Scholarship / Implementation of the universal healthcare / Paul Goodman essay contest [4]

This is a scholarship that I am working on and I was wondering if someone could read it and criticize it and give me some feedbacks. I don't know if I am answering the question right. here is the question what is one of the pressing social and political issues of our time, and how would you address it? I would very much appreciate it

Implementation of the universal healthcare: the answer to our healthcare crisis

It's hard to imagine life without health care. If you are someone who has health insurance and you are sick or in need of a medical attention; you are able to get the care that you need. Depending on whether it's a severe or minor affliction, you can get the treatment that you need as soon as possible. Sometimes you may get treated in the finest hospitals by the best doctors because they are aware that you have health insurance. But imagine life without these luxuries. Unlike those who have health insurance, there are many people who lack it and as hard as it may be to believe, people are suffering because of it. Just imagine you or a relative become ill and are in need to be cared for immediately and because you don't have health insurance; you are left without care. And what seemed to be a minor anguish becomes severe. Now you are left with a financial burden of a major illness and we all know that it can be very devastating. I believe that health care should not only be offered but it should be made affordable for everyone. The U.S should immediately adopt the universal healthcare because it will benefit us all and make life easier for everyone.

As of today health care has become a controversial topic. After decades of failed attempts by democratic presidents; president Obama finally signed the health care reform in March 2010. Although I am glad that he signed this health care reform, I believe that his decision to sign this bill seemed to be pressured into changing things because he felt he has to immediately. Now we all know that since Obama became president, the American people have been anxiously waiting for some changes. I know the healthcare reform is a priority right now but it should be addressed carefully. There's no need to rush through legislations if we want this major issue to be unraveled; I would rather get it right then get it quick. I feel Obama just wanted to show that he is able to accomplish something in his first year of office. I don't know his reasons for passing the health care reform so quick but many people are more confused about the healthcare reform and are waiting for an explanation of what this bill is going to do for them.

The healthcare reform is supposedly trying to fix this problem and hopefully it can do us justice. Sometimes health care may not seem to be one of our biggest concerns because many of us don't necessarily think about the consequences of not having an insurance plan. But when something terrible happen to us, it's certain that we start to ponder about what's going to happen. It's safe to say that the question does occur soon or later, who's going to take care of me and my family? According to the U.S Census Bureau, people in the United States without health insurance coverage during 2007 totaled 45.7 million and in 2009 47 million do not have any health insurance at all. It makes me wonder how can a government of the people, by the people, for the people be responsible for this haywire; instead it should provide every American access to an affordable quality health care. By implementing a universal health care that would cover Americans and be palatable for both democrats and republicans; we can get one step closer to solving this problem.

The health care legislation signed into law in March 2010 was reported to result in an estimated 32 million citizens being insured by 2019. This wouldn't necessarily solve our conflict because another 23 million citizens will be lacking coverage in 2019. Although it's good that many will be insured, all will not. That's why the universal health care would be more beneficial; it would take the burden off the shoulders of individuals and be put onto the shoulders of the government.

The United States spends more of its (Gross Domestic Product) GDP on health care than any developed nation. In 2001, the U.S spent 13.9% of its GDP on health care compared to 7.8% for Japan. 7.6% for the United Kingdom and 9.4% for Canada. As for the life expectancy, America ranked 38. The United States ranks poorly compared to the other industrialized nations when it comes to health care. Despite the U.S having the best trained health care providers and the medical substructure of any industrialized nation, it receives more complications and fewer benefits.

If the United States continues to keep its health care system, it will result in debt in 2019. If the U.S expands some of its programs to universal, they can be able to lower their costs and cover all its citizens. The USA TODAY reports that the spending in 2006 represented 16% in GDP, an increase of 6.7% over 2004 spending. The growth spending is projected to average 6.7% annually over the period 2007 through 2017. A recently released report showed that the U.S spent 2.5 trillion on health care in 2009, that's $ 8,041 per person. This amount represented 17.3% of the economy, up from 16.2% in 2002. This shows that the U.S health care is doing nothing but causing more conflicts. The health insurance costs are rising and I don't think the American people are happy about that.

However the implementation of a universal health care would be the most efficient method of dealing with a health insurance or the united states would most likely end in a huge debt; something that we are trying to avoid at this moment. This method makes it easier for us to adapt to it because if the United States adopt the single payer universal health care, the costs would be lower than our current U.S system since the cost is low. Thenceforth the United States is already spending about $8,041 per person, by lowering these executive cost, it will be able to provide universal health care without increasing their benefits and still save money.

In addition, if the U.S implements this universal health care, it will give its citizens more involvement in the management of things. Many already feel that they don't have a say in this new health care reform that was passed. Well now the consumers and the providers would have a voice in determining the rates and benefits. I'm sure this system would be much preferred by the citizens of the United States.

Health shouldn't be something to play with. Our health is the most important gift that we have and if implementing the universal health care is what's going to help us have a better one, then there shouldn't be any hesitation. I believe this system is the answer to our health care crisis. Why should we wait till something terrible happen or a minor affliction turn into a severe one when the government can do something about it now.

References
informationclearinghouse.info/article25051.html
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_care
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_health_care

Scholarship / France: Where would you go in your flying house? [4]

Where would you go in your flying house?
J'aimerais aller en France

I need help with my essay, i want someone to review it and tell me what they think. this scholarship is actually do tonight at 12 am. thanks

A day in France is walking the streets of Paris, smelling the fresh scent of croissant and coffee.
Later having dinner at a small restaurant then to the Eiffel tower for

Of the many places in the world that I am interested in, I would love to go to France; it's the ideal country to visit. The way it's portrayed in movies, television, and even in pictures makes it more attractive to me. I admire its unique beauty; I remember the day when I was coming to the United States and instead of going straight to the U.S airport, we made a pit stop at the airport of France. As I wanted to get out of the airport and take a walk into the city; my father told me that I couldn't leave the airport because our plane could come at any moment. With nothing else to do; all I could do was take a glance at the beautiful buildings and the fashionable people. After leaving the airport, I promised myself that one day I would visit France and actually explore its breath taking sights. France's beautiful buildings and many of its attractions, its culture, history and of course its delicious food make France more fascinating to me.

France has everything that you could ever want to see, a great city like Paris, the wonderful monuments, the beaches, the lovely natures and the incredible sceneries. What more can you ask for? Of all the destinations in France I would love to spend all day walking through the streets of Paris, the city of lights to visit the museums and take pictures of each and every monument. The one that I would particularly love to see is the Maison Carree, its history is intriguing. It's said that Marcus Agrippa, the man who commissioned the building dedicated it to his two boys, Lucius and Gaius Ceaser who were officially adopted as a part of an effort to promote a new imperial cult. And how could I forget the Eiffel tower, one of the most beautiful and tallest structures in the world. I wonder how long it is going to take me to climb all 1652 stairs; I bet I will not make, I'll just have to take the elevator.

The French cuisine is rare and extraordinarily fine and famous worldwide. Although many countries take it as a model in many culinary schools, none of them can quite perfect it because it's difficult to master its technique. Every part of France has its own and not so typical ingredients and ways of cooking their foods; whether it's the scrumptious desserts or the creamy sauces and I am sure there are many more delicious dishes, I would love to try them all. The only food that I have ever tried that originates from France was crepe and believe me when I say it was delicious, but I know it would be better try one from France itself.

I really love France's music and its language. I speak French myself but I have forgotten some words and would love to fluently speak it again in the country where it initiated from. The music is beautiful and has a very catchy tune; it has a variety of every culture such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and many more. I think it's pretty cool that it's diverse and that everyone may relate to it. I would love to listen to the French opera while sitting in my room in France and just take it all in

It would be so exciting to go to France and to see all the wonderful places, to grasp in the beauty of its cities, to surrender to the fragrances of the French cuisines and admire its history. I think France is a great country and until that day comes for me to go to France; I'll just have to keep dreaming of what it would be like.

Essays / A balance between being successful financially vs giving back - where to start? [3]

I am trying to write a 1000 word essay about this topic, and I have no idea how to start it, I am having difficulties and I would very much appreciate it if anyone can help me or give me an idea on how to attack this question. thank you

What do you feel is an appropriate balance between being successful financially and the need to serve others by giving back?

Scholarship / Essay about a viable alternative to fossil fuel. [3]

I have been working on a scholarship essay and I am finally done but I need some feedbacks. I would really appreciate it if you would criticize it and tell me if I've followed the rules and if It this essay makes sense. thank you and here are the rules of the essay contest

this contest is a chance for you all to demonstrate your understanding of the current state of our earth and how a practical solution can fit into all of it. In the wake of a plethora of environmental disasters in our world's history, and more currently, the BP oil spill, we have never been more hard- pressed to find a way to curb the damage we have already done to our only home. Now, it is your time to become part of the solution. What can we do? That's the question. You must provide the answer.

Alternatives to fossil fuel have been a significant subject of discussion for many years; we have been trying to come up with new ways to produce energy without polluting the environment. The energy production caused more pollution than any other industry in the United States. Nearly all of the energy used in the U.S is generated by fossil fuels; as years went by and carbon dioxide is emitted; there has been a growing concern about the cooperation between fossil fuels and our environment especially after the incident of the BP oil spill. I believe the best solution to our problems would be to implement wind energy as an alternative to fossil fuel.

Wind energy has been around for many years and it is surprising how we have not yet realized that it can, and will play a huge important role in having a cleaner environment. According to the U.S department of energy, wind energy propelled boats along the Nile River as early as 5000 B.C. By 200 B.C, simple windmills were pumping water in China and were grinding grain in Persia and the Middle East. It seems that societies have taken advantage of wind energy for thousands of years but have not really put it to good use. Wind power is one of the most promising new energy sources that can be used as an alternative to fossil fuel. The United States has enough wind resources to generate electricity for every home in the nation. The American wind energy association states that, in 1999 global wind energy capacity topped 10,000 megawatts, which is approximately 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Apparently it's enough to serve over 5 cities that are the size of Miami. Some may not think that it is significant but I believe that if we take the right steps in the near future, wind power could become one of our main sources of energy.

Although fossil fuel has been our way of obtaining energy, it's blanketing our environment with pollution, we thought that fossil fuels would be around forever but that's not the case anymore. It's obvious that we have been suffering from this source of energy; even when we know that there is a better one out there. Wind energy has a set of qualities that no other form of energy can compete with, not even fossil fuels. It's safe, clean, domestic, and we have an abundant amount of it. As energy prices continue to rise worldwide, the U.S is becoming more interested in renewable forms of energy and what better way to solve the problem than harnessing wind as a source of energy. Not only is it free fuel; it's not really going to cost us anything except for maintaining it. And compared to natural gas prices, it seems very appealing.

In addition wind energy has lower carbon emissions, something that fossil fuel doesn't have. The U.S department of energy states that fossil fuel provide more than 80% of all energy consumed in the U.S. if that is the case, we need to end the use of fossil fuels. If we want to strive for a better environment, we have to belittle our independence on fossil fuels. We can better the health of all living things, and I believe wind energy can do just that. It's very critical to our health because no matter what we are doing during the day or night, we are consuming oxygen and carbon dioxide. We breathe in polluted air which is harmful to our health and environment. So why continue to put ourselves in danger when we know that something could be done about it.

Wind energy is used in many countries. Germany, Europe, Spain, Denmark are among the world's leading nations in the takeover of wind energy. The United States could be among those leading countries if they were to work harder. They are getting closer but there is always room for improvement. In fact according to NASA, in 2001, the U.S rejected the Kyoto protocol, an agreement about decreasing the emissions of greenhouse gases because George W Bush said that the agreement could harm the U.S economy. Instead he declared that the United States would work with other countries to limit global warming. Other countries, mostly European decided to continue with the agreement without the U.S participation. I guess George W Bush was not aware that this decision would become a threat to our planet, society, and health. Now we can't afford to waste any more time especially at the moment when our energy challenge is so great, and our inactions are very perilous.

These other countries are using wind power to get some of their electricity. It seems to me that they are overtaking the United States. Although the United States' wind power has grown every year, we haven't really taken the action to manufacture the wind turbines. Maybe if it wasn't the lack of leadership in government, we could have progressed. Now things are ameliorating; the U.S wind turbines efficiency is becoming great. States like Texas, Kansas and a few others are using wind turbines to generate electricity. Texas has the world's largest wind farm, the Roscoe wind farm. It consists of 627 wind turbines and a capacity of 781.5 megawatt. If we can be able to set up wind turbines in various places in the U.S, it would not only tremendously help and free the country from the use of fossil fuel; but it can also help with the economy. Million of new wind related jobs could be created which would help especially the way the economy is.

The U.S has a long way to go before it can reach its goal of bringing forth a renewable source of energy. But if the U.S continues to shift toward domestic manufacturing like wind power, it would become our main source of energy that can help us start living a healthy life in a clean environment.