Week 14: Who has the power?

The United States of America is known world wide as a democracy. Many flee their native countries to come to America for a chance at a better life. After all, America is a democracy. Our country is run by the people… indirectly! If the people do not run our country, then who?

Well, think of Weber’s theory of democratic elitism. This theory best suits on who wields the power in our democracy. According to this theory, the government is the best and most efficient agency to run the country. The government of the United States governs the American population. After all, how could all Americans agree on all issues?

Unfortunately, those who run our country aren’t always honest. Corruption exists. For example, why should Congress vote on their own pay? Of course they’ll vote on getting a raise! Maybe its time for the people to govern the country.

Is Walmart Good for America?

Wal-Mart, is it good or bad? I didn’t know until recently that Wal-Mart is the most admired company of the United States. Crazy isn’t it? Why crazy? I believe that it’s crazy that so many people love this company that thrives on capitalism simply because of the low prices it provides. What’s crazy to me is that Wal-Mart, an American corporation, bullies it’s fellow Americans.

            Many just see the good Wal-Mart brings. Sure it provides low prices, and jobs in the customer service or retail sector. But what about all the people they’re putting out of business? What about other companies that is forced to shut down because Wal-Mart is a bully? What about the disgusting difference between exports versus imports from the United States to China? It is because of corporations like Wal-Mart that China practically owns us. Even American flags flown on Independence Day are made in China!!

            China, a communist nation, is welcomed by the United States. We send them products such as cardboard boxes or agriculture products and they send us the end product. We, the United States of America, act more like a third world country than the world power we are.

            Wal-Mart is a momentary joy because of the rock bottom prices. But it is corporations like Wal-Mart that will be our downfall. I believe Wal-Mart is bad for America! 

P.S. I don't shop there anymore. 

Week 12: Domestic Division of Labor

This activity really stirred me.  Although I grew up in a “traditional” family atmosphere, I strongly believe there is no absolute norm. Over fifty years ago, women were expected to stay at home to upkeep the house and raise the children. Men on the other hand worked outside the home and were the sole bread winners.  But wait… that was well over fifty years!!!

Today, women are far more educated and far more independent. Thank goodness! If both spouses work outside the home, then it’s only fair that both spouses split the home duties evenly.

My parents were neither traditional nor way out of the norm.  My parents worked as a team. They split work evenly even though my father worked outside the home.  Parenting is a full time job. A stay at home parent is the most trying job.  My father would take over while my mother had a “time out”.

As for me, I couldn’t imagine not working.  I’ve been working since I was 18 years. Five years later, I can’t imagine staying at home and depending on my husband to bring home all the income.  Now, this isn’t because of pride; but rather because I am an independent woman who would go stir crazy if stuck at home all day.

Each generation is different from the last. I believe in a family structure, but I also value my independence.  Therefore, it’s only right to split home chores evenly after work with my husband.  After all, we are equals; both created in God’s image. J

Separation of Church and State?

Separation of church and state is a very controversial issue here in the United States.  Since I was raised in a conservative Baptist home, I grew up believing there should be no separation of church and state.  After all, our country was built on a Christian foundation. But after exposure to other cultures and other religions, my views have changed.

Imagine having another person’s religion forced on you.  How does that feel?  I for one believe in tolerance of others and in a peaceful co-existence.  America is a melting pot with many different cultures and ethnicities thrown into our lot. As diverse and widely known for the rights to freedom, we ought to respect each other.

Separation of church and state is probably the best thing to do. I wouldn’t want someone else to force their beliefs on me; so it’s only fair I don’t do it either.  

Week 10: Blog Entry on Race and Ethnicity Topics

Racism has been an issue that has plagued our country since its birth.  To think that racial inequality no longer exists is to think that air is not needed for one’s survival. The website on the internment of Japanese Americans was a great informational website that delved into the history and American conflicts during WW II.

I was both shocked and appalled at the degree of racism both Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals were forced to bear. What was most disturbing was that even though our government had no evidence to support claims that Japanese Americans or Japanese nationals were spies, these individuals were forced out of their homes and into lowly concentration camps with armed guards. President Roosevelt ignored reports from various organizations like the FBI and the Naval Intelligence that there wasn’t a need to round up those of Japanese descent and incarcerate them.  FBI director J. Edgar Hoover stated, “… the decision to evacuate was… based primarily on public and political pressures rather than factual data.”

How could this happen in the United States of America? How could this happen in a land that believed “innocent until proven guilty”? This happened because racism back during the WW II era was still widely accepted. The only difference between then and now is that racism is implicit whereas back then it was explicit. The website on the internment of Japanese Americans was an eye opener for me. Studying and learning history is essential in preventing history from repeating itself.

Week 9: Social Construction of Gender

Gender inequality exists in the United States. Today, gender inequality prevails implicitly rather than explicitly.  Our textbook teaches that gender inequality is learned through socialization.  How true that is! From an early age children are taught boys are stronger while girls are the weaker sex.  Boys are given trucks and video games while girls are given Barbie dolls and little kid-sized kitchens.  Males and females are expected to fill different roles in society from the moment they’re born. Now, is this right? Well, I’m on middle ground here.  Although I believe God created men and women differently, I also believe we are equal.

On the other hand, some women enjoy being objectified.  They enjoy the attention and perks it may bring.  It is not only men downplay a woman’s value. Now is the time to change that.

I am what some would call a liberal feminist. I believe that men and women should be treated equally politically and legally.  No more to men receiving a higher salary than a woman who has the same qualifications than him! No more to a woman being expected to be Susie homemaker! I support a family organization, but I also support gender equality.

Week 8: Global Inequality

Global inequality affects our everyday life. It affects us because all countries are interknit as each affects one another. Mexico is far behind the United States when it comes to power and success in riches. In film Food Inc, Mexican workers were recruited to come to the United States to work for a meat company.  That same meat company that recruited those people later turned them in to immigration and customs.

Another place where such crimes of global inequality are being committed is in China.  American factories move most manufacturing businesses overseas where working conditions and minimum pay cost them the least therefore yielding a far higher profit.  In that scenario, while the company benefits, the victims are those workers. Those victims are forced to tolerate such miserable treatment since in many cases that job is the best job around.  Everyday third world country citizens are being exploited to further riches of world powers such as the US. 

Such outrageous acts don’t affect just the foreigners…it also affects Americans here in our country! These manufacturing jobs going overseas bring forth one more American unemployed.  Here is where global inequality falls into place.  Those examples are an injustice that needs to be rectified.