Public Policy Agenda Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Public Policy Agenda - Essay Example Agenda setting mark the primary step towards finding solutions to life problems. Evidently, the world is full of many public problems. This ranges from social challenges, public intrusion to health complications. All these challenges require both human intervention and political interception; however, in many instances viable answers fail to appear. In such instances, agenda setting remains the most viable option for solutions. Many organizations within or outside the government rely on agenda setting for solutions. Agenda setting is the ability to prioritize issues based on importance. The prioritization and opportunity cost incurred during decision make agenda setting a key recipe in public problems. It, however, is important to note that agenda setting does not give an overall look at a public problem but an integrated approach. Notably, the government has a sole role of providing and guaranteeing services for the public both at the present and the future. In many instances, some problems fail to appear in the government’s radar due to many reasons. To start with is the fact that government decisions are based on importance, priority and magnitude of problems. As a result, diseases that affect a limited magnitude of people cannot get attention as compared to a serious disease that spread and affects many people. In addition, government decisions and agenda setting remain based on interest and economic benefit various decisions derive to the public. A feeder road within the village cannot be considered before tarmacking a road leading to an industrial area. As a result, the feeder road may not appear or acquire the government’s attention although it is a problem. There are different kinds of agendas based on role, arrangement and results. Traditional agenda according to the Roberts rule of order puts items in order

The Independent Government Cost Estimate and the Statement of Work Research Paper

The Independent Government Cost Estimate and the Statement of Work - Research Paper Example The report evaluates the importance of the importance of the IGCE and provides reasons for confidentiality of the IGCE. It also proposes actions that should be taken in order to maintain the confidentiality of the IGCE. The report also provides a detailed cost estimate for the project. In this report, the types of statement of work (SOW) in regard to compatibility with this contract have been evaluated to determine the most appropriate type of statement of work (SOW) for this contract. Importance of the IGCE The Independent Government Cost Estimate is very important in the acquisition process. This is because the Independent Government Cost Estimate will assist in determining the rationality of a contractor’s cost and technical proposals and gain assurance that there is a congruence in ideas between the Federal Government’s contract awarding office and contract vendors pertaining to the scope of the contract. Secondly, the Independent Government Cost Estimate will assis t in developing and presenting the position of the Government. An Independent Government Cost Estimate is normally based on actual costs (NAVSEA, 2013). Third, when an Independent Government Cost Estimate is in place, it will help to avoid or to alleviate against major risks and adverse consequences. This will improve the probability of purchase and project success. Furthermore, the Independent Government Cost Estimate will enable resource managers to plan and budget confidently because it offers a reasonable assurance of cost. It will determine the selection of sources because it acts as a baseline for cost or price evaluation (Ipsaro, 2011). This is what will help in the determination and choice of the right offeror. An Independent Government Cost Estimate helps the Government in cost estimation and supports government defense if a vendor loses the competition and protests the decision (Ipsaro, 2011). This Independent Government Cost Estimate will be used to speed up the process o f contract award because it a solid Independent Government Cost Estimate. The Independent Government Cost Estimate is important because it will be used by contracting officer’s technical representatives to estimate a reasonable cost or price of a contract modification when changes in scope occur during the contract’s period of performance. Contracting officer’s technical representatives monitor a contract’s cost or budget schedule during a contract’s administration (Ipsaro, 2011). Further, this Independent Government Cost Estimate will be essential in estimating contract cost with accuracy and confidence. This is because the Independent Government Cost Estimate will use market research to obtain data that will be used for price analysis. Such market research data will include labor standards, analysis of cost trends for direct labor and material, to avoid past inefficiencies creeping into the proposal. The Independent Government Cost Estimate will determine whether the elements of the offeror are realistic for the work to be performed. It will also help in determining and establishing whether offerors reflect a clear understanding of the requirements of the contract. Third, the Independent Government Cost Estimate will help in establishing the consistency of the contractors with the unique methods of performance and materials that will be described in the offerors’ technical proposals (Engelbeck, 2002). Finally, the Independent

Cell Phones VS Landlines; the Advantages and Disadvantages Research Paper

Cell Phones VS Landlines; the Advantages and Disadvantages - Research Paper Example nine percent of Americans use cell phones only with no landlines though most Americans combine the use of both landlines and cell phones (Westcott, p41). A cell phone is a short-range communications device that receives and broadcasts low power digital radio signals to and from cell sites which are located throughout populated areas. Older cell phones transmitted analogue signals with some transmitting both digital and analogue signals until 2008 when the support of analogue signals stopped. On the other hand, landline phones are usually linked to a main central utility via telephone lines. Local regulatory commissions normally control the pricing of landline use. Traditionally, landlines were the ones used for homes and offices but nowadays more people have switched to cell phones. This presentation seeks to examine the pros and cons of cell phones and land lines from different perspectives in terms of their use and possession and provide one with knowledge to enable him or her make an informed decision when choosing to have one or both telecommunication devices. Portability: Unlike land lines, cell phones are very portable and one can carry them along anywhere and use them anywhere where there is a service provider signal. They can be conveniently carried around and used in places where land lines are absent, for example while on the highways. Mobility: One can use cell phones while on the move and hence save a lot of time which would have been wasted by being stationary and waiting for the phone call, especially for a busy individual. Besides, one does not have to miss important calls while on the move. Emergencies: In cases of accidents, one can easily call the ambulance or police while at the scene. One can even take pictures of the accident scene if he has a phone with a camera. In cases where one may be lost, one can call for directions or if he has a GPS enabled phone, the emergency services can trace his position and come to his rescue. Versatility:

The growth of debt among young American Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

The growth of debt among young American - Essay Example (Economic Crisis, 71) The purpose of this research would be to determine the three most fundamental questions related to the aspect of growth of debt among young Americans. What is the social problem 2) What cause this social problem 3) What is the impact to the people of this social problem 4) What are some solutions regarding to this social problem One of the interests financial planners have would be in understanding how money attitudes can be related to both investment and savings behaviors. Financial counselors wish to understand the how and why students either intentionally or unintentionally get themselves into debt. The rapid rise in consumer credit card debt and personal bankruptcies causes concern with policy makers and this is one reason for the study. There is increasing evidence that credit card debt has contributed to the rise in family financial problems and personal bankruptcies (Brobeck, 45). In the quest to discover why consumer credit card use and debt are increasing it is important to understand an individual's attitudes towards credit, money and debt (Hayhoe, 645). The use of credit has becom... The use of credit has become almost a rite of passage for many collegiate students worldwide. The objective of this paper would be to study the attitudes of university students in the use of credit cards and the general use of money. The aim in actuality is to study the positive and negative credit card usage by University students and the reasons behind their usage or abuse. University students often are faced with a barrage of financial considerations including credit cards, financial institutions, student financing for educational purposes, part-time employment and other such financial decisions to manage. The research conducted would be inclusive of local collegiate students just beginning their tenure on campus and those that have been on campus for a year or more. Credit Cards have gained a lot of popularity in the United Kingdom and around the world. Most businesses use credit card services. The businesses, especially retail stores, have their own credit cards. They either have just a credit card for their store alone or they might have a Visa, MasterCard or even an American Express logo on it where the consumers can use that credit card no matter where they shop. In fact, if the businesses did not use credit cards they would lose a good chunk of money. This review will cover credit use and abuse, credit cards themselves, consumer decision making, consumer attitudes, adoption behavior, credit card debt and the viewpoint of credit card issuers and banks. Long term cardholders who carry a balance, pay late, and on occasion would surpass their credit limit, thus incurring additional fees, would in fact be the most

Considering meeting the needs of children of different year groups Essay

Considering meeting the needs of children of different year groups within the discipline policy - Essay Example This included sanctions, praise and clarification of the rules within each classroom. The findings showed the key elements of the discipline policy were constant through the school. However, variances were in evidence when it came to reward systems and sanctions and the execution of them. This led the author to think that maybe the whole school policy within a school may require an element of consideration towards the needs of children in different year groups. This study compares whole schools’ rewards’ and sanctions’ policy relative to student behaviour, the implementation of these policies and how they meet the needs of the children in specific year groups. This comparative study is justified from personal experiences working as a teaching assistant in several schools. There always appeared to be similar systems in place where children would earn some semblance of reward points and then choose a reward from the gift box at the end of the school day or week. Having moved within school year groups it became apparent that were variations on reasons, how many and why reward points were given to the children. From the perspective of national objectives on schools’ learning environment, it is desirable that classrooms are conducive to optimal learning and teaching techniques. Both rewards and sanctions system are important parts of creating a classroom conducive to learning and teaching at optimal levels. Researche rs have consistently argued that a rewards system engages students and thus enhances learning (McLean 2001). It has also been a major national concern that approaches to learning and teaching techniques are consistent across the school, so that all students reach their full potential. In this regard, a systematic approach to rewards and sanctions’ system is therefore important so that all students are receiving the same message relative to outcomes

Public Policy Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Public Policy Analysis - Essay Example This is one of the legislative ways the government of the USA came up with to control the market. In light of this, the paper will venture into the history of the act to try and establish its necessity. It will then create a prescription that will indicate who failed in operation for this law to be enacted. The impact of the law on business and society will be discussed followed by a review of literature as per the course content. The viability of the law will be discussed based on its strengths and weaknesses. History of the Policy and Current Situation The US financial market had witnessed a large series of frauds in the corporate sector in 2002. Some of the highly publicised scandals included some large companies like Enron Corporation, Tyco and WorldCom. Due to these market malpractices, there were serious consequences that saw Enron collapse in 2001 after filing for bankruptcy on December 1. According to Healy and Palepu (2003), the company was a power in the US energy sector ha ving been formed in the year 1985. This large success led the management to into venture production of other energy related products; natural gas, pulp, paper and communications sectors. A critical analysis of the operations of the company according to economic consultants indicated that the rise to stardom of the company was not genuine. Many accounting practices that were unethical had taken place which killed the trust of the public in the US large sector market (PriceWaterhouseCoopers 34). Together with scandals at other companies like WorldCom and Tyco International, the public truly believed that there are several accounting practices yet to be discovered. Due to these happenings where the greedy executives wanted to benefit from their positions in companies, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 of 2002 was formed. It is also called Public Company Accounting Reform and Investor Protection Act of 2002 and abbreviated as SOX act of 2002 (Healy and Palepu 15). The SOX bill was signed i nto law on July 30 2002 by the then president George Bush and had provisions creation of reforms in the accounting and corporate business world by use of a board which it mandated, the â€Å"Public Company Accounting Oversight Board." The current position of the act has been a creation of corporate responsibility and it has seen a drastic overhaul of the entire US financial operations where there is a high level responsibility in management. This is a step that has highly reduced bankruptcy among companies. Having not created such an act earlier on means that the government had failed to implement its duties as this act was created as a matter of contingency. Public Prescription and Implementation of the Act As an act that was created as a matter of contingency, the act took care of the matters that were happening at the time and remained to take care of future similar matters. It was an emergency measure that made sure that the confidence of the public in the large business sector was restored. The policy has eleven chapters and each seeks to create accountability to the management teams of the large

States make wars, but wars make states. Discuss Essay

States make wars, but wars make states. Discuss - Essay Example ish Royalist who had a great influence on Western political philosophy, in his book Leviathan also gives a profound explanation concerning the concept of state. Hobbes conceived the hypothetical notion of the natural condition of mankind from axiomatic proposition of human nature. Hobbes’s state of nature is exemplified by the famous motto â€Å"bellum ominum contra omnes† (war of every man against every man) where every person has a right and a need to do anything to preserve their own liberty and safety. To escape this state of chaos and also the satisfy the needs for a comfortable life, people form social contract, ceding their individual rights to create sovereignty ruled under absolute monarch, which was the preferred type of rule by Hobbes, or other types of rule, such as democracy. A unified definition would claim that a state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external, sovereignty over a definite territory. The existing historical evidence only supports the theory of Hobbes concerning the creation of states. Although the creation of the city of Rome is shrouded in myth, archaeological evidence point to the conclusion that Rome grew from pastoral settlements on the Palatine Hill and surrounding hills approximately eighteen miles from the Tyrrhenian Sea and the south side of the Tiber. This location the Tiber forms a Z-shape curve that contains an island where the river can be forded. Because of the river and the ford, Rome was at a crossroads of traffic following the river valley and of traders travelling north and south on the west side of the peninsula. These trade and agricultural conditions as well as the fear of destruction by the surrounding people gave rise to the city that later created the Roman statehood. Another example is the ancient Greek city-states, which had excellent climate for agricultural products, economic strength and a strategic