...believed that the bill was flawed, but decided to sign the bill anyways. He believed that taking some form of action was better than taking no action at all; even if it were flawed. The signing of the BCRA has resulted in a flurry of lawsuits and angered many people involved in politics. The two primary features of the BCRA are restrictions on party soft money and issue advocacy. First, the BCRA bans the raising of soft money by national parties and federal candidates or officials. It also restricts soft money spending by state parties on federal election activities. The BCRA does allow for soft money use under certain conditions. It allows the use of soft money for specified federal election activities by state and local parties as noted in the BCRA. Second, the BCRA regulates issue advocacy by creating the new term “electioneering communication” in federal election law. Electioneering communication is a political advertisement that refers to an identified federal candidate and is broadcast within 30 days of a primary election or 60 days of a general election. The purpose of regulating issue advocacy is to prohibit unions and certain corporations from spending treasury funds for electioneering communications. The BCRA requires individuals or corporations that are permitted to finance such communications, to disclose of disbursements of over $10,000 and the identity of donors of $1,000 or more. The BCRA took effect on November 6, 2002, the day after the...
Words: 578 - Pages: 3
...INTEREST GROUPS Special interest groups can be classified into numerous categories. Though not an empirical list, these groups generally belong to at least one of the following categories: Economic interest groups are the largest category. These organization represent big business, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and labor unions like the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organization and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. These corporations and unions usually have offices in Washington, D.C., and represent entire industries (Types of Interest Groups). Government interest groups such as the National League of Cities, the National Conference of Mayors, and the National Governors Association, bring the issues of local and state government before Congress and the administration. One critical task performed by these groups is to help state and local governments get federal grants. These funds are important because they are a central means in which states get back money taken away through federal taxes (Types of Interest Groups). Civil rights interest groups such as The National Association for...
Words: 1659 - Pages: 7
...Washington, DC — 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of three of the nation’s most important programs for seniors—Medicare, Medicaid, and the Older Americans Act (OAA). It is also the year when advocates and policymakers from across the country will be discussing the future of aging services at the 2015 White House Conference on Aging. “These events offer the perfect opportunity for Congress to expand and reinforce its commitment to supporting older Americans’ health and economic security,” said Howard Bedlin, Vice President of Public Policy & Advocacy for the National Council on Aging (NCOA). “The aging population is growing rapidly, and seniors want to stay independent as long as possible. Now is the time to strengthen and expand aging services to meet the needs of all seniors, especially those who are struggling.” Specifically, NCOA urges Congress to: 1. Protect and assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries The Medicare Qualified Individual (QI) program pays Medicare Part B premiums for beneficiaries whose incomes are 120-135% of poverty—about $14,000-$15,750 per year. Without this assistance, these seniors would not be able to afford doctor visits. Congress temporarily extended QI to March 31, 2015, along with increases in Medicare physician payments. Momentum is building to permanently fix Medicare physician payments. Congress should make the QI program permanent at the same time and fund outreach to help seniors access this and other Medicare low-income benefits...
Words: 923 - Pages: 4
...Thomas Whittemore Unit 3 Post University 1. How can Unions secure economic gains? Explain the ramifications Unions help economic growth, and they do not hinder them. Unions are out fighting for workers and getting them high pay and better pension benefits. This all translates into money that can be spent into a market economy. The more people buy products, the stronger and more powerful the economy becomes for everybody. To clarify - real unions are as important just as police, teachers, doctors etc. are necessary. Unfortunately in the US very few or none exist. Working men and woman who have fought and sacrificed for this country are the ones that have purchased true freedom and deserve to have voice 2. Briefly explain why organized labor was opposed to NAFTA. There has been significant opposition to NAFTA from organized labor. Unionists say NAFTA harms workers both here and in Mexico by taking U.S. jobs away and intensifying the exploitation of Mexican workers. Nearly half a million Mexicans already work in "maquiladoras" where over 1,500 mostly U.S.-owned assembly plants operate free of taxes and tariffs. Only about 10 percent are organized, compared to 25 percent of Mexican workers overall. Average pay runs from 50 cents to a dollar an hour. NAFTA will only intensify this exploitation as it lures corporations to set up runaway shops. Yet much of the opposition to NAFTA has been drawn on narrow lines and lets the capitalist system off the hook...
Words: 1521 - Pages: 7
...resources are to be used. Planning requires both skill and innovation than budgeting because the time period that development plans normally do take care of is much longer than budgeting that is barely twelve calendar months. Put differently, planning is anticipation of the future based on the present therefore, ‘Plan is a blueprint of action.’ A budgeting is simply the statement of expected income and expenditure over a time period, usually a year. Program planners at all levels do envisage how much they are likely to generate from all source available to them. At the same time, they visualize what the expenditure will be. The income side of a budget normally does include loans sourced both internally and externally. In essence, budget has become the means by which programme’s objectives is achieved. The major advantage of budgeting is to guarantee orderly development of the programme. It is important to note that a budget has two major sides. First recurrent expenditure, which is the cost of the day-to –day administration of the programme and secondly capital expenditure which means the money earmarked to execute capital projects of the social programme. DEFINITION OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Social development is defined as prioritizing human needs in the growth and...
Words: 4496 - Pages: 18
...OurOur responsibility money, A Citizens’ Guide to Monitoring Government Expenditures by Vivek Ramkumar T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L B U D G E T P R O J E C T Table of Contents Foreword and Acknowledgments PART I Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Introduction: Why Civil Society Groups Need to Track and Monitor Budget Spending . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Chapter 1: Overview of the Budget Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Chapter 2: Why Government Expenditures Can Deviate from the Annual Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 PART II The Budget Execution Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Chapter 3: The Budget Execution Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chapter 4: Case Studies on Successful Civil Society Initiatives to Monitor Budget Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 1: MKSS Undertakes Social Audits in India . . . . . . . . . . . .21 2: CSCQBE Carries Out Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys in Malawi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Chapter 5: Other Successful Initiatives in Monitoring Budget Execution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39 PART III The Procurement Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Chapter 6: The Procurement Process . . . . . . . ...
Words: 45532 - Pages: 183
...Food Policy Capacity of Bangladesh Introduction * Food security situation * US$ 641 annual per capita income in 2010 (World Bank 2010) * Bangladesh ranked as the 43rd largest economy in the world in 2010 and also listed among the Next Eleven economies by Goldman Sachs investment bank and Jim O'Neill. * The land is devoted mainly to rice and jute cultivation as well as fruits and produce, although wheat production has increased in recent years; the country is largely self-sufficient in rice production. Bangladesh's growth of its agro industries is due to its rich deltaic fertile land that depend on its six seasons and multiple harvests * Food insecurity and inflation is the persistent challenge for the country. * The 2009 Progress Report for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) records that the percentage of children aged under five who are underweight fell from 66% to 45% between 1990 and 2009. It also reveals that the rate of decline has slowed since 2000 and is now almost static. * A key uncertainty for the hunger situation in Bangladesh is the impact of the latest round of food price increases. * Food prices have risen sharply through 2010 because Bangladesh remains a food deficit country. * Households affected by food insecurity cite lack of income as the main cause, closely followed by lack of land, according to the 2009 Welfare Monitoring Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau for Statistics. * Agriculture engages 65% of...
Words: 1989 - Pages: 8
...Competition Law & Pharmaceutical Industry Adithya Krishna Chintapanti About CENTAD Undertakes policy research and advocacy on issues related to trade and development, with a primary focus on South Asia. Centad’s work on access to medicines currently focuses on issues pertaining to access in India and aims to Secure a legal and policy environment to ensure access to medicines. Ensure transparency and accountability in public spending on drugs. Examine the impact of industry practices on access. Focus of the Presentation Bring to light anti-competitive practices prevalent in the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare sector. Indicate the approach proposed to be taken for executing the study and analyzing the data collected in pursuance thereof. Broad Scheme of Presentation Indian Pharmaceutical Industry a Snapshot Access to Medicines Situation in India Objectives of the Study Anti-competitive Practices Competition Act 2002 Regulation of Combinations Anti-competitive Agreements Abuse of Dominance Proposed Chapterisation Proposed Methodology 1. 2. 3. Indian Pharmaceutical Industry a Snapshot Net Worth 8 Billion Dollars Growth Rate of 8-9% PA. 4th in the World in terms of Volume of Drug Output Exports to nearly 212 countries @ USD 4795.33 million (2005-06) Has an important role to play in promoting public health and Right to Health. Highly technology and knowledge intensive. Indian Pharmaceutical Industry a Snapshot Industry growth highly dependent on...
Words: 2852 - Pages: 12
...IS FO TR R IB L U IM TI IT O E N D O N LY D Choosing the Channels of Communication A Review of Media Resources for 11 Countries in the Western Pacific Region This document is part of a continuing project of the Tobacco Free-Initiative and the Health Promotion Unit, World Health Organization, Western Pacific Regional Office. Tobacco-Free Initiative & Health Promotion Unit World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific P Box 2932, 1000 Manila, Philippines .O. Tel: (632) 528-8001 Fax: (632) 521 1036 http://www.wpro.who.int Choosing the Channels of Communication Choosing the Channels of Communication A Review of Media Resources for 11 Countries in the Western Pacific Region Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 1 Key elements in choosing the channels of communication ................................................ 2 Cambodia Summary of media resources ...................................................................................................... 8 Media directory ............................................................................................................................ 10 China Summary of media resources ........................................................................................................ 18 Media directory .........................................................................................
Words: 21258 - Pages: 86
...mmilne@commerce.otago.ac.nz POSITIVE ACCOUNTING THEORY, POLITICAL COSTS AND SOCIAL DISCLOSURE ANALYSES: A CRITICAL LOOK* ABSTRACT This paper critically reviews the literature seeking to establish evidence for a positive accounting theory of corporate social disclosures. It carefully traces through the original work of Watts and Zimmerman (1978) showing their concern with the lobbying behaviour of large US oil companies during the 1970s. Such companies were argued to be abusing monopolists and likely targets of selfinterested politicians pursuing wealth transfers in the form of taxes, regulations and other ‘political costs’. Watts and Zimmerman’s reference to “social responsibility” is shown to be a passing remark, and most likely refers to “advocacy advertising”, a widespread practice amongst large US oil companies at that time. Subsequent literature that relies on Watts and Zimmerman to present a case for social disclosures is shown to extend their original arguments. In the process, concern over the “high profits” of companies is shown to diminish, and the notion of political costs is so broadened that it blurs with other social theories of disclosure. Consequently, the positive accounting based social disclosures literature fails to provide distinct arguments for self-interested managers wealth maximising. This paper also shows that the empirical evidence gathered to date in support of a positive accounting theory of social disclosures largely fails in its endeavour. * The author...
Words: 11604 - Pages: 47
...The Economic System in Denmark The Economic System in Denmark The current controversies that have developed in the welfare state of Denmark have been a concern throughout the world. As political systems shift, there have been questions as to the rise of unemployment, the sustainability of the country due to strict immigration laws, and the increase of discrimination cases. Having the responsibility to sustain the cost of its growing population through high taxes, while entering into a recession, the country had to “enhance adaptability” (Daemmrich & Kramarz 2010) and change the traditional method of assistances. Through the demographic shift of immigrants and refugees the political issue remained prominent, while this climate was based on immigrants not adopting the Danish value system and identity while integrating into Denmark. The economic changes across the globe have had an effect on the control of industrialization and the workforce in the country, as the business world becomes smarter by reducing costs through crossing borders. It has a negative impact on the policies for the welfare state and has raised the unemployment rates. “With the decrease of regulatory barriers in foreign nations, the economies have transformed increasing competition and welcoming foreign investment” (Hill 2005). Due to the current structure and lack of political momentum for reform, the spending on social protection grew exponentially. Recognizing the increased competition due to...
Words: 1367 - Pages: 6
...Customer Advocacy: A New Era in Marketing? Glen L. Urban have been active as a marketing researcher since 1964, or much of what Wilkie and Moore (2003) call Eras III and IV of scholarly research. The field of management science in marketing has grown in both scope and impact during this time. My work has been centered on new product development, with models from assessor to information acceleration. Most recently, I have been working on issues of trust, advice for consumers, and the discovery of new product opportunities by “listening in” to the online dialogue between a trusted advisor and a customer (Urban and Hauser 2004). Because I have done this recent work on the Internet, I sensed a sea change in the underlying consumer behavior. Something had shifted, and it took me a while to discover that customers had gained new power in buying decisions. Since 1950, marketing has been based on a push/ pull model in which the manufacturer designs a product to fill a need and then convinces the consumer to buy with aggressive advertising, promotion, and distribution tactics. The increase in customer power changes the equation, and I believe that this shift in the power relationship will define the dividing line between Eras IV and V of marketing. I call this new era “customer advocacy” because it is based on the firm representing the customers’ interest by providing them complete and unbiased information, advice on which product is best for them (including fair comparisons with competitors)...
Words: 4731 - Pages: 19
...first five years after the creation of the law, several companies showed resistance adopting the financial procedures and reporting provided by legislators in the SOX Act. After thirteen years from the enactment of the law there still criticism arising from several sections included in SOX Act. This paper will discuss the negative and positive views towards the SOX Act, the discussion will determine the efficacy of the law in avoiding future frauds. Sarbanes–Oxley Act negative views Strong criticism come from Small businesses since the financial reporting and audit requirements included in the law are extremely costly for small companies. Small businesses struggle to become publicly, but eventually since the law requires paying for independent audit in some circumstances companies decides to merge with other companies to meet the requirements. The main goal of small businesses is to reach the maximization of profit; an opportunity to gain profit is becoming publicly. However, the requirements included in section 404 of SOX Act make companies incurred at a high cost that defeats the purpose...
Words: 1215 - Pages: 5
...foreign country in South Africa? What happens if I need to change the maintenance amount? What happens if I change my address? What happens if one of the child’s parents has passed away? When does the duty to maintain end? What can I do to protect the best interests of children when it comes to maintenance? What happens if none of the child’s relatives can support him/her? PARTNERS/SURVIVING SPOUSES ASSISTANCE IN MAINTENANCE MATTERS PAGE 3 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. B. C. 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Black Sash FAMSA Gender Advocacy Programme ILDA (Inter-Church Local Development Agency) Lawyers for Human Rights Legal Aid Board Legal Aid Centres/ Law Clinics Legal Resources Centre Maintenance Forum MS4U (Maintenance Services for You) People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA) Tswaranang Legal Advocacy Centre Women’s Legal Centre 10 11 11 11 12 12 12 13 14 14 14 14 14 2 MAINTENANCE D. INTRODUCTION Legally, a...
Words: 5026 - Pages: 21
...07 April 2008 Policy Support & Advocacy Cluster UNDP Administrator visits Bangladesh An Internal Knowledge Fair was organized by UNDP Bangladesh on 15th March 2008. This was a first of a kind event which helped to strengthen the platform for knowledge and experience sharing. The fair was organized on light of the visit of Kemal Dervis’s, UNDP Administrator, to Bangladesh. The Knowledge Fair was part of a broader programme of the UNDP Administrator’s convention with staff members of the country office. It was organized to enliven the activities and initiatives taken through diverse programmes and projects of UNDP Bangladesh. The fair showcased six stalls which were designed on the basis of thematic areas: UN Bangladesh, Directorate, Governance, MDGs and Poverty Reduction, Environment & Energy, Crisis prevention & recovery Bulletin Issue 9 “I had the opportunity to see with my own eyes the resilience of the people of Bangladesh in the Each stall was set to showcase publications, reports and photographs depicting various accomplishments of UNDP CO. The stalls were in U-shaped with a panel of photographs behind each of them. Each stall also had two computers where the clusters could display any pictures or videos. The room had two projector screens showing imperative initiations like Election and MDGs animated series, undertaken by the country office. Considerable emphasis was given to pictorial depictions of activities and this made the whole knowledge fair very...
Words: 2092 - Pages: 9
