1. Domestic Policies.
1.1 Means-Tested Programs.
The Struggles for Democracy describes means-tested programs are government sponsored programs in response to Americans in need. (Greenberg-Page, pg. 581.) The purpose of these programs is to provide or supplement the basic needs of Americans who are unable to do so for themselves.
Domestic Dependents on Means-Tested Programs:
Means-tested programs have historically been met with an abundance of opposition. As stated above, the programs are intended to help American families during periods of time when the head of household cannot sufficiently provide essential needs for his or her family. The intent was for the programs were only meant to help during these shorter periods of time when help is needed, however, some families lived a lifetime on the program rather than trying to find the means to support his/her family. Because of these long-lasting beneficiaries of the program, the argument arose that contrary to the intent of such programs it weakened the population living in poverty. They became dependent on these services rather than trying to find steady and gainful employment pulling down the work-ethic amongst such families.
In response to the opposition and growing number of people substantially living on these programs, the governments immobilized the programs and created new programs. Importantly, the new programs were no longer administered by the federal government; instead each state was tasked with creating the programs that best meet the needs of the population in that state. Although the states were creating the policies for their own program, the federal government provided grant money to support the programs and outlined a maximum length of time any one person could use these services. The states have the ability to extend the time and financially supplement the programs; however, it is completely dependent on the state’s needs. Another important restructuring included various programs to help educate and train its recipients for plausible employment.
Programs in America:
There is a vast variety of programs and as stated above, most of the means-tested programs are now run by the states but receive sums of money from the federal government. These programs also have many sub-parts to them to offer help in various ways. For example, Food Stamps is a service that provides income solely for the purpose of purchasing food. The program is for those families that meet the minimum income requirement and cannot feasibly be expected to buy food on their income. The program, however, provides a wide variety of services to those families that might not meet the income requirement solely for food stamps but need help. For example, School Lunch Program, WIC Women, Infant and Children Food Program, School Breakfast, Child Care Food Program, Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Nutrition Service Incentives, Summer Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Temporary Emergency Food Program, Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Special Milk Program.
Other important means-tested services are income, medical, housing, education, job training, energy and utilities, child care and child development and community development. Each service is multi-faceted and intended to assist those Americans living in poverty.
Conclusion:
As a country, it is important to provide support to the poor, but it is even more important that training and education is provided to those that might not otherwise have that opportunity. As a result of the recession and its fall-out, it taken that much longer for America to stabilize therefore requiring government funded services more than ever. A further result of the recession was the closing of major companies causing manual labor jobs to become obsolete, therefore less trades are available. With the abundance available in our country, no one should be left hungry or homeless. Unfortunately, that is not the case nor is it realistic. For various reasons other than unemployment our society sees more than its share of homelessness caused by tragic life events like the loss of loved ones, domestic violence, divorce, family disputes or untreated impairments such as depression, mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical disabilities. Whether poverty is suddenly thrusted upon a person or a long-period of steady decline, these programs are important to help maintain a society with opportunity for everyone at every level of income.
2. Foreign Policies.
2.1 Post-Cold War World.
The Cold War is the period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from the late 1940’s to the late 1980’s. Since the end of the Cold War the threat of the Soviet Union has decreased however in a major turn the threat of terrorism has only grown. As citizens from every country are now on high alert and vulnerable to terrorism, many countries have
Security Issues Post-Cold War:
I’m sure most of my classmates were not even born when the wall in Berlin dividing a country came crashing down on November 9, 1989. I remember it well, but it took me years to really understand what this significant piece of history mean. The world stopped to watch the news and be a part of the history, it was momentous. But at the time I could not fathom that this meant anything to the United States. After all, this was in some foreign country and it was a freeing of their citizens to choose their religion, attend school or visit neighboring countries and even family they may not have seen for years. But the fact of the matter is that this event left America vulnerable.
The end of the Cold War resulted in less suppression of extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions as well millions of migrants searching the globe in hope of a better life or because they fear persecution where they live. For America, this meant more competition for already scarce jobs, further strain on public programs for healthcare, education and housing. It also created racial tensions because many fear the unknown and importantly feel work is being taken away from foreigners. Unlike in 1989, these feelings of threat or the conception of being treated unfairly go viral on the internet and social media creating tensions across national borders. Prior to the end of the cold war, it took longer for people to communicate and travel into these forbidden areas was slow or not allowed. Once the borders opened, it left every side somewhat naive to how the others truly felt and the potential security issues that would arise. Today, the post-Cold War world has only become more intense and mass migration, international crime and international terrorism has only grown.
Conclusion:
How does a government secure a country where terrorist no longer need to leave their couches? Security problems have only taken a deeper meaning; it’s just a matter of a terrorist reaching out to someone in that country and convincing them to do your dirty work. But now, more than ever countries must stay connected, band together with the same goal to ensure that government, business and society will do more than survive with, but flourish, in the increasingly uncertain times in which we live. The end of the Cold War signified the rise of a world that could offer opportunities but it did not come without its unique set of security issues.
Works cited.
Andrew G. Biggs. “Means Testing and Its Limits,” National Affair (Fall 2011): www.NationalAffairs.com. Internet.
George Friedman. “Beyond the Post-Cold War World,” Geopolitical Weekly(April 2, 2013.)https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/beyond-post-cold-war-world. Internet.
Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page. The Struggle for Democracy.
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2014. Print
1.1 Means-Tested Programs.
The Struggles for Democracy describes means-tested programs are government sponsored programs in response to Americans in need. (Greenberg-Page, pg. 581.) The purpose of these programs is to provide or supplement the basic needs of Americans who are unable to do so for themselves.
Domestic Dependents on Means-Tested Programs:
Means-tested programs have historically been met with an abundance of opposition. As stated above, the programs are intended to help American families during periods of time when the head of household cannot sufficiently provide essential needs for his or her family. The intent was for the programs were only meant to help during these shorter periods of time when help is needed, however, some families lived a lifetime on the program rather than trying to find the means to support his/her family. Because of these long-lasting beneficiaries of the program, the argument arose that contrary to the intent of such programs it weakened the population living in poverty. They became dependent on these services rather than trying to find steady and gainful employment pulling down the work-ethic amongst such families.
In response to the opposition and growing number of people substantially living on these programs, the governments immobilized the programs and created new programs. Importantly, the new programs were no longer administered by the federal government; instead each state was tasked with creating the programs that best meet the needs of the population in that state. Although the states were creating the policies for their own program, the federal government provided grant money to support the programs and outlined a maximum length of time any one person could use these services. The states have the ability to extend the time and financially supplement the programs; however, it is completely dependent on the state’s needs. Another important restructuring included various programs to help educate and train its recipients for plausible employment.
Programs in America:
There is a vast variety of programs and as stated above, most of the means-tested programs are now run by the states but receive sums of money from the federal government. These programs also have many sub-parts to them to offer help in various ways. For example, Food Stamps is a service that provides income solely for the purpose of purchasing food. The program is for those families that meet the minimum income requirement and cannot feasibly be expected to buy food on their income. The program, however, provides a wide variety of services to those families that might not meet the income requirement solely for food stamps but need help. For example, School Lunch Program, WIC Women, Infant and Children Food Program, School Breakfast, Child Care Food Program, Nutrition Program for the Elderly, Nutrition Service Incentives, Summer Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program, Temporary Emergency Food Program, Farmers' Market Nutrition Program and Special Milk Program.
Other important means-tested services are income, medical, housing, education, job training, energy and utilities, child care and child development and community development. Each service is multi-faceted and intended to assist those Americans living in poverty.
Conclusion:
As a country, it is important to provide support to the poor, but it is even more important that training and education is provided to those that might not otherwise have that opportunity. As a result of the recession and its fall-out, it taken that much longer for America to stabilize therefore requiring government funded services more than ever. A further result of the recession was the closing of major companies causing manual labor jobs to become obsolete, therefore less trades are available. With the abundance available in our country, no one should be left hungry or homeless. Unfortunately, that is not the case nor is it realistic. For various reasons other than unemployment our society sees more than its share of homelessness caused by tragic life events like the loss of loved ones, domestic violence, divorce, family disputes or untreated impairments such as depression, mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical disabilities. Whether poverty is suddenly thrusted upon a person or a long-period of steady decline, these programs are important to help maintain a society with opportunity for everyone at every level of income.
2. Foreign Policies.
2.1 Post-Cold War World.
The Cold War is the period of tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from the late 1940’s to the late 1980’s. Since the end of the Cold War the threat of the Soviet Union has decreased however in a major turn the threat of terrorism has only grown. As citizens from every country are now on high alert and vulnerable to terrorism, many countries have
Security Issues Post-Cold War:
I’m sure most of my classmates were not even born when the wall in Berlin dividing a country came crashing down on November 9, 1989. I remember it well, but it took me years to really understand what this significant piece of history mean. The world stopped to watch the news and be a part of the history, it was momentous. But at the time I could not fathom that this meant anything to the United States. After all, this was in some foreign country and it was a freeing of their citizens to choose their religion, attend school or visit neighboring countries and even family they may not have seen for years. But the fact of the matter is that this event left America vulnerable.
The end of the Cold War resulted in less suppression of extremist religious groups and ethnic tensions as well millions of migrants searching the globe in hope of a better life or because they fear persecution where they live. For America, this meant more competition for already scarce jobs, further strain on public programs for healthcare, education and housing. It also created racial tensions because many fear the unknown and importantly feel work is being taken away from foreigners. Unlike in 1989, these feelings of threat or the conception of being treated unfairly go viral on the internet and social media creating tensions across national borders. Prior to the end of the cold war, it took longer for people to communicate and travel into these forbidden areas was slow or not allowed. Once the borders opened, it left every side somewhat naive to how the others truly felt and the potential security issues that would arise. Today, the post-Cold War world has only become more intense and mass migration, international crime and international terrorism has only grown.
Conclusion:
How does a government secure a country where terrorist no longer need to leave their couches? Security problems have only taken a deeper meaning; it’s just a matter of a terrorist reaching out to someone in that country and convincing them to do your dirty work. But now, more than ever countries must stay connected, band together with the same goal to ensure that government, business and society will do more than survive with, but flourish, in the increasingly uncertain times in which we live. The end of the Cold War signified the rise of a world that could offer opportunities but it did not come without its unique set of security issues.
Works cited.
Andrew G. Biggs. “Means Testing and Its Limits,” National Affair (Fall 2011): www.NationalAffairs.com. Internet.
George Friedman. “Beyond the Post-Cold War World,” Geopolitical Weekly(April 2, 2013.)https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/beyond-post-cold-war-world. Internet.
Greenberg, Edward S. and Benjamin I. Page. The Struggle for Democracy.
New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2014. Print
Reflection:
Domestic and Foreign Policies’ Reflection:
During the week of November 30 the class focused on The Judicial Branch and Domestic/Foreign Policy. This was an extensive amount of information for one week but the use of SoftChalk helped me review and practice of what I learned in chapters 17 and 18 of Struggles for Democracy.
The writing assignment which corresponded to this week was in two parts.
Part 1:
Students were asked to select a Domestic Policy, read the text concerning the policy, and form an opinion, complete research to find 1 article supporting our opinion. We were then required to write a paper analyzing the policy and summarize the issue using the article to support the student’s position.
I selected means-tested programs. These programs provide services to families who live in poverty and cannot otherwise provide essential sustenance for their families.Some of the programs in place in America include Temporary Supplement of Income, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Hosing, Education, Job Training, Child Care and Child Development.
Part 2:
Studentswere required to choose a security or economic & social issues that resulted due to the end of the Cold-War. Once we read chapter 18, we selected our issue, conducted research and find 1 article supporting the student’s opinion.
I selected security issues and what it meant to have access to countries that were previously closed and have migrants from those countries coming to America in search of a better life.
This assignment particularly helped me focus on expressing my opinion in a way that the reader could understand the issue. Conducting comprehensive research and selecting only 1 article per issue was particularly challenging but even more challenging was finding an article that supported my paper.
This assignment further enabled me to improve my ability to focus and organization my thoughts. It was tough to have two completely separate issues then tie them into one paper. I tried to connect the issues on some level but ultimately it was a far reach. In the end, I felt that it was two separate papers in one.
Our next assignment is our final paper. The selected topic is civil rights. With this assignment we will have a week to conduct our research and prepare an outline. The following week we will have an opportunity to post our paper for peer review. I am looking forward to this because I want to improve my writing skills and hope that the feedback will provide an opportunity to fine-tune the paper for a better grade. My goal is to stay focused and on track with my schedule. This is where I have consistently fallen short and it has been apparent in my assignments/discussions.I will also thoroughly read the assignment requirements. On the mid-term I left out an entire section which hurt my grade, I do not want to repeat that. I will use the rubric as my check list for my next assignment.
If I could change one thing about the way I wrote the paper, I would have looked for a quieter place. Unfortunately, last week I moved my family back to our home after months of repairs were complete from a water valve flood. My desk has not arrived yet so I’ve planted myself between the dinning room table and boxes to be unpacked. This area is in the center of the house and absorbs all of the noise. My desk will be in by the end of the week but in the meantime, I will most likely try to use my office after-hours for some quiet.
I am not currently taking any other classes; however, the classes I completed earlier this year have helped me prepare for this class. A few of the completed courses include history, protest literature, and philosophy. What continues to help me is the writing, the practice is key to strengthening and improving my writing skills.
During the week of November 30 the class focused on The Judicial Branch and Domestic/Foreign Policy. This was an extensive amount of information for one week but the use of SoftChalk helped me review and practice of what I learned in chapters 17 and 18 of Struggles for Democracy.
The writing assignment which corresponded to this week was in two parts.
Part 1:
Students were asked to select a Domestic Policy, read the text concerning the policy, and form an opinion, complete research to find 1 article supporting our opinion. We were then required to write a paper analyzing the policy and summarize the issue using the article to support the student’s position.
I selected means-tested programs. These programs provide services to families who live in poverty and cannot otherwise provide essential sustenance for their families.Some of the programs in place in America include Temporary Supplement of Income, Food Stamps, Medicaid, Hosing, Education, Job Training, Child Care and Child Development.
Part 2:
Studentswere required to choose a security or economic & social issues that resulted due to the end of the Cold-War. Once we read chapter 18, we selected our issue, conducted research and find 1 article supporting the student’s opinion.
I selected security issues and what it meant to have access to countries that were previously closed and have migrants from those countries coming to America in search of a better life.
This assignment particularly helped me focus on expressing my opinion in a way that the reader could understand the issue. Conducting comprehensive research and selecting only 1 article per issue was particularly challenging but even more challenging was finding an article that supported my paper.
This assignment further enabled me to improve my ability to focus and organization my thoughts. It was tough to have two completely separate issues then tie them into one paper. I tried to connect the issues on some level but ultimately it was a far reach. In the end, I felt that it was two separate papers in one.
Our next assignment is our final paper. The selected topic is civil rights. With this assignment we will have a week to conduct our research and prepare an outline. The following week we will have an opportunity to post our paper for peer review. I am looking forward to this because I want to improve my writing skills and hope that the feedback will provide an opportunity to fine-tune the paper for a better grade. My goal is to stay focused and on track with my schedule. This is where I have consistently fallen short and it has been apparent in my assignments/discussions.I will also thoroughly read the assignment requirements. On the mid-term I left out an entire section which hurt my grade, I do not want to repeat that. I will use the rubric as my check list for my next assignment.
If I could change one thing about the way I wrote the paper, I would have looked for a quieter place. Unfortunately, last week I moved my family back to our home after months of repairs were complete from a water valve flood. My desk has not arrived yet so I’ve planted myself between the dinning room table and boxes to be unpacked. This area is in the center of the house and absorbs all of the noise. My desk will be in by the end of the week but in the meantime, I will most likely try to use my office after-hours for some quiet.
I am not currently taking any other classes; however, the classes I completed earlier this year have helped me prepare for this class. A few of the completed courses include history, protest literature, and philosophy. What continues to help me is the writing, the practice is key to strengthening and improving my writing skills.