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Post Info TOPIC: Assignment #21: Imagine a Country
mre


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Assignment #21: Imagine a Country


Source: Imagine a Country, 2003 by Holly Sklar, http://www.zmag.org/ZMagSite/May2003/sklar0503.html
Background
: American society is incredibly complex and it is hard to see the big picture concerning issues of race, class, and gender.  This article presents a critical look at life at the turn of the century.  Reading about facts and statistics can help us both understand 1) what realities are like in American society and 2) help us ask questions about why they are like that.  Please focus on the information provided, not necessarily the editorial comments scattered throughout the essay. 

Assignment
: After reading the article, choose 20 facts from the imagine a country lists that are important to you.  1) List them here and 2) explain after each one why it is important to know in American society today.  In other words, what does it mean to you?   What impact will it have on the future? 

Please also answer the following questions:

  • Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular?
  • Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay?
  • Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about?
  • How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)?
  • For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement?
  • What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take?
  • Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems?
  • Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do?

Evaluation: Students will be graded 40 points for a list of 20 facts/statistics and 40 points for an analysis for each.  10 points will be awarded for posting a question, comment or suggestion to another student and 10 points will be given for answering a question or comment from another student.



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Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular? Im not surprised.Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay? No. I agree with most of the authors statements.Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about? I think they are a pretty accurate representation of how our country is. We are a great nation, but we still need a lot of work. I am concerned with the fact that women make 76 cents on the dollar men make, for the same job.    How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)? The rich control most of the countrys money, and people who are considered rich are a very small portion of the population.For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement? Everyone over the age of 18 can vote, no matter their race or economic status. But the welfare system is a vicious cycle that keeps people on it, instead of being a helping hand to get people back on their feet. What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take? The government should continue with programs for furthering education and job opportunities. Especially at a young age, children should have the same rights and opportunities as each other, in order to become productive members of society.Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems? Social and religious groups should help in fixing human rights problems. If we had waited for the government to do something, we would still be a completely segregated nation.  Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do? I think that we are doing well, but still need to improve. There is no one reason I feel this way, I was just raised knowing everyone should have the same opportunities as everyone else.

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Imagine a Country

1. Imagine a country which demands that people work for a living while denying many a living wage. This comment is interesting since many countries do not even have a minimum wage. And those that do have a minimum wage none is suitable to support a yourself let alone a family.

2. About one out of four workers makes $8.70 an hour or less. Thats not much more than the real value of the minimum wage of 1968 at $8.27 in inflation-adjusted dollars. This shows the importance of education especially going on to college or a vocational school to ensure one gets a good paying job.

3. Imagine a country where nearly two-thirds of women with children under age 6 and more than three-fourths of women with children ages 6-17 are in the labor force, but affordable childcare and after-school programs are scarce. Apparently, kids are expected to have three parents: Two parents with jobs to pay the bills, and another parent to be home in mid-afternoon when school lets outas well as all summer. This argument isnt valid because the government cant control local childcare businesses.

4. The country has no equal rights amendment. Since our country has a Civil Liberties ensured by the Bill of Rights, this kind of amendment is not necessary.

5. Imagine a country whose constitution once counted black slaves as worth three-fifths of whites. Today, black per capita income is about three-fifths of whites. Is this woman actually trying to say that blacks salaries are regulated to be lower than whites? How does the fact that they cumulatively make less related to slavery? This statement is ridiculous.

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Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular? I am not really surprised by those statistics so they don't evoke much emotion in me at all.

Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay? Not really.

Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about? I think that it is represented in a dark, negative way. It is only not a good representation of America because it doesn't talk about any of its pros.

How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)? The rich are some of the richest in the world, but there is still poverty to the extreme.

For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement? White rich and middle-class suburbia are doing the best.  Lower class Latinos and Blacks could use substantial improvement.

What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take? The government must support education.  The government should pay more attention to funding homelessness than destructive weapons and nuclear bombs.

Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems? Everyone should.

Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do? The U.S. promotes itself as "The Land of the Free" full of pride.  We pat ourselves on the back even though there are several other countries that are just as free. Some even more, than we are...and they never have to keep reminding people about it. If we want the bragging rights, we should be doing better. The reason I think this is because I'm a second-class citizen of the United States, but my sister is not.

-- Edited by James McCoy Moniz at 18:49, 2008-04-11

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  • Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular?

 - surprised I didnt expect to learn about all the problems America has its always been a great place to work and go to school for my parent but I dont really like it as them because the work is too hard, and so many issues not fixed

  • Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay?

-not really because some are true but some are not really what is now because it changed

  • Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about?

-yes it misrepresent it a lot, about the kids, how old are they for a gun the 20th its really inserting

  • How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)?

-because we are a rich nation is other cultures but poor because some people cant get food or a home because of money problems

  • For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement?

- its doing well with helping sorting people and its can improve in it,

  • What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take?

-          none there only there to help u get on your feet,

-          yes, because children our the future but the government cant really keep track of every one of them, they try but cant really keep up with them

-          I think they might try to get them some help

  • Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems?

-everyone should have there own responsibly

  • Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do?

-well yes but they need to fix somethings for a better result

-yes I think we can do much better

-I think this way because the usa need to fix its ecomeny so everyone can at least try to get them selfs off poverty



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  • Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular? Im a litte disturbed,  but im not surprised.
  • Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay? no not really. for the most part this all sounds true. i believe it.
  • Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about? i think it pretty biased, but i understamd why, its easy to attack a lot of the stuff in america because a lot of what goes on is crazy. none. they don't bother me. i don't hate america at all, in fact i hate that even without evidence i belive this woman, and many people probably do too.
  • How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)? i think its because there are so many people here and its a country thats controlled by the media. every one needs to have stuff but no one can afford anything.
  • For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement? ummm. everything can afford some sort of improvement.
  • What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? i would expect a  lot. but some people are harder to help and shouldn't be let off so easily, but i think that the government should make sure pople can live ndoors.Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt?no, i think that everyone should be healthy and  live indoors. everyone should have atleast that. What actions might the government take? im not sure, some people cant be help and some need more than others.
  • Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems? the people. not everything is the governments fault.
  • Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do? i just think everything can be bnetter. i don't kow why, but i don't think eveything should rest on the governmet, people have to do for them selves also, you cant complain about everything if you don't try to fix anything.


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mre


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Sup


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  • Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular? CONFUSED
  •  
  • Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay?  I THINK ITS DUMB TO BRING UP.
  •  
  • Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? I THINK THE WRITER IS CONFUSED AND DOESNT REALIZE IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE LIVING HERE, IF NOT, THEN WHY IS THE WRITER HERE?
  •  
  • How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)? ITS TRUE, BUT THATS  BECAUSE THE US ROBBS ITS PEOPLE BY TAXING PRETTY MUCH ANYTHING THEY CAN.
  •  
  • For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? GOOD AT TAKING ITS PEOPLES MONEY, BAD AT ENSURING THEIR PEOPLES SECURITY WITHIN WORK.  For which is there need for substantial improvement?
  •  
  • What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take?  THE GOVERNMENT WILL NEVER TAKE THE RIGHT ACTIONS, IT WOULD LEAD TO CHAOS AND NO ORDER WITHIN THE PEOPLE. ALTHOUGH WE MAY BE FREE-ER WE ARE NOT FREE. AS LONG AS YOU LIVE UNDER A FLAG YOU ARE NEVER FREE. NOT COMPLETELY.
  • Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems?  THE PEOPLE, THEY SHOULD UNITE IN THE STREETS, IN THE COURTS, THROUOUT THE NATION.
  •  
  • Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do? THE ECONOMY STINKS, AND THE COUNTRY IS FAR TOO DEPENDANT ON FOSSIL FUELS. WHAT IF THE WORLD GOES MAD AND WE MUST HUNT FOR OURSELVES, MAKE OUR OWN FIRE, BUILD OUR OWN SHELTER, MUCH OF AMERICA WOULD BE DOOMED. AMERICA NEEDS TO HEAD IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, A SELF SUSTAINING STATE.


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Jonathan Carreiro



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Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select
your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular?


I would probably say the stats mad me feel alittle bit of disdain towards the essay. Though that's what it was aiming for.

Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay?

Not really, personally..

Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about?


I think it is very biased. While some of the facts may be true, I think they are blowing it out of proportion. The USA isn't a perfect place but it's not a living hell like this essay portraits.

For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement?

Economically the country is a mess. The rich are the rich and the poor are numerous. It's stupid that the economic classes are so skewed. I personally think social we are getting better though. the country as a whole has become alot more acceptant of others. Immigrants, women, african america, homosexuals etc. I mean obviously sexism, racism and stuff still exist but it's not as big an issue as it was back then.

What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take?

The goverment is there to guide you not to hold your hand. Homelessness in adults is not the goverments fault for the most part. If someone grew up in a  household where you could have gotten an education  and you mess it up that is no one but your own fault. I think the goverment should have programs to try to help homeless adults and children who are unnurtished and basically alone (especially the later) and need to put alot more into education but I don't think that the goverment should bend over backwards to help people who put themselves in the hole they live in. (obviously talking about the homeless here)

Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems?
Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do?

I'm an optimist so yea i'll probably say something along the lines of "Yes it's possible to make yourself better, if you put the time and resources into it."





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    • i was not surprised at all it is disturbing to read but its true.
    • I wonder how they compiled all this information, is it all facts?
    • it just shows you that America does have problems that we need to work on just like everyone else.
    • we have some of the richest people of the world in America but we also have the poorest. our economy is very messed up (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the
    • everyone should assume responsibilities for human right I mean we are the humans we should know the right we have and try to receive better rights.


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Are you surprised, disturbed, proud, pleased, or _______________ (select your adjective) by any of these statistics in particular? It is a bit disturbing but not surprising at all.  Do you have questions about any of the data presented in the essay? no it doesnt really affect me.Do you think this statistical evidence is biased and misrepresents your country? Which statistics in particular are you concerned about?  it is approached in a negative way. it talks about americas cons but not its pros. How do you explain the apparent contradictions, (e.g., richest nation but high percentage of poverty that exist in the United States)?  the rich just keep getting richer and the poorer are getting poorer. For which social and economic rights does the USA appear to be doing well? For which is there need for substantial improvement? upper and middle class whites are doing very well. lover class americans(blacks, hispancies, etc could use alot of help. What is the responsibility of the government to ensure that everyone achieves these human rights as fully as possible? Are there some conditions, such as inadequate nutrition of children, that the government should address and other conditions, such as homelessness of adults, that it shouldnt? What actions might the government take? The government must support education.  The government should pay more attention to funding homelessness than destructive weapons and nuclear bombs.Who besides government should assume responsibilities for addressing human rights problems? i think that everyone should adress human rights. Are there some conditions for which the statistics suggest that the USA is doing as well as might be expected and others for which we can expect better results? Do you think we can do better? What makes you think the way you do? not only the governemtn should do everyhting people need to also fend for themselves.

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