[priyanka.smiles]

Admission Results 2008-2010

check tis for GD/PI

[Joran]

Thanks a lot dude...but unfortunately, have read it already in TIME magazine

[gunjanr5]

hello people!

So with TISS already out with the GD PI dates i am sure all of us will be even more enthusiastic. last topic had many posts .... thankyou pguys and lets keep the good work going on....
today i think we can discuss the much awaited american elections to be held this year in Nov. Here we can talk about the following...

• their election system
• various parties involved and their core beliefs
• this year's famous contestants for election and their agenda... of both democratic and republican party
• any other points....

well my contribution.......
Step-by-Step on the Campaign Trail

How the President Gets Elected

Candidate announces plan to run for office.
Candidate campaigns to win delegate support.
Caucuses and primary elections take place in the states.
Caucuses and primaries are ways for the general public to take part in nominating presidential candidates. Before the 20th century, only the party leaders in each state could nominate presidential candidates.
At a caucus, local party members gather to nominate a candidate. A caucus is a lively event at which party leaders and activists debate issues, consider candidates, choose delegates, and discuss the party platform, or statement of principles. The rules governing caucus procedures vary by party and b y state.
A primary is more like a general election. Voters go to the polls to cast their votes for a presidential candidate (or delegates who will represent that candidate at the party convention). Primary elections are the main way for voters to choose a nominee.
Nominee for president is announced at national party conventions.
The main goal of a national party convention is to unify party members behind the party's platform and nominees. Thousands of delegates gather to rally support for the platform and to nominate candidates for president and vice-president.
From the 1820s until the 1930s, party conventions were boisterous events in which determining a nominee could spark hot debate. By the mid-20th century, however, primary elections had become the main way of selecting a nominee.
After the convention, the second stage of the presidential campaign begins: the election campaign. In this stage, presidential candidates from different parties compete against each other.
Citizens cast their votes.
Presidential elections are held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November.
The electoral college casts its votes.
Some of the founding fathers wanted Congress to elect the president. Others wanted the president to be elected by popular vote. The electoral college represents a compromise between these ideas.
Every state has a number of electors equal to its number of congresspersons.
The president is inaugurated.
On January 20, the president enters office in a formal ceremony know as the inauguration.

CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Hillary Clinton

Iraq

• Start phased redeployment within 60 days of gaining office.
• Secure stability in Iraq as we withdraw troops.
• New intensive diplomatic initiative in the region.

Energy/Environment

• Supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050
• Cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from projected levels by 2030
• Reduce electricity consumption 20% from projected levels by 2020
• Double federal investment in energy research
• Create a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy
• Move the economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25% of electricity by 2025 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030
• Increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and establish a $20 billion of “Green Vehicle Bonds” to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards

Immigration

• Supports comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to earned legal status for those who are working legally in the U.S and requires immigrants to learn English and pay a fine
• Supports programs to make it easier for legal immigrants to bring their families to the U.S.
• Ensure that employers comply with the law against hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
• Supports new technology that will help stop the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country
• Opposes a guest worker program

Health care

• Medical tax credits for working families.
• Same health plan for the public that is offered to members of Congress.
• Large employers must provide insurance or contribute to cost of coverage; tax credit to small businesses that offer coverage.
• No denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Portable coverage—the individual keeps medical plan when changing jobs or losing a job.

Taxes

• Extend middle class cuts including the Child Tax Credit and marriage penalty relief.
• New cuts for healthcare, college, and retirement.
• Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Care Tax Credit.

Education

• Recruit, prepare, retain, support teachers and principals.
• Increase maximum Pell Grant.
• Create new $3,500 college tax credit.

Barack Obama

Iraq

• Immediately begin to remove troops.
• Remove one to two combat brigades each month; all combat brigades out within 16 months.
• Engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society to seek new accord on Iraq's Constitution and governance.
• No permanent bases in Iraq.

Energy/Environment

• Supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
• Develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers, and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid
• Establish a 25% federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25% of electricity consumed in the U.S. be derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025
• Require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be included in the fuel supply by 2022 and increase that to at least 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol by 2030

Immigration

• Supports additional personnel, infrastructure, and technology on the border and at our ports of entry
• Increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill
• Crack down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants
• Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens

Health care

• Guaranteed eligibility.
• Portability and choice.
• National Health Insurance Exchange.
• Employers who do not offer or make meaningful contributions to cost of quality coverage are required to contribute percentage of payroll to pay for national plan.
• Mandatory child coverage.
• Expand eligibility for Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Taxes

• Lower income limit for Child Tax Credit.
• Eliminate income tax for seniors earning less than $50,000 a year.
• Reverse Bush tax cuts for wealthy.
• Simplify filing process.
• Universal mortgage interest credit.
• Tax credit up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family.
• No capital gains tax for start-up companies.

Education

• Increase funding for Head Start.
• Zero to Five plan.
• Support innovative schools.
• Recruit and reward teachers.
• Modify certification and teacher preparation process.
• Tax credit toward college.
• Streamline financial aid process.

[arulprakash]

Originally Posted by gunjanr5

hello people!

So with TISS already out with the GD PI dates i am sure all of us will be even more enthusiastic. last topic had many posts .... thankyou pguys and lets keep the good work going on....
today i think we can discuss the much awaited american elections to be held this year in Nov. Here we can talk about the following...

• their election system
• various parties involved and their core beliefs
• this year's famous contestants for election and their agenda... of both democratic and republican party
• any other points....

well my contribution.......
Step-by-Step on the Campaign Trail

How the President Gets Elected

Candidate announces plan to run for office.
Candidate campaigns to win delegate support.
Caucuses and primary elections take place in the states.
Caucuses and primaries are ways for the general public to take part in nominating presidential candidates. Before the 20th century, only the party leaders in each state could nominate presidential candidates.
At a caucus, local party members gather to nominate a candidate. A caucus is a lively event at which party leaders and activists debate issues, consider candidates, choose delegates, and discuss the party platform, or statement of principles. The rules governing caucus procedures vary by party and b y state.
A primary is more like a general election. Voters go to the polls to cast their votes for a presidential candidate (or delegates who will represent that candidate at the party convention). Primary elections are the main way for voters to choose a nominee.
Nominee for president is announced at national party conventions.
The main goal of a national party convention is to unify party members behind the party's platform and nominees. Thousands of delegates gather to rally support for the platform and to nominate candidates for president and vice-president.
From the 1820s until the 1930s, party conventions were boisterous events in which determining a nominee could spark hot debate. By the mid-20th century, however, primary elections had become the main way of selecting a nominee.
After the convention, the second stage of the presidential campaign begins: the election campaign. In this stage, presidential candidates from different parties compete against each other.
Citizens cast their votes.
Presidential elections are held every four years on the Tuesday after the first Monday of November.
The electoral college casts its votes.
Some of the founding fathers wanted Congress to elect the president. Others wanted the president to be elected by popular vote. The electoral college represents a compromise between these ideas.
Every state has a number of electors equal to its number of congresspersons.
The president is inaugurated.
On January 20, the president enters office in a formal ceremony know as the inauguration.

CAMPAIGN ISSUES
Hillary Clinton

Iraq

• Start phased redeployment within 60 days of gaining office.
• Secure stability in Iraq as we withdraw troops.
• New intensive diplomatic initiative in the region.

Energy/Environment

• Supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% from 1990 levels by 2050
• Cut foreign oil imports by two-thirds from projected levels by 2030
• Reduce electricity consumption 20% from projected levels by 2020
• Double federal investment in energy research
• Create a $50 billion Strategic Energy Fund, paid for in part by oil companies, to fund investments in alternative energy
• Move the economy toward renewable energy sources, with renewables generating 25% of electricity by 2025 and with 60 billion gallons of home-grown biofuels available for cars and trucks by 2030
• Increase fuel efficiency standards to 55 miles per gallon by 2030, and establish a $20 billion of “Green Vehicle Bonds” to help U.S. automakers retool their plants to meet the standards

Immigration

• Supports comprehensive immigration reform that offers a path to earned legal status for those who are working legally in the U.S and requires immigrants to learn English and pay a fine
• Supports programs to make it easier for legal immigrants to bring their families to the U.S.
• Ensure that employers comply with the law against hiring and exploiting undocumented workers.
• Supports new technology that will help stop the flow of undocumented immigrants into the country
• Opposes a guest worker program

Health care

• Medical tax credits for working families.
• Same health plan for the public that is offered to members of Congress.
• Large employers must provide insurance or contribute to cost of coverage; tax credit to small businesses that offer coverage.
• No denial of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
• Portable coverage—the individual keeps medical plan when changing jobs or losing a job.

Taxes

• Extend middle class cuts including the Child Tax Credit and marriage penalty relief.
• New cuts for healthcare, college, and retirement.
• Expand the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Care Tax Credit.

Education

• Recruit, prepare, retain, support teachers and principals.
• Increase maximum Pell Grant.
• Create new $3,500 college tax credit.

Barack Obama

Iraq

• Immediately begin to remove troops.
• Remove one to two combat brigades each month; all combat brigades out within 16 months.
• Engage representatives from all levels of Iraqi society to seek new accord on Iraq's Constitution and governance.
• No permanent bases in Iraq.

Energy/Environment

• Supports a cap-and-trade system to reduce carbon emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
• Develop domestic incentives that reward forest owners, farmers, and ranchers when they plant trees, restore grasslands, or undertake farming practices that capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Invest $150 billion over 10 years to advance the next generation of biofuels and fuel infrastructure, accelerate the commercialization of plug-in hybrids, promote development of commercial-scale renewable energy, invest in low-emissions coal plants, and begin the transition to a new digital electricity grid
• Establish a 25% federal Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) to require that 25% of electricity consumed in the U.S. be derived from clean, sustainable energy sources, like solar, wind and geothermal by 2025
• Require 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels to be included in the fuel supply by 2022 and increase that to at least 60 billion gallons of advanced biofuels like cellulosic ethanol by 2030

Immigration

• Supports additional personnel, infrastructure, and technology on the border and at our ports of entry
• Increase the number of legal immigrants to keep families together and meet the demand for jobs that employers cannot fill
• Crack down on employers who hire undocumented immigrants
• Supports a system that allows undocumented immigrants who are in good standing to pay a fine, learn English, and go to the back of the line for the opportunity to become citizens

Health care

• Guaranteed eligibility.
• Portability and choice.
• National Health Insurance Exchange.
• Employers who do not offer or make meaningful contributions to cost of quality coverage are required to contribute percentage of payroll to pay for national plan.
• Mandatory child coverage.
• Expand eligibility for Medicaid and State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Taxes

• Lower income limit for Child Tax Credit.
• Eliminate income tax for seniors earning less than $50,000 a year.
• Reverse Bush tax cuts for wealthy.
• Simplify filing process.
• Universal mortgage interest credit.
• Tax credit up to $500 per person, or $1,000 per working family.
• No capital gains tax for start-up companies.

Education

• Increase funding for Head Start.
• Zero to Five plan.
• Support innovative schools.
• Recruit and reward teachers.
• Modify certification and teacher preparation process.
• Tax credit toward college.
• Streamline financial aid process.

GR8 WORK gunjan... BTW HILARY CLINTON AND BARACK OBAMA belong to the same democratic party. Obama had 1,598 delegates, including separately chosen party and elected officials known as super delegates. Clinton had 1,487, according to the AP count.(on mar 12th)
It takes 2,025 delegates to secure the Democratic nomination at the party's national convention this summer.
On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain clinched the nomination last week.

[Di$ha]

To add on....Hillary clinton would be the first lady president of US if she wins and Barack Obama the first Black President though there has been lot of speculation that Obama is not black enough or that many US presidents had black ancestors.Regarding Indian affairs, Hillary has been talking more of her Indian links and comments on fostering growth for both Nations together. She initially was much in favour of outsourcing. Good from the point of views of Indian Techies.But now she has joined the anti outsourcing bandwagon with obama. So no tax breaks for the companies that outsource instead it'll be for those companies which invest in US.

[gunjanr5]

lets talk about globalization and its impact .... i found two topics asked in last year's gd ....Globalisation has eroded the nation state and Globalisation boon or curse for Indian youth. keeping both in mind lets give our views.....

Liberalization refers to a relaxation of previous government restrictions, usually in areas of social or economic policy.
Privatization is the incidence or process of transferring ownership of business from the public sector (government) to the private sector (business).

Globalization in a literal sense is international integration.[1] It can be described as a process by which the people of the world are unified into a single society and functioning together. This process is a combination of economic, technological, sociocultural and political forces.
Since World War II, barriers to international trade have been considerably lowered through international agreements - General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Particular initiatives carried out as a result of GATT and the World Trade Organisation (WTO)

For

• Brought in competition in Indian market
• Better services now for customers
• Technological advancements
• Infrastructural developments due to forieg investments in less developed countries or areas

Against

• Disadvantage to poorer countries as they are basically agriculture products exporters and the farmers of these countries cannot compete on the international mkts and are forced to sell their products at a lower price.
• In context of Indian youth- mall culture has come up and it is more of a dating place rather than for buying things…thus kind of changing Indian culture
• Many factories are being built as a result pollution is increasing

[roopag]

Hi.. Some more points to add to gunjan's pros and cons of globalization:

PROS

• Global competition and imports control prices, so inflation is less likely to affect economic growth.
• Due to the presence of a worldwide market, there is an increase in the production sector and there are many more options for companies to increase their efficiency.
• Gradually there is a world power that is being created instead of compartmentalized power sectors. Politics is merging and decisions that are being taken are actually beneficial to many.
• Now there is a worldwide market for companies and for people there is more access to products of different countries.
• There is a steady cash flow into the developing countries, which gradually decreases the dollar difference.
• Globalization has widened the opportunities for education available to people.
• Globalization permits countries to share experiences and to learn from one another's achievements and difficulties, promoting an exchange of ideals, cultural values and aspirations.
• Socially we have become more tolerant and appreciative of other cultures breaking down nationl and cultural barriers.
• There has been a tremendous amount of technological development over the years thanks to globalization.
• Globalization has also led to development in infrastructure due to a larger amount of foreign investment in developing countries
• Reverse Brain Drain/ Retaining Talent- Increase in the opportunities available in developing countries have allowed countries to retain their talent.

CONS

• People in developed countries are losing jobs due to the outsourcing of work to developing countries.
• In some sense, globalization is Westernization of economic systems, cultures, values and lifestyles.
• Globalization, in its present form, seems to be too capitalistic and focused on pure industrial development rather than overall development that is beneficial to all sectors of society.
• Globalization is often cited as the reason for the widening gap between the rich and poor.
• Agricultural produce is being priced out of the market by cheaper imports
• Globalization is leading to the disappearance of smaller establishments
• Globalization undermines the power of the government, leaving them at the mercy of foreign investors
• Globalization has led to a large degree of environmental destruction with an increase in pollution, land being acquired for industrial purposes, urbanization etc.
• Globalization has led to rapid change and adjustment which has intensifed the problems of poverty, unemployment and social disintegration.

[Di$ha]

How about discussing the National Game and the linked controversiesMy stance..July 29,1980 when India won their last Olympic gold medal at Moscow. March10,2008 and we lose to a team like Britain , its impossible to believe that our team is not even heading to the Olympics, let alone think of a medal. On top of it the Godfather of Indian hockey ,came up with one of the most amazing statements ever – “We do not have a instant coffee machine that u can get results instantly.India won the Asian games in Bangkok and immediately after the players returned from there, Gill sacked many good players including skipper Dhanraj Pillay.Hockey is our Nation’s pride but then where is IHF heading to?Cricket obviously deserves so much attention with the young Indian team bringing so many accolades back home but then how do we perceive future of our National Game.* We don’t promote hockey even at the school levels. Cricket at any sports club is a common site more so in the school and college stadiums but no support and coaching to all those who want to take a plunge into the hockey arena.* We must also admit that the media certainly needs to do their part on bringing up the game that has really deteriorated. Not much was written about the team when they won the Asian Games.Please add on to this with your citings...</p>

[mockingabird]

Globalisation Hit or a miss??


Pros:

It means ending all barriers: free trade, barriers across countries, technologies... etc... The dream of one world... coming true.

Will lead to the formation of integrated markets. Only those fit will survive. Eliminates the inefficient players.Reduces corruption.

Comparitive advantage: As every country will try to produce what they are best at producing... Global productivity improves. There will be mutual benefits.

There will be a lot of FDI in the country. Interest rates may go down.

Since its a globally competitive market inflation rates will be low. As prices will be globally competitive.

Lot of cross cultural learnings and a better understanding of global culture

Cons:

It might put the small players out of business
The rich get richer

It may leave lots of people unemployed - Eg Offshoring

Distribution of the benefits of free trade maybe very uneven.

The rich countries can sit back and relaaaaaaaax for the moment as they "Get things done" But ont he long run they will definitely lose out


If a person in the US is a better programmer than a person in India... He will be deprived of a job despite being better coz he needs to be paid better. So, it can be skewed!!

[roopag]

My opinion on the Hockey Controversy


What comes to light after the hockey team’s loss is the neglect of sports other than cricket. India needs to look beyond cricket! We have been pumping so much money and energy in to that sport that almost every other sport is neglected. We make one film on hockey and ironically the only time you hear its theme song being played is at a cricket game.
Recently, the national badminton camp couldn't be held because there were no shuttlecocks available! The reasons are disputable, but would we ever hear of the national cricket camp not being held because there were no cricket balls?
The hockey team which won the prestigious Asia Cup tournament last year went pretty much unnoticed, while the cricket team always gets a grand welcome after any win. We didn’t see any headlines reading National Pride when the Indian hockey team won, but we see plenty with National Shame after this loss. I feel this would naturally lead to feelings of frustration and lack of motivation amongst the hockey team players.
The attitude towards the game of hockey needs to change.Important figures such as the sports minister should promote and revive our national game along with other sports. More efforts should be made to set up institutes to teach children hockey and the game needs to be given more coverage by the media too.
Moreover, the management of the Indian hockey team needs to be improved and the game needs to be taken more seriously. It needs people who are passionate with a genuine interest in the game, not a president who is barely accountable for his team’s performance.