The healthcare approach in the United States needs reformation. It is an obvious and deep problem, which seems to be still far from solutions. Furthermore, the government makes attempts to improve situation in healthcare, but in practice the practical results leave much to be desired. In this respect, programs which today are supposed to be a so-called “way out” in Medicare are not new. In most points they are grounded on the reforms made previously. Still the main misgivings of Americans are considered with the policy of taxation. The reason lies in the inappropriate attitude of government in the domain of medical insurance. Moreover, such approach of the government is emphasized with more market-like relations between healthcare system of the country and ordinary citizens. Weissert and Weissert (2006) illuminate this problem owing to different factors. Fears of people to feel the hardships of essentially difficult mechanisms promoted in the domain of Medicaid are considered to be the major. Thus, the paper estimates the idea of how the assertions made by Weissert and Weissert correspond to the current reform by the American government. Notwithstanding the change in government and Congress, Healthcare project still does not convince in its approach to all layers of people living in the United States.
First of all’, it is vital to point out the main details which Weissert and Weissert (2006) take into consideration while discussing the problem of healthcare services and their credibility for all layers of the society. Hence, the particular approach at the time when the book was published considered the issues related to the government of George Bush Jr. In this respect it is vital to admit that before him another president, Bill Clinton, also strived for making success in the domain of medical support for Americans. The whole idea of the reform was sound in Clinton’s time, but it had no grounds for that stratum of the society which is less prevented from the social problems. The significance of medical insurance was high, while people were not able to make an appointment with doctor and to achieve applicable medical help. This inhumane attitude of the government was amended several times. Today the administration of President Obama included the healthcare reform trend in the agenda for current year, but the process of improvements seems not to have been started yet.
The differentiation between two major parties in the US is rather distinctive in terms of hoe each of them treats the problem. Capitalization of everything in America should not touch upon the sphere of health protection and care. Weissert and Weissert (2006)note that “Americans inherently fear health services provided, authorized, or subsidized by government, sure that they will result in poor quality, long queues, and restricted access” (389)… This survey is not surprising looking at the process of healthcare development since the post-war times. Despair of people is detached also with the fact that many of them are intended to pay higher taxes, so that to support those who have no medical insurance (Weissert & Weissert, 2006). This makes the internal situation of the US still without definite steps toward the pathway of improvements.
Looking at the above represented points, it is too significant to describe the cruel reality provided by the government today. Poor people in the United States are doomed to have problems with health due to their helplessness, but the government asks for the insurance. Such relationships are inadequate and without any point of logic. According to the latest publishing of news about the proposal of Obama’s government to ‘move the healthcare program, the population according to the official polls differs in the ways which the President administration suggested. Balz and Cohen (2009) in The Washington Post published the results of the questionnaire about the healthcare reform. In this respect it was highlighted that the “public option” is about to succeed. However, the American society is expressly divided into those who in favor of the project and those who oppose to it: “Republicans and Democrats are on opposite sides of this question, while independents prefer a bill that includes a public option but does not have Republican support, by 52 percent to 35 percent” (Balz and Cohen, 2009).
It is not a new idea, that people in America still ashamed with the healthcare project being in a cleft stick. In fact, the problem is being deepened due to the controversies between the leaders in the Democratic Party. The representatives of the party are also divided into the proponents and opponents of the healthcare reform. In this approach the Republicans in the Congress solely because of opposite approach and political quarrels are intended to block the drive of the reform by perpetual discussions of it. This idea is distinctively expressed in the conclusions made by Weissert and Weissert (2006). Actually the situation leads only to the contradictions in the higher echelons of state power on the federal level. On the other hand, due to this the ordinary inhabitants throughout the world are suffering from having no response in having appropriate medical help.
Budget-busting burden of the government concerned with Medicare for the population includes the reliability of this program solely for the higher and middle class of the society. The “wars” in the higher domain of state power delay the process of healthcare project discussion. The last attempt to make the situation resolved is supposed with the official document, namely The America’s Healthy Future Act. In this significant document the social framework of its direct implementation is logically divided into several groups of people living in America. Moreover, the taxation program is believed to be reduced up to the year 2013:
In addition to the Medicare Commission, the other policy that contributes to this goal is the high cost insurance excise tax. Beginning in 2013, this provision would levy a non-deductible excise tax on insurance companies and plan administrators for any health insurance plan that is above the threshold of $8,000 for singles and $21,000 for family plans (The America’s Healthy Future Act, 2009, p. 21).
From the first sight, the points in the Act are budding due to the attempts to take into account all problematic areas about healthcare. On the other hand, the picture of its adoption seems quite inappropriate according to the current situation maintained among Americans. The bureaucratic machine works in its usual way: the government still promises high mountains instead of direct actions to improve real state of affairs. Weissert and Weissert predicted it in their straightforward assertion that “government seems to be moving toward a more market -oriented approach to health care policy, coupled with a desire to limit government’s financial liability for health care costs” (390).
Kirkpatrick (2009) in The New York Times comments on the step-by-step provision of the healthcare reform by Obama’s administration in terms of its harmful effect for the representatives of medical services in hospitals and clinics. In fact, doctors and hospital workers of different range became victims of the reformation process, because if the Federal financial support decreases, then it will reflect on medics’ incomes and on their wages, in particular. The bilateral character of the problem is emphasized with no practical decision. Still the employees in different fields are not aware whether the taxation policy will lessen in some few months at least or not. This approach seeks for rational collaboration of all authorities in the Congress and in the administration of President Obama, because, as the proverb says “delay is tantamount to death.” One may interpret this statement in the direct sense due to inactive and likely indifferent attitudinal background of the government.
Another point by Weissert and Weissert (2006) admits that the situation finds no way out due to the concernment of some groups of people in gaining particular benefits: “Many interest groups profit under the existing system, including healthcare providers, which are generally well paid” (390). This objective can be considered with a mere extent of assumption, but the reasoning to think so is quite grounded on political corruption in top dimension of relationships between people living in the United States.
To sum up, the process of healthcare reform provision is a great problem for the American society. The main factors for this are: high taxation for medical insurance, bureaucratic system of Medicare at places, probable hardships for the representatives of medical services due to wages decrease, and possible interests of some groups of people. All in all, while the Obama’s administration is seeking for the solution, ordinary Americans suffer.
Reference
Balz, D. & Cohen, J. (2009, October 20). ‘Public Option Gains Support’. The Washington Post.
Kirkpatrick, D. D. (2009, October 10). ‘Lobbyists Fight Last Big Plans to Cut Health Care Costs’. The New York Times.
The America’s Healthy Future Act. (2009). Web.
Weissert, W. G. & Weissert, GK. (2006). Governing health: the politics of health policy (3rd ed.). Baltimore: JHU Press.
Various Dimensions Of Child Prostitution In Thailand
Heather Montgomery presents a broad dimension of child-centered anthropological research in association with problems of practices and ethical dilemmas as a researcher while working with the most vulnerable children of the Thailand society. The author supplies an in-depth analysis of various dimensions of child prostitution in ‘ Baan Nua’ a slum community of Thailand. Some of the areas explored include economical and social problems as also psychological problems of a migrant community from rural Thai, problems of slum dwellers, and its rhythm of life. “In Thailand, a thriving sex industry makes its money exploiting the young. Some children are coerced into prostitution and some have been sold into sexual slavery by their own families, but, just as tragically, there is no shortage of young girls (and boys) willing to work as prostitutes.” (Sorajjkool, 2007).
So the topic is very relevant. The author’s enthusiasm for the topic is obvious through the work. Starting with the unnamed NGO that is working with the most vulnerable children of Thai society, the author shows the detailed picture of ‘Baan Nua’, an urban slum, and its rhythm of day-to-day life. She explains different forms of child abuse and their impact on the society of Thai. The majority of the household of the Baan Nua community is possessing very low incomes or have no work. As a result of this phenomenon majority of the third and fourth-generation children are engaged in prostitution work to sustain their families. The author says that without being conscious of their limited right and social and psychological impact on them, they are obligated to enter into this lucrative business for the survival of their family. The researcher also draws a picture of a society where only a few social organizations are there to take care of the needs of the marginalized section of the society.
It gives an insight into both Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to redefine their roles and responsibility especially in the tourism industry to protect the moral rights and welfare of their informed citizen. Today’s global privatized world tourism is emerging as the one of the lucrative businesses along with its negative impact on the society and also Thailand is named as 3rd in the sex tourism industry. (Country in focus: Thailand, 2007). In the context of this threat , this work would have wider socio- political impacts on the world. This research work also examines the ill-effect of child prostitution and its in-depth roots. One negative aspect is that Montgomery almost seems to justify a child’s decision to become a prostitute. The following sentence in her work is indicative of the fact. “This enabled them to see themselves, not as prostitutes, but rather as dutiful daughters and sons undertaking socially approved roles of support.” (Problems of access and interpretation, 2007, p. 419).
This academic research work is an excellent source to students, educators, and child centered anthropologists.. This work also describes the everyday life of anthropologist in the field such as the entry point to a community, rapport with clients, ethical dimensions and limitations of researcher in this field. It raises several questions on the ethics of a researcher especially working with these kinds of social problems also. Many times the researcher himself/herself needs to limit his or her freedom as a researcher rather than a human being. But like other researchers, Heather Montgomery is not giving satisfactory explanation to solve these kinds of dilemma. Many times, author tries to justify the prostitution profession with stories rather than formulating solution to this social evil.
As an academic research work it contributes to the child centered anthropological research in a fruitful way in its content and subject knowledge. The researcher has adopted very apt methodology for data collection. The storytelling methods and case studies have been presented in its perfection to expose the gravity of the problem. A writing style that can be labeled as emotive writing to evoke feelings in readers is seen occasionally. “In any academic writing, if you use emotive words you must be able to justify them. It is not ‘academic’ to make judgments without justification.” (Development level advice, 2004). The author does justice to the above statement in the article. This study is not merely an academic research but it will help anthropologist researchers and social policy makers to deal effectively with problems related to children; like when the author remarks that Thai Government is lacking in baseline data about the child prostitutes in their land. Hence it will act as a basic data for further studies in this line.
This work promotes very vast scope in the area of child centered anthropologist work in coming years. It will serve as a baseline data for further studies in the negative impact of child centered prostitution. This work will also help policy makers to plan and implement more mitigation measure as well as programs for the welfare of the society. So this study will explore the possibility of intervention by social institutions especially ,NGOs to act as a mediator for the wellbeing of the community.
Reference
Country in focus: Thailand. (2008). Fire Earth: Environmental Issues [Filtered, Stifled & Blocked by Google]. Web.
Development level advice: The effect your words create-the choice you can make: Example. (2004). Writing for university Courses-Use of Words. Web.
Problems of access and interpretation: Heather Montgomery: Working With Child Prostitutes in Thailand: Problems of practice and interpretation. (2007). Sage. 419. (Provided by student).
Sorajjkool, Siroj. (2007). Child prostitution in Thailand: Listening to Rahab: What can be learn from the tragedy of these exploited young people. Routledge Taylor & Francis group. Web.
Renaissance And Baroque Epochs Analysis
The course of human history and the process of the development of human society may be schematically represented as the stairs, where each stair is a definite historical epoch. Such stairs or stages of the development are the Renaissance and Baroque. If the reasons for choice of these particular epochs are necessary, then it should be mentioned that these periods were marked by outstanding cultural and social achievements. This is why the periods may be analyzed best of all from the perspectives of art and literature. The description of the concrete features of art are necessary and useful for the comparison of the historical epochs, because it is commonly known that art is multidimensional expression of human soul, inner world, and, at the same time, the reflection of true world-view that is typical of the definite period of time. Art is the least corrupted form of expression, for it has its roots in inspiration that is embodied in visual form. However, literature of the period may also be considered as rich material for analysis of the definite epoch, because it is the expression of experience and real world with the help of words that has the same basis as art but is even more precise. In order to make comparative analysis effective, the study of art and literature should be performed in the light of philosophic ideas of the epoch.
First of all, it is necessary to dwell on the concepts and definitions of the epochs under analysis, because their names carry important information. The term “Renaissance” means “rebirth”, this is the rebirth of several objects. The new concept of man was created due to the new philosophy that is called “humanism”. The word “humanism” openly suggests its meaning: concentration and orientation at a human being. Thus, the philosophy is focused on the importance, value and true nature of the man in the Universe. A. Hauser (1999) stresses the “naturalism of the period” and the turn “to empirical reality”, “the discovery of the world and of man” (p.2). This discovery of a man as unique, intelligent, and beautiful creature of God aroused the necessity of new basis for life and development, as the previous historical epoch of the Middle Ages or the Dark Ages can be characterized by overall oppression of a man, his complete ignorance and fear of formidable and omnipotent God. This philosophy could not be applied in the new world, thus, society appealed to the past, to Greek culture and mythology that could be a suitable basis for the development of art, music, and literature of the Renaissance. As for the term “Baroque”, its etymology is ascribed to “the Portuguese barroco, a word that refers to pearls that are irregular in shape and inferior in quality” (Wainwright and Holman, 2005, p. 2). The term stresses the importance of form that was typical of Baroque period.
If we speak about the art of the Renaissance, it should be mentioned, that art is something like a business card of the epoch, because the artistic heritage of the renaissance is priceless and impressive. When we say “The Renaissance”, our imagination creates the association with Leonardo Da Vinci and his “Vitruve Luc Viatour”. The historical epoch could boast of the magnitude and impressiveness of the art of the period. Paoletti and Radke (2005) state that “art mattered in Renaissance. Viewers expected works of art to be meaningful, purposeful, and functional, not just beautiful” (p.12). Thus, the function of art was not simplified and reduced to mere moral pleasure from observation of works of art; the pictures were aimed at the delivery of new information about the nature of a man and world around him. Hence the importance given to the physical beauty and attractiveness of a human being, that was provoked by humanism. The philosophy stated that a person should be equally beautiful physically and spiritually, that was the main law of humanism. This rule was applied by artist who resorted to the detailed portrayal of physical beauty of the characters of their paintings in order to create harmony of their inner and outer beauty. It should also be taken into account that the previous historical epoch, the Dark Ages, could be characterized by suppression of human sexuality and carnal desires. In the Renaissance these boundaries were destroyed, and it was natural that the artist appealed to the topic of love and physical relationship in their works. Besides, as it was mentioned above, the antique plots and heroes were widely used by the artists, and it is known that physical relationship was one of the main themes of the antique art. Classical sources were the main sources of the plots of paintings. Humanism also caused the increased demand for and great interest in portraits. One more reason for the demand for the artistic genre of portrait was the wide spread of patrons of artists at that time (Paoletti and Radke, 2005, p. 12).
The art of the following historical epoch, Baroque, has a lot of principal differences from the art of the Renaissance. The root of all differences lies in the functions of art of the concrete period. In comparison with the previous epoch, the art of Baroque was used to “convey concepts – primarily faith in the Church and its doctrines” (Simonis, Garwood and Hardy, 2006, p. 76). Thus, Baroque was propagandistic, and its main aim was the “appeal to the faithful that was both sensory and emotional” (Simonis, Garwood and Hardy, 2006, p. 76). The main themes of paintings were religious events and personages but they were represented from the point of view of the reality of that time. The changes were mainly caused by the Reformation. If Madonna of Da Vinci or Michelangelo was a secular character, Madonna of the Baroque was a religious symbol.
The essential feature of the art of Baroque period was its fundamental ambiguity (Simonis, Garwood and Hardy, 2006, p. 77). This was a new feature that could not be observed in the Renaissance. It was caused by the change of world-view: a man was not the core of the Universe any more; he was something between everything and nothing. People start to understand the limits of human knowledge and human ignorance. This gave way to “the bold fusion of all forms of art”, grotesque forms, movement. Though Baroque artists proclaimed that they were the descendants of the Renaissance, it is evident that they violated the norms of equilibrium, moderation, reason, logic of the Renaissance (Simonis, Garwood and Hardy, 2006, p. 77). One more feature that is characteristic of baroque is the pomposity and bizarrerie of art that can be easily explained by the fact that economic state of Italy was rather problematic at that time, if Rome was the center of Catholic world, it had to save its reputation, and prove its wealth. This is why the artists resorted to pretentiousness; they wanted to create the illusion of richness. This may be clearly observed in the works of many artists, for instance, Caravaggio and Carracci.
Speaking about the literature of the periods under consideration, it should be mentioned that the same rules and regularities that could be observed in art may be seen in literature. The interpretation of classical antique themes may be observed in the literary works of the period. The Renaissance was “the Golden Age” of poetry, this may be proved by the example of Francesco Petrarch, one of the most outstanding representatives of the epoch. The main themes of his poetry were love and beauty. Besides, comic genres developed during the period, the picturesque example may be “Don Kichotas” by M. Cervantes. The work presents optimistic criticism of the past and present.
However, the literature of Baroque is fundamentally different from that of the Renaissance. Pomposity could be observed again in the poetry of Baroque. Mild criticism makes way for satire that expresses bitterness of the limits of human knowledge. The obscurity and awkwardness of the form was sometimes caused by the burning desire of the writers to sum up and synthesize the whole amount of knowledge about the world, which was impossible for them. The fact that the world-view of the Renaissance failed, caused frequent resorting of the Baroque authors to the theme of dream, darkness, and uncertainty. This may be illustrated by the example of Pedro Calderon’s play “Life is a Dream”.
In conclusion, it should be stated that the historical epochs of the Renaissance and Baroque appeared to be the reflections of the social, philosophic, and economical situation in society of the periods. Comparative study of the epochs makes our understanding of each epoch deeper, because they were connected like the links of one chain. The epoch of Baroque made use of cultural heritage of the Renaissance that was a perfect basis for the further development of art and literature. However, the epochs have a lot of principal differences, which create the food for refection and prove the usefulness of the usage of historical perspective in the analysis of art and literature.
Reference
Hauser, A. (1999). The Social History of Art: Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque. NY: Routledge.
Paoletti, J.T., and Radke G.M. (2005). Art in Renaissance Italy. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Simonis, D., Garwood, D., and Hardy P. (2006). Italy. Oakland, CA: Lonely Planet.
Wainwright, J., and Holman P. (2005). From Renaissance to Baroque: Change in Instruments and Instrumental Music in the Seventeenth Century. Burlington: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.