The Future of Our Democracy

            The idea of democracy is so that there is equality in our government system. As we all know, this is not true. Some jobs pay higher than others, some people have to work harder in their jobs, while some people are on the streets because they have been laid off. We all see a sense of unfairness, like teachers should be paid more because they are setting the future for our children; most CEO’s get paid the most in their business even though they do not understand much about the job they are looking over. If more Americans became self-less and took a stand for what is right and wrong in our economy we might get somewhere in the future of our democracy. “Like baseball, the politics of power offers structural advantages to players and teams with more assets” (Katznelson, pg. 383). Unlike baseball that can change without life consequences, politics can change, but will have more consequences on the lives and chances of Americans. If politics change and put everyone on the same salary no matter what their job is, there would be discretion in unfairness and inequality, and everyone would be on the same level. There would be not be rich or poor people, car companies would not have nice, expensive cars, everyone would have the same thing and life would probably be boring. This is why there is diversity in our economy, and sudden political changes can not necessarily happen.

            Due to the decision of the Bush administration in 2003 on creating a structural change in the Department of Homeland Security, “The size and power of executive agencies concerned with safeguarding the country from the threat of terrorism expanded and transformed” (Katznelson, pg. 384). Politics is based on a structural foundation and building up. This structure can be changed and result in a change in society. “Such structural alterations and adjustments can be distinguished from intentional political activity aimed at protecting or changing the status quo” (Katznelson, pg. 385). With the thought that politics can change things at the drop of the hat, should encourage more people to stand up for their rights and realize that they could change the economy they live in if they dislike it. This could mean that less people would be agitated without government because they would be helping to make choices, too. On 9 news the other week, there was a mother who sent a letter to the president telling him if the government actually shut down they would be ruining children’s experiences to go to Washington D.C. Although I do not believe that this one letter did much to change anyone’s mind in the government, President Obama still acknowledged it in his speech meaning that he did listen. If more people took a stand, then we would probably have a better democracy for our future. 

Katznelson, Ira, Kesselman, Mark, Draper, Alex. (2011). The Politics of Power, Capitalism and              Democracy. pgs 383, 384, & 385. Norton & Company, New York.
9 News

Economic Policy that Provides Services and Sustainability

  The policy is not just something that is made up. "It depends on how well the economy is doing and what the government spend the money on" (Kitznelson, p. 297). The government is always allowed to borrow money from different programs, usually they go for programs that are not in as much debt and can soon pay them off, but sometimes the government borrows so much money from these programs it puts our future into debt. This is where our economy runs into problems. The government will never run out of money as long as they keep borrowing from all of these programs they are creating. However, for the rest of us living in this everyday economy, it puts a burden on us and how much we have to pay for items and don't end up getting paid for. The gross domestic product takes a look at how much is produced in the United States. "These figures have risen to the common belief that the government is too big, that it confiscates too much money in the form of taxes and spends too much in the form of wasteful programs" (Kitznelson, p. 290). Social welfare and dense are two of the biggest programs from the government that take much of the expenses from the people in the economy, too. The size of the government versus the economy also puts an impact on power, money, and employment. "Public sector employees in the United States compromised about 15 percent of total employment in 2008, about 23 million government workers at all levels--state, local, and federal--out of a workforce of 137 million" (Kitznelson, p. 292). If we had more members sitting on the council because our population is always increasing, we might be able to gain more power over the economy and look at what needs to be fixed. The money factor becomes an issue for income and cost of living. Many people especially people who work for school districts did not receive their cost of living raise for 2011. However, this did not stop the cost of living to raise. Now all of these people who "watch" other people's kids and don't get paid much as it is, did not receive their cost of living raise which impacts their own living. "In many other rich democracies, the government either provides child-care services directly or gives more generous subsidies for child care than American families receive" (Kitznelson, p. 292). This just shows that the American government is semi backwards in where they put the money and when it is taken away.

Katznelson, Ira, Kesselman, Mark, Draper, Alex. (2011). The Politics of Power, Capitalism and              Democracy. pgs 297, 290, & 292. Norton & Company, New York.

Personal work experiences in child care

Government's Care

         The government offers many rewards to the lower class people. But what about the upper and middle class? People in the upper class are typically born into their status and have all the money they need (if they spend it wisely). The people in the middle class are more likely to slip into the lower class. This is because the middle class usually does not receive any help. College is another big factor for middle class people. Many students attending college work long hours or many jobs just to keep up with their bills on top of student loans. If the student’s parents have a great income, the student is pretty much screwed out of financial aid money. There are many other unexpected circumstances that could arise and leave the middle class and lower class without any money. “Across the political spectrum, almost all Americans support national policies, and much spending, that cushion citizens against the dangers that come with age, ill health, unemployment, or the death of a spouse” (Katznelson, pg. 319). With all of this in mind, the government has offered people Social Security. “Since the early 1970’s, Social Security payments, which are set nationally, have been indexed; that is, they increase in step with the previous year’s rate of inflation” (Katznelson, pg. 320). This help guarantee that people will have some money when they are no longer working.

            In my own experiences, I have always been in a middle class family until my step family came into the picture. We soon were on food stamps and getting government assistance because my family went from 3 people to 8. The idea of being on food stamps when I was younger made me feel bad because I did not understand where all of the money went. I now understand that raising a family takes a lot of money from working in daycare. After most of us left that household, I am sure that they are no longer on food stamps or any government assistance. Being in the lower class was not uncommon for the families of the kids I went to school with. This then made me learn that food stamps and any government assistance are not a negative thing. “Many Americans believe that government’s efforts to alleviate poverty to relieve the poor of responsibility for their own situations; this belief is so strong that the very word welfare, despite its positive dictionary meaning as something that promotes well-being, often is used as a negative term” (Katznelson, pg. 320). Although being poor is not a very proud thing to admit, it is more common these days to not be as upset or negative about it because we know the government offers help. This could be bad, because what will happen if or when the government runs out of money?

Katznelson, Ira, Kesselman, Mark, Draper, Alex. (2011). The Politics of Power, Capitalism and Democracy. pgs 319 & 320. Norton & Company, New York.

Personal experiences in middle/lower class