American Government Unit 6 – Economic and Public Issues

Introduction Objective: Students will evaluate roles and policies the United States government has assumed regarding public issues. Warm-Up: What is this black box and why do we have them? What does censorship mean? Denying access to or removing information considered morally, politically, or otherwise objectionable.

 Now that we know what it means to be censored, why would the government censor things? Examples?

Regulatory Agencies The meat would be shoveled into carts, and the man who did the shoveling would not trouble to lift out a rat even when he saw one—there were things that went into the sausage in comparison with which a poisoned rat was a tidbit. There was no place for the men to wash their hands before they ate their dinner, and so they made a practice of washing them in the water that was to be ladled into the sausage….Under the system of rigid economy which the packers enforced, there were some jobs that it only paid to do once in a long time, and among these was the cleaning out of the waste barrels. Every spring they did it; and in the barrels would be dirt and rust and old nails and stale water—and cartload after cartload of it would be taken up and dumped into the hoppers with fresh meat, and sent out to the public's breakfast. Upton Sinclair – The Jungle (1904) Sinclair’s book prompted change in the food industry. Why did the government have to step in? How would the government regulate and assure that all food that came out of factories was eatable?

 What is the primary purpose of agencies like the FDA, FCC, FAA, EPA, FTC, and FBI. To PROTECT the public  What are some examples of PROGRAMS that assist people? Can you name any?

Vocabulary  Public Assistance Programs: government programs that distribute money to poor people  Social Insurance Programs: government programs designed to help elderly, ill, and unemployed citizens

The Preamble promises that the government will “promote the general welfare.” One way that the government promotes the general welfare is through public policy. Public policy begins with the people whose interests, problems, and concerns are addressed by government. These programs are in areas such as entitlements, environment, health, equity, censorship, and crime prevention.  Entitlements: Government programs designed to help elderly, ill and unemployed citizens such as Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and veterans’ benefits “To Promote the General Welfare”

Social Security Workers and their employers each pay 6.2 percent on earnings of up to $80,400 into the federal Social Security fund. One out of every six people receive Social Security Benefits. Social Security provides: Retirement benefits to more than 28 million retired workers. Reduced benefits are payable at age 62; full benefits are payable at 65 and 5 months. Disability benefits to more than 5 million disabled workers with a severe physical or mental impairment that is expected to prevent them from doing “substantial” work for a year or who have a condition that is expected to result in death. Family benefits to about 3 million spouses and almost 2 million children of retired and disabled workers. Survivors benefits to more than 7 million survivors of deceased workers, including nearly 2 million children.

Health Care  Welfare: governmental provision of economic assistance to persons in need  Medicaid: jointly funded by state govt. & federal govt.; a program for individuals and families with low income and resources.  Medicare: A social program that helps paymedical care for the elderly; A law requiringworkers and employers to pay a tax

Let’s Start With Definitions Smart Growth is well-planned development that keeps tax dollars in our communities and provides more choices for our families. Sprawl is irresponsible development that takes our tax dollars away from our community and destroys farmland and open space.

What Smart Growth “Is” And “Is Not” More transportation choices and less traffic Not against cars and roads Vibrant cities, suburbs, and towns Not anti-suburban Wider variety of housing choices Not about telling people where or how to live Well-planned growth that improves quality-of-life Not against growth

Economics Transportation budgets are larger than food budgets Equity Families are finding fewer choices in housing styles, price ranges, and neighborhoods Engagement People have less and less time for involvement in their children’s schools or other civic activities Environment Air and water pollution are threatening human health Why Do So Many Families Care?

Encourages participation in civic life and supports healthier and more active residents of all ages Encourages more affordable housing and creates better choices in transportation and housing Succeeds economically and attracts businesses and a skilled workforce Causes less air and water pollution, and destroys fewer farms and open space Why Does Smart Growth Work Better? E nvironment E conomy E quity E ngagement

Sprawl Vs. Smart Growth

Sprawl Creates Traffic Congestion Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

We’re Driving Ourselves Crazy Number of miles we drive 25% increase in last 10 years Time we spend in traffic 236% increase since 1982 Money lost in time and fuel $78 billion in 2000

Everything is a Drive Away Home School Shops Workplace Recreation Suburban mothers spend 17 full days a year behind the wheel, more than the average parent spends dressing, bathing and feeding a child Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project Source: Surface Transportation Policy Project Soccer Moms Become Cab Driver Moms

Why Do People Prefer Smarter Growth? Smart Growth Provides More Transportation Choices

Sprawl Provides Few or No Options for Pedestrians and Cyclists Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Smart Growth Provides Safe Places to Walk, Bicycle and Tricycle Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Sprawl Destroys Farmland Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth? Between , the U.S. lost an average of 45.7 acres of farmland per hour, every day. 4,000,000 acres in total! Source: American Farmland Trust

Smart Growth Allows Farmers and Communities to Save Farmland Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Sprawl Consumes Open Space Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Smart Growth Creates Parks and Preserves Open Space Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Smart Growth Costs Less Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth? Roads Utilities Schools 25% less 15% less 5% less 5% less Source: Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Alternative Land Use Patterns, by Robert Burchell, Rutgers University

In 1997, approximately 113 million people lived in counties that had unhealthy air quality Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Sprawl Pollutes the Environment and Harms Public Health Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Smart Growth Protects the Health of People and the Environment Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Sprawl Takes Resources Away from Our Communities Why Do People Prefer Smart Growth?

Smart Growth Achieves the Right Balance Smart Growth Enhances Our Communities

More Families Are Choosing Smart Growth Smart Growth is on a Roll Across the Nation