Intro- The Colorado minimum wage laws remain a large crutch to the functioning of the state infrastructure by continually trapping Coloradoans from a low Socio-economic background in a vicious cycle of poverty.
Hostile Crowd- Although we live in meritocratic society where if one is intelligent and works hard enough they can vertically raise their status from poor to affluent, it must be recognized that life chances, including getting an education and getting out of low income neighborhoods for families in poverty is almost impossible on a minimum wage income of 7.25 in Colorado.
Constitutionality/Consistency- The distribution of income obviously favors the middle and upper class citizens in American and more and more do we see the concentration of income and wealth in these respective classes irrespective of the American ideology of equality. Today in America, equality is going to cost you and minimum wage can’t afford it.
Hostile Crowd- If America is truly the land of equality then the gap between the lower class income and middle and upper class income should not have the wide gap it does today. It is not only unfair to the families trying to survive and raise children on a 7.25 an hour salary but is respectively unfair to those who end up paying taxes to support these same families when they must go on welfare.
Justice- It is only just that the government passes legislation to begin to close the gap between the economic classes with the idea of reaching some version of economic equality. Raising the state minimum wage would be a first step in the right direction.
Hostile Crowd- In this economic recession we all must tighten our belts; we all know and understand this. However, we must also help to support our fellow Americans whether they are rich or poor, whether he or she owns a large business and now more than ever feels the pain of the recession, or the cashier working for minimum wage at a local grocery store trying to feed two elementary school aged children. We all must do our part.
Expediency- Now is not the time to debate whether there is a problem with the labor laws in not only Colorado but in the United States because while Republicans and Democrats at the Capital in Denver are debating whether or not there are really poverty stricken people living on the lower east side of Pueblo Colorado, there are mothers who cannot afford to buy enough food to feed her kids until her next pay check.
Hostile Crowd- We all are hurt by the malicious labor laws dictating unrealistic minimum wages in Colorado. If the working class cannot afford to live then how can they be expected to continue to work and contribute to the infrastructure keeping the institutions the middle and upper class depend on for their way of life. Raising the minimum wage will be an investment into the future of life as we have come to expect where around every corner there is some working class laborer behind that Starbucks counter making minimum wage brewing your coffee.
Practicability- It is only practical that the minimum wage be raised in Colorado, unless of course, the state is trying to somehow sit back and wait until the lower class fades away into poverty. Out of sight out of mind, right?
Hostile Crowd- Is it practical to raise the minimum wage in Colorado for the middle and upper class citizens? Many of whom bled sweat and tears to reach the prestigious status they have obtained in his or her life. The answer is logically, no. Raising the minimum wage would more likely than not have some negative repercussions to the taxes of the mentioned groups as government and businesses will have to find ways to rebalance their budgets to cater to new labor laws. However impractical it might be the real question lies in theoretical question, “Do all Americans deserve at least an opportunity join in the race for the pursuit of happiness through education and occupation?”
Conclusion- to truly be a country where one can come from rags and through individual talent rise in his or her life to riches, they playing field must be even. Raising the minimum wage in Colorado is the first step in achieving this goal.
Hostile Crowd- The notion of freedom and the American dream is the reason our families immigrated to this country and to deny the poor in America even the most minute chance to succeed by keeping them poor with minimum wages that are not sufficient enough to support ones basic needs is a tragic evolution of American Business ethics that needs to be corrected with policy immediately.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
intro to law prog
Introduction- the Supreme Court decision to allow cap less donations to congressional campaigns by corporate businesses is an insult to the checks and balance system of the United States. The very idea of this decision defended by those who define political donations as an extension of the first amendment, more specifically the freedom of political expression is trudging very dangerous waters. If this sort of judicial philosophy continues to resonate as the ethical guiding compass of the Supreme Court, the future for both the sovereignty of the nation and true representative democracy will be highly in question.
Constitutionality/consistency- Constitutionality, as we all know, is highly subjective to interpretation, interpretation guided by partisan politics rather than a veil of ignorance that defines and separates the American Justice system from other corrupt systems around the world. Allowing faceless corporations to donate large sums of money to congressional campaigns destroys the representative stratification of the common American citizen in elections.
Justice- A partisan justice system by definition is not only unjust but intolerable. The notion that political agendas, either liberal or conservative, conservative in this instance, furthermore big business conservative agenda, may be the deciding factor in senatorial elections is frightening to the power of the democratic voice in America.
Expediency- This decision is an issue that must be tended to immediately with either strong legislation or an amendment to the constitution overriding the Supreme Court’s decision. The main idea behind the decision of the court is that share holders in corporations deserve to have their voices heard in the election process, just like all Americans are entitled to; however, many of these corporations in question are multi-national corporations whose largest share holders are foreign. This means that some of the biggest campaign contributions in American elections could be coming from Chinese or Middle Eastern share holders who would in essence be buying American politicians. Now is the time to suffocate the flames of this misled decision before the sanctity of the sovereignty of the United States is put into jeopardy.
Practicability- It is not practical for the first amendment to be interpreted in such an ambiguous manner. By allowing interpretations of the constitution such as the recent Supreme Court decision to go uncontested will only open a can of worms where the constitution can be extrapolated in illogical manners to suit special interests.
Conclusion- To extrapolate ludicrous partisan interpretations of constitutional amendments from concrete ideas regarding the inalienateable freedoms of Americans like the Supreme Court decision to allow corporate companies to donate uncapped amounts of money to congressional elections under the first amendment is a tragedy for democracy.
Constitutionality/consistency- Constitutionality, as we all know, is highly subjective to interpretation, interpretation guided by partisan politics rather than a veil of ignorance that defines and separates the American Justice system from other corrupt systems around the world. Allowing faceless corporations to donate large sums of money to congressional campaigns destroys the representative stratification of the common American citizen in elections.
Justice- A partisan justice system by definition is not only unjust but intolerable. The notion that political agendas, either liberal or conservative, conservative in this instance, furthermore big business conservative agenda, may be the deciding factor in senatorial elections is frightening to the power of the democratic voice in America.
Expediency- This decision is an issue that must be tended to immediately with either strong legislation or an amendment to the constitution overriding the Supreme Court’s decision. The main idea behind the decision of the court is that share holders in corporations deserve to have their voices heard in the election process, just like all Americans are entitled to; however, many of these corporations in question are multi-national corporations whose largest share holders are foreign. This means that some of the biggest campaign contributions in American elections could be coming from Chinese or Middle Eastern share holders who would in essence be buying American politicians. Now is the time to suffocate the flames of this misled decision before the sanctity of the sovereignty of the United States is put into jeopardy.
Practicability- It is not practical for the first amendment to be interpreted in such an ambiguous manner. By allowing interpretations of the constitution such as the recent Supreme Court decision to go uncontested will only open a can of worms where the constitution can be extrapolated in illogical manners to suit special interests.
Conclusion- To extrapolate ludicrous partisan interpretations of constitutional amendments from concrete ideas regarding the inalienateable freedoms of Americans like the Supreme Court decision to allow corporate companies to donate uncapped amounts of money to congressional elections under the first amendment is a tragedy for democracy.
rhetorical act chap 8
Listening to the propositions being circulated in my community, I see extremely large amounts of date and testimony being used as proof in discourse. Furthermore, more and more, I see extrinsic evidence completely replacing intrinsic means of invention. Like the book asserts, people are shying away from using the proof found within the art of rhetoric. Consequently, this trend leads to the loss of the ability for the general public to be able engage in and interpret the rhetorical issues, of any extraction, anymore. I believe that both intrinsic invention and extrinsic testimony and date are necessary in rhetoric and communication in general. It appears that this trend might be attributed to the high speed of information transmission. There is no time for people to look deeply into the issues so they rely on testimony and date to form their opinions for them. Also, invention through intrinsic means is looked at as sophistry that is not to be trusted; neglecting the fact that being engaged in discussion is more times than not more important than being right. Looking at some of the works I have composed recently, it is apparent that I make a conscious effort to build arguments through intrinsic means of invention and only use date and testimony to further support my claims. To me it is a matter of ethics, I am extremely skeptical of the credibility of those who base arguments solely on extrinsic proofs. I think that it is too easy for extrinsic date to be manipulated to suit an interest group and be presented as undisputable fact. Extrinsic proofs, in my rhetoric, are used carefully, and more times than not, are simply used as supplementary support for intrinsic arguments and do not stand alone as indubitable proof.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
rhetorical act #2
Rhetorical activities #2
The term “war on terror” is an ameliorative term for terrorists that raise their rhetorical status from what they really are, criminals, to what they want us to think of them as, soldiers, furthermore soldiers of God.
1. The Rhetorical Situation
A town hall in Colorado Springs. The point for discussion: War on terrorism. Furthermore the repercussions of the terminology implemented since 9/11 regarding the “war on terror.”
2. Why is the Audience Hostile?
The audience is hostile for a number of reasons. First they are hostile as a community in close proximity to a large concentration of Military families who inherently disagree with anyone who questions the aspects of the war they may have friends and family serving in.
3. List emotional response to issue/situated ethos
- Anger- for perceived unpatriotic
- Fear- of terrorism should the war be abruptly ended
- Possibly hope/optimism?- should the audience be persuaded
4. List some pathetic proofs
- Calling the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq “war on terror” raises terrorists to the status of warrior from rightful status criminal
- Kids are recruited into terrorist organizations by propaganda (rhetoric) put out to romanticize notions of being soldiers of Allah. If we portray these terrorists to the world as criminals, they will lose their edge of prestige thereby facilitating the fall of these schools of thought.
The term “war on terror” is an ameliorative term for terrorists that raise their rhetorical status from what they really are, criminals, to what they want us to think of them as, soldiers, furthermore soldiers of God.
1. The Rhetorical Situation
A town hall in Colorado Springs. The point for discussion: War on terrorism. Furthermore the repercussions of the terminology implemented since 9/11 regarding the “war on terror.”
2. Why is the Audience Hostile?
The audience is hostile for a number of reasons. First they are hostile as a community in close proximity to a large concentration of Military families who inherently disagree with anyone who questions the aspects of the war they may have friends and family serving in.
3. List emotional response to issue/situated ethos
- Anger- for perceived unpatriotic
- Fear- of terrorism should the war be abruptly ended
- Possibly hope/optimism?- should the audience be persuaded
4. List some pathetic proofs
- Calling the campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq “war on terror” raises terrorists to the status of warrior from rightful status criminal
- Kids are recruited into terrorist organizations by propaganda (rhetoric) put out to romanticize notions of being soldiers of Allah. If we portray these terrorists to the world as criminals, they will lose their edge of prestige thereby facilitating the fall of these schools of thought.
prog #1
Progymnasmata #1
Comparison
Advice for going to CSUP as opposed to CU for undergrad
Prologue- CSUP, although it is a small less selective college, is an extremely relaxed positive learning environment with amazing professors.
Prologue- CU, although it is an extremely large and highly selective college, is a top school in the nation and an invaluable learning environment full of respected academics.
Announcement of thing being praised- CSUP is a great place to get an undergrad degree especially for Colorado Natives who want to save for graduate school.
Announcement of thing being compared- CU is a world class institution that brings students from not only around the United States, but around the world to Colorado to study, offering and a great experience for an Coloradoan.
Origins- Being from Pueblo and going to smaller schools where teacher interaction is more active, the learning environment at CSUP is more appealing for my style of learning.
Origins- CU expects students to take learning much more into their own hands. Being one of thirty some odd thousand makes interactions with teachers and advisers less personal.
Education merits- CSUP is an upcoming university that has for years been Colorado’s best kept secret with regard to college opportunities in the state with a good selection of majors, small classes, and a CSU caliber education.
Education merits- CU, time after time is regarded as a top University in both the nation and the world.
Achievements- Motivated students with a high GPA are just as qualified for graduate school as students graduating from any other Colorado college.
Achievements- CU students who graduate with a high GPA will have experienced an extremely diverse campus culture that is an incredible experience.
Comparison- If an affordable laid back, yet high quality learning environment is what you are looking for out of you college experience, then CSUP is a good place to get a foot in the door for the future.
Comparison- CU Boulder, on one hand is far more expensive than CSUP, but worth every penny of the tuition. Yet on the other, even though Boulder is a gorgeous town and learning in such a prestigious university, having studied for a short time at a comparable university, I would have to say the environment at CSUP is more appealing to me.
Epilogue- The type of learning environment that appeals to me is the one exhibited by CSUP.
Epilogue- With the expensive tuition and impersonal learning environment CU would not be the right college for me.
Comparison
Advice for going to CSUP as opposed to CU for undergrad
Prologue- CSUP, although it is a small less selective college, is an extremely relaxed positive learning environment with amazing professors.
Prologue- CU, although it is an extremely large and highly selective college, is a top school in the nation and an invaluable learning environment full of respected academics.
Announcement of thing being praised- CSUP is a great place to get an undergrad degree especially for Colorado Natives who want to save for graduate school.
Announcement of thing being compared- CU is a world class institution that brings students from not only around the United States, but around the world to Colorado to study, offering and a great experience for an Coloradoan.
Origins- Being from Pueblo and going to smaller schools where teacher interaction is more active, the learning environment at CSUP is more appealing for my style of learning.
Origins- CU expects students to take learning much more into their own hands. Being one of thirty some odd thousand makes interactions with teachers and advisers less personal.
Education merits- CSUP is an upcoming university that has for years been Colorado’s best kept secret with regard to college opportunities in the state with a good selection of majors, small classes, and a CSU caliber education.
Education merits- CU, time after time is regarded as a top University in both the nation and the world.
Achievements- Motivated students with a high GPA are just as qualified for graduate school as students graduating from any other Colorado college.
Achievements- CU students who graduate with a high GPA will have experienced an extremely diverse campus culture that is an incredible experience.
Comparison- If an affordable laid back, yet high quality learning environment is what you are looking for out of you college experience, then CSUP is a good place to get a foot in the door for the future.
Comparison- CU Boulder, on one hand is far more expensive than CSUP, but worth every penny of the tuition. Yet on the other, even though Boulder is a gorgeous town and learning in such a prestigious university, having studied for a short time at a comparable university, I would have to say the environment at CSUP is more appealing to me.
Epilogue- The type of learning environment that appeals to me is the one exhibited by CSUP.
Epilogue- With the expensive tuition and impersonal learning environment CU would not be the right college for me.
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