Of Mice & Men :: essays research papers

This novel is set on the Californian Grain Farms in the 1930’s. The town is called Soledad and is four miles south of San Jose. The inspiration for the book probably came from a poem by Robert Burns. The poem was about the plans of mice and men going wrong. The book generally is about all of the migrant workers, all with their own dreams. The main characters George and Lennie go from farm to farm, trying to work up a stake and save enough to buy their own farm. The other characters in the book are also all lonely in their own way. Crooks is black and the blacks are seen as outcasts. Curley’s wife is a woman and therefore insignificant, perhaps this is why she has not been given a name. Candy has become old, and without his hand is next to useless. George is a typical migrant worker. He’s not particularly strong, but he’s smart and good at his job. The difference between him and the rest of the workers is that he has someone to call a friend. Lennie is the opposite of George in every physical way. He’s much taller and better built, and consequently an amazing worker. Unfortunately for him and George he is not very intelligent. George enjoys going to brothels, getting drunk and generally wasting his money. Lennie adores animals and he likes to pet them. He forgets how strong he is and usually kills them. They both share the dream of one day owning their own farm. George wants freedom to work how he wants, and Lennie wants to tend the rabbits. There is a very strong bond between the two. Lennie looks up to George and has a great amount of respect and admiration. Lennie could not survive without him. George feels sorry for Lennie but finds him almost impossible to deal with, because he always gets them into trouble. Although George would not admit it, he also needs Lennie. Lennie is the on who attracts the bosses, because of his capability. George is just an average worker, and only gets jobs because he controls Lennie. They both grew up in auburn. George knew Lennie’s aunt who was taking care of Lennie, and when she died, George took over. Candy is an old man who has been at the ranch for some time. He can remember people who have come and gone previously.

Chemistry project 12th Essay

This reaction is highly exothermic, but that is not why the plastic produced is referred to as â€Å"thermoset†. Bakelite is a space-network polymer. Unlike linear and branched polymers, which are composed of long molecules that make them more or less crystalline, space-network polymers are highly and irregularly cross-linked throughout the structure. The sheer extent of the cross-linking means that a sample of the material is essentially one gigantic molecule. Although heat softens and melts linear and branched polymers, heating doesn’t soften space-network polymers because such a softening would require the breaking of covalent bonds. In fact, heating usually produces additional cross-linking in these polymers, making them harder. It is for this reason that space-network polymers, such as bakelite, are called thermoset plastics. PROCEDURE: 1. Take 5ml acetic acid and 2.5ml formaldehyde in a breaker. 2. Add 2mg of phenol to this solution and stir the mixture. 3. Wrap a cloth loosely round the beaker. 4. Stir the solution well while heating. 5. Pass dry hydrochloric acid gas or add a few ml of concentric hydrochloric acid into the mixture. Observation: A large mass of light pink plastic is produce within 5 minutes. Precautions: a) The face of the beaker should not be towards the face of the worker during heating. b) Hydrochloric acid should not be poured into reaction mixture very slowly. c) The contact of phenol with skin should be avoided. Caution: As the reaction is sometimes vigorous while adding hydrochloric acid .It is better to be a few feet away from the beaker till the reaction in complete. Scope of the experiment: Uses of Bakelite are following: Substitute: Bakelite is used as a substitute of porcelain & other opaque ceramic materials. Board/table top: It is used in the area of board & table top games e.g. Billiard balls ,Dominoes etc. Mounting: It is used in mounting of metal samples. It is used in whistles, cameras, solid body& electric guitars. Bakelite is very suitable for emerging Electric & automobile industries because as its extra ordinary resistance but also due to its thermal resistance. It has been widely used in jewellery products. References: 1. Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/bakelite 2. www.scribd.com 3. Comprehensive chemistry practical class XII Acknowledgment: I owe a great many thanks to a great many people who helped and supported me during the project. My deepest thanks to , the guide of the project for guiding and correcting various documents of mine with attention and care. She has taken pain to go through the project and make necessary correction as and when needed. I express my thanks to the principal, for extending his support. My deep sense of gratitude to the in charge of chemistry lab at CSE for their support and guidance. Thanks and appreciation to the helpful people at for the support. I would also thank my school and my friends without whom this project would have been a distant reality. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to my family and well wishers.

The Biological Theories Of Crime Essay - 1218 Words

Biological theories of crime attempt to explain behaviors through examination of individual characteristics. Cesare Lombroso was one of the founding fathers of the biological theory of criminology, stating that criminals are biologically different from non-criminals. The biological perspective explained that crime was a characteristic of human nature. Through Lombroso’s research observing physical characteristics in Italian prisoners and soldiers, he concluded that criminals were physically different. He also linked facial characteristics with criminality. Modern biological theorists, for the most part, reject Lombroso’s concept of â€Å"born criminals†. Current explanations are now more focused in brain functioning, genetics, and neurology. The emphasis in biological theory is seen through constitutional theories that explain criminality by reference to criminals body type and external physical characteristics. One assumptions of the constitutional theory is, di fferent physiologic types tend to be associated with different corresponding psychologic types and that this association has a genetic basis. A different type of physique meant a different type of deviancy. Constitutional theories are associated with Ernst Kretschmer William H. Sheldon. These theorist believed a person s physical build and appearance had a connection in their likelihood to commit a crime. Thus the basic determinants of human behavior are constitutionally or genetically based. Lombroso s approach mayShow MoreRelatedThe Biological Theory Of Crime2339 Words   |  10 Pages‘While theories which locate the causes of crime in biological differences might provide useful explanations for the behaviour of a minority of offenders, they are very limited as general explanations of criminality’. Discuss. The biological theory of crime proposes that an individual behaves criminally and deviates from social norms due to their biological makeup of genes, DNA etc. However, modern researchers’ view that any part of biology played in the explanation of criminality is indicating anRead MoreThe Biological Theory Of Crime Causation1082 Words   |  5 PagesCrime causation is a complex and daunting field. For centuries, philosophers have pondered the meaning of the concept of cause as it pertains to human behavior. Examining why people commit crime is very important in the ongoing debate of how crime should be handled and prevented. A few of the theories that have emerged and continue to be explored are biological, sociological and psychological theories. While individually and in combination, these theories of crime causation affect human behaviorRead MoreLombroso’s Biological Theory of Crime Essay617 Words   |  3 PagesLombroso’s biological theory of crime: The most vivid example of the biological determinism is the theory of Cesare Lombroso. Lombroso based his theory on the assumption that criminals have certain physiognomic features or abnormalities. Lombroso wanted to be able to detect future criminals in order to isolate them from the society. This gave criminology a strong push to create new methods of dealing with criminals and prevent crimes. Lombroso implied that prisoners had common facial characteristicsRead MoreBiological Determinism, Subculture Crime And Conflict Theories1652 Words   |  7 PagesThe theories that will be looked at in order to provide a sufficient report for the judge on what caused Albert to enter a life of crime which culminated in his conviction for murder are; biological determinism, ecological determinism, subculture crime and conflict theories. Biological determinism One of the best known application of biological determinism in relation to crime is from Cesare Lombroso who â€Å"Viewed criminals as suffering from a depravity caused by an atavistic reversion:† In otherRead MoreThe Biological And Psychological Theories Of Crime And Criminal Behavior1764 Words   |  8 PagesCrime is adaptation to life stress. It is best understood in terms of the manner in which the individual experiences the biological, psychological and socially determined situations of his existence. (Halleck, 1967, p. 63) The modern police department was born out of urban mob violence that tormented the nation’s cities during the nineteenth century. The new police departments were replacements for the night-watch systems and relegated constables and sheriffs to serving court orders and running jailsRead MoreLabeling Modern Biological and Psychoanalytic Theories in Crime: An Analysis594 Words   |  2 Pagesmodern biological, and psychoanalytical theories in c rime There have been many approaches taken in attempting to uncover the factors that contribute and influence criminal behavior. Criminological theories aim at determining the social, psychological, and biological factors that influence criminality. Three theories that attempt to investigate that causation of crime and criminal behavior are labeling theories, modern biological theories, and psychoanalytical theory. Labeling theories are basedRead MoreThe Rational Choice and Biological Trait Theories Essay1748 Words   |  7 Pageshave been committing crimes for centuries, and they are always fooling the police detectives and federal agencies sometimes. If the justice departments would actually look at the persons thought processes and reasoning before a crime is committed, the justice departments will be able to answer the reason for the crime. The different departments could possibly figure out why the criminal did what they did in the first. For instance, they should use a couple of criminology theories to help them with certainRead MoreEssay Biological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour1357 Words   |  6 PagesCrime theories are still in a development stage; it is an evolutionary process that continues to this day. Crime is still a complex and misunderstood phenomenon with no concrete evidence when it comes to human behavior. Throughout time there have been endless amounts of crime theor ies, few of which revolve around biological explanations. We have Cesare Lombroso and the Positive School who thought that criminals were genetically different from the rest of the general population, that they were biologicallyRead MoreThe Case Of Jeffrey Dahmer Essay1377 Words   |  6 PagesChecking the genetics of a person can tell much about the person and who they are. Does where a person lives and the environment they are in constantly influence them to commit crime? Is it the genetic makeup of the person that makes a more probable chance for them to commit a crime? â€Å"Drilling into the skull of a young man he began to funnel a stream of sulfuric acid into the head of his unconscious victim to create a zombie to fulfill all of his fantasies. Dead within a day, he mummified the headRead MoreThe Classical School Of Criminology1216 Words   |  5 Pages Crime has always been a part in society and reacting to crimes and the severity of crimes has been and ever evolving issue on how authorities should punish in order to deter people from breaking the laws of the land. Therefore, certain people have created theories on why individuals commit crimes. The two most famous schools of that are Classical Theory and Biological/Positivist Theory. These theories contain insights to why people commit crimes and the most effective way to deal with these

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act - 732 Words

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 was a part of the Great Society program which sent funding to primary and secondary schools, this act was enacted to hold schools responsible and to improve equality in education on a national level. This act targeted low-income families, specifically migrant and English limited families. Part of the ESEA was an attempt to close the gap which had been furthered by race and poverty, in order to improve the education of these students and their families. In recent years this has been reauthorized under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA) of 2001. (Crawford, 2011) The Equal Education Opportunities Act (EEOA) of 1974 made it so that every state was required to provide equal education to all individuals. Section 1703 of the EEOA requires state educational agencies and school districts to take find ways to overcome the issues presented to English Language Learner students in the classroom and to make it so that they can participate on a level playing field. This however did not actually require a school to enact any English as a second language program. The educators were only required to fulfill three factors: â€Å"whether the school’s program is based upon sound educational theory or principles, whether the school’s program is reasonably calculated to implement the educational theory effectively, and whether, after a period of time sufficient to give the program a legitimate trial, the results of the program show thatShow MoreRelatedThe Elementary And Secondary Education Act852 Words   |  4 PagesThe Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), brain child of President Johnson, was passed in 1965. ESEA was intended to mitigate disparities in access to quality academic services and learning outcomes endured by underprivileged and minority students by federally funding schools serving their communities. ESEA, later revised as No Child Left Behind, was to be one element in a larger reform agenda focused on urban redevelopment, vocational training and â€Å"EDUCATION AND HEALTH† (Thomas BradyRead MoreThe Elementary And Secondary Education Act1526 Words   |  7 PagesThe The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), was revamped in 2001 as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Due to the time period of the inception and now, there is a pressing need for reform. Even when the law expired four years ago, Congress continued to update the out of date NCLB Act was never seriously considered by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce until now. Since the Republicans assumed control of the House of Representatives, they have created and passed a seriesRead MoreThe Reauthorization Of The Elementary And Secondary Education Act948 Words   |  4 Pages Every Student Succeeds Act was a new law that was signed into legislation in 2015 by President Barak Obama. ESSA is a biparty educational reform law was designed from several aspects of No Child Left Behind. The United States Department of Education (2015) stated that ESSA focuses on factors such as, advancing equity for the nations disadvantaged students by investing more in preschool programs, local innovations, reporting student progress on all high stakes assessmentsRead MoreEducation Reform For The Elementary And Secondary Education Act877 Words   |  4 Pageshistory of education there has been many education reforms. According to Enrique Pena Nieto â€Å"Education reform has as its main purpose to make sure that the education delivered is of quality† ( (2015 BrainyQuote INC, 2015). Whether it be for primary and secondary students, higher education, low-income students, or teachers, there is always an improvement that can be made for the better. A comparison of educati on reforms that reveals some of the positive, negative, and needed changes in education. One ofRead MoreFederal Elementary And Secondary Education Act Essay719 Words   |  3 PagesAfter the report, A Nation at Risk (1983), the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 was reauthorized in 2001 as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act (U.S. Department of Education, 2001). This reauthorization was a call to attain educational equality for all American students and to lessen the achievement gaps between and among ethnicity groups, children of poverty, and disabled populations (U.S. Department of Education, 2001). Additionally, because of this increased scrutinyRead MoreInclusion Of The Elementary And Secondary Education Act869 Words   |  4 PagesInclusion in education is when children with and without disabilities participate and learn together in the same class. One law that provides rights to students is the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, which is a law guaranteeing special education services to all children with disabilities in the United States. Then there is the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which is a† United States Act of Congress that is a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education ActRead MoreElementary And Secondary Education Act Of 20011735 Words   |  7 PagesBy: Patrice Murphy English 122 Instructor: Stephen Rogers 8/18/2014 The current version of the â€Å"Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001† is â€Å"The NO Child Left Behind Act of 2001†. Which supports â€Å"standard-base† education reform, each state is responsible for developing assessments in basic skills and standards. The Federal Government’s plays a part over seeing in annual testing, annual academic progress, report cards, teacher qualifications, and funding changes. ThisRead MoreElementary And Secondary Education Act Waiver Application1380 Words   |  6 PagesVirginia’s approved Elementary and Secondary Education Act waiver application, schools must meet increasing targets — referred to as Annual Measurable Objectives (AMOs) — in reading and mathematics for all students, three â€Å"Proficiency Gap Groups,† and other subgroups in order to meet federal accountability requirements† (Virginia Department of Education, 2015b, p. 1). AMO’s are not available for scienc e; however, scores can be compared with the division and the state. Newsome Park Elementary School has aRead MoreThe Elementary And Secondary Education Act And The No Child Left Behind Act1335 Words   |  6 PagesEvery Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) was enacted into law on December 10, 2015 by former President Barack Obama. This law replaced the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 that President George W. Bush passed into law during his presidency. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) replaced the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 which was passed by Lyndon Johnson. The ESSA â€Å"reauthorizes the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), the nation’s national education law and longstandingRead MoreBilingual Student Sector Of The Elementary And Secondary Education Act Of 1965871 Words   |  4 Pagesstudent sector of our education system. The most impactful legislation, I believe, that was a vital toward helping this sector, was Title VII of the Ele mentary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, signed into law on January 2, 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. As a formal teacher, President Johnson was an avid believer in equal opportunities for those children of low-income families, of which many of the EL students were. Title VII I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 â€Å"promot[ed]

The Black Belt Region Of Alabama - 1307 Words

One of the many problems that people in the United States face today is the problem of unemployment. Unfortunately, many Americans who are in desperate need of steady income just cannot find a reliable source of employment. In the United States, the rate of unemployment is currently 4.8 percent. Furthermore, in the state of Alabama, the unemployment rate in 5.9 percent. By looking at those statistics, it is easy to see that there definitely could be a direct correlation between high unemployment rates and rural areas. The Black Belt region of Alabama has some of the highest rates of unemployment in the nation. The region known as the Black Belt is in parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee. Specifically in Alabama, the†¦show more content†¦Additionally, there are many vacant buildings and lots in these towns where production facilities used to sit that could still be used and would not take away necessary farming land. Furthermore, incentives could be offered t o the plants if they opened in these rural areas. Local government (not state or national, as that could cause even more issues) could provide small tax cuts to the business for opening in their town, such as a lowered taxes on the land on which they build their facility, or lowered tax rates on the water supply for the building. Because these towns will be receiving more income from sales tax as new people travel to the area, these small cuts will be minuscule in the eyes of the money that will be flowing in from the new jobs being formed. Luckily for these plants, in many rural areas, there are already abandoned buildings that could be bought and used for production. Additionally, these businesses will benefit by opening in small towns by having committed workers who live nearby and will be willing to work their hardest for the company. In recent times, many politicians have promised to bring jobs back to the United States. If these politicians stay true to their word, unemploymen t single caution light that hangs over the center of my town is a warning to those who are entering the town. It says, â€Å"Turn around; there absolutely is nothing here.† To help out theseShow MoreRelatedAlabam A Big Part Of Alabama s Geography2029 Words   |  9 Pages Alabama By Isaac Hilton ‘Climbed lone Nebo’s Mount to see, Alabama, Alabama!’ You painfully hike up the last bit of Alabama’s highest mountain, with an elevation of 2,411ft. When you get to the top, a feeling of pride washes over you for conquering this colossal mountain. You’re so thirsty, you could drink the whole ocean. Instead, you drain the rest of your quarter-full water bottle. You’re as starving as a shark, ready to kill its’ prey. You eat your whole sandwich in 30 seconds. Now you sitRead MoreThe State Of Mississippi And How It Became The Territory It Is Today738 Words   |  3 Pageshalf of the 19th century, Mississippi was the top cotton producer in the United States of America, and owners of very big plantations depended on the labor of black slaves. Mississippi seceded from the union in 1861 and suffered greatly during the American civil right war. Civil rights movement after slavery was abolished gave hope to black American in the south includi ng Mississippi. In the early 21th century, Mississippi ranked among America’s poorest states. In the 19th century Mississippi deltaRead MoreO Connor s Life1323 Words   |  6 Pageswhere her short stories begin to form and her desire to share her experiences of love, friendship, and life blossomed into these short stories. O’Connor’s writing centers around her upbringing in the old south, the strong religious nature of the Bible Belt, all while characterizing her youthfulness are highlighted in two of her greatest short stories titled; â€Å"Good Country People† (O Connor) and â€Å"A Good Man is Hard to Find† (O Connor). Through the use of Flannery O’Connor’s life and relationship experienceRead More`` Rosa Young : Life + Christ = Success?1738 Words   |  7 Pagesadversities would it then encourage us as Christians to continue our efforts to advance the kingdom of God? The answer is unknown, however; the work of missionaries cont inues on. The work of a missionary can be summarized as one who is sent into a region (neighborhood, city, state or country) to engage in evangelism. One who promotes a ministry of service that educates in areas like literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. A calling by God that is referenced by many religiousRead MoreThe For Multiracial Marriages And Multiracial Individual Identity1661 Words   |  7 Pagesgeographically dispersed. Hispanics and Asians differ from white Europeans, of course—most significantly, for these purposes, Americans tend to view them as racial groups rather than ethnic groups. And race divisions, especially between whites and blacks, have historically been far less permeable. So the blending of today’s new racial minorities through multiracial marriage is breaking new ground. Multiracial marriages have been rising dramatically. In 1960 (before federal statistics enumerated HispanicsRead MoreEssay on Scalawags2462 Words   |  10 Pagesuniquely hateful. Blacks were considerable more understand then the faults of a scalawags who was considered a traitor to the south and his own white race.  · They were primarily thought to be poor whites who had opposed the southern aristocracy and the confederacy and who now sought personal and class gains through the republican party. The mean and lousy filty kind that are not fit for butlers or dogs.  · Numbering in the 10s of thousands, they blurred the stark contrast in black/white racial divisionRead MoreGlobalization Is The Increasing Inter Connectedness Of People And Places Through Converging Economic, Political, And Cultural Activities2821 Words   |  12 Pagesthat 30% of the region s ozone comes from beyond it s borders. China and Mexico are large contributors to this number. Global climate change in North Africa will greatly affect the region. Temperature changes will impact the region due to evaporation rates causing the plants to get less water and the earth having lower liquidation levels. Dry land cropping systems that can t depend on irrigation will be affected and will be less likely to grow, or will grow smaller. The regions already stressedRead MoreThe History and Culture of the Cherokee Civilization Essay example1122 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction The Cherokee, a very large tribe, lived in the region of the Smokey Appalachians Mountains. The Cherokee were forced to relocate to the Appalachian Mountains after they were defeated at war by the Delaware. The tribe was divided into seven clans. The tribe’s men were not allowed to marry within there tribes, this was a great taboo in the Cherokee society. The seven tribes inhabited North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia and Georgia. Once the man married he left his tribeRead MoreEthical Behavior Involving Human Subjects1637 Words   |  7 PagesBiomedical and Behavioral Research into effect via the National Research Act (Pub. L. 93-348) (1974). The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiments took place in Tuskegee Alabama, at a time when the majority of share croppers where poor, black and uneducated. This region of the country which is considered now to be the Bible Belt, used to be dubbed the Black Belt. With the Ethical Principles and Guidelines for Research Involving Hu man Subjects, research and practices are defined by basic ethical guidelines accordingRead MoreHiv / Aids : A Growing Epidemic1969 Words   |  8 PagesA Growing Epidemic Sociology Group 5 Baptist College of Health Sciences Abstract HIV/AIDS has affected individuals from various walks of life all over the country but over the past decade this disease his greatly impacted the southern region of the United States. Over the years studies have been conducted to determine the contributing factors for this increase of HIV/AIDS rates in the South. Research findings have produced similar conclusions such as high rates of poverty, lack of

Sin in the Scarlet Letter free essay sample

Choose one and compose an essay in response to the questions it raises. The essay should be 3-5 pages in length, should be carefully proofread, and should follow the guidelines defined by MLA. Due Tuesday, September 27, 2011, at the beginning of class. 1. Explain how The Scarlet Letter may be read as a â€Å"psychological novel. † You may want to focus on the psychological nature of one or two characters, or you may want to trace a particular aspect of psychology across a number of characters. You should familiarize yourself with at least some basic concepts of psychology (repression, the unconscious, etc. ) and the appropriate terms used to describe them. 2. Do you consider Hester to be a strong female character? Or, to put it in another way, is The Scarlet Letter a feminist novel? You will need to provide, first, your own definition of the term â€Å"feminist† before you move on to your argument about the topic. We will write a custom essay sample on Sin in the Scarlet Letter or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page What is the significance of nature in The Scarlet Letter? What are some of the ways in which Hawthorne use aspects of nature or natural settings in the novel, and what do you make of these representations? . What do you make of Hawthorne’s character Pearl? Although she at first appears to be a secondary character in the novel, Pearl figures significantly into many of the novel’s key narrative events. How do Pearl’s actions represent her distinct identity? What is Pearl’s significance in the novel as a whole (and do not forget to consider what happens to Pearl at the conclusion of the narrative)? 5. The novel makes extensive use of symbols. Discuss the difference between the Puritans’’ use of symbols (the meteor, for example) and the way that the narrator makes use of symbols. Do both have religious implications? Do symbols foreshadow events or simply comment on them after the fact? How do they help the characters understand their lives, and how do they help the reader understand Hawthorne’s book? 6. Children play a variety of roles in this novel. Pearl is both a blessing and a curse to Hester, and she seems at times to serve as Hester’s conscience. The town children, on the other hand, are cruel and brutally honest about their opinion of Hester and Pearl. Why are children presented as more perceptive and more honest than adults? How do children differ from adults in their potential for expressing these perceptions?

Who Wins Witherisa Essays - Managed Care, Health Economics

Who Wins Witherisa David pham #63540197 Writing 39C Proposal Paper 3 June 1999 Who Wins With ERISA? The system of managed care began in the United States in the early 1900s, in an effort ?to provide coordinated health care in a cost-effective way?(Amer. Assoc. of Retired Persons). Until recently,? managed care has emerged from the shadows to become the dominant form of health insurance and delivery,? succeeding the older fee-for-service program (Zelman and Berenson 2). Today, about 160 million Americans are enrolled in some kind of managed care plan. Managed care ?has made health care more affordable andmore accessible for Americans. But sometimes cost cutting can lead to lower standards? (Clinton 1). Because managed care plans provide medical care to their members at a fixed rate, there is a substantial limit to the medical care each member can receive. Under this system of prepayment, managed care organizations (MCOs) can profit off every dollar of revenue that is not directly spent on patient care. This produces the problem of incentives, or temptations for MCOs not to provide sufficient medical care to their members, all too often resulting in tragedy (Fox, et al. 56). This problem explicitly impacts the estimated 125 million Americans who receive health insurance through MCOs that are provided by their employers. A federal law known as the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) governs these self-insured plans. Under the Employment Retirement Income Security Act, ERISA-regulated MCOs are not legally held accountable for their actions. Until Congress passes The Patients' Bill of Rights, MCOs will continually and wrongfully deny patients from quality care. Health costs have continually risen over the last decade. The average-income American family now spends an estimated $5,000 per year on health care alone, an amount that more than doubled from 1988-1996 (Maciejewski). In an effort to relieve working Americans from this burden, Congress devised a federal tax law that would enable employees to obtain tax benefits for health insurance through their employers. Today, the vast majority of insured Americans acquire their health insurance through the workplace. ERISA governs the employer-based health system to protect employees from the potential abuses from their health plans (Amer. Psych. Assc.). Although both the tax code and ERISA were concocted to help and protect employees, they play an indirect role in shaping the inefficiencies that envelop the employer-based system of health care. Subsequently, regulations imposed by managed care organizations (MCO) on physicians also contribute to the inefficiency. Under today's tax code, Americans can receive a discount on health insurance, granted that they attain it through an employer. The reason for this stems from a single provision of the Internal Revenue Code, ?which excludes employer premiums from the employee's taxable income? (Goodman). This means that health benefits provided by insurers are exempted from an individual's earnings, treating them as if they were expendable to the actual income. This tax alleviation ?can reduce the cost of health insurance by 30 percent or more for an average-income family? (Goodman). By calculation, ?an extra dollar of earnings can be used to buy a dollar's worth of health insurance as an alternative to 70 cents of take-home pay? (Goodman). In contrast, individuals who purchase their own health insurance receive no tax benefits; therefore, most employees choose to join their employer-based health plan coverage. Many employers want to ensure that their workers have good access to health care so that they are more likely to stay healthy. Despite having to provide health insurance for their employees, employers also have to worry about the competition in the market. Because of this added obstacle, ?employers will strive to push their employees into the least expensive insurance program in order to cut costs and remain competitive? (Gervais). Employers tend to favor managed care organizations because of their cost-cutting strategies. Doctor Robert P. Gervais, member and Board of Director of Physicians Who Care, explains MCOs' cost-cutting approach: managed care instruments promise to rein in medical costs by paying doctors, hospitals, and nurses more money to do less for patients?When fewer health care services are provided, health care costs should go down. It is clear that patients lose under a managed care system? (Gervais). Employees are also usually limited to the choice of one health plan?that which their employer chooses to provide (The Center for Patient Advocacy). This is unfair to employees because they cannot shop around to find a health plan that would best suit their needs. The whole medical system becomes inefficient. The tax code neglects that individual choice is ruled out in the employer-based health system. How could quality care be insured in the health care system if individual choice does not exist? Furthermore, the tax code fabricates health care as an invisible benefit, ?seemingly free to employees? because costs are directly deducted from