Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication consists of all the messages other than words that are used in communication. In oral communication, these symbolic messages are transferred by means of intonation, tone of voice, vocally produced noises, body posture, body gestures, facial expressions or pauses To have a successful business and to create your successful interpersonal relationships body language is essential, because many times we do not express in words exactly what we feel. But our bodies forward what we feel and so clearly reveal the secret of our thoughts or our feelings that can be "read", decoded by those around us and may be used against us. Therefore, very often, it is pointed out the importance of deciphering nonverbal communication, especially in the business area. Any extra information, no matter how small it is, even a firm handshake, not watching in the eye, rubbing pen, a ring or a watch (often involuntary actions), describe accurately what is the interior "struggle" or emotions of the person in front of us.

The business environment is a very difficult one that is why it’s important to gain an advantage by any means. The solution that is at hand for everyone is learning how to interpret the most important elements of non-verbal communication.

Types of gestures

a) Emblems - OK gesture, there are some non-verbal elements whose meaning is

known by most members of social group and are used intentionally to convey certain

messages,

b) Illustrative - when we want to show that an object is round and describe a circle by

hand, as those nonverbal elements that accompany and complete verbal messages

c) Facial expressions - which express our emotional states,

d) Adjusting gestures - they are used when we nod our head, when we direct the eyes

towards the people we are communicating with, they help us in maintaining and

controlling interaction with interlocutors

e) Adapting gestures - those stereotypical gestures we make in conditions of

concentration or mental tension (twisting of strands of hair, distancing a glass of water,

etc).

U.S. Election Procedures

General

Voting in the United States is a two party system. Every president since 1852 has been either a Republican or a Democrat. In the U.S., a "single-member district system" applies. The candidate who gets elected is the one who gets the highest number of votes in their respective state.  Presidents are elected indirectly. The voters are really voting for electors in each state.

In all states, the candidate who wins a plurality, receives all of that state's electoral votes. All together there are 538 electors (in the "Electoral College). It is very important to win in populous states.

To win the presidential election, a candidate must earn an absolute majority at least 270 of the 538 electoral votes cast nationwide.

Who can run for President?

He must be a natural-born citizen of the United States, be at least 35 years of age, and have been a resident of the United States for 14 years.

How long is the President in office?

He is in office for 4 years.

Can the President be reelected?

Yes. He can be reelected once. Overall he can be in office for 8 years.

Who can vote?

Anyone who is 18 years of age. There is no national list of eligible voters, so a citizen must first qualify by becoming registered. Citizens register to vote in conjunction with the place they live, if they move to a new location, they typically have to register again. Registration system has been designed to eliminate fraud.

Is the President elected directly?

No. Voters are voting for electors who are members of a party.

When is election day?

Election day is the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

When is the Inauguration of the President?

The President will be inaugurated on January 20 in the year after the election. From this time he is in office.

What is "Super Tuesday"

At this day there are pre-elections in at least 8 states. The winner of the primaries is most likely the candidate for the elections.

About budget

Step One: The President’s Budget Request The President submits a detailed budget to Congress that includes his priorities for the federal government.

Step Two: The Congressional Budget Resolution Congress holds hearings on the President’s budget, and then develops its own budget resolution that reflects the priorities of Congress. This is done by House & Senate Budget Committees, whose “budget resolution” can be amended by the majority of either the House or Senate. It then goes to a House/Senate conference committee to resolve any differences, and a conference report is passed by both houses. The budget resolution does not need to be signed by the President, nor can it be filibustered in the Senate. The budget resolution simply contains a set of numbers that dictate how much Congress is allowed to spend (known as “allocations”) across the different functions of government. The budget resolution also contains revenue figures. The difference between the two figures (spending and revenue) is the deficit or surplus. The budget resolution may also include a “reconciliation directive” that instructs House and Senate authorizing committees to change existing laws in order to decrease spending, increase revenue, or achieve certain tax target.

Step Three: The Appropriations Process The House and Senate Appropriations Committees decide funding levels for the multiple federal programs, within the overall allocations set by the budget resolution. Each appropriation bill must be signed by the President. Failure to do so requires a “Continuing Resolution” to continue the operation of the federal government.

Step Four: The Reconciliation Process When a budget resolution contains a reconciliation directive, House and Senate authorizing committees must hold hearings and approve changes to existing law that meet certain revenue or spending targets. These changes are bundled into a single Reconciliation Bill and passed by the House and Senate, with only limited opportunity for amendments. If approved, the bill is signed by the President. A reconciliation bill cannot be filibustered in the Senate, making it easier to pass. But a reconciliation bill cannot contain any “extraneous” provisions unrelated to the budget.