ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
What are the potential economic benefits of the trucking provisions in the NAFTA treaty? Who benefits? The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is aimed at reducing the costs incurred by nations in transportation of goods by road. The member states of the treaty are to benefit. The policy is expected to increase efficiency in transportation of goods to member states. The time spent in unloading and reloading of goods from Mexican trucks to American trucks was a great impediment to fast movement of goods. However, with the implementation of the NAFTA, trucks from every nation would be crossing borders and delivering goods direct to their customers. This will result in huge economic benefits to the member nations because time spent at the border to unload and reload goods will be a thing of the past. Increased competition from Mexican companies involved in trucking services would result in lower charges in road transportation. It is also argued that the policy would result in significant savings in cross-boarder trade. This is due to the fact that two-thirds of goods within the NAFTA nation go by roads. What do you think motivated the Teamsters to object to the trucking provisions in NAFTA? Are these objections fair? Why did Congress align itself with the Teamsters? Teamsters union represents truck drivers in the United States in America. It strongly opposed the provisions in NAFTA. The union maintained that Mexican drivers had poor driving habits that resulted in many accidents. It also argued that drivers in Mexico routinely violated safety and environmental rules. The union argued that there were no strict punitive measures in Mexico to punish errant drivers. In the United States, the union maintained, drivers are suspended for committing serious traffic offences. It also rejected the trucking provision on grounds that Mexican trucks are older and dirtier than the American trucks. The objections by the union are not fair. The pilot study that was launched by the government yielded very satisfying results from the Mexican trucks. The pilot program showed that Mexican drivers had safer driving records than their American drivers. In addition, the union lobbied the Congress to stop the program immediately. If the union was fair in its objections, then it could not have lobbied the Congress to terminate the pilot program which was yielding good results from the Mexican drivers. The Congress aligned itself with the Teamsters because the opposition members were approached by the union and lobbied to oppose the plan by the government to honor the trucking provision. The Congress proposed and passed a motion detailing 22 new safety standards that would be met by Mexican trucking comp
Argument Private companies have dominated the United States freight transportation system for a long time. They also control passenger transportation systems, but the control is shared with the government, unlike freight transport. Through fees, tools, and taxes, government transport departments can safeguard the public best interests in the passenger transportation industry. In contrast, government departments do not have a means to directly control or foster innovation in intermodal freight transport partly because of the resistance by trackers. In their book, Konings et al. (2008) suggest that the US government should be the catalyst for innovations in intermodal transportation. This argument can be justified by looking at a historical example of how a government-supported initiative has outperformed the free market-driven industry. Why the US Government Should Be a Catalyst for Innovations in Intermodal Transport Systems I agree with the author that the government should act as a catalyst for intermodal transport. The government brings tremendous benefits in transport and regulates limitations posed by the free market economy. This type of economy brings a problem of lack of interconnectivity and interoperability. This challenge is evidenced in intermodal road-rail transport because different parties use different resources. Private-owned intermodal transportation systems are different because they lack a centralized control unit that regulates the designs. Transportation is an essential aspect of the lives of Americans, and the time wasted when interconnecting problems occur leads to massive losses. For effectively centralized control to be achieved in such centers, the US government needs to step in and assist in innovation, ensuring uniform standards and compatible systems are deployed everywhere. Additionally, I agree with the writer that the government needs to step in because it is able to pass information better. Intermodal transport involves several stakeholders and components, thus requiring an intensive flow of information (Kine, Gebresenbet, Tavasszy, & Ljungberg, 2022). An institution like a government capable of reaching all should be in control. In social-technical systems, evidence shows that governments outperform privatized institutions. The state plays 13 different roles in the governance of socio-technical systems: Observer, mitigator, opportunist, facilitator, lead user, enabler of societal engagement, promoter, moderator, gatekeeper, initiator, and watchdog (Borrás & Edler, 2020). Incorporating these in the transport industry would save a lot of wasted time and hassle. The US government has intelligence tools at its disposal, and it can do better work in observing than private individuals. It is also respected and can-do mitigation in case of intermodal transport conflict. It can be relied on to facilitate innovation in the system because of the ease of additional funding. The government also far outperforms the private industry in promoting, moderating, and initiating intermod
Introduction Currently, many companies experience a number of accounting scandals that negatively affect the progress of the companies’ business activities. Indeed, some of the scandals have brought down big corporations to their knees in the recent past. Accounting authorities are often tasked with the responsibility of handling the company’s financial records and ensuring that the accounting figures are always updated in accordance with the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Markham 44). However, some employees and managers may take advantage of the prevailing loopholes in the accounting systems to fleece funds from the companies they work with. This paper is devoted to the review of the major corporate accounting scandals that have affected the accounting systems in leading corporations. First response The Baptist Foundation of Arizona – A Case of Proper Fund According to discussion one, a minister’s son goes off radar and embezzles funds belonging to The Baptist Foundation of Arizona. Furthermore, the funds are swindles in collaboration with other members of staff within the company’s premises. The scandal brought money to the company at that time but put its investors at higher risks. Having the investors in oblivion, the foundations’ deceitful plans involved a number of counterfeit for-profit companies that the company leaders created. The members of the accounting committee and their cohorts took advantage of the loopholes in the company and fraudulently took the company to its knees. These fake companies received the investments and used the funds in assuming the roles of buyers in BFA’s real estate buying and selling deals. Notably, the insufficient dealings that have taken place in the company enabled the shams to transfer of the entire savings into the reserves of Baptist Foundation of Arizona disguising the money as sincere cash inflow in the church. The scandals and schemes that took place in the company were well orchestrated in a way that they could take down any individual who stood in its path. In reviewing the incidences that occurred at Baptist Foundation of Arizona, it is evident that the scandals within the accounting system could have brought down the company in case they are not solved in time. It is, therefore, effective to analyze major accounting guidelines that can be used to prevent future scandals within the organization. Besides, the company should employ m
Concept “Similes” pre-teaching conceptualization will combine language and creativity; it will also focus on the definition and nature of similes together with their use as figures of speech for students in grade 6-7. The learning process will ensure the students gain a wide perspective of similes and their meanings together with their use in language. Students will also get to know the use of conjunctions “like” and “as” used in similes. They will learn how to differentiate similes from other forms of figurative language such as metaphors. Learning similes can be difficult for a number of students but this can be simplified by use of activities that create fun and involve the whole class. In order for learning to be considered meaningful, it should be active, constructive, intentional and metacognitive. The activities in this unit will not only fall under the above learning processes but also on different levels of Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy. Below are examples of the different levels together with their objectives. Knowledge – students will be able to give examples of similes. They will also identify similes from the stories I read during class work. This will demonstrate their ability to understand the use of similes in texts. For example, he is as fast as a cheetah used in a story to emphasize the speed at which an activity was carried out. Comprehension – students will be able to state what similes are. Here, they will be required to identify the underlying difference between similes and other figures of speech. For example, the major difference between a simile and other figures of speech is that as simile utilizes “like” and “as” in drawing comparisons. Application – students will be able to display a probable use of similes in speech. This will involve dividing them into groups where they will engage in activities that will enable them identify similes used in poems and books. They will also write their own similes and further show the use of similes in poems. For example, a simile is used to enhance meaning of the text. Analysis – students will be able to discuss how to use similes in stories and poems. For example, how a simile can be used to enhance the theme of a poem. They will also discuss what makes the simile suitable in bringing out meaning according to the context of the poem. For example he ran a fast as lighting emphasizes on speed thus this simile will be suitable in emphasizing the aspect of speed in the poem. Synthesis – students will be able to form their own similes. In groups they will write down similes based on a list of words that I will provide. For example they will form similes from the words; hare, chameleon, cheetah. Then a simile with the word “cheetah” will read- At the sound of the gun shots John ran as fast as a cheetah. Evaluation – students will portray what they have learnt in both oral and written forms independently. Each student will write a poem using similes. For example a student will compose a poem using a
Executive Summary The Zain Group won the bid to be the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s third mobile service provider in July 2007. In a highly competitive bid, the firm managed to secure the GSM/3G operating license for an overwhelming $6.1billion. The concession would last for 20 years, and is renewable for an additional five years. While the prospects presented in the Saudi Arabian telecoms market may have justified this cost, it is evident that paying this large amount of money was the first mistake that Zain KSA ever did. This is especially so because the firm was not able to independently raise the $6.1billion, and therefore depended on the domestic market to raise the balance. As a result, the firm started its operations with a huge debt on its shoulders. Zain KSA’s operations in the Saudi telecoms market was further complicated by the fact that its competitors (STC and Mobily) had already gained considerable market share. More so, the two firms had already established strong network infrastructure, with Mobily riding on STC’s network as dictated by the former’s concession terms. The good performance for Mobily and STC served to Zain KSA’s disadvantage. This is especially so because the latter has to contend with balancing its resources between marketing its products, laying the necessary network infrastructure and monitoring recent developments in the market. Regardless of the various challenges faced by Zain KSA, the prospects for growth in the Saudi telecoms market are promising. However, before the firm can fully utilise the opportunities coming its way, the management and stakeholders must devise a viable way through which the firm can effectively manage its high debt burden. Some of the options that the firm can consider include a rights issue, a debt swap or a financial advance from Zain Kuwait. On the management front, the firm need to consider a change in its management, and adopting a differentiation strategy. Introduction Zain is a mobile phone company operating in the Middle East and until recently, Africa. The Zain Group whose headquarters are in Kuwait acquired a license to operate in Saudi Arabia in July 2007. A year later in August 2008, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s branch of Zain (hereunder referred as Zain KSA) officially launched
The strategic management of any company is based on decision making. All business related decisions must be consistent with the financial goals of the organization. Ethical issues arise when leaders make decisions to achieve personal goals for the good of the company, but with negative consequences for people and the environment. Clearly, personal interests and relationships should not harm or interfere with the interests of the business. However, on the other hand, these same words can be understood as a complete rejection of any moral restrictions in business for the sake of striving for profit. The businessman himself might have nothing against a person, but the circumstances could develop in such a way that he would be forced to act against this person for the sake of his business. According
Trade and Commerce Trade and commerce has an underlying effect on the economy of the world as a whole. The effects of this phenomenon result from the different economic principles put in place by governments and other agencies to ensure international trade is free and fair. Krugman and Wells (2012) cite a number of economic policies that are fundamental components of international trade. In the current paper, the author discusses various economic policies, such as price ceilings, price floors, and tariffs. The policies are discussed in the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The author examines minimum wage and rent laws in UAE as components of price ceilings and price floors. The author also analyses a number of policies formulated by the World Trade Organisation (herein referred to as WTO) and the recently concluded Bali talks. Government Policies in UAE: Price Floors, Price Ceilings, and Unit Taxes United Arab Emirates’ Policy on Minimum Wage The law Labour regulations in UAE are outlined in Federal Law no. 8 of 1980 ( UAE labour law, 2001). The minimum wage is covered in chapter 3 of this law. The law sets a cap on the wage that a labourer can seek from their employer in form of remuneration. The law defines wage as the cumulative costs incurred by an individual as living expenses. The cost is arrived at using a formula stipulated in the labour contract. The law and minimum wage According to UAE Labour Law (n.d.), minimum wage is not clearly defined. However, minimum wage is generally set at Dhs.4000. The assumption is that an individual will not be able to sustain their life below this income level. Eligibility to minimum wage The law on minimum wage covers all persons working in the UAE. The implication is that all industries that provide employment in the country are covered by this law ( UAE labour law , 2001). Industries concerned The law is applicable to all industries operating within the UAE ( UAE labour law, 2001). The booming logistical, oil, and hospitality sectors are some of the areas covered by this law. The binding power of the minimum wage law Regardless of the legitimacy of the law on minimum wage, it is not binding to certain industries and occupations. The law stipulates that civil servants, members of the security forces, domestic workers, and farmers are not covered by this policy ( UAE labour law, 2001). Minimum wage laws in other Gulf Cooperation Countries According to Peck (2010), Gulf Cooperation Countries (herein referred to as GCC) is a group made up of 6 nations. They include Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. The others are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Out of the six countries, it is only Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE that have put in place legal structures to address the issue of minimum wage. Rent Control Laws in Abu Dhabi and Dubai Implications of the rent control laws Krugman and Wells (2012) explain price ceilings as situations where the government puts a limit on the highest cost of a commodity. The rent laws in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are examples of this economic policy. Law no. 33 of 20
An analysis of racial/ethnic differences in offending and victimization rates A lot of attention has always been paid to the issue of race and crime. Statistics in the United States show that the rate of incarceration among the minority communities is higher than in the White communities. Statistics show that homicide is the leading cause of death among males in the African American community. The probability that a young African American male will die due to homicide is very high. It stands at 1 in every group of 21 young African Americans while it is much lower in the Whites where the probability is 1 in every group of 131 White males (Sampson and Wilson, 126). Although the homicide rates have been increasing from the 1950s both in the White and African American communities, the rate of increase in the African American community has been at higher levels. The rate of death through firearms among the African Americans doubled in the period from 1984 to 1988 compared to the rates among the Whites which were relatively stable. The rate of African American robbery is ten times higher than the White rates. Although African Americans account for only 12% of the overall population, they are imprisoned or sentenced for more than 50% of the homicide and robbery arrests in the country (Shihadeh and Steffensmeier 729). There are scholars who have refused to focus on the causes of these differentials instead of carrying out studies to show that there is racism against minority communities by the law enforcement agencies. Weitzer in 2000, interviewed residents from the White middle-class community and African American middle, as well as lower-class communities to find out their perception of racialized policing. All the respondents agreed that African Americans were treated more harshly than Whites by the police. The White respondents indicated that the reason for the harsher treatment was the exceptionally high crime rates in the African American communities. The police were therefore to a certain extent justified in their behavior (Weitzer 151). Residents from the African American middle-class neighborhood felt that they received, to a certain extent, the same kind of treatment as the Whites. The African Americans from poor neighborhoods reported inferior treatment. These perceptions are due to the kind of policing both neighborhoods receive. The African Americans in the poor neighborhood have
President Obama addressed to Congress on September 8, 2011 with a speech. At the very beginning of the speech, he said that American people didn’t want to hear about future elections and other political issues, as they were more concerned about their families and jobs. Obama focused his attention on the American Jobs Act aimed at creating job places and offering businesspersons better conditions for running business. Obama wanted the American Jobs Act to be passed by the Congress as he believed that this act was the only necessary for the country. The main purpose of the act under consideration is to create more job places to make people return to work. Obama dwells upon skies and transportation system which are at the lowest position in quality right now. Obama states that if the act is passed, the construction works are going to be implemented. Financing the building of world-class transportation system people are going to be employed and this will help the country economy. Furthermore, Obama pays attention to schools and educational system in general. He is sure that the USA has many schools which are ruined but due to their reconstructions, they may open its doors for students and offer many positions for teachers and other staff. Obama is sure that having created new jobs, the country’s social and economical situation may improve. Much attention in the article is paid to small business. Obama is sure that small business is a guarantee of new positions creation. Small business flourishing in the country may improve the situation at the labor market. Promising tax cuts to those who hire more new employees and raise workers’ wages, Obama wants encourage small entrepreneurship to combat unemployment. Veterans’ employment is also going to be rewarded with tax credits. However, having read the speech up to the end, the only question which arises in my mind is where Obama is going to take money for the actions he is to apply. Buildings and transportation system construction require great deal of financial injections. The USA is on the threshold of bankruptcy and it does not have an opportunity to finance new positions and reconstruction of the country. Furthermore, Obama plans to cut taxes of the country which need those taxes to recover from crises. Obama promises fifteen hundred dollar tax cut next year for each typical working family. Where Obama wants to take such money? Taxes are one of the main sources of income of the USA and depriving the coun