Starbucks Essay Example for Free

Starbucks Essay Access the Internet to acquire a copy of the most recent annual report for the publicly traded company used to complete the Financial Reporting Problem, Part 1 assignment due in Week Six. Analyze the information contained in the company’s balance sheet and income statement to answer the following questions: †¢Are the assets included under the company’s current assets listed in the proper order? Explain your answer. The current assets should be listed in the order of liquidity. The assets which can be easily converted into cash are listed first. Cash is already in liquid form and thus is recorded first. Next to follow are cash and cash equivalents (like marketable securities etc.) which can be very easily converted into cash are recorded next. The other current assets to follow the list are Accounts receivable, Inventory, Prepaid expenses and other current Assets. Starbucks is following the same while listing the current assets in the Balance Sheet. †¢How are the company’s assets classified? Assets are classified as Current Assets and Fixed Assets. Current Assets are those assets out of which the benefit derived is for a period less than one year. Fixed assets are those assets out of which the benefit derived is for a period more than 1 year. †¢What are cash equivalents? Cash equivalents are investment securities that are short-term, have high credit quality and are highly liquid. Cash and Cash equivalents of Starbucks as of 2013-09-29 is $2,575.70 million. †¢What are the company’s total current liabilities at the end of its most recent annual reporting period? The total Current liabilities of Starbucks as of 2013-09-29 are $5,577.30 million. †¢What are the company’s total current liabilities at the end of the previous annual reporting period? The total Current liabilities of Starbucks as at the end of the previous annual reporting period 2012-09-30 is $2,209.80 million. †¢Considering all the information you have gathered, why might this information be important to potential creditors, investors, and employees? The financial statements provide useful information to various parties for decision making. Creditors: Creditors are those who provide credit to the company. From the financial statements the creditors assess the liquidity position of the company. The current assets and the current liabilities are looked into to know the liquidity position. If the current assets to current liabilities are 2 times to 1, then the creditors would be interested to extend credit to the Company. Investors: Investors are those who provide capital to the Company. The financial statements provide the profitability position of the Company. The investors are interested to know the profit margin, the dividend paid in the recent years, the growth rate in earnings etc. The information gathered above does not provide these details which are helpful for investors. Employees: Employees of the company are interested to know the profitability position of the Company based on which they can expect a bonus from the Company. The financial statements should be thoroughly analyzed for various decision to be taken which are u seful to various parties and situations.

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 Essay Example for Free

Combat Methamphetamine Epidemic Act of 2005 Essay Methamphetamine commonly referred as meth or crystal has been a real and growing problem in the United States. Many of us don’t realize that meth is the most addictive drug worldwide. The main ingredients of meth, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, are found in cold medicine. Relatively cheap and easy to get methamphetamine destructively affect your brain. It releases dopamine (the brain’s principal pleasure chemical) which boost up your energy, and as describe by many addicts in the movie:† it gives you a euphoric rush†¦and it’s a good feeling† (Woman in trailer). Meth can be obtained from household products, this dangerous process is called shake and bake since it consists of mixing ingredient that were never meant to be mix. The use of such drug affect your physical appearance and ruin your life whether on a personal or social level. The reason is after several hit the consummation of meth is the only activity that bring you joy out life. The effect are so devastative that an addict suggest that it should be wipe off the surface of earth. The methamphetamine epidemic started in Portland Oregon and its spreading to the West Coast of America. Surprisingly the people being affected by the drug are often college students, truck drivers and bikers. Researches have shown that it became an extended issue in the 1990’s. The meth epidemic represents a social issue because it is the leading cause in property crimes, children in foster care, sexual abuse, domestic violence and identity theft†¦. Effects of meth epidemic on social institutions The destructive effects of meth epidemic on family are undeniable. The harm caused by methamphetamine is so deep that an addict stated: â€Å"In all reality, I think they need to take a bomb and blow it all up†. It is painful to see the life and joy being eat out of a community. The story of Debbie Vick illustrates child endangerment. In fact children are sent to foster care in large number because of addicted parents unable to take care of their kids. High and under the effect of the stimulant, it is not uncommon for family members to be sexually abused by meth addicts. Unfortunately meth doesn’t only affect the users’ mental but it also significantly deteriorate their physical appearance. Deputy Bret King reported that a fairly appealing young woman, Theresa Baxter, looked 20 years older than she actually was and her teeth went missing. While methamphetamine only brings desolation among civilian what is being done to stop the spreading of this epidemic. The government has in some way aggravated the meth situation by its procedure. Although we can see that the police is very active at tracking down meth labs and meth addict more actions can and need to be taking toward resolving this issue. Quaalude showed us that if the proper measures are taken meth can be definitively eradicated. Initiatively a bill required for distributors of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine to verify the identities of their customers in order to control the consumers of those ingredients. The government ultimately finds opposition in the pharmaceutical industry because the bill was economically at their disadvantage. How can a sick soul find remedy if it cannot recognize that it needs treatment!!! It is the same for politics. As far as they are concerned meth is not an epidemic. Methamphetamine represented such low priority for them that no funds were going toward monitoring the key ingredients of meth shoppers. Dealing with heroin, cocaine or gangs was considerably more important although legislators in Oregon resurrected the idea that buyers of products with pseudoephedrine register at the store counter. Congress is completely aware that to terminate this problem they have to get to the roots which are companies providing key ingredients of meth. In order to address the issue Congress is considering the Combat Meth Act that will put pseudoephedrine under lock in store nationwide. However passing the Combat Meth Act promise to be more difficult than they thought. The cold medicine factories is estimated to be approximately a 3 billion money maker in the United States. Why would the pharmaceutical companies put their profit at risk by allowing the key ingredient of meth to be strictly regulated? In a market system where the rule of the game is to make money they will do anything necessary to stop any bill that will in some way affect negatively their industries. The fact that they made sure the bill was amended to exempt cold medicine clearly illustrates how they remain indifferent to the devastative effects of meth in the lives of so many Americans. Technology was at the base of detecting methamphetamine as a social issue. The advances in technology allowed us to explain the effects of meth in the human brain as it releases a huge amount dopamine. Researchers have shown that by putting the stimulant over and over in your brain it results in an inability to experience pleasure in your own, this is one of the main reasons addicts get back to using. What is the role of the media in this situation? Is he keeping us in the dark and not informing about what is happening? The Oregonians are well informed about meth sweeping across America and their own community. The media in Oregon Portland is doing a good job at exposing the issue to them. The impact of meth on the people of Oregon made the top actualities on Oregon new reported the narrator. Unfortunately I cannot say the same for the rest of the country. People being interviewed for example In D. C would often say:† Methamphetamine? I don’t know what it is (Rep. Brian Baird). While the epidemic was spreading politicians closed their eyes on the issue and population of affected states remained ignorant of the danger. The film depicts two faces of medicine regarding meth epidemic. On one side are the pharmaceutical companies that refuses to collaborate with the DEA toward finding a solution to the problem. We have seen that although the Meth Epidemic Act was put in place to control the purchase of the key ingredient in meth, pharmacist would compromised themselves and sell the ingredient in quantity. As the movie mentioned it the rule of the game is to make money and sell products. However we cannot overlook the good side of medicine. In Oregon innovative treatment programs helps the addicts trough the phase of detoxification. Certain centers often allow addicts to keep their child because they believe that the presence of a family member would motivate patients to get clean. Consider that most of the patients being treated for burns due to hazardous experiences in meth lab had no insurances it represented a deficit for the hospitals. Reflection I really enjoyed watching the Meth Epidemic film. In some way I feel like I am more informed and conscious about what is really going on in the world around me. In complete honesty I was not aware that such drug even existed. The movie clearly defined methamphetamine as far the most addictive drug in the United States and it is frightening to realize its destructive effects in the lives of countless families. Meth has become a personal concern when I learned that those being affected are mainly college students, truck drivers and athletes. As a student I cannot close my eyes on the fact that meth has been the cause of so many bright youth wasted in this decade. Meth is considered as a social and economic problem. This stimulant has accumulated over one and half millions addicts over the past years. The desolating part of it is that meth is so easy and cheap to get. In reality it has been show that most people will get the ingredient from their household products and cook it by the process commonly referred as â€Å"shake and bake†. Under the effect of such destructive drug, meth addicts turn violent and become unstable. The film discussed in depth the many issues that come along with this addiction. As far as family is concerned, meth is the leading cause for children in foster care and sexual abuse. However it doesn’t stop there property crimes and identity theft also represent other way for them to feed their addictions. I think the harm caused by the addicted parents can never be erased of the minds of those traumatized children. It is very likely for those meth orphans to lose themselves in the process. In my opinion the foster care system can’t really assure them the chance to a good future or a safe and loving home. In addition to that insecurity could be one of the consequence of property crimes or sexual abuse. This movie truly opened my eyes and the most shocking part was the insensitivity of the Pharmaceutical Companies. It is disturbing that money drives our actions and takes away any bit of humanity we could have left in ourselves!!! Pharmaceutical companies and politics play a very important role in this problem. Indeed the key ingredient for meth (ephedrine or pseudoephedrine) is found in cold medicine. While these companies are opposing to the strict regulation of these ingredients communities and families are suffering from the loved ones addicted to this drug. My personal experiences have thought me that people often resort to drugs when they are going through depression, stress or loneliness. Family support would help them look the other way and find reasonable solutions to their problem. Desperate diseases require desperate remedies. Thereupon the government should ensure that only customers with a prescription (signed by a certified physician) have access to medicine with ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Meth can ruined someone’s life in a blink of an eye, a little inconvenience for people with cold is a small step to prevent meth epidemic. Meth also enters the country by the intermediary of drugs cartels in Mexico, The supervision at the border needs to be reinforced in order to stop their traditional smuggling. I believe that politic plays a crucial role in stopping the epidemic. However the politicians, as leaders, have to admit that meth is a major problem. Congress needs to cooperate with the DEA instead of making so difficult for them to their jobs. They should put back the regulation requiring a license to pseudoephedrine pills. They should fund the DEA in effort of tracking down meth dealers. It is clear that cold medicines bring a lot of profits for pharmaceutical companies. One of the argument presented by their spokesman is the availability of the ingredient for the American customer or the inconvenience for those with cold. I would suggest for them to research an alternative for ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. This way pharmaceuticals industries would still make money selling cold medicines, the DEA would have a peace of mind when it comes to dealing with meth and finally the American public would still have their cold reliever. People rely on the media for information about specific details of the happenings around them. The Oregonian newspaper set a good example of should be done. The media needs to insert the reality of meth in our daily lives so we can be aware of its danger. Meth epidemic need to make the headlines of our news nationwide for us to understand the urge to take action and stop the spread of the epidemic. Portland Oregon is not the only are area being affected by the meth epidemic. The statistics demonstrate that it is spreading to the east coast. More rehabilitation center is needed across the country to support the meth addicts. The pharmaceutical industries should collaborate with the DEA for the well-being of our society especially for the protection of our youth.

Factors in Financing Public Education

Factors in Financing Public Education Introduction to Public Education Public Education is about the development of each child as an individual and their abilities to benefit our societies. Colleges and universities are critical social enterprises that have operated largely unchanged for centuries. In recent years, however, the traditional models of higher education have struggled to respond to the demands of new consumer groups, rapidly evolving demands of existing stakeholders, and emerging technologies that fundamentally change historic assumptions about how, when, why and what people learn (Public Administration Review, 2015). Public Education in the United States means a free education for all students, which holds importance to families who are underprivileged but still deserve the right to education regardless of their religion, race or abilities. Education holds importance as our nation has strengthened because of what people know and can do. Public education has provided opportunity for advancement and made an economic difference for individual s, as The United States is a world leader in high school completion Eighty-seven percent of eighteen to twenty four year olds have completed high school (American Imperative, 2006). So, public education is a worthy investment for state government, with immense social and economic benefits. However, there still remains a high and low end of annual expenditures of counties within the states on education, as it is never equal. Improving education outcomes has been shown through studies to result in national saving of about seven billion dollars in public assistance, food stamps, and housing assistance. These are just a few examples of what the governments funds towards education can help reduce the funds needed in other areas. Also, with improved education society benefits when citizens are employed with higher earnings as it gives the government the ability to collect greater tax revenue. All of these factors contribute to why education holds importance for citizens as well as our gov ernment, but the lack of financial support is the issue of importance. Most believe the federal budget is of more importance to our government than the education of citizens, which is the only way we get knowledgeable citizens to run our government. Supporting Factor of Finances Spent on Public Education Nearly half of the K-12 education funding in the United States is intended to come from the states, drawn from a combination of income taxes, fees, and other taxes. This is why the public finances contribute to education, because without these funds the educational systems of each state would fail to exist. As an overall share of the total federal budget, federal spending on elementary and secondary education programs through the U.S. Department of Education account for less than three percent of the total federal budget. In the annual appropriations process, elementary and secondary education funding accounts for about five percent of discretionary funding across all federal programs. Early school funding litigation efforts generally focused on education equity, which sought the same level of per-pupil funding for every student in the state. Since the late 1980s, litigation has focused more on education adequacy, which seeks funding levels necessary to ensure that every student rece ives an adequate education. Defining what constitutes an adequate education as well as what resources are necessary to provide that level of education, have been central questions in the litigation (School Finance). For the past several years, we have been living through the most severe recession since the Great Depression, which has affected public education, not just through cuts to core programs, but through job losses that destabilize students families, cuts to other critical services that the communities depend on, and stress that pulls at the social fabric that unites us. Public Education is a public responsibility and must be a public trust. As used here, the term public education means education that is publicly financed, tuition- free, accountable to public authorities, and accessible to all students. It covers various types of public schools, including traditional schools, charter and magnet schools, vocational schools, and alternative schools. During the 1960s and 70s, th e federal government enacted a series of laws aimed at improving education for poor children, migrant children, students with disabilities, Native Americans, limited-English proficient children, and women and girls. These laws brought additional funding to public schools, along with new requirements to meet the special needs of particular groups of students. In recent years, the emphasis of state and federal reforms has shifted to improving public education for allstudents. The No Child Left Behind Act requires public schools to steadily raise achievement and to close the test score gaps that exist for minority, poor, and special needs students until one hundred percent of United States students are performing at the same high level. Schools that fall short of these goals must undergo a series of interventions. In summary, the growth of public education during the past two centuries has been fueled by high ideals about advancing the common good, but the realities of public schools h ave sometimes failed to live up to these ideals (Kober, 2007). Most taxpayers provide this subsidy because public education in their eyes is crucial to forming the public good. It prevents poverty as well as decreases the crime rate, and prepares young people for the work force, and fosters social mobility. The United States has changed dramatically since the early debates on the role of public schools and the role of the federal government in supporting and sustaining them. The importance of education for the common good has shifted from primarily local control to state and national control, with national attention from the Federal government and national organizations. Studies have shown that twenty five percent of most state budgets contribute to educational funding (Jenkins and Hill, 2011). States are one of the main funders of the nations public elementary and secondary schools, which provide grants to local school districts where entities are responsible for administering scho ols. However, the federal government provides only about ten percent of public school revenues. Although the funding numbers have increased, there is still a lack of federal dollars relating to the opposing factors. Opposing Factors of Finances Spent on Public Education Americans spend more to educate their children than the citizens of most other countries; in fact, only Norway spends more per capita on education. Yet when it comes to student performance, the United States ranks no better than average, resting directly in the middle of the pack of developed nations. Rising government debts and lack of improved student performance have led some to call for cutbacks in school funding. In recent years, skyrocketing state and federal debt levels have led some politicians to support cuts in the educational budget. Conservative politicians have vowed to eliminate the Department of Education ever since its creation, arguing that schooling is an issue for states and local governments to handle, and that tax dollars could be better spent elsewhere. Another strategy aimed at reducing government spending is the restriction of public employee union rights, particularly those of teachers unions. In 2011, Wisconsin governor Scott Walker introduced a bill that so ught to eliminate the right of teachers and other public employees to collectively bargain for their salary and benefits. This was presented as a way to reduce state costs and to help close the budget gap. Critics of the current public school system have argued that, despite massive education spending in recent decades, public schools are doing a progressively worse job of educating American children. For example, Washington, DC, boasts one of the highest per-student school funding rates, yet scores below average on student performance. Public school advocates point out that much of the current spending in the public school system goes toward administrative costs; if the federal and state governments reduced the number of regulations and policies that school districts are forced to follow, they assert, the money saved could be spent on improving the teacher-to-student ratio and purchasing necessary classroom supplies such as textbooks-areas proven to directly impact student performa nce (Gale, 2015). Assessment of Supporting and Opposing Sides of Public Education Funding In my research, I found that both of the supporting and opposing sides have arguable factors to their belief in whether or not public financing through the government is relevant and helpful in education. I believe that while both sides do show factual proof of evidence, I agree that finances should be used in the budgeting process of the government and states for education. Each citizen should be given full advantage of an education to broaden their future regardless of their financial situation. As the schooling systems receive funds, this allows an opportunity for supplies as well as facilities to be created and purchased to hold schooling and educational opportunities. The supporting and opposing factors are a result in the expenditures of tax dollars and revenues, which creates the combustion between the two parties. While it is hard to provide whether one argument trumps another, I feel that the supporting factors of government spending on education are pertinent to myself. Pub lic education specifically relates to myself because if it were not for the opportunity to receive a free education through my local government, my parents would not have obtained the ability to send me to receive a higher education; college. Also, in the supporting factors is stated the factual evidence that education improves the communities as well as lowers things such as crime rates which is of importance to our common wealth and good. The federal and state debt levels have led to politicians deceiving beliefs in education as well as their support in reducing the federal budget for them. This has led to controversy about whether the issue should be left to state and local or federal government when it comes to the financial standpoint. If education is what entails a citizen being equipped for their desired field, then I do not see why limiting the money for a skill needed for employment would even be an option. If the federal government is limited in the education department, t hen that includes the omission of federal student loans to only private loans. Federal government has to rebuild their education funding. Conclusion As the federal debt is increasing, I agree that the federal government has to budget accordingly in the educational department. In suggestion, federal loans for education should be limited, which would reduce the amount of college debt in America, which has recently exceeded the amount borrowed on credit cards. As there is much insight to what should occur in the governments action, opinions of citizens persist. It is made clear in the arguments that government funds are needed in order for education to occur as the state funding and grants are not enough. Education is important for all citizens because even the intelligent kids should be given the opportunity to receive a diploma in order to share their ideas in corporations or even a government position in their future. As there is the opposing factor that although all these funds poor into the school systems of lower level income areas, the testing scores still remain low which cause confrontation between the supporting and opposi ng parties. This occurs in every school system, as there are students with lower motivation in private schooling where their education is paid for by their parents and not the government. Government funds are also used to provide an income for what I think is one of the most important occupations in the United States, which is the career of teaching. Teachers often use their own funds to provide school materials, or to make the classroom environment more collaborative and energetic for students, but they are argued against as some citizens think they should no receive pay. While much of a schools budget is believed to be spent on the administration, there are other things that play into the factor of finances such as the cost of a new gymnasium facility to keep the students healthy, art room and supplies to allow creativity, books for the knowledge and development of the brain, as well as a playground for the enjoyment of being a kid. A parent with three children and a $20,000 salar y per year should not have to fight for their child a free education just because of their circumstances. I believe that government should require the local and state governments to pour their tax dollars into an education because it overall creates a better place. Public Finance plays into the issue because the collection of taxes is used for the public good in which this case, the public educate is the good. I am in support of government financial support in funding education, and firmly believe that it distributes good to our society through its outcome. References (2016, September 26). Speak Your Mind: Challenges Facing Higher Education. Retrieved March  08, 2017, from https://publicadministrationreview.org/speak-your-mind-challenges-facing-higher-education/ (2006, April 27). An American imperative: Public education. Retrieved March 06, 2017, from  http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Public-education/An-American-imperative-Public-education School Finance. (n.d.). Retrieved March 06, 2017, from  http://www.edcentral.org/edcyclopedia/school-finance/ Kober, N. (2007). Why We Still Need Public Schools. Retrieved from  http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED503799.pdf Jenkins, C. J., Hill, M. H. (2011). Role Of Federal Government In Public Education: Historical Perspectives. Retrieved March 06, 2017, from  http://lwv.org/content/role-federal-government-public-education%C2%A0-historical-perspectives Gale (2015). School Funding. Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection, Accessed 6, Mar. 2017. Retrieved from Opposing Viewpoints in Context,  link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/PC3010999078/OVIC?u=uscaikenxid=48e25cca.

Advertising Psycho Pharmaceuticals Essay -- Media Argumentative Persua

Advertising Psycho Pharmaceuticals I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately, so I decide see my medical doctor to seek her advice on what I can do about my mental health. When I meet with her, she asks me if there have been any changes in my life that might explain my depression. Unfortunately, I cannot think of any particular cause for these feelings. My doctor suggests that I start taking a drug to help me overcome my unhappiness. She tells me that she can prescribe it right now if I want her to. It surprises me that she does not recommend therapy and instead offers a chemical cure. Since this is the first time I am seriously considering using a drug to "fix" my mood, I tell her that I will do some research and let her know my final decision. I do not know very much about antidepressant medications, so she gives me the names of a couple of popular drugs used to treat depression, Paxil(r) and Zoloft(r), to help me with my investigation. I feel the best place to start my inquiry is to look at the we bsites of the companies that produce these drugs. I figure that these sites will provide me with the information I need to make an informed decision on whether drug treatment, and which drug treatment, is right for me. I begin by looking at the website for Paxil(r), http://paxil.com. When the page loads, I am presented with a picture of a worried woman's face in profile in front of an orange-red background. When my eyes move away from this image, I am confronted with the question in big bold black letters, "Does this sound like you?" And this question is referring to the other statements flashing on and off of the screen slowly, statements about being tense, worrying, having anxiety, ... ...er than the Zoloft(r) site, such as the page on the site that discusses the importance of "talk" therapy for helping to cure patients with these disorders. Also, in the prescription information there is an explicit summary of how effective this drug has been for other patients. Overall, neither of these websites gave me a complete view of these medications. I understand now that the companies are trying to sell their product, but at the same time I value my safety while I am taking the medication. I will have to talk to my doctor and seek more extensive information from other medical websites before I have enough knowledge to decide if drug therapy is right for me. Works Cited "Paxil Paroxetine HCl." 2001. GlaxoSmithKline. 7 Oct 2001. http://paxil.com/ "Zoloft (sertraline HCl)." 2001. Pfizer Inc. 7 Oct 2001. http://www.zoloft.com/

Global Positioning Systems Essay -- Term Papers Research Essays

Global Positioning Systems The possibilities for the future afforded to the human race by the technology created today is endless. However, one technology has already and will continue to change the way people travel around the planet: Global Positioning Systems (GPS). For travelers throughout history, figuring out where they were and where they were going was one of the oldest problems. Even in recent years, navigation and positioning was crucial to many activities but extremely cumbersome. However, in its need for a precise form of global positioning, the Department of Defense (DoD) created the most useful navigation system in history. The creation and production of the GPS system by Rockwell Collins changed the way people travel today and will continue to change the way people travel in the future. Imagine driving to the grocery store while sitting in the back seat reading a book or landing a plane in zero visibility conditions and not worrying about where the runway is. The scenarios listed are possible du e to the creation of the GPS system, which consists of a series of 24 satellites, numerous ground stations, individual receivers, and radio signals to locate the exact position of an object. The process by which all these components interact to provide location information is simple in theory but complex in reality. The basis of the GPS system in locating a receiver is a technique called triangulation. In triangulation, a receiver measures the distance from itself anywhere on earth to each of three satellites in the GPS system. In order to triangulate, it first measures the distance to the first satellite and recognizes that it must be located on the surface of a sphere. The sphere’s center must therefore be located a... ...roaming receivers use the transmitted time differentials for the satellites they are measuring to perform the calculations and therefore have the ability to determine positions more accurately. As the accuracy of GPS systems continues to increase, the possible uses for GPS units will continue to increase. The possibilities for GPS uses are endless and GPS units in the future will aid in determining locations, help people navigate the seas and skies, help track people and vehicles, aid in mapping roads and seas, and provide atomic accuracy timing to the entire world. Once the accuracy of GPS systems reach to such small distances as centimeters, automatic construction equipment will build roads without needing time consuming manual measurements, cars will drive themselves to predetermined destinations, and planes will be able to land in zero visibility conditions.

Expectations Fulfilled (cheating) :: essays research papers

Expectations Fulfilled When one hears stories about cheating, automatically the first response that the individual will have is that the person who cheated is heartless. Oftentimes people have mistakenly misjudged the person who has cheated on their loved one. There is always another disclosed side of the story of the deceitful person. For instance, in â€Å"The Bridges of Madison County,† Francesca Johnson is a woman who has encountered a non-intimacy life and lacks exoticness in her marriage with Richard. Unintentionally, one day she utterly falls for a stranger name Robert Kincaid. Despite an instant attraction between them, Francesca Johnson let herself be unchaste because Kincaid fulfilled her expectations, provides intimacy, and stimulates romance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In order to keep a relationship alive, one’s expectations must come through. Johnson is a woman who lives in a sheltered life. She does not do many activities nor do anything appealing. It might seem as though she lives a plain life, but in her heart she has expectations that needs to be fulfilled. â€Å"And women were starting to have expectations about their allotted place in the grander scheme of things, as well as what transpired in the bedroom of their lives. Men such as Richard-most men, she guessed-were threatened by these expectations† (108). The fact is true, a woman’s expectations are needed to be acquired or else the woman will go else where to consume it. In other words, Francesca Johnson found everything that she wanted in a man that is disguise in Kincaid. Therefore, because of Kincaid’s understanding of her, she cannot help it but to fall for him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In addition, intimacy is needed in the relationship in order to have a close bond. Johnson is a woman who loves to be intimate with her husband, Richard. Unfortunately, Richard’s lacking of intimacy has taken a toll on Francesca. In other words, â€Å"She was more of a business partner to him than anything else† (80). The emotion that Johnson is feeling is not mutual. She wants to encounter affection but however, Richard is not aware. Subsequently, â€Å"Richard was interested in sex only occasionally, every couple of months, but it was over fast, rudimentary and unmoving, and he didn’t seem to care much about perfume or shaving of any of that† (80). Thus, Richard makes Francesca feel like a loveless person who needs to break free from the life that she has. Nevertheless, the intimacy that she wanted does not lie in Richard but lies in Kincaid.

Cognitive Behavior Therapy Essay

What is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)? CBT works by changing people’s attitudes and their behavior. It focuses on the thoughts, images, beliefs and attitudes that we hold (our cognitive processes) and how this relates to the way we behave and deal with our emotional problems. Research has shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is effective in treating anxiety disorders as well as panic disorders and social phobias. The cognitive component helps change the thinking patterns that keep one from overcoming their fears. For example, a person with a panic disorder might be helped in seeing that his or her attacks are not really heart attacks as believed. The tendency to interpret physical symptoms as the worst case scenario can be overcome. Also, someone exhibiting symptoms of a social phobia could be taught how to overcome the belief that others are continually judging him or her. The behavioral therapy component pays close attention to the relationship between our problem, our behavior and our thoughts. CBT can be effective therapy for the following problems: anger management, anxiety and panic attacks, depression, drug and alcohol problems, and post-traumatic stress disorder. These are just a few of the many problems that can be successfully treated with CBT. Studies have shown that having just twelve sessions of CBT can be as helpful in treating depression as taking medication throughout a two year follow-up period. Of course, CBT is quite complex and is not a miracle cure. Being treated by a counselor with specific CBT expertise is recommended. The client must also be persistent and open-minded. The CBT approach has recently been used in many pre-packaged, brand name programs such as, â€Å"Reasoning and Rehabilitation,† â€Å"Aggression Replacement Therapy,† â€Å"Thinking for Change,† and others (â€Å"Preventing Future Crime with CBT†). In some instances, medication can be accompanied with psychotherapy for best results in treatment. This is important to give any treatment a fair trial. If one approach doesn’t work, chances are, another one will. Be persistent and don’t give up! Works Cited Preventing Future Crime with Cognitive Behavior Therapy (http://www.all-about-psychology.com/cognitive-behavior-therapy.html)