Beazer Homes Case

Investors were lead to believe that the company financials were healthier than they actually were, as evidenced by the changes noted when the financial statements had to be restated. As a result of doing this, investors who were under the impression of a healthier position, continued to invest in an organization that was essentially doing nothing more than stealing their money; money which could have been invested into a different enterprise rather than padding the pockets of executives that didnt earn it. As a result of having to restate financial statements, the per share price of Beazer Homes dropped from the $35/share price level in may, to approximately $11/share by the end of July. This is a significant loss in wealth for investors. In addition to the allegations against Mr. Rand for possible accounting fraud, allegations were also brought against Beazer Homes for mortgage fraud. To address the question as to which is a more serious offense, it would be our opinion that both would carry an equal weight of seriousness. On the one hand, investors were misled, as noted above, and this led to a significant loss of wealth for many, especially those individuals and/or institutions that may have held a large position. On the other hand, to address the issue of mortgage fraud, new homeowners were oftentimes cheated out of money that they paid to Beazer Homes. A example of this is when Beazer Homes would require purchasers to pay a fee for interest discount points at closing. Then Beazer Homes would keep the cash received and not lower the interest rate. This is just one example, but it can be an extremely costly one when you look at how much a . 25 percent or . 5 percent reduction in an interest rate can be over the life of a 20 or 30 year fixed rate mortgage; thats if Beazer Homes wasnt trying to convince people that an adjustable rate or hybrid mortgage would be better for their situation. Additionally, Beazer Homes ignored income requirements when making loans to unqualified purchasers, which not only put the purchaser in jeopardy of having the income needed to make their ayments, but in the event of default or foreclosure, it can have a significant impact on the home values of the neighborhood. As a result of these legal issues with Beazer Homes, the SEC issued a notice to the Beazer Homes CEO called the Wells notice. The Wells notice was created under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which states that if a firm has to restate their financial statements, the SEC can require the CEO and CFO to return any and all bonuses that were received during the period of restated financial statements. Additionally, the CEO and CFO do not need to have any knowledge of errors. The SEC issued the Wells notice to the Beazer Homes CEO, Ian J. McCarthy, on 13 November 2009, indicating that the SEC would be brining a civil case against him to collect incentive compensation. In the notice issued to the CEO, there was no indication or allegations of cover-up, or misconduct, on the part of Mr. McCarthy with respect to the financial statements or other disclosures that were published during the period in question.

PAPER ON OBAMACARE FROM LIBERTARIANISM AND UTILITARIANISM STAND POINTS Essay

PAPER ON OBAMACARE FROM LIBERTARIANISM AND UTILITARIANISM STAND POINTS - Essay Example The care act would also bring a transformation in the US health care system which is necessary in containing costs. Obamacare from the utilitarianism view point Utilitarianism can also be referred to as the greatest happiness principle. According to this theory, an action can only be right if it promotes happiness to a large number of people (Sandel 200). The intrinsic value for this theory is happiness. The happiness of every one counts equally, and a moral action is the one which brings about the best outcome of all the available outcomes. From utilitarianism point of view, the Obamacare is morally right and morally wrong. The advantages of Obamacare to the US citizens are more than the disadvantages. Obamacare has had positive consequences on the lives of the US citizens and more so the poor and the middle income earners. The advantages of Obamacare include improved quality of health care, low costs of healthcare, new benefits and improved safety. A consequentialist would say that Obamacare is morally right as it maximizes the good part of it to the citizens of that country. Obamacare stands for things which are worthy promoting and pursuing when it comes to the issues of universal health care putting into consideration that health care is an vital part of human living. Obamacare also stands for the right actions and policies all which are in favor of its citizen’s well fair (Sandel 140). The greatest happiness of the people of USA obtained from Obamacare is the measure of right. Healthy living for the USA citizens is considered by utilitarian’s as part of happiness Obamacare is also morally right as it leads to a reduction in pain and an increase in pleasure which is part of the overall utility enjoyed by people. The fact the costs of drugs has been reduced under the Obamcare is enough evidence that it would lead to the reduction of pain for all suffering citizens since they would be able to purchase the drugs. Obamacare also leads to the redu ction in pain and an increase in pleasure for the citizens as care for patients is organized in a way which enhances the care of the patient. The benefit which comes with increase healthcare in US is exceedingly than the problems and the side effects are sufficiently limited which justifies Obamacare on acts of utilitarian grounds. Obamacare is also morally right as it is from its improved quality that infections which would have been acquired from hospitals will be prevented. It will also lead to the prevention of chronic diseases accompanied by improved public health. Utilitarian’s would consider this as being morally right as it would increase the pleasure of people by living disease free lives. The Obamacare would also improve the citizen’s access to innovative therapies which will lead to pain reduction for people suffering diseases requiring therapies. Utilitarian’s also think that the Obamacare is morally wrong. Though coupled with many advantages which m ake many citizens happy, it reduces the level of happiness to some extent. For example, the Federal Government of US forced the millions of uninsured people to get insured. The business people were also forced into paying high taxes in order to fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. This simply indicates that this was against their will which may not make them too happy. The actions and polices by the act are to a certain extend wrong as the business people

Obesity is a problem that gives rise to more problems Essay

Obesity is a problem that gives rise to more problems - Essay Example How ever a measure commonly used by doctors to assess over weight and obesity is the body mass index (BMI). The body mass index does not measure body fat directly but is calculated by dividing a person's weight in pounds by his or her height in square inches and multiplying it by 703. As obesity has harmful consequences as mentioned earlier it is essential for individual to have routine check ups and keep a close watch on their body mass index so they can prevent them selves from becoming over weight or obese. Obesity does not occur overnight in fact it occurs slowly and steadily over time. For most people obesity is a result of an energy imbalance that is they end up taking in more calories than their body uses. But there can be many other causes as well including environmental and genetic causes. The environmental and social causes include decreased physical activity and intake of energy dense foods that are high in calories and fat and low in vitamins, minerals and proteins. The decrease in physical activity can be attributed to modern technology and a high paced life style. People would rather drive than walk, order things online than go out and shop for them, sit in front of the pc or TV than exercise and order in or go out and eat at fast food restaurants than waste their time cooking healthy food at home. Also advertising attracts consumers toward buying junk food and the fact that there are vending machines and fast food restaurants add to the temptation. Genetically obesity is ca used by hormonal imbalances such as an under active thyroid in which as the name suggests the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone, lack of the thyroid hormone slows down the body's metabolism system and consequently results in weight gain. Other causes include lack of sleep, depression, tension, stress and pregnancy cause weight gain as in all these situations people tend to eat more then usual. Also the intake of certain corticosteroids or medication for seizures results in weight gain. Ageing causes weight gain because as people age their metabolisms slow down. Also people who quit smoking gain weight as food tastes and smells better. (WIM, 2006) Obesity has serious impacts on health. Obesity can cause cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes which are caused due to the build up of fatty tissues on the walls of arteries which restrict the supply of blood to the heart. Obesity can cause type 2 diabetes which is caused by high blood sugar levels and osteoarthritis which is the wearing away of the tissue that protects joints due to pressure that results from excess weight. Obesity increases the risk of colon breast gallbladder and endometrial cancers. Also obesity may cause sleep apnea in which breathing stops for short periods during sleep due to build up of fat around the neck and reproductive problems. (Kelly, 2008) Thankfully obesity is treatable it's just a matter of making healthy choices and setting do able goals. Obesity can be cured by making lifestyles alterations which include eating healthy food and staying physically active. An eating plan should be developed as to maintain an energy balance. This plan should be low in total, saturated, and trans fat; cholesterol; sodium and sugar. There fore processed foods like junk food and fast food should be avoided and replaced with fresh vegetables, fruits and meats. Also people should not indulge in over eating and aim for 60 to 90 minutes of daily moderate