Blog Assignment 9

This is an outline of what I think the group presentation should look like....

I would also run a PowerPoint presentation with bullets, videos, and pictures regarding the subject of conserving energy.

Intro:

Did you know that we are quickly running out of sources for energy?  The need for energy is increasing everyday as the population grows, and the resources are diminishing at a rapid pace. 

Hi, my name is Brittany Helton.  I would like to discuss with you some things that we as “normal people” can do to help conserve energy while saving resources and helping the environment at the same time.

Body:

Conserving energy is important for several reasons:

• If we don’t conserve energy, some of our major energy resources will not be around for future generations.
• Conserving energy helps to reduce air pollution and other environmental problems.
• The population is constantly increasing; therefore, the need for energy is constantly increasing.

You may be wondering how we could run out of an energy source.  I have four examples.  These are coal, nuclear energy, oil, and natural gas.  These resources will not be around in the long run if we don’t attempt to conserve energy.

You may also be wondering, “What can I do to conserve energy?”  Well, there are several ways you can help. 

·         Using energy efficient products (hybrid automobiles, washers/dryers, fluorescent/led light bulbs, hot water heaters, etc.)

·         Choosing alternate methods of transportation (Subways, bicycles, walking, other forms of public transportation)

·         Changing household habits (turning lights off, decreasing air conditioner use, limiting shower times, turning the television off, etc.)

The residential population of the United States economy, which includes everyone who lives in a house or apartment, consumes approximately 23 percent of the energy consumed in the entire country.  (Display pie chart) This a large percent of the country, and I think it shows us that steps we take in our home can make a big difference in the rest of the country and even in the world.

As anyone can see, there are several easy steps that we can take to provide a better future for our kids and grandkids.  Also, we can save money by practicing these steps in our everyday lives.

Conclusion:

     I hope you have learned how important it is to conserve energy and easy steps that you can to take to help the cause.  Just remember this:

Save energy, save money, and save the planet!

Blog Assignment 7

An issue that I am interested in is the budget situation that is ongoing in the U.S. government.  No one can agree on a way to effectively save money and make appropriate budget cuts.  The House, the Senate, and the President all have different views, and each view is conflicting with the other.  This has caused a ridiculously long process of creating an effective budget that will help our country.  At one point during this “crisis,” the government was actually considering a shut down until a decision was made.  Thankfully, they did not go through with the shut down.  However, they are still in the process of making decisions to create an effective budget. 

I do believe that there are areas in which the government could make budget cuts that would help our country.  Unfortunately, everyone in the government has different opinions/ideas, and they are all clashing together.  I hope that the government is able to come to a conclusion that will save money and begin to help the country climb out of the enormous amount of debt that we are currently in. 

This issue is of interest to me because during this process they have cut federal spending in areas that directly affects my family.  Military pay has been affected, and the benefits we receive as a military family have been altered to save the government money.  Military families have been affected during a time of war, and this has decreased the morale of troops overseas.  At one time, my husband was told that he might not get paid because the government might shut down due to the fact they could not come to an agreement over the budget.  Honestly, that is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard.  I am sure the President and other high-ranking members of the government would have still received their paychecks but not our soldiers who defend our freedom.  I think that the government should decrease their own salaries before they start shutting down beneficial programs and benefits that military families have access to.  In my opinion, this budget issue has turned into Republicans vs. Democrats and who is right vs. who is wrong.  Each party thinks it is right, and the other is wrong.  No resolution will be reached if the different branches of government and the different parties do not work together to determine the best possible solution.

All in all, I am losing faith in the U. S. government as a whole.  If the different sides can’t come together to save the country money and lower the amount of U. S. debt, where is our country heading?

Below are several different links regarding the budget issues and the proposed government "shut down."  If you have time to read up on this issue, you can really learn a lot.  These articles explain the situation much better than I can.  You can also use google news to learn more about the budget crisis.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/17/white-house-holding-out-hope-for-grand-deficit-deal-budget-director-says/

http://www.pressherald.com/opinion/stop-posturing-and-threats-about-debt-limit-budget_2011-07-17.html

http://thehill.com/homenews/administration/171893-white-house-budget-director-still-time-for-a-landmark-deficit-reduction-deal

Website Link

http://accountingmajors.webs.com/