The Powers of the State vs the Powers of the Federal Government free essay sample

There is an ongoing debate between centralists and decentralist about state, local and government law regulation. This paper will show what the arguments would be between centralists and decentralists on The Medicaid funding of Planned Parenthood, Energy assistance for low-income families and the sentencing reform for offenders convicted of crack-cocaine charges. It is important to keep in mind the Tenth Amendment as it pertains to the reserved powers of the states. Powers of the States versus the Powers of the Federal Government There is an ongoing debate between centralists and decentralist about state, local and government law regulation. According to the text, centralists are people who favor national action over action at the state and local levels (Magleby amp; Light, 2009). According to the text, decentralists are people who favor state or local action rather than national action (Magleby amp; Light, 2009). In April 2011 Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels (R) signed HEA 1210 legislation that prevented Planned Parenthood from receiving Medicaid funds. We will write a custom essay sample on The Powers of the State vs the Powers of the Federal Government or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Planned Parenthood of Indiana gets $3 million a year in government funds (Weiner, 2011). Planned Parenthood is a clinic for women that have been known to provide abortion services as well as other family planning services. Some believe that the Governor wanted this legislation signed into law to prevent women from using Medicaid funds to get an abortion. Planned Parenthood has been a target of anti-abortion organizations that stand outside of the clinic with signs to deter women from getting an abortion. Federal law prohibits states from deciding which organization receives Medicaid funding for any reason other than quality of care (Weiner, 2011). Restricting Medicaid funding from Planned Parenthood could be detrimental to the health of thousands of women that receive basic health care from the clinic, because not all of the patients are there for an abortion. In this case, centralists would put forth the argument that State of Indiana should not be allowed to dictate whether or not Planned Parenthood receives Medicaid. Abortion is legal in Indiana and centralists would argue that the state does not have the right to tall a women what to do with her body. Restricting these funds would endanger that lives of unsuspecting Planned Parenthood patients. Decentralists would argue that the state has every right to decide who can and cannot receive Medicaid and for what purpose. Powers of the States versus the Powers of the Federal Government Decentralists would argue that those prospective patients could go to another clinic for their healthcare needs as Planned Parenthood is not the only healthcare clinic that accepts and receives Medicaid funding. In this particular case the President of Planned Parenthood took the case to court and the Federal Government ruled that the state cannot restrict Medicaid funding to the clinic. Thousands of offenders convicted of crack cocaine charges will get out of prison early thanks to a sentencing reform that went into effect. Congress passed the Fair Sentencing Act in August 2010, changing the 100-to-1 disparity between minimum sentences for crack and powder cocaine to 18 to 1 (Cratty, 2011). Offenders will have about three years shaved from their sentencing and will become eligible for early release. Centralists would put forth the argument that this new sentencing reform is fair because it mostly affects poor people that were convicted of crack cocaine charges. They would also argue that crack cocaine is cheaper than powder cocaine and lower income people cannot afford it. Once lower income offenders are caught with crack cocaine they are convicted and given a longer sentences than other offenders caught and convicted of possessing powder cocaine. Critics of the old sentencing system say it was unfair to African-Americans, who make up the majority of those convicted of possessing and distributing crack (Cratty, 2011). Centralists would argue that the sentencing reform is a welcomed reform for these offenders. Centralist would argue that the prisons are overcrowded and need to be emptied a bit. Decentralists would put forth an argument that this sentencing reform should be rejected because these offenders are still guilty of these crack cocaine and should not be rewarded with an early release date. They would also argue that these offenders that are being let out early because of Powers of the States versus the Powers of the Federal Government this reformed law will just get arrested on another drug charge and then expect to get out early again. They can also argue that this news of the reformed sentencing will prompt families of convicted offenders bombard officials in inquiring about their family member getting out early simply because they have a drug charge. The public may take offense to these inmates celebrating getting out early when they are guilty of the possession of drugs. Decentralists would argue that this is a kick to the face to the war on drugs. The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services has allotted $1. 7 billion for the program so far this year, down from $4. 5 billion last year and $5 billion the year before (Reuters, 2011). Low income families count on energy assistance to heat their homes through the cold winter months. Centralists would put forth an argument that the plan to allocate less money towards energy assistance is a good one. They would say that people need to find another way to heat their homes and not rely on the government to do so. They would say that the government cannot afford this expense and that people should get gainful employment to raise their families. Decentralists would put forth an argument that this energy assistance fund should not be reduce and should be increased instead. They would argue that in this uncertain economy that more families are struggling than ever before and need a little help to get by. They would argue that with the job market in its current state that more people have been unemployed and cannot find a job to support their families. They would also argue that not every family that is benefiting from the energy assistance is unemployed. A lot of families are struggling with prices from everything from oil to groceries going up and their income is going down. Decentralists would argue that in the times of this economic depression that now is not the time to abandon its citizens when they need the government’s help so badly. They would Powers of the States versus the Powers of the Federal Government also remind the public that these citizens that they are abandoning are the citizens responsible for electing them to office.

Human Resources Vocabulary for English Learners

Human Resources Vocabulary for English Learners English teachers are often not equipped to go into depth in the terminology required in specific trade sectors. For this reason, supplementary core vocabulary sheets go a long way in helping teachers provide adequate materials for students needing an intensive study of vocabulary in very targeted areas. This core vocabulary reference sheet provides keywords and phrases used by a business human resources department. This list can be used as a starting point for  vocabulary study relating to employment and working. Knowledge of these terms can help people get a job and understand employee handbooks of policies that they are required to follow upon employment at a company. The list contains British and American spellings of terms and phrases, as noted by the use of (UK) and British spellings such as labour, which is spelled labor in the United States. Human Resources Vocabulary absentee absenteeism absenteeism rate accident at work/industrial injury applicant/candidate application form apprenticeship aptitude test assessment of applicants assistant back pay bargaining power basic salary blue-collar worker business  hours/office  hours Christmas bonus clerical  work/office  work company  bargaining/company  negotiation compensation for permanent disability contractual situation cost-of-living allowance credentials day shift direct  labour  (UK) disability pension disciplinary measure/disciplinary sanction discrimination dismissal dismissal for cause dismissal without notice early retirement employer employment agency employment  card/working  papers employment contract/labour contract (UK) employment for a trial period employment  office employment  rate executive cadres executive personnel exit permit experienced person family allowances family leave federal holiday/national holiday (US)/public holiday (UK) freelance full employment full time full-time employment general  strike gross wages and salaries harassment have an accident at work healthcare higher education/advanced education human relations (US)/human relationships (UK) independent unions index-linked wages indirect  labour (UK) industrial  tribunal (UK)/labour  court (UK) internal regulations irregular work/discontinuous work job/employment job application job description job evaluation job satisfaction job security job sharing junior  clerk/junior  employee labor costs labor disputes labor force/manpower labor market labor mobility labor relations (US) /industrial relations (UK)   labor relations/trade-union relations labor retraining labor supply labor union (US)/trade union (UK)   layoff learning by doing leave letter of appointment lock-out management training managing director maternity leave middle management minimum rate of pay minimum wage moonlighting motivation night shift occupation/employment office hours office manager office staff/office personnel on-the-job training outsourcing overtime pay overtime work part time part-time job partial disability pay pay envelope (US)/wage packet (UK) pay  formula/retribution  diagram pay increase for merit paycheck/payslip payroll/payroll ledger pension pension fund period of notice permanent disability permanent job/steady job permanent staff personnel/staff personnel department personnel requirements planner pretax prevention production bonus professional qualifications professional training programmer purchasing manager re-employment redundancy payment refresher course relationship management remuneration resign (chairperson)/to give notice (employee) resignation (chairperson)/notice (employee) retirement retirement age right to strike salaried  workers/employees salary salary  range/wage  band seasonal employment seasonal workers second shift secondary job senior clerk / senior employee severance  pay / dismissal  pay short-term employment sick leave / sick day skilled labor (US) / skilled  labour (UK) skilled work skilled workers social costs social insurance / national insurance Social Security (US) sole  director staff costs / personnel costs striker temporary disability temporary staff temporary worker / temp the job is still vacant third shift time card time clock to apply for a job to appoint a person to ask for a raise to be dismissed / to be fired to be laid off to be on probation / to be on trial to be on strike to be out of work / to be unemployed to dismiss / to fire to fill a vacancy to go on strike to hold a position to interview to retire to risk indemnity to secure employment to select candidates to strike to take measures to take ones vacation  days (US) / to take ones  holidays (UK)   to train to work at home / to telecommute top manager total disability trade training training period trial period under contract underemployed unemployment unemployment benefits union dues / union subscription union officer / trade unionist unjustified dismissal unpaid leave unskilled labor (US) / unskilled labour (UK) unskilled worker vacancy / vacant position vacation (US) / holiday (UK) wage  bargaining / pay  negotiations wage ceiling wage claims wage dynamics wage freeze wage pressures wage-cost spiral wage-earning workers welfare contributions white-collar worker work overtime work shift workday (US) / working day (UK) worker working hour workload workplace

Chapter 12 Taxation and Income Distribution

Who actually pays a tax b. Legal Incidence – who is legally responsible for paying a tax c. Economic Incidence – who actually pays the tax d. Example – tax of $1 is placed on $10 item how is income distribution affected i. Price stays at $10 – income of seller reduced ii. Prices rises to $11 – income of buyers reduced iii. Price rises to $10. 30 – buyers pay $. 30 and sellers pay $. 70 e. To the extent taxes affect quantity sold and produced, tax affects income of suppliers of inputs for the product. i. Example: tax on gasoline reduces gasoline consumption it reduces income of gasoline tanker truck owners and drivers. ii. May reduce the income of furnace manufactures by reducing the price of heating fuel. III. Tax Incidence Perspectives a. People pay taxes not corporations b. How to group people for purposes of tax incidence i. Often think of producers and consumers 1. But consumers are also producers and producers are also consumers 2. 0 of households own stock directly, others own stock indirectly ii. By income Rich, Middle Class, Poor 1. How do you define these categories? c. Tax affect both suppliers of inputs and consumers of a product. i. In practice tend to ignore one side and do analysis on the other 1. Tax in commodity ignore impacts on inputs 2. Tax on inputs, ignore impact on consumers d. Incidence depends on how prices are determined i. How taxes change pr ices determine who pays the taxes ii. Amount of time is important – more time more adjustment to taxes e. Tax incidence depends on how tax revenues are spend . Progressiveness of tax system i. Policy says tax system should be progressive. ii. Higher income pay a higher percentage of taxes 1. Usually measured as increase in average tax rate taxes/income 2. Exemptions, deductions and marginal rate structure affect average tax rate iii. 2 measures 1. Percentage change in tax rate divided by percentage change in income 2. Percentage change in taxes divided by the percentage change in income 3. Measures can produce different results IV. Partial Equilibrium Models of Tax Incidence a. Analyzes impact of tax on the market in which tax was imposed b. Ignore impact of market change on other markets i. Appropriate if tax is small ii. Appropriate if market is small iii. Otherwise need general equilibrium analysis c. Tax incidence of a unit tax – tax per unit of the good i. Legal incidence on buyers – figure 12. 2 1. Tax reduces the demand curve for the product from the supplier’s point of view since at each price the consumer buys less of the product. [pic] ii. Legal incidence on seller – figure 12. 3 1. Tax reduces the supply curve for the product from the consumer’s point of view since at each price the suppliers supply less of the product pic] iii. Economic incidence is independent of legal incidence 1. Arrive at same Price, Quantity, and tax split regardless of whether tax is on producer or supplier. a. Sales tax example iv. Tax incidence depends on relative elasticities of demand and supply v. Example Qd = 1,000 – 5P and Qs = 4P – 80 Tax $45 per unit [pic] [pic] d. Tax incidence of an ad valorem tax – tax per unit of the good i. A percentage tax rather than a unit tax ii. Sales tax as compared to gasoline tax iii. More difficult to calculate but shifts demand as shown in figure 12. V. Payroll Tax Controversy a. Legal incidence 7. 5% paid by employer and 7. 5% paid by employee b. Statutory distinction between employer and employee is irrelevant c. Economic split depends on elasticity of supply of labor d. Logical that the labor supply is fairly inelastic i. Household provides certain amount of labor regardless of wage ii. May not be true in long run VI. Tax on Capital a. Increasingly capital perfectly mobile b. Moved to where return is highest after adjusting for risk c. Rate of return on capital same everywhere in world d. No single country can make suppliers of capital bear any portion of a tax on capital VII. Taxes in markets with monopoly power a. Impact of taxes same as in competitive markets b. Consumers and monopolist share tax depending on the elasticity of demand c. Figure 12. 10 VIII. Taxes in oligopoly markets a. Impact of taxes difficult to determine b. Price increase resulting from reduction in output resulting from the tax may make a company more profitable IX. Tax on profits a. Tax on normal profits reduce investment because profit is return on capital and risk b. Tax on economic profits born entirely by company with change in behavior c. Seemly ideal tax but not very operational X. Tax Incidence and Capitalization a. Tax increase on real estate is capitalized into PV of property b. Borne entirely owners at time tax is levied c. May be reimbursed if public expenditures increase property values XI. General Equilibrium Models a. Read first paragraph P 271 b. Generally not operational [pic] ———————– Po Pg Pn Q0 Q1 Supply ConsumerDemand Supplier Perceived Demand Tax paid by Consumers Tax paid by Suppliers Deadweight Loss from Tax Consumer Losses and Producers losses Po Pg Pn Q0 Q1 Supply Demand Consumer Perceived Supply Tax paid by Consumers Tax paid by Suppliers Deadweight Loss Consumer Losses and Producer losses Deadweight Loss Consumer Losses and Producer losses Tax paid by Suppliers Tax paid by Consumers Consumer Perceived Supply Demand Supply 300 400 95 140 120 Deadweight Loss from Tax Consumer Losses and Producers losses Tax paid by Suppliers Tax paid by Consumers Supplier Perceived Demand ConsumerDemand Supply 300 400 95 20 200 120 140 Chapter 12 Taxation and Income Distribution Who actually pays a tax b. Legal Incidence – who is legally responsible for paying a tax c. Economic Incidence – who actually pays the tax d. Example – tax of $1 is placed on $10 item how is income distribution affected i. Price stays at $10 – income of seller reduced ii. Prices rises to $11 – income of buyers reduced iii. Price rises to $10. 30 – buyers pay $. 30 and sellers pay $. 70 e. To the extent taxes affect quantity sold and produced, tax affects income of suppliers of inputs for the product. i. Example: tax on gasoline reduces gasoline consumption it reduces income of gasoline tanker truck owners and drivers. ii. May reduce the income of furnace manufactures by reducing the price of heating fuel. III. Tax Incidence Perspectives a. People pay taxes not corporations b. How to group people for purposes of tax incidence i. Often think of producers and consumers 1. But consumers are also producers and producers are also consumers 2. 0 of households own stock directly, others own stock indirectly ii. By income Rich, Middle Class, Poor 1. How do you define these categories? c. Tax affect both suppliers of inputs and consumers of a product. i. In practice tend to ignore one side and do analysis on the other 1. Tax in commodity ignore impacts on inputs 2. Tax on inputs, ignore impact on consumers d. Incidence depends on how prices are determined i. How taxes change pr ices determine who pays the taxes ii. Amount of time is important – more time more adjustment to taxes e. Tax incidence depends on how tax revenues are spend . Progressiveness of tax system i. Policy says tax system should be progressive. ii. Higher income pay a higher percentage of taxes 1. Usually measured as increase in average tax rate taxes/income 2. Exemptions, deductions and marginal rate structure affect average tax rate iii. 2 measures 1. Percentage change in tax rate divided by percentage change in income 2. Percentage change in taxes divided by the percentage change in income 3. Measures can produce different results IV. Partial Equilibrium Models of Tax Incidence a. Analyzes impact of tax on the market in which tax was imposed b. Ignore impact of market change on other markets i. Appropriate if tax is small ii. Appropriate if market is small iii. Otherwise need general equilibrium analysis c. Tax incidence of a unit tax – tax per unit of the good i. Legal incidence on buyers – figure 12. 2 1. Tax reduces the demand curve for the product from the supplier’s point of view since at each price the consumer buys less of the product. [pic] ii. Legal incidence on seller – figure 12. 3 1. Tax reduces the supply curve for the product from the consumer’s point of view since at each price the suppliers supply less of the product pic] iii. Economic incidence is independent of legal incidence 1. Arrive at same Price, Quantity, and tax split regardless of whether tax is on producer or supplier. a. Sales tax example iv. Tax incidence depends on relative elasticities of demand and supply v. Example Qd = 1,000 – 5P and Qs = 4P – 80 Tax $45 per unit [pic] [pic] d. Tax incidence of an ad valorem tax – tax per unit of the good i. A percentage tax rather than a unit tax ii. Sales tax as compared to gasoline tax iii. More difficult to calculate but shifts demand as shown in figure 12. V. Payroll Tax Controversy a. Legal incidence 7. 5% paid by employer and 7. 5% paid by employee b. Statutory distinction between employer and employee is irrelevant c. Economic split depends on elasticity of supply of labor d. Logical that the labor supply is fairly inelastic i. Household provides certain amount of labor regardless of wage ii. May not be true in long run VI. Tax on Capital a. Increasingly capital perfectly mobile b. Moved to where return is highest after adjusting for risk c. Rate of return on capital same everywhere in world d. No single country can make suppliers of capital bear any portion of a tax on capital VII. Taxes in markets with monopoly power a. Impact of taxes same as in competitive markets b. Consumers and monopolist share tax depending on the elasticity of demand c. Figure 12. 10 VIII. Taxes in oligopoly markets a. Impact of taxes difficult to determine b. Price increase resulting from reduction in output resulting from the tax may make a company more profitable IX. Tax on profits a. Tax on normal profits reduce investment because profit is return on capital and risk b. Tax on economic profits born entirely by company with change in behavior c. Seemly ideal tax but not very operational X. Tax Incidence and Capitalization a. Tax increase on real estate is capitalized into PV of property b. Borne entirely owners at time tax is levied c. May be reimbursed if public expenditures increase property values XI. General Equilibrium Models a. Read first paragraph P 271 b. Generally not operational [pic] ———————– Po Pg Pn Q0 Q1 Supply ConsumerDemand Supplier Perceived Demand Tax paid by Consumers Tax paid by Suppliers Deadweight Loss from Tax Consumer Losses and Producers losses Po Pg Pn Q0 Q1 Supply Demand Consumer Perceived Supply Tax paid by Consumers Tax paid by Suppliers Deadweight Loss Consumer Losses and Producer losses Deadweight Loss Consumer Losses and Producer losses Tax paid by Suppliers Tax paid by Consumers Consumer Perceived Supply Demand Supply 300 400 95 140 120 Deadweight Loss from Tax Consumer Losses and Producers losses Tax paid by Suppliers Tax paid by Consumers Supplier Perceived Demand ConsumerDemand Supply 300 400 95 20 200 120 140

Critique of an evidence-based practiced guidelines Essay

Critique of an evidence-based practiced guidelines - Essay Example The recommendation places a strong reliance on the standardized tools over the nurse’s observations as the tool for determining the patient’s condition, and the action to be taken. For instance, under the recommendations, nurses and medical staff charged with rendering care to a patient suffering dementia, delirium and depression in older adults should rely on the standardized tools for determining cognitive changes in the patient to substantiate their clinical observations. This recommendation is rated with the highest rating of A. It is the first and foremost recommended method under the rating scheme as it is the only recommendation to be identified by a A in the ‘strength of evidence.† The B rated recommendations are those observations of the patient’s condition as observed by the nursing team, and which observations are subject to the nurse’s understanding of the identifying factors associated with the conditions of delirium, dementia and depression as pertains to older adults. The C rating recommendation are those aspect of observation and response made and taken by the nurse that do not rely on the standardized tools, but only on the nurse’s observations and how the nurse might interpret and apply individual understanding to their observations. The strength recommendations puts the heaviest weight on the standardized tools for both determining the cognitive level versus condition, and the action that level and condition warrants in referral or intervention according to the standardized tools. On page 15, under the subtitle Guideline Development Process, the method of guideline validation employed the collective review of the guidelines by a team of medical personnel and experts, whose collective expertise has involved a focus or specialty in geriatric mental healthcare. In assessing the guidelines, the

Defining Rule utilitarianism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Defining Rule utilitarianism - Essay Example Finally, Hospers brings up the last example when people vote. Thus, on an election day people may or may not be willing to go and vote. The first example might be considered to be an objection to act utilitarianism since according to it killing the fat man would be quite useful for the group of people, but the majority of people would agree on the fact that killing is wrong. The second example also shows that act utilitarianism might be regarded as a false approach: it is true that sometimes for a particular individual lying might bring considerable more benefits that tell the truth; however, the society condemns lying. Finally, the third example may also be regarded as a valid claim that rebuts act utilitarianism. According to the latter, it would be more ethical not to vote for a person, but it is quite obvious that such approach would ruin the legal system. Rule utilitarianism would provide a different solution for this problem. In case of the fat man, it would encourage people to let that man live. The reason for this is quite simple: it is generally accepted that killing other people is not an ethical action. That is why killing the person in question will violate the general rule which contributed to the security in the society. In the second example about lying, rule utilitarianism would urge a person to tell a truth even though it might be some problems. The logic behind it is rather simple: the social life is being productive and stable because people generally do not lie to each other. That is why if people chose to make an exception from that rule, they might undermine the very foundation of the society. Finally, in the example of voting, rule utilitarianism would encourage people to go and vote in spite of the fact that they may not be willing as if all the other people chose not to vote this is likely to break the democratic system and result in the collapse of the government. In my opinion rule

Helping the Environment Essay Example for Free

Helping the Environment Essay Trees are very important to humans. As part of the environment, we must. More and more trees are being cut to sustain the needs for products such as paper. Making small ways to help the environment is important to make a difference. As a hypothesis, I presume that preventing the use of paper towels and napkins that are made from trees can help the environment. The use of cloth as napkins paper instead of those made of paper at homes, restaurants and other places have significant contributions to the demand of paper products. Paper towels and napkins are disposable products made of paper. It serves the same general purposes as conventional towels, such as drying hands, wiping windows and dusting. However, cloth and rugs and ordinary towels can serve the same purpose. It is also more durable. It will wiser to use cloth instead of paper napkins since it is cheaper to use because cloth can be washed and used again. . If you replace the majority of paper towels and napkins with cloth rags or cloth napkins, the savings to the environment are tangible. The average cost of paper towels is about anywhere from 1. 00 to 2. 25 per roll depending on the brand. The demand for paper products such as napkins has a huge impact on the amount of trees being cut. According to the Law of Supply and Demand, as the demand increases the corresponding supply must be produced. It implies that, as the demand for paper towels and napkins increases, more trees are more likely to be cut down in order to address. I would say I use at least 4 roles of paper towels a week with approx. 100 sheets a roll and its 2 ply sheets which is just a stronger type of paper towel. In order to contribute something to the environment, one should avoid using paper products like paper towels and napkins. Instead of disposable napkins, use a handkerchief. A campaign for not using such products can also have significant effects on the number of trees to be cut. In conclusion, even in small things we can contribute big changes to help the problems in the environment. We should all be aware of the consequences of our daily consumption. REFERENCES: Tsien, Tsuen-Hsuin, Paper and Printing, vol. 5 part 1 of Needham, Joseph Science and Civilization in China:. Cambridge University Press, 1986.

Similarities Of Characters In Lord Of The Flies And Farenhite 451 :: Comparative Literature

In Fahrenheit 451 and Lord of the Flies, the characters are alike in some ways. In Fahrenheit 451 the characters are Montag, Faber, Clarisse, and Beatty. In Lord of the Flies the characters are Ralph, Piggy, Simon and Jack. Jack and Beatty, Ralph and Montag, Simon and Clarisse, and Piggy and Faber all have some similarities. Jack and beatty both want to take control over everyone and sells fear. Ralph and Montag want to move on and find a better plan to make everything work. Simon and Clarisse are Christ-figures. Piggy and Faber are very intellectual and are wise men. The books may contain different story lines but have very similar types of characters. In Fahrenheit 451 the main characters are Montag, Faber, Clarisse, and Beatty. Montag is someone who knows what he wants and what he wants is change. He is a fireman who suddenly realizes the emptiness of his life and starts to search for meaning in the books he is supposed to be burning. Though he is sometimes rash and has a hard time thinking for himself, he is determined to break free from the oppression of ignorance. He quickly forms unusually strong attachments with anyone who seems receptive to true friendship. At first, Montag believes that he is happy. He thinks this because of the question that Clarisse asks him. When he views himself in the firehouse mirror after a night of burning, he grins "the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame." His biggest regret in life is not having a better relationship with his wife. Faber is a very wise and intellectual man. He readily admits that the current state of society is due to the cowardice of people like himsel f, who would not speak out against book burning when they still could have stopped it. He berates himself for being a coward, but he shows himself capable of acts that require great courage and place him in considerable danger. Clarisse seems to always be of in her own world. She was a beautiful seventeen-year-old who introduces Montag to the world's potential for beauty and meaning with her gentle innocence and curiosity. She is an outcast from society because of her odd habits, which include hiking, playing with flowers, and asking questions. She asks questions such as, "Are you happy?