The Editors for Democracy Journal: Rethinking Taxes: Proud to Pay

The Editors for Democracy Journal: Rethinking Taxes: Proud to Pay

What is the future of democracy? Is it a realistic option?

The future of democracy depends on how much say the people actually have in the present when compared to the past.  Is it more, less, or equal now as when democracy first came to be?  I believe the best way to answer what the future of democracy is would be to analyze the past of democracy and how it evolved.  As there aren’t any particular points suggesting exactly how democracy began, it would be safe to assume that human rights were a big part of it.  Next, the law and how we all must follow said laws, education and wealth no doubt were contributors as well.   Another important part of democracy people vote on higher representatives to run our country. These representatives hopefully listen to wants and needs of the people so they can take action and make things happen.  The problem here comes from the area of education.  Often times people are uneducated and led to biased representatives with multiple ads and campaigns telling the people that the other is wrong and not to vote on them.  So instead of concentrating on what good they can all do by coming together, they are so consumed with money and power that average person is going off of the brief blurbs thrown around on television, newspapers, magazine articles, etc.  It almost seems like the saying the “rich getting richer the poor getting poorer” isn’t too farfetched of a statement.  Where I am coming from with this in regards to my answer to the critical question, if we keep up like this, then how can our future of democracy, whatever it may be, seem realistic? It can’t.  Anymore it is about money and power and the point of why democracy exists or the morals behind it, have been forgotten. 

Bureau of Public Affairs. (2011). Democracy. Retrieved 4 22, 2011, from US Department of State: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/democ/

Katznelson, Ira, Mark Kesselman, and Alan Draper. The Politics of Power 5^th ed. Louiseville: Transcontinental Printing, 2006.

What is the process to develop an economic policy that provides services and sustainability?

When I think process, I think of a series of steps or an outline to be followed.  That would create the process in developing an economic policy. Now in order to be positive that it provides services and sustainability, this process would need to be elaborated on and almost use a scientific method to test strong and weak areas.  From researching this week, it seemed that explain that process in a step by step development would be a good way of answering the critical question this week.

First, look at history.  What steps were used or thought of before that either helped or created more problems.  This would show what services and sustainability was used before and help relate to the current time. Next, with the current state as it is, what is there to work with in creating some successful strategy?  The current services could be working, but if some weren’t, what is there now that serves as a type of collateral.  Another important step, community involvement, what do the people have to say?  Authority would do well to listen to what followers had to say and actually take action to make sure their voices were heard. In the current policy, what level should be considered?  In other words, this can include matters from a state to national or even international level.  Benefits gained are important to be considered to develop an economic policy as well as taking into account a strategic vision.  What can we make of ourselves and what possibilities lay in the future? Although, it’s equally important to determine from that optimism, are these future ideals realistic? The action plan then comes into play.  From the questions asked and the answers given, leaders can move forward with a plan in providing those services and sustainability.  Once started, they can later review to check the progress of how things are going. 

I found a site that put together ten steps in an economic development progress.  It really helped to clarify meaning to this week’s critical question for me.  

Bibliography

State of Queensland . (2008, July 2). Ten step economic development process. Retrieved 4 16, 2011, from Department of Employment, Economic Development, and Innovation: http://www.regions.qld.gov.au/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/content.cfm?id=8159

We have failed to listen to America. And we have failed to reflect the w...

How does a government facilitate comprehensive care for its constituents without sacrificing equity?

In all honestly, the government cannot care for its constituents without sacrificing equity. When we think of the care offered by the government for health care, living expenses, and other aids for low income assistance, the money has to come from somewhere to help furnish those in need. Especially with this economy in its current state, more and more families need financial help. As nice as it is to know we have a system in place to help get those in need back on their feet, that’s just it, it really should be monitored to ensure it does just that, get them back on their feet. The problem with this comprehensive care, too often it can be taken advantage of it. If a family continues having children and as a result gains more cash assistance, food stamps, etc. and even more if they don’t work, why would they want to start now? Help should be there in the beginning, but then be revisited later to ensure these families in need are finding a way out and on their own without that government aid.

This brings me to a classmate’s blog I just read. It seems as though the middle-class citizens are not meeting any criteria for help and are considered to have too high of income. Again, because the government is sacrificing equity, they seem to be setting a limit on those who will actually receive help and if you are already in that category, feel free to stay as long as you like. I am a firm believer we need to help our fellow Americans, but why should it be okay for some to take advantage of the system? Isn’t that only hurting the population as a whole? I guess I have seen both sides in my life time, those who use it because they needed it and found a way to grow and make it on their own, and those who have been on it since I can remember just because it’s the easy way to do it.

Think Again....

During my research to the critical question of the week, I found a web page titled, Foreign Policy.  Interestingly enough, I stumbled upon this article when I just had a conversation with another student that no country wants another to be or seem higher up the ladder than them.  Here was a quote found in the article:

"Have we ever been satisfied as Americans being average in anything? Is that our aspiration? Our goal should be absolutely to lead the world in education."  By Education Secretary Arne Duncan. 

The link to the article is just below this post.

Think Again: Education - By Ben Wildavsky | Foreign Policy

Think Again: Education - By Ben Wildavsky Foreign Policy

How should a nation-state develop its foreign policy in accordance to its values and in connection to the development of its domestic policy?

In regards to this week’s question, I suppose it truly depends on how a nation-state develops its foreign policy.  I have always felt that in order to make things happen, working together is the best way.  When we consider our earth, it belongs to everyone in every country.  That means that what we do with money, time, choices, etc. will somehow have an impact on what happens to the earth and living creatures around it.  For the obvious, we shouldn’t fight and create war, that will only do damage.  American’s shouldn’t take advantage of other countries imports and yearning to make money despite, and vice versa.  Other countries should not take advantage of America.  Yes, this sounds like it would only be in a perfect world, but my question is why can’t we make it a perfect world? 

Either way, Ginny had pointed out something that I completely agreed with, and that is for us to be able to help anyone else, we need to help ourselves first.  That goes into each of us as individuals.  Let’s set examples for youth and those with weaker minds.  I am sure there is a great deal of people around the world who feel this way.