Let Gays Marry and Leave Marriage Alone Essay -- Andrew Sullivan Willi

I will summarize some of the key points from the essay, Let Gays Marry, by Andrew Sullivan, and the essay, Leave Marriage Alone, by William Bennett. Some of these main points are taken from mutual beliefs of both authors and others are derived from the opposing opinions of the two. The first summary of Andrew Sullivan’s essay is a reflection of Andrew Sullivan’s stance of the issue. The original essay was in favor of allowing same sex marriage in America. My summary will dictate some of the arguments that I found to be the most persuasive and important to Sullivan’s case. The second summary is of Bennett’s essay, Leave Marriage Alone. I will, again, try to point out the most influential pieces of argument in the essay. Finally, I hope to synthesize these two essays, and expose some of the similarities and arguments between the two. In the synthesis, I hope to provide an incite into some of the basic ideals presented from both sides of the issue. Andrew Sullivan states his thesis in the first paragraph of his essay entitled, Let Gays Marry. â€Å"They are citizens, entitled, like everyone else, to equal protection -no special rights, but simple equality†(25). Sullivan is referring to a supreme court declaration, stating that homosexuals are no longer separate from the general public in America. The decision states that gay and lesbian couples have the same rights as every other American citizen. With the new openness to the gay and lesbian lifestyle, there is no longer a need for homosexuals to feel like a separate entity from society. Based on this idea, advocates of gay and lesbian marriage are campaigning towards the right of same sex unions, recognized by law. Andrew Sullivan argues that many homosexuals... ...des of this argument. Bennett and Sullivan both face the same fears and obstacles in their beliefs. Allowing same sex couples to marry would broaden the definition of marriage, and aid in the gaining of equality for the homosexual community in America. They are both in opposition to each other, but they both agree that America is a diverse and tolerant nation. Neither of them deny that in America everyone has rights and there exist certain, respected, and revered institutions. Bennett and Sullivan are concerned with the result of giving up a traditional way of looking at such an institution as marriage, against the right to this institution for every person in America. Works Cited Let Gays Marry, by Andrew Sullivan http://faculty.mc3.edu/barmstro/sullivan.html Leave Marriage Alone, by William Bennett http://faculty.mc3.edu/barmstro/sullivan.html

If the gold standard was in use today, would it hinder economic growth Essay

The gold standard refers to a monetary system in which the unit of account of money will be fixed with the weight of gold. There are many people who argue that the gold standard should be implemented to bring down the inflation. By fixing the supply of money with gold, the government will not be able to issue money without having gold in reserve. However, on the other hand, there are experts who argue that by fixing the supply of money with gold, economic growth will be hindered as the amount of gold available on Earth is limited (Mises, 2009). This paper will show that the gold standard will hinder economic growth. I’ll firstly argue that there is a limited amount of gold in this world. Secondly, economic growth is seen as limited. Lastly, the amount of commerce will eventually reach a level equal to the gold holdings by the central bank of the country. Economic growth will be hindered if the gold standard is applied as there is a finite amount of gold in the world. Economic growth requires that there should be sufficient liquidity in the system. By adhering to the gold standard, economic growth will be hindered as to supply more money, the government will first need to buy gold. (Skousen, 1997) Secondly, economic growth is seen to be unlimited. This doesn’t complement with the gold standard, as the amount of gold is limited in the world. If economic growth is to be unlimited, then there must be enough money supply to finance it. The gold standard makes to difficult for governments to issue money, which in fact limits economic growth. (Cagan, 1982) Lastly, if the value of the dollar is limited by the amount of gold, then amount of commerce would reach a level equal to the gold holdings. In order for more money to be issued, the government would have to purchase more gold to back the increase in dollars issued. All the three points written above are influenced by the single factor that the supply is limited, while the demand for gold seems to be unlimited. (Cagan, 1982) Another problem with the gold standard is how to determine what weight of gold will equal to one unit of account. Furthermore, the gold standard can be suicidal for developing economies. Developing economies will need to buy gold to finance their economic growth, which might already be to expensive to buy for them. Currently, these economies are able to finance it through a budget deficit. Moreover, how will the gold standard be able to handle the speed and complexity of today’s financial transactions? Lastly, if the world shifts to a gold standard, then all the governments will need to burn huge amount of fiat money to make sure that the money supply equals to the amount of gold in the economy. Eichengreen & Marc, 1997) In conclusion, I believe that although by adhering to the gold standard the level of inflation will come down. However, the economic growth of a country will be hinder. The major reason for this is the limited supply of gold. Furthermore, if the gold standard is implemented the prices of gold will shoot up, making it more difficult for developing economies to grow up. Las tly, the government will need to burn huge amounts of fiat money to make sure that the there is no extra money in the economy.

Biography on Charles Dickens - 627 Words

This greatest of Victorian writers was born in Landport, Portsmouth, on February 7, 1812. His father John worked as a clerk in the Navy Payroll Office in Portsmouth. The elder Dickens was transfered several times, first to London, then to Chatham, and finally, in 1822, back to London, where the family lived in Camden Town. John Dickens was constantly in debt, and in 1824 he was imprisoned in Marshalsea debtors prison (Southwark). Charles was forced to leave school at the age of 12 and go to work in a bootblack factory to help support the Dickens family.It was his personal experience of factory work and the living conditions of the poor that created in Dickens the compassion which was to mark his literary works such as Oliver Twist. Dickens was released from the purgatory of Warrens Blacking Factory when his father received a legacy from a relative, and could finally pay his debts and be set free from Marshalsea. Charles went to Wellington House Academy for two years, then took work at Grays Inn as a clerk. Dickens worked as a Parliamentary reporter before finally moving on to The Morning Chronicle in 1834. His first published work appeared in Monthly Magazine in December 1833, and he followed it with nine more, penning his name as Boz to the last two articles. The pseudonym Boz was drawn from a pet name for his younger brother when they were children. In 1836 his articles were compiled and published as Sketches by Boz. Shortly after Boz was published, DickensShow MoreRelatedCharles Dickens Biography1626 Words   |  7 Pagesattention to the childhood cruelty, the less fortunate in an English society, and the unwealthy dysfunctional families of the early Victorian time period. Charles Dickens reflects these and other issues as he brings to life the realism of writing. While others were writing about the way things should be, rather than the way things were, Dickens was challenging these ideas, and argued that paupers and criminals were not evil at birth. This was an act of rebellion, for he in fact was showing the VictorianRead MoreCharles Dickens: A Brief Biography Essay1315 Words   |  6 Pages Charles Dickens Ruth Glancy, a world-renowned Dickens scholar, believed that Charles Dickens blended the Romanticism era, the Industrial age, and the Victorian era into unforgettable novels that still had the whimsical, imaginative part of life. Ruth conceded, â€Å" Dickens increasingly saw the need for finding and nurturing the imaginative core of life that can prevail even in the middle of the modern industrial city (Glancy 17).† Charles used his own experiences and imagination to evoke storiesRead MoreCharles Dickens Biography Essay926 Words   |  4 PagesCharles Dickens, the son of John and Elizabeth Dickens, was born in Landport on 7th February 1812. John Dickens worked as a clerk at the Navy pay office in Portsmouth. He later found work in Chatham and Charles, the second of seven children, went to the local school. John Dickens found it difficult to provide for his growing family on his meager income. In 1822 the family moved to Camden Town in London. John Dickens debts had become so severe that all the household goods were sold. Still unableRead MoreIn His Biography of Charles Dickens, Edgar Johnson Writes ‘’a Christmas Carol’ Is a Parable of Social Redemption and Scrooge’s Conversion Is the Conversion for Which Dickens Hopes Among Mankind’ Discuss.1134 Words   |  5 Pagesnovella written by Charles Dickens which illustrates a somewhat happy Christmas story that highlights the importance of being a kind hearted person. Throughout his novella, Dickens’s shows the reader his intended moral of the story, that Scrooge’s transformation at the end of the novella is what Dickens’s hopes that our world will too surely change. This is evident throughout the novella as he depicts Scrooge (before the conversion), the main character; to stand for al l that Dickens is against. He alsoRead MoreGreat Expectations by Charles Dickens984 Words   |  4 PagesCharles Dickens utilizes his life for inspiration for the protagonist Pip in his novel Great Expectations. They both struggle with their social standing. Dickens loved plays and theatre and therefore incorporated them into Pip’s life. Dickens died happy in the middle class and Pip died happy in the middle class. The connection Dickens makes with his life to Pip’s life is undeniable. If readers understand Dickens and his upbringing then readers can understand how and why he created Pip’s upbringingRead MoreCharles Dickens: Carrying a Burden of Social Responsibility705 Words   |  3 PagesCharles Dickens: Carrying a Burden of Social Responsibility Charles Dickens’ classic novella A Christmas Carol, focuses on the social responsibility of the wealthy to help the poor and less fortunate. Dickens, having lived in poverty as a child, knew of the many struggles of the lower class of London. As an author, he made it his goal to reform England as best he could. Many of his works ran in his weekly journal, Household Words, including Christmas Stories and Great Expectations. In a ChristmasRead MoreEveryone Appreciates A Good, Rags, And Oliver Twist1728 Words   |  7 PagesEveryone appreciates a good ‘rags to riches’ story. Charles Dickens did as well, in fact it could be said that his own story was one of rags to riches. Dickens knew poverty, he also knew people, and how poverty can effect and change them. Over the course of his life he wrote some of the most famous and beloved stories, from â€Å"A Christmas Carol,† â€Å"Great Expectation†, and â€Å"Oliver Twist†, to â€Å"Nicholas Nickle by† and â€Å"Davis Copperfield.† Today Dickens is considered to be by many, one of the most well-knownRead MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations1669 Words   |  7 PagesCharles Dickens He was one of England s greatest authors of the 1800 s, better known as the Victorian era. The various themes and ideas of that time are perfectly showcased in his many novels and short stories, such as Nicholas Nickelby, Great Expectations, Oliver Twist, A Tale of Two Cities, and A Christmas Carol. Much of the inspiration for these works came from the trials and conflicts that he dealt with in his own life. His volumes of fictional writing show the greatRead MoreCharles Dickens A Great Writer1105 Words   |  5 PagesOctober 2015 Remembering Charles Dickens Charles Dickens is a famous author who wrote numerous books which were enjoyed by many throughout the years. His books are known xquisite characters and real-life settings. Charles experienced difficult times as a young boy (â€Å"Charles Dickens† par. 7). These difficult times followed him throughout his life. He uses ideas from these struggles to express his feelings through the books he writes. The many struggles of Charles Dickens’ early childhood greatlyRead MoreEssay on Oliver Twist901 Words   |  4 PagesSociety or a Biography With all of the symbolism and moral issues represented in Oliver Twist, all seem to come from real events from the life of its author, Charles Dickens. The novel’s protagonist, Oliver, is a good person at heart surrounded by the filth of the London streets, filth that Dickens himself was forced to deal with in his everyday life. It’s probable that the reason Oliver Twist contains so much fear and agony is because it’s a reflection of occurrences in Charles Dickens past. Oliver