Why Obama Won the 08 Presidential Election

Why Obama Won the 08 Presidential Election Barack Obama decisively won the presidential election, for many solid reasons and due to many factors, including weaknesses of his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain. This article enumerates and explains the five top reasons why Obama won win the 2008 race to become the 44th President of the United States. Reasons Why Barack Obama Won the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election Reason #1 - Empathy and Genuine Help for Middle-Class Americans Barack Obama gets what it means for a family to worry financially, to work hard simply to make it, and to do without essentials. Obama was born to a teenage mother, abandoned by his father at age two, and raised largely in a small apartment by his middle-class grandparents. At one point, Obama, his mother, and younger sister relied on food stamps to put meals on the family table. Michelle Obama, close counselor and best friend to her husband, and her brother were similarly raised in modest circumstances in a one-bedroom apartment on the south side of Chicago. Both Barack and Michelle Obama speak frequently about what it means for middle-class Americans to be at a disadvantage financially and otherwise. Because they get it, both Obamas refer with heartfelt eloquence to middle-class fears, including to: the climbing unemployment ratethe staggering home foreclosure rate gripping the nationcrashing 401(k) and pension plans, leaving retirements in limbo48 million Americans without healthcare insurancehigh percentages of public schools failing our childrenthe continuing struggle of middle-class families to balance work and parenting demands In vivid contrast, John and particularly Cindy McCain exude an aura of financial insularity and well-heeled elegance. Both were born wealthy, and have been quite wealthy for their entire lives. When cornered by Pastor Rick Warren several months ago, John McCain defined rich as I think if youre just talking about income, how about 5 million. Middle-class anger is palpable about economic fairness in these unusually tough financial times, and subsequent to what many viewed as President Bushs $700 billion bailout of rich Wall Streeters. Obama offered actual, understandable policy solutions to help middle-class Americans, including: a detailed 12-point program to repair the economy for middle-class families, including a $1,000 tax cut, creation of 5 million new jobs, protection of family homes from foreclosure, and reform of unfair bankruptcy laws.a Small Business Emergency Rescue Plan which includes emergency lending for small and family-owned businesses, special tax incentives, and tax cuts, and expansion of Small Business Administration support and services.a specific plan to reform Wall Street practices, including new regulation of the financial markets, to blunt the greedy influence of special interests, crackdown on manipulation of financial markets, and more. John McCains tin ear on middle-class financial woes were evident in his prescription for the economy: more tax-cuts for major corporations, and continuation of the Bush tax cuts for U.S. millionaires. And this McCain stance is consistent with his stated desires to slash Medicare and privatize Social Security. The American public is fed-up with failed Bush/McCain economics, which claim that prosperity will eventually trickle down to everyone else. Obama won the presidential race largely because voters correctly perceive that he, and not John McCain, care about and will address middle-class economic struggles and inequities. Reason #2 - Steady Leadership and Calm Temperament As of October 21, 2008, Barack Obama earned more than 120 newspaper endorsements, versus 33 for John McCain. Without exception, every Obama endorsement referred to his presidential-like personal and leadership qualities. And all echo the same basics about Obamas calm, steady, thoughtful nature, versus McCains impetuousness and unpredictability. Explained  The Salt Lake Tribune, which has rarely endorsed a Democrat for president: Under the most intense scrutiny and attacks from both parties, Obama has shown the temperament, judgment, intellect and political acumen that are essential in a president that would lead the United States out of the crises created by President Bush, a complicit Congress and our own apathy. Summed  The Los Angeles Times: We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement... as the presidential race draws to its conclusion, it is Obamas character and temperament that come to the fore. It is his steadiness. His maturity. And from  The Chicago Tribune, founded in 1847, which has never before endorsed a Democrat for the presidency: We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready... Obama is deeply grounded in the best aspirations of this country, and we need to return to those aspirations.... He has risen with his honor, grace and civility intact. He has the intelligence to understand the grave economic and national security risks that face us, to listen to good advice and make careful decisions. In contrast, during the past two months of the 08 presidential campaign, John McCain acted (and overreacted) inconsistently, unpredictably, and without forethought. Two examples of McCains unsteady leadership were his erratic behavior during the financial markets meltdown, and in his poorly-vetted pick of Sarah Palin as his running mate. John McCain served as the perfect foil to highlight Obamas solidly grounded leadership skills. Obamas even-keel temperament made him seem well-suited to be President for these troubled, turbulent times. And the mere image of ultra-volatile, careless John McCain in the White House was enough to scare the majority of the electorate into supporting Obama. Reason #3 - Fair, Cost-Effective Health Care Insurance Americans were finally fed-up enough with the unfairness of health care delivery in this country, to be ready to make the issue a priority in selecting a president. The U.S. is the only wealthy, industrialized nation that does not have a universal health care system. As a result, in 2008, more than 48 million U.S. men, women, and children have no healthcare insurance. Despite being ranked #1 in health care spending by the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. was ranked  72nd among 191 nations  in 2000 in overall level of health of its citizens. And the state of U.S. healthcare deteriorated further under the Bush administration. Barack Obamas health care plan and policies will fairly ensure that every American will have access to good quality medical care services. John McCains health care plan was a stunningly radical scheme that will: still exclude millions of the uninsured,raise income taxes for most American families and,in the opinion of most experts, causes millions of employers to drop health care policies for their employees. And unbelievably, McCain wanted to deregulate the healthcare insurance industry, much as Republicans disastrously deregulated U.S. financial markets under President George Bush. Obamas Health Care Plan Briefly, Obama will make available a new plan to all Americans, including the self-employed and small businesses, to buy affordable health coverage that is similar to the plan available to members of Congress. The new plan will include: Guaranteed eligibilityNo one will be turned away from any insurance plan because of illness or pre-existing conditionsComprehensive benefitsAffordable premiums, co-pays, and deductiblesEasy enrollmentPortability and choice Employers that do not offer or make a significant contribution to the cost of quality health coverage for their employees will be required to contribute a percentage of payroll toward the costs of this plan. Most small businesses will be exempt from this mandate. The Obama plan requires only that all children have health care coverage. McCains Health Care Plan John McCains health care plan was designed to control health care costs and to deregulate, and thus enrich, the healthcare industry, and is not necessarily designed to offer health care coverage to the uninsured. For consumers, the McCain plan: required that insurance policies from employers be included in employees taxable income, along with salary and bonuses, thereby causing employees income taxes to increase;then provided a $5,000 tax credit to partially offset increased income taxes;deleted the employee health care insurance income tax deduction for all employers. Innumerable experts predicted that these massive McCain changes would: cause the taxable income of the average family of four to rise by about $7,000;cause employers to drop health care insurance for employees;would cause an increase, not decrease, in Americans without health care coverage. McCains plan was intended to push millions of Americans into the market to buy their own individual health care policies, which will be offered by a newly deregulated healthcare insurance industry. Newsweek reported, The Tax Policy Center estimates that 20 million workers will leave the employer-based system, not always voluntarily. Midsize and smaller companies are likely to drop their plans... CNN/Money added, McCain sorely lacks a plan for people in their 50s without corporate benefits, and Americans with pre-existing conditions, who would be brutally stripped of coverage if insurance crosses state lines. Observed blogger Jim MacDonald, The result... won’t be healthy competition that will lower costs for everyone. It’ll be higher costs and fewer options for the poor, the old, and the sick. That is, the people who need health care. Young, healthy, rich people won’t be affected... Obamas Plan: The Only Viable Choice In summary, Obamas plan, in which long-time health care advocate Hillary Clinton will be deeply involved, will fairly and inexpensively ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care services, but without the government providing those services. McCains so-called health care plan was intended to free the business community from providing for its employees, to enrich the healthcare insurance industry, and increase income taxes for all Americans. But not to provide health care services for the uninsured. For anyone who valued their health care insurance, Barack Obama was the only viable choice for president. Reason #4 - Withdrawal of Combat Troops from Iraq Barack Obama bested Hillary Clinton by a small margin for the 08 Democratic presidential nomination due mainly to their differing positions on the Iraq War, especially at the wars inception in 2002. Sen. Hillary Clinton  voted YES in 2002  to give the Bush administration authorization to attack and invade Iraq. Sen. Clinton rightfully believes that Congress was misled by Bush, and after a while, she admitted her regret for her vote. But Clintons 2002 support for the unpopular war was brutal fact. In contrast, Barack Obama famously  spoke out in late 2002 against the Iraq War  before Congress voted, declaring: I dont oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war. What I am opposed to is a rash war. What I am opposed to is the cynical attempt... to shove their own ideological agendas down our throats, irrespective of the costs in lives lost and in hardships borne. What I am opposed to is the attempt by political hacks like Karl Rove to distract us from a rise in the uninsured, a rise in the poverty rate, a drop in the median income, to distract us from corporate scandals and a stock market that has just gone through the worst month since the Great Depression. Obama on the Iraq War Obamas stance on the Iraq War  is unambiguous: he plans to immediately begin to remove our troops from Iraq. He will remove one to two combat brigades each month, and have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months. Under an Obama administration, the U.S. will not build or maintain any permanent bases in Iraq. He, of course, plans to temporarily maintain some non-combat troops in Iraq to protect our embassy and diplomats, and to complete the training of Iraq troops and police forces, as necessary. Also, Obama plans to launch the most aggressive diplomatic effort in recent American history to reach a new compact on the stability of Iraq and the Middle East. This effort will include all of Iraq’s neighbors, including Iran and Syria. McCain on the Iraq War McCain, a third generation Naval officer, voted in 2002 to give President Bush full authority to attack and invade Iraq. And hes continually served as supporter and cheerleader for the U.S. War in Iraq, albeit with occasional objections to strategies. At the 08 Republican Convention and on the campaign trail, McCain and running mate Gov. Palin frequently proclaimed a goal of victory in Iraq and scoff at withdrawal timetables as foolish and premature. McCains website proclaimed ... it is strategically and morally essential for the U.S. to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred. McCain took this stance: despite the  $12 billion monthly pricetag  to U.S. taxpayers;despite the fact that the Iraqi government has a substantial budgetary surplus;despite mounting deaths and permanent maimings of U.S. soldiers;despite exhaustion of U.S armed forces;despite the crippling effect the Iraq War has on U.S. armed forces abilities to address other conflicts and emergencies. General Colin Powell, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and former Secretary of State, disagreed with McCain, as did General Wesley Clark, former Supreme Allied Commander Europe of NATO, and as do dozens of other retired generals, admirals and other top brass. Heres the really odd part: the Bush administration also disagreed with John McCain. Per various international  sources on October 20, 2008, the U.S. is finalizing negotiations on a security agreement with Iraq: The agreement also contains a timetable for the withdrawal of the U.S. military from Iraqi cities and towns by June 30, 2009 and from Iraqi territory by Dec. 31, 2011. Even General David Petraeus, often referred to with great reverence by McCain,  recently told the British press  that he would never use the word victory to describe U.S. involvement in Iraq and  commented: This is not the sort of struggle where you take a hill, plant the flag and go home to a victory parade... its not war with a simple slogan. The hard truth is that John McCain, Vietnam War POW, was obsessed with the Iraq War. And he couldnt seem to shake his angry, unhealthy obsession despite either reality or exorbitant cost. U.S. Voters Want Out of Iraq Per  CNN/Opinion Research Corp. polling  from October 17 to 19, 2008, 66% of all Americans disapprove of the Iraq war. Barack Obama was on the correct side of this issue, per the entire voting public, especially per the centrist, swing voters who decide most election outcomes. Barack Obama won the 2008 presidential election in part because he consistently exhibited wise judgment on the Iraq War, and because he insists on the obviously correct course of action. Reason #5 - Joe Biden as Running Mate Sen. Barack Obama won the presidency in part because of his wise selection of highly experienced, well-liked Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware as his vice-presidential running mate. The first job of the vice president is to assume the presidency should the president become incapacitated. No one doubts that Joe Biden is fully prepared to become President of the United States, should that terrible occasion arise. The second job of the vice president is to be of constant counsel to the president. In his 36 years in the U.S. Senate, Biden is one of the  most respected American leaders on foreign policy, the U.S. judiciary, crime, civil liberties, and many other vital areas. With his gregarious, warm personality, Biden is suited to offer direct, smart counsel to the 44th president, as he has done for many other U.S. presidents. As an added bonus, the working chemistry and mutual respect between Obama and Biden is excellent. For Americans concerned about Barack Obamas level of experience, Joe Bidens presence on the ticket added a large dose of gravitas. Had he selected one of the able, but far less experienced candidates on this short list (Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, to name two top contenders), Barack Obama may have been less likely to reassure a majority of voters that the Democratic ticket was experienced enough to tackle todays tough issues. Joe Biden vs. Sarah Palin Joe Bidens deep grasp of the issues, appreciation of U.S. history and laws, and steady, experienced leadership were in jarring contrast to that of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential candidate. Republican nominee, 72-year-old John McCain, has wrestled with three episodes of melanoma, the most aggressive form of skin cancer, and gets an in-depth skin cancer check every few months. Mr. McCains serious health challenges greatly increased the risk that he could become incapacitated and/or pass away in office, which would require his vice president to become President of the United States. It was widely recognized, even by a plethora of conservative pundits, that Sarah Palin was wholly unprepared to assume the presidency. In contrast, Joe Biden was widely regarded as well prepared to assume the presidency. Due to these five important political factors, Barack Obama won the November 4, 2008 election to become the 44th President of the United States.

Desayunar Conjugation in Spanish, Translation and Examples

Desayunar Conjugation in Spanish, Translation and Examples The Spanish verb  desayunar  means to eat breakfast. It is a regular -ar  verb like  necesitar  and ayudar. The tables below include the conjugations for  desayunar  in the present, past and future indicative, the present and past subjunctive, the imperative, and other verb forms. Using the Verb Desayunar The verb desayunar is formed with the prefix  des-,  which implies negation, like  the English prefix dis-, and the word ayunar,  which means to fast. Therefore,  desayunar is similar to the English word  breakfast,  which implies breaking the fast.   Other verbs like  desayunar  are  almorzar,  which means to eat lunch, and cenar, which means to eat dinner. Unlike in English, for these actions in Spanish there is no need to use the verb to eat, since the verbs themselves already mean to eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner.   You can use the verb  desayunar  whenever you would say to eat breakfast or have breakfast in English. It can be used to talk about when, where, or with whom you eat breakfast, as in  Me gusta desayunar temprano  (I like to eat breakfast early) or  Ella siempre desayuna con su madre  (She always eats breakfast with her mother), and it can be used to talk about what you eat for breakfast, as in  Tà º desayunas cereal  (You eat cereal for breakfast). Desayunar Present Indicative Yo desayuno I eat breakfast Yo desayuno antes de ir al trabajo. T desayunas You eat breakfast T desayunas huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella desayuna You/he/she eats breakfast Ella desayuna con su familia. Nosotros desayunamos We eat breakfast Nosotros desayunamos muy temprano. Vosotros desayunis You eat breakfast Vosotros desayunis en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunan You/they eat breakfast Ellos desayunan cereal con leche. Desayunar Preterite  Indicative The two past tense forms in Spanish are the  preterite  and the  imperfect. Use the preterite when talking about actions that were completed in the past. Yo desayun I ate breakfast Yo desayun antes de ir al trabajo. T desayunaste You ate breakfast T desayunaste huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella desayun You/he/she ate breakfast Ella desayun con su familia. Nosotros desayunamos We ate breakfast Nosotros desayunamos muy temprano. Vosotros desayunasteis You ate breakfast Vosotros desayunasteis en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunaron You/they ate breakfast Ellos desayunaron cereal con leche. Desayunar Imperfect  Indicative The imperfect tense can be translated to English as was eating breakfast or used to eat breakfast.  You should use it to talk about ongoing actions in the past. Yo desayunaba I used to eat breakfast Yo desayunaba antes de ir al trabajo. T desayunabas You used to eat breakfast T desayunabas huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella desayunaba You/he/she used to eat breakfast Ella desayunaba con su familia. Nosotros desayunbamos We used to eat breakfast Nosotros desayunbamos muy temprano. Vosotros desayunabais You used to eat breakfast Vosotros desayunabais en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunaban You/they used to eat breakfast Ellos desayunaban cereal con leche. Desayunar Future  Indicative Yo desayunar I will eat breakfast Yo desayunar antes de ir al trabajo. T desayunars You will eat breakfast T desayunars huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella desayunar You/he/she will eat breakfast Ella desayunar con su familia. Nosotros desayunaremos We will eat breakfast Nosotros desayunaremos muy temprano. Vosotros desayunaris You will eat breakfast Vosotros desayunaris en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunarn You/they will eat breakfast Ellos desayunarn cereal con leche. Desayunar Periphrastic Future Yo voy a desayunar I am going to eat breakfast Yo voy a desayunar antes de ir al trabajo. T vas a desayunar You are going to eat breakfast T vas a desayunar huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella va a desayunar You/he/she is going to eat breakfast Ella va a desayunar con su familia. Nosotros vamos a desayunar We are going to eat breakfast Nosotros vamos a desayunar muy temprano. Vosotros vais a desayunar You are going to eat breakfast Vosotros vais a desayunar en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas van a desayunar You/they are going to eat breakfast Ellos van a desayunar cereal con leche. Desayunar Conditional  Indicative Yo desayunara I would eat breakfast Yo desayunara antes de ir al trabajo. T desayunaras You would eat breakfast T desayunaras huevos con pan. Usted/l/ella desayunara You/he/she would eat breakfast Ella desayunara con su familia. Nosotros desayunaramos We would eat breakfast Nosotros desayunaramos muy temprano. Vosotros desayunarais You would eat breakfast Vosotros desayunarais en casa. Ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunaran You/they would eat breakfast Ellos desayunaran cereal con leche. Desayunar Present Progressive/Gerund Form The present  participle, or gerund  of  -ar  verbs is formed with the ending -ando. It can be used to form  progressive verb forms  such as the  present progressive. Present Progressive of  Desayunar   est desayunando  She is eating breakfast   Ella est desayunando con su familia. Desayunar Past Participle The  past participle of regular  -ar  verbs is formed with the ending -ado. It can be used to form  compound tenses  like the  present perfect. Present Perfect of  Desayunar   ha desayunado  She has eaten breakfast   Ella ha desayunado con su familia.   Desayunar Present Subjunctive Que yo desayune That I eat breakfast Ana espera que yo desayune antes de ir al trabajo. Que t desayunes That you eat breakfast Pedro espera que t desayunes huevos con pan. Que usted/l/ella desayune That you/he/she eat breakfast dgar espera que ella desayune con su familia. Que nosotros desayunemos That we eat breakfast Paula espera que nosotros desayunemos muy temprano. Que vosotros desayunis That you eat breakfast Daro espera que vosotros desayunis en casa. Que ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunen That you/they eat breakfast Marla espera que ellos desayunen cereal con leche. Desayunar Imperfect  Subjunctive The  imperfect subjunctive  has two different conjugations, which are used in different Spanish-speaking regions.  Both options are equally valid. Option 1 Que yo desayunara That I ate breakfast Ana esperaba que yo desayunara antes de ir al trabajo. Que t desayunaras That you ate breakfast Pedro esperaba que t desayunaras huevos con pan. Que usted/l/ella desayunara That you/he/she ate breakfast dgar esperaba que ella desayunara con su familia. Que nosotros desayunramos That we ate breakfast Paula esperaba que nosotros desayunramos muy temprano. Que vosotros desayunarais That you ate breakfast Daro esperaba que vosotros desayunarais en casa. Que ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunaran That you/they ate breakfast Marla esperaba que ellos desayunaran cereal con leche. Option 2 Que yo desayunase That I ate breakfast Ana esperaba que yo desayunase antes de ir al trabajo. Que t desayunases That you ate breakfast Pedro esperaba que t desayunases huevos con pan. Que usted/l/ella desayunase That you/he/she ate breakfast dgar esperaba que ella desayunase con su familia. Que nosotros desayunsemos That we ate breakfast Paula esperaba que nosotros desayunsemos muy temprano. Que vosotros desayunaseis That you ate breakfast Daro esperaba que vosotros desayunaseis en casa. Que ustedes/ellos/ellas desayunasen That you/they ate breakfast Marla esperaba que ellos desayunasen cereal con leche. Desayunar Imperative   In order to give direct orders or commands, you need the  imperative  mood. Below are both the affirmative and negative commands for desayunar. Notice that there are differences between the two types of commands for the  tà ºÃ‚  and  vosotros  forms. Positive Commands T desayuna Eat breakfast! Desayuna huevos con pan! Usted desayune Eat breakfast! Desayune con su familia! Nosotros desayunemos Lets eat breakfast! Desayunemos temprano! Vosotros desayunad Eat breakfast! Desayunad en casa! Ustedes desayunen Eat breakfast! Desayunen cereal con leche! Negative Commands T no desayunes Dont eat breakfast! No desayunes huevos con pan! Usted no desayune Dont eat breakfast! No desayune con su familia! Nosotros no desayunemos Lets not eat breakfast! No desayunemos temprano! Vosotros no desayunis Dont eat breakfast! No desayunis en casa! Ustedes no desayunen Dont eat breakfast! No desayunen cereal con leche!

Unemployment in Mexico and USA and Comparison between them Essay

Unemployment in Mexico and USA and Comparison between them - Essay Example This topic is of high interest as it will help in analyzing the overall economic conditions of two important economies; the United States and Mexico. A comparison between the Unemployment levels of these two countries will also be presented. Unemployment represents the number of people that are not working or jobless (Wessels, 2000). During the recession, the Unemployment level of country increases as more people lose their jobs (Mankiw, 2009). The global recession of 2007-2008 resulted in a large number of people to lose their jobs in different parts of the world. Unemployment level was showing a decreasing trend internationally, as presented in the graphs below until the economic recession that hit the world global market. From 2007, the unemployment level of the world increased drastically; however, it has decreased in the last two years or so.The unemployment level in the United States and Mexico also increased drastically after the recession. However unemployment level increased more in the USA than in Mexico.Data will be collected from different renowned websites such as World Bank and other authentic published reports. The research will be quantitative and qualitative. Literature review section will cover the qualitative data and analysis section will cover the quantitative data. The relationship between the unemployment levels of these two countries will be analyzed, and a comparison will be presented. Statistical tools will be applied to analyze the unemployment level.

Long Term Decisions Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Long Term Decisions - Research Paper Example This infrastructure is what fast tracts quick growth of business developments in the country and creates a workable business environment. This makes the country a good investment hub as it has the appropriate infrastructure for business development. The government’s involvement also leads to improvement in the infrastructure institutionally. This is where the government regulates performance of business to curb transaction vices such as corruption and fraud. Consumers would have to bear a heavy burden of high prices facilitated by calculated behind the scene moves by some unscrupulous traders who want fleece consumers of their hard-earned coin if price setting is left to the forces of demand and supply. The government comes in to set price controls in order to make the goods affordable to low income earners enable the manufacturers get the right return on their investment. The government’s main role is to control and maintain this balance. Other cases of government†™s involvement in the market system are the high investment projects. These are investment projects that need huge capital for them to pick up and that the country must have. The government has to take up the task since to private investors lack the financial muscle to undertake it. Such projects include electricity generation and distribution for the entire country, harbors and airports of international stature e.t.c On the other hand, government’s involvement in business is discouraged considering its drawbacks such as the cumbersome procedures encountered due to the bureaucracy in formation of the business. This leads to market inefficiencies due to the time and money wasted in boardroom meetings to come up with the right policies and structures to legitimize every business transaction such as licensing, leasing, taxation, e.t.c leading to delay in decision making thus the industry is unable to take advantage of emerging opportunities due to its rigidity. The civil serva nts who lack incentives from the government such as good salaries and allowances also lead to inefficiency in the market system. This is because they are not well motivated. Due to their low salaries, they, together with board members who are regulators of the system, engage in corruption and fraud to make an extra coin. This is common in tax officials who will opt to take huge tax bribes to wipe off a tax offender’s record instead of enforcing the set laws. Too much involvement of the government in the market system may lead to miscommunication in the industry. These is because the participants feel the government is too strict or firm thus fear to pass across information that may be vital for the smooth running and operations of businesses in the market process. This eventually leads to turbulent effects in the market such as deflation, inflation, and economic depressions. Such tides are usually very unconducive for business performance as it wrecks its environment. The USA is the leading world economy. As such, the government intervenes in the market process to ensure that this remains so and that the USA citizens enjoy the best there is to offer. The government intervenes to regulate FDI investments. This is because it wants to ensure that the country owns a major stake or controllable share in the establishment. The USA has the largest market in the world and many businesses seek to share part of it. The country has a mixed economy.

Customer Satisfaction Research on Bank

Customer Satisfaction Research on Bank CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.1 COMPANY PROFILE HDFC bank was founded in august 1994. It was among the first companies to receive an ‘in principle’ approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to set up a branch in the private sector. The bank operated as a commercial bank under the liberalization policies of RBI. In February 2000, this bank experienced a merger with Times Bank owned by The Times Group (Bennett Coleman co.). This was the first merger between two private banks in India. 1 share of HDFC Bank was received by shareholder of Times bank for every 5.75 shares of their own. HDFC bank acquired Centurion Bank of Punjab on 23 May 2008 taking its total branches to more than 1000. The amalgamated bank came out with a base of Rs. 1, 22,000 crores and net advances of about Rs. 89,000 crores. HDFC Bank Limited provides banking as well as various financial services to different corporations, and middle upper income customers in India. The bank operates through three main divisions which are wholesale banking, retail banking, and treasury operations. HDFC also provides services like credit cards, debit cards, third party distribution, investment advisory services, card and automated teller machine (ATM) acquiring transactions, and depositary services. Foreign exchange and derivative products is provided by the treasury division. The bank also provides telephone banking, Net Banking, Internet banking, and mobile telephone banking services.It is the largest bank in India by market capitalization as of 24 February 2014. On January 2 2014, the market cap value of HDFC was found to be USD 27.00B, as compared to the credit Suisse group with USD 48.00B. It was promoted by the housing development finance corporation, a premier housing finance company of India set up in 1977. Some of the latest achievement of HDFC bank are: Table 1.1: Achievements of 2014 and 2013. 2014 Asiamoney Best of Best Domestic Banks-India. 2014 Dun Bradstreet- Mannapuram Finance Limited Corporate Award 2014 Best corporate in Banking Sector. 2013 Asiamoney Best domestic bank in India. Best local cash management bank in India. 2013 Institute for development and research in banking technology awards Best bank- managing IT risks. Best bank- best IT team. 2013 Businessworld Best bank in India. OBJECTIVE OF THE REPORT To study the satisfaction received by the customer form HDFC staff as well as technical staff in Noida region, Uttar Pradesh, India. To study the areas in which the customer from this particular region invest in. To know the problems faced by the customers. CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research design: Exploratory design has been selected as data has been collected from questionnaire as well as direct contact to understand the satisfaction level of the customer and to study the areas in which these customers prefer to invest their money. 3.2 Data Collection Method: Most of the data has collected from secondary sources whereas for conduct of research the primary data has been collected through a structured questionnaire wherein a total of 120 respondents took part out of which only 100 have been taken into consideration inorder to reduce the error. This data collected is from Noida region only and has been collected according to the convenience of the researcher. 3.3 Sampling The study mainly deals with the satisfaction of the customer in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India. The required data was collected through a pretested questionnaire administered on a combination of convenience andjudgment sample of 100 individual investors. Judgment sample selection isdue to the time. Respondents were screened and inclusion was purely on the basis of their knowledge about financial organizations, HDFC in particular. This was necessary, because the questionnaire presumed awareness of some basic terminology used in these organizations. The purpose of the survey was to understand where the interest of the customer lies when investing in these organizations depending on various like satisfaction, awareness level. Sample of the questionnaire is given in Annex. A. 3.4 Instruments Used: The primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire by interactions with investors through telephone and through emails. 3.5 Analysis: After the data collection, it was compiled, classified and tabulated manually with the help of the computer. CHAPTER 4: INTERPRETATION AND FINDINGS Why you chose HDFC? The survey was conducted to see whether the customers are happy with the service provided by the bank. The study is given below Graph 4.1 It was revealed that the customers were highly satisfied by the communication (80%) followed by the problem solving capabilities (75.24%) of the staff. The customers were not much satisfied by the reliability of this organization. Interpretation: the bank should focus on its ability to perform well consistently and increase responsiveness to attract more customers. Analysis of investors preference The survey was conducted to capture investor objective for investment in financial instruments, reveals the following. Graph 4.2 Most of the investors invest money for the purpose of future welfare followed by high growth, so company should suggest those instruments which have a positive return for their investment which will help in fulfilling both the objectives. Customers reasons for being a part of this organization Customers were asked about the reasons because of which they became a part of this organization, the study showed a following results. Pie chart 4.3 From the study it was found that 25% people joined this organization because of the image, 25% people because of the extra services and 45% mainly because of the normal services provided by them whereas only 5% joined this bank because of all the above factors. Best service provided by the bank This was done to get an idea of the service most liked/preferred by the customers. The result showed, Table 1.2 Service Respondents % of respondents Savings a/c 33 33% Fixed deposits 40 40% Current a/c 12 12% Demat a/c 0 0% Credit cards 0 0% Mutual funds 10 10% Loans 5 5% Graph 4.4 According to the results, the customers find fixed deposit to be the best service provided, followed by savings and currents a/c. not even a single customer opted for demat a/c or credit cards. Perception about the services of the bank The customers were given three choices and the result was recorded to know the problems with the services and how to solve them in order to provide better services from the next time. Table 1.3 Response No of respondents % of respondents Good 35 35% Average 55 55% Poor 10 10% Graph 4.5 The result clearly shows that 55 % found the service to be average whereas 35 % found to be good. The remaining 10% found the service to be poor. Satisfied with the dealing of bank officials. Dealing with the customer plays an important role in the organization and to check it, a report has been made. The results show, Table 1.4 Response No of respondents % of respondents Yes 30 30% No 25 25% To some extend 45 45% Pie chart 4.6 The pie charts shows that maximum customers were satisfied by the dealing to some extend whereas 30% were completely satisfied. Only 25% were not satisfied and asked to make appropriate changes. Problems faced regarding the bank? Table 1.5 Response No of respondents % of respondents timeliness 78 78% Customer relationship 12 12% infrastructure 10 10% others 0 0% Graph 4.7 Most of the customers face a problem with the timeliness (78%), whereas only 12 % and 10% people face problems with customer relationship and infrastructure respectively. Will you recommend this bank to any of your friends? Table 1.6 Response No of respondents % of respondents Very unlikely 8 8% Somewhat unlikely 30 30% Neither likely nor unlikely 17 17% Somewhat likely 35 35% Very likely 10 10% Pie chart 4.8 According to the result, around 40% of the people agreed to recommend this bank to their friends whereas 25 refused to do so. Rate HDFC bank in maintaining good customer relationship Table 1.7 Respondents No of respondents % of respondents Good 20 20% Average 57 57% Poor 23 23% Graph 4.9 The result shows perfectly that the customers found the service to be average in terms of customer relations. Overall satisfaction rating with HDFC Table 1.8 Respondents No of respondents % of respondents Very dissatisfied 2 2% Somewhat dissatisfied 9 9% Neutral 21 21% Somewhat satisfied 48 48% Very satisfied 20 20% Graph 5.0 Review from customers show that 48% are somewhat satisfied whereas 21 percent are neutral about the satisfaction level. Only 2% and 9% customer were very and somewhat dissatisfied respectively. 4.1 Findings Majority of the customers are satisfied with the service provided. Majority of the customers found the services to be average. They also found that the respondents are average in maintaining good customer relations. Majority of the customers are facing the problem of timeliness. The perception of the majority of the customers is good and are satisfied with the services and were ready to recommend the products of the bank. Majority of the customers are interested in fixed deposits, savings a/c, and mutual funds. Majority of the customers are satisfied with the dealing of the bank officials. The most important point is that, services provided by the banks attract customers. CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION 5.1 Suggestions More stress should be given on advertisement and promotional activities. Banks should improve the efforts to make good relationship with the customers. Enhancing their services should also be an important task. Procedures should be made less time consuming. Banks should inform their customers about their extra services. 5.2 Limitations The research was carried out in a short period of 6 weeks because of which simple random and judgemental sampling is used. Limited sample size (100). The information might be biased because the information collected is given by the customer which doesn’t have any proof and depends upon different customers according to their satisfaction level. 5.3 Conclusion At the end I would like to conclude by saying that the Indian banking market is growing at an astonishing rate. HDFC bank have a network of 1142 branches and 3295 automated teller machines in 528 cities in India. The majority of customers are satisfied but the bank should target the unsatisfied customers. Even though the customers are aware about the services, the bank should try to create more awareness among people. HDFC should use printing as well as other media to do so. Formalities should be reduced to a minimum level as the customers feel irritated and the whole process becomes a burden on them. BIBLIOGRAPHY www.google.com www.hdfcbank/products/finance www.iloveindia.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDFC_Bank http://www.slideshare.net/ankurshrivastava3762/customer-satisfaction-level-in-hdfc-bank http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2002-11-16/news/27339334_1_sanjay-ralhan-primus-and-american-express-auto-finance ANNEXURE ANNEXURE 1: Questionnaire NAME ________________ AGE ___________________ GENDER_______________ OCCUPATION______________ EMAIL_________________ ADDRESS__________________ Why you chose HDFC? Resolve problems Communications Reliability Responsiveness What are your investment objective in HDFC bank? High income Stable income Future welfare Tax benefit High growth Reasonable income Retirement protection What are the reasons that attract you to be a customer? Image Services Products All of the above Best service provided by the bank are? Savings a/c Fixed deposit Current a/c Demat a/c Credit cards Insurance Mutual funds Loans What are your perceptions about the services of the banks? Good Average Poor Are you satisfied with the dealing of the bank officials? Yes No To some extend Any problems you are facing regarding the bank? Timeliness Customer relationship Infrastructure All of the above How likely are you to recommend the services to your friend or family? Very unlikely Somewhat unlikely Neutral Somewhat likely Very likely How will you rate HDFC bank in maintaining customer relationship? Good Average Poor What is your overall satisfaction with the company? Very dissatisfied Somewhat dissatisfied Neutral Somewhat satisfied Very satisfied

Consumer Attitude and Beliefs Essay

1. Explain a person’s attitude towards visiting Disneyland in Hong Kong in terms of the tri-component model. The tri-component attitude model is made up of three major components: (i) The Cognitive Component – a consumer’s attitude is initially based upon their own knowledge and perception through direct experience with the attitude object and related information from other sources. Prior Visit: if an individual has looked at brochures or searched up Hong Kong Disneyland online, then their attitude towards it should be positive, relating to their also positive perception received through information from sources After Visit: after visiting HK Disneyland, the individual would have had direct experience with the attitude object, thus their attitude would be based upon their experience there. (ii) The Affective Component – the emotions and or feelings a consumer associates with a particular brand or product. Prior Visit: assuming that the individual is a fan of rides and an adrenaline rush, the affective component would mostly likely involve the feeling of excitement of visiting Disneyland After Visit: if the individual’s visit to HK Disneyland was positive, they would probably have feelings of happiness and maybe even an emotion of sadness that they have to leave (iii) The Conative Component – the likelihood or tendency of a consumer to undertake a specific action or behave in a certain manner with regard to the attitude object. Prior Visit: since this component is based on an individual’s tendency to act (and not the actual acting), it would depend on each individual’s unique behaviour towards something; e.g. one may have the tendency to get too excited and not be able to concentrate on work properly. After Visit: an individual may hav e the tendency to boast to their friends about how fabulous their visit to HK Disneyland was. 2. Explain how the product manager of a breakfast cereal might change consumer attitudes toward the company’s brand by: a) Changing beliefs about the brand The product manager could change consumer beliefs about the brand by using the cognitive component of the tri-component attitude model, where a consumer’s knowledge and perceptions are acquired via direct experience with the attitude object plus information from other sources. (E.g. adding a  health attribute to the product so that consumers perceive the cereal brand as healthy, changing their beliefs about the brand.) b) Changing beliefs about competing brands The product manager of a breakfast cereal is obviously not able to change the packaging or advertising of a competitor’s brand, thus their marketing strategy to change a customer’s attitude toward competing brands must be accomplished via packaging and advertising strategies of their own breakfast cereal brand. This may be accomplished by assuring that consumers are aware that the breakfast cereal is unique from its competitors and has something to offer that other brands do not. Advertising to customers that this cereal has extra to offer or that other brands have been simply imitating this brand would cause customers to believe that competing brands have simply been deceiving. c) Changing the relative evaluation of attitudes Changing the relative evaluation of attitudes would involve the product manager coming up with a strategy that positively affects and engages a larger number of consumers. This would include appealing customers by making the breakfast cereal stand out amongst other competitors, such as highlighting a significant attributive strength that other breakfast cereals do not offer. The product manager would want to use powerful positive statements to achieve this. d) Adding an attribute Consumer attitudes toward the breakfast cereal could be enhanced by adding a health attribute to the cereal. For example, consumers are most likely to believe there has been product improvement if the product manager decides to add positively perceived ingredients such as protein, fibre, minerals, etc. 3. What sources influenced your attitudes about studying buyer behaviour before class started? Has your initial attitude changed since the unit started? If so, how? The sources that influenced my attitude towards studying buyer behaviour prior starting the unit was mostly based on the unit description from the unit guide and how friends had described the unit  to be like. My current attitude towards the unit has not changed much, except for the fact that the group assignment was actually not as boring as expected but rather quite interesting. 4. Should the marketer of a popular computer graphics program prefer consumers to make internal or external attributions about the success that people have using the program? The marketer of a popular graphics program would most likely prefer consumers to make external attributions about the success that people have using the program. External attributes focus on the properties or features that are externally visible such as reliability and maintainability, hence this type of successful information would appeal more to consumers compare to internal attributions that are not visible. 5. Find an ad for a free service trial (e.g. carwash, free brake check or a free software trial). What attributions would consumers make about the advertiser? What self-attributions would a consumer make if he or she accepted the trial offer? A consumer may make the attribution that the advertiser of Spotify is personally a fan and recommends it. A free trial advertisement sends across a message somewhere along the lines of: â€Å"It’s great. You don’t believe me? Try it for yourself then.† From a consumer’s point of view, it makes the advertiser positive that an individual will not regret testing it out and want to actually purchase it again for an actual monetary amount. Possible self-attributions that a consumer may make if they accept the trial offer would be that they are now in the â€Å"social loop†, or praise themselves for accepting the trial offer and receiving free music on their phone and laptop for 30 days without having to pay. If they enjoyed the trial then an individual would make positive self-attributes and vice-versa. 6. Find examples of advertising that uses fear and humour and discuss why you think they are effective or not effective. Example of Advertisement Using Fear: This advertisement that uses fear in order to raise awareness and prevent people from smoking is effective in my opinion. A non-smoker who saw this would most likely be too scared to ever pick up cigarettes even to test it out knowing the possible consequences can be this bad, let alone death from lung cancer. An actual smoker would hopefully look at this and realise what they are doing to their own bodies and also take into account that this may be them at some point in time. It may not be strong enough to get an addict to completely quit smoking, but hopefully at least cut down. Example of Advertisement Using Humour: Personally I think the use of humour in this advertisement is the perfect way to capture the attention of consumers and potential consumers. Not only would LEGO fans be lured into the advertisement, but even those who have no clue about LEGO or are simply not interested are likely to take notice of the advertisement purely because it is humorous. It also indirectly targets Star Wars fans, allowing the advert to appeal to a whole range of individuals.

The Yellow Wallpaper A Look Into Post-Partum Depression

Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story, The Yellow Wallpaper, portrays the life and mind of a woman suffering from post-partum depression in the late eighteenth century. Gilman uses setting to strengthen the impact of her story by allowing the distant country mansion symbolize the loneliness of her narrator, Jane. Gilman also uses flat characters to enhance the depth of Jane’s thoughts; however, Gilman’s use of narrative technique impacts her story the most. In The Yellow Wallpaper, Charlotte Perkins Gilman uses interior monologue to add impact to Jane’s progression into insanity, to add insight into the relationships in the story, and to increase the depth of Jane’s connection with the yellow wallpaper it self. First, Gilman’s use of†¦show more content†¦In contrast, at the end of the story, Jane’s shocking proclamations of, â€Å"I’ve got out at last,† and, â€Å"In spite of you (John) and Jane. And I have pulled of most of the paper so you can’t put me back,† (336), mark Jane’s final mental collapse. The changes that Jane’s mental state go through are made more powerful by Gilman’s use of interior monologue, which allows the reader to experience the change first hand through Jane’s thoughts. Secondly, not only does interior monologue give impact to Jane’s thoughts toward her situation and illness, but this point of view style gives unique insight into the relationships among Jane and the other characters, especially the those between Jane and her husband, John, and her sister-in-law, Jennie. At the beginning of Gilman’s story, the husband and wife relationship of Jane and John follows the pattern of the time with John taking the part of the dominant yet well-meaning husband, and Jane taking the part of the obedient wife. Except for her forbidden writing, Jane follows John’s treatment guidelines (326); however, throughout the story, the respect and obedience Jane exhibits toward John at the first start to deteriorate, and suspicion and resentment replace it. One example of this change is when Jane states, â€Å"John is away all day, and even some nights when his cases are serious. I am glad that my case is not serious!† (327). Not only does her paranoia grow toward John, but also toward her sister-in-law, Jennie. TheShow MoreRelatedThe Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman885 Words   |  4 Pagesand feminism. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† was written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman in the 1900’s. â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† has many hidden truths within the story. The story was an embellished version her own struggle with what was most likely post-partum depression. As the story progresses, one can see that she is not receiving proper treatment for her depression and thus it is getting worse. Gilman uses the wallpaper and what she sees in it to symbolize her desire to escape her depression and the controllingRead MoreThe Witch Trail Of The Salem Witch Trails1529 Words   |  7 Pagespostnatal depression to alcoholism †¦and even for social transgressions such as infidelity (‘moral insanity’).† Charlotte Perkins Gilman, a woman of this time, shows that although middle class women had the freedom to pursue domestic endeavors, they still remain subjugated by patriarchal standards. In â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† Gilman shows that the narrator is oppressed, through expectations of marriage, relationships with her husband and her sister in law, and her connection to the wallpaper. First,Read MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper961 Words   |  4 Pages The Yellow Paper is a symbolic story written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. It is a disheartening tale of a woman struggling to free herself from postpartum depression. This story gives an account of an emotionally and intellectual deteriorated woman who is a wife and a mother who is struggling to break free from her metal prison and find peace. The post-partum depression forced her to look for a neurologist doctor who gives a rest cure. She was supposed to have a strict bed rest. The woman livedRead MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper By Charlotte Perkins Gilman1620 Words   |  7 PagesArianna Giannillo Ms. Stroebel AP English Composition 5 September 2015 The Yellow Wallpaper In the short story The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, which takes place in the 1800’s, the main character and her husband are staying in a vacant colonial mansion that has been in the family for many generations. She and John have come to this â€Å"hereditary estate† (Gilman, 1) so that she can rest and heal from her ‘nervous condition.’ John a physician has prescribed absolute rest, not evenRead More Essay on The Yellow Wallpaper: Imprisoned785 Words   |  4 PagesImprisoned in  The Yellow Wallpaper    As man developed more complex social systems, society placed more emphasis of childbearing. Over time, motherhood was raised to the status of â€Å"saintly†. This was certainly true in western cultures during the late 19th/early 20th century.   Charlotte Perkins Gilman did not agree with the image of motherhood that society proposed to its members at the time. â€Å"Arguably ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’ reveals women’s frustration in a culture that seemingly glorifies motherhoodRead MoreThe Women Behind The Yellow Wallpaper1675 Words   |  7 PagesBehind the Yellow Wallpaper â€Å" Be plain in dress, and sober in diet; In short, my deary, kiss me, and be quiet.† -Mary Wortley Montagu In a male dominated society, women had little choice when it came to the path of life they would trek upon until death. From the first words of the doctor when they announce, â€Å"it’s a girl†, amidst cries of the baby and the relief of the mother, the path a woman shall take has already been predetermined. Chalotte Perkins Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is a harrowingRead MoreMy Deary, Kiss Me, And Be Quiet1670 Words   |  7 Pageswords of the doctor when they announce, â€Å"it’s a girl†, amidst cries of the baby and the relief of the mother, the path a woman shall take has already been predetermined. Chalotte Perkins Gilman’s â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is a harrowing short story about a woman diagnosed with post-partum depression and her gradual slip into insanity when she is prescribed the rest-cure, a discredited treatment that only allows two hours of productivity each day. Gilman, the author, not only integ rates stupendousRead MoreInsanity in The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman1016 Words   |  4 Pagesfrom the average mind, which is the way the narrator thinks in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†. This short story is based on the author Charlotte Perkins Gilman and what she experiences while put under the â€Å"rest cure†. â€Å"Gilman suffers a near mental breakdown in the mid 1800’s, and been prescribed a rest treatment very similar to the one prescribed to the narrator in â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† (Korb, Rena. â€Å"An Overview of â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†. Gale Online Encyclopedia). She writes this story as if it were variousRead More The Yellow Wallpaper770 Words   |  4 Pagesattached to them. In the short story â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper,† Gilman demonstrates a woman who has suffered from repression and longs for the freedom from her controlling husband. Gender conflicts play a major role throughout this story. The aut hor portrays these kinds of conflicts through the three main characters, John, Jennie and the narrator. The theme of this story is a womans fall into insanity resulting from isolation from treatment of post-partum depression. Gilman is also telling the story ofRead MoreThe Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman699 Words   |  3 Pagesnovel, and short stories. She also became a role model for the feminist movement for her unusual image and behavior. In her intriguing short story, â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper†, she portrays her feministic point of views. The narrator of â€Å"The Yellow Wallpaper† is an unnamed woman. She recently had a child and is going through post-partum depression. Her and her family decided to get away for the summer and stay at a mansion. John, her husband, decides to put her in the room upstairs to keep her away