5-1 Weekly Written Analysis 5

The Myth that Americans will buy gas no matter what the cost because they really like their car has been proven untrue. Research has shown that the cost of gas has reached a point that Americans are starting to take action. Some are attempting to avoid using gas and others are finding ways to conserve it.

The original thought was that Americans liked their gas guzzling vehicles enough to pay 4 to 5 dollars a gallon for fuel. But the latest research is showing that there is a 1.8% decrease in miles driven for the month of April. (Fox News) Any reasonable person would have seen this coming, people like their SUV but at the same time they would rather sustain their quality of life. In American pop culture, cars are high on the list but they are apparently trumped by other activities.

Just last week I saw in the news that GM is going to reduce their small truck and SUV production by half. This is a sign that the gas prices are taking their toll. When the free market shows a change in the sales of a product, that indicates the popularity of the product. It can also indicate that there is a cause outside the actual market effecting sales. It is sad that politics have affected one of America’s favorite markets; the auto industry may never be the same.

References:

Fox News
Soaring Prices Cuts Gasoline Consumption as Americans Drive Less, More Efficiently
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,368983,00.html
© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved.

4-1 Weekly Written Analysis 4

The Fair Tax is one of the most radical ideas to over haul the broken US tax code. The Tax system in the United States is confusing and very expensive to run. It costs billions just to collect the taxes every year. The Fair Tax is a consumption tax that would replace all federal income taxes.

Consumption taxes goods instead of labor. This means you would not be taxed for being successful you would only be taxed on what you consume. I think this is the best idea since sliced bread. If you think about it, the only thing in this great country that infringes on your freedom is the income tax. There is no way to get away from it, you have no choice but to pay it. The tax is even deducted from your paycheck automatically!

There are many safe guards set in place when this new tax is approved. The federal government will no longer be able to tax income, only consumption. This means you will have complete freedom from the federal government unless you commit a crime.

The Fair Tax will literally eliminate tax fraud. Everyone will be required to pay taxes including visitors from other countries. Anyone that purchases a product from a US company will have to pay the tax. This takes the burden off the income tax payer.

References:

The Fair Tax
http://www.fairtax.org/site/PageServerCopyright © 2008 Americans For Fair Taxation

3-1 Weekly Written Analysis 3

After the long road of debates, town hall meetings, state caucuses’, and primary elections; it looks as if Barack Obama has secured the nomination to run as the Democratic nominee for President of the United States. Hillary Clinton is expected to suspend her campaign efforts on Friday.

Hillary Clinton said even though she didn’t get the nomination, she isn’t going anywhere. She still plans on working in politics; she may even run as Vice President. There have been rumors that Obama may ask her to run as his Vice President.

The 2008 election has been more extensively covered than any other presidential election in history. With all the new technology available and different avenues to hear the news it is almost impossible not to be informed as to what is going on. Politics have become a big part of Pop Culture.

The 2008 election is very different from others in the past. This election includes the first female running for president and the first African American. In many ways these facts could have contributed to the popularity of this race.

Politics in the last few years have entered the pop culture scene more than in the past due to the changes in issues and how everything is much more heavily covered. With the introduction of new technology like the internet and personal communication devices like the Black Berry, it is much easier to be in the know.

References:

Adviser: Clinton to Drop Out Friday
http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/06/04/adviser-clinton-to-drop-out-friday/
© 2008 FOX News Network, LLC.

1-3 Journal Article Analysis

Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places

In the article Grower-Only Farmers’ Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places, by Thomas K
Tiemann, Farmers’ markets are discussed. The article is intended for just about any audience, it is very informative and interesting. Farmers’ markets are great places to not only get the freshest produce but also socialize. If you are a person that is interested in socializing, which at some point most people are, farmers’ markets are fun places to go.

This article uses a couple subject specific vocabulary terms. The first is indigenous market; this is where traditional produce is sold like tomatoes, corn, and potatoes. The second is experience market, this is the farmers’ market where not only produce is sold but also sundries like soap, crafts, meat, and other goods.

This article is logically organized; it starts with an example of a current farmers market. Then explains how farmers’ markets vary in style, products, and produce offered. Then it ends with a conclusion that not only ends the article but also summarizes it. The main ideas are clearly presented and easy to understand and relate to. The article is very descriptive and gives extensive detail.

The text is very easy to read and understand. Every thought is explained and backed up by research. The research included very interesting information like how not all farmers’ markets are the same some are more gauged towards the local grower and others have resellers that obtained their produce from a wholesale farm.

The key idea to take away from this article is that farmers markets are not just places to buy produce but also to socialize just like you would in a coffee shop or in a bar. Some farmers’ markets are more for socializing than for shopping. This goes for the farmers as well not just the customers. In many markets you will find older farmers that don’t bring much produce to sell, but come for the conversation and friendships they have developed over the years.

The farmers’ markets in the article are explained as Third place markets. The term third place explains an establishment or event where there is opportunity for fellowship and socialization. In many cases the markets have become tourist attractions and have become very popular. The amount of farmers markets in the United States has doubled in the last 10 years.

With the number of parks, coffee shops and other social venue’s getting smaller, a concept like a farmers’ market is very attractive. The days of going down to the local drug store or soda fountain to hang out are over. Just like the drug stores use to be, there is very little similarities between the farmers’ markets. Most of them are designed to fit the likes and needs of the local community. All the farmers’ markets have one thing in common, the produce changes with the season. Whatever crop came in that week that is what they sell. That is the down side to fresh produce; it isn’t going to be the same all the time. You have to enjoy it while it lasts.

References:
TIEMANN, K. (June 2008). Grower-Only Farmers' Markets: Public Spaces and Third Places
The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, Issue 3, 2008 p. 467-487
2008, Copyright the AuthorsJournal compilation 2008, Blackwell Publishing, Inc.