Issue 2013: A Progressive Future

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.

Issue 2013: New Year, New Congress, New Resolutions

by Val Renda

2013 is starting out as a big year – a second term for President Obama and a new Congress. My most general hope for the coming year is cooperation among parties in Congress because there is an ever-increasing divide between parties, and it seems more and more difficult to reach compromises. In 2013, there are many political challenges in front of us, and I believe the two main ones that we should focus on in the New Year are the economy and disaster relief reforms.

I think the economy should be an important priority in the first few months of the new term and new Congress. Much of the election was based upon economic policies, job growth, tax policies, and rebuilding the economy because this is the greatest concern to the majority of American families. If I were an advisor to the president I would first suggest that he fire me as an advisor because he needs someone more educated in politics and the economy… Then, I would advise him to push forth compromise in Congress to resolve this crisis and to stick to the promises of a better economy that he stressed in the election. I think Congress needs to regain the confidence of the American people in this upcoming year, because it seems that people are increasingly blaming Congress for not being responsive enough to the economic problems that our nation is facing. I think that the government needs to cut spending and reach a compromise on deficit spending. Financial turmoil is something Americans DON’T want to see in 2013, which is why the economy is the biggest issue for this year.

Along with economic reforms, I think disaster reforms are greatly needed this year. Hurricane Sandy left many people upset with the national and state government for not acting quickly enough for relief, which is why I think there needs to be some sort of national policy for disaster relief and aid, in order for the government to be more prepared if something like this should happen again.

I think gun control will be a popular topic in the New Year for Congress. I don’t have a solution to this problem because I think there are so many factors that are involved that I don’t know enough about, including the impact that the gun industry has on the economy and whether or not losing jobs in this industry would greatly affect the economy or not.

In 2013, I think there is a lot of pressure for Congress to step up their game and focus on the big issues – not avoid them. I hope that we see a lot of progress in 2013.