Public Policy Essay Example for Free

Public Policy Essay In the contemporary society, the world is characterized by freedom of speech and expression and also by a market place of policy ideas waiting to be prioritized or given a legislative action. As explained in detail by Hays (2001), analysis of Public policy debates began by John Kingdon (1984) and reissued in 1995. Kingdon critically examined how specific policies problems solutions become prominent. Looking at the policy making process, Kingdon particularly concentrated on the prediction stage and agenda setting ignoring the politics of how policy choices are made. He argued that many individual through their own means may call for attention on a particular policy issue that need to be changed but at the end of the day it is a group of elected experts whom he called policy community who make decision on the issue to be the first agenda item therefore providing the ground for new policies (Hays, 2001). The communities operate as resources but also as gatekeepers. Kingdon argued that collectively a range of individuals serve to make up the necessary policy community or networks including experts, elected officials, bureaucrats, researchers and even government itself. These communities influence the policy debate as witnessed in public policy institute of California (Mintrom, 2000). As a gate keeper, policy community or networks have a role in informal communication between those inside and the one outside the government. The channels are extraordinary open considering new ideas which deserve implementation while deciding on the one to be sidelined. Intellectual resourcefulness as well as determination is crucial in policy making process, Kingdon was emphatic that those who have more resources are better placed to make strong argument (Hays, 2001). Over the years, public debate have dominated United States politics and at times carrying away the policy communities like fad (Mintrom, 2000). The most recent is the Wall Street issue where the Bush administration and his Republican party proposed a boost plan to the mortgage sector including some home owners. The move which was intended to stimulate the economy however elicited policy debate from allover. According to Hays (2001), Kingdon summarizes the policy making process into three separate streams: Problem process stream, policy process stream and political stream. He argues that policy change advocates whom, he refer to as entrepreneurs of change mostly serve to belong to the above mentioned three streams in their efforts to bring popularity to a particular problem and also igniting policy innovation. By doing this they increase the chances that specific policy issues will give rise to new ideas and new policies. It is the problem stream where problems are recognized and identified for action. Both the people in government and outside government at any given time are aware of the social problems that need intervention. However, it is important to note that in problem defining stage much is likely to be left at stake since those benefiting from the status quo are likely to convince the others that no problem exists after all. The second stream is the policy stream which Kingdon highlights as the process which entails generating and debating of ides for policy development by communities of policy specialists. Rarely, people come out with new ideas but more often they use the old ones to understand the new ones and thinking of ways to reformulate them with the others (Hays, 2001). In order to be effective, public policy institutes must be objective to survive in community policy ideas. Solutions in most cases chase problems and that is to say people with solutions will look for the specific problems to solve (Mintrom, 2000). In addition, such institutions must be not only feasible but also compatible with the values of the majority of specialist in policy communities. Alteration of ideas and efforts by the policy advocate to persuade others according to Kingdon is one way of achieving compatibility (Hays, 2001).

Abraham Lincoln :: essays research papers

Abraham Lincoln   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was very important to the past history of our country. He helped to abolish slavery in this country and kept the American Union from splitting apart during the Civil War.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At 22, he moved to New Salem, Illinois. With his gift for swapping stories and making friends, he became quite popular and was elected to the Illinois legislature in 1834. In his spare time, he taught himself law and became a lawyer. In 1847, he was elected to the U.S. Congress, but returned to his law practice until 1858, when his concern about the spread of slavery prompted him to return to national politics and run for the U.S. Senate.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Lincoln rose to greatness from a humble beginning. Born in 1809 in a log cabin in Kentucky, Lincoln spent most of his childhood working on the family farm. He had less than a year of school but managed to educate himself by studying and reading books on his own.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He believed that slavery and democracy were fundamentally incompatible. In an 1858 speech, he said: What constitutes the bulwark of our own liberty and independance? It is not our frowning battlements, our bristling sea coats, our army and our navy . . . Our defense is in the spirit which prized liberty as the heritage of all men, in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism at your own doors. Familiarize yourself with the chains of bondage and you prepare your own limbs to wear them (World Book Encyclopedia).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  He lost his campaign for the Senate, but during the debates with his opponent Stephen Douglas, he became well known for his opposotion to slavery. The southern states, which believed they depended upon slavery to remain prosperous in the cotton, tobacco, and rice industries, threatened to secede from the nation if Lincoln won the election. Lincoln was inaugurated on March 4, 1861, and by April 12, the southern states had formed the Confedrate States of America and the Civil War began.

Against and Grey Area Essay

Yet So Colorful To truly understand why gay marriage is a pressing issue, understanding both arguments is a must. The argument across the nation is, are you for or against allowing legally recognized marriage between homosexuals to co-exist with that of heterosexual marriages? Yet should same sex marriage be legalized throughout the entire United States? It is a topic of great disagreement among many people, and is discussed in many presidential debates. Tolerance is a word that should be used in all three of our writings, yet for this neutral approach towards same sex marriage tolerance is a perfect word. A definition of tolerance is: The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. (New Oxford American Dictionary; New York 2001). In this case, tolerance would refer to being tolerant towards those who are for same sex marriage and those who are against same sex marriage. Tolerance is one of the most basic reasons people have immigrated to the United States. Equality and tolerance are needed, for it is our birthright as Americans. Tolerance is a word that is used in The Constitution, The Declaration of Independence, The Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King’s famous speech. As much as I am emotionally supportive of same sex marriage, I do believe that as Americans we must give everyone the freedom to believe what they wish, as long as it is not hurting anyone. Therefore those who disagree with same sex marriage have as much right to disagree with gay marriage as those who are for gay marriage or wish to marry some one of the same sex. Tolerance and equal rights are two major reasons so many immigrants from all over the world selected the United States for their home. These three quotations from famous yet well-respected Americans help to point out values that are important to American society. â€Å"We will only attain freedom if we learn to appreciate what is different, and muster the courage to discover what is fundamentally the same. America’s diversity offers so much richness and opportunity. Take a chance, won’t you? Knock down the fences which divide. – Justice Thurgood Marshall The highest result of education is tolerance. † – Helen Keller, Optimism (1903) â€Å"Laws alone cannot secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population. † – Albert Einstein So tolerance toward anyone and their beliefs whether you agree or disagree is the correct approach. Homosexuals have the right to express themselves in the same way that heterosexuals express themselves. We all have equality and must be tolerant of each other. Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance. It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law. Mitt Romney 12/14/2006 National Review Online In this quote, Mitt Romney argues that Americans recognize marriage as a partnership between man and woman. He states that the creation and development of the next generation is at stake with same sex couples. On the other side of the spectrum gay rights activists argue that marriage should be universal with no boundaries. Gay people (men and men and women and women) should have the same ability to marry just like their heterosexual counterparts men and women. Many gay people claim that not allowing gays to marry is a hate crime. They say it is exactly the same as discriminating against race or religious preference. Thomas Jefferson uses the Declaration of Independence to elaborate on the rights of a government. His idea of equality is closely related to the concept that, because all men are equal, the government’s power is based on â€Å"the consent of the governed,† not by its own arbitrary whims or motives. Today, America is one of the most culturally diverse nations in the world. Given this, the importance of tolerance in the government has great importance at present. The Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that a ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, and in the opinion stated that: â€Å"government attorneys failed to identify any constitutionally adequate reason to deny them [gay couples] the right. † This was a very important and groundbreaking ruling. It opened the doors for more states to legalize same sex marriage. It is important for heterosexual people to be tolerant towards homosexuals and their legal right to ask for same sex marriage. It is also important for gay people to respect, be patient and tolerant of heterosexual that do not believe in same sex marriage. Perhaps with tolerance and understanding from both parties more acceptances of each other’s differences will be reached. Change is constant yet does take time. It is scary yet change must happen before we pass judgments. Alex Snyder 9/27/12 C. Dowling Engl. 100 The Wrong Choice, Vote Yes For the Two thousand years of this countries rich history, homosexuality was considered a sin and bad enough to ban, with many state laws prohibiting sodomy. Then in the 2003 Lawrence VS Texas case, The Supreme court ruled in favor of homosexuality and for the laws to be taken away. As the article I read stated, suddenly, homosexuality was not bad enough to prohibit and now, we have to permit it. Homosexuality is bad for the economy and the people of the United States of America and it should be against the law to act in a homosexual manner. My first argument is that a child a gay couple raises may grow up to be shunned by others even in fact alienated by the society they live in. Gay couples raising children cannot give or meet the child’s needs that many heterosexual couples can. Children feel alienated or embarrassed when in public with their homosexual parents. Many homosexual relationships end very badly. Homosexual relationships have a higher break up rate or â€Å"divorce† rate than heterosexual couples. These couples indoctrinate their children from day one on this earth by accepting homosexual relationships as equivalent and the norm. Further more adoption in the homosexual relationship will make the child a trophy, which in effect, validates homosexual relationships. Allowing same sex marriage validates homosexual relationships. My second point is that of taxes, taxes kill me on a day-to-day basis, and I am sure I am not alone. Income taxes will increase in order to make up for the marriage tax benefits given to homosexual couples. As well as paying for social costs resulting from illegitimacy increases. Do you believe Homosexual couples should get the same benefits from raising a child as a man and women raising a child should? Further more social security taxes would increase in order to pay enefits of losing a significant other, such as â€Å"widows† and â€Å"widowers†. Not to mention medical insurance premiums will be at an all time high if gay marriage is allowed because we have to offset the health care costs that go along with homosexual behavior such as (AIDS, hepatitis, Colon Cancer, and other diseases) these homosexual acts will likely be more validated and will likely increase if same sex marriage is approved. Homosexual supporters may say, â€Å"It isn’t hurting anyone† When in theory it is hurting everyone. They could also say something along the lines of â€Å" If I want to behave a certain way, it is my right† when It may be your right, but that does not mean society as a whole is going to endorse and support your choices. Homosexuality will tear this country apart. Hurting our generations to come by indoctrinating our children and our children’s children, but also hurt you and our country as a whole. Alex Snyder 10/7/12 C. Dowling Engl. 100 Gay Marriage: A 21st Century Prejudice Isn’t it good for society to have couples that are in love and are committed to one another regardless of sexual orientation? Furthermore people who love one another create good in there own lives and for people around them. For example I have had the rare opportunity to have two gay couples in my family. My great uncle Bill and his boyfriend uncle Paul were in love and together for over 40 years. They were monogamous and married in their hearts and minds for over 40 years. They taught my siblings, my cousins and I how to sail, cook and love your partner unconditionally through the good times and the bad times. They could never legally be married. The unfortunate consequence of the two never being able to marry occurred when my uncle Bill died this year. Our uncle Paul is unable to support himself because unlike a wife he cannot receive his partner social security benefits and veteran health insurance benefits even though he cared for our uncle Bill for 10 years when he was a quadriplegic. Another example is my step cousin Sylvia and her partner Katherine. They have been together for 20 years. They live in Vermont. They were able to get married. They now have 2 children. Katherine and Sylvia are protected legally and financially through their marriage. They love each other and are committed to being each other’s spouse and being loving parents to their two heterosexual children. They love their children and will support their daughter and son to be the best citizens they can be. Their sexual preference is unimportant. These couples are two examples of how same-sex marriage can be successful. So is necessary to protect the partner if death or illness occurs. For example if a gay person is hospitalized and they are not married to their partner. Their partner is not allowed in the hospital room because they are not family. If their partner dies and they are not married they cannot receive their partners social security benefits but a legal spouse can receive their husband or wife’s benefits. This unequal playing field is sad and emotionally unappealing. With the divorce rate being over 60% and with the suicide rate being so high there should be absolutely no shame or judgment in being with the person you truly love. I might sound like a romanticist yet it may make the world a happier place with everyone being so equal and on the same ground, giving way for more tolerance and love to be expressed.

American Foreign Policy 1900-2000 Free Essay Example, 1500 words

This war and the trappings of empire that the United States was able to acquire towards the end of the nineteenth century acted as the catalysts that brought about changes in the organization of the military services. The overseas dependencies, such as the Philippines, that the United States had acquired made the coordination of the Army and the Navy policy a priority in a manner that it had not been since when the civil war had taken place. In 1903 the Secretary of war and the secretary of the navy issued a joint order that brought into being the joint Army Navy Board that was general referred to as the Joint Board which had eight members originally where four came from the Navy’s General Board while the rest came from the Army’s newly developed General staff. The military departments and the State Department had a lot of interaction during the interwar years even though the development of the formal coordination was not even. Therefore, as from 1922, particular offic ers from the State Department started attending courses and delivering lectures to the army and the Navy war colleges. We will write a custom essay sample on American Foreign Policy: 1900-2000 or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Later on in 1935, the then Secretary of State Cordell Hull granted a joint board request by designating a Far East expert to sit with the Joint Planning Committee so that the United States military position in the Far East could be reviewed. The key development that has taken place in the history of the United States apart from the American Revolution is the change away from non-interventionism that occurred prior to and after the First World War and also the development to become a world power and also a worldwide authority. At the turn of the nineteenth century, the United States foreign policy was characterized by a change away from the realist school to the Wilsonian school of international relations. Two world wars took place between 1900 and 2000 in which the United States and the countries that were allied to it emerged victorious and therefore increased the reputation that they had internationally. The Wilsonianism program that was developed by President Wilson was an idea that encompassed the Fourteen Points whose primary goals were to spread democracy and challenge militarism so that wars could come to an end and this became the root of the German surrender and Paris peace Conference that took place in 1919. The treaty of Versailles that came out of it showed conformity that was not sufficient with Wilson’s fourteen points and this made the United States to have specific treaties for particular nations.