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Ceremony

By Leslie Marmon Silko

The novel, Ceremony, tells the story of a young man, a former fighter in the World War two, who returns home and seek to find healing from the emotional and physical wounds attained at war. Tayo, the main character in the book, takes a journey back home with the aim of achieving all of this, but when he finally gets home, he is confronted with past experiences with family and friends. At first, Tayo seeks for healing at the veteran hospital, but when he realizes that the hospital is not providing him with what he wants, he opts to leave the hospital and go back to his grandparents home. He believes that being back home with his grandparents will assist him deal with is issues but he realizes that this is not the case when he sinks into depression and drug abuse. In response to this, his grandmother seeks the help of a medicine man to perform a ceremonial ritual to help him heal. He engages in a number of ceremonies until he attains the healing he requires.

This paper examines the theme of hybridity in the novel ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. More specifically, the paper examines the different ways in which the theme of hybridity has been brought out in the novel, while drawing attention to the blending of poetry and prose, storytelling, mixed heritage, hazel eyes, and healing at the Veterans hospital and ceremony.

Theme of Hybridity

Hybridity is defined as a mixture of two or more phenomena that are considered different and separate from each other. Put simply, it is the process whereby two things become separated from their inherent practices, and recombine to form new practices. The theme of hybridity has widely been used in literature to signify a transformation from the old into the new, through amalgamation. The new hybrid forms that develop through this combination are an indication of the profound changes that take place as a consequence of hybridization. These changes can either be positive or negative depending on the nature of the change that has taken place. This, therefore, implies that hybridity changes how things used to be, as well as, how they are viewed by the society. In the novel, Ceremony, hybridity has been revealed in a number of ways. Readers are exposed to hybridity from the beginning of the book all the way to the end. Specifically, the theme of hybridity in the novel is brought out in various ways including storytelling, blending of poetry and prose, mixed heritage, hazel eyes, and healing at the Veterans hospital and ceremony.

Hybridity in Storytelling

In the novel, Ceremony, storytelling is not only a theme on its own; it is also used to bring out the theme of hybridity. Evidently, the novel is centered on the main character Tayo, and his return home from World War II. However, in the development of the novel’s plot, the author interweaves the stories of other individuals, such as Tayo’s friends and his community at large. Tayo’s story is unique and individually appealing, but the development of the novel into what it is could not have been possible if the author did not integrate the stories of others. In addition to this, Tayo, who is the main character in the book, seeks to find healing from his experiences, something he can only achieve together with his friends. Accordingly, the combination of the different stories in the book, leads to the creation of the novel, which is the hybrid in this particular case. Each character in the book has an individual story regarding his or her experiences, and the combination of these stories demonstrates the greatest form of hybridity in the novel.

Blending of poetry and prose

The second and most evident form of hybridity in the novel is brought out through the combination of poetry and prose in the novel. In essence, the author uses these two techniques of storytelling as a way of exposing to the readers the two main cultures that are central in the story, including the native Americans and the communities from the West. Both the two techniques are significant to one culture with the poetry style signifying the storytelling patterns in native America, whereas the prose signifies storytelling in the West. Through a combination of these two techniques, the author affirms the combination of cultures as the main content of the novel. In the story, the two cultures are in a constant clash with each other, though in the end, they come together to form a culture that is a combination of both but distinctively different from their cultural roots and background. The use of prose and poetry throughout the novel provides a clear illustration of this and it illustrates both the differences in the two cultures, as well as, provide the necessary combination to bring out the theme of hybridity. Though the combination of these techniques may, at the beginning, sound different and clash with each other, they complement each other in such a way that helps the readers understand the underlying meaning of the theme of hybridity in the novel.

Mixed heritage

The theme of hybridity in the novel is also brought out in the fact that Tayo, the main character of the novel, is of mixed heritage. As a character, Tayo embodies both the native American and Wetsren cultures as part of his identity, something that he struggles with throughout his lifetime. As the author tells Tayo’s story, the readers can see how this character has struggled with this combination, as he does not possess a clear identity as to the person he is. He is often portrayed as confused and in need of clarification, which illustrates one of the negative effects of hybridity. Tayo feels out of place at most times and he is not sure of whether to identify himself as a native American or a member of the Western community. Tayo’s mixed heritage brings out the theme of hybridity in the sense that it illustrates both the negative and positive effects of hybridity. At the outset, readers are exposed to the complications of being of a ‘combined’ culture being to the formation of a hybrid that has not been well defined. However, towards the end of the book, the readers are introduced to a new Tayo who has learnt to appreciate his combined cultural background. This, in turn, illustrates the positive aspect of hybridity owing to the formation of a new and different form.

Hazel eyes

In addition to being of mixed heritage, Tayo also has hazel eyes, which is a combination of the colors brown and green. Tayo’s hazel eyes indicate that he himself is a hybrid, as he is the offspring of parents who are Native American and Western. Additionally, his hazel eyes are an indication of the ways in which the world is changing as a result of hybridity. In a way, the society, as well as, Tayo is confused about the changes that are brought on by hybridity, but later on, they all learn to accept these changes as a way of positive development.

Healing at the Veterans hospital and Ceremony

Upon a closer examination of the plot and story of the novel ceremony, it is evident that the most of the characters in the book are in search of healing. This is especially applicable to Tayo, the main character in the book, as he wishes to heal from both the physical and emotional wounds attained from his experience in World War II. Tayo looks to find healing from numerous places, but there are only two places where he successfully manages to achieve this including the veterans hospital and the ceremony. These two places are filled with a various individuals from different cultural backgrounds, and they all come together are attain the healing they require as a combined force. In the veterans hospital, individuals from diverse cultural background come together and receive treatment as a group, with minimal discrimination because of their cultural background. The ceremonies are a representation of the different cultural traditions in the novel, and it is the only place where these two cultures meet and appreciate their authenticity as a group. Away from the ceremonies, the two groups have no considerations for each other and they discriminate against one another. However, in the ceremonies, they combine into one forget their differences, and carry out their ceremonies as a group. This, in turn, builds on the theme of hybridity in the novel.

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McDonald’s

As discussed in chapter 8, customer satisfaction is the primary determinant of whether the customer prefers one store or product over another rival one. In the case of McDonald’s, it is clear that its customers were very dissatisfied with the events. The global restaurant chain faced problems in China due to shortages in meat. Shanghai Husi Food Co. supplied McDonald’s with all its meat; hence severing the relationship over outdated meat to the restaurant caused an acute shortage. Customers visiting McDonald’s for their favorite meat burgers and other meat products must have been very disappointed. McDonald’s should have implemented several strategies concerning customer service to ensure they did not lose their customers completely.

One of the reasons why people all over the world love McDonald’s is their delicious food and the assured quality. To discover that they had been deliberately supplied with outdated meat was quite shocking, and McDonald’s did the right thing severing ties with Shanghai Husi Food Co. the first thing for the company to do to regain goodwill is to explain the situation to the customers. They should say that they are still negotiating with suppliers to ensure that the customers get the best quality of meat. Such an assurance would show that the company cares about its customers and makes no compromise on quality, even if it means temporary losses. Another thing that McDonald’s can do to keep customers happy is to have promotional discounts as a way of apology. For example, they can sell some items at half price or give every tenth customer free drinks. Workers at the restaurants should be careful to listen keenly to the customers’ concerns and complaints and assure them that their concerns were valid. The company should also put out a statement on their social media platforms accompanied by an apology for the inconvenience.

McDonaldization

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McDonaldization

McDonaldization is a concept developed by an American Sociologist, George Ritzer, and refers to the specific kind of rationalizing production, consumption, and work which has become prominent in the 20th century. According to George Ritzer, the McDonaldization of a society is a phenomenon that takes place when the society, its organizations, and its institutions are adapted to have similar characteristics found in the fast food chains (Ritzer, 2002). These include calculability, efficiency, predictability, and control. An example of a McDonaldized company is Walmart. Walmart is an American multinational retailer that operates a chain of grocery stores, supermarkets, discount stores, hypermarkets, and neighborhood markets. Walmart fulfills the four key concepts of McDonaldization.

The first concept is efficiency. According to Ritzer, efficiency involves a managerial focus on minimizing the time that is required to complete individual tasks and also to complete the whole process or operation of distribution and production (Ritzer, 2002). In the case of Walmart, it has services that help its customers. It contains pick-up services where customers can order their products online, and arrive at the stores physically where their products are loaded into their cars by Walmart workers. There are also delivery services where customers can order their products through online channels and have their products delivered to their place of residence. There are also self-check-out lanes found inside their stores. These lanes can be used by the customers to ring up or bag their products instead of depending on the worker to do it. Most of these tasks by Walmart enhance distribution efficiency.

The second concept is calculability. According to Ritzer, calculability is the focus put on counting things (Quantifiable objectives) rather than quality evaluation (Subjective ones) (Ritzer, 2002). Walmart, through its commercials and articles, lets its customers be aware of the low prices they offer and they will be able to live better with them. The calculability category consists of the services and all the prices that Walmart offers. This is a good strategy since this enables the company to attract more customers by telling them what they would want to hear which is giving those memberships, discounts, low prices and so much more.

The third concept is Predictability. Predictability is the assurance that the services and the products would be the same in all locals and over time (Ritzer, 2002). Walmart is well known for the predictability of its products. It has a similar store design, store layout, same products, and similar services that are offered. This is a good strategy since if one of Walmart’s stores has anything different then it would not be fair for other stores not to have a similar thing. For example, Walmart has a different name in Mexico ‘Wal-Mex’ from ‘ASDA’ in the United States. The names are distinct but everything else is the same and people think of Walmart when they hear such names.

The fourth concept is control. Control is exercised by the management to make sure that the workers act and appear the same on daily basis. It also refers to the use of technology and robots to replace or reduce human employees where possible (Ritzer, 2002). Walmart has all its products prepackaged and ready to be placed at their respective positions in the stores. There are also self-check-out areas where customers scan their products and purchase them afterward. Overall, Walmart customers and employees just push buttons and then computers do the rest of the work. This helps make work easier for both customers and employees.

I, therefore, think that McDonaldization helps Walmart o operate better and more efficiently. With the services offered, self-check-out lanes that help the employees to the customers would make the customers come back again. McDonaldization is a positive due to how it makes things convenient. This is because today, people want things to get done quickly and with ease and McDonaldization is one of the methods to make this a reality.

References

Ritzer, G. (2002). An introduction to McDonaldization. McDonaldization: The Reader, 2, 4-25.

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Literature Review: Turnovers and Retention

Overview

It is widely contended that retention of employees plays a critical role in enabling an organization to achieve its financial goals and objectives. Indeed, the implications of employee turnover negatively impacts on the functioning of the organization and undermines its overall production. Retention of employees on the other hand has increasingly become an intractable challenge to various human resource managers, industrial psychologists and senior management of the organizations. Recent statistics indicate that the rate of turnover at the national level has remained stable over time. This is contributed to by numerous factors that are intricate and mutually reinforcing. Addressing them is imperative for increased production and ultimate organizational success.

As indicated earlier, employee turnover has adverse effects on retention of customers. However, CIPD (2005) points out that not all turnover incidences are likely to culminate in negative effects. Arguably, replacement of non productive employees with more reductive ones and acquisition of new employees that are energetic and more productive after retirement of older employees can be beneficial to an organization. Furthermore, economists ascertain that moderate turnover can yield positive results especially during hard economic times. Nonetheless, in most instances, employee turnover has had negative implications because of the relative costs. These range from recruitment, training, supervisory to associated administrative costs and loss of productivity. This becomes especially critical in instances where there is scarcity of relevant skills, when there is a close relationship between the employees and the customers, in instances of excessive turnover rates, when the cost of recruitment is very high and when the process of employment is expected to take considerably lengthy periods of time.

In his review, Arthur (2001) ascertains that employee turnover is influenced by various factors. From a broad point of view, he indicates that some employees leave the organizations because of prospective opportunities offered by other organizations in the particular field. However, others leave because of the high level of dissatisfaction with their current employment. Yet others are influenced by a mixture if all these factors as well as domestic circumstances that may be beyond the employer’s control.

In particular, Hinkin and Tracy (2000) indicate that the performance of the respective organizations greatly inspires the retention of employees. In this respect, it is argued that an organization that is considered to be experiencing economic difficulties has a more likelihood of laying off the workers than its counterpart that may be economically stable. According to CIPD’s (2005) view, workers in such instances find it rational to leave and seek for alternative forms of employment. In his review regarding the role of organizational management in turnover, Arthur (2001) ascertain that the culture of the organization also influences employee turnover in various ways. Specifically, the aspects of employee reward, level of commitment to the organization and an inherent sense of shared responsibility with regard to attainment of organizational goals and objectives have been implicated for affecting the rate of turnover. This is because of the fact that these factors play fundamental roles in determining the level of personal as well as job satisfaction of the employees.

Further, Heilmann, Bell and McDonald (2009) postulate that the status of the particular job as well as its relative characteristics also influences employee turnover. In this regard, they argue that jobs that are considered attractive are more likely to retain the employees and vice versa. Attraction according to them is defined by its characteristic challenges, perceived dangers, repetitiveness and ability to elicit desirable feelings of accomplishment. Further, Arthur (2001) cites that in some instances, job applicants tend to have unrealistic expectations about the job. These are usually wide and varied and may range from salary concerns to job environments. When such applicants are recruited and realize that their numerous expectations are not met, they tend to get disillusioned and in most cases quit the jobs prematurely.

Further, Heilmann et al (2009) implicates various personal and behavioral constraints as well as biological reasons for job turnover. Also, it is argued that lifestyle patterns that relate to the employment history of individuals and there health concerns also influence job turnover. Specifically, he points out that health practices such as smoking tend to affect that employment of an individual and contribute significantly to employee turnover. Behavioral constraints that have been associated with employee turnover include absenteeism, theft and loafing amongst others. Lastly, it is indicated that there are various aspects that specifically relate to the employee and influence turnover rates. Examples in this regard include the employee desire to further his or her studies in order to attain more skills, family issues such as transfers on employee partners and unsolicited job offers.

At this juncture, it is certain that the issue of employee turnover is multifaceted in nature. Notably, it is contributed to by various factors that can be both contextual and/or non contextual in nature. It can not be disputed that the effects of this to an organization can be far reaching. As such, Hinkin and Tracy (2000) assert that it is imperative for any efforts towards addressing this to be sustainable in nature. Various measures have been increasingly been proposed by various authors to counter this scenario and enhance employee retention.

To begin with, Gray, Phillips and Normand (2005) indicate that the organization needs to review the reasons that make staff to stay or decide to leave an organization. Normally, this is achieved through exit interviews. However, they note that this is usually undertaken during the last stage and is likely to be less beneficial because of the fact that the respective employee would have already quit the organization. In this respect, it is worth acknowledging the fact that some reasons for turnover tend to be personal. Therefore, they suggest that frequent employee surveys need to be carried out to determine underlying factors for turnover. The information collected can then be employed in developing a viable and informed retention policy. In order to enhance sustainability, Arthur (2001) posits that this needs to be updated frequently in order to reflect the emergent needs of the employees.

Then, CIPD (2005) shows that development of a strategy for human resources management can be instrumental in addressing the inadequacies related to the same. In this regard, it is indicated that most of the turnover rates are related to managerial problems. Therefore, specific organizations need to review their systems of management and ensure that the same are competent. This according to Hinkin and Tracy (2000) would then enhance participation of staff in management and vital strategic planning. In order to achieve this, the organization needs to put in place its structural wellbeing and ensure that vital resources are availed for the same.

Further, it would also be necessary to ensure that various policies and practices that are related to the employees and their enforcement are reviewed accordingly. In this regard, Heilmann et al (2009) argues that in most instances, unfair enforcement of policies contributes significantly to incidences of voluntary resignations. In particular, issues related to rewards and salary concerns are pertinent and need to be accorded necessary attention. In addition, there needs to be effective mode of communication between the employee and employer to ensure that various concerns are addressed accordingly and in a timely manner. In general, these policies should seek to enhance the relationship between the employee and the staff (Arthur, 2001; CIPD, 2005).

Further, Hinkin and Tracy (2000) assert that recruitment of employees needs to emphasize on diversification of skills as opposed to specialization. This according to them is important because of the fact that it would enhance continued production in instances of unexpected turnovers. Further, Arthur (2001) indicates that it is important for an organization to enhance career development of employees through training and development of skills. This is critical in employee motivation as well as retention. Finally, CIPD (2005) posits that the organizations need to enhance the safety and security of employees by providing vital health services.

Summary

From the review, it can be contended that employee turnover has far reaching implications on the wellbeing of an organization. These are related to the costs that the organization experiences as a result of the same. Causes of the turnover have also been cited to be wide and varied and perpetuated by various factors. Seemingly, it is for this reason that the proposed employee retention efforts are also relatively complex. Employment of a combination of these is instrumental in enhancing the sustainability of any employee retention model.

References

Arthur, D. (2001). Recruiting and Retaining Employees. USA: Amacom Books.

CIPD (2005).Managing Knowledge Workers. Retrieved 24th January, 2010, from: HYPERLINK “http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/corpstrtgy/knowman/managknowlworkers.htm?IsSrchRes=1” www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/corpstrtgy/knowman/managknowlworkers.htm?IsSrchRes=1.

Gray, A., Phillips, V. & Normand, C. (2005). Addressing Employee Turnover. Cambridge: University Press.

Heilmann, S., Bell, J., & McDonald, G.. (2009). Work – Home Conflict: Analyzing Military Officer Turnover. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 16(1), 84-6.

Hinkin, T. & Tracy, B. (2000). The Implications of Turnover. Administration Quarterly, 41 (2), 13-25.

2 Literature Topics and Economics

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Introduction

2. James Thomson, The Seasons

One of the most dominant features in the poem, “The Seasons” by James Thomson is its depiction of nature. From the preface to the end of the poem, Thomson acknowledges that there exists no other subject that is more amusing, elevating or ready to arouse the poetical enthusiasm, philosophical reflection, and moral sentiment than works of nature. The description of nature in this poem is a precursor for frequent meditations on numerous and different contemporary interests and ideas (Millar, 2003). The poem incorporates reflections on social and natural condition of man. It also reflects on the nature as the depiction of poetic renderings of the current notions pertaining to natural history, political enthusiasm, political comments, divine ordering mind, and praise of friends among others (Millar, 2003). Its themes and motifs are related to the recognizable natural universe. Thomson stirs the joy and glory that comes with the revitalizing nature in Spring, the magnificence of summer, the tranquility of autumn, as well as the obvious cruelty of winter. This poem had a tremendous appeal on both Romantics and Augustans and influenced both of them in a significant manner (Millar, 2003). It is said to foreshadow of Romantic Revolution in the literary world as it practically inaugurated the trend pertaining to descriptive meditative poetry. This category of poetry often used the descriptive detail in an effort to make up a certain mood. This was seen clearly in his praise for nature and countryside, not to mention his exaltation of what he calls “Retirement in Solitude” (Millar, 2003).

Slavery in Politics and Practice (200 words)

Slavery is one of the most popular topics in many works of literature. This is because the history of many nations is rooted in slavery where a country is either a slave master or a slave. In the essay “Taxation No Tyranny”, slavery is presented as acceptable and as a mutual relationship that is beneficial to both the slave and the master. The author tends to insinuate that both the slave and the slave master suffer the same fate. He states that a mother country is similar to a body with numerous parts or colonies (Johnson, 1913). In essence, they are affected by similar things albeit in different magnitudes. In addition, Samuel states that as much as chains are dreadful they are extremely crucial in deterring anarchy. They are, however, to be used only on individuals who cannot be restrained without them. However, these sentiments are not shared by Olaudah Equiano. In this autobiography titled “The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African”, Equiano outlines the pathetic position that slaves occupy. The former slave depicts slavery as a vice that involves selling people for money like commodities. This situation is utterly degrading as seen in the episode where Equiano exercised his entrepreneurial skills in the hope of buying his freedom (Equiano, 1913). The two authors differ in their attitude towards slavery. Samuel seems to be fairly comfortable with the notion of slavery while Equiano resents it.

Monetary Policy: Objectives, Strengths and the Cause-Effect Chain

Monetary policy refers to a policy that employs the central banks’ regulation for the supply of money in the market so as to ensure stability of the economy. This policy is applied with the sole aim of fostering sustainable economic growth, as well as ensuring that inflation is held to a minimum. The effectiveness of monetary policy rests in the cause-effect chain. The supply of money is known to affect interest rates, which in return affects investments. It is worth noting that investment is one of the key components of aggregate demand, which in return is a key component of Gross Domestic Product. In essence, any change in investment translates into a change in the equilibrium GDP (Walsh, 2003).

Monetary policy has various objectives. First, it has the objective of ensuring rapid economic growth by regulating real interest rate, as well as its resultant effect on investment. In addition, monetary policy has to ensure price stability or that the value of money is stable. Monetary policy also ensures the stability of the exchange rate by modifying the foreign exchange reserves so as to influence the demand foreign exchange (Walsh, 2003). This, in effect, helps in stabilizing the exchange rate. Moreover, monetary policy has the objective of maintaining Balance of Payment Equilibrium. BOP may either have a BOP surplus or BOP Deficit. BOP Deficit reflects stringency in the supply of money while BOP Surplus underlines an excess money supply. The monetary policy would aim at maintaining monetary equilibrium thereby attaining BOP equilibrium(Walsh, 2003) . Monetary policy also aims at ensuring full employment in the economy, a situation that would be characterized by the absence of involuntary unemployment. Lastly, it also aims at ensuring equal distribution of income.

Monetary policy comes with a number of strengths. It is worth noting that monetary policy is a short-run action that enables policy makers to evaluate economic conditions, thereby promoting low inflation and sustainable economic growth in the long-term (Walsh, 2003). Monetary policy is also known to put a limit or roof on the housing costs, and the amount of rent placed on tenants. In addition, monetary policy sets limits pertaining to spending habits and debts by the government. This prevents the country from going into debt, something that would be disastrous for small countries (Walsh, 2003). Monetary policy also places restrictions as to tax collection. It controls the areas from which the government derives its taxes, as well as the frequency of collecting these taxes.

Reference

Equiano, O., (1789). The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa, the African. London: Author

Millar, A., (1938). The Works of Mr. Thomson, 2 volumes. London: Millar

Walsh C.E., (2003). Monetary Theory and Policy, 2nd Edition. New York: MIT Press

Johnson, S (1913). Taxation No Tyranny: An Answer To The Resolutions And Address Of The American Congress. New York: Pafraets & Company

BHS402 Leadership & Management in Healthcare

Frames of a Leader

DUE DATE: MONDAY DECEMBER 16 @ 11:59 PM

For this final assignment, your goal is to identify a leader in a healthcare related field who you can access for an interview. The interview can be done in person or by phone. Develop a series of questions that reflect the four frames. These questions should lead you to an understanding of the leaders frames of strength. You should develop an overall impression of the organization based on your research of the organization. Utilize the interview to verify your impressions of the organization and to learn more about the leader. Consider the organization through your lens……is this a place that you might like to be employed and why? Consider your StrengthsQuests results as well. Is it an organization that seems to effectively meet its mission? How does the work they do influence our healthcare system?

To successfully complete this assignment, please provide the following information:

An overview of the organization based on your research (including mission, value statements, etc.)

A list of questions you develop with interview responses from your selected leader. Please provide a detailed background of this individual to include title, responsibilities, etc.

An assessment of the organization based on your research, observations and interview details.

A final reflection on whether this organization might be a good fit for you as you consider your career path. Provide explanations of why or why not. How do your strengths and framing intersect? In other words, consider your views of the organization through the various frames as well.

Biblical mercy is a spiritual condition that God’s love toward sinners and forgives sinners without punishment through compassion. More specifically, the biblical mercy is similar from secular mercy as they both look at forgiveness and compassion toward an individual when one has power to inflict harm or punish. Biblically, mercy is a type of unmerited love that is in response to the human need to attain forgiveness and compassion. In the secular realm, mercy is a compassionate attitude and treatment to those in distress. Both approaches, secular and biblical, look at mercy from a perspective of a weak and stronger individual, with the weaker one receiving compassion or forgiveness. In the book of Jonah, there is a theme on mercy and compassion. Jonah is angry that God was compassionate on the city of Nineveh. The book records “…for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.” (Jonah 4:2 NIV). With this in mind, the biblical mercy is not getting angry, but having eternal love and tolerant mistake of others. That is God’s love for believers, forgive them and not punishing them. In comparison, in the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the meaning of mercy is given as “kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (10th ed.), 1999). This dictionary definition has a similar meaning with the bible that one receives unmerited compassion and kindness, despite having committed harm or having wronged another individual. The latter decides to show love and ignore the need to punish the offender. Jonah’s experience with God’s compassion and mercy is meaningful to Christians as it reveals the goodness of God. Even where Christians have wronged an all-powerful God, He chooses to overlook their iniquities with love and compassion. Therefore, Biblical mercy is an expression of love, one that surpasses all other forms to reveal an unselfish attitude of putting love above punishment even where one has been wronged.

Biblical mercy is a spiritual revelation of God’s love toward sinners and the forgiveness He extends to them without punishment of wrongdoings. The result of mercy is that it draws people nearer to God. In more detail, biblical mercy leads one to understand the extent of the love of God and the need to remain thankful for compassion and love. The Bible records that “But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life” (1 Timothy 1:16 NIV). This reveals the need for mercy, both as a spiritual and physical tool to lead others to being merciful and to extend the same courtesy that God offers through love and compassion. It means that if one receives mercy from God, they would readily express the same love to others.

The result of mercy is making creating a cycle of believers who are aware of a merciful God and His love to mankind. Likewise, in the book of Luke “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:35-36). This Bible verse further widens the need to be merciful. God sees the act of kindness and mercy that comes with being compassionate as a personal reward, physically in the form of satisfaction and spiritually in the form of eternal life and mercy from God.

With this in mind, who get mercy from God will be the children of the Most High, that is the reward from God. Which mean the person get reward will live with God. These elements are meaningful for Christians as they emphasize the need to be conscious of Biblical mercy and to understand how God expects us to relate with each other with love, just like He has loved us. Overall, biblical mercy send a message of love, of being cognizant of God’s compassion, and knowing that He expects us to also be kind and merciful to others even where we feel entitled to cause harm or punish.

Biblical mercy leans to a concern for others similar to how God has loved us and shown mercy even when we did not merit it. Particularly, the bible has many stories that demonstrate mercy as a gift from God as an expression of selfless love. For example, in the book of Matthew, the parable of the unmerciful servant records that “He knelt down and pleaded with his master and said, “Be patient with me…The master moved his compassion, forgave him the debt, and let him go (Matthew 18:23-27).” The result of this act was joy from the one whose sins were forgiven because he knew he did not deserve it. However, he did not extend the same courtesy to another who owed him a debt and he sent him to prison until he could pay. The same treatment was given to him even though his master had been gracious before (Matthew 18:28-33). The result is that God teaches us to be merciful even when we are in positions of power.

Clearly, from the stories in the Bible, it shows the biblical mercy is a kind of forgiveness without punishment, and it is God’s love for believers. The master in the story pardoned the servant because of mercy. With this in mind, all human being should follow God’s instruction to be kind to others and forgives others without punishment. That is the mercy from God, others should also learn what God did. The story shows why mercy is given and why it needs to be in a chain so that in the end we all receive compassion even where we have fallen short of expectations. For Christians, the story in Matthew 18 teaches on the need to extend mercy and to understand that God expects the same from all of us, even where we feel that a sinner deserves to be punished.

In summary, not only God should show mercy to his believers, but ordinary person should also treat those around them with mercy. Mercy reveals a higher form of love, one that creates unselfish attitude even where compassion is not merited. The mercy from secular person in life is very necessary. If everyone can have mercy on others, the secular world will become more harmonious.

A Policing and political Military

Should the United State’s Military be used as a political and policing force in the global arena? This question of when and when not to use military force has been a major topic of debate for every president since the U.S. was established in 1776. The facts of the issues are that the United State’s military has no other option than to be a political machine and a policing force in the world.

The U.S. is the supreme force in the entire world. The cold war is over and peace must be kept. With great power comes great responsibility and the U.S. must preserve peace and defend democracy. In an article written by Richard Falk, “The president mentioned that past rivalries among states arose because of their efforts to compete with one another, but insisted that the future will be different because of American military superiority: ‘America has, and intends to keep, military strengths beyond challenge, thereby making the destabilizing arms races of other eras pointless, and limiting rivalries to trade and other pursuits of peace.’” (web). Falk, in this statement is referring to the arms buildup of wars such as World War I. In order for the U.S to maintain peace and democracy throughout the world, it needs to be anti-isolationist and pro-usage of military power, whether the military be used as a political force or a policing force.

First of all, the United State’s occupation in foreign soil prevents war. This is a political factor which helps keeps the peace in the two fronts which a major war might occur, such as in Europe and Asia. In that case, the U.S. deploys troops to bases stationed in Europe and Japan. Aside from these military instillations the U.S. also deploys aircraft carriers around the world as a political device and deterrent. A U.S. aircraft carrier off the coast of a foreign country signifies the might of American military power. Along with this, the U.S. deploys stealth bombers around the world, and this too is used as a political device that represents the strength of American military supremacy. If it was not for these political forces being used by the military, countries might be tempted to become militarily aggressive towards other countries. The United States presence in Asia prevents war from breaking out. For this necessity of American troops around the globe, the U.S. has been labeled global cop. Nicholas Kristof suggests in his 1995 article in New York Times that the pentagon and almost all countries in Asia desperately want American bases to remain, fearing if they depart that North Korea and China might become militarily adventurous (web). “The other argument often made for the bases is that they not only protect Japan, but also protect against Japan (Kristof web). The reason for U.S. presence in Japan to protect against Japan is a very defendable position. If the U.S. were to pull out, Japan would be compelled to re-arm and therefore become a threat once more, not only to the U.S but to the world. The initial reason for the United State’s presence in Europe was to protect against the Soviet Union during the cold war. However, the U.S. had a second and longer term motive for being present there.

In Europe, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization was an instrument of “dual containment.” While keeping the Soviet Union at arm’s length, NATO also locked Germany into a restraining embrace, and for the same purpose’ to prevent either from overturning the existing political order on the European continent. The Germans came to accept and appreciate the arrangement. It relieved them if the burden of defending themselves while at the same time dissipating the cloud of suspicion that would otherwise have enveloped them. Within the Atlantic alliance, therefore, the United States functioned as a buffer among parties with no cause for conflict but with historical reasons for mistrust. The American presence reassured each NATO member that the others harbored no aggressive intentions (Mandelbaum web).

The U.S. is in the business of keeping Democracy. Ever since President Roosevelt and his big stick policy, America has been determined to influence the world in the way of democracy. America believes that dictatorships and communism are wrong and if left unattended and unpunished, they will bring chaos to the world. Therefore, the U.S. has adopted the responsibility of keeping the world safe for democracy to flourish. On page seven, the National Security Strategy explains that in the war on terrorism, “we are ultimately fighting for our democratic values and way of life.” Since the cold war there have been several cases where military intervention was used for the political purpose of preserving democracy. Grenada was ordered to be invaded in October 1983 (Haass 25). Grenada was a small island in the Caribbean. There, 600 American medical students were believed to be endangered by the unstable government. The military action taken on the outside was aimed at rescuing the endangered Americans. On the inside, however, there was an underlying political motivation. “The motivation behind the use of force seems more a result of perceived opportunity: to replace a government friendly toward Cuba and the Soviet Union with one more pro-Western and democratic [. . .]” (Haass 25). The finest example of the U.S. military being used for the political purpose of preserving democracy was in the Gulf War. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait (Haass 32). Through a well-planned out attack on Iraq, the U.S. was able to drive out Iraq and liberate Kuwait. This was done through extensive bombing by the U.S. Air Force followed by a massive infantry maneuver executed by the U.S. Army. “The objectives of operation Desert Shield was: Kuwait’s liberation; the restoration of Kuwait’s government; the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and the entire Gulf region; and the protection of U.S citizens” (Haass 32). Operation Desert Shield was political in the sense that it freed Kuwait from Iraq’s dictatorship. The second objective of the operation was to restore Kuwait’s government. This was done for the purpose of restoring democracy in the country.

On the other hand, many people believe that the U.S. should limit its use of military force; using the military for political purposes and policing issues is wrong. These people also believe that the U.S. military should only be used in times of declared war against a state or states. A declared war is when the U.S congress passes a bill declaring war against a nation or nations. These people are ignorant in their beliefs. They are not aware of the bigger picture and believe what they do because they do not know all the facts. How can a country so large and so powerful merely use its military only in times of declared war? There is a bigger picture, and a larger spectrum that must be taken into consideration. However, in order to understand the pros of using the military as a political and policing force, one must recognize and be aware of the cons. Many people believe that since the U.S. is no longer in the Cold War Era, these European and Asian states no longer need the U.S. to be present there; the U.S. is wasting its money and time being there. “It is egotistical for Americans to believe that the United States has done Japan a favor by defending it all these years by stationing its forces within the country. U.S. forces in Japan numbered 260,000 during the 1950s, 47,000 in 1990, and today stand at 37,000. Whenever more American soldiers leave, the Japanese see it as more good news” (web). This was implied by Morihiro Hosokawa in his article out of a July 1998 issue of “Foreign Affairs”. However, it is very important to note who Hosokawa is; from 1992 to 1993, he was the Prime Minister of Japan. It would be unintelligent to say that the U.S. is no longer needed in Japan and in Asia. As pointed out before, America is vital in the stability of the region. Without America present in Asia, “an invasion by China of Taiwan, for example, would send shock waves through all of Asia” (Kristof web). Along with this belief that the U.S. is no longer needed overseas, many people believe that the affairs of other countries throughout the globe are not the business of the United States. They believe the U.S. has no right to interfere with these countries. These people are also ill-informed in their beliefs. They are only thinking of the smaller picture and do not conceive the bigger one. In regards to the operation in Bosnia-Herzegovina (which was an operation to preserve democracy in the country), “Opinion polls show most Americans oppose U.S military intervention in such crises because they do not believe the crises affect national interests” (Landay web). To the untrained eye, the choice of intervention in Bosnia-Herzegovina might not seem to affect national interests; nevertheless, there is an underlying cause for the intervention. The principal basis for the involvement that most people do not see in such cases is the support of democracy.

With all these pros for the use of a political and policing force, there is one position that cannot be weighed down by a con. In a new era of global terrorism conventional war cannot be waged on terrorism itself, because it runs rampant in every country in the world. The use of force must and will be used outside of declared war. The need for Special Forces will be greater because terrorism is such a large, yet small target. Rather than fighting against an enemy like China, the U.S. can represent a termite killer and the terrorists are the termites. Therefore, the military must be used outside of conventional warfare in order to lessen the threats of terrorists. The United States Air Force will play a very important role in the war on terrorism. “The USAF could be employed for either pre-emptive or preventive strikes against terrorist or state-sponsored sites that foment terror (such as deep underground facilities where weapons of mass destruction might be produced)” (Lesser et al. 79).

President Bush once said that the United States is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. The United States will stop at nothing to accomplish its goals of peace and freedom for democracy. The U.S. has taken on the responsibility of global cop and rightfully so. No one in the world rivals the pure power of the United States. If not for the U.S taking on such tasks of peace and democracy, then who will do the job? No one, not a country in the world would be safe if the U.S. reverted back to its isolationist days of World War I and World War II. The U.S. is the protector of peace, defender of freedom, and savior of democracy for the entire world.

Bibliography:

Works Cited

Falk, Richard. “The New Bush Doctrine.” Nation 275.3

(2002):web. Academic Search Elite EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, OK. 10 October. 2002.

Haass, Richard N. Rev. ed. Intervention: The Use of

American Military Force In thePost-Cold War World. 1994. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press, 1999.

Hosokawa, Morihiro. “Are U.S. Troops In Japan Needed?”

Foreign Affairs 77.4 (1998) : web. Academic Search Elite EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, OK. 10 October. 2002.

Kristof, Nicholas D. “American Troops As Cops of Asia.”

New York Times 3 December. 1995, sec.L: 14. Academic Search Elite EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, OK. 10 October. 2002.

Landay, Jonathan S. “Pentagon’s Indentity Crisis Over It’s

Role As Global Cop.” Christian Science Monitor 88:61 (1996): 3. Academic Search Elite EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, OK. 10 October. 2002.

Lesser, Ian O., et al., eds. Countering the New

Terrorism. Santa Monica: RAND, 1999.

Mandelbaum, Michael. “The Inadequacy of American Power.”

Foreign Affairs 81:5 (2002): 61. Academic Search Elite EBSCOhost. Cameron Univ. Lib., Lawton, OK. 10 October. 2002.

United States. White House. National Security Strategy.

2002. 11 November 2002

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Healthcare PART 1

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A primary care physician is the physician who provides initial contact for an individual who has not yet been diagnosed and also give continued care for different medical conditions. A primary care physician is important in the current healthcare system because they can assist a patient by taking care of their preventive care, diagnose various illnesses and also assist in finding the right specialists whenever a patient needs one. The primary care physician unit is important as it enables one to access a wide range of health services like preventive care, chronic care as well as acute care for various symptoms (Pfenninger, 2004). They also assist in navigating the healthcare system thus enabling an individual to focus on their health. Therefore, primary care physicians are very important when it comes to ensuring the health and wellness of an individual. It is important to regularly visit a primary care physician so as to look out for ones health and wellbeing.

The current employer-provided health insurance system will not last in future. Most of the current problems in health care are due to lack of choice as well as competition to the rising costs. This is mainly due to tax exemption for the employer-provided health insurance (Gilleskie, & Lutz, 1999The calls for elimination of tax-exemption will lead to many companies ceasing to provide insurance for their employees as they will view it as being expensive. The greatest economic distortion brought about by tax exemption for the insurance provided by employees is that workers are restricted to leave one job for another. Therefore, employee-provided health insurance can not be sustained in future once tax exemptions are removed.

References

Gilleskie, D., & Lutz, B. (1999). The impact of employer-provided health insurance on dynamic employment transitions. Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research.

 

Pfenninger, J. (2004). Procedures for primary care physicians. St. Louis: Mosby.

BHS402 Leadership & Management in Healthcare

The Human Resources Frame

What are the core assumptions of the human resource frame?

The core assumptions of the human resource frame are organizations exist to serve human needs rather than the converse; people and organizations need each other (organizations need ideas, energy, and talent; people need careers, salaries, and opportunities); when the fit between individual and system is poor, one or both suffer; lasting the most importance of investing in people, salaries financial needs. The human resource frame would suggest that organizations are successful when individual employee needs are met while organizational needs are met.

Define the concept of need?

The concept of need is the necessities, some organizations require a steep hierarchy to advance organizational strategy given the environment which it exists while other organizations require less of a hierarchy (flatter organizational structure) to foster teamwork and interdependence.

As outlined by Bolman and Deal, although every organization with productive people management has its unique approach, most of their strategies can be captured in six general strategies. What are these six basic human resource strategies?

The six basic human resource strategies that are listed in our text states, 1.) Build and implement an HR strategy, 2.) Hire the right people, 3.) Keep them, 4.) Invest in them, 5.) Empower them, and 6.) Promote diversity.