Health Care

To tell you the truth, I wasn't really following the health care bill yesterday. I decided I should probably know the basics of what they were trying to pass. The New York Times had an interesting post about how the bill will affect you. It discussed the issues that were debated like: keeping your current plan or buying coverage through "exchanges" starting in 2014. I thought most of the ideas would be positive changes because it seems fair for all parties. But there was one that caught my eye:

"Starting in 2014, most Americans will be required to buy health insurance or pay a penalty" 

I thought this was interesting because under this statement was "American Indians don’t have to buy insurance. Those with religious objections or a financial hardship can also avoid the requirement". I've never really thought about the disagreements with religious views and health care. But this seems unfair too, what if people without religious objections don't want health care (I don't see why the wouldn't) but it's a possibility. Overall, I am still a little confused about the whole process but the issues are interesting.

What did you think about the health care bill?

Controversial Wal-Mart

           Forget the smiley face, Walmart. I came across a news report that I was really shocked by. The title of the article was "Attention, Walmart customers: All black people, leave the store now". Apparently, a New Jersey Walmart customers were interrupted by this obscene statement made on Sunday night. Someone announced it over the intercom, letting everyone in the store hear. I thought this was totally out of line and there was no reason for doing it. Whoever did this was unnacceptable and has to realize that other people do have feelings and shouldn't be treated that way. Also, we have to question the security at these stores, it's not everyday that someone takes over the intercom and does this.

What would you do if you were in Walmart and heard this? What does this say about our country?

(image via: http://i.walmart.com/i/b/06/camp/Rollbacks/rollback06_180X150.gif)

What Makes a Logo POP?

After reading all the thoughtful blog posts about advertising, I decided to focus on a simple form of advertising, company logos. Why are brand name logos like Target and McDonald's so intriguing? I seem to be drawn to both of these logos and feel like logos that are simple and clear-cut are most effective. Logos that have too much going on are so hectic that is pushes me away from them. The Harley Davidson logo is one that has a lot of words and is almost confusing. I also think it says a lot about the company though. Selling motorcycles shows that the company is tough, like the logo.

What are some of your favorite company logos? What do you think the logo says about the company?










(images via: http://lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/files/2009/09/Target-Logo-copy.jpg, http://tokyo5.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/mcdonalds-logo.jpg, http://makingmarketing.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/harley-davidson-logo1.jpg)

Advertising in Music Videos

            Since we have been discussing advertisements in class, I think this post is pretty appropriate. Last week, Lady Gaga and Beyonce debuted their new music video for "Telephone". I was kind of shocked by the video, but you can expect that from Gaga. The video was kind of strange but I did notice a variety of products throughout the video. I wondered if these products were put in their just for fun or if Lady Gaga was paid to put them in.

            Wonder Bread, Miracle Whip, Diet Coke, Polaroid and Virgin Mobile were the big names that appeared in the video. All of these products are fun and colorful, connecting to Lady Gaga's image. She has always been known for her colorful ways. What do you think these ads mean? Did she simply put them in there for the big bucks, or do you think they have a connected meaning? 


(Image via: Streamline/Interscope)

The Buried Life

Last week, a new series on MTV called The Buried Life, had its finale. It's a show about 4 young adult males who go on an adventure trying to cross things off their list of 100 thing they want to do before they die. Every time they cross something off their list, they help a stranger cross something off theirs. It's actually kind of touching.

It reminded me of the green light in The Great Gatsby. No, technically the list is not only one thing they desire most in life, but it does connect in a way. I think the show sends out a great message, if you put your mind to it, you can do anything you want. Their list is composed of small things, not anything like 'find a cure for cancer' or 'change the world'.  Most of the things they do are not hard to accomplish, showing that you can be a better person with taking small risks everyday. It makes me want to make my own list of thing to do before I die. Do you have one?

What do you want to do before you die?


(image via: http://www.mtv.com/shows/buried_life/series.jhtml) [also the Buried Life website]

The American Dream

Since we have been talking a little about social class in America, I decided to look back at some work I did last year. For my Sophomore English class, I chose to read Class Matters by the New York Times, for one independent reading book. I really enjoyed it because it wasn't your typical book. There were many New York Times writers that contributed to the book, and each chapter was about real people living in America today. Every chapter invited you in to a strangers home, and they told you about their own life, and their own American Dream.

One that stuck out to me was said by a white woman, Karen Handel, who lives in a wealthy town in Georgie. She said:

“What is the American Dream? It’s to have a house of your own, the biggest house you can afford, on the biggest lot you can afford, with a great school for your kids, a nice park to spend Saturday afternoon with your kids in, and deep in amenities that get into the trade-offs with traffic”.

I think Karen's personal American Dream is kind of stereotypical for rich whites. Personally, I believe that forming an American Dream is very difficult. Because everyone is different in their own way, everyone's American Dream should be different. What do you think about Karen's American Dream? What is your American Dream?

For more information, check out the NYT page for Class Matters.

(image via: http://rgr-static1.tangentlabs.co.uk/images/bau/97808050/9780805080551/0/0/plain/class-matters.jpg)

Art

After today's discussion about the arts and how somebody can make a living off of it, I came across this quote:

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain

an artist once he grows up" --Pablo Picasso

The word problem really stuck out to me. If a child is interested in art, I think it is important to continue that hobby. I think this shows a common situation: Mom and Dad don't want their daughter to become an artist because they want whats best for her. Well, perhaps art is what's best. No, usually you won't make a lot of money, but you're doing what makes you happy. I think it would be better for someone interested in art to pursue it, rather than going into accounting (or some other common finance job) and throwing away their art talent. Like Mr. O'Connor said today, making a living doesn't necessarily mean making money. Do you think there is a 'problem' with growing up and being an artist?

(image via: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38338230@N06/3676263520/)