RA#2

Title: The death of Macho

Author: Reihan Salam

Date: 2008

Topic: The end of male dominance in the financial world and the physical world.

Analysis of Argument

Exigence: To let the reader know how and why the idea of Macho will no longer relevant and how it is slowly disappearing from our world.

Intended   Audience: This seems aimed towards a more scholarly audience because it goes in depth of why everything the writer claims is happening. But the article has an informal fell to it so it can very well be aimed at the public.  

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how our old idea of what it was to be a man no longer hold true. Men are no longer the primary breadwinners in American and Salam is pointing out that slowly that is how it will be around the world.

Claims: “The era of male dominance is coming to an end. “(page 629) Women will soon be the primary bread winners. Men and women will both had to adjust to a new social order where the two are equals.

 

Main Evidence: In this article Salam starts off with the claim “The era of male dominance is coming to an end. “(page 629) From the very begging the reader can clearly see what the article will be about. A few sentences later Salam explains how the Great Recession has begun the death of the Macho. Salam also states how the Great Depression did many of the same things that the Recession has done only that The New Deal was what saved Machismo then. He states that there is nothing like the new deal today, a political action that focused on creating jobs for men; and with our a New Deal like event happening the Macho will have to go.  Salam then goes on to how men are coping with this new social change stating that in the United States and in Europe the transition has gone fairly smooth. According to Salam this is the reason that the United States have been more peaceful then the middle east, Russia, and China where Women’s rights are very often violated and the idea of Women and men as equals is very controversial. Salam also adds how there is no way to bring back the Macho because the jobs that sustained those ideas are no longer there and both men and women will have to adapt. Salam ends by stating that these changed will happen. “We can expect the transition to be wrenching, uneven, and possibly very violent.” (page 636)

Rhetorical Analysis:

Writer’s Strategy #1 Definition of the Male macho

Writer’s Strategy#2 Classification and division

Writer’s Strategy#3 cause and effect with a bit of compare and contrast.

Reader Effect# 1 The bulk of the article was written in a Logos manor. It had a lot of explanations and examples as well as having a bit of research from the UN.

Reader Effect#2 there some ethos where research met with examples of people.

Reader Effect #3 very little Pathos with was okay because this article didn’t really need much of that

My Response: This article was unbelievably informative and I felt it was very credible. While the article didn’t carry a lot of emotion or personal examples I feel that it didn’t need any to sway a person to agree that Machismo is dying. My only complaint is that there was no counterargument. It was very factual but there was nothing to disagree and prove wrong.

RR#2

In the article “Two ways a woman can get hurt”               : Advertising and violence, Jean Kilbourne explains how advertisement affects our society and our own personal views on how we view others. She notes that advertisements have become much like porn in where the emotion of being with a person is no longer genuine and are more about a man dominating a woman for his own pleasure. Kilbourne states that by having these sexual and often violent ads make our society more violent and makes it harder for women and girls to be respected in the world.

                The purpose of this reading is to examine how ads do affect our social gender roles. As Kilbourne notes that children are especially affected by adds stating that children tend to suffer sexual ridicule. “It is probably difficult for those of us who are older to understand how devastating and cruel and pervasive this harassment is, how different from the “teasing” some of us might remember from our own childhoods. A 1993 report by the American Association of University Women found that 56% of male students said they had been sexually harassed in school.” According to this study a girl was quoted saying “the boys called me slut, bitch. They called me ten timers, because they say I go with ten guys at the same time. I put up with it because I have no choice. The teachers say it’s because the boys think I’m pretty. “ Here it’s clearly shown that not only are young children being sexually harassed but when they are often nothing is done about it.

                My response to Kilbourne is I feel like her article is out dated. Yes women are still placed in ads in sexual manors and yes many of the ads are aimed at male dominance. There are many things that our society still need to work on and gender inequality is one of them. But in ten years, which is when I guess her article was written I fell that things have changed somehow. It is no longer acceptable for politicians to make a sexist remark even my accident. Just the other day Governor Romney made the mistake of saying that even though his intention to employ women in fields of power he had have people give him “a binder full of women.” This insulted many women, myself included and if one looks as the news outlets there seems to be a lot of talk of how Romney may have lost the women’s vote just for saying something. I see this as an act of power for women. Politian’s now fear us and while there still are those who want to limit women’s rights they can no longer go our and do so in a carless manner.

                On the issue of bullying, the act of bullying is terrible and horrible acts of children tormenting children, even adults tormenting each other still goes on. But there seems to be a greater awareness of bullying and how destructive it can be for all parties. And I would never suggest that bullying is not as destructive as it once was, bullying is awful now and was awful then but I sense that is less tolerance for bullying then there once was. Now if a child is caught bullying another and a school does nothing there a chance that the school can be punished by either being sued or having administration fired. I also feel there are more resources available to help bullied kids.

                The world is far from perfect but there have been small bits of progress here and there. So what once was true of ads isn’t necessarily completely true now.  That’s not to say that all offence ads are gone and ads have become less sexual, but what I see is less tolerance for something offensive and what once helped sell a product would today destroy a company.

final draft polished

 

Prop 30

The save our schools bill

                As most of us know California has a very large amount of dept. The current revenue of California can no longer afford to keep funding public schools. Already the state government has been forced to cut music and art programs for k-12 as well as cutting many classes in community colleges. The option of taxing the state in order to continue to fund public schools and community colleges is now up on a ballet.  But with California’s revenue already stretched out Governor Brown has given California an ultimatum, accept a set of tax increases for the riches and add a higher sales tax or have an instant set of trigger cuts to schools. As the voting day comes closer it’s time that we, the voters take note that our school system has suffered for too long it is time that we attempt to help it survive and thrive.

                Proposition 30 works in two ways. First the state sales tax will increase by ¼ a cent every year for four years. Second there would be an increase of person income tax to the wealthiest taxpayers for seven years. If this measure passes six billion dollars would be added to the state’s budget. Eighty nine percent would go to k-12 and 11% would go to community colleges (Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures). There are several other ballots that are available to choose from but prop30 is making the wave in changing our schools for the better. California schools can no longer survive off of pocket change and prop 30 will finally give schools the money they need to help the students of this state.

                As a student it is difficult to see the cons of this measure, but the opposing side’s argument has to be seen and understood. The argument presented by the people opposed to prop 30 is that this measure would not reform schools and wouldn’t cut waste and bureaucracy. According to critics billions in higher taxes will not be the help that the schools so desperately need (Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education). Opposes to the bill also claim that California has spent five billion tax payer dollars on a bullet train that has had little success, and opponents argue that California does have the money to fund our schools but only have to learn how to spent it more thoughtfully. According to them this measure will kill jobs, which really sounds silly. From what I could find there is no evidence suggesting that any part of prop 30 will hurt jobs or business. I may not be a math major but I cannot understand how saving jobs in school administration and having fewer teachers being laid off will destroy jobs or hurt the state’s economy. However there is plenty evidence that when schools have fewer teachers, students will be placed in more crowded class rooms. What truly is heart breaking and even enraging is that those opposed do not offer a plan to give our state’s schools the funding they need and other than budget cuts opponents of Prop 30 don’t seem to want a plan to save our schools.

                Those who are for Prop 30 note that for years the state of California has been cutting funding from schools, forcing schools crawl to their braking point. They also note that prop 30 is not only an education measure as well as a public safety measure. “ Prop. 30 is the only measure that establishes a guarantee for public safety funding in our state’s constitution, where it can’t be touched without voter approval. Prop. 30 keeps cops on the street” (Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education). This is an encouraging thought especially because since the recession police force funding, much like schools, have been dramatically cut. Besides helping the public by educating and protecting the public prop 30 also has safety guards. The funds cannot be changed without voter approval and while nothing is certain it is frankly much nicer to have cops and educated people on the streets then the other choice, which are poorly educated children. Supporters also note that all the taxes proposed are temporary. Prop 30’s taxes will not be set in stone and seven years pass the taxes on our wealthiest Californians will be gone, and once four years pass the sales taxes will be what they are now. The only way these taxes would be enforced longer would be if the voters decide in the future to keep these taxes.

                Unknown to most Californians our state has a shortage of college graduates. According to a two researchers Hans Johnson and Ria Sengupta “California will have one million fewer college graduates than needed in 2025, only 35 percent of working- age adults will have a degree in an economy that would otherwise require 41 percent of workers to have one”( Sengupta). What this means is California will be deprived of a valuable resource in the coming years, educated individuals. With a lack of people to innovate the nation, California will be left behind economically. But this is a fate can be avoided if we invest in education. Mr. Johnson and Ms. Sengupta suggest “increasing college attendance rates as well as increasing graduation rates among four year institutions” ( Sengupta). Again it has to be stated that education is not only a way for individuals to move forward but it is also a great asset to a state and nation. Education can no longer be seen as an expense but a necessary investment for not only young people and children but the elderly as well. Much like a community would invest in a road or bridge California needs to invest in its students. While it might take time to reap the benefits of an educated work force it will be an investment that helps California come out on top.  As the baby boomers of our nation retire we need someone to fill in their well-educated shoes. It’s no secret that baby boomers had the opportunity to receive a wonderful education however the current trend has been that the generations after the baby boomers are no longer receiving the same education as the people who helped make this nation what it is today.

                As a community college student I have seen what budget cuts have been doing to our schools. Classes have been cut and class times are no longer flexible as they once were. Tuition prices have also gone up. I’ve been told by my mother that when she went to Cabrillo a unit was only seven dollars. While an increase in tuition is normal due to inflations the price per unit is now $74 dollars (Fee Charts). The price per unit is even more for out of state students which is $247. The tuition price isn’t the worst part about the cuts. Teachers have been fired by no fault of their own other the state not having enough money to pay them. Students also suffer more than being deprived of classes and great teachers, many of my fellow students can no longer go to school because of how Cabrillo is shrinking. Fewer students are let in and some of us who do get in cannot make it to the classes we need because there are none available. But my experience with public schooling is not limited to community college. I have two younger siblings who are in the public school system. They go to two different schools and everyone in my family can see the changes. In one of my brothers schools they no longer offer after school. In my other brother’s school after school office hours have been cut. Their class sizes get bigger every year and for students who need extra help learning what they will need to know for the next year a bigger class is not an insignificant problem. There are also fewer classes designed to help struggling students. If that isn’t bad enough the materials the school provides now come out of their teacher’s pocket.

                It is no longer feasible to continue to cut school funding and have a functional school system. It is also inexcusable to do nothing about our school system and allow it to continue to fall apart. We have an opportunity to help our state’s children and college students. We also have the choice to do nothing but with such a choice we must be ready to face the consequences and face the states students and tell them they no longer matter.

"Fee Charts." Admissions and Records. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/ar/FeeCharts.html>.

"Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures." - Elections & Voter Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm

"Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures." - Elections & Voter Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm>.

"Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding - California State Government." Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding - California State Government. Leage of Women Voter, 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. <http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/state/prop/30/>.

Sengupta, Ria, and Hans Johnson. "Closing the Gap: Meeting California's Need for College Graduates (PPIC Publication)." Closing the Gap: Meeting California's Need for College Graduates (PPIC Publication). Public Policy Institute of California, Apr. 2009. Web. 11 Oct. 2012. <http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=835>.

essay first drapht

Alysha Guzman

English 1A

Rough draft of prop 30

                As most of us know California has a very large amount of dept. The current revenue of California can no longer afford to keep funding public schools. Already the state government has been forced to cut music and art programs for k-12 as well as cutting many classes in community colleges. The option of taxing the state in order to continue to fund public schools and community colleges is now up on a ballet.  But with California’s revenue already stretched out Governor Brown has given California an ultimatum, accept a set of tax increases for the riches and add a higher sales tax or have an instant set of trigger cuts to schools. As the voting day comes closer it’s time that we, the voters take note that our school system has suffered for two long it is time that we attempt to help it survive and thrive.

                Proposition 30 works in two ways. First the state sales tax will increase by twenty five cents every year for four years. Second there would be an increase of person income tax to the wealthiest taxpayers for seven years. If this measure passes six billion dollars would be added to the state’s budget. Eighty nine percent would go to k-12 and 11% would go to community colleges (Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures). This is the only current ballet that is attempting to help our schools funding. There are no other alternatives then putting in the trigger buts and continuing to cut our schools budgets.

                There are certainly pros and cons of this measure. For the argument of people opposed to this measure are that prop 30 would not reform schools and would not cut waste and bureaucracy. They aruge that 50 billion in higher taxes will not be the help that the schools so desperately need (Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education). Opposes to the bill also that California has spent five billion on a bullet train that has had little success, and argue that California does have the money but only have to learn how to spent it more thoughtfully. According to them this measure will kill jobs, which really sounds silly. From what I could find there is no evidence suggesting that any part of prop 30 will hurt jobs or business. If anything not passing prop 30 will hurt jobs due to administration and teachers being laid off and there is plenty evidence of that being true. What truly is heart breaking and even enraging is that those opposed do not have a plan on how to save our school systems and give students a fighting chance.

                Those who are for Prop 30 note that for years we have been cutting funding for schools and schools are at their braking point. They also note that prop 30 is not only an education measure as well as a public safety measure. “. Prop. 30 is the only measure that establishes a guarantee for public safety funding in our state’s constitution, where it can’t be touched without voter approval. Prop. 30 keeps cops on the street” (Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education). This is an encouraging thought especially because since the police force funding, much like schools, have been dramatically cut. Besides helping the public by educating and protecting the public prop 30 also has safety guards. The funds cannot be changed without voter approval and while nothing is certain it is frankly much nicer to have cops and educated people on the streets then the other choice, which are poorly educated children. Supporters also note that all the taxes proposed are temporary. They will not be set in stone and once four years pass we may look at the issue once more and decide if prop 30 has functioned in not for state taxes. And after seven years the wealthiest will be taxed as they are today.

                As a community college student I have seen what budget cuts have been doing to our schools. Classes have been cut and class times are no longer flexible as they once were. Tuition prices have also gone up. I’ve been told by my mother that when she went to Cabrillo a unit was only seven dollars. While an increase in tuition is normal due to inflations the price per unit is now $74 dollars (Fee Charts). The price per unit is even more for out of state students $247. The tuition price isn’t the worst about the cuts. Teachers have been fired by no fault of their own other the state not having enough money to pay them. But students suffer more than being deprived of classes and great teachers, many of my fellow students can no longer go to school because of how Cabrillo is being shrunk. Fewer students are let in and some of us who do get in cannot make it to the classes we need because only one class is available. But my experience with public schooling is not limited to community college. I have two younger siblings who are in the public school system. They go to two different schools everyone in my family can see the changes. In one of my brothers schools they no longer offer after school. After school office hours have been cut. Their class sizes get bigger every year.  For students who need extra help learning things they will need to know for the next year bigger classes are not an insignificant problem. There are also few classes designed to help struggling students. If that isn’t bad enough the materials the school provides now come out of their teacher’s pocket.

                It is no longer feasible to continue to cut school funding and have a functional school system. It is also inexcusable to do nothing about our school system and allow it to continue to fall apart. We have an opportunity to help our state’s children and college students. We also have the choice to do nothing but with such a choice we must be ready to face the consequences and face the states students and tell them they no longer matter.

"Fee Charts." Admissions and Records. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. <http://www.cabrillo.edu/services/ar/FeeCharts.html>.

"Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures." - Elections & Voter Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm

"Qualified Statewide Ballot Measures." - Elections & Voter Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Sept. 2012. <http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/qualified-ballot-measures.htm>.

"Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding - California State Government." Proposition 30: Temporary Taxes to Fund Education. Guaranteed Local Public Safety Funding - California State Government. Leage of Women Voter, 4 Oct. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. <http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/11/06/ca/state/prop/30/>.