by Adarsh Balaji
After
a year of high political anxiety and nerve-racking elections, President Obama
and the nation face some of the toughest challenges in 2013. The most pressing
issues are glaring. However,
successful resolutions will take time to be devised and passed. Economic reform, tax plans, education, healthcare, and global
conflict are on the table. Some
issues invoke a sense of national urgency whereas other issues address the issue
of international competition. The leaders of the nation need to be swift in
organization and initiative in all of these areas.
Economic
reform clearly highlighted the pressing issues in the 2012 election. President
Obama has already started the process especially with talks of going over the
fiscal cliff. This, however, is just one of the many economic areas which need
development. If I were to advise the president I would draw attention to the
unemployment sector of the nation. The president should continue to lower the
unemployment rate by boosting jobs in the public sector and incentivizing areas
in the private sector. In addition to the unemployment the tax proposals should
be strengthened in the United States. Those that make over $400K being taxed more
is one way to allow for more spending by the middle class. I believe that an
economic stimulus would help bolster the economy and allowing for more spending
would allow for the concept of cash flow revenue. This would help enhance the
economy and hopefully restore America’s AAA credit rating.
Education
is becoming a highly debated topic in 2013. There should be more comprehensive
programs in school that allow for enhancement of student opportunities. In
addition, more teachers and more schools would lead to lower unemployment
rates. The United States has shown to fall behind in many areas regarding
education over the past few years. One way to fortify the future of America is
to allow more Americans of all ages to attain a school education and even a collegiate
level diploma. This would help prosper the nation and open up new fields for
work.
Healthcare
clearly ranks high on the list of the president’s agenda. Healthcare reform
should be more publicized for the general safety of the public whereas a privatized
sector of medicine and insurance would bolster the specialization of the
profession. Hospital administration and medical initiative should help the
public without having every member of the lower class obtain medical insurance.
I believe that this is a controversial issue that requires further
magnification in 2013.
Global
conflict branches out and addresses issues throughout the world. In this we
have the debt in China, competition in the Middle East, and further efforts to
benefit third world nations. With this we have the progress of America as a
superpower and the expansion of democracy. I believe that another year of
efforts to bring back soldiers is in order and necessary for establishing a
sense of hospitality. The United States has a critical year ahead of us and the
president’s job is highly imperative these next four years.
I agree with the all of the challenges for Congress in the upcoming year that you mentioned and I think you highlight a lot of important details. Specifically about the economy, I think the policies that you mentioned (boosting jobs in the public sector, economic stimulus for cash flow revenue, etc.) would greatly benefit our country's economy; my greatest hope is that Congress will be able to negotiate, compromise, and work together to put some of those proposed policies into action. Your mention of global issues and all the conflict abroad also is extremely important in the coming year. Let's hope we see Congress coming together to work on some of these issues.
ReplyDeleteI agree that something needs to be done about education in the United States. I believe that the economy and education, both of which are issues that you highlighted in your post, are very closely related to each other. Without properly educated citizens, the economy cannot improve and thrive. If the number of college educated citizens decreases, the number of capable potential workers decreases as well. I believe that progress on education first needs to be concentrated on high school education. High schools all over the country need to have qualified teachers and effective programs to keep kids in school. If kids graduate high school there is, of course, a greater chance they will move on to receive a collegiate education, which will in the end prepare them to succeed in a job. The issue of education in America needs to be addressed in order to see progress in our current economic situation.
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