Learning From Others

As a beginner blogger, we are subject to make a few mistakes.  Therefore, in order to be a successful blogger, one must resort to others for guidance.  This is exactly what we were expected to do this week.  Our assignment was to read other classmates blogs and comment on them.  Although my blog has recently featured stories on the President and the bad PR he has been receiving, this week I will be looking at a few blogs that look at other aspects of Public Relations.

            In looking through my classmate’s blogs, I first came across this one.  Appealing to myself, a PR and marketing major, Whitney’s blog grabbed my attention.  PR, advertising, and marketing work hand-in-hand; therefore, a lot of the same issues overlap.  During her last week’s blog, she wrote about false advertising of pharmaceutical research; a very important topic to not just those in the PR field but also any average American. According to Whitney, “The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) seems to have a tight hold on drug companies, but obviously do not have a tight hold on the types of advertisements they are running. With all of our food and drugs under strict scrutiny it is surprising to me that such advertising can be allowed to occur.

The pharmaceutical industry is huge in today’s society; therefore, we rely on this industry every time we are diagnosed with an illness or disease.  While we take many of the medications we have today for granted, it is also an industry we can’t live without. 

            Another blog that I came across was mainly about research ethics.  She brings up the Tuskegee Syphillis Study, that we talked about it class.  It is a perfect example of how research ethics is put to test. However, I disagree with her belief that, “the good (saving millions of people) should never have been achieved by evil means (killing 400 people).”  While it may not be at all ethical in the world of PR, I feel as though they signed up for the study and there was still a risk they could die.  Saving the lives of millions by only killing a few hundred in my book is rather acceptable.  While this is only my opinion, I feel as though others should weigh the outcomes when it comes to saving their loved one.

Obama's Recent Poll Results

When it comes to research, it can be both beneficial and truth telling.  Most businesses in the real world depend on having a good relationship with the public.  To be successful, finding out what the public wants is key.  However, what happens when a business doesn’t listen to the needs of its consumers?  Well most likely failure and perhaps even bankruptcy.  A basis understanding to those not in the business field…right?  Apparently not! 

            According to an article posted by Human Events, President Obama has ignored all research results regarding his ObamaCare proposal.  Shouldn’t the President, of all people be listening to the feedback of his consumers?  According to the writer, Emily Miller, “The trillion-dollar, government takeover of our health care officially kicks in tomorrow, but it has already had a destructive impact on our economy and health care system.”  She goes on to explain several of these issues.  Some include:

            -Higher premiums:  While Obama promised lower premiums, this is quite the opposite.  Many consumers have seen rate increases between 1%-9%. 

            -One can’t keep their current plan and doctor:  Many businesses have been forced to change their employee’s healthcare plans and doctors to meet new regulations. 

            -National Budget Deficit is Worst:  According to a poll, “sixty-one percent of all voters nationwide say the healthcare law will increase the federal deficit.

            -More children are uninsured:  Many popular insurance companies have been forced to drop children policies because of the unexpected costs from ObamaCare.  “An estimated half a million children in the United States will be affected by the policies.”

            -Senior Citizens Suffer from Medicare Cuts: “The Medicare Advantage program which covers nearly a quarter of seniors will cut plans from $3-$5,000 per beneficiary.”  Due to these cuts, many doctors are refusing to take seniors because Medicare only covers part of their bills.

In light of these points, one has to wonder, is ObamaCare really going to be beneficial for the average American?  According to a poll that Miller includes, “56 percent of likely voters believe that ObamaCare is bad for the United States and 71 percent think the health care law will hurt the economy.”  So is Obama listening to his consumers?  It doesn’t seem like it. 

            Despite the results of recent polls, Obama has shown little concern for what the public wants.  Perhaps this is why his approval rating is so low. I can’t help but wonder what will happen once the takeover is in full motion?   

Obama's Ethics Put to Test

Business ethics or professional ethics examine ethical principles and moral or ethical problems that arise in a business environment.  Applicable to all aspects of professional conduct, business ethics is relevant to the conduct of individuals and business organizations as a whole.

In our textbook, the author discusses common ethical issues that even professionals face on a day-to-day basis.  While some are more common than others, the author is sure to cover all bases.  With this being said, no one is safe when it comes to making ethical decisions; even the president himself, Barack Obama.  

In the article posted by Times Record News, the author, Larry Petrash, questions Obama’s ethics.  In a direct comparison to George W. Bush, Obama is criticized for most of his doings.  At one point, the article directly questions, “Is America better off, economically, with President Obama than we were with President Bush? Are gas prices lower in America since Obama took over? Is our health care system better since Obama and company forced ObamaCare legislation down our throats? Has the decline in jobs, increased unemployment, improved? Are Americans able to afford more, and better, housing? Not hardly answers all these questions.”  With this in mind, one has to wonder, is the President really out to help the American people?

Questioning his ethics, the author discusses the economy.  With the economy in ruins, one has to look at Obama’s policies.  In fact, Petrash says, “His policies, and his ethics, and his political tactics, are more about his ‘redistribution of wealth’ agenda, and politics, than about the betterment of the economy.  In my mind this is true.  I feel that Obama is not looking out for the average American.  Trying to accomplish and help everyone is more or less making the situation much worst.  Those who work hard for their money are now faced with higher taxes.  In my opinion, why should  hard working people have to pay for those who refuse to find jobs?  It may sound very critical, but I see my family struggling on an everyday basis.  I see the problems they face and wish they didn’t have to take such a huge cut from their paychecks every month.

Hopefully, within time, Obama will eventually get a better understanding of what this country needs.  He needs to reexamine the countries desires and make better ethical decisions that will help the country, not just sound good on paper.  

Blog's Focus

The focus of my blog will be about President Barack Obama and the negative media attention he receives.   After taking a class focused on the image the media plays on our perspective of the First Family, I became interested in how the media displays our current President.  Paying close attention to the news, most of the stories about the Obama's were actually negative rather than positive.  Reading other's opinions became an interest of mine that I still continue to do.  Therefore, as the semester progresses, this blog will be updated with current negative publicity regarding Obama’s presidency. 

According to The Image-Is-Everything Presidency by Richard W. Waterman, the author introduces the concept of the expectation gap thesis.  This concept states, “the idea that there is a gap between what the public expects of its presidents and what presidents actually can accomplish” (4).  With this idea in mind, it is easy to see how Obama, who is constantly under the close watch of the public eye, is subject to negative media attention. 

However, with what seems to be more common than anything, Obama and his family have been under attack by the media.  Some say they are using his presidency for all the wrong reasons.  Whether it’s going on vacation to Spain and taking 40 of their closest friends, missing out on the 100^th anniversary celebration of the Boy Scouts to appear on The View, or jetting off on his private jet instead of taking care of national issues; Obama and his family have surly made many American’s question their motives.  According to Waterman, the “public sets very high standards for our president’s behavior, both in public and in private” (6).  To some, Obama's actions have been been far from anyone’s expectation of a president.  While the country is undergoing a major recession, many wondering whether his lavish spending and traveling expenses will further damage the economy.  I can only wonder, is he really thinking about the average American?




Next week, we will discuss Obama's ethics by looking at an article posted by Times Record News.