Introduction
This essay provides a discussion of issues of competing interests. It also provides a discourse on public policies, democratic governance, and policy networks. It finally concludes by stating the insights about the relationship between democratic governance and policy networks.
Issues of Health Care
Everyone wants good health conditions. This is why the US Government has been working hard to come up with an appropriate health care policy that enables every citizen of the United States to afford the best health care services (Barr, 2011). However, the formulation of health care policy in the United States, and even in other countries, is often influenced by different competing interests (Holtz, 2008).
A competing interest is often referred to as a conflict of interests. It exists when a professional judgment that concerns a primary interest may be influenced by secondary factors or interests. Some of the competing interests in the health care sector include physicians, citizens or patients, policymakers, and the working class. Added into the intricacy are the democratic and republican parties whose interests and opinions are also divergent. This scenario makes a policy formulation process to be a complex affair (Sultz & Young, 2010; Morrison, 2009).
The Role of Competing Interests in a Health Care Policy Formulation
Competing interests play a major role in the formulation of a health care policy. In this regard, it is important to note that policymakers are not the only ones who formulate relevant policies (Almgren, 2012). All actors have to be included in the process if it is to be successful. In the case of a health care policy, all actors such as physicians, citizens, and other industry players must be involved (Almgren, 2012). During a policy formulation process, not all stakeholders or competing interests view every stage through the same lens; they differ in terms of proposals, values, and demands. Therefore, a common agreement among the competing interests is crucial for a successful formulation of a health care policy (Almgren, 2012).
Competing interest groups with stakes in a health care policy can use all forms of influence to achieve the desired outcome. The interest groups represent different citizens with varying needs and whose interests need to be articulated when health care policies are being formulated (Almgren, 2012). In this case, an interest group may decide that the contents of a particular health care policy do not favor the values and beliefs of its members, in which case it may decide to reject the policy and hence jeopardize the process (Almgren, 2012). Thus, taking into account the interests and opinions of various stakeholders is very important if a policy formulation process is to succeed. This means that a final policy should be acceptable to most of the actors with competing interests for it to be implementable (Almgren, 2012).
The Issue Selected
The selected issue is in the area of health care policy. As described in the previous section, health care is one of the greatest concerns of the government. To this end, the government has come up with a health care policy that enables all citizens to get affordable health care services. According to the World Health Organization, the enjoyments of the highest achievable standards are some of the basic human rights that every individual should have (Lee, 2008). This is what has been driving the formulation of health care policies that should enable every American citizen to achieve the highest possible health standards at affordable rates.
Actors and Organizations in the Health Care Policy Network
Some many actors and organizations are involved in the health care policy networks (Clendon, 2011). The primary actors are the individual citizens whose interests the health care policy is supposed to serve. In addition, the network also includes nurses, physicians, and individual politicians. The organizations that are involved in the network include National Quality Forum, the Agency for Healthcare Research, insurance firms, political parties, and Quality and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (Alaszewski & Brown, 2011). These are the actors and organizations that shape the health care policy formulation initiatives. The organizations may act on their own or behalf of all citizens.
The Influence of Democratic Governance on Health Care Policy Networks
The health care policy network is greatly influenced by democratic governance principles. It is important to note that high standards of health care services form a crucial component of human rights. The World Health Organization contends that every human being needs to achieve the highest standard health conditions. In light of this, different actors and organizations are driven by democratic principles and concepts in their lobby for favorable health care policies (Bryant, 2009).
Democracy recognizes that individuals and groups have competing interests, all of which may not be satisfied at the same time (Al-Hakim, 2007). In such a case, one of the democratic principles that can apply to prevent absurdities is the need to compromise. Compromising is a concept that is used to establish a synergy so that each of the competing interests does not consider itself either as a loser or a winner over the rest. In this case, each of the groups gets satisfied with a policy outcome (Al-Hakim, 2007).
Noteworthy is the fact that policy networks can only exist where there is democratic governance. This means that such networks cannot exist if the government does not provide the kind of environment that encourages their operations. Therefore, the operations of the policy networks are dependent on the form of governance in place. Concerning the United States, the democratic environment has allowed different policy networks to provide their contributions during policy formulation processes (Boase, 2011).
The rule of law is one of the pillars of democratic governance (Ball, 2012). This principle requires that everybody is under existing laws (Ball, 2012). Concerning this, policy networks plan their operations in ways that do not violate or appear to contravene the legal statutes that either regulate them or bind on everybody (Ball, 2012). Taking this into consideration, policy networks use the law to regulate themselves so that their interests are only pursued concerning the laws of the land (Ball, 2012).
Democratic governance allows for freedom of speech. Without this freedom, policy networks may not be able to operate effectively. This is because their operations greatly depend on how their members are free to articulate their ideas to policymakers (Ball, 2012).
Conclusion
One of the insights gained from this evaluation is that there is a significant link between democratic governance and the operations of network policies. The networks are in existence due to democratic governance. Besides, their operations are controlled by the rule of law; this means that they cannot violate legal statutes that either control them or bind everybody within the US territory. The second insight is that democratic governance allows for the representation of divergent views of different stakeholders in the policy formulation processes.
References
Alaszewski, A., & Brown, P. (2011). Making Health Policy: A Critical Introduction. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
Al-Hakim, L. (2007). Global E-Government: Theory, Applications and Benchmarking. London, UK: Idea Group Inc (IGI).
Almgren, G. (2012). Health Care Politics, Policy, and Services: A Social Justice Analysis. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Ball, S. (2012). Global Policy Networks, Social Enterprise and Edu-business. New York, NY: Routledge.
Barr, D. (2011). Introduction to U.S. Health Policy: The Organization, Financing, and Delivery of Health Care in America. Baltimore, ML: JHU Press.
Boase, P. (2011). Government-Group Relationships in the US Health Care Sector. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Bryant, T. (2009). An Introduction to Health Policy. Toronto, Ontario: Canadian Scholars’ Press.
Clendon, S. (2010). Community Health and Wellness: Primary Health Care in Practice. Chatswood, New South Wales: Elsevier Australia.
Holtz, C. (2008). Global Health Care: Issues and Policies. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Lee, K. (2008). The World Health Organization (WHO). New York, NY: Routledge.
Morrison, E. (2009). Health Care Ethics: Critical Issues for the 21st Century. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Sultz, H., & Young, K. (2010). Health Care USA. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Eating In Vs. Eating Out: Pros And Cons
Food is a category that determines the nature of a particular society. Fashion, influencing food culture, forms the choice of products, as well as the idea of cooking. In the modern world, more people stop cooking at home, or do it rarely, because a fast pace of life sometimes does not leave even an hour a day to cook homemade food. Meanwhile, the restaurant industry is actively developing, offering diverse cuisine and quality service. Eating at home and eating in a restaurant differ much in terms of price, safety, taste, service, and the quality of products.
Proper nutrition is key to good health and longevity. However, the most wholesome meal is the one cooked at home. A family that eats at home knows that only fresh products have been added to their meal. They know exactly what ingredients and in what quantity have been used. A paste made of all familiar ingredients looks more attractive than a suspicious tin can. Service at home is usually better as well because the one who cooks is aware of the tastes of the family members. Moreover, eating at home means saving money since buying food from the supermarket or fresh market is much cheaper (Schifferstein, 2017). The cost of products is much lower than the price of the finished dish. Homemade food prepared with love can be no worse in quality, and even much better than restaurant food. People, who want to maintain good health, normally eat at home.
Despite all the advantages of eating in, homemade food can also be unbalanced in terms of nutritional composition. If in the family the tradition of fat or excessively spicy meals was passed from generation to generation, such homemade dishes will be no less unhealthy than fast food. By the way, fat and sweet products contribute not only to quick weight gain but also to faster aging of the body (Schifferstein, 2017). Moreover, to prepare a dinner consisting of three dishes, a person will have to spend several hours in the kitchen. For some people, this is not a problem, but some are busy or do not like to cook, so restaurant food is a good alternative.
Cafes and restaurants help to eat more or less balanced food without much effort while saving time. As a rule, the families cook simple food at home, while in the restaurant, everyone can enjoy an exotic dish or an interesting combination of products. The opportunity to meet and chat with friends in a pleasant environment is also an advantage. Lunch or dinner in a cafe can become a real holiday, thanks to not only an interesting and tasty menu but also a beautiful interior and good music.
Eating out also has its drawbacks, the most important and obvious of which is the price of restaurant dishes, which will cost several times more than homemade food. The amount of food received will be smaller as well. Eating at a restaurant is more expensive, because of extra money for the service and taxes. Cheap or fast food restaurants normally serve less quality food. The likelihood of poisoning in the restaurant is small, but still, there is such a risk (Schifferstein, 2017). A person who eats out can never be sure about the cleanliness of the kitchen and the freshness of products. Besides, a person can feel some kind of pressure or encouragement to eat more. It is understandable that the more people eat, the more restaurants earn.
How does cooking in a restaurant differ from home cooking? As a rule, there is a higher content of fat and salt in the dishes. A study of the University of Illinois, in which about eighteen thousand people participated, showed that those who eat out consume 200 more calories per day in comparison with those who eat at home (Schifferstein, 2017). Besides, the percentage of salt and cholesterol is much higher in restaurant food. If a person regularly eats fast food, in most cases, it leads to obesity. As a rule, restaurant meals have a high-calorie content and a large number of harmful fats and carbohydrates. At the same time, a person will feel hungry again in a short time, because the consumed calories lack complex carbohydrates and unsaturated fats that supply the body with energy. There are very few proteins, and all the vitamins are burnt during frying, so there is nothing useful in such a meal.
On the one hand, tasty healthy food is cooked at home, but on the other hand, cooking is very time-consuming for modern busy people. Of course, every person should consider what and how to eat, and how much money to spend on food. Some people give preference only to food in a restaurant, while others, on the contrary, recognize only home-cooked dishes. Both eating in and eating out have several advantages and disadvantages; however, it seems that the most reasonable solution is to combine them wisely. Then, both restaurant food and homemade meal will bring equal pleasure.
References
Schifferstein, H. N. (2017). Differentiating consumption contexts as a basis for diversity in food design education: Eating in or eating out?. International Journal of Food Design, 2(1), 83-101.
Essay Voice-over
Laura Pergolizzi Live Concert Review
Introduction
What is one thing that Rihanna, Backstreet Boys, Christina Aguilera, Cher, Leona Lewis, and Celine Dion have in common? It is a piece of the heart of a music phenomenon Laura Pergolizzi, also known as LP, who wrote their hits. A successful, prolific songwriter, she took over the world overnight as a singer with her ubiquitous hit Lost on You, which has become number one in 17 countries since then. She writes her material, plays a number of instruments on her albums and on stage, and electrifies the listeners with her vibrant, powerful vocals.
Main body
I was lucky to have a chance to attend LP’s concert some time ago. The crowd seemed to be just as anticipant of the singer as I, erupting in roars as she appeared on the stage. She exuded an aura of love, freedom, and power that overwhelmed the audience. It seemed that every age, ethnicity, and gender was represented in the room. The well-crafted setlist was a mix of LP’s hits, namely Dreamcatcher, When We’re High, Tightrope, Recovery, Strange, Shaken, Other People, Dreamer, and Lost On You (LP, 2016). The songs were performed with a unique combination of tambourine, ukulele, and harmonica, by Laura Pergolizzi herself, and her accompanying band.
The elements of LP’s music were employed in a perfect blend that left a wonderful sensation of listening to highly professional music. It was the rich sound of diverse timbers of wind, string, and percussion instruments, that thrilled and swayed. The cymbals, tambourine, and other percussive instruments were effectively switching between playing the rhythm, the melody, and the harmony, adding to the expressiveness of the overall sound. Possessing a vast vocal range, LP appeared to have no restraints, as she executed every note. Exploiting rapid changes in the pitch, Laura Pergolizzi skillfully used her vibrato to express a wide spectrum of human emotions and feelings, from the devastation and grief of a broken heart to the thrill and excitement of new hope.
The overall performance was a dazzling experience of witnessing a highly talented music professional at the top of her game. From the second she walked onto the stage and launched into her first song, and until the final track faded away, she seemed in celebratory form. What I particularly enjoyed was the constant shift in the sound, the way her distinctive whistling was interwoven with the fluctuation between the acoustic and electric guitar, ukulele, and tambourine. Some of LP’s well-known songs were brilliantly performed acoustically solo and as a duet with her guitarist and sounded even more soaring and powerful than the studio versions. Another thing that captured me was the feeling of being intimately united with a crowd of over two thousand people due to the atmosphere that LP so competently created with the confidence and ease of someone who truly belongs where they are.
While the music and the performance were close to perfection, a technical setback created a minor disappointment. It was caused by a short moment of unsynchronized audio streams at the beginning of the concert, which spoiled a few minutes and could have ruined the mood. Luckily, the glitch was quickly fixed by the organizers and forgotten by the audience and did not affect the overall impression of the concert.
Conclusion
To sum up, the concert was triumphant. The fascinating music and the soulful voice, along with sincere lyrics and heart-felt emotions, could not possibly have a single person remain indifferent. The characteristic whistling and the use of the ukulele took the listeners off the beaten track and made the music sound fresh. Whenever there is a concert of a famous singer and songwriter Laura LP Pergolizzi in town, it is definitely worth attending, for the fans as much as for those unfamiliar with her music.
Reference
LP. (2016). Lost on you. Youtube. Web.