Mandatory Voting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Mandatory Voting - Essay Example While the current electoral system is not producing a high percentage of citizens voting, the alternatives - to levy incentives or penalties or lower the voting age - do not address the core problems. The American voting process is a well-thought out plan that works, however voter turnout will not increase until citizens relate the importance to their own well-being and lowering the voting age would not help; conversely the institution of an "apathy tax" as penalty for not voting could be effective. As Miller states, the current electoral system in the United States is working just as it should. However, there is no doubt that with the current system, voter turnout has been poor. One of the main reasons for this is that citizens do not view voting as being in their own best interests. They reason that there is nothing tangible realized from voting; no strong motive to do so, and consequently, they do nothing. This is, according to John Dean, columnist for Findlaw.com and former counsel to the President of the United States in his 2003 article "Is It Time to Consider Mandatory Voting Laws", a national disgrace, and rightly so. Generation after generation, the percentage of citizens voting declines. It is critical to note that without a standard in addition to the established voting system, the present problems and issues keeping citizens from the polls will continue. Voters must be prodded in a way which appeals to their sense of obligation to society in order to become properly registered and exercise their right to vote. Citizens must remember there is a social contract with their government which loses its legitimacy if they do not vote. When voters are lax about upholding their end of the agreement, it becomes imperative to look more closely at the role of government and whether the electoral process is focused on the results at the polls or what is the best process for electing the country's leader. It will take a concerted effort to convince citizens to forgo their natural apathy and do what is best for the democratic system of the United States, however, it is not the system itself which must be reformed. Lowering the legal voting age has been proposed by some but to do so would be ineffective in ensuring mature, informed votes. Citizens younger than 18 are not mature enough, nor have they sufficient experience to make an informed voting decision; many would simply vote in tandem with their parents or other influential adults without the ability to use their own critical judgment. However, targeting 18-year-old voters would be very beneficial, as Democrat Joe Coto proposes, according to the 2007 Sacramento Bee article by Jim Sanders, "Register to Vote, Get Diploma". Coto has recently authored a bill, AB 183, which would induce young people to register to vote or be penalized by not receiving their high school diploma. In this way, the message becomes clear that our political system requires citizens "to keep

Capital Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Capital - Essay Example The results of the strategy are dependent of the performance of the companies. Basically, the concept of capital gearing is designed to provide competitive advantage and to provide long-term benefits to the consumers. Actually, the proposal of the board of directors appears to be right. Capital gearing is an instrument that tends to decrease the cost of capital. Simple computations will suggest that gearing is increased in three ways: increase in net assets, decrease net borrowings, and decrease shareholder funds. Cost of capital is reduced by minimising issuance of stocks and issuance of borrowings. In addition, not venturing to internal financing also maintains the level of capital cost. Theoretically, the proposal is sound because capital gearing will definitely decrease the value of capital. Basically, it will depend on the strategy of the firm on which item to concentrate. The notion provides an interesting subject that has to be analysed before the gearing is finally approved. Actually, the board of directors failed to notice an important component of the equation. The corporate tax was secluded for the computation. Thus, the calculation has to be corrected by inserting the missing part of the equation. The increase in gearing has resulted to a decrease total capital by 1%. Ignoring the importance of the corporate tax was crucial in the actual results. Despite of the minimal change in the results, the managers was still right in doubting the computations. The small change in the decrease in cost of capital was favourable for the company. The impact of the decrease will be observed in the benefits provided to all stakeholders, in particular the investors. Assuming that the cost of equity and cost of debt do not alter, estimate the effect of the share repurchase on the company's cost of capital and value. Basically, this method of gearing will have more substantial effects to the cost of capital. As mentioned, gearing is possible when the assets of the company are greater than the debts and equity. Share repurchase will definitely affect the cost of equity. Perhaps this notion contradicts to the earlier statement that the equity cost retains its value. Even with the repurchase shares, the cost of capital will not affected. In the previous discussion, it was mentioned that internal financing also promotes gearing. By doing such, the company can use its earnings to repurchase the share. Basically, the company will not resort into borrowings and will not use the available equity as means to do the repurchase. The internal investment will have similar effects to the company in terms of the reduction of capital cost and benefits gained. Although, it is