate my life or people around me, it’s just that, I think I could be more than what I am today, that continuing this kid of life that I have is like wasting precious sands of the hour glass.This is not some wild imagination, not just some long shot hope, for I am now creating away out of this prison, making the peephole wider, so that my body could go through. I am currently employed full time, living a life with my family of three kids, one is 8 years old, another 2 years old, and the youngest is just 10 months old. I can say that I can go by everyday with what I do for a living, but still, there are some things missing in my life. I can feel it – even though I can’t see it, I know that it does exist.That’s the point where I realized that I am living my life in prison. Something is hindering me from freedom, from fully discovering myself and my potentials. Even though I have a happy family, it is like its being overshadowed by that desire to break free from prison. A life in prison for me is a typical day doing the same things over and over again. I wake up; spend a little time with my beloved family, and eventually spending the biggest chunk of my day at the work place. Sometimes, I ask myself, does everyone feel like this.Am I supposed to be doing the same things over and over again, spending my time alone, away from my family in order to make some money? I kept asking this question for so many times, but still, the answer just won’t pop in my head. What do I need to do? I feel like I am behind the cold steel bars, locked up away from the real world, forced to live a life under a routine, doing the same things over and over again for so many days. Not a day was different, with no means of escape, no way to fight for my way out.I was living a life of a free man struggling to be freed from an unknown prison which only he knows about it. By the end of the day, I am exhausted, drained to the bones. I can’t spend more time with my family because I have to sleep in order to wake up early for tomorrow’s work. I wanted to spend more time with them, but I can’t; I think this is a consequence of being a prisoner (Anonymous). You can’t decide on the things you really want to do. You have to go by the routine, or else you’ll suffer. For me, suffering is hard because it will not be felt by me alone.It will also affect my family, my loved ones, because they depend on me for sustenance so that they could grow into healthy, normal, free people. I think about them so much, and then I realize that I can’t stop now. I shouldn’t be selfish; if I only think about my self, then my family will suffer. I think a lot, maybe this is what prisoners do with their spare time. Unfortunately, thinking a lot also has its consequences. It keeps me from falling asleep, which is very bad in my case. You see, sleeping has been the only luxury that a prisoner can enjoy.He can be at peace with himself and with his surroundings. He is at ease, blissfully resting the night through, wishing that it would be longer so that his tired body will regain its energy to the fullest. It also gives the prisoner something that he could hold on to for a while, something that he could really treasure. Being in prison you learn to value sleeping because it is where his dreams are made. Dreams for me come in different forms. It could be about the things that make me happy, or be about my family’s happy moments.Sometimes, it could bring about nightmares, but I’ve learned that if you live a life of a prisoner, you learn not to fear these nightmares. Sleeping is only about dreams, and these dreams not only bring about happiness, it can also give you a little bit of hope, and maybe a glimpse of what lies ahead in the future. There was one time when I dreamt about my life, about being a prisoner (Brians). It gave me a clear view of what my real problem was, the reason I became a prisoner in my own life. It was because of my lack of education which has brought me behind bars.It gave me a clear mental picture of what it’s like if had finished schooling. I could be someone else, be someone better. I could have a chance in landing a better job, and possibly a better life. I can make the most of what I do, and I can make my family happier. It wasn’t just a dream because it showed me the way. It is reality – I can make everything real. Everything is possible, as long as I believe that I can. Armed with the dream of finishing school, I packed up everything I need. It would require all of my wits, my confidence and my willingness to p ursue this dream. Luckily, I have everything I need with me.That’s why I took the step which I know would take me out of this prison. Through the small peephole of my dream, I will make a larger hole, in which I can pass through and be free from this prison. It was the lack of education that has kept me well behind bars. It’s now my time to escape. Works Cited: Anonymous. â€Å"Prison Vs. Work†. 2007. September 15 2007. . Brians, Paul. â€Å"Plato: The Allegory of the Cave, from the Republic†. 1998. September 15 2007. .