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A National Minimum Vacation

Question 1

The tenth paragraph provides a causal chain on the effectiveness of the ‘four weeks paid vacation’ to improving the productivity of individual workers for increased happiness. There are however other outright links within the chain as identified by Reich’s argument where critics would reason that the four week vacations would be more costly in jobs. The causative argument here is that while people are out on vacations, they are less involved in productive activities and thus this implies overall productivity would be lowered. Nevertheless, Reich fails to acknowledge the relevance of the argument and in defense establishes a causative chain where he reasons that vacations are instrumental in facilitating development if recreation industry. People on vacation would require the services of hotels, travel, recreation as well as restaurants, which means that this would be creation of jobs. According to Reich therefore, increasing the vacation time would increase demand to such services as are provided by the players within the hotel and recreation industry hence increasing their productivity. This shows that prolonged vacation contributes towards increased productivity in the country because of improved performance by other industries. This paper establishes therefore that overall productivity of the American people’s productivity would be boosted by the increment of vacation time through boosting the productivity of individual worker while at the same time creating higher opportunities within subsidiary industries such as the hotel industry. Reich is therefore effectively supports his causal chain argument and I agree with him. Such policy legislation has the capacity of creating an incentive to individual employees who would reciprocate through increased productivity. Moreover, the need established through services required by employees on vacation increases productivity of such subsidiary industries hence increased overall productivity in the country.

Question 2

Reich adopts an assertive tone in the entire excerpt as revealed through the choice of words adopted as well as through his chronological argument. First, he feels and expresses his argument as a part of the entire system and therefore feels that he belongs and would desire such a change as he postulates. The argument presents the opinions respectfully, appropriately as well as clearly as shown through the calm and clarity of voice adopted. The choice of the words ‘holds on’ for instance shows that he is confident and in control of his position in the argument (Reich, 555-556). Besides, the use of ‘I’ characterizes assertiveness in writing as used here and as he argues, though he does not generate the argument for an elective position, he is willing to offer the proposal for the well-being of contestants and the public at large. I therefore feel that Reich is being more serious that playful as others would urge when holding to such an argument. The plot and development of the argument is enough evidence to his determination to having his opinion aired and considered even by policy makers. Part two of the 11th paragraph points out his motive in developing this argument and asserts that he would not be running for an effective position but this does not restrict him from offering the proposal to anybody who would listen. Besides, his support of the argument is farfetched through wide knowledge of such a policy within other countries such as in Europe, which equally supports his factual reasoning.

Work cited

Reich Robert B. ‘A national minimum vacation’ 1990. Print