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Public Policy Issue

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Public Policy Issues
POL/443
January 6, 2015 Professor Matthew Szlapak

Public Policy Issues
Public Policy Issue Paper The United States has always been powered by economics. It has been the driving force behind what is accomplished, and who accomplishes those tasks since the founding of America. While money cannot control everything it can determine how the working class operates. The middle class is ever disappearing due to corporate entities running politics, and the notion that a two-party system can benefit everyone. While everyone in America has a vote as to who represents them those representatives are controlled more and more by special interest groups and how much power and money those interests groups control.
Two issues that fit right now are the amnesty for illegal immigrants and a higher minimum wage. Both of these issues tie political parties, economic community and special interest groups into the subject.
Amnesty for illegal immigrants certainly reaches deep into the heart of public policy because it has to address specific criteria in order to grant access to law abiding illegals. This by itself is rather ironic given illegal immigrants broke the law to enter the United States. Determining who is granted such status is not an easy choice given all of America has an opinion. Some say no amnesty should be granted and the illegals should be deported, requiring them to follow the same guidelines legal immigrants had to abide by. Giving a free pass to some opens the doors to debate why laws are even identified. The other side of this is the funding of such legislation. The question is raised as to who should fund the broad brush of the amnesty. Interestingly, Allen West has pointed out this funding is going to come from the fees that are assessed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (West, 2015). The fees are paid by legal immigrants and the executive branch is redirecting the funds to cover the cost of amnesty.
In addition to the amnesty comes the federal minimum wage issue. The issue has been highlighted by the President because of the cost of living for the working class. Some believe minimum wage should be increased to roughly $14 an hour. An increase of this magnitude has much bigger impacts on the national economy that seems to elude articles. Should a restaurant be required to pay employees wages of this nature not only will the meal cost increase, the number of workers at that restaurant will decrease because the owner won’t be able to cover the cost of the current number of employees. Labor groups express the need to bring the quality of life up regardless of the negative impacts of such wages. Conversely, studies show between 3.5 and 6.5 percent of all workers in Ca and NY make less than minimum wage (Greenhouse, 2014). This issue comes at a time when the economy is rather fragile and it will require a balance between all parties to reach an amicable solution.
Lobbying is a way that solutions can be found for these issues affecting Americans. Political parties and, political actions groups are all affiliated with Lobbyists. Lobbyists are associated with corporations and what laws they would like to see changed or incorporated that would benefit their agency. Contributing monetarily on Capitol Hill to the elected representatives in Congress to ensure their interests are kept in the forefront. Other groups that are similar to the lobbyist are interest groups, several examples of interest groups are the NRA, National Rifle Association (guns laws), Planned Parenthood, National Coalitions for Life and Peace, and Pro Life Allegiance of Gays and Lesbians are just some of the interest groups that are affiliated in special interest. Many of these organizations are non-profit and considered not part of the corporate community. However the majority of funding comes from large corporations and the board of directors are previous corporate bigwigs from large donor corporations. Non-profits create the ideas of how society should operate such as Universities determining what should be taught and how the future leaders of America are trained. These organizations are cross functional across many areas and focus on more cultural and civic issues that affect larger groups of Americans. The think tanks within these organizations are where the majority of work and solutions are accomplished. These areas of the organization are made up of the best and the brightest in numerous fields of study. These individuals use tax free funding from wealthy families, and corporations to solve issues facing the government and economy (Domhoff, 2012). Once a solution has been found that is considered best for the majority of America information is disseminated to educate on those issues. This information is passed on through social media, advertisements, pamphlets, and discussion groups in hopes of educating individuals on issues that need attention in Congress and ways to support those issues. While there is competition between all these agencies all of them believe that what they are trying to change or influence would better America as a whole. Yes, the lobbyists have access to the halls of the Capital and employees that the interest groups do not. The conflict between the two is valid and it is apparent who is getting the most out of the halls of the Capital. What the American citizens do not realize is what goes on behind closed doors with the President, lobbyist and the House of Representative when a law is passed and how it affects them. We need to be more aware of what goes on and who does what when it comes to the laws. While there is no cut and dry solution to amnesty for illegal immigrants and a higher minimum wage, one can assess there is a reasonable answer to both situations. All parties have to weigh the good and the bad to determine what should be done. The issues are far reaching because illegal immigrants now have children who are citizens and some actually fall into the scenario of not earning enough to survive in one job so they are working two or three to care for their children. This is where the money and influence of corporate America on law making has a profound impact on the everyday working class.

ReferencesDomhoff, W. (2012, February). Who Rules America: The Class-Domination Theory of Power. Retrieved from http://www2.ucsc.edu/whorulesamerica/power/class_domination.htmlGreenhouse, S. (2014, December 3). The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/04/business/study-finds-violations-of-wage-law-in-new-york-and-california.html?_r=0West, A. (2015, December 15). Un-frigging-believable: fees for illegal amnesty paid by legal immigrants - Allen B. West - AllenBWest.com. Retrieved from http://allenbwest.com/2014/12/un-frigging-believable-fees-illegal-amnesty-paid-legal-immigrants/ |

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