Pre-Approved! The Tyranny of Credit
According to the Federal Reserve’s G.19 Release dated March 5, 2010, consumers owe $864 billion in credit card debt. The U.S. Census states that there are 117 million households in the United States, which means the average household carries approximately $7,384.00 in credit card debt.
Leave of Absence Law: Do You Qualify for a Time Out?
Many of us hear the term depression and reflexively raise our eyebrows in speculation and doubt. We tend to believe that it is an overly used medical term, a so-called free pass for those of us who cannot deal with the responsibilities and demands of life. Unfortunately, for those affected by it, depression is a very real and common mental health condition that significantly affects the annual bottom line profits of many businesses. In fact, depression affects approximately 17 million adults in the United States, and 70% of those people are currently in the work force. Estimates of costs to business as a result of depression range from $43 billion to $70 billion dollars annually, as depression impacts the bottom line through lost productivity, absenteeism, disability and inappropriate use of healthcare.
Imperialist Hauteur: The Fallacy of Democracy
Traditional notions of imperialism are pregnant with negative connotations. The idea of one country, government or entity exerting power, control or influence over another does not exactly remind us of the democratic values on which our country is supposedly founded. However, true to most things in life, the lines are blurry. Are there times when such exertion is appropriate and, quite frankly, necessary for the safety and well-being of our citizenry?
Citizens United: Are All Votes Created Equal?
Considered one of the most important First Amendment cases decided by the Supreme Court in recent years, the 2010 landmark case Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission establishes controversial precedent that could affect local, state and federal elections for years to come. Essentially the case stands for the proposition that the First Amendment protects campaign contributions and other forms of political spending, and, more importantly, that corporations are entitled to the same First Amendment protections enjoyed by individuals. While no one can predict what impact the decision may have on the 2012 presidential election, it may have already impacted several 2010 mid-term election races and at least one gubernatorial race.
Barbary War III: The Case for Congressional Authorization
The constitutional question in Washington is whether President Obama is ‘required’ to get Congressional authorization for America's participation in the European intervention in Libya. As usual, it's the wrong question. In part because it has no clear answer, and in part because there's a better question: Why in heaven's name wouldn't he seek authorization? Doing so would be good for the war effort, good for the nation, and good for Barack Obama.
Islamic Law: The US Opens for Business with the Arab World
In keeping within the general themes of this month’s issue of Charlatan Magazine, I thought it apropos to write about a topic that I know absolutely nothing about but that has peaked both my personal interest and intellectual curiosity for quite some time. No. I am not writing about a particular case or statute that applies to a broad segment of American society. Rather, I am addressing a topic that will hopefully shed light on and remove the shrouds of mystery cloaking the various legal systems adopted by our brethren throughout the Middle East.
When I was in college the ‘Computer Lab’ was considered the high tech hub on campus! It was from here that I sent my first e-mails to other students, and communicated in a way that previously had been consigned to in-person conversations in the common areas, library and quad.
In my second year of law school I was required to take one of the more difficult courses in any law school curriculum: Constitutional Law. It was the first time I was asked to study and understand the concept of “Separation of Church and State”. I soon realized that it is a phrase that carries multiple connotations and interpretations.
European Debt Crisis: Why US Portfolios need International Justice
The perfunctory annual check up with our financial advisor got more interesting this year. Asset allocation be damned, until the debt crises settles across the pond there is no way to predict how our portfolios will look this year. Much of the fate on this topic rests with the EU’s ability to find peace with their debt crisis agreements and move to execute them on a grand scale. But how can these promises of practicing more fiscally responsible behavior actually be enforced? The answer lies within International law.
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
