Governor Jim Doyle wants to raise cigarette taxes. This doesn't affect me because I have never smoked and don't intend on smoking in the future. The reason for this is because raising the taxes on cigarettes will get more tax money for the state of Wisconsin to help the economy. This seems like a good idea to many not smokers but it also has its flaws.
Cigarettes are inelastic products. This means that the price of cigarettes can change, but the same amount of cigarettes will be purchased. This is because many people are addicted to cigarettes and must buy the same amount consistently regardless of the price. This is why it seems like a good idea to raise the tax on cigarettes. It will bring in more tax dollars to the state of Wisconsin while also encouraging smokers to quit.
The concern that I have is that cigarettes might not be as inelastic as Doyle thinks. I do agree that people are still going to be purchasing the same amount of cigarettes, but these people might not be purchasing cigarettes from Wisconsin. For example, neighboring states will be selling cigarettes cheaper. Also, tons of money can be saved if cigarettes are purchased online. New York previously tried raising the cigarette taxes and they actually saw a decrease in tax money coming from cigarette purchases in the long run. This is because people could save nearly $20 a carton in neighboring states and almost $40 a carton online.
Raising the cigarette taxes in Wisconsin seems like a good idea but this may not be the case. Many smokers are addicted and will continue to smoke the same amount regardless of the price, but the state of Wisconsin can't forget that raising taxes may encourage smokers to find other sources. Governor Jim Doyle must be careful before he raises the taxes on cigarettes too high.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Summer
Many people look at summer as a time where students are lazy, but having a summer vacation can actually be helpful to motivate students. Also, summer gives young people the opportunity to go out and do things that they will never be able to do in the rest of their lives. Summer can be seen as a long and unnecessary vacation but I believe that it is a crucial break for the students.
Summer vacation is what all students look forward to during the school year. If there was no break during the summer, students would see school as a never ending battle. Once a student falls behind in a school system with out summer vacation, it would be very difficult to catch back up. Summer gives everyone a fresh start as the new year comes. Also it motivates students to work hard, knowing there is only a short time before they are done.
Summer is more than just a motivator. I believe that a summer vacation is crucial for experience purposes. A long break gives students the opportunity to explore places and ideas that the busy school year didn't allow for. During summer vacation, students can do things that they will never have the opportunity to do again.
When the school work is at its toughest, summer vacation motivates students to keep working hard. Also, this vacation allows students to experience the world. There are those who think summer is a lazy break, but it is actually very important.
Summer vacation is what all students look forward to during the school year. If there was no break during the summer, students would see school as a never ending battle. Once a student falls behind in a school system with out summer vacation, it would be very difficult to catch back up. Summer gives everyone a fresh start as the new year comes. Also it motivates students to work hard, knowing there is only a short time before they are done.
Summer is more than just a motivator. I believe that a summer vacation is crucial for experience purposes. A long break gives students the opportunity to explore places and ideas that the busy school year didn't allow for. During summer vacation, students can do things that they will never have the opportunity to do again.
When the school work is at its toughest, summer vacation motivates students to keep working hard. Also, this vacation allows students to experience the world. There are those who think summer is a lazy break, but it is actually very important.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Meal Options
I feel that Concordia University of Wisconsin has a great meal plan. There are very few complaints about meal plan options and the food isn't too bad either. Also, Concordia has three different locations on campus in which meal swipes can be used. The problem is that there is no consistency between these three locations.
It is nice to be able to use a meal swipe at all food locations of Concordia. Unfortunately, these locations are extremely inconsistent with the food given for each swipe. For example, a student can use a swipe in the cafeteria. Here there is a main line that often serves some form of meat or pasta, vegetables, bread, and potatoes. There is also the option of fries and pizza. Don't forget about the mongolian wok section. Then there is the sandwich line with meats, cheeses, and vegetables on either a sandwich, pita or wrap. Also, there is "flash in the pan" where students can design their own pasta/noodle entre. Next, you can head over to the nacho bar, or fruit and salad bar. Just about any beverage from milk, to juice, to soda, to coffee is also served in the cafeteria. Finally, there are deserts and soft serve icecream. Once a student swipes in, they can eat as much of this as they want, for as long as they want.
All of that sounds like a great deal. All you can eat for just one meal swipe. Another location for food on campus is the "Falcon's nest." Here students can use meal swipes as if they are at a fast food joint to get something like a burger, popcorn chicken, grilled cheese, or a burrito. This also comes with a side and a drink. The problem here is that students don't really have a wide variety of drinks. They are forced to get some sort of unhealthy soft drink. The last option for food on campus is the BBC (Books, Bagels, and Coffee). Hear is where the meal swipe really loses its consistency. For one meal swipe, a student can get one item from the bakery and a small drink. How does a cookie and 12 ounces of milk compare to "all you can eat" at the cafeteria?
Concordia does have a great variety for students to choose from when it comes to meals, but these meals are inconsistent. It is extremely beneficial for students to get more for their money in the cafeteria, but this isn't always easy. It would be nice if the BBC offered a "meal size" portion for a meal swipe. Also, the "Falcon's Nest" shouldn't force students to choose a soda or a sugary lemonade as a drink with a meal. Wider and healthier options must be considered for meals at CUW.
It is nice to be able to use a meal swipe at all food locations of Concordia. Unfortunately, these locations are extremely inconsistent with the food given for each swipe. For example, a student can use a swipe in the cafeteria. Here there is a main line that often serves some form of meat or pasta, vegetables, bread, and potatoes. There is also the option of fries and pizza. Don't forget about the mongolian wok section. Then there is the sandwich line with meats, cheeses, and vegetables on either a sandwich, pita or wrap. Also, there is "flash in the pan" where students can design their own pasta/noodle entre. Next, you can head over to the nacho bar, or fruit and salad bar. Just about any beverage from milk, to juice, to soda, to coffee is also served in the cafeteria. Finally, there are deserts and soft serve icecream. Once a student swipes in, they can eat as much of this as they want, for as long as they want.
All of that sounds like a great deal. All you can eat for just one meal swipe. Another location for food on campus is the "Falcon's nest." Here students can use meal swipes as if they are at a fast food joint to get something like a burger, popcorn chicken, grilled cheese, or a burrito. This also comes with a side and a drink. The problem here is that students don't really have a wide variety of drinks. They are forced to get some sort of unhealthy soft drink. The last option for food on campus is the BBC (Books, Bagels, and Coffee). Hear is where the meal swipe really loses its consistency. For one meal swipe, a student can get one item from the bakery and a small drink. How does a cookie and 12 ounces of milk compare to "all you can eat" at the cafeteria?
Concordia does have a great variety for students to choose from when it comes to meals, but these meals are inconsistent. It is extremely beneficial for students to get more for their money in the cafeteria, but this isn't always easy. It would be nice if the BBC offered a "meal size" portion for a meal swipe. Also, the "Falcon's Nest" shouldn't force students to choose a soda or a sugary lemonade as a drink with a meal. Wider and healthier options must be considered for meals at CUW.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Expenses of Golf
Golf is such an expensive sport. It seems as if everything about it is extremely costly. Is golf a sport in which everything involved is worth a lot of money? People do pay a lot but I believe that prices for everything from the clubs to playing a round is way overpriced. This is probably because golf is a sport that people can't create on their own: They can only participate if they pay someone else to make the golf clubs and create the environment for them.
I wonder how much it really costs to make a driver. It is only some titanium or other metals on a graphite shaft. I would guess that this is only a few dollars worth of materials but some how certain drivers are sold for over $200. Then you have irons with steel shafts that get sold for up to $800 per set. Don't forget about the shoes, the bag, and any of the other crazy equipment that golfers are using these days.
The equipment cost is one problem, but the cost to play is another. You need to pay for the equipment of any sport, but golf is one of the few sports that you actually are forced to pay in order to play. Some of the well known public courses charge up to $80 for 18 holes. Then there is an additional $25 for the golf cart, an extra $8 for range balls that get retrieved for the club house anyways, and an extra $5 dollars for a couple beverages on the course.
No one can make their own golf clubs, golf shoes, or bag. Also, barely anyone owns enough property for one golf hole, much less the equipment to maintain a perfectly trimmed fairway or green. This is probably why business owners that deal with golf are able to jack up the prices. It is a sport that attracts young and old. This great demand allows for extreme expenses in the sport of golf.
I wonder how much it really costs to make a driver. It is only some titanium or other metals on a graphite shaft. I would guess that this is only a few dollars worth of materials but some how certain drivers are sold for over $200. Then you have irons with steel shafts that get sold for up to $800 per set. Don't forget about the shoes, the bag, and any of the other crazy equipment that golfers are using these days.
The equipment cost is one problem, but the cost to play is another. You need to pay for the equipment of any sport, but golf is one of the few sports that you actually are forced to pay in order to play. Some of the well known public courses charge up to $80 for 18 holes. Then there is an additional $25 for the golf cart, an extra $8 for range balls that get retrieved for the club house anyways, and an extra $5 dollars for a couple beverages on the course.
No one can make their own golf clubs, golf shoes, or bag. Also, barely anyone owns enough property for one golf hole, much less the equipment to maintain a perfectly trimmed fairway or green. This is probably why business owners that deal with golf are able to jack up the prices. It is a sport that attracts young and old. This great demand allows for extreme expenses in the sport of golf.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
spring break
Why do different schools have different spring breaks. Almost all universities unanimously decide that spring break should be a full week of vacation, but different schools often choose different weeks. It would be so much more beneficial to have a certain date designated as spring break for the entire state.
I was home for spring break this past week and I didn't have any big plans. Some students take family trips to Florida or other vacation spots, but I wasn't in th this situation. My only plans for spring break were to stay at home and hang out with old friends from high school. The only problem is that many universities do not have the same week for spring break as Concordia. Therefore only a few of my friends were home, sharing the same spring break as me, while others were still at school.
Would it be a bad thing to give all students throughout the state the same week of spring break? I can't think of any negative affects of having a designated week for spring break. This would only have positive results: Students could see nearly all of their friends, no one would have to miss school for vacationing with another who has a different spring break, and there wouldn't be complaints about unfair vacation times.
If spring break was the same date for all universities in the state, many positive things would come about. Students wouldn't miss out on seeing there friends that have a different week of spring break. Also making plans would beecome much easier for families with students in multiple universities. Overall, having a statewide week designated to spring break would only bring positive benefits
I was home for spring break this past week and I didn't have any big plans. Some students take family trips to Florida or other vacation spots, but I wasn't in th this situation. My only plans for spring break were to stay at home and hang out with old friends from high school. The only problem is that many universities do not have the same week for spring break as Concordia. Therefore only a few of my friends were home, sharing the same spring break as me, while others were still at school.
Would it be a bad thing to give all students throughout the state the same week of spring break? I can't think of any negative affects of having a designated week for spring break. This would only have positive results: Students could see nearly all of their friends, no one would have to miss school for vacationing with another who has a different spring break, and there wouldn't be complaints about unfair vacation times.
If spring break was the same date for all universities in the state, many positive things would come about. Students wouldn't miss out on seeing there friends that have a different week of spring break. Also making plans would beecome much easier for families with students in multiple universities. Overall, having a statewide week designated to spring break would only bring positive benefits
Monday, March 9, 2009
Field House
How can CUW, one of the most prestigious Concordia's in the nation, only have one gymnasium. Students are being charged high tuitions to come to Concordia and should receive great facilities in return. There is only one field house at Concordia University Wisconsin and it isn't even that big. Having just one field house makes it difficult for the athletic teams, phy. ed. classes, and just any individual to fight for time in the field house.
Concordia has around 1700 students that are charged great prices to come to Concordia. The highschool that I attended before attending CUW had about 800 students that were charged only $14 a year. This highschool had a field house which is probably twice the size of Concordia's along with two other gyms. With this setup, 3 to 4 athletic teams could be practicing at once, and there was still open space for students to shoot some hoops at their leisure. How can a University of Concordia's stature be second hand to a small town highschool?
There is often conflict at Concordia's field house because there is not enough space for more than one team to practice in. So, if someone has the gym reserved, then everyone else must wait. The limited size means that teams will constantly be reserving the gym so there is little time for individuals to spend leisure time in the field house. Also if there is an event in the fieldhouse such as a basketball tourney, then there is nowhere for teams to practice for nearly the entire day. Finally, there are many HHP, or phy. ed. classes at CUW that need gymnasium space as well.
Concordia is a school that requires participation in gym classes, has many students, and has many athletic teams. All three of these things make use of a gymnasium. The tiny fieldhouse at Concordia cannot effectively support all of these things. Someone is always waiting for gym time. You would think that a prestigious college would be able to have at least two gymnasiums when almost all highschools have that many or more.
Concordia has around 1700 students that are charged great prices to come to Concordia. The highschool that I attended before attending CUW had about 800 students that were charged only $14 a year. This highschool had a field house which is probably twice the size of Concordia's along with two other gyms. With this setup, 3 to 4 athletic teams could be practicing at once, and there was still open space for students to shoot some hoops at their leisure. How can a University of Concordia's stature be second hand to a small town highschool?
There is often conflict at Concordia's field house because there is not enough space for more than one team to practice in. So, if someone has the gym reserved, then everyone else must wait. The limited size means that teams will constantly be reserving the gym so there is little time for individuals to spend leisure time in the field house. Also if there is an event in the fieldhouse such as a basketball tourney, then there is nowhere for teams to practice for nearly the entire day. Finally, there are many HHP, or phy. ed. classes at CUW that need gymnasium space as well.
Concordia is a school that requires participation in gym classes, has many students, and has many athletic teams. All three of these things make use of a gymnasium. The tiny fieldhouse at Concordia cannot effectively support all of these things. Someone is always waiting for gym time. You would think that a prestigious college would be able to have at least two gymnasiums when almost all highschools have that many or more.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Parking
Administrators still believe that parking isn't a significant problem at CUW. I just spent 15 minutes driving around looking for a spot until I found one on the exact opposite side of campus. There is enough parking available for all of the cars that stay overnight at Concordia, but these spots are not very convenient for many residents. There are ways in which overnight parking could be easily improved for students.
Administrators refuse to do something about the parking problem because they think there is sufficient parking space on campus. This is probably true because there are often overnight parking spots available that are left unoccupied. The problem is that all of these spots are only convenient for one resident hall and sporting events located in the field house. Although there is enough room for students to park at CUW, the spread of the lots seems to be very ineffective.
Many things can be done to improve this problem at Concordia. For example, a parking ramp could be built to relieve almost all parking problems. Also, more lots could be made into overnight parking lots. It seems useless to have parking lots where overnight parking is prohibited. Currently, students can find a spot to park, but more and more students are attending the growing Concordia each year. This is why some advancement for more accessible parking should be made.
Those in charge don't currently feel the need to improve the parking situation at Concordia. This is because it is thought that there is plenty of spots for students to park on campus. Unfortunately, most convenient parking spots are always filled so students are forced to walk long distances in the cold. Right now parking isn't a huge problem, it is just in inconvenience, but in the future parking may become scarce. This is why something should be done to relieve the parking problem. Soon!
Administrators refuse to do something about the parking problem because they think there is sufficient parking space on campus. This is probably true because there are often overnight parking spots available that are left unoccupied. The problem is that all of these spots are only convenient for one resident hall and sporting events located in the field house. Although there is enough room for students to park at CUW, the spread of the lots seems to be very ineffective.
Many things can be done to improve this problem at Concordia. For example, a parking ramp could be built to relieve almost all parking problems. Also, more lots could be made into overnight parking lots. It seems useless to have parking lots where overnight parking is prohibited. Currently, students can find a spot to park, but more and more students are attending the growing Concordia each year. This is why some advancement for more accessible parking should be made.
Those in charge don't currently feel the need to improve the parking situation at Concordia. This is because it is thought that there is plenty of spots for students to park on campus. Unfortunately, most convenient parking spots are always filled so students are forced to walk long distances in the cold. Right now parking isn't a huge problem, it is just in inconvenience, but in the future parking may become scarce. This is why something should be done to relieve the parking problem. Soon!
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