Please use the link below to access text and complete the following discussion questions.
http://cnx.org/content/col11995/latest/
Please use Subtitles as listed (Chapter 7,9,11) for each discussion forum.
Chapter 7,9,11
This week you learned about state and local government and bureaucracy. Compare what you thought you understood to what you learned and share six facts of information you think are most important for citizens to know and why it is important for them to know this information.
List each fact from #1 to #6 (share two facts about state government, two facts about local government, and two facts about bureaucracies).
At the end of your post, IN RED TYPE, you should write a thought-provoking yet answerable question
Chapter 10,12,13
In this Discussion Forum you are to answer the following questions:
1) Based on what you learned about the roles and responsibilities of the American President, share your thoughts about how President Joe Biden is measuring up as leader of the nation and commander-in-chief?
2) Based on what you have read about the role and work of the Executive Branch, how well is the Biden Administration performing? List three (3) roles and explain. Your response should be demonstrating your knowledge of current events (what is happening).
At the end of your post, IN RED TYPE, you should write a thought-provoking yet answerable
Chapter 14, 15, 16
After reading you will engage in this discussion about poverty and the poor. This is a sensitive topic, so please respect everyone’s right to his or her position.
Using and citing the information from your reading and the videos what are your responses to these questions:
1) How are the poor viewed in this country and worldwide?
2) Why is there poverty in the richest country in the world?
3) Should the government provide for the poor in America?
4) Should America provide for the poor worldwide?
5) Should those who are poor have children?
US Government
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Chapter 7,9,11
List each fact from #1 to #6 (share two facts about state government, two facts about local government, and two facts about bureaucracies).
- Elections are local in that it is the role of the local members of the community to vote for their local representatives (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). This information is important because many people focus on the presidential elections instead of the local representatives whose actions directly affect their plight within the community.
- One of the major revenue sources for local governments is the property tax on land, homes, and businesses (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). This information is important because property value depends on an area’s economy hence local governments in low-income areas access smaller amounts of taxes which results in disparities in the quality of services such as education provided in different areas.
- State governments have the power to set policies for controversial areas such as abortions and marijuana use, and such policies may differ from federal policy (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). Citizens need to know this information to avoid getting in legal trouble in different states since they may have different policies.
- State representatives are directly involved in lawmaking (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). This fact is important because citizens should always have their senators and governors when lobbying for specific policies.
- People who work for the public bureaucracy are mostly American citizens who possess public service motivation (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). Therefore, citizens who want to do something worthwhile for their country can apply for these positions.
- Bureaucrats are tasked with administering and implementing programs and policies developed through presidential acts or by Congress although they must follow specific rules and procedures (Krutz & Waskiewicz, 2016). This information is important because the procedures include networks that American citizens must navigate to make use of bureaucratic services.
Should state governments allocate more funding to low-income counties and cities to improve infrastructure in these areas?
Chapter 10, 12, 13
- Based on what you learned about the roles and responsibilities of the American President, share your thoughts about how President Joe Biden is measuring up as leader of the nation and commander-in-chief?
In my opinion, Joe Biden is measuring up to his role as the president especially during the pandemic when effective COVID-19 management is crucial to the country’s economy. Biden has successfully appointed forty federal judges and implemented the bipartisan infrastructure bill, a law that will improve water, energy, and transport systems. Biden is also more strategic in COVID-19 management in comparison to former President Donald Trump. He has also recently called for a change in Senate rules that would allow for changes in the country’s opposition laws. However, Biden still has to deal with issues such as inflation and find effective solutions to improving the American healthcare system.
- Based on what you have read about the role and work of the Executive Branch, how well is the Biden Administration performing? List three (3) roles and explain. Your response should be demonstrating your knowledge of current events (what is happening).
Biden’s administration is generally performing well. One of the fulfilled Executive Branch roles is the successful appointment of 41 federal judges and 80 ambassadors. However, Biden has not granted clemency to any offenders although his administration paused federal executions. In foreign affairs, the Biden Administration plans to normalize foreign policy by rebuilding relationships that had been abandoned by Trump’s administration such as the Paris climate agreement and relations with China and Russia. So far, Biden has contacted Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, and together, they discussed U.S.-Russia issues including Russia’s forces surrounding Ukraine and Biden’s support for the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Question
If Donald Trump was still president, would he have done a better job than Joe Biden considering his performance as president for 4 years? Why?
Chapter 14, 15, 16
After reading you will engage in this discussion about poverty and the poor. This is a sensitive topic, so please respect everyone’s right to his or her position.
Using and citing the information from your reading and the videos what are your responses to these questions:
- How are the poor viewed in this country and worldwide?
As per Fay (2021), most Americans view the poor as people who have been negatively affected by issues such as low wages and unemployment. However, some people consider people who receive welfare as government leeches who use taxpayers’ money to purchase inappropriate items. Notably, poverty in the U.S. is often regarded as a minor problem which is not the case since both white people and racial minorities are heavily affected by poverty. At a global level, poor people are viewed as those who have minimal access to resources and economic opportunities.
- Why is there poverty in the richest country in the world?
Despite the U.S. having a lot of resources, poverty is attributed to issues such as inflation, wage inequality, racial inequalities, high medical expenses, high cost of housing, and expensive formal education after high school which negatively impacts skill acquisition (Fay, 2021).
- Should the government provide for the poor in America?
The government should offer relief to the poor in America especially those who are under crisis and would not survive without help because poverty is mostly linked to institutional and labor market factors rather than personal factors. However, Fay (2021) explains that such relief is not a long-term solution to poverty. Instead, policies that increase access to quality education for all, stimulate a healthy business environment, and reduce racial and gender inequalities in education and employment should be implemented.
- Should America provide for the poor worldwide?
The U.S. government should provide for the poor in other countries especially if these countries have a common interest with the U.S. to encourage mutual benefit.
- Should those who are poor have children?
Poor people should have children because they are human and also have the right to live how they please. However, it is also important to educate the poor on the importance of birth control and avail it to them from a young age to prevent cases of unwanted pregnancies.
References
Fay, B. (2021). Poverty in the United States. https://www.debt.org/faqs/americans-in-debt/poverty-united-states/.
Krutz, G., & Waskiewicz, S. (2016). American Government. OpenStax.