The British electoral system

Introduction The British electoral system has historically been involved in bi-party elections except in 1923. The modern multiparty day democracy has been restricted to two parties a tradition that borrows from the first-past-the post system in general as well as local elections. The post war conception of the liberalist a conservatism parties has continued to rule the elective regime to the present day.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The British electoral system specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Small parties have over the years been downplayed by the two major parties that have continued to dominate the voter population. Inadvertently it would be very easy to perceive of the British system as a bipartisan electoral system which isn’t the case. History Progress has been made in as far as reform of the British electoral system with specific regard to the reform act of 1832 which suffered amendment in cons ecutive years to involve the plight of women and attempts to stamp out corrupt election practices that had stained the system in the nineteenth century. It would then see the involvement of 18-20 year old in the voting process as well as the provision for absentee voters. The system has shown progress and continues to change to suit contemporary democratic concerns. The onset of the mass election concept was said to have motivated the need for the adoption of alternative methods of elections. Thanks to political scientists such as John Stuart Mill the intellectual justification that was based on the imminent risk of minority oppression. The tradition had been to allow the citizens to exercise their right to re-elect outstanding individual through the exercise of proportional representation. The proportional representative system was conceived in 1884 to take the place of the first pas the post system. For years reliance was placed on this system to provide quality leadership to parl iament. The growth and development of the nineteenth century organized parties began to gradually take the place earlier occupied by the territorial principle that motivates the popularity system (Curtice and Steed 98–249). The electoral debate spilled over into the early twentieth century provoking the attention of the royal commission which after deliberation and consultation suggested the alternative voting system. This approach was supported by nationalist idealists who sympathetically conceived the approach as an attempt to bring together and mitigate the imminent division in the communities. In preceding years the search for a conclusive legal regime to regulation led to the formulation of the representation of the people bill of 1917 which was followed by the endorsement of the alternative vote system.Advertising Looking for essay on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The electoral reform debate w as taken up by the liberal party which at the time was said to be losing its position to the labor party. (Kendall and Stuart 98–249) The debate was later abandoned by the resignation of the labor government in 1931only to be picked up by the liberal party in the 1970s. Since then there have been numerous attempted at reform and counter reform of the electoral system to match the growing number of contemporary Argument Integrity It is common ground that there exists an accepted international consensus as far as the basic principles that govern a free and fair election (Benoit 69–83). The concept is built on the principles of the international human rights provisions as well as the civil and political rights convention. The provisions of these conventions require that among other things the elections should be frequently held in line with the universal suffrage doctrine. They should be governed by a set of impartial rules and regulations that oversee the registration of voters including the management and counting of the results of the subsequent elections. This ensures that transparency and fairness is maintained throughout the elections. The elections should also be adequately secured to avoid any chances of violence and duress or undue influence. The media should also provide adequate coverage of the ongoing of the various steps. There should also be a legislative regime to control the level of spending involved in the election to ensure that there is free and fair competition (Curtice and Steed 98–249). The extent to which the modern day British electoral process complies with the above parameters is subject to debate. These principles are assumed to form part of the British unwritten constitution. However the level of compliance shows a negative trend. This has led to the development of research that has led to the development of electoral reforms. Democratic audits dating from back in 1990 have provided a comprehensive assessment of t he extent to which the British electoral system complies with international democracy benchmarks. The 1999 audit suggested that alongside the critical multiple democratic concerns there lay pertinent concerns as to the harmony between the system and the internationally accepted principles and standards such as secret ballot, bribery free elections that have been freed from bribery and intimidation. (Kendall and Stuart 97–183) The system was also accused of lack of attention to the continued reduction in the number of people registering to vote. Throughout the history of the system some prisoners continued to be denied their fundamental right to vote. The same was also done to some categories of old people.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The British electoral system specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The audit also brought to right the need for a particularized approach to the question of regulated campaign spending. As it were the level of spending does have a bearing on the number of votes that the candidate gets by the end of the campaign. However the restriction was only being observed at the local level and not the national level where it matters most. The local regulations themselves did little in the regulation of the effect of spending on elections. The audit also raises questions of proportionality of the electoral system. The general principle is that one man accounts for one vote and nom more. The electoral system has been often accused of accommodating unconventional practices such as manipulation of boundary reviews. The political resolve has been to invest in swing voters who provide an appropriate opportunity for the influence of electoral outcome. Modern day electoral malpractice Political scientists are at pains to conclusively establish the position of the electoral system today in as far as malpractice is concerned. This to a great extent can be blamed on the lack o f a central body that gathers that gathers data in these respects. The only vivid recourse centers remain with the crown prosecution services, the official statistics on RPA offences and the official statistics on electoral petitions. In the absence of a regulatory regime, the number of electoral offences has been said to grow from 2500 in 2000 and 2006 to 109500 different cases. (Johns and Padgett 203-227) In actuality there has been little evidence to support the claim of electoral malpractice down from year 2000. This is hard to believe especially with the onset of the postal voting practice which involves numerous variables. The reform attempts to increase voter turnout have turned futile and instead have caused low confidence in the electoral system (Curtice and Steed 98–249). The most influential misgiving of the electable system has been the negative impression on elector administration. The burden placed on the commissions is overwhelmingly large and yet there is litt le motivation to alter this stand. Conclusion Different approaches have been made in trying to get around the British electoral system. It is common ground the British system never lacks the necessary criticism.Advertising Looking for essay on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The various political scientists have tirelessly addressed the need for reform and restructuring of the procedural requirements of the system it would be a great injustice to condemn the system entirely due to its all too conspicuous misgivings. The system has been successful in sticking a reasonable compromise for the British national in as far as leadership is concerned. Therefore the system has not entirely failed in its objective. In the same spirit the competitive and consensus concerns may be used to evaluate the progress of an electoral system. On these parameters the system fails to meet the required provisions required to keep afloat with the emerging modernist ideology and principles of governance. Even more importantly a two party system has been considered as an appropriate motivator of single member popularity and vice versa. In the future it is important that consideration be made to ensure that the electoral system operates in harmony with the international standards as emulated by the United Nations conventions. There is therefore a need for a root and branch reform approach to the revolutionalisation of the British electoral system. Works Cited Benoit, Kenneth. â€Å"Duverger’s Law and the Study of Electoral Systems†. French Politics (2006): 83– 469 Curtice, John and Steed, Michael. ‘Electoral Choice and the Production of Government: The Changing Operation of the Electoral System in the UK Since 1955’. British Journal of Political Science.12 (1982): 98–249 Johns, Robert and Padgett, Steven. â€Å"The role of government: public values and party politics†. In: British Social Attitudes: The 24th Report. Ed. Alison Park et al. London: Sage, 2008, 203-227. Kendall, Maurice and Stuart, Alan. â€Å"Electoral Choice and the Production of Government†: The Changing Operation of the Electoral System in the UK since 1955’. British Journal of Political Science. 12, 1983:96–244 This essay on The British electoral system was written and submitted by user Kendrick Mcdowell to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

President and Congress Essays

President and Congress Essays President and Congress Essay President and Congress Essay Alfred D. Campfield American National Government-1M December 6,2010 The president is the foreign policy leader for the United States with an important political, military and economic role in the international arena. If there is collision between the president and congress, can congress restrain the president in foreign policy making? The era of globalization has witnessed the growing influence of a number of unconventional international actors, from non-governmental organizations, to multi-national corporations, to global political movements. Traditional, state-centric definitions of foreign policy as the policy of a sovereign state in its interaction with other sovereign states is no longer sufficient. Several alternative definitions are more helpful at highlighting aspects of foreign policies. The first views foreign policy as those external goals for which the nation is prepared to commit its resources By focusing on what a country does rather than what it says, this pragmatic definition usefully separates a countrys rhetoric from its true intent and its material capabilities. However, lack of action can also constitute a policy-the policy of an isolationist state is defined by its very unwillingness to commit resources. A second conceptualization of foreign policy is as the range of actions taken by varying sections of the government of a state in its relations with other bodies similarly acting on the international stage in order to advance the national interest. Notable here is the recognition that governments do not act as monolithic, static entities, and that non-state actors may at times be as influential as states. However, the assumption that governments always know what is in the national interest and always rationally work towards its realization is debatable. For the purposes of this analysis, foreign policy is taken to mean, The goals that a nations officials seek to attain abroad, the values that give rise to those objectives, and the means or instruments used to pursue them. Government Information Quarterly Volume 26, Issue 2009, Pages 437-440 This third and most helpful definition focuses not only on outcome, but also, crucially, on norms and process. Values are essential to the study of foreign policy, and explain why the policies of different states can vary so dramatically. Means are equally important: what a country does can be less significant than how it does it, as recent U. S. actions illustrate. Central to pluralism is the notion that the three branches of government should be separate and distinct, with each acting to check and balance the others and thus preventing abuse of power. In the United States, the often-tumultuous relationship between especially the legislative and executive branches has been the subject of much scholarship and debate. The Presidency has seen a slow but constant expansion of power since the days of George Washington, culminating in what Schlesinger has called the imperial presidencies of Johnson and Nixon, and continuing today. The official rights and duties of the President as regards foreign policy-making are actually only briefly mentioned in the Constitution, and are rather limited. The President shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur. However, presidents have frequently bypassed the need for congressional approval by enacting executive agreements: oral or written understandings between heads of government that require authorization only when funding is required. Executive agreements that the United States is party to now vastly outnumber the amount of treaties to which it is party. (2009,) Pages 437-440 This proliferation of executive agreements is worrying because treaties signify a broader consensus and a larger degree of national commitment. With this in mind, Congress adopted the Case Amendment in 1972, which requires the President to report the text of any agreements he enacts, but this has been honored more in the breach than in the observance. The President is also Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, a directive that presidents have often seen as a green light to employ forces wherever and whenever they choose. The President also has the power to appoint about 700 positions in the executive branch. While the Senate must legally concur, it almost never vetoes a presidential appointment. In addition, unofficial, yet very significant, presidential powers include: the power to initiate legislation and the general direction of foreign policy; access to sensitive information and intelligence; and unmatched media coverage, which allows whoever is in the White House to explain his motives and communicate with the public. As a counterweight to the President, Congress has the potentially huge power of the purse, and must approve all government expenditures. It exercises this power most frequently in matters of foreign trade, and has long been a key player in regulating tariffs. Congress has also made major efforts to influence the foreign aid policy of the United States, for example, towards Cuba and Angola. When Congress does provide foreign aid, it usually does so with detailed instructions and stringent reporting requirements. Congress has been less influential in regulating military interventions, however. It alone can declare war, but several factors inhibit this power. Formal declarations of war are rare in modern times. Indeed, Congress has declared war only five times in US history-even though the United States has been involved in more than 150 significant military actions. And Presidents can create a war situation that in effect forces Congress to toe the line: it will be argued that, irrespective of the merits of the case, it is dishonorable to deprive men risking their lives for their country of financial support. Under such pressure, individual members of both houses have often hesitated to run the political risk of being labeled unpatriotic. As one senator put it, so many of my colleagues tell me in the cloakroom and elsewhere, that they disagree with that policy, yet they come on the floor and vote to carry on that policy. In any case, several military interventions, such as Nixons bombing of Cambodia, have been completed by the time they have come to the attention of Congress. Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Lib-Pub. 3 (2 ed. ). CRC Press. 2003. The Vietnam War was the consummate example of the impunity with which an imperial President may override opposing congressional sentiment. It shattered the previous underlying consensus that Congress should look the other way, and led to the enactment of legislation to increase transparency. The War Powers Resolution of 1973 made all foreign military intervention subject to Congressional approval. However, the new legislation was little more than window-dressing: it was not matched by greater Congressional assertiveness, and the legislature has continued, at times, to go to great lengths to avoid exercising its powers. No President has ever truly considered himself bound by the law, and many have found ways to skirt around it, as President Fords decision to undertake military action in response to Cambodias seizure of a US freighter illustrates. Congressional Research Service (CRS) at UCB Libraries GovPubs ISBN 9780824720797. http://books. google. com/books This applies doubly in times of crisis and war, when it is assumed that the executive alone possesses the necessary information and resources to act quickly and decisively. Modern warfare, the argument goes, requires rapid decisions, for which Congress, with its complex procedures, partisanship, overlapping jurisdictions and tendency towards fragmentation, is ill suited. The shifting coalitions of Congress which serve us so well in the formulation and implementation of domestic policy, are not well suited to the day-to-day conduct of external relations. Each successive crisis in US history, then, has gradually and permanently strengthened the executive, or, in the words of James Madison, the constant apprehension of War has [had] the tendency to render the head too large for the body†. Congress, thus, does not prevent the President from determining the general cours e of foreign policy? Provided that the President does not make excessive demands on Congress and the public. When a policy becomes too controversial Congress can, and does, step in. In general, however, in terms of defense and foreign policy, the American people tend to identify the President with government far more than they do Congress, making for a policy that is too often personality-driven and idiosyncraticThe Congressional Research Service and the American Legislative Process. Congressional Research References The Congressional Research Service and the American Legislative Process. Congressional Research Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science: Lib-Pub. 3 (2 ed. ). CRC Press. 2003. ISBN 9780824720797. http://books. google. com/books Government Information Quarterly Volume 26, Issue 2009, Pages 437-440 Congressional Research Service (CRS) at UCB Libraries GovPubs

Appraisal Form Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Appraisal Form - Assignment Example Softcom Incorporation is a software development company located in New York. The company has 80 employees in it which include software engineers, business developers, marketing personnel, HR personnel and management people. The company conducts a yearly appraisal of its employees in order to reward them and provide feedback on their performance. This appraisal process is designed for the Human Resource department appraisals. The HR Manager is responsible to conduct the appraisal of the assistant manager HR. The organizational value of the company is to ensure employee performance in order to deliver high-quality products and services to the consumers. The mission and objective of the company is to focus on employee motivation and develop a healthy organizational culture where each employee is rewarded  according to the  performance,  growth, and development of employees. It would ensure  that  the  company can meet and exceed its short term and long term targets. The assistant manager HR will be given  three  days to raise the appraisal form one month before the appraisal final interview date. In this way he will provide details  of  short term and long term goals, achievements made with respect to time, targets achieved, targets left unmet, brief description of projects, routine job performance, trainings attended and any exceptional performance delivered in the year time and finally, the HR manager will include his remarks as feedback. The ERG theory by Alderfer asserts that for motivation of employees three kinds of human needs should be addressed including growth needs, existence needs and relatedness needs. The HR manager should consider these needs while planning the requirement of trainings for growth, allocation of tasks based on capability and assign duties in a way that a healthy organizational culture is developed to fulfill the relatedness

The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality Research Paper

The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality - Research Paper Example The Economy, Global Finance, and Inequality Introduction After the 9/11 attacks, America realized that it could not trust anyone entering her borders. In response to the terrorist attacks, U.S. immediately began to develop an aggressive foreign policy. Resulting from the attacks, George Bush increased spending on defense and focused on protecting the country against future attacks (Wright, 2007). Changes in strategies, which focused on cracking down terrorists, were established; for example, the Department of Homeland Security was developed. This ensured safety of citizens and promoted domestic peace. The country also began investigations of illegal immigrants entering its borders. In addition, America also strengthened ties with Japan, Pakistan, and India. Change in the U.S. foreign policy was directed towards protecting businesses and citizens and defeating terrorist groups. The 9/11 attacks refer to a sequence of four suicide attacks which were committed in the U.S. on 11th Septem ber, 2001. The attacks were coordinated to strike Washington D.C. and New York City (Gow, 2002). The attacks were done by 19 terrorists from the terrorist group known as al-Qaeda, which is an Islamist militant group. During the attacks, the terrorists hijacked four jets carrying passengers. The group intentionally piloted two of the planes into the Twin Towers, making the towers collapse. This destroyed the World Trade Center complex located in the New York City. The group also directed American Airlines Flight 77 to the Pentagon in Virginia. However, the group’s intention to direct the fourth plane to a target in Washington failed after the plane crashed near Shanksville when its passengers tried to take control of the plane (Wyndham, 2011). The attacks led to deaths of approximately 3000 people: all the passengers boarding the four planes died together with all the 19 hijackers, and 227 civilians died from the attacks. Osama, the leader of the terrorist group, admitted resp onsibility for the attacks after several investigations. Osama and his group gave the United States reasons for establishing the 9/11 attacks. Some of the reasons for the attacks include support of Israel by the U.S, the existence of U.S. army in Saudi Arabia, and U.S. sanctions against Iraq (Bodden, 2007). The United States responded to the 9/11 attacks through initiating the war on terror policy and invading Afghanistan with a mission of disposing the Taliban, who had harbored al-Qaeda. The attacks made most countries strengthen their antiterrorism laws and develop law enforcement powers (Scott, 2007). Political and Non-State Actors Both political and non-state actors were involved in one way or another during the event of 9/11. The political actors involved include the president and the Congress. The president during the event was George Bush, who reacted to the event with a lot of aggressiveness. The president played a role during the event through acting swiftly in addressing t he issue of rescue and recovery. The president addressed the issue through setting up relief funds which assisted the victims of the attacks (Wyndham, 2011). The relief funds provided financial assistance to several survivors of the attacks and to the different families of the victims. The president also played a role in guiding the Congress in amending changes,

System Implementation At Red and Hot Chinese Restaurant Assignment

System Implementation At Red and Hot Chinese Restaurant - Assignment Example HACCP is in line with the ISO 9000 standards in terms of ensuring safe restaurant kitchen operations. It is based on the seven principles recommended by the US National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF). It is defined as a system of controls and documentation designed to minimize the potential for food-borne illness due to pathogens or the physical or chemical combination. (Baraban and Durocher, p. 134) It addresses all biological, chemical and physical hazards and how to identify and control/prevent them. Food safety has become an important public policy issue because of concerns about food-borne illnesses and how consumers have increasingly sought ways to lead healthful lifestyles. (Engle and Quagrainie 2006, p. 151) As a result, authorities are increasingly requiring for food establishments and food handlers to have control on sanitation procedures. Some countries are even formulating laws that are related to food safety and the HACCP system. The entire HACCP processes look and appear very technical and complicated, but the truth is that it is an extremely systematic way of ensuring that food is produced in a kitchen is safe. Based on initial research, the HACCP system is a recognized as a worldwide standard in food safety, adopted by various food and hospitality establishments such as hotels, restaurant, ships, and so forth. While there is no formal HACCP system in place at Red and Hot Chinese Restaurant, this does not mean that there is no food safety strategy in place. I found this out, among other important facts about the restaurant, after I conducted a series of interviews with the Kitchen manager, several cooks, stewards and food servers. I have asked a set of questions which determined the staff’s knowledge and actual experience with the HACCP model and how it works.  

What Is The Best Way To Become A Good Person Philosophy Essay

What Is The Best Way To Become A Good Person Philosophy Essay I chose this topic because I am very concerned with life in this era. Many people underestimate the value of behaviour. They are only busy with daily activities. In fact, the behaviour is the most important thing in life, because without the behaviour, we are nothing. Although we have a high value on something, but bad behaviour, we are nothing in public. A good person is someone who displays love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, humility, patience and who is faithful and endures all things. It is someone who displays self control and considers others more important than self. It is someone who is a good friend, a good listener and someone who displays integrity dignity and accountability towards self and towards others. This person is not judgmental and holds no score of records against others but walks in forgiveness and understanding of others. This person does not bad mouth but rather stands up for someone. This is someone who would lay down his life for others not as a doormat, but as a true friend. There are few people today who fall into this category and if you find one, run with that person because that person is positive and someone you can always count on a true friend. People Problem to be a Good Person Many people said Its so hardly to become a good person, because I am very busy and have many problem, so i have no time to learn what about how to be a good person, i cant to do that. But in fact, we dont need many act, we just need to do what should we do. Actually, we havent realize that we often to do something, like, be proactive in some place, give people the benefit of the doubt, etc What Should We Do? Actually, its very easy, we can make them be better in many ways. First we just told them, what is the purpose in our live? and the meaning of What the advantages become a good person in this world?. This is the first way is useful for dealing with this life. After that, we can use the second step, we must follow the instruction of How to be a Good Person, like material that I will discuss in this paper. BE A GOOD PERSON IN YOUR OWN WAY Be Proactive. Its tempting to infer that as long as you avoid doing the things you know are bad (stealing, badmouthing, lying, etc.) then that means youre a good person, but theres more to it than that. By avoiding bad behaviour, youve made a big step towards becoming a good person, but youve only just begun. In order to be good, you actually have to do good things rather than just avoid doing bad things. Then, Consider the result. Have you ever heard the saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions? Its not enough to want to do good, and to try to do goodyou must also think about whether your actions actually had good results. Not every attempt to do good will end with good results, so when things dont work out, be willing to reconsider your actions and change them accordingly. Never let your sense of duty, loyalty, or obligation get in the way of doing whats right. For example, many parents feel that its always good to help their children in every way they can, but there are times when children need to learn lessons on their own and face challenges in order to achieve or to avoid mistakes in the future. A child who has been arrested on suspicion of drunk driving needs to bear the responsibility of his or her actions. If the parent bails the child out, and then helps the child avoid consequences, s/he will only learn that the parent will be there to help even if s/he do es wrong. The intention is good (wanting to help the child succeed) but the action might not be (removing all obstacles from their path). After that, consider the greater good. What might seem like a good decision in your situation might not have a very good impact on a broader scale (in the example above, the child doesnt have a DUI on his record, but is then free to go and violate the law again, this time possibly hurting or killing someone else). People often do right things for the wrong reasons, and wrong things for the right reasons. If youre playing a game with your team, for instance, it might seem good to try and score as many goals as you can to bring your team to victory. But look at the big picture. How will your teammates feel if you score all the points instead of helping set them up to score at times, never allowing them to get a shot in? How will that kind of victory affect the team spirit? Would you still feel good if your team won, but your teammates felt that it was an individual effort and they werent involved? Next, define what good means to you. Ultimately, you have to decide on your own code of ethics, and what matters are that you follow through with what you believe makes you a good person. At times, this may conflict with what others believe is good, and they might even accuse you of being wrong or evil. Consider their views either they know something you dont, in which case you may learn something from them and update your morality, or perhaps their experience is limited, meaning that you should take their views with a grain of salt. Then, Be balance. In the struggle to be good, its easy to swing from one extreme to another. However, any form of extremism can lead to closed-mindedness, a quality that can be found behind what most people can agree are bad deeds. In Buddhism, theres a term for avoiding extremism: the Middle Way. Whenever you find yourself leaning towards an extreme, try to find the Middle Way before you act. Its good to be humble and kind, but is it not good to be so humble and kind that you let people walk all over you, to the extent that it damages your physical and emotional health, or lessens your ability to care for, spend time with, and provide for your family? Its good to be responsible (pay your bills on time, plan for retirement, save up for your kids to go to college) but is it good to be this way to the point that you hoard away hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets and wealth for your own familys financial security without ever giving someone else (who isnt fortunate enough to be born into your family) a helping hand? Its good to be positive, but is it good to be so positive that you ignore risks and brush mistakes under the rug, never learning from bad decisions because youre always positive that itll work out the next time around? Its good to be honest, but is it good to be so honest that you hurt peoples feelings unnecessarily, violate someones privacy or prevent someone from finding answers that they might need to find for themselves? After that, Give people the benefit of the doubt. To the extent that it doesnt jeopardize your safety (like getting in the car with a group of people you just met), assume each person you meet is a good person, and act likewise. If you see someone do something that you consider to be bad, consider what they are dealing with in the context of their own lifedont jump to conclusions. Try to discover what motivated their bad act, and if appropriate, show them how it was hurtful by using non-violent communication. Many times, helping someone else become a good person in a gentle, open-minded and unimposing way can help you learn and become a better person yourself. Be Good for its own sake. Dont try to be a good person because your parents told you to, because you want recognition or respect, or for any kind of reward except your own satisfaction in doing what you believe is good. Never act superior to anyone else or brag about your goodness or righteousness. Your dedication to a particular creed, ideology, or set of guidelines does not make you better than anyone else. Do what you believe makes you a good person on your own terms, and remember that its an individual journeyeveryones path is unique. Do well by stealth, and blush to find it fame. Forgiveness is a characteristic of a good person. They let go of resentment, the anger and bitterness. They dont allow toxins to overshadow joy in their lives and the joy they can offer to others. They unfold a loving heart without seeking revenge. They arent a door mat to be walked on, but realize we all make mistakes. A good person respects others, but this respect is derived from respect for themselves. They value their own worth, their own feelings as well as others. They listen attentively because your thoughts and feelings matter. They open their mind to diversity in thoughts and opinions without making you feel lesser or judging unfairly. They may not agree with you, but they handle differences, respectfully. There is some tips to be a good person in your own way. Firstly, Believe in the power of your actions to influence others. When other people see you doing good deeds, they will be reminded to take more positive action themselves. Secondly, Avoid lying whenever possible. With the exception of lies that protect others feelings, telling the truth is always easier than lying. And forcing yourself to always tell the truth means that youll be motivated to make better choices when confronted with dilemmas in life. Thirdly, keep in mind that for which you are grateful and do good on that basis. If you do good to get good, your expectations will eventually be unmet. HOW TO BE A HONEST PERSON Think honestly. This may sound silly, but if you dont think honestly, you wont BE honest. Prejudices and preconceived ideas can make it difficult to distinguish what the truth really is. Dont take things at face value. When you read, see, or hear something, dont make assumptions. Offer the benefit of the doubt, and be sceptical if necessary. When you make a commitment to communicating and understanding the truth, it can be humbling to realize that most of what we think we know is actually just based on assumptions rather than facts. Keep in mind a Jewish proverb: What you dont see with your eyes, dont witness with your mouth. A good person is trustworthy and doesnt gossip. They dont get pleasure from hurting others. They hold your secrets in confidence as if a cherished treasure. You wont be left with doubts as to who they are or where you stand with them. Their word is truth and filled with honesty. About cheating. Dont do it. Not on your spouse or your taxes. Doing nothing is much better than cheating. And then, Practice being honest on the simple things. This is especially important in situations where coloring the facts would make no difference in the world, which covers a good bit of life (from speaking the truth, to avoiding simple thoughtless acts like picking up someones pencil or grabbing an apple off the neighbours tree to snack on without thinking about it). Abraham Lincoln became famous for going to great lengths to return a few cents that did not belong to him, hence the nickname Honest Abe. By applying honesty to the little things, you will get in the habit of being honest in general. Stay away from drugs, stay away from them. They are associated with bad behavior among many other things. About words. Choose your word carefully. If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing politely. Helping hands. This includes at home and at work. If you see someone who could use an extra hand, give it, even if you are tired and would rather just watch TV or take a nap. Understand the working of dishonesty. Most of us learned to be dishonest as children. The process often began with the realization that different behaviours result in different outcomes. For example, saying certain things (or not saying certain things) garnered desirable approval and praise, or the undesirable disapproval and censure, if not punishment. Indulgence in dishonest behaviour to get desired results was just a small step away. With time the thought processes behind such actions get so entrenched in our subconscious mind that one is not even aware of them. A time comes when one loses the capacity to know when and where to draw the line and how negatively does dishonesty affect our lives (see Warnings below). Dishonesty often becomes a tool to: Pretend that there is nothing wrong with us, shift blame to others, avoid embarrassment, ddistract ourselves, minimize conflict, and avoid responsibility or work The next is fess up. Be willing to address issues where you have been less than honest in the past, whether you took a cookie and then denied it, or blatantly lied about whose fault an automobile accident was. While reviewing your past transgressions can create discomfort and guilt, recognizing where you have been dishonest in the past can help you identify patterns and stop them from continuing. If you feel guilty for having been dishonest in the past, apologize to the person you lied to and/or find a creative way to make things right. For example, if you kept money that you knew wasnt yours and didnt make a good faith effort to return it to its owner, make an equivalent or greater donation to charity. If youve lied to a person who plays an important role in your life (a significant other, relative, or friend) the best (but most difficult) thing to do is come clean. List the areas where you may have a weakness. It may be as simple as a tendency to make up excuses for failures, or as complicated as a penchant for stealing. Remember that dishonesty is rooted in fear, so you must look for and face those fears. By listing areas where you have a problem, and then working to deal with them, you can consciously battle these habits. If you find yourself lying because you fear disapproval from someone, for example, perhaps you need to learn how to stop being a people pleaser and be yourself. Most importantly, admit your errors so that you can forgive yourself and use those experiences to reinforce your determination to do better. You cant fix what you dont acknowledge as a problem. After that, Find a balance between full disclosure and privacy. Just because youre honest doesnt mean you have to air out all of your (or anybody elses) business. There are some things that we dont talk about because its not information that the person asking may be entitled to. On the other hand, withholding information that you know should be disclosed is lying by omission. For instance, not telling a romantic partner that you have a child or that youve been married in the past, for example, is objectionable by most. Deciding what information a person should or should not know is a personal decision. Just because you believe a person is better off not knowing something doesnt mean youre acting in their best interest by hiding that information. Follow your gut, and put yourself in that persons position: If I was in their shoes, would I rightfully feel betrayed if this information wasnt shared with me at an appropriate time? Exercise tact. We all know that being literally honest can hurt feelings and turn friendships sour. It can also be misinterpreted as criticism or a lack of support. Its very tempting to tell a white lie when dealing with sensitive loved ones (especially children), but you can still be honest by being creative in how you express the truth. Emphasize the positive. Shift the focus away from what, in all honesty, you think is negative. Instead of saying No, I dont think you look good in those pants say Theyre not as flattering as the black dress-that dress really looks amazing on you. Have you tried it on with those stockings you wore to my cousins wedding last year? You have the right to remain silent. If youre pushed into a corner and dont know how to respond, say Can we talk about this another time? or I really dont feel comfortable talking about this. You should really address this with Dont say I dont know if you really do know-it can come back to bite you in the rear later on. The person might catch on and realize that you know something, and they might get pushy. Repeat yourself and leave the conversation as quickly as possible. When all else fails, be honest-but gently. Wrap the potentially hurtful truth in appreciation, praise, and, if applicable, affection. There some tips to be honest person. For most people, keeping secrets intended to benefit someone is not considered dishonest, as long as youre confident that the person youre keeping the secret from will completely understand when they find out. Still, its a fuzzy line determining which secrets are dishonest-keeping a surprise birthday party under wraps is one thing; not telling a child that they are adopted or that their pet has died is trickier, and will require a personal sorting of ethics. We make judgments, assumptions and theories every day, but in order to be honest, its important for us to acknowledge them as what they are: ideas about what the truth might be, not the hard truth itself. When you make a statement, try to add the phrase In my experience or Personally, Ive observed that at the beginning, or end it with but thats just my observation/experience that might not be how things are everywhere. For example: In my experience, people who have physically demanding jobs tend to be more fit than those in office jobs, but thats just my own observation. That might not be how things are everywhere. It lets people know that you are making an observation that is limited to your situation, instead of making a blanket statement (i.e. stereotype or generalization) that isnt true. Some may find it helps to keep track of your statements to others in written form (a journal or chart of some sort). This can help you to see how many times you are honest and how many times you are dishonest. Learn from these experiences. Having a record of past situations where you were dishonest can help you to consider what can you do better in the future situations. Visualize how it will be if you are honest and then let move forward confidently!. HOW TO ENJOY LIFE Learn to be positive. If you keep moaning about your life, other people will only notice the bad aspects of your character and categorize you as a person who is Boring or worse! Who wants to spend time with a wet blanket! Go to places where people are positive and support you with positive thoughts. After that, Be generous. A little generosity goes a long way. Give and people return the favour to you and you will be known as a generous person. Then, make a list of all the things you want to do and do them. If youve always wanted to audition for theatre, then go ahead and do it! This will help to reduce hanging around and wishing. This even applies if you want to be an astronaut  : you might not effectively become one, but becoming savvy in astrophysics and space will make you realize that youre capable of it. Keep trying. One of the key things that you need to remember is to never be discouraged; failure is a part of life, and it happens naturally. If you are so disillusioned that you never want to try again, at least be comforted by the fact that you made an attempt. Stop doing things that you dont enjoy. Make a list of the things that you are doing that you dont enjoy, and try to stop doing them. Naturally, this shouldnt mean that you should drop out of school if you dont like studying, but you might consider working for a new company if you are constantly stressed and pressured by your job. If its not possible to stop, try to see the positive side of those things and find ways to make them entertaining. Nobody enjoys cleaning the kitchen fan or the toilet but if you do these chores with full awareness and make them into a meditation, you will be surprised how quiet your mind will become and how much happiness these chores will give you. Find a hobby. You might take up collecting stamps or coins, or you might learn more about photography or art. You dont have to spend your entire life doing it; the whole purpose of the hobby is to vary your routine and do something worthwhile. Singing is a wonderful way to make life more enjoyable. Try to pick up some of your favourite songs and learn the lyrics by heart. When you feel bored, sing those songs and you would feel much better. Singing karaoke, taking some singing lessons or listening to music would make your life more interesting. After that, Enjoy feeling proud. If youre proud of something be it: an essay, a new deck you built, a promotion, or a song you composed hold on to it for dear life because theres nothing more important than your pride. Do not let anybody take it by demanding more. Stop watching TV or at least limit the amount of time you spend in front of the idiot box. Watching TV is passive entertainment and enjoyment in life comes from trying and doing things yourself instead of watching other people do things. Watching people swim is not the same as swimming. Watching other people hike or climb a mountain is not the same as hiking or climbing mountains. This is pretty obvious but still many people prefer second hand experiences to living life to the full. The same goes for playing TV or computer games for hours on end. Go out and do something. You will feel healthier too. Ask questions. Its not bad to ask questions. Ask as many as you can no matter what people say or the relevance of them. Dont doubt yourself because theres a good chance somebody else is wondering the same thing. Stay healthy. Make part of your life eating right and exercising because it helps keep the body running at the top of its game. Be open to change. Changes in your job, friends, and the government. With practice you will be able to anticipate it. list the items you want to keep. This will help you realize what you have and you are so lucky to have it. There is some tips how to enjoy life. You can Ask others about how they spend their time. If you feel like doing something that they do, then join them! Dont be afraid to ask! Get organized. Youll feel more in control and happier. Dont think that you constantly disappoint people. Nothing can be further from the truth. If youre an adult dont preoccupy yourself with paydays and raises. Money alone cannot help you feel fulfilled. Dont be rude to anyone. Dont be rude to your teachers or complain in class. Names like: slacker, degenerate, delinquent, punk, underachiever, and lost cause are just words people use because they are confused by why youre soaring through life while theyre sluggishly inching along. Ignore the labels. WARNINGS ABOUT THE WAY TO BE A GOOD PERSON Dont push your assistance on people who dont want it. If someone is telling you they dont want your help, just apologize if you presumed, and bow out gracefully. Dont be so nice and constantly helpful that people take advantage of you. Part of being a good person is helping others become better people. Doing everything for someone who is capable of taking care of him or herself is not helpful to either of you. Be very careful what you say to people. It can be incredibly affecting to say something thoughtless off the top of your head. A rash judgment, a poorly observed conclusion can resonate forever in someones life. This is particularly true for children and others with little or no defences. Dont trust the mind alone. Your ideas and preconceptions are often not enough to divine the good in a given situation. A person can believe their own headlines to the point of mania. Always remember that your humility is one of the most subtly persuasive powers at your disposal. Step back and f igure out what your heart tells you. Try to see your beliefs or actions objectively. WARNINGS ABOUT HOW TO BE A HONEST PERSON Be wary when someone tells you something in confidence, and you know in your gut that you should share that information with someone else (knowledge of a crime, a lie, or a harmful act against another). This puts you in a difficult position, especially when the truth eventually comes out and the person affected by it finds out you knew all along. If someone starts off a sentence with Dont tell so-and-so about this, okay? be prepared to offer your own disclaimer: If its something that Id want to know about if I was in their shoes, please dont tell me. I dont want to be responsible for keeping anyones secrets but my own. Be conscious of groups of peers or friends who may sway you to stray from your choice to stay on the straight and narrow. Like any bad habit, you may be pressured to regress if you choose to hang around people who dont have integrity and dont cherish honesty. You dont have to automatically find new, more truthful friends, but be aware of your vulnerability to temptation if you continue associations with overtly dishonest people. Dishonesty has many negative consequences. They are often not immediate or noticeable; they usually build up over time until they hit us like a brick wall, at which point it may be difficult to see how dishonesty has played a role in unhappiness: Becoming numb to our own feelings if we hide them for a long enough time. Becoming deeply confused about what we actually want. Making a bad situation worse. Not being prepared to face the consequences of our decisions and the reality of our situation, thus getting more hurt by it in the end. Being haunted by guilt, and fear that your dishonesty will be discovered. An emotional state that can be best described as a heavy heart. If you find that you cannot control your lying, there may be emotional issues at work that are beyond the scope of this article. Consider meeting with a counsellor or other professional who can help you work through those issues over the long term. It may be that dishonesty is a habit that youve set for your entire li fe, and it will take a good deal of introspection and work to unravel that pattern. WARNINGS ABOUT HOW TO ENJOY LIFE Dont be fooled into thinking that drinking alcohol or taking drugs will make your life any more enjoyable than it is now. These only provide a brief and unhealthy means of enjoyment. Placing too much reliance on alcohol or drugs can lead to addiction, which will ultimately deconstruct your ability to enjoy life. So, if you want to make a person be better, you should consider the steps, and then, dont make person feel pressured in the process of making him be better. We must consider restrictions on How To Be a Good Person. We can make a life be better, by improving someones character better. HowToBeHappy.org www.Good-Child-Guide.com win-spy.com HowToBeHappy.org www.HappinessAndGod.com www.LawofDirection.com How To Be A Good Person: Tips On How To Be The Best One Can Be | Suite101.com http://personaldevelopment.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_be_a_good_person#ixzz0ZXAwZ3Iu

Humorous Wedding Speech by the Father of the Groom -- Wedding Toasts R

Humorous Wedding Speech by the Father of the Groom Good evening. I would like to begin by welcoming each and every one of you to this joyous and stressful occasion. You know, while I was watching my son and future daughter-in-law suffer through the painful process of planning their wedding, I asked myself, â€Å"What would it be like if men were responsible for organizing weddings?† I’m guessing that my son might rename the "Rehearsal Dinner" to the "Rehearsal Dinner Kegger". The invitations would not read â€Å"Gracious dinning from 7 to 10† but rather, â€Å"Raucous Drinking from 7 until the cops show up.† Bridesmaids would wear matching blue jean cut-offs and halter tops – with more skin showing than not. Tuxes would have team logos on the back and the Nike shoes would have matching ... Humorous Wedding Speech by the Father of the Groom -- Wedding Toasts R Humorous Wedding Speech by the Father of the Groom Good evening. I would like to begin by welcoming each and every one of you to this joyous and stressful occasion. You know, while I was watching my son and future daughter-in-law suffer through the painful process of planning their wedding, I asked myself, â€Å"What would it be like if men were responsible for organizing weddings?† I’m guessing that my son might rename the "Rehearsal Dinner" to the "Rehearsal Dinner Kegger". The invitations would not read â€Å"Gracious dinning from 7 to 10† but rather, â€Å"Raucous Drinking from 7 until the cops show up.† Bridesmaids would wear matching blue jean cut-offs and halter tops – with more skin showing than not. Tuxes would have team logos on the back and the Nike shoes would have matching ...