Afghan War: Stay or Leave?

Grad School???

Decision Making: To go to grad school or not to go to grad school?
Option 1:  Go to Grad School

          Outcome 1:  Get into Top Grad School
Value:  10
Prob: .2
Sum:  2
          Outcome 2:  Get into middle level Grad School
Value: 70
Prob: .5
Sum: 35
Outcome 3: Get into a lower level Grad School
Value: 40
Prob: .3
Sum: 12
          Expected Value of Option 1:  49
Option 2:  Don't Go to Grad School
           Outcome 1: Save lots of money in loans, Make money
Value: 50
Prob: .4
Sum:  20
           Outcome 2:  Don't get a Higher Level Position, Make less money
Value:  15
Prob: .6
Sum:  9

          Expected Value of Option 2: 29
I will most likely attend grad school in the fall and be going to a middle level Grad school.  The benefits outweigh the costs in the long run for me. The expected value is higher for attending grad school.

The Politics of Going to College

This unexpected issue of whether or not Americans should aspire to obtain a college degree has arisen in the 2012 election. The more unexpected thing is Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum's view on this subject. They both have made comments about the government not being responsible for paying for higher education, and the Obama just wants Americans to be a clone of himself could come back to bite them in the butt hard. Romney is very blunt in what he is saying and it has gained a lot of attention in the past month from student, parents, and concerned Americans. I found it very interesting that the people without higher educations have a tendency to vote republican, and the people with a higher education of some sorts vote Democrat. I would have never thought the democrats would support the more educated because of their growing pull at the polls. In the past the less educated was higher in population and thus lead to an advantage in the polls. This is where the republican views come in. As they are saying they don't support the Pell Grants and the federal scholarship money being given out by he government for higher education, they have to take into account the white American working-class whose kids depend on that money. This fact alone could spell disaster for the republican party. The cost of living has also increased in America along with the gap between gross income without any higher education compared to gross income with a higher education. So where does that leave the issue of importance of higher education?

Obama vs. Buffet

These two articles had very different leaders displayed in them. First was Obama who seemed to me as more of a 'brand" due to the people who created it, rather then by his own making or skill. Next, was Warren Buffet who through trusting his instincts, acting rationally, being relatable, and being patient has successfully created a great leader. He is one of those people who lead by example.

But first the Obama article. I think this article did Obama a injustice, it did not do a good job displaying his leadership "brand" well. It brought up the fact the he did have a great marketing team and that helped him tremendously, but he himself lacked a little whoa factor other then campaigning to be the first black president. He was also able to do something that not alot of other candidates was, he reached an age group that used to be unreachable. He portrayed himself in a way through marketing that allowed youngsters to get engaged. He used his breaking racial boundaries to portray himself as this big powerful leader. His over image of leadership was hands down his biggest strength. Without his image I don't know if he would have been voted president and been as successful as he is. He seemed to be current with technology and social media, he attracted the younger population, and he seemed to stand for change. At where the country is we believed in change because it is what we needed to believe.

Warren Buffer on the other hand portrays a leadership style that is patient and well-maintained. Through trusting his instincts and not giving into the general population he has been able to maintain his reign of power. I believe his hard working persona is more ideal for leading the masses, because he can relate and tries to. His calm demeanor allows him to really hear what people are saying and what they need. Many would call him very relatable just for simple facts that he doesn't buy the huge house or send a prewritten letter to stockholders. His personal touch has allowed him to be accessible to many and therefore respected more. I feel that Buffet is on of those people who does not start from their opinions or views. This was a much more enjoyable article for me to read.

Overall, I would say someones image is everything and that alone can sway millions of people or just the few that matter.