The Raising of Lazarus free essay sample

The Gospel according to John is quite different from the synoptic gospels. It is unique as it does not follow the same order or the same stories as the synoptic gospels shows. It is highly literary and symbolic. (The New American Bible, 2004). This gospel narrative of John contains a series of â€Å"signs†, in which, it signifies the gospel’s word for the wondrous deeds of Jesus. Among the signs is the raising of Lazarus in Chapter 11. This account includes the narrative of the sickness, death, and the resurrection of Lazarus.It is also the climax of all the signs as Lazarus is presented as a token of the real life of Jesus. Because of the gift of life to Lazarus, Jesus is ironically put to death. Thus, it makes the people believe in Him once He has been raised from the dead. Moreover, Jesus proved in this account that He is the resurrection and the life of men for he overcomes death. We will write a custom essay sample on The Raising of Lazarus or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Comparative Critique Perkins (1990) as cited in the Jerome Biblical Commentary says that â€Å"†¦the Lazarus’ miracle is a sign that Jesus really is the power of life evident in resurrection. He calls to life a buried person in the tomb.This section creates the necessary time between the death of Lazarus and Jesus’ arrival so that there can be no mistake. Lazarus was not in a coma. He had been dead for a long enough time that rabbinic authorities would have said that the soul had left the vicinity of the body and the decay would have definitely set in† (p. 969). In fact, it was two days that Jesus has waited before He goes to the family at Bethany. Jesus waited before raising Lazarus as to make His own death certain. Beforehand, Jesus said that the sickness of Lazarus was not unto death.However, even He spoke of it, Lazarus was perhaps already dead. The words have deeper meaning, related with the glory of God, which is also that of Jesus. And Jesus was confident that Lazarus will be resurrected. (Harrison, 1962). Similarly, Leonard (1953) says that â€Å"†¦in the ordinances of God’s providence the sickness was not unto death but, through the raising of Lazarus, for the glory of God, who thereby glorifies His Son, the worker of the miracle† (p. 1001). This implies that the illness has a special purpose: it is to make the glory of God manifest so that the Son will be glorified.From that, it is very clear that the giving of life to Lazarus comprises His own death and the oblation of His own life. Hence, Jesus must be willing to sacrifice His life in giving Lazarus’ life. (Flanagan, 1994). Accordingly, Clarke (1998) says that â€Å"†¦ the miracle sign has evidenced God’s glory, his presence, and in the person of the Son of God† (p. 601). Therefore, the miracle is an epiphany. God’s love was revealed through the work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Synthesis The resurrection of Lazarus is the revelation of God’s healing love. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, the worker of the miracle, He raised Lazarus.The restoration of Lazarus is the sign that Jesus is really the resurrection and the life. Thus, Lazarus’ miracle parallels to Jesus’ resurrection. The sickness of Lazarus was not unto death. This shows that Jesus is confident that Lazarus will be restored by the Power of God, even the ill was a fatal one. Besides, Jesus loved the family, yet He waited for two days but this is to make His death certain, for Lazarus’ miracle involves His own death. In other words, there is a deeper meaning in Jesus words: his sickness was not unto death, but to the glory of God. Through his illness, the glory of God will be revealed, as well as of the Son.

National Woman Suffrage Association - NWSA

National Woman Suffrage Association - NWSA Founded: May 15, 1869, in New York City Preceded by: American Equal Rights Association (split between American Woman Suffrage Association and National Woman Suffrage Association) Succeeded by: National American Woman Suffrage Association (merger) Key figures: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony. Founders also included Lucretia Mott, Martha Coffin Wright, Ernestine Rose, Pauline Wright Davis, Olympia Brown, Matilda Joslyn Gage, Anna E. Dickinson, Elizabeth Smith Miller. Other members included Josephine Griffing, Isabella Beecher Hooker, Florence Kelley, Virginia Minor, Mary Eliza Wright Sewall, and Victoria Woodhull. Key characteristics (especially in contrast to the American Woman Suffrage Association): condemned passage of the 14th and 15th Amendments, unless they were changed to include womensupported a federal Constitutional Amendment for womens suffragebecame involved in other womens rights issues beyond suffrage, including the rights of working women (discrimination and pay), reform of marriage and divorce laws.had a top-down organizational structuremen could not be full members although they could be affiliated Publication: The Revolution. The motto on the masthead of The Revolution was Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less! The paper was largely financed by George Francis Train, a womans suffrage advocate also noted for opposing suffrage for African Americans in the campaign in Kansas for womens suffrage (see American Equal Rights Association). Founded in 1869, before the split with the AERA, the paper was short-lived and died in May 1870. The rival newspaper, The Womans Journal, founded January 8, 1870, was much more popular. Headquartered in: New York City Also known as: NWSA, the National About the National Woman Suffrage Association In 1869, a meeting of the American Equal Rights Association showed that its membership had become polarized on the issue of support for ratification of the 14th Amendment. Ratified the previous year, without including women, some of the womens rights activists felt betrayed and left to form their own organization, two days later. Elizabeth Cady Stanton was the first president of the NWSA. All members of the new organization, the National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA), were women, and only women could hold office. Men could be affiliated, but could not be full members. In September of 1869, the other faction which supported the 14th Amendment despite it, not including women, formed its own organization, the American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA). George Train supplied significant funding for the NWSA, usually called the National. Before the split, Frederick Douglass (who joined the AWSA, also called the American) had denounced the use of funds from Train for womens suffrage purposes, as Train opposed black suffrage. A newspaper headed by Stanton and Anthony, The Revolution, was the organ for the organization, but it folded very quickly, with the AWSA paper, The Womans Journal, much more popular. The New Departure Before the split, those who formed the NWSA had been behind a strategy originally proposed by Virginia Minor and her husband. This strategy, which the NWSA adopted after the split, relied on using the equal protection language of the 14th Amendment to assert that women as citizens already had the right to vote. They used language similar to the natural rights language used before the American Revolution, about taxation without representation and governed without consent. This strategy came to be called the New Departure. In many locations in 1871 and 1872, women attempted to vote in violation of state laws. A few were arrested, including famously Susan B. Anthony in Rochester, New York. In the case of United States v. Susan B. Anthony, a court upheld Anthonys guilty verdict for committing the crime of attempting to vote. In Missouri, Virginia Minor had been among those who attempted to register to vote in 1872. She was turned down, and sued in state court, and then appealed all the way to the United States Supreme Court. In 1874, a unanimous verdict by the court declared in Minor v. Happersett that while women were citizens, suffrage was not a necessary privilege and immunity to which all citizens were entitled. In 1873, Anthony summarized this argument with her landmark address, Is It a Crime for a U.S. Citizen to Vote? Many of the NWSA speakers who lectured in various states took up similar arguments. Because the NWSA was focusing on the federal level to support womens suffrage, they held their conventions in Washington, D.C., even though headquartered in New York City. Victoria Woodhull and the NWSA In 1871, the NWSA heard an address at its gathering from Victoria Woodhull, who testified the previous day before the U.S. Congress supporting woman suffrage. The speech was based on the same New Departure arguments that Anthony and Minor acted upon in their attempts to register and vote. In 1872, a splinter group from the NWSA nominated Woodhull to run for president as a candidate of the Equal Rights Party. Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Isabella Beecher Hooker supported her run and Susan B. Anthony opposed it. Just before the election, Woodhull released some salacious allegations about Isabella Beecher Hookers brother, Henry Ward Beecher, and for the next few years, that scandal continued with many in the public associating Woodhull with the NWSA. New Directions Matilda Joslyn Gage became president of the National in 1875 through 1876. (She was Vice President or head of the Executive Committee for 20 years.) In 1876, the NWSA, continuing its more confrontational approach and federal focus, organized a protest at the national exhibition celebrating the centennial anniversary of the nations founding. After the Declaration of Independence was read at the opening of that exposition, the women interrupted and Susan B. Anthony made a speech on womens rights. The protestors then presented a Womens Declaration of Rights and some Articles of Impeachment, arguing that women were being wronged by the absence of political and civil rights. Later that year, after months of gathering signatures, Susan B. Anthony and a group of women presented to the United States Senate petitions signed by more than 10,000 advocating womens suffrage. In 1877, the NWSA initiated a federal Constitutional Amendment, written mostly by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, which was introduced into the Congress every year until it passed in 1919. Merger Strategies of the NWSA and AWSA began to converge after 1872. In 1883, the NWSA adopted a new constitution allowing other woman suffrage societies including those working at the state level to become auxiliaries. In October of 1887, Lucy Stone, one of the founders of the AWSA, proposed at that organizations convention that merger talks with the NWSA be initiated. Lucy Stone, Alice Stone Blackwell, Susan B. Anthony and Rachel Foster met in December and agreed in principle to proceed. The NWSA and AWSA each formed a committee to negotiate the merger, which culminated in the 1890 beginning of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. To give gravitas to the new organization, three of the best-known leaders were elected to the three top leadership positions, although each was aged and somewhat ailing or otherwise absent: Elizabeth Cady Stanton (who was in Europe for two years) as president, Susan B. Anthony as vice president and acting president in Stantons absence, and Lucy Stone as head of the Executive Committee.

Incarceration in the Views of Kaysen and Abbott Essay

Incarceration in the Views of Kaysen and Abbott - Essay Example Susanna Kaysen was the author of the book Girl, Interrupted, which was published in 1994. The book was about her life while she was confined within the premises of McLean Hospital. She was incarcerated in the hospital because she was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. During her time in the hospital, Kaysen felt being deprived of the freedom she once had. She felt that she was placed in a â€Å"parallel universe that is unconnected to the outside world†. She felt helpless being a patient in McLean Hospital because they may be able to have all the time they need, but the irony is that they are also captives of time. As patients, their lives were governed by the rules of the hospital. Their self-determination was removed from them, allowing the hospital to drive their faith and protection. Also, they were checked by the hospital staff every 15 or 30 minutes, which interrupts them in whatever they are doing. Also, the experience to be alone, unlike in the outside wor ld, means being deprive of freedom and put into the seclusion room. Also, in the beginning, she compared the hospital entrance similar to a prison, and that patients were locked in their rooms like prisoners. Furthermore, the hospital staff resorted to medications in order to control and refrained them from misbehaving. However, at the end, Kaysen â€Å"accepted the fact that she is mentally ill,† and that her stay in the hospital will eventually shed light on her illness and recovery (Klemens 2-4; Kaysen). On the other hand, Jack Henry Abbott wrote In the Belly of the Beast, which was about his life in prison. During the 20 years that he was incarcerated, he described his experience as a terrifying one. Aside from his childhood experiences, he was incarcerated in Utah State Penitentiary and was sentenced to serve for 19 years in a federal prison. Throughout these years, he had experienced eating cockroach in order to survive, beaten physically and verbally, and injected with drugs to calm or control them. Moreover, he cited that there was an impartial treatment between races which was exemplified by the officers. Also, murder was inevitable inside the prison, even though there were guards inside the premises. He stated that most of the time, the guards allowed riot inside the prison for them to avoid being harassed by the prisoners. He saw the American penal system as a corrupt one which made the prisoners lived by the rules of it. Furthermore, he was also in solitary confinement, where he dwelled into the nothingness of the world that needs to â€Å"justify himself as a mortal being† (White House 32-33; NY Book Time; Abbott). However, Susanna Kaysen and Jack Abbott are two individuals who are of two different backgrounds who battled against their incarceration experiences as being described in their books. Susanna Kaysen was from a well-off family and was also well-educated. Prior to her admission to the McLean Hospital, she had a bright future ahead of her because of her education and simply because she belonged to an affluent family. However, at the age of eighteen, Kaysen decided to kill herself, and for this reason, she was sent to McLean

About myself Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

About myself - Essay Example I have an inner steering ambition and drive towards professional excellence in this career as I always envied being at the focal point to dictate a trend. I meet my marketing targets within stipulated timelines. Others see me as a quiet individual since I never get involved in verbal exchanges with them. I like analyzing circumstances and scenarios before commenting or giving inputs about them. I am a social individual with an inner unique ability of trusting others. My inputs towards assisting colleagues immediately after completing my tasks help them in rating me as a good partner. I entrust the members I work with, with all the tasks involved within the professional line. I enjoy working and coordinating groups since teamwork adds unto my knowledge and professional understanding. Sharing of ideologies within the groups enhances and increases my socialization abilities with others. An instant case proving my special abilities in socializing with colleagues is when I acted as a mediator in a conflict resolution process among colleagues. To overcome my weakness as a quiet person, I tend to engage my colleagues in innovation competitions that help to positively shift their view about me. The competition involves consultations hence the process increases my engagement with the colleagues thereby changing their perception about me. It is every individual’s dream to be successful in what he or she does. My role in the teams is coordinating and organizing marketing platforms to attract more clients. My deeper sense in research and creativity makes me critical personnel in this profession. In addition, the socialization ability helps coordinate and organize groups as a group leader to work jointly as a team for a common goal. However, my weakness is over expectations and pressure that I pile on the various group members

Internal Customers Essay Example for Free

Internal Customers Essay The people in this department need to know what deliveries are to be made and what products are to be delivered.  Staff Office  The Human Resources department need to know hours worked by employees and if there are any positions to be filled.  Staff Training  They need to know which members of the department will need training and which areas need to be covered in the training exercises.  Cash Office  The cash office needs to know what transactions were made at all the tills in the department and how much money there is in the tills at the end of the working day. This is so they can tally up the stores figures and see how well the shop has performed on that particular day. CCP (Customer Collection Point)  Many goods are collected from the shops CCP such as microwaves. The people at the CCP need to know what is being collected and the transaction number so they can tie up the paperwork, customer and the goods.  Service Desk  When customers have a problem with an appliance they have to go through the service desk so the large electrical department has to get information from the service desk regarding the outcome for instance an appliance may have to be replaced. The large electrical department already employs a number of different customer service techniques to help improve the running and efficiency of the department, which also importantly improves the relationship with the customers. There are however occasions when these strategies dont work the way that they should and customers can become dissatisfied with the level of service that they feel they are receiving.  Here are some examples of techniques that have recently been introduced in the department to help improve customer services. When staff join the Large Electrical Department the must complete questionnaires to ensure they understand procedures that are carried out in the department. A copy of which can be found in appendix 1. The Introduction of Ticketing system for waiting customers  The department recently introduced a fairly simple but effective ticketing system so that customers are served at the correct time instead of customers just grabbing a selling Partner when they see one that is free. When a customer enters the department they are now greeted by the customer service manager who stands at the Customer Service Podium. The Customer Service Manager gives the customer a ticket with a number on it and records down on the copy of the ticket that the manager keeps some details.  These are:  The customers name.  This creates a personalised service when the sell partner approaches the customer  What they want help on. This is so the Customer Service Manager can send over the right Selling Partner with the right knowledge.  A brief description of the customer.  The description helps the Selling Partner identify the customers easily.  When a selling Partner becomes free they must report back to the podium where the manager will hand the Partner the ticket of the next customer to be served.  This system is much improved from the previous queuing system, which involved the Customer Service Manager patrolling the floor and recording customers name down on a list. This meant that the Manager was never in one place and people may not have been put on in the correct order that they arrived in the department. When speaking to the Customer Service Manager of the Large Electrical department to enquire how successful the new system had been I was also informed of the one major problem there had been with it.  The problem was that when a customer took a ticket they would ask how many people there were before them. If the number was fairly high, for instance five people then it would put people off waiting. It was then up to the Customer Service Manager to reassure the customer that it wouldnt be too long. I also learned that on leaving the department previous customers who were used to the old system commented on how much better they thought the new system was.  The Introduction of Electrical Telesales at Watford  About two years ago the Branch opened the Electrical Telesales Department, which is part of the Large Electrical Department. The team is based at the branches warehouse, which is down the road from the store at Greatham Road. It is all linked telephonically and by computer to the main store. Customers can phone telesales and place orders for large electrical appliances over the phone by calling the store on 01923 244 266 and connecting to extension 4880. This service is very handy for many customers as they will often come into the store and get information on various appliances and then go home to check that it will fit in the desired space. They can then phone up and order it over the phone by credit or account card to save them making another trip into the store. Some people that have done research on the internet or another media will also use telesales to save them having to come into the store at all, especially people that have very busy lives. It is also designed to take some of the pressure off the actual department so that more time can be spent with each customer in the store. On average there are six partners manning the phones down at telesales. Which isnt really enough as they are also share with the Television and Audio department. So customers are put on hold, which can be for quite a long time, which frustrates the customers. Pre recorded messages are randomly played to the customers to reassure them that their call is important and will be answered by the next available partner. The telephonists can tell how long a customer has been waiting, and they will answer in a way that will reflect the length of time the customer has waited. Other problems with the telesales team are that there is a weak communication flow between the actual department and telesales. This means that mistakes can be made by telesales as they havent received information on changes made in the Large Electrical Department which in turn can have an affect on the customers.  An example of this was when EU legislation can into place saying that the collection of old refrigeration can not be continued because of the gasses inside. Telesales werent informed of this and continued to arrange for refrigeration to be taken away. When the deliverymen told customers that they couldnt take away the old refrigeration this angered customers who had prepaid the 9 collection charge. These mistakes are usually dealt with by offering a goodwill gesture for inconvenience and where appropriate a refund.  On the whole this venture has proved to be a major success as figures shown in the Annual General Meeting showed an increase in Large Electrical Goods with a major percentage going through the telesales team.  This is the information flier that is handed out to customers when visiting the Department if the wish to order over the phone. It give the phone number and extension number as well as a little information on the different services that they offer such as the 2 year warranty and Never Knowingly Undersold motto. Ways of paying at John Lewis  The use of credit cards at John Lewis  Until recently John Lewis didnt accept payment for goods by any credit card. This was to avoid paying the transaction fees to the banks that is added on when a customer pays using EFT (Electronic Financial Transaction). Apart from this customers were quite prepared to pay for any goods purchased using a John Lewis or Waitrose Account card that offers a low rate of interest. However to give the customer more flexibility John Lewis introduced the use of Credit cards in the Partnership. One of the main reasons for allowing this take place was because of where the transaction fee would go.  From 5 November 2001, all card payments with the exception of the John Lewis and Waitrose Account Card, are processed for you by John Lewis Card Services Ltd for a 2.5% fee included in the cost of your purchase. The balance is paid to John Lewis plc. The total amount you pay is the same regardless of the payment method. Source taken from http://www.johnlewis.com  The transactions fee that would normally have to be paid to the bank on any transaction that take place in either the department stores or Waitrose using EFT is retained by John Lewis. This means that John Lewis dont loose 2.5% of the sale that they have made but keep it as profit.  This move has meant that more customers are attracted to coming into the stores and paying by plastic, which many people prefer to do.  However there is one card that John Lewis still doesnt accept and that is American Express. This is because of the extremely high level of interest that is associated with this form of payment. John Lewis would still have to pay part of transaction fee if this card was used. These methods of payment can also be used to purchase over the phone using the stores telesales teams and via the Internet. This has all been designed to help create an easier way of shopping for it customers and improve customer services.  Computerised Ordering System  The introduction of the computerised ordering system a year ago has changed the face of the department and the way things are done, within the department. It was also a major turn around for the standard of customer services offered by department. The new system meant that orders could be processed a lot quicker as paper work didnt have to be sent via the post and orders we received at the warehouse instantly. A lot more options have been opened with this new system, all to the customers advantage, as well as making the whole ordering process a lot easier for the Selling Partner.  Customers can now reserve goods for longer periods of time, place an order for delivery in another part of the country and a lot more. Queries and problems can also dealt with by keeping record of points raised on the on the notepad of the actual order on the system so issues are dealt with much more effectively. Each customer gets a reference number when they place an order so information can be recalled instantly from the system should the need arise.  The quicker service makes buying Large Electrical goods less stressful meaning customers go away from the department happy with the level of service they have just received.  There have, however been a number of occasions when the system has gone down causing absolute chaos in the department as all orders have to be placed manually which is much more time consuming than using the computers. This angers customers who expect a reliable system then works quickly and effectively. With these events the need for the Customer Service manager pays off, as they are someone who can defuse difficult situations. All selling Partners are also trained in dealing with problems but the CSM is there as someone with higher authority.

Computers Impact on Physically Challenged :: Argumentative Persuasive Papers

Computers' Impact on Physically Challenged Have computers positively impacted society of the physically challenged? The answer to that question is yes. Computers have helped physically challenged people to become more independent and have better and fuller lives. The Internet has been a useful tool for these people because they can buy, sell, or read objects on the web pages. They can buy their groceries and read the newspaper on-line. Without the Internet and computers the physically challenged would have to depend on other people to help them do their shopping or reading. This paper will discuss speech and language impairments, hearing impairments, visual impairments, and mobility impairments and how computers have positively impacted each of these groups of people. First of all speech and language impairments are usually due to defects of articulation, voice production and rhythm, cleft palate speech, delayed speech development, and disorders connected to hearing impairments ("Speech", p.1). Computers have helped these people through software and hardware designed specifically for speech disabilities. One device, called a speech synthesizer, is connected to a computer or incorporated into the software. This can be useful as a training and teaching aid and also it can be used as a voice output for a non-vocal person ("Speech", p.1). This device allows a person who cannot speak, communicate to another individual through the computer. The computer speaks the words for the speech-disabled person. If the main desktop computer is not available for this purpose a portable communication aid can be used. This portable communication aid is an electronic device that has a speech synthesizer and it may be operated with a switch ("Speech", p.1). Another use of computers for the speech and language impairments is cognitive rehabilitation software. This software identifies and treats people who have suffered a stroke or some type of brain injury. The software is designed to concentrate on the detection and retaining of language function ("Speech", p.1). Michigan Memory Series of Software, provided by IBM, is a series that is useful for adults with stroke defects, closed head injuries, and other neurological problems. This series of software is also useful for children with learning disabilities, communication disorder, reading disorder, autism, mental retardation and other speech impairments ("Speech", p.1). Computers have positively impacted the speech and language impairments of people because these people can learn and communicate with others due to computers. Second, computers have positively impacted people who are hearing impaired.

How did government affect agriculture Essay

The period of 1865-1900 was classified as an era of Republicans, where laissez-fare governments favored big businesses. Technology was significantly evolving, focusing mainly on urban manufacturing. New technological advancements in farming were sold to the farmers at high prices and shipped at high freight rates. Also, the prices of cash crops dropped during this period, causing many farmers to live in poor conditions. In government, the power of urban industry and big businesses overcame that of the pro-farming politicians. Technology, government policy, and economic conditions effectively declined agriculture politically, industrially, and economically. Impediments such as industrial issues, poor representation in government, and waning agricultural prices that the farmers were forced to face, made agriculture suffer greatly during the late 19th century. During this period, the U.S. was technologically evolving at a rapid rate. New inventions and advancements made life easier for the working class. Railroads, after spreading all over the nation, made any part of the country accessible and expanded the national market. Document B displays that the years 1870-1890, the number of railroads in the nations increased massively. Also, the number of railroads with major land grants grew as well. At first glance, this change seems to have benefited the farmers, but actually did the opposite. It is true that railroads allowed the farmers to expand and have a way to ship their harvest and cattle a lot faster to more markets. However, greedy men like Cornelius Vanderbilt controlled the railroads. Extremely high freight rates made the farmers lose more than they expected. Likewise, the cost of shipping, taxes, low buying prices, overproduction, and cost of equipment, the farmer gained a mere profit. The technological advancements did make farming easier, but often were too expensive for the farmer to afford. In document D, a farmer during a wheat harvest preferred to use a team of about 30 horses instead of the possibly motorized mechanical harvester. New agricultural technology didnt help much or not even as effective as old methods and also was too expensive so farmers chose to stick with the old methods. Technology seemed better when looked at, but not in reality when it was put to use. This is an example that can be characterized by the era named by Mark Twain, The Gilded AgeThe nations government policy at the time was laissez-fare or hands-off government. The  Republicans were in power during this period and favored industry and the big businesses. Consequently, farmers had a poor representation in government both in-state and nationally. Agri cultural process was made, but still were limited gains. For example, a law was carried through the Illinois legislature and then Supreme Court to limit the freight rates and it was passed (Document C). As you can see, it was a small victory for the farmers and others, but still limited to only Illinois. Furthermore, the ones that contributed to the growth of agriculture were those part of the Populist party. The party consisted of people who favored the rights of the farmers. Several organizations were established to favor the farmers. For example, the Grangers and the Farmers Alliance were organizations that allowed its members that shared common goals to organize and unite. In document G Mary Elizabeth Lease delivers a speech to the people, telling them that the government lied to the people and deceived them. She proves her argument with the crop price reductions and claims of overproduction. Also, the government had problems dealing with the Indians and the settling of agricultural acres for Americans (Document I). A huge controversy during this period was the issue of the gold vs. silver standard. The Populists of course wanted the silver standard, for inflation and to flood the economy. This would help out the farmers and miners out west. William Jennings Bryan claimed that the country depended on farmers and without them the country would fall. Also, that the country should be in favor of the farmers because they provide for the nation and are more important than the cities (Document J). The hand-off policy of the Republicans did not allow for much improvement of the nations economy and even let it suffer as did the farmers. Not only did the farmers suffer, but as well as the whole nation because of presidents such as Grant and Hayes. Economic conditions for the farmers were poor and no one was there to help them. The farmers tried, but could not gain the silver standard they needed to improve their positions and finance themselves. Moreover, the big businesses and pro-wealthy Republicans were in the way of the farmers and holding them back. In document A, one can see that as the farmers produced more and more to make more money, the price of the crop dropped as well, thus, leading to overproduction and loss of money. Even if the farmer was  successful, he would have to give up his success to the government and railroads with more power in the industry. Nevertheless, on occasion contracts were signed, for example the one in North Carolina shown by Document E where the farmer would sign away half of his net proceeds, leaving him with hardly anything. The farmer was left crippled in a nettlesome cycle. Many times, the cattle and crops were shipped to far away markets such as Chicago, and the transit fare would increase as the distance increase (Document F). This struck hard at the pockets of the farmers. Many farmers were left to starve, out of work, and poor. Additionally, the poor weather such as hail would ruin the crops or the businessmen would take the crops (Document H). Consequently, the economic conditions did not favor the farmer, even though they provided for the nation, they were ruined by the people they help feed. This period part of the Gilded Age, America suffered because of a weak government policy and the big businesses had the real power. Unfortunately, the farmers were struck with the negative side effects that occurred from all this. American agriculture greatly declined, even though at first it seemed to have been benefited, it was industrially, politically, and economically destroyed and left in a tormenting cycle.