REPORT ON MISSOURI :: essays papers

REPORT ON MISSOURI GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Missouri has had four constitutions: 1820, prior to statehood; 1865 and 1875, in the aftermath of the Civil War; and 1945. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by a majority of the legislature or by petition signed by 8% of the voters in two-thirds of the state's congressional districts. Proposed amendments must be approved by a majority of the voters in a statewide election. A constitutional convention must be called every 20 years to review the constitution for possible changes. The Missouri general assembly is composed of the senate of 34 members, half of whom are elected every 2 years for 4-year terms, and the house of representatives, with 163 members, all of whom are elected every 2 years. The general assembly meets annually. The governor is elected for 4 years and may succeed himself once. The chief judicial officers are the 7 supreme court judges. The Missouri Plan for selecting judges, adopted in 1945, has become a nationwide model for the nonpartisan assignment of judges. Each of Missouri's 114 counties is governed by a 3-member elected county commission. St. Louis functions as an independent city with county status. Both the Democratic and Republican parties have considerable electoral strength in Missouri, but since World War II the Democrats, strongest in the cities and the Bootheel, have more often controlled the legislature. Elected state offices and Missouri's representation in the U.S. Congress have been rather equally divided between the two parties. Missouri's Democrats tend to have a more conservative political philosophy than Democrats nationally. Republicans retain strength in suburban regions and in the southwestern part of the state. STATE SYMBOLS The state flower is the Hawthorn. The state bird is the Eastern Bluebird. And the state tree is the Dogwood. Government Configuration Missouri has had four constitutions: 1820, prior to statehood; 1865 and 1875, in the aftermath of the Civil War; and 1945. Amendments to the constitution may be proposed by a majority of the legislature or by petition signed by 8% of the voters in two-thirds of the state's congressional districts. Proposed amendments must be approved by a majority of the voters in a statewide election. A constitutional convention must be called every 20 years to review the constitution for possible changes. The Missouri general assembly is composed of the senate of 34 members, half of whom are elected every 2 years for 4-year terms, and the house of representatives, with 163 members, all of whom are elected every 2 years.

The Working Poor in America Essay example -- Exploratory Essays Resear

The Working Poor in America The concept of the "working poor" has gained prominence in the post-welfare reform era. As welfare rolls shrunk, the focus shifted from the dependent poor to the working poor. It was obvious that without substantial outside support, even families with full-time low-wage workers were still earning less than the official poverty line. And while American society purports that anyone can prosper if they work hard enough, it became apparent that with inadequate opportunity or bad luck, a growing number of families could not attain the American dream, or even break the cycle of poverty. The new challenge for American social policy is to help the working poor lift themselves out of poverty. That's why progressives who supported ending welfare as we know it have set a new goal -- the government should "make work pay" so that no one who works full time is poor. After substantial decreases in the 1990s, poverty rates stopped their decline in 2000 and have actually started to again creep upward. The great conundrum of how one simultaneously alleviates the multiple causes of poverty has become a central obstacle to poverty reduction. Into this debate comes author David Shipler, a former New York Times Pulitzer Prize winner, with an aptly titled look at the state of poverty in America today, The Working Poor. Shipler's book is more anecdotal and descriptive than analytical and prescriptive. Yet it is a valuable portrait of poverty in America, just as Michael Harrington's landmark book, The Other America, was in 1962. While he does not offer many concrete solutions, Shipler provides readers with an intimate glimpse of the plight of the working poor, whose lives are in sharp contrast to the images of excess w... ... funding and direction, including those of local government and philanthropy, are critical to tailoring programs to the specific needs of local communities, and should be leveraged through federal funding. The final ingredient is responsibility, both personal and collective. Individuals must be empowered to improve their own lives, and the community must support the effort rather than look the other way, or looking past the working poor, who can so easily blend into the background. Shipler concludes the book with these thoughts: "Workers at the edge of poverty are essential to America's prosperity, but their well-being is not treated as an integral part of the whole. Instead, the forgotten wage a daily struggle to keep themselves from falling over the cliff. It is time to be ashamed." No, it is time to move past the ideology and make work pay for all Americans.

God and the Absolute Law :: Religion Theology

God and the Absolute Law This vast universe, which we understand so little of, is governed by a set of rules and principles which were laid down since the dawn of time. The universe was created by God and it is He who laid down these rules. It is also He who created time and then created life out of nothingness. While doing so, He also instructed us how to spend our lives and told us what is right and what is wrong. In other words, He told us what to do and what not to do, and we, each and everyone of us, is bound to concur and abide by these rules. Culture and race is irrelevant ; these laws are absolute and are meant for every individual. One of the laws and/or rules tells us that the human body and the soul is not our own and we have no right to harm it in any way. We do not own them since it is not us who gave them form but it is God who gave them to us for a finite period of time. We value this human life and it is our natural instinct to save ourselves from any harm. It is every man^s constant will to survive. This is a form of an absolute law which governs our every action. It cannot be called a fabrication of mankind because ever since the dawn of time, every human being has fought for his/her own survival. It is ingrained into our nature to try to protect ourselves. So it must be absolute. Theft is another aspect of life which is governed by an absolute law. God gave us life and he provides for each and everyone of us. He bestows us with what we deserve ; nothing more, nothing less. And He told us that we have no right to steal anything from anyone else because it does not belong to us and was not meant for us. This concept, that stealing some else^s property is bad, is also included in mankind^s nature. And therefore it is an absolute law. Examples of thieves and robbers do not refute the existence of the absolute law because they are just people who do not have a strong belief in themselves. They fail to realize that they have everything they deserve and that they should be thankful for what they do have. God and the Absolute Law :: Religion Theology God and the Absolute Law This vast universe, which we understand so little of, is governed by a set of rules and principles which were laid down since the dawn of time. The universe was created by God and it is He who laid down these rules. It is also He who created time and then created life out of nothingness. While doing so, He also instructed us how to spend our lives and told us what is right and what is wrong. In other words, He told us what to do and what not to do, and we, each and everyone of us, is bound to concur and abide by these rules. Culture and race is irrelevant ; these laws are absolute and are meant for every individual. One of the laws and/or rules tells us that the human body and the soul is not our own and we have no right to harm it in any way. We do not own them since it is not us who gave them form but it is God who gave them to us for a finite period of time. We value this human life and it is our natural instinct to save ourselves from any harm. It is every man^s constant will to survive. This is a form of an absolute law which governs our every action. It cannot be called a fabrication of mankind because ever since the dawn of time, every human being has fought for his/her own survival. It is ingrained into our nature to try to protect ourselves. So it must be absolute. Theft is another aspect of life which is governed by an absolute law. God gave us life and he provides for each and everyone of us. He bestows us with what we deserve ; nothing more, nothing less. And He told us that we have no right to steal anything from anyone else because it does not belong to us and was not meant for us. This concept, that stealing some else^s property is bad, is also included in mankind^s nature. And therefore it is an absolute law. Examples of thieves and robbers do not refute the existence of the absolute law because they are just people who do not have a strong belief in themselves. They fail to realize that they have everything they deserve and that they should be thankful for what they do have.

Qualitative Research Critique Essay

Hi, my name is Cindy Walters. I am presenting a qualitative research critique on a study conducted in 2011 on people with bipolar disorder with comorbid substance use. The study is entitled â€Å"The lived experience of adults with bipolar disorder and comorbid substance use disorder† written by Terry Ward, MSN, PhD, RN. Bipolar disorder involves changes in cognition, behavior, and mood. The episodes of bipolar disorder cycle through mania and depression. Mania is described as an elevated, irritable, or expansive mood, whereas depression is the opposite or hypomania. In the manic phase people present as euphoric, enthusiastic, and optimistic with an infectious personality. The euphoric state may suddenly may be replaced by extreme irritability if the persons needs are not met. In a manic phase the person’s speech may be rapid, loud, intrusive, and hard to follow or interrupt. If someone tries to interrupt a manic person he or she can just as quickly become, threatening, irritable or assaultive (Ebert, Loosen, Nurcombe & Leckman, 2008). Substance abuse is the excess use of drugs such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medications. The number of people abusing drugs and alcohol is about 3.4 million. Those individuals abusing have a greater change of acquiring a mental disorder at a rate of 2.7 times more likely than a non-abuser, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health individuals with a psychiatric diagnosis such as bipolar disorder have 28.8% chance of substance abuse or use of drugs. Individuals using drugs with a mental disorder, within a year are diagnosed as dependent on them (Ebert, Loosen, Nurcombe & Leckman, 2008). If bipolar disorder and substance use disorder are combined, they have a devastating effect with negative outcomes for those individuals. Understanding the problem with the ability to manage bipolar disorder with the proper treatment, health care providers can improve patient outcomes and his or her outlook on life. The problem is clearly stated in the abstract and first p aragraph of the study. Several statistics of drug use are quoted to give the reader an estimate and prevalence of this addiction with an unknown cause. The author addressed four hypotheses to explain this phenomenon. The negative outcomes in the use of substances and bipolar disorder affect a person mentally, physically, and functionally. The author stated the prevalence was high and does not receive enough attention in research studies. With increased knowledge, health care providers will be able to introduce new avenues for research, education, and nursing practice. The purpose of the study is to see how the individuals perceive their day- to- day experience of living with the disorders. A study done by Cassidy et al. (2001) addressed supporting and maintaining the patient’s stability and quality of life with effective treatment. Other studies focused on pharmacotherapy, psychosocial factors, and interventions as areas of research. Little research has been done on the phenomena. The researcher provided the broad platform for a qualitative study for individuals to share and speak freely of their experience with the hope the patients will be heard, get support, and have better outcomes. The method of this study was a descriptive and phenomenological design. â€Å"Phenomenology accepts that the truth can be revealed through the words of those that live the experience and that those words can describe the essence of that lived experience† (Thomas & Pollio, 2002, pg. 184). â€Å"Descriptive phenomenology has its emphasis on describing universal essences through direct interaction between the researcher and the objects of study† (Wojnar & Swanson, 2007, pg. 22). Conclusions could be drawn from the researcher of the subject experiences. The method adequately addressed the topic and gave credence to the subject experiences of living with a dual diagnosis. The design was consistent with qualitative studies and proved to be as descriptive and truthful as the researcher intended. Sampling was obtained over a four month period with the use of fliers. Fliers contained inclusion criteria and were validated by expert researchers for content, reliability, and readability. Also in the fliers contents were the researcher contact information, risks, and benefits of the study. Mental health care centers were the origin for the distribution of the fliers for subjects of the study. Snowballing and referrals came from doctor’s offices and recovery centers for abuse that were also included in the distribution of flier for subjects. The credibility came from phone calls made by potential subjects calling the researcher and were given reiterated instructions of the explanation for the study, inclusion criteria, exclusion criteria, risks, and benefits. The sample consisted of 12 stable subjects not using drugs with a self-reported bipolar disorders, and not currently manic or depressed. The demographics pulled out male, female, mean age, and nationality. The description of the inclusion criteria showed the participants inferred for the s ample were familiar and knowledgeable about the subject. The participants were chosen for the purpose of describing their experience of living with the dual diagnosis for this study. The criteria and descriptions were consistent for qualitative study. The sample size was small and consisted of only one male. Although facts indicate that more females have a dual diagnosis of bipolar disorder with substance use disorder (Ebert, Loosen, Nurcombe & Leckman, 2008). Data collection began with IRB approval and a written and verbal informed consent. Written consent was obtained for audiotaping of interviews with the understanding that at any time should the participant chose, the recorder could be turned off or the interview stopped. During emotional times of the participants they were asked by the researcher if they wanted the tape turned off or wish to stop the interview. Probe questions were used by the researcher to get the participant to expand on their explanations and thoughts. Wards probe questions were â€Å"describe for me a typical day that would help me understand what your life is like† or â€Å"how did you feel when you were told you had both bipolar disorder and a substance use disorder?† seemed to prompt the participant to speak (pg. 21). During the questions the researcher jotted notes on the mood, emotion, and expression of the participant the audio would not capture. Participants also shared concerns of ridicule, health problems that complicated their lives, and the lack of acceptance from society. There was no saturation of the data described. The strategy used by the researcher obtained the information she needed for the study. There were two interviews conducted the first was a face –to-face and the second was a follow up phone interview for clarity of the findings. The data collection was obtained in a qualita tive and purposeful manner, although the researcher never stated where the interview was conducted. There was no model or framework for validation of the study except for the data interpretation of the data analysis. Data analysis was studied over and over until the themes of the participants were identified by the researcher. Analytical coding was used to describe meaning to experiences lived by the participant. When a person reflects on their experience it becomes important to the process of understanding the phenomena. Qualitative methodology was proved with peer debriefing of the analysis and techniques used in this study. Audit trails comprised the data for the participants to view and verify that the disclosed information in his or her interview was captured as they intended that proved the validity and reliability of the research. Ward (pg. 22) found six themes that defined experiences of the participants. The six themes were life is hard, feeling the effect, trying to escape, spiritual support, being pushed beyond the limits, and a negative connotation. The participants res ponses were elaborated on in each theme giving the reader the implications of the perceptions of the participants. Each theme was explained and defined for easier reading and understanding. Themes indicated criminal actions, loss of jobs, homelessness, and losing the respect of others. Scientific rigor was not mentioned it could have been a useful tool. The participants lived and survived the experience they felt described as a sense of stigma, negative reactions from others, a sense of worthlessness, and a spiritual support that would help he or she feel as if there was someone they could talk to and as well as someone who would listen. The descriptions of the themes provided by the researcher gave one a visual of the feelings and emotions that a person with bipolar disorder with substance use disorder are trying to overcome on a day- to -day basis. The findings were concurrent with the way the participant felt about losing his or her ability to function in society. The diagnosis of bipolar disorder with substance use disorder kept challenges of coping and becoming productive in society at bay. Overcoming these obstacles proved to be a constant challenge. Without acceptance and forgiveness from society the need to overcome became more challenging and nonexistent. The participants had big dreams that were diminished by the disorders of bipolar and substance use creating havoc in their daily lives that he or she could not cope with. Health care workers can apply specific plans of care for mental health patients with individualized care plans on medication use and symptom management. Alternative plans can help patients find other ways of dealing with everyday problems than using drugs. Patients need education on medication compliance and screening for suicidal ideation. Concepts found in the themes of the study help organize the descriptions of the participants to reduce risk levels and incidence of harm. The type of data used is appropriate for a qualitative method of study. The conclusion of the study revealed and suggested being heard by others affected the participant’s feelings of self- worth and the need for help and support . Sharing with the reader the researcher makes society aware of the need for the voices of the participants to be heard. The individuals want to be heard, forgiven, and accepted by society. Increasing the awareness of mental health with nurses and the awareness of a higher power was a major accomplishment of this study. Indications for further research studies could provide healthcare workers with the tools needed to disrupt the stigma of mental illness and recognize when patients need help. Had the researcher given the benefits of this study to improving the effects of mental illness and the way society perceives it would have more benefit to the reader. This study was a good example of a qualitative study. Future studies require answers to more questions and a better and knowledgeable understanding of mental illness and substance use.

The 13th Amendment

Devan Laney Amendment 13 is the one that has made big impact on me. I don’t know where I would be if slavery were not abolished. I may be a slave or just horribly discriminated against because of the Civil Right Movement not taking place. Without this Amendment major accomplishment would have never happened. Just think Martin Luther King Jr. may have never happened or Obama may have never become president. Other things important to history because of it was The barrier an American sports all the Great African American Athletes brought in to shite sport leagues like Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens etc.I believe people would be angrier and a lot less tolerant then how they are today. I think back then eventually African Americans eventually would become more violent in the plantations and eventually the hatred for us would have been extreme. I don’t know that I could be as strong as them and endure the hatred they encountered. This Amendment made the United States better bec ause the more time had went on with people closer to being considered equal the United states became more unified.An example of that is interracial relationships it still isn’t completely accepted but it is more tolerated then say in the 1950’s. I believe only good came out of this Amendment getting passed. I am so thankful that the Amendment was passed for me and my ancestors my race has come so far since then. They fought so hard for the freedom I have today and I hope that in the next generation we can do are part in furthering the battle of racism.The Constitution today is the still the backbone of our country. Without it the U. S. would be a less organized country. I believe we wouldn’t be a developed country and very weak to a lot of countries. I wouldn’t be able to imagine us if we didn’t have the constitution or what type of rights would be in place instead of the Amendments. The Constitutions makes us one of the mega powers in the world be cause of the power each and every citizen holds in either their own life or in the Unites States future.

Blood Clotting Essay

Coagulation, or thrombogenesis, is the process by which blood clots in an attempt to restrict blood loss from an injury site, and repair the damaged vessel. Most of the time clotting is a good thing, however there are circumstances when a clot can form abnormally, leading to heart attack, stroke, or other serious medical problems. A blood clot forms almost immediately after the bleeding occurs, which is possible through enzymes and other substances in blood that respond to breaks in vessel walls. The clot is a temporary fix preventing further blood loss. There are four major parts of blood clot formation. The first step in clotting is the formation of the platelet plug. Platelets are the smallest of the three major types of blood cells whose primary function is to prevent bleeding. When encountering a damaged blood vessel, the platelets become stimulated and rush to the injury site where they clump together, forming a plug and restricting the bleeding. They also release substances to begin the chemical reaction of the clotting process. These chemical reactions are responsible for growing the blood clot. Dissolved proteins, also referred to as clotting factors, are contained within the blood for the purpose of promoting blood clots. These proteins send signals to each other and enhance each other’s activity exponentially at the site of injury, resulting in a rapid chemical chain reaction which produces fibrin, the main protein forming clots. This blood clot formed with fibrin is tougher and more durable than the platelet plug. Once the blood clot forms, it is important that it not grow and spread to the rest of the body, which can cause serious damage. This is where â€Å"anti-clotting† comes in to play. Proteins such as antithrombin, protein C, and protein S, are known anti-clotting proteins and exist in a natural balance with the clotting factors. These substances work to neutralize excess clotting factors, preventing the clot from going to places it should not. The final part of the process is where the clot is slowly broken down by the body. Once the damaged tissue heals, the body gradually degrades the clot and reabsorbs it. The tough fibrin strands in a blood clot are dissolved by an enzyme called plasmin. Plasmin is activated by other substances working together to help the clot break down. The whole process of blood clotting is whenever the blood is exposed to certain substances. These are known as thrombogenic substances because they promote the formation of thrombus (clot). Many of these substances, such as tissue factor, collagen, and von Willebrand factor, are located in the skin or in the blood vessel walls, typically separated from flowing blood. If they come into contact with flowing blood, this typically means the blood vessel wall is ruptured and bleeding. A clot may also form when blood is not flowing properly. http://www.hematology.org/patients/blood-disorders/blood-clots/5233.aspx http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/blood-clots

Cory aquino Essay

Marà ­a Corazà ³n Sumulong â€Å"Cory† Cojuangco Aquino was born on January 25, 1933, in Paniqui, Tarlac, Marà ­a Corazà ³n â€Å"Cory† Sumulong Cojuangco was the fourth child of Josà © Cojuangco, Sr. and Demetria Sumulong. Her siblings were Pedro, Josephine, Teresita, Jose, Jr. and Maria Paz. Both Aquino’s parents came from prominent clans. Her father was a prominent Tarlac businessman and politician, and her great-grandfather, Melecio Cojuangco, was a member of the historic Malolos Congress. Her mother, Demetria, belonged to the Sumulong family of Rizal who were politically influential; Juan Sumulong, a prominent member of the clan, ran against Commonwealth President Manuel L. Quezon in 1941. As a young girl, she spent her elementary days at St. Scholastica’s College in Manila, where she graduated on top of her class and batch as valedictorian. For high school, she transferred toAssumption Convent for her first year of high school. Afterwards, she went to the United States to finish her secondary education. There she continued her college education. She went to theCollege of Mount Saint Vincent in New York City, where she majored in Mathematics and French. During her stay in the United States, Aquino volunteered for the campaign of U.S. Republican presidential candidate Thomas Dewey against then Democrat U.S. President Harry S. Truman during the 1948 U.S. Presidential Election. After graduating from college, she returned to the Philippines to study law at the Far Eastern University (owned by the in-laws of her elder sister, Josephine Reyes) for one year. She married Sen.Benigno S. Aquino, Jr., son of the late Speaker Benigno S. Aquino, Sr. and a grandson of General Servillano Aquino. The couple had five children: Marà ­a Elena (born August 18, 1955), Aurora Corazà ³n (born December 27, 1957), Benigno Simeon III (born February 8, 1960), Victoria Elisa (born October 27, 1961) and Kristina Bernadette (born February 14, 1971). Corazà ³n Aquino had difficulty initially adjusting to provincial life when she and her husband moved to Concepcion, Tarlac in 1955. Aquino found herself bored in Concepcion, and welcomed the opportunity to have dinner with her husband inside the American military facility at nearby Clark Field. A member of the Liberal Party, Aquino’s husband Ninoy rose to become the youngest  governor in the country and eventually became the youngest senator ever elected in the Senate of the Philippines in 1967. During her husband’s political career, Aquino remained a housewife who helped raise their children and played hostess to her spouse’s political allies who would frequent their Quezon City home. She would decline to join her husband on stage during campaign rallies, preferring instead to stand at the back of the audience and listen to him. Unknown to many, she voluntarily sold some of her prized inheritance to fund the candidacy of her husband. She led a modest existence in a bungalow in suburban Quezon City. Ninoy Aquino soon emerged as a leading critic of the government of President Ferdinand Marcos. He was then touted as a strong candidate for president to succeed Marcos in the 1973 elections. However, Marcos, being barred by the Constitution to seek a third term, declared martial law on September 21, 1972, and later abolished the existing 1935 Constitution, thereby allowing him to remain in office. As a consequence, her husband was among those to be first arrested at the onset of martial law, later being sentenced to death. During his incarceration, Ninoy sought strength from prayer, attending daily mass and saying the rosary three times a day. As a measure of sacrifice and solidarity with her husband and all other political prisoners, she enjoined her children from attending parties and she also stopped going to the beauty salon or buying new clothes until a priest advised her and her children to instead live as normal lives as possible. In 1978, despite her initial opposition, Ninoy decided to run in the 1978 Batasang Pambansa elections. A reluctant speaker, Corazà ³n Aquino campaigned in behalf of her husband, and for the first time in her life delivered a political speech. In 1980, upon the intervention of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Marcos allowed Senator Aquino and his family to leave for exile in the United States, where he sought medical treatment.[4] The family settled in Boston, and Aquino would later call the next three years as the happiest days of her marriage and family life. On August 21, 1983, however, Ninoy ended his stay in the United States and returned without his family to the Philippines, only to be assassinated on a staircase leading to the tarmac of the Manila International Airport, which was later renamed in his honor (see Assassination of Benigno Aquino, Jr.). Corazà ³n Aquino returned to the Philippines a few days later and led her husband’s funeral procession, in  which more than two million people joined the procession. Following her husband’s assassination in 1983, Aquino became active and visible in various demonstrations and protests held against the Marcos regime. She began to assume the mantle of leadership left by her husband Ninoy and started to become the symbolic figurehead of the anti-Marcos political opposition. In the last week of November 1985, Marcos surprised the nation by announcing on American television that he would hold a snap presidential election in February 1986, in order to dispel and remove doubts against his regime’s legitimacy and authority. Reluctant at first, Aquino was eventually prevailed upon to heed the people’s clamor, after one million signatures urging her to run for president were presented to her. Despite this, the erstwhile favorite opposite candidate, Laurel, did not immediately give way to his close friend’s widow. Laurel was only convinced to run as Aquino’s Vice President upon the urging of the influential Manila Cardinal Archbishop Jaime Sin. As a compromise, Aquino agreed to run under Laurel’s machinery, the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO), then the country’s largest opposition party. With that, the Aquino-Laurel tandem was formally launched to challenge Marcos and finally put an end to his twenty-year martial rule. In the subsequent political developments and events, Marcos charged that Aquino was being supported by communists and agreed to share power with them once elected into power. A political novice, Aquino categorically denied Marcos’ charge and even stated that she would not appoint a single communist to her cabinet. Running on the offensive, the ailing Marcos also accused Aquino of playing â€Å"political football† with the United States with respect to the continued United States military presence in the Philippines at Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Base. Further, the male strongman derided Aquino’s womanhood, by saying that she was â€Å"just a woman† whose place was in the bedroom. In response to her opponent’s sexist remark, Aquino simply remarked that â€Å"may the better woman win in this election.† Marcos also attacked Aquino’s inexperience and warned the country that it would be a disaster if a woman like her with no previous political experience would be elected president; to which Aquino cleverly and sarcastically responded, admitting that she had â€Å"no experience in cheating, lying to the public, stealing government money, and killing political opponents.† The snap election called by Marcos which was held on February 7, 1986 was marred by massive electoral fraud, violence, intimidation, coercion and disenfranchisement of voters. Election Day proved to be bloody as one of Aquino’s staunchest allies Antique Governor Evelio Javier was brutally murdered, allegedly by one of Marcos’ supporters in his province. Further, during the counting and tallying of votes conducted by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), 30 poll computer technicians walked out to dispute and contest the alleged election-rigging done in favor of Marcos. Despite this, the Batasang Pambansa, which was dominated by allies of the ruling party, declared President Marcos as the winner in the recently concluded snap presidential election on February 15, 1986. In protest to the declaration of the Philippine parliament, Aquino called for a rally dubbed â€Å"Tagumpay ng Bayan† (People’s Victory Rally) the following day, during which she claimed that she was the real winner in the snap election and urged Filipinos to boycott the products and services by companies controlled or owned by Marcos’ cronies. The rally held at the historic Rizal Park in Luneta, Manila drew a mammoth-sized crowd, which sent a strong signal that Filipinos were already growing tired of Marcos’ two decade-rule. Further, the dubious election results drew sharp reactions from both local quarters and foreign countries. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines issued a statement strongly criticizing the conduct of the election which was characterized by violence and fraud. The United States Senate condemned the election. Aquino rejected a power-sharing agreement proposed by the American diplomatPhilip Habib, who had been sent as an emissary by U.S. President Ronald Reagan to help defuse the tension. After weeks of tension following the disputed outcome of the snap election, disgruntled and reformist military officers, led by then Defense Minister Juan Ponce Enrile and General Fidel V. Ramos, surprised the entire nation and the whole world when they announced their defection from President Marcos and their strong belief that Aquino was the real winner in the presidential election on February 22, 1986. Upon the urging and encouragement of the activist Cardinal Archbishop of Manila Jaime Sin, millions of Filipinos trooped to Camp Aguinaldo along Epifanio De los Santos Avenue (EDSA), where Enrile and Ramos have been holding operations, to give their moral support and prayers for the reformist soldiers. At that time, Aquino was meditating in a Carmelite convent in Cebu. Upon learning of the defection, Aquino called on  Filipinos to rally behind Minister Enrile and General Ramos. Later on, Aquino flew back to Manila in order to prepare to assume the presidency upon the ouster of Marcos. Finally, to the amazement and admiration of the entire world, after twenty years of martial rule, Ferdinand Marcos was driven out from power and Corazà ³n Aquino was formally and peacefully sworn in as the new president of a freed and liberated Philippines on February 25, 1986, a historic event which is now known and remembered as the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution. In Presidency, the triumph of the peaceful People Power Revolution and the ascension of Corazà ³n Aquino into power signaled the end of authoritarian rule in the Philippines and the dawning of a new era for Filipinos. The relatively peaceful manner by which Aquino came into power drew international acclaim and admiration not only for her but for the Filipino people, as well. During the first months of Aquino’s presidency, the country experienced radical changes and sweeping democratic reforms. One of Aquino’s first moves was the creation of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was tasked to go after the Marcos ill-gotten wealth. Aquino, being a revolutionary president by virtue of people power, abolished the 1973 â€Å"Marcos Constitution† and dissolved the Marcos allies-dominated Batasang Pambansa, despite the advice of her vice-president and only prime minister Salvador Laurel. She also immediately created a Constitutional Commission, which she directed for the drafting of a new constitution for the nation. Immediately after assuming the presidency, President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3, which established a revolutionary government. She abolished the 1973 Constitution that was in force during martial law, and instead promulgated the provisional 1986 Freedom Constitution, pending the ratification of a new Constitution by the people. This allowed her to exercise both executive and legislative powers until the ratification of the new Philippine Constitution and the establishment of a new Congress in 1987. Aquino promulgated two landmark legal codes, namely, the Family Code of 1987, which reformed the civil law on family relations, and the Administrative Code of 1987, which reorganized the structure of the executive branch of government. Another landmark law that was enacted during her tenure was the 1991 Local  Government Code, which devolved national government powers to local government units (LGUs). The new Code enhanced the power of LGUs to enact local taxation measures and assured them of a share in the national revenue. Aquino closed down the Marcos-dominated Batasang Pambansa to prevent the new Marcos loyalist opposition from undermining her democratic reforms and reorganized the membership of the Supreme Court to restore its independence. In May 1986, the reorganized Supreme Court declared the Aquino government as â€Å"not merely a de facto government but in fact and law a de jure government†, whose legitimacy had been affirmed by the community of nations. This Supreme Court decision affirmed the status of Aquino as the rightful leader of the Philippines. To fast-track the restoration of a full constitutional government and the writing of a new charter, she appointed 48 members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission (â€Å"Con-Com†), led by retired activist Supreme Court Associate Justice Cecilia Muà ±oz-Palma. The Con-Com completed its final draft in October 1986. On February 2, 1987, the new Constitution of the Philippines, which put strong emphasis on civil liberties, human rights and social justice, was overwhelmingly approved by the Filipino people. As soon as she assumed the presidency of the Philippines, Aquino moved quickly to tackle the issue of the US$26 billion foreign debt incurred by her predecessor, which has badly tarnished the international credit standing and economic reputation of the country. After weighing all possible options such as choosing not to pay, Aquino eventually chose to honor all the debts that were previously incurred in order to clear the country’s image. Her decision proved to be unpopular but Aquino defended that it was the most practical move. It was crucial for the country at that time to regain the investors’ confidence in the Philippine economy. Since 1986, the Aquino administration has paid off $4 billion of the country’s outstanding debts to regain good international credit ratings and attract the attention of future markets. Nevertheless, the administration borrowed an additional $9 billion, increasing the national debt by $5 billion within six years time since the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986. Further, recognizing how crony capitalism zapped out the economy due to collusion between government and big business and adhering to the Catholic social principle of subsidiarity, President Aquino set out on a course of market liberalization agenda while at the same time emphasizing solidarity, people  empowerment and civic engagement to help alleviate poverty in the country. The Aquino administration also sought to bring back fiscal discipline in order as it aimed to trim down the government’s budget deficit that ballooned during Marcos’ term through privatization of bad government assets and deregulation of many vital industries. As president, Aquino sought out to dismantle the cartels, monopolies and oligopolies of important industries that were set up by Marcos cronies during the dark days of Martial Law, particularly in the sugar and coconut industries. By discarding these monopolies and allowing market-led prices and competition, small farmers and producers were given a fair chance to sell their produce and products at a more reasonable, competitive and profitable price. This, in a way, also helped a lot in improving the lot of farmers who are in dire need of increasing their personal income and earnings. It was also during Aquino’s time that vital economic laws such as the Built-Operate-Transfer Law, Foreign Investments Act and the Consumer Protection and Welfare Act were enacted. The economy posted a positive growth of 3.4% during her first year in office. But in the aftermath of the 1989 coup attempt by the rightist Reform the Armed Forces Movement, the Philippine economy remained stagnant. In her final year in office, inflation was raging at 17%, and unemployment was slightly over 10%, higher than the Marcos years. Overall, the economy under Aquino had an average growth of 3.8% from 1986 to 1992. Soon after taking office, Aquino declared that the presence of US military forces in the Philippines was an affront to national sovereignty. She ordered the United States military to vacate U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay and Clark Air Base. The US objected, pointing that they had leased the property and the leases were still in effect. Also, thousands of Filipinos worked at these military facilities and they would lose their jobs and the Filipino economy would suffer if the US Military moved out. The US stated that the facilities at Subic Bay were unequaled anywhere in Southeast Asia and a US pull out could make all of that region of the world vulnerable to an incursion by the Soviet Union or by a resurgent Japan. She refused to back down and insisted that the USA get out. The matter was still being debated when Mount Pinatubo erupted in June 1991, covering the entire area with volcanic ash. The destruction to the bases was so severe that the US decided that it would best to pull out after all, so the bases were closed and the United States  departed. President Aquino envisioned agrarian and land reform as the centerpiece of her administration’s social legislative agenda. However, her family background and social class as a privileged daughter of a wealthy and landed clan became a lightning rod of criticisms against her land reform agenda. On February 22, 1987, three weeks after the resounding ratification of the 1987 Constitution, agrarian workers and farmers marched to the historic Mendiola Street near the Malacaà ±an Palace to demand genuine land reform from Aquino’s administration. However, the march turned violent when Marine forces fired at farmers who tried to go beyond the designated demarcation line set by the police. As a result, 12 farmers were killed and 19 were injured in this incident now known as the Mendiola Massacre. This incident led some prominent members of the Aquino Cabinet to resign their government posts. In response to calls for agrarian reform, President Aquino issued Presidential Proclamation 131 and Executive Order 229 on July 22, 1987, which outlined her land reform program, which included sugar lands. In 1988, with the backing of Aquino, the new Congress of the Philippines passed Republic Act No. 6657, more popularly known as the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law.† The law paved the way for the redistribution of agricultural lands to tenant-farmers from landowners, who were paid in exchange by the government through just compensation but were also allowed to retain not more than five hectares of land. However, corporate landowners were also allowed under the law to â€Å"voluntarily divest a proportion of their capital stock, equity or participation in favor of their workers or other qualified beneficiaries†, in lieu of turning over their land to the government for redistribution. Despite the flaws in the law, the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in 1989, declaring that the implementation of the comprehensive agrarian reform program provided by the said law, was â€Å"a revolutionary kind of expropriation.† Despite the implementation of CARP, Aquino was not spared from the controversies that eventually centered on Hacienda Luisita, a 6,453-hectare estate located in the Province of Tarlac, which she, together with her siblings inherited from her father Jose Cojuangco (Don Pepe) Critics argued that Aquino bowed to pressure from relatives by allowing stock redistribution under Executive Order 229. Canadian International Prize for Freedom, International Democracy Award from the International Association of Political Consultants on 1986. Prize For Freedom Award from Liberal International on 1987. In 1993 she achieved the Special Peace Award from the Aurora Aragon Quezon Peace Awards Foundation and Concerned Women of the Philippines. She also achieved Path to Peace Award on 1995. J. Willia Fullbright Prize for International Understanding from the U.S Department of State. Also Ramon Magsaysay Award for International Understanding and Pearl S. Buck on 1998. In 1999, she achieved One of Time Magazine’s 20 Most Influential Asians of the 20th Century. World Citizenship Award on 2001. In 2005, she also achieved the David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Awards and One of the World’s Elite Women Who Make a Difference by the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame. One of Time Magazine’s 65 Asian Heroes on 2006. One of Different View’s 15 Champions of World Democracy on 2008. Aquino also achieved the EWC Asia Pacific Community Building Award, Women’s International Center International Leadership Living Legacy Award, Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize, and United Nations Development Fund for Women Noel Foundation Life Award.