New Deal

3/19/2012

Read the following background information on the New Deal and respond to the prompt below:

The nation needed immediate relief, recovery from economic collapse, and reform to avoid future depressions, so relief, recovery and reform became Franklin D. Roosevelt's goals when he took the helm as president. At his side stood a Democratic Congress, prepared to enact the measures carved out by a group of his closest advisors — dubbed the “Brain Trust” by reporters. One recurring theme in the recovery plan was Roosevelt’s pledge to help the “forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid.”

The term New Deal was coined during Franklin Roosevelt’s 1932 Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech, when he said, "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people." Roosevelt summarized the New Deal as a "use of the authority of government as an organized form of self-help for all classes and groups and sections of our country."

At his inauguration in March 1933, Roosevelt declared in his lilting style, "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is, fear itself — needless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." In his first 99 days, he proposed, and Congress swiftly enacted, an ambitious "New Deal" to deliver relief to the unemployed and those in danger of losing farms and homes, recovery to agriculture and business, and reform, notably through the inception of the vast Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The New Deal effects would take time; some 13,000,000 people were out of work by March 1933, and virtually every bank was shuttered. (Source: u-s-history.com)

As you can see, the New Deal was created to provide relief to those who were unemployed, in danger of losing their homes or farms, or suffering in other ways due to the Great Depression. Think about some of the issues that our society is dealing with today (unemployment, homelessness, corruption and greed in business, unequal distribution of wealth, immigration, etc.) and come up with a new federal agency to address the problem.

- First, describe the problem and why the federal government (not local or state gov't, and not private business or charities) should be the one to resolve this problem.
- Next, describe the federal program you would like to create, name it and write the acronym for it (see above example: TVA).
- Then, explain how this program will help with the problem and where the funding will come from (ex. taxes, increasing national debt, etc.).
- Finally, anticipate and describe who might have a problem with your new agency, why, and what you can do to allay their fears.
***BE CREATIVE and SPECIFIC - Roosevelt not only created jobs programs, regulatory agencies, etc., he also created cultural programs to improve and promote the arts while creating jobs.***

157 Comments

Lyle Heidenfelder

3/19/2012 09:47:35 am

Unemployment is a large problem in today’s society. Unemployment levels are above 10%, and this number would be higher if we counted everyone who is unemployed and everyone who wants to be working full-time, but is only working part-time. The federal government is the only one that could solve this problem. Businesses only care about making money, and if they aren’t making any money, they can’t hire anyone.

If I were to solve this problem, I would create a federal program in which the government would pay for new charities to start. If someone wanted to start a charity, they could apply to the government for funding, and the charities selected would be given money. The government would choose to start charities that created a number of new jobs in the U.S. For example, some of them could be cleaning up beaches, raising money to find a cure for cancer, or funding artists. The name of the program would be A.I.D., which stands for Americans in Development.

This would solve the unemployment problem by giving a lot of people jobs. The funding will come from increasing taxes on people that earn more than a million dollars a year. The people that will have a problem with this are mostly the people that earn more than a million a year. It wouldn’t matter too much what they thought because they only make up not even 1% of the population.

Vanessa Schnurer

3/19/2012 02:01:58 pm

I think its a great idea for the government to create charities. This will help to open up new jobs for people who are out of work or need extra working hours. Another great thing about your federal charity program is that the program will be helping the environment and it will help to find cures to things such as cancer. Yes, this would definitely solve the unemployment problem by a lot. Sure businesses care greatly about making money, but can you really blame them? They are after all people who are trying to make a living just like everyone else. Yes, its also true that if a businesses is not making money than they wont hire people. But you cant put all of the blame on the business, we also have to consider the fact that the reason why a business isn't making enough money is because it doesn't have enough consumers, meaning ordinary people who purchase goods. Overall, the A. I.D. Program would not only help the people but help the environment too.

Jasmyne Miller

3/20/2012 10:03:40 am

I agree with you, Lyle. It is tremendous the amount of people unemployed and our government needs to step up and fix it. I understand economic times are tough and people don’t want to hire anyone to their businesses because they can’t afford it, so this is where the government needs to step in and create jobs that need to be hired. If we find a way to put more money into circulation our economy will boost, but until then we need agencies like yours to help the unemployed. Also the fact that you want to open charities for the jobs we need is even better. It benefits two things, people who are unemployed and a good cause. Clean beaches and employed citizens is always a good combination, I feel the government actually found a way to work this out it could be very beneficial for our economy and our ecosystem.

Jack Alldredge

3/21/2012 04:56:04 pm

I actually agree with you Jasmyne, healthcare is an important aspect to our economy. Trying to reestablish a broken healthcare system is difficult and Obama is receiving a lot of criticism on his health care plan while unnecessary military expenditures are at 3 trillion and health care expenditures are only at 1 trillion. I watched a show that was on at 8 on Monday night when I was at my grandparent’s house for dinner on other nations’ healthcare systems. It followed this one man who was an expert in healthcare from his first hand experiences in traveling and studying foreign nations’ healthcare. I only caught a brief segment of the show but most time I was watching it, he was focused on Germany’s healthcare system and its relative prosperity. He said that an important problem with our nation is that too many people in our nation who have healthcare are spending money on too many unnecessary drugs. These drugs are large name- brands with a sleek look with a whopping price tag when there are many good generic equivalents. Advertisement manipulates consumers into buying the more expensive drug and causing a higher demand in hospitals. Americans are also pushing for doctors to prescribe them drugs when no drug is really necessary. The constant purchasing of expensive name-brand drugs raises the cost of healthcare and causes the consumer to lose money as well. Jasmyne although towards the end of your blog it gets a little contradicting I like your focus on healthcare I think it is important to have a functioning healthcare system in a leading world nation.

Chase Fischer

3/21/2012 01:08:26 pm

for the record, unemployment is not above 10% right now. Its at about 8.3% i beleive.

josh kessell

3/21/2012 01:18:57 pm

well said chase.

Jack A

3/21/2012 04:27:48 pm

Your clarification is appreciated chase

Lyle Heidenfelder

3/22/2012 07:07:54 am

http://blog.american.com/2012/03/the-real-unemployment-rate-its-sure-isnt-8-3/

carson cavner

3/26/2012 06:19:18 am

but if you increase taxes on the weathly, you bring down peoples drive to become wealthy, and plus if you just hand out money to people, then there will be people who abuse this system, so this could in fact be detrimental to our society, and the founding fathers created a limited government, and this is only increasing governments grip on society.

patrick powell

4/25/2012 12:59:57 pm

I would have to disagree with Lyle because giving people money to do what ever they want does not seem like a good idea. People now days just seem to waste away money that is given to them. Like unemployment checks. I dont know why the government it paying people to sit on there butts and do nothing. We should be paying the people with jobs and this would make people want to find a job. So giving people money is not a great solution to the problem.

Heidi Garbers

5/31/2012 04:41:04 pm

Lyle is right when she says unemployment is about 10% and that the number is just getting highter and that if we counted everyone who is unemployed and eberyone who wants to be working full time but is only working part time. America seems to be going on a downward spiral with how low the employment rate is. and its sad to think that were one of the top countries in the world but we care about whats going on in other countries then we do with our own. Its time America starting paying attention to America.

Kyle Cottrell

3/19/2012 12:13:28 pm

A major problem is how they will be able to afford to give "relief" to the unemployed. There were so many people who didn't have jobs that it would make very difficult to provide them all with enough to get alone. They should try to get people more jobs, but this is hard because no one wants to hire anyone during this time period. The federal government has a lot of other problems that they were trying to deal with, so they probably wouldn't be putting a lot of their effort into fixing it.

If i could create a federal program i would make a program that would provide people with housing. I would set up huge houses that would give each family a room where they would be protected by any weather or anything else that could be a danger to them outside. I would call it H. P.P. it stands for homeless protection program.

To get the funding i think that i would have charity, but also tax people who made a lot of money so that we wouldn't be taxing the people who can't pay the taxes. I know that the rich would probably hate me, but i would all be for the best.

As i said before. i think that the people that i am taxing will hate me. and i think that people wouldn't like me changing a lot of rules. But i know that mist of the people that i am trying to help would like me because they would have housing now.

Carelen Camero

3/19/2012 01:13:13 pm

Kyle, my federal program is alligning with your federal program to create jobs. Thought you'd like to know ;)

Rosa Flores

3/20/2012 04:28:58 am

Kyle, I really like your program because it would help people out tremendously and even if they didn't have a job, they would still have a place to live, so it wouldn't be as hard for them to live each day! I think it would be awesome if we had that program today because everyone who was homeless would be able to live a way better life.

cory noonan

3/19/2012 12:25:15 pm

in todays society, people have trouble with spending money on stupid things. the government also has this issue. the government spends too much money on things some people find not to be a good use of money. one thing i think that the government spends to much on is social things. its ridiculous that 1.8 million of U.S. taxpayer dollars went for a "museum of neon signs" in Las Vegas, Nevada.

if i were to solve this issue, i would create a system to make sure that groups of people could all agree on where the money is suppose to go and where it should and should not go. my creation would be called "american financial distribution" or A.F.D. the idea is just like checks and balances system, but instead of laws, it would be money.

Aurora Roberts

3/20/2012 12:09:52 pm

I like this agency and i totally agree with Cory, people do waste there money on stupid things they really don`t need. And i think your tax money is going to the most random things that again we honestly dont need in the world. It is like why do we need a new museum in Nevada when we have so many around.

Brad power

3/22/2012 12:05:21 pm

I think you idea about an agency that puts tax payers money to good use sounds pretty good. When I start paying taxes, I definitely do not want that money going to a museum filled with neon lights. If tax payers could see exactly what that money was being used for, I bet we would have a lot of angry citizens. In about 20 years I hope you will have set up such an agency, and I won't have to worry about my tax dollars going to museums in Las Vegas.

Carelen Camero

3/19/2012 01:17:09 pm

The federal government needed to be the one to solve the issues of the Great Depression because it was the entire nation being affected. It couldn't be on just state or local levels because it wasn't just a state or local problem. It was the country's problem. It also would have been difficult for private businesses or charities to deal with because it was such a large scale problem.

Hmm.... If I were going to create a federal program, I would align with Kyle Cottrell and create the business of the people that build houses for Kyle's homeless people. We'd pay construction workers, glass makers, etc. etc. etc. as well as craftsmen to build furniture for the new houses. I would call it: That Awesome Group of Builders or TAGOB

The rich people that got mad at Kyle would be mad at me too, but I'm thinking that's his problem at this point. Some already formed businesses that were construction workers, etc. might also be a little upset because now there is competition, but hey, this is a free market and I can compete all I want! Who knows, we might even be able to trade together and help each other out in this perfect little scenario world.

Lexy Perez

3/22/2012 01:31:06 pm

Carelen, your blogs posts never cease to amuse me. I think that "That Awesome Group of Builder" or TAGOB is a very good idea. A problem would be where are you going to get the money from and how do you chose which homeless people to make homes for and also how would you prevent non-homeless people from taking part in your program and would the homeless people be able to sell the houses. Sorry to rain on your parade I just feel like it, muwhahaha. Good luck with your group of the awesome building people and the homeless people.

Vanessa Schnurer

3/19/2012 01:31:42 pm

Today our *society* is dealing with the problem of unequal distribution of wealth. The government should resolve this problem because the people cant do this on their own. They need the power of the government to *do it for them*.

The federal program that I would like to create is called Equal Distribution of Wealth, also known as: EDOW.

This program will take money away from the rich and give it to the poor because the poor people within the nation have feelings of jealousy towards those who actually put fourth the effort and work for their money. More specifically, the funding will come from the higher class paying a greater percentage of taxes than the lower class.

It is quite obvious to see that the higher class, or richer class will have an extremely great problem with this federal program. This is because the richer class will be having to give up great amounts of their wealth to a group of people who don't want to *work* for their *own* money. The richer class will find this unfair and silly because the federal program EDOW is (in the end) encouraging laziness within the nation which *will* lead to corruption.
To allay their fears, the federal program Equal Distribution of Wealth will reassure the upper class that this is for the good of the country. EDOW will tell the upper class that they're only being *fair* (which is ironic).

Carson Cavner

4/11/2012 06:02:26 am

This would be the absolute worst thing for our country. Because it is a socialist\communist ideal, and communism DOESN'T WORK on a large scale, because people will say why be a doctor or lawyer or a job of that sort when you make the exact same as someone who just sweeps floors at a warehouse. And how would you feel if the government siezed you hard earned money and told you that they were just go to give it away to someone, chances are you would not be to happy. And, you are punishing people who are actually sucessful and just like communism, people are not going to try because why even try to make and inovation if the government is going to take the rewards.

Luke Kullberg

3/19/2012 03:00:06 pm

The federal government should be the one to solve this problem, not local or state governments. The reason for this is because this isn’t a tiny issue, it is an issue as a whole and the entire country is dealing with it. Its way to big of an issue for only one tiny government to handle. They wouldn’t be able to fix it long term.

The federal program I would like to create would be called FFUPA. Fight For United Political Assistance. I would call it FFUPA because it is an appealing name and it would be to join the people together to assist the government in trying to solve our economic problems.

The funding for this organization would be free... I believe this organization will have the people and the tools to save or economy by cutting unnecessary things and turning this country around. It can be done!

I believe a lot upper class people would have a problem with this because they would feel it was pointless and wouldn’t affect them. They probably wouldn’t want to make the effort in trying to better other people lives by making there’s less comfortable.

David Bodkin

3/20/2012 03:01:33 am

I agree with luke on why the federal government should solve this pproblem. I also like his idea to create the FFUPA. The idea of joining people together is a good idea and would help brin comminuties together during a time with a lot of hardship.

Jake Finley

3/20/2012 11:04:32 am

I like Lukes group on trying to solve our economic problems because our economy has been down the last few years and is starting to finally climb out of the recession we were in. The FFUPA is also a good idea as a group because it would bring people closer and make people work together to get things done. It would also be a good thing if the funding for the organization was free.

David Bodkin

3/20/2012 02:59:12 am

The federal government should be the one to reslove this problem because it has to do with the whole country, and not just one particular area.

The program i would like to create would be the WFV, or work for veterans. This group would help those who risked their life and lost their jobs at home while they were out fighting for our country. The program would help created jobs and give vvetrans jobs.

People who are unemplyed might have a problem becasue veterans are finding work faster and esier. i would tell them that if they has served their country that they could have the same benefits.

Chuckie Eaton

3/22/2012 05:03:40 am

I agree with Davids ideas but I also believe we need to have some limits. although the veterens have risked their lives, and everything they own some of them go completely crazy after war. Most people cannot handle war alot of people who fought in Vietnam came back diffrent men then they left. Also they normal ones who can still hold down a solid work enviornment should be able to work. Maybe the normal ones could pick out who can work and who can't? I like davids ideas and therefore we would need it.

Luke Kullberg

3/22/2012 11:55:29 am

I agree with D-bods because Work for Veterans seems like a very logical way to help people in America today. There are many veterans today that are jobless and may even be disabled because they risked their lives fighting for our country. I do not think it is far that war veterans don't have extra benefits. I also agree with him when he said other unemployed might have a problem with WFV because they would possibly think it is unfair.

cory noonan

4/21/2012 07:58:30 am

i totally agree with you david. i fell the same way you do. veterans have risked their lives for people in their country and should be given a free job if they want one. i think the wfv would be successful if it was a real organization. i think this would be totally fair after seeing what they have done for their country.

Rosa Flores

3/20/2012 04:23:28 am

I think the unemployment rate was one of the biggest problems during the Great Depression. So many people needed jobs but there were only so many spots available. The federal government should’ve been able to create many more beneficial programs to aid all of these people who desperately needed jobs.

If I were to make my own federal program I would call it the End Of Unemployment (EOU). It would help people find a job so they can become financially stable. We would go around and give a few speeches to try and persuade people to donate to our cause. We would also have fundraisers that would easily attract crowds.

I think the successful working class would oppose of my program because if there are more workers than they would get paid less and in those times it was really important to get paid as much as possible since times were really hard.

Alisha Keeter

3/21/2012 09:21:19 am

I agree with Rosa when she says I think the successful working class would oppose of my program because if there are more workers than they would get paid less and in those times it was really important to get paid as much as possible since times were really hard" I think that is completely true. That all people would be seeing about your program is what is be taken away from them rather than what they are doing by helping them, Sadly its like that for a lot of things. we tend to think of ourselves before we think about anyone else. That is not always a bad thing but when it comes to helping someone is may be struggling trying to get by we should not be caring so much on how it is effecting us but rather how it is effecting them. And how something like the EOU can turns someones life around from and give them the support that they need,

Lexy Perez

3/20/2012 04:34:09 am

A major isssue in today's society is our lack of social, national and global awarness. There are issues all over the world that need our help but the first thing we have to be able to do to help them is to know about the problems and the people who need our help. There may be people suffering halfway acrosse the world or maybe as close as halfway acrosse town and we wouldn't be able to help because we don't know. Do we know the suffereing of the "untouchables" who live in Asia who are below the lowest of people that society has to offer? Do we know about all of the women and children how have been sold into slavery and are part of the sex trade? Once you here abouth these issues you want to do something about it. So to do something we need to be able to know the problems of our earth and the people of it.

This federal program would be called the Federal Awarness Association. The FAA will be responsible for educated the people about promblems, both social and physical. The FAA will also educate people about different illnesses or mental conditions of people so we can better include thoes people in our society. The FAA will also help people stand up for these issues and resolve them. This will make people get involed in the world.
The funding will have to come from non-profit organizations who are also helping these promblems and these people. The problems may be that people believe that our own problems are enough and we don't need to worry about anything else.

Megan Galloway

3/21/2012 12:01:53 pm

I really like this FAA you've created. I think it would definitely be beneficial to many. In fact, a good place for it to be as well would be the Middle East, where many women don't have any rights at all. I think it would also be very beneficial in Asia because of the untouchables, and the rest of the world.
I do believe sometimes our own problems should be resolved first, but I also believe that taking a step to the outside world may resolve our problems as well. :)

margarita Navarro

3/20/2012 09:52:48 am

One of the problems that America is facing is homelessness and the rising poverty; the federal government should be involved and help the effort to get them off the streets. The federal program to take action is the Homeless Recovery System (HRS); it will help the homeless get money to live. The requirements to receive aid from them is that within 2 months of becoming a member the member must have a job, they will receive $200 for food, $50 for leisure, and $500 to help with rent on top of the money they get from their job. Tax payers will provide the money needed to help fund this, 5 dollars for everyone’s paycheck. This will stir up some controversy because no one wants to give 5 dollars that they earned to help some random person from the street. Essentially it will help the community look better and then there won’t be people on the streets anymore.

Jasmine Espindola

3/20/2012 11:51:44 am

I do not agree with giving money to the homeless because I don't really think it would solve their problems. The majority of them are mentally ill and can't take care of themselves with things like Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc. After 1950 when the first anti psychotic drugs were introduced, there was a dramatic decline in the state and couny mental hospital population. In turn, many were left unable to care for themselves and therefore homeless. I think that if we want to deal with the homeless issue then we should aim for giving healthcare and treatment to these people not money they can spend because many are also recovering drug addicts and they would put the money to bad use.

bri wade

3/21/2012 01:49:17 pm

awesome post Margarita! homelessness is rising in Americaand its sad to see people like that on the streets because alot of them are ill and yeah some people have addictions and people criticise giving money to them for that. everyone has a struggle in life and its in peoples nature to help them or at least want to help them or wish they were better off. helping the homeless would be a great thing to do too because its kind and generous. everyone, including the homeless deserves to be happy and loved in life, not out casted and looked down upon.

Jasmyne Miller

3/20/2012 09:56:43 am

My problem with our government is health care. I find it unfair that we live in this country, pay taxes, and abide by the laws, yet can still be turned down at hospitals because we can’t afford health care or because we can’t afford the help we need and are billed hundreds of dollars for stiches with insurance. I feel every citizens has the right to complete health care considering we pay money to fund the war and not everyone agrees on that, when I’m pretty sure no one would turn down free health care. I would like to create the Americans Health Care Act (AHCA). This program will never leave another person going years without cancer screening because they can’t afford it, or another person leaving their health to deteriorate because they can’t afford it. We shouldn’t increase our national debt, yet increase taxes a tad. The difference between extra taxes we have to pay compared to what normal health care costs is so outstanding it would be benefit everyone. People who pay a lot of taxes may have a problem with it, but then they aren’t realizing that they wouldn’t have to pay so much a year. This would mostly be people who can easily afford health care.

Ashley Cotten

3/20/2012 10:30:09 am

I liked your response because I also agree that no one should be turned down healthcare if they're paying taxes and obeying the law, etc. Paying hospital bills has put many people in bad situations, and it's awful that there are cases were people chose between tuition or hospital bills if they're ill. I like how you mentioned that people sometimes have to leave their health to deteriorate due to not being able to afford healthcare. Healthcare is a tricky issue, but I think we need to create a better system on how we deal with payment.

Sarah Rigoli

3/20/2012 12:49:41 pm

I liked your comments a lot because so many people are urging for a better system of healthcare and if so many people are urging for that why is it that it still turns people down? It does not make sense what so ever

Jack Alldredge

3/21/2012 11:27:46 pm

carson cavner

4/11/2012 06:06:00 am

yes there is unnessary millitary spending, but last time i checked, we at war with a enemy that has no borders and would like nothing more than to slaughter every single United States citizen.

Ashley Cotten

3/20/2012 10:24:49 am

An issue as vast as skyrocketing unemployment rates, uneven distribution of wealth, and widespread corruption, are not problems that can be solved by just the people themselves or state governments. The federal government, a bigger power, is needed to deal with problems that affect the masses of society. I believe we are headed for disaster if we don't change our current ways. Let me state that it is unfair that people are out of work, because how can we expect people to keep a decent standard of living if they can't make an income? If you chose not to work and expect the government to take care of you, your in for a rough road. We can't always expect money to be handed to us, no one ever got anywhere without working hard (except the Kardashians). In order for our society to prosper we must make sure everyone who needs a job, gets a job. Equal opportunity for those who want to contribute to society and sustain themselves is my top priority.

If I were to create a program to help with these issues, it would be called the E.Q.C.S (Equal opportunity for those who want to contribute to society). It's not right that people are getting laid off and put out of work. This puts great stress on our society, and weakens the economy. Another issue my program would address is the corruption of the welfare program. I don't think we should be handing out money to people who abuse it. Welfare has put us in great debt (along with many other programs in the U.S). Money is way too often put into the hands of people who don't deserve it, or who use it for bad. I'd also address the corruption in Congress, and in our government as a whole. I don't trust all those old rich white guys to be running my country and making decisions that will affect my future. Our funding will come from tax payers money, and I can assure you it wont go to waste (like that congress men's private yacht) We will spend with great caution and never put ourselves into such great debt. Obviously there will be people angry at my organization. Those who are choosing not to work, living off of government issued food, housing, etc will probably be angry that their supplies will be cut if they continue to refuse to contribute. Unless you're living off the land, our tax payers money shouldn't be given to those who don't work. I am not that great with economy/politics so forgive me if this offends anyone or doesn't make sense.

Jake Finley

3/20/2012 11:01:01 am

The Federal Government should get involved when it comes to larger problems that affect more than one little area. They deal with problems that affect our whole nation. The Federal government is just a bigger and more powerful force that can get these kinds of things done.
One group I would make would be about putting more restrictions on illegal immigrants trying to cross over from Mexico. It would be called Lii. Limit Illegal Immigrants would be the name. This group will put more focus on the border and ways to limit illegal crossing into the U.S. It will also help Mexico fight its problems so not as many people would be wanting to come over. We could get the money from taxes.
Some people that wouldn't like the idea of the group would be job owners that hire illegal immigrants because they might accept lower paying wages that other people.

Carlos Montes

3/20/2012 12:16:10 pm

I totally, but somewhat respectfully, disagree with Jake. First of all, small businesses hire illegal immigrants because they are cheaper labor and they work harder. If illegal immigration was stopped all together, these small businesses would have a tougher time getting by and they could end up closing down, only driving the economy farther down. Also, it would cost the US government even more money on hiring Border Patrol agents to enforce the security at the border, money that the US does not currently have. Not to mention, a stop to illegal immigration would make the Border Patrol Useless, meaning jobs would be lost that are associated with the Border Patrol (approximately 30,000 people work in the Border Patrol). Last, but definitely not least: Illegal Immigrants make up 10 percent of the workforce in California. They do the jobs that no American would want to do because they think they are too good for them. But if you want to work on the farms for fourteen hours a day, six days a week getting paid less than two hundred dollars a week, be my guest.

colton cavner

3/21/2012 03:06:52 am

i agree with jake and disagree with carlos.i agree that illegal immigration is a problem. they are commiting a crime by coming into this country ILLEGALY. but carlos the reason people are working in the fields for 14 hours and making less than 200 dollars a week is because they want to do that.

Jasmine Espindola

3/21/2012 01:42:57 pm

People that work like that do it because they are hard working individuals and they currently provide the food you are eating. Without them, the price of food would increase dramatically and there would be a lot of issues with farm owners not having enough workers because tha Americans who would take the jobs would demand better conditions and better wages and that would lead to higher prices and middle class families having to cutt down more on food. America depends on these people and without them, it wouldn't be the great country it is today.

Carlos Montes

3/26/2012 11:51:03 am

if this worked like facebook, i would like jasmine's comment

Jasmine Espindola

3/20/2012 11:34:22 am

The problem society has now that should be fixed by federal government is education. This is an issue that should be solved by the main government because this is an issue that determines the future of our country. I think that if the education system were to be reformed, then maybe there might be more people that deserve to be at the top of society for being educated versus people that only are rich and at the top for stupid things (Paris Hilton, Bristol Palin, Kate Goselin “John and Kate plus 8”,Snooki, The Kardashians, etc.). I think that the current budget cuts on education should not be in place because that is the one area I think we should actually focus on making better and investing more of our money on the future professionals that will lead our country.
The Federal program should be called Education for Everyone or EFE. This should make everyone who wants to study and be educated allowed to go to school and succeed. There has been a lot of talk in the senate about passing the Dream Act for kids who are undocumented and doing good in school but it hasn’t passed. This program should work to pass the Dream Act because it would make more people that are capable of great things be able to go further in their education and then help improve our society. This has been shown recently with a girl (Daniela Pelaez) who is Valedictorian of her school and with a 6.7 GPA. People like this who were brought to the country by their parents when they were really young and have good grades should have the opportunity to study and make something more of themselves.
This program wouldn’t need much funding because it would be composed of people who want the Dream Act to pass and form petitions and things like that willingly. Once this law is passed, the organization with people who want to continue to improve the system would run off of the general public’s donations.
People who would have a problem with this agency are Nativists and people who believe that the US should get rid of immigrants. To allay their fears, we would show them that if people are allowed to have a higher education, then it is shown that they are less probable of committing any crime so that would drop the crime rate of immigrants significantly. It would also only benefit America because like in World War 2 where immigrants that were professionals of any race were admitted right away into the US (and thus we got Einstein and many more brains), the US would have a greater pool of intelligence and talents that would put America higher on the list of educated countries.

Jocelyn Melendez

3/20/2012 12:10:27 pm

I really liked Jasmine’s plan because it is very irritating to find out that people who are famous for stupid things as she said being paid egregious amounts of money. I think I heard that Snooki gets paid 100K per episode, which is frankly a waste of money, she doesn’t work for it besides partying and drinking. And she would do that on her own anyways, so why reward such behavior with such a high paycheck? There are many hardworking Americans who are earning significantly less per year, than Snooki gets paid for an episode. So I really liked the idea of passing EFE, because if we allow education for everyone no matter where they are from, it can only help our country. After all, education is a choice, people can drop out of high school, or graduate from university, so I think that education should also be a choice for people who aren’t documented yet. Especially when they show such talent, like Daniela Pelaez, who has a 6.7 GPA which is extremely impressive.

Jocelyn Melendez

3/20/2012 11:58:26 am

Health care is the issue I’d want to address if I were going to make a federal program to better the current situation. It wouldn’t necessarily help the economy but it would keep the ill alive during these hard times. I thought it would be a good issue to address because as we’ve seen in many cases in history when people begin to live in close quarters for whatever the reason, their environment tends to deteriorate and sicknesses spread much quicker. However, in this economy, paying for medical care is not an easy thing, and medical insurance doesn’t approve everything if the people even have it.
With my new program, National Medical Care, or NMC for short, all Americans would have a chance at getting the medical attention they need. This plan would only cover mandatory surgeries, along with check ups and any tests that are needed. This will help our current problem because if all Americans have access to medical care early on in their sicknesses, the treatment will be able to take effect quicker and most likely prevent the conditioning from worsening. This will also create new jobs because we’d need people to work for the NMC, to keep things organized and running smoothly. The funding will come from taxes, there would be a slight increase to everyone because it would benefit everyone’s health.
I think extremely right winged people will have a problem with my plan because they believe in very little government interference, but my plan is proposing that the government take care of everyone’s medical care. I’m not sure there’s much I can do to allay their fears because they believe less government interference makes a successful nation, but medical care makes a healthy nation.

Claire Purvis

3/20/2012 01:02:01 pm

I agree with you Jocelyn, but would approach the problem a little bit differently. I agree that paying for medical care is not an easy thing. This is true especially since many people make poor choices, which affect their health like poor nutritional habits, smoking, drinking and not exercising. Our health care costs are spiraling out of control and those who make the worst choices with their health often cost the system the most. I do believe everyone is entitled to basic health care but the emphasis should be on spending money to prevent disease and promote health. Instead of paying for surgery and medications, an agency that provides nutritional guidance, exercise programs, stress reduction and quit smoking programs would be a much better solution and use of the government’s money. In addition, once people start to make better lifestyle choices, health problems will decrease and adults will set a positive example for future generations. It doesn’t seem fair that our government would pay for health care for people who don’t even care about their health.

Bailee Davis

3/21/2012 09:49:02 am

Jocelyn, I really like your idea. Everyone, no matter who you are, at some point in your life will need medical care. Like you said, many people can't afford it but really need it. With this new program, instead of millions of sick people, we could have millions of healthy people. The only problem I have with this is the money issue. To finance millions of people's medical surgeries would be so much money. I think that if people need very hard and time consuming surgeries, they should be put on a wait-list because the people already with the money to get these surgeries are waiting. On the other hand, having Medical Care for the simple things like check ups are perfect because no medicines are being used, it's strictly the doctor and the patient in a room, the only thing getting wasted is time.

JT Strabala

5/5/2012 12:52:21 am

I do not agree with Jocelyn, the idea of an overall federal health care that everyone is forced to use isn't a good idea. Mainly because it dosn't cover what you personally need, and also with one form of health care prices and taxes would skyrocket. The reason why it would not work is because if everyone joined this program, and because it is the only program, the federal government would raise the money needed for the program and because everyone had the same type of service

Carlos Montes

3/20/2012 12:03:23 pm

The United States is currently going through economic, political, social, and international hardships. These problems should not go unnoticed; fortunately, they are not. There is already a program or organization designed to deal with those kinds of problems. There would be no point in creating a program that just mimics the job of another. So, with the permission to be creative, I came up with a genius idea:

There is a surplus of extraordinary musical talent in the United States. When I walked down the streets of Chicago, there were at lest four musicians in every block, playing their insturments with their cases open before them with maybe ten dollars pathetically lying in the case. There are also tons of people in there basements on their laptop creating beautiful electronic music that will never be heard by the masses and their genius works of art would go to waste. These musical artists need a shot at being discovered, for they are unemployed and all the money in the musical media market is going only to mainstream artists like Pitbull, David Guetta, Drake and so on. I am not saying their music sucks or anything, I don't hate, but there is a lot of music out there for people to hear. That is why the federal government should create a program known as BASS (Board of Administration for Sick Sounds). This program would encourage radio stations with local talent to play local artists' music and reduce the amount of commercials. The radio stations would get more people to listen, the artists would be discovered, and the public could enjoy new artists' music without having to be hipsters by youtube searching for underground musical artists. Money will go into a wider stream of music, boosting spending, and overall helping the economy and helping record companies stay stable.

Kacie McBarron

3/21/2012 11:01:59 am

I like the idea of BASS the only problem I have with it is that they have many opportunities for undiscovered artists to be discovered. They have TV shows all the way to the artist just going to a coffee shop to ask to play their music. That's how many artists got their start. Kelly Clarkson was on American Idol, Lady Gaga was in a band that played in cafe, Justin Beaver (I'm aware of how I spelled it) was discovered on YouTube, even the Jonas Brothers got discover from one of them singing while they were getting a haircut. People who want to get discovered should go out and do what ever they can to get discovered. Also a group of people that would get upset would be deaf people, they can't hear what their music is going to, so why should they pay for it. It's a good idea but America needs to focus on bigger problems, instead of finding more celebrities.

nick beall

3/22/2012 12:18:12 pm

I agree with Carlos as he is right, people with musical talent need more attention as there aren’t many popular artists out there at the moment and it would be a good way to improve the economy. On the radio all you hear are the same ten songs being played over and over and when they come up with a new one it sounds almost the same. If we made a program for this search music would be a lot more popular, not that it’s not, and the economy would improve.

Aurora Roberts

3/20/2012 12:05:26 pm

I think one of the biggest issues in society today is homelessness and unemployment. There are so many people losing there jobs and houses because they cant afford to support themselves. They are just kicked out on to the street with nothing but the clothes on there backs. We have horrible economy and it needs to get better.
If i were to make a Federal program it would be called Homeless People System or (HPS), it would help give jobs to the people that need to most and it would give shelter to the people that have no where to live. I know we already have something like this but I think mine is way better. The government would help but taxing the rich or upper class citizens because they are just living there lives normally. Nothing would hurt them. I think the upper class citizens would have a problem with my agency because I am only taxing them and not anyone else. I would fix this problem by have increase in the money they give to us, we would pay it back over the years. I would allay there fears by giving them hope and actually caring.

Maddy Williamson

3/20/2012 12:25:07 pm

It is sad to think that unemployment is still such a large problem in todays world. The main issue is that people are having problems finding jobs and therefore enter poverty and homelessness. The federal needs to take control of fixing this issue! The federal government is much larger and much more powerful so they should take a stand to fix this continuing issue. By creating the new federal program Homes For the Unemployed (HFU). We could help people stay safely in shelters and help then find work so they can soon venture out on their own. This program will be beneficial because it will provide people with a place to stay as well as give them research and essentials to get their lives on track, and once people have enough saved and are pretty stable, the HFU will help find them homes. The funding for this program will come from tax money provided by those with well over average incomes. Many of the people who are being taxed that they work hard for their money and don't deserve to pay for others, but the fact is that if they have more than enough they shouldn't think twice about making a small donation to a great cause. This program would help our economy because more people would work and have money to spend.

Marlee May

3/21/2012 12:40:41 pm

I completely agree with you. If we have the opportunity, fundings and ability to help provide the homeless with life necessities like shelter, food, etc., then we should!

Josh Kessell

3/21/2012 01:40:44 pm

Maddy, I love you and your great but Im gonna make it rain on your blog post!
I only have a couple problems with your post. One, if you put homeless people and jobless people in homes for them to save money they wont have jobs first off so how are they going to save moeny, and also, if you just give something to someone they have no idea what its like to earn something and will probably end up doing drugs or stupid stuff in the loaner home while they should be saving money from their not job and getting help finding a job. to me, there would be no better motivation to get a job than being homeless. if you give someone a home, its like a vacation and they wont wanna get a job. and I have a problem with taxing the wealthy to help the poor. why would you take money from the people that work hard for an honest living and give it to the people who sit around and do drugs all day? Doesnt seem fair. and theres a reason they are homeless and jobless, they obvioulsy cant hold down a job or are pysco.
Again, Its just my opinion (facts) love you maddy!

Anna Bill

3/23/2012 02:25:37 pm

Maddy you said some great things! Unemployment has caused the problems on wallstreet with the Occupy movement. People are entitled to life, liberty and the persuit of happiness which is a part of having a job to support yourself. This is absolutely a federal problem.

nick beall

3/20/2012 12:32:46 pm

Today’s problems are very much the same as when Roosevelt was President. Many people are unemployed and people are losing their homes. A federal agency is needed because people and their states will only try to protect their own interest or make a profit for themselves from new laws. The new federal agency would be called “NG”, which stands for No Greed.
NG would provide jobs for the unemployed. It would make companies that are very profitable higher more unemployed people. Even companies like Apple that only hires the smartest people would be forced to hire unemployed people to take care of easy tasks. These tasks would be cleaning offices, gardening, cooking, etc. These people would be Apple employees and feel like part of the company. There would be no funding as Apple (and other companies) would be taxed less for the amount of unemployed people they hire each year. Also they would pay less tax based on how many people they hired. NG would increase the tax on companies that produce their products outside the US. If they produce in the US the taxes would be much less. This would force them to hire more people and buy more things in the US.
Some people would be against this new agency as it would make some companies less profitable but NG would show that in the long run it would benefit the country. More people would have jobs so they could buy more houses and the US would be competitive with the rest of the world.

Connor Morse

3/23/2012 02:47:16 pm

I respectfully disagree with Nick. If we made companies like Apple hire employees it would only make the situation worse. What if the government makes a small company that makes iphone cases hire five extra people? That's five salaries plus benefits that the company is now responsible for. Now because of the added expense of five employees the company does not have enough money for researching new products which if continues makes them eventually go out of business. Now you have the original employees plus 5 other people who now have no jobs instead of just 5 people without jobs. Now put that in a larger scale with a 100 new employes at Apple and an already bad economy and its a recipe for failure.

Claire Purvis

3/20/2012 12:43:25 pm

The problem is illegal immigration, especially in communities that are on the U.S. Mexican border. I believe that the Federal Government should be the one to solve this problem because it impacts many states and the Federal Government has a responsibility to secure our borders. A complete shutdown of the border between our two nations is probably not possible and a more controlled border could make it a beneficial process for Mexicans to enter the United States to work and contribute to our economy.

The program I would like to initiate would be the B2BA (Border to Border Agency). This agency would be responsible for registering and screening citizens from Mexico who want to pass through the border to work in the United States. By screening potential foreign employees, our country would be assured that these people were not criminals, ill, or dangerous in any way. The agency would also tax the income that is made by the employee in order to pay for the expenses of the agency.

This program would decrease the numbers of foreign citizens crossing our borders illegally. It would increase the potential worker pool, especially for those jobs that cannot be filled by Americans. It would not require paying a minimum wage or expensive health benefits. However, foreign employees must return on a daily basis.

Potential problems for this program include immigrants who initially qualify for the program, but don’t follow the rules. Immigrants who decide they want to stay in America and use it as an entrance strategy. Americans who can’t find jobs may have a problem with this program because immigrants take potential jobs away from them. However, the program would require immigrants to reapply to the program on an annual basis. At this time, immigrants would once again be screened for crimes, health and compliance with the guidelines of this program. In addition, the agency could have a listing of jobs that would be available to Americans first. It’s important to realize that we haven’t been able to stop illegal immigration, therefore we should attempt to control it.

Mollie Privett

3/20/2012 01:56:39 pm

Woah Claire we literally wrote about the same issue. Haha! Anyways, after reading your response I definitely agree with you on the potential problems for the program. While writing my response, I initially never thought about the potential problems that could occur from the immigrants themselves. The immigrants could choose to rebel and cause problems after they got assistance and possibly got a job. Even though I think most immigrants would applaud and honor the federal government by offering assitance (in my program's case), I can totally see how some of them would feel like they want to become independent again and do their own thing. They could cause problems by maybe not paying off their interest (in my program's case), or like Claire said, taking the jobs from American's themselves. Americans could also be people who would not agree with the program because they would be angered that possibly the jobs that they tried to get ended up hiring the immigrants instead. I also love how Claire said that we will never be able to stop illegal immigration so we should address it and attempt to control it. I thought that our government should also offer assistance and the program would set the immigrant up for their future. If Claire's program and my program could combined and work together, then the illegal immigration problem would definitely be fixed!!!!

Sarah Rigoli

3/20/2012 12:47:31 pm

I think the problem with society today is that we should take advice from our past and try to resolve the unemployment rate before we get ourselves into an even larger hole and end in a depression. Like FDR tried new things to solve the problems in the economy we should also try new things or learn from our past to try to resolve these things.
Like FDR created new jobs we should try to create new jobs as well. I know it would not be as fast but little steps would help even it helped a few citizens at a time. Overall I feel like we are trying as a nation but we are trying to resolve problems in the wrong areas.

We should try things like the HRS to help homeless and needy to find help. Also many of the people on the streets can not go to a shelter because of an addiction or mental problem and sometimes we say oh well thats their choice but many times that is not completely the truth. Addicts do not want to be addicts and need help stopping and we should try to help these american citizens and even veterans a second chance at getting their life on track. It is sad to think that the homeless are treated even worse than animals just because they are poor that is so ignorant and we need to find ways to help them as well.

Mollie Privett

3/20/2012 01:46:13 pm

In my opinion, illegal immigration is a dominant issue which the government needs to address in a different way. Thousands of immigrants from other countries tend to swarm to the United States in order for new life, prosperity, wealth, etc. When catching an illegal immigrant trying to enter our country, our government takes hostage of them and sends them back and away from our country. I think that most of these immigrants are just looking for better, new life. They could take the "legal" approach and register to become a citizen, but I think that either way our country shouldn't just push them away. Our federal government should offer help and programs for the immigrants. State governments could come up with separate rehabilitation and educational programs for the immigrants, but the federal government would have to be the one to fully resolve the problem. The federal government needs to take control and set up the specific programs that will be offered to the immigrants. For example, instead of arresting them and shutting them down, the government could offer educational assistance and figure out the potential that these people have. The fed. government would have to propose these acts by declaring them legal and clarifying that immigrants have a place in our society.
The federal program I would create would be named the Illegal Immigrant Assistance Program or IIAP. The program would find any illegal immigrants who are trying to get into the country, and bring them into the states and not judge or intrude on them, but instead education (teach them English), put them through social courses, get them on a right track to finding a job, and most importantly provide them with a temporary home and money loans. The immigrants would have to pay the program back after they received their job, and they would also have to pay them an interest fee which would be how the program would have enough money to own the program. However, the immigrants wouldn't have to pay all the money back right away. They would have a full year to get their education if they wanted to, or get a paying job. I think this program offers a lot for the illegal immigrants and our society needs to be open to change. These people could in return offer our society and nation a lot of beneficial things, but we continue to shut them down and label them as breaking the law. We could really benefit from these immigrants because they could offer our country a lot.
The government will help the program by alerting state governments to set up funding for the IIAP. The federal governments will have to educate all of the police corps about the new changes in illegal immigration, and solidify the fact that we will offer them assistance instead of illegally coming into our country. Funding would come from, as previously stated, the immigrants paying off loans and paying an extra interest rate after they have enough money. In the mean time, money would come from state funding and charities who are strongly concerned about the issue. If need be, taxes could also be implemented but only from those who are financially able to offer their money.
People that might have problems with my program would probably be the conservatives and even some of the police corps. Conservatives would not want to have these illegal immigrants in our country because they would think its unsafe and could put our country in harm. They would probably think that the federal government shouldn't be able to go against a law they already implemented, and that it should stay illegal. However, the government would be taking a new approach to the issue and figure out how to offer a good life and assistance to the immigrants, in return for solid citizenship. Police corps could be against this new program because they will think that they aren't able to do their job. However, they are still doing their job by finding the illegal immigrants, but also taking a new approach to it by not sending them to jail, but by investing them in the IIAP. The government would address these negative attitudes by laying out the positives of letting the immigrants into the country and helping them out. Our country is known for offering assistance and letting people follow their American Dream. I think this program would be extremely beneficial to not only the immigrants, but our whole country as well.

Anthony Rue

3/21/2012 02:52:43 am

The federal government should assume responsibility for all of the people under its control. This includes giving various insurance plans to all aspects of life. Banks would be insured for all money contained inside of their vaults, and likewise the people should be insured for all things valuable and of worth to themselves.
I would enact the activation of my personal association; T.U.P.A.C (intentional), aka Taking Under Protection All Citizens.
This assosciation would essentially care for all of the American people with a 4-tier healthplan, in order from the least to greatest as follows: Delta, Alpha, Epsilon, and Omega. All citizens begin with the baseline delta-grade health plan, through paying a tithe on one's salary a person could enhance their healthplan. Various benefits are naturally associated with the plans.
This assosciation would have other branches that deal with various other services and consumables. One would offer a million dollars to all workers over 60, opening job oppurtunities...by statistics these 60 year olds would then buy a house or two, fixing thehousing crisis and so on...eventually repairing the country and its problems.

Jack Foley

3/21/2012 02:56:07 am

One of the largest problems we face today is unemployment and the corruption that goes with all the agencies to help so called unemployed people I think unemployment should be handled on a federal scale because its nation wide and wellfare varies from state to state. California has one of the largest state deficets and alot of that is due to our wellfare and disability polices. we need to reform wellfare and disability make application for them more rigerous in the sense to have them prove they are looking for a job and limit the time they can be on wellfare and disability you should have multiple examples of evidance to prove that your disabled and unable to work such as medical exams and etc. wellfare should NOT be dictated from state to state theyre needs to be a nation standards not just guidelines. to many people are able to abuse disability and well fare and that takes away from people that acctually NEED it. funding would come from federal taxes but have it a flat percentage across the board regardless of your wealth. but I can see immagrants, lower class demographics and liberals disagreeing with my polices. but I do not agree with making yet another gov't agencie its just ridicoulus we need to reform the ones we have now and rid of the ones we dont need or just make 3 of the same agencies that just have different names under one bigger one why hve so money it just cost more money. but if we are required to create an agency it would be the govertment agency reform agency(GARA)

Carson Cavner

3/23/2012 12:58:50 am

I completly agree with jack that we need to reform our welfare system. because there are lots of people who are abusing the system, so we need to make it far more rigerous to get welfare.

colton cavner

3/21/2012 03:00:28 am

immigration is a problem because these people are taking jobs from Americans. the federal government should resolve this problem because it is the only thing that an fix this problem. i would create the American Border Protection Association or the ABPA. this will help with the problem by watching the borders for illegals and deporting them. the people who would have a problem with this would probably be people who help illegals.

Alisha Keeter

3/21/2012 09:17:25 am

So i think the biggest problem in society right now is the unemployment rates.This has been going on forever now and its getting to be really bad. The federal government is the only one who can fix this problem.

I think that unemployment is always going to be around but it I was to find a way to help it it would be by making it easier for people to find jobs. Even if its only working a little each day. A little each day is better than nothing at all. It might be a bit tricky but I think it would come around. I would name this the For Those Unemployed (FTU)

I would have to say the people who already have jobs would be unhappy with my program. One that means more people working and they would get less money and less benefits. Two they would all be very greedy and selfish cause I think they would see it as they got out easy when looking for a job when really they didnt.

The name of my

Bailee Davis

3/21/2012 09:42:26 am

The problem that I see most in this country is the unemployment issue. Within the past 5-10 years, unemployment rates have gone up a lot. Many people don't have jobs because they were laid off or their companies went under. I still can't grasp the concept of having so many people jobless. When they file for unemployment and the money is granted to them, isn't that taking money away from us? They would be better of actually having a job and this is where the government should come in. The government should come up with more businesses that would benefit society and make more money and give people jobs! I would call that federal program J.F.J. aka, Jobs For the Jobless! In each state, different counties would split up and the unemployed would come together to create a business that they could work at. This would bring in more money to the government and more people would have jobs. The funding would come from that county and half of the money earned will go to the government and the other half will go back to the counties who helped fund these new businesses. Of course many people would have a problem with this idea because it is hard for many different people to come together and agree on something, especially something that they are going to be financing in. I would assure them that the unemployed would be supervised by more educated peers and help school them for the new business adventure. Since many different people would be coming together to create this corporation, many new ideas would be thrown around and that could educate different people on who they would be working with.

Aaron Polk

3/21/2012 09:56:38 am

Comment deleted

Jasmine Espindola

3/21/2012 01:52:23 pm

I disagree with you and especially on your racist comment. America is a country of immigrants and before you start saying people need to head back to where they "came from" you should know that what is now known as a typical American (or caucasian or white ) come from various European countries and the only people who are Actually from America are Native Americans. Your comment was totally unecessary and totally based on bad logic so before you say anything else learn your facts.

Aaron Polk

3/22/2012 02:55:55 am

The comment was mis-worded and read out of context. I meant that we need to become isloationist and decrease immigrants from coming in and settle our own problems first and not have to get too involved in world affairs. The second part is about how mexicans, like other immigrants, are taking job spots for Americans from the U.S. However the Americans aren't accepting those jobs so someone has to do it but give the Americans fist choice an cut back in immigration that's all.

zach carlson

3/28/2012 03:13:43 am

hahahahahahaha i wish i had done this blog to see what you actually wrote

Anna Bill

3/21/2012 10:28:51 am

I know that some of you already wrote about this, but I truly believe public education is where America could use serious help at the moment. It is an issue that affects whole communities, and eventually all of America. The lack of funding for education is almost sickening. Teachers that aren’t well suited are getting paid more than proper educators due to the tenure. In addition, classroom activities, supplies, technology and art programs are all being limited because there is no way that schools can afford them. The youth of America is what will eventually run our country and work in our offices, so it is the government’s responsibility, at a federal level to take care of the problem.

I would create a program called Education Relief (ER). This program would increase taxes on Americans for 5 years. In these five years, serious portions of money would be put in to school programs and rebuilding damaged school programs. As a part of this program’s major drive, they would eliminate the tenure system and hire new teachers who appropriately fit their positions. These teachers would be the ones to earn more money. Once the five years of rejuvenation had ended, all schools would have a community fund set up for rallying support financially. However, at this point, I would hope that the schools had been reestablished.

Republicans are going to have a major problem with my Education Relief. They didn’t believe that education should ever get impetuous funding, especially when the money could be used elsewhere. They thought that education was only a priority for upper class citizens and that, other than that we shouldn’t be making public education better for all youth.

Paloma Estrada

3/21/2012 01:19:48 pm

I also agree with Anna that education is an issue that affects everyone. Without education, our society is not as effective and become much less smart. In order for things to improve and keep growing, the children of the future must learn and be as knowledgeable about anything that we can. I like her idea about raising the taxes for only a little and then using that money in order to help damaged and needy schools. Everybody deserves an education and with this rebuilding of it, more kids will be able to go and enjoy their school experience. Then these kids will grow up and create jobs and help the economy as well as adding their brains and opinions into the well being of society. In order to make smart, thought out decisions, people have to be educated and informed. If such a high percentage of kids aren’t attending school, then are future society will become less knowledgeable and make bad decisions.

Fred Schlichtholz

3/22/2012 12:51:28 pm

i dont agree so much with anna. i dont really think that we need to improve our education system at all cause i think we do have good education programs and just lazy people. but i do agree about how republicans would react to this program and what not. ultimately i think all these problems lead back to immigration personally like unemployment and over population in school leading to lack of education in some places and etc. so like yeah i do agree with some and not other parts of your point but good backing statements and things of such.

Kacie McBarron

3/21/2012 10:48:00 am

The federal government should have taken control of the problems because the Great Depression hit the whole country not just on state. Also since states probably had a difficult time with connecting to other states it caused problems for restoring the U.S. I would like to see the Healthy Future Administration (HFA) be created. The HFA would make sure citizen were healthy and safe. For example, they would see if the family was getting enough food, or medicine, or money. And if the family required assistance the HFA would help the family restore livable conditions and slow step away from the family until it was like they weren't there. The money would come from taxes, and since families need o pay taxes the money the HFA gave to the family would just come right back to them. Arguments against this programs would be like what if they hold onto their money once they get it. A counter argument to that would be that the family would have to pay for food and other goods eventually so the products' taxes would pay the administration back in the long run. This administration could be used today too.

Sean Franks

3/21/2012 12:18:15 pm

I believe Kacies Healthy Future Administration is a very smart idea because we should always be thinking ahead about the future and what it beholds for them. I like the fact that the program would make sure if a family in need was getting enough food, money, and medicine to survive in todays world. I believe it is smart to take the money from taxes even though the family will be getting it right back from the HFA. I like how you said in the long run the administration gets payed back instead of them just losing money.

Carson Cavner

3/21/2012 10:59:16 am

Honeslty, i think that another government agency is the last thing that we need in our country. Instead of creating a brand new agency that will cost us lots of money, we should modify our existing programs such as welfare. I believe that we must have people actually working while on welfare, so it would probably have to be a government infrastructure project, and they must show that they are actively looking for job. This could also help get people who are abusing this country's wellfare programs, and help people find jobs.

carson cavner

3/23/2012 01:02:59 am

to add to what i said, i think that we need to consolidate our government angencys because we have several agnecys overlap, so i think that we need to cut them out and that would save thousands of dollars.

Alex Gastelum

3/21/2012 10:59:47 am

I agree with Lyle when she stated "Unemployment is a large problem in today’s society. Unemployment levels are above 10%, and this number would be higher if we counted everyone who is unemployed and everyone who wants to be working full-time" because it is the biggest problem we have been facing for a couple years now. and the federal government is the only one who can help make it better.

My idea is the same as Lyle's where my charity would help create new jobs so people weren't unemployed and it would be called PK (Peoples Kreators) name just sounded cool haha.

Megan Galloway

3/21/2012 11:58:46 am

I believe that the federal gov't should be in charge of reforms and the "New Deal" because it enables everyone to be involved in the same thing. Otherwise, many states might try to start reforms to get people back up from the Great Depression all differently, which would in the end "crash" with other states causing a longer depression.
I think I would create the A.E. which would stand for "American Engineers" because since so many are homeless, I'd at least like to get the gov't involved in finding the least cost worthy way of getting people into places to stay with correct infrastructure to slow down the spread of disease. This would enable others to be hopeful as well as know they're being cared for. However, those who have received housing built by these engineers would somehow work back for the government by building roads, etc. which would overall benefit both the people as well as America. However, I think the rich and middle class of whom have housing would dislike this, because they've worked for their living and all these people would now be getting this housing basically free and perhaps in better condition whereas the working class may be barely sliding by and living in a worse condition. I also believe the rich would dislike it as well as for the reasons above, but also because I think some of the building fees may come out of their pockets...sorry rich peoples. Please share a bit of your wealth with the country for a bit of time.

Scott Smith

3/21/2012 12:49:20 pm

I really like Megan’s ideas about A.E. and why the government should be involved. With the buildings made right and having enough rooms the disease rate would go down which means less deaths and better quality of life. Not only would the A.E. provide a home it would provide lots of jobs because there was a lot of land to build on and a lot of people that needed a job so it would be perfect for the time period. I agree that the rich people should have to pay for it. Is there a real reason to have that much money? I think they can afford a little contribution to society because without the people under them they would have nothing and therefore not be rich at all.

Sean Franks

3/21/2012 12:10:59 pm

A few problems that I would like to address that are currently going on in America today would involve: unemployment, illegal aliens, corrupt government, public education, public housing etc. All of these subjects in my opinion should be dealt by the government federally. There is not much ordinary citizens can do to make a change in these problems, thats why we need to convince our government to get off their @$$ and do something about it. Thats when I jump in with the idea of creating the (MMILFDA) More Money Income Less Financial Difficulties Association. The MMILFDA will finally solve the financial problems that are stopping public organizations from succeeding in what they need to do. This association will use money that comes from the wealthy taxes and the High Tariffs that will be set in place to help Americans buy home products instead of from China. In the end farmers and wealthy business owners will not approve of my organization because they do not like high tariffs or high taxes.

Marlee May

3/21/2012 12:38:43 pm

Homelessness is a large problem in society today. Everywhere you go downtown has tents, tarps and people sleeping on the streets. In all major cities, and well, anywhere you go, homelessness is an issue.

How I would help is by making more shelters, providing more jobs, and making more programs for homeless people to get back on their feet and start anew. If necessary, I would make sure people that needed therapy or recovery centers could get it.

To get funding, I would make foundations, team up with celebrities to raise awareness and start charities.

The only thing I could see people having an issue with is that some of the people that are homeless went crazy with drug/alcohol abuse. Some people think that because they screwed up, they don't get a second chance. With my beliefs and how I was raised, I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, and can most definitely turn their life around if necessary.

Dylan Gouthro

3/21/2012 02:29:09 pm

I agree with Marlee that homelessness is a huge issue in this country and you do see it everywhere you go. I also believe it should be helped and people deserve second chances. I'm sure everyone has messed up in their life and wishes for a second chance, they are people to and just looking to better their lives (most of them). They just can't find a way to do it. I think that this is an excellent idea.

Maddy Waitley

3/23/2012 12:57:20 pm

I completely agree with Marlee and I also agree with Dylan's comment, I think that this could really help change, and I love the perspectives you guys both gave. I think this a is a baby step to something that could really be huge and have a great result.

mariana

3/28/2012 10:24:48 am

Even though I didn't write about the topic of homelessness, is still agree that this is a big problem in the United States, as well as all around the world. The reason why I liked the topic and your post Marlee, was because you made me connect and see that homelessness is everywhere and should be stopped, since so many suffer from it. Also getting the word around about helping the homeless, by teaming up with celebrities, starting charities, and foundations can be a great way to help the needy. However there are some people that simply don't want the help even though they need it, which complicates the process. But I definitely like your ideas and your topic about homelessness.

Scott Smith

3/21/2012 12:44:10 pm

The Great Depression is infamous and will most likely never be forgotten. It was a period for mass poverty and job loss, the lost unemployment rate of United States history and some believed that the federal government should not get involved and that the problem would be fixed by businesses but there was no way the problem would go away without interference of the federal government. If the federal government did not get involved the problem would get worse because business it’s self was the problem. Also the federal government needed to get involve because there was no other power that could impose the changes that need to be imposed. Furthermore no one else really had the money to make changes or keep workers.
For my own federal program I would make the “Cushioned Fall” or C.F. This would support people that got laid off or fired. It would act as a way to cover you when you’re fired or laid off for any reason. I would be a sort of unemployment insurance. It would guarantee that you would receive help to find a new job and get paid while you are looking for a job. Although all would be accepted you would have to be actively looking for a job when you lose job or C.F. will take you off their plan. I think critics would wonder where would get the money to support such a massive thing and I think that it would be funded federally.

dakota smith

3/21/2012 12:57:17 pm

one of the problems i have is unemploment and homelessness.i think that this problem could easily be fixed or at least helped alot.the goverment could provide a little bit more money for new homless shelters and for people to stay when they are homeless without food or shelter. especially when the weather is horrible and they just have to sleep under a bench. thats horirrible and makes me feel extreamly bad. i think people could do a little work on helping the less fortunate out. everyone has spare change that thye dont use so why not help people who are in need?by getting more jobs available and even opening up more stores would help the unemployed out tons. But also i do not think that the homless men and women who are have drug problems and other issues should be able to get those jobs or get more money. when you have a problem like that you are most likely to spend the extra money you would get on drugs ect. so i think the people who are working for it and are just unable to get a job at the moment should get help.HAUA homeless and unemployment awareness.

Zavier Verbick

3/21/2012 01:08:59 pm

If I had the option, I would create an Agricultural Preservation Act. IT would return and help cultivate lands for farmers. All excess foods cultivated would be canned and stored our handed out to the needy. It's acronym would be the APA. It would regulate and redistribute land in a way that is most effective for the country. I think the skeptics would be wealthy and productive farmers who enjoyed that edge when the other farmers were suffering. Some might believe that the gov't was taking to great of a role in affairs.

Paloma Estrada

3/21/2012 01:11:37 pm

I think that a big issue in today’s society is how many homeless and poor people there are. Almost everywhere you go, you see a homeless person or hear about someone struggling to take care of their family and find a job. The federal government should fix this because it is a problem all around America. State governments don’t have the budget or the power to really make a dent in the unemployment and homeless numbers. Helping people become better off would also stimulate the economy and growth of society and therefore benefit the federal government greatly. If I were to create a federal program, it would be called AFA, American Financial Aid. This would be specifically to assist the needy and jobless of America. It would help them get back on their feet and live comfortable lives. The funding for this would come out of the budget of spending money on things and programs that are not needed. Those programs and what not should be cut back until the majority of Americans can live contently. I know the federal government already spends a good chunk on aiding its people, but until it has helped them become self-sustaining and have jobs, then those other less necessary programs and projects can wait until later.

mariana

3/21/2012 01:13:58 pm

Since the federal government consists of three distinct branches, with qualified individuals, they should take a lead in creating and enforcing reforms. The federal government needs to take control of reforms because they are looked as higher power, (which takes in mind the necessities/desires of everyone involved), and attempts to incorporate everyone's idea into one.
If I had to create my own program for reform I would make it revolve around education, since it was recently an area for improvement in our country. The federal program would be named Every Child Can (ECC). The ECC would receive money (appropriate portion) according to how much the U.S. government spends in unnecessary things: nuclear weapons, national debt interest, and federal defense (the money could be bettered managed and lowered to provide help to the ones who mostly need it). So the ECC would be provided with annual deposits from the government, (according to attendance, school's appearance, and the students over all grade average). However the school would need to put the unused money in a bank account were both the government and school district administrators could check on. As for the personnel in the schools they would be held accountable for the students performance in tests, and to provide parents any unknown extra opportunities necessary for a student. If certain requirements were no met the money flow could be decreased for the incompetent staff provided.
The individuals who would not support my reform might say that the education program has plenty of money already, why more, if they could be using it for better things. Also they could argue that education is not a big issue in our country that should be in need of reform. Lastly there are too many programs involving education, no more are needed.

Chase Fischer

3/21/2012 01:16:25 pm

The problem I am choosing to address is the huge amount of corruption in social security and welfare programs. I woman just won $200,000 in the lottery and is still taking advantage of the government by using food stamps. That should never be ok. Money is taken out of our pay checks to help people like that. The money should be used to really help those in need, none of it should go to the government itself and non of it should go to people who abuse the system. I would create an agency to stop this called TYHOMP, Take Yo Hand Out My Pocket. This would be set in place to reduce corruption and make sure that the people who really need the aid are getting it. Originally, the funding will come from the people of America who hate to see money taken away from their pay check and used for no good. This new agency will create jobs and cut government spending (they will have less of OUR money) Thus increasing the economy and giving people a little more peice of mind. I feel like the government and the far left will be upset by this. The government will be mad because they wont be able to get hard working Americans money, and the left will be upset because they will feel like we are limiting welfare which isnt the case. We are just limiting the ABUSE of welfare.

Lyle Heidenfelder

3/22/2012 07:24:52 am

The issue you chose to focus on is great. If Take Yo Hand Out My Pocket was an actual agency, our society would change significantly. Your not really clear on how we would do this, or what the money would be spent on. For example, what jobs would it create? Would it be the government jobs for people who are trying to enforce it? You're not clear about the funding source either. Would it be from our taxes or would it only be the money from the people who thought the money was being used for no good? How do you know you would save more money than you would spend on this new agency? There is already a system in place to try and make sure that the program isn’t abused. I really like the name of the agency, but the acronym is a bit hard to say.

Carmela Yannaccone

3/21/2012 01:19:47 pm

Art seems to be a dying breed in the modern world; writers, dancers, actors, singers, all of them are paid less than any. Theater actors, I mean, not Hollywood actors. With the creation of the movie, it seems that there is no need to go to a instrumental concert or go see a play, where you could reach out and touch the actors. They need help. Therefore, I propose the National Art Assistance Society, or NAAS. It will help everyone in the arts with paying off rent, etc. It will also help them advertise shows all over the country, making more money for everyone. The theater, the museums, they will all prosper more than they do in summer. We would get our funds through the government, who should help because this is our history. And from what I've noticed, Americans are very proud of their history. Also, art is beautiful and theater is wonderful. People who work for criticism and doing what they love shouldn't be shunned. Those who oppose this would most likely be business-focused people who have no time to appreciate art. I would turn them by taking them to a play we helped fiance.

Brian Keith

3/21/2012 01:23:11 pm

The issue our society is dealing with today is homelessness. The federal government should be the one to resolve this because they have the power to help so many people in the world like in South Africa and The Iraq and such as. They have so much money so more of it can be going to help people who are homeless and need help, like the people in South Africa and The Iraq and such as. I would create the Federal Bureau of Awesome Pizza (FBAP.) This organization would provide the people of America and South Africa and The Iraq and such as with pizzas twice a month to every family (or person) living in fear of when they will get their next meal. The FBAP will take up the whole state of Wyoming because no one cares about Wyoming so it wouldn’t matter. Having the FBAP be so large and in charge will provide so many people with jobs and it will also include housing, these things will help people so much. The funding for the FBAP will come from any money that is currently going to Wyoming, because that money is being wasted because Wyoming is useless. People who might have a problem with the FBAP would probably be people who don’t like pizza or people who like Wyoming, but seriously, if any people who don’t like pizza and like Wyoming complain, those people will obviously be kicked out of the USA because that is just so un-American they should go live in Greenland or something.

Deming Tobin

3/22/2012 02:53:55 am

I agree with you, Brian. I think the biggest problem was homelessness. Your idea of creating the FBAP was cool because everyone loves pizza. And if someone is giving you something you love then you will be happy. Your program is good because it provides jobs, housing and food, thus tackling a ton of major issues during the time period. It was a really creative idea, I'm not sure how the people who live in Wyoming would take it. But like you said those people can just leave.

Josh Kessell

3/21/2012 01:33:30 pm

I dont think the government should do anything personally but for the purpose of this blog I will be creating the (FGAAA) Federal Govt's Attempt At Aid. My group would target those who can prove that they really need the help and that they will be able to take the help and run with it. Im a firm believer that everyone can get far in life with very little. I once had 100 bucks and a boat and now I have turned that into my own truck and a few boats. I didnt go waste it on drugs like some people do when they take the govts money. So somehow, the people that the FGAAA helps, would have to prove they could take the help and get far with it. My group would target mainly the homeless and jobless but again, only thise who are really looking to better their own lives. I cant really see how to get funding other than taxes and that why I dont like the idea of govt helping people is because we are the ones really paying for it. not the govt. But sinse the FGAAA would be using tax money I think that answers the question about what people will think is bad about the group because it takes money from the wealthy for the poor. This program will help the problem by offering housing and education on how to work well and keep a job for those that dont know. It would be a place for those homeless and jobless people to go and some to stay if they needed it. And I think the fact that there is a gap between rich and poor is because the rich work for their money and the poor dont work as hard. If you work hard you will have no problem getting plenty of money. I just dont think the rich should be taxed more than anyone else. Its punishing them for working harder....
I mean none of this in offense but Its just how I feel!

Kenneth Jacobson

3/21/2012 01:45:59 pm

I think that hunger is the most problem we face today. About 19% kids IN California is in hunger right now. I think that the federal government should help on this issue a lot. But I know it cannot be done without the help and support from people. I think that businesses such as cons, Cosco, any food store should give there left overs to donation to homeless. Did you know in California, some military family sent being payed enough to feed there families today? They have to go out and look for programs that can give them food. And it's true. If I would have to make a program u would call it Hunger Service Administration. HSA. But I could not hire on employment because it would cost to much. It would only work if people volunteered on this. Stop hunger now!

Chuckie Eaton

3/21/2012 01:51:57 pm

Well if we were in another great depression I would assume the federal government would take charge and try and fix the issue. I mean it would most likely affect everyone. The federal government to fix this would be more jobs and other things, like maybe trying to re-do the stock market to fix all of the final issues and get the economy going again. Fix it, would be the name I would use for this. Because it is what needs to happen in order for society to come back together in America, the solution would be just to fix it I don’t know how to fix it besides people spending more money on things. People who would have a problem with this our haters who don’t like me and who would disagree with my ideas, even if these are ideas that could really count.

Maddy Waitley

3/21/2012 01:53:48 pm

In society today, I think a result that we have is women being able to succeed in any area they choose. Back in the dinosaur ages, when women were not even able to be educated they couldn't even get jobs because they weren't educated. I think this is completely unfair and the government should have given us ladies a chance. And as the years passed women ended up getting their rights to vote, and become educated.

There is a new federal program that helps women and only women become highly educated, and they will have a very high future ahead of themselves. This federal program is called the WSFG (The Waitley School for Girls). This program is ONLY for women, of any age, and many scholarships are being offered to many ladies. I myself have had the pleasure of attending this school.

Recently there have been complaints, and riots from some people of the male gender. The women who have graduated from the WSFG have become so advanced in many subjects, and in their jobs today, they are doing very well. I don't think there is a need to stop these riots ad complaints, because the men have been used to getting their way for so long, with the right to vote, and have jobs, and etc. Women used to have to stay home and be a housewife. I think the men need to get used to the fact that women are here, and here to stay and here to succeed.

I do sound biased and I'm sorry if I offended any of the guys reading this, but I thought it would be funny, and I hope you enjoyed reading it :)

Lucas Broyles

3/21/2012 02:16:12 pm

I think a problem that should be addressed that no one seems to really want to is the discriminalization of marijuana. The present day prohibtion of marijuana is very similar to the prohibtion of alcohol that took place in the 1920s and we all know how that went, organized crime, bootleggers, etc. If we legalized marijuana and taxed it just like we did to alcohol we could reap tons of profits from it because over 50% america usually cannibas recreationally. It could replace pretty much all modern day pharmacy presciption pills such as oxicotton and others painkillers which can be abused extremely easily and can also be addicted to easily, and most importantly you can overdose on this pills. Using cannibas as a medicine is the first step to understanding traditional forms of medicine in modern day society. Cannibas has been around for a very very long time, hemp was the second largest cashcrop in colonial america during the early years of America, the declaration of indepedence was written on hemp paper! Which also leads me to another point, if we legalized marijuana and grew it in massive quantities, it should be distributed into different places because of its flexible usage. Hemp plants grow at the speed of light compared to a tree and make paper just as a good as a tree does and for an average tree to reach adulthood it takes about 200 years. There would be no need to cut down trees for paper anymore which is eco friendly and would cost a lot less to make the paper because of size of the hemp plant and the ease at which it takes to harvest it compared to cutting down a forrest. The other major usuage would be for medicinal purposes. For cancer or AIDS patients or even for people with insomnia medical marijuana is a smart choice for there ailments, it doesnt have any signifigant negative effects on you whereas alcohol and tobacco can kill you. The only real effects are impaired short term memory and lack of energy. It doesnt efffect your blood oxygen level at all and its impossible to overdose on it. And the other major usage of marijuana would be commercial use and the governments sale and distribution of it. The government should tax marijuana so that America could make money off this huge enterprise and so they could regulate the sale of it and what not. Also if it was legal there would be not competition to get it if there were dispensaries in every town so it wouldnt be so hard to get anymore, it would be like going out to buy a cup of coffee. The Cartels who smuggle marijuana into America wouldn't be able to make money anymore because before these guys are the guys who are one of the main distributors of marijuana in america. If marijuana was legal and easily accessible why would anyone buy it from these guys any longer? And to wrap this up when have you ever seen someone go into the mall with a gun and start killing innocent civilians while they were high? Never, thats not what this drug is about. It puts you in a good state of mind where nothing but good vibes can reach you and not a danger to yourself or to others. And we live in a country that supposedly cares about our freedoms, shouldn't someone who came home from being fired at work or just got done with a difficult breakup be able to relax so as long as they arent hurting anyone else. People are free to make your own choices, cigarette smokers do when they light one up even though per year there are 400,000 tobacco related death in America and when people drink they should know there are 100,000 deaths in America per year that are alcohol related. But also if it was legal we could clear up jails cells that are filled with people who got caught with possession of marijuana for REAL criminals such as rapists and child molestors. I cant remember the exact amount of money it costs to put a person who did a marijuana related crime such as possession through the court system including booking and court trials but i believe it costs over 100,000 dollars. Thats your tax dollars going to work for ya :)

Connor McGrath

3/22/2012 01:42:16 pm

I think lucas has a very good point. The legalization of marijuana could easily fix a lot of problems we are having with our country. I think the main reason it has not been legalized is because people just dont like the idea of it. I think it will be legalized in a few years because all the really old fashioned people will be gone.

Connor McGrath

3/21/2012 02:16:26 pm

I have two problems with coronado. First off the police are just jerks that have been bullies since high school and are still stuck in that mindset. I know everyone says this, but it's so true. They are always like legitimately angry when they pull you over. I got pulled over by the she-devil that rides the bike and she yelled at me asking me why i wasnt wearing a helmet like i was the stupidest person she had ever met in my life. Then she asked me if i had an id on me and i said no and she just stared at me with her mouth hanging open like i just insulted her or something. Theyre all in this really gnarly mindset where they think that giving twelve year olds two hundred dollar tickets is actually beneficial for them. I think theyre like really proud of being who they are so they get really butthurt when someone breaks a rule. I've only met two cops here that are semi chill, and even they were kinda rediculous. I propose that we create a law tat makes it so people have to vote police officers into office, so that we dont just have jerks hiring jerks like its been since as long as i can remember and even longer according to people i know who used to go to CHS.

Lucas Broyles

3/22/2012 01:48:26 pm

I agree, there should be a mandatory personality test that upcoming applicants who want to be coronado cops have to take to see if theyre nice. A lot of the cops here are huge jerks for no reason and they should take a more social approach since we live in such a small community. when my father was in SDPD he told me his chief told him and all the other officers their job would be to help the citizens out and not to be all uptight and to talk with people and be friendly and approachable, they even specifically said to him and all the other males officers to grow their hair out so they would seem more laid back. I wish the cops of coronado would take this same approach because we dont have bank robberies and shootouts but it seems that they act like there are.

Zach Carlson

5/2/2012 08:56:36 am

Yeah I agreee today i think that their should be a personality test to be a cop because none in coronado are even close to being nice i know its not a cops job to be nice but if you are it makes it a lot easier to deal with people because when a cops being a cop to you, you start to get all mad and start talking back then he gives you a ticket while if the cops nice your probably nice back and you might not end up with a ticket.

Chrissy Taylor

3/21/2012 02:22:19 pm

The economy was so terrible, no confidence, completely stagnant with no chances of growth since everybody was deathly afraid and untrusting in previous institutions like stocks and banks. The federal government should take care of it because the federal government has the power to reach far and give to everyone who needs it and optional charities/private business.
Public Mural Commissioners: The PMC is a committee that commissions local artists to work together on murals that decorate the public works being created by all the rest of the New Deal programs.
It will get artists working and also inspire other civilians with hope and admiration for what the country is doing, inspiring patriotism and hope. The funding will come from taxation, private donations, and perhaps some more debt, since that's just like the never ending black hole from which we are slurping up funds like crazy.
People who want to conserve federal funds and don't see the purpose of funding culture/artist work, only manual labor and other "respectable" jobs such as those.

Sam Everett

3/21/2012 03:30:39 pm

Chrissy Taylor- This is an inspired idea and I would be proud to be a part of the PMC. I love the concept because art does inspire people and it is a great way to lift our collective spirits. It only makes since that the artists of our nation are to take part in the work put into building it back up. Art is all about inspiration and feeling and what a great way to evoke feelings and inspire national pride.

Carelen Camero

3/22/2012 02:30:48 pm

Chrissy Taylor, I disagree with your PMC and I will tell you why.
Now, obviously because you know me, I am not one of those "There's no purpose to art lalalalala" people that you were describing above. I just think, personally, that those kinds of projects, such as beautification and whatnot, are projects that should come after fixing MAJOR issues.
You know what would inspire hope? Seeing less people dying of hunger on the streets of our big cities or less families having to sell their houses because they can't afford to feed their family and pay for their house/children's eductation. That's what would inspire hope in me.

Justin Smith

3/21/2012 02:25:02 pm

The largest problem in society today is the careless spending that both small companies and multi-billion dollar companies both participate in. These companies don't consider the end result of all of their meaningless spending and in many cases it will come around and bite them in the but. The problem with this is that when one of these companies fails because of this reason, it has the possibility to bring down other companies with it. How it could do this is because of the fact that some companies will rely on others for certain supplies and things like that and if the one major company fails then all of the other smaller ones that rely on it will fail as well. A good example of this would be if there was a log cabin manufacturing company and all the companies that produced the wood died off then the log cabin company would be forced to give in to. These are just a few of the many reasons for why i believe that the largest problem in society today is the meaningless spending of both the large and small companies.

Dylan Gouthro

3/21/2012 02:26:09 pm

Unemployment is still a major issue today. I believe it becomes a federal government issue at this point because it is affecting everyone in the world. We are going through a little "Great Depression" of our own and our country isn't doing too hot. Many people are out of work and they can't support their families. I would create a group named "Help Economically Lift People" or (HELP). These people would provide jobs the jobless and "economically lift people" and help them with their debt issues. There are so many people in debt right now and are struggling to help their families. Some people that might be against it, are the ones who have jobs and might not get paid as well if there are other people coming in and taking their jobs. I don't have much to say to them except, "stop being so selfish, people are struggling and can't afford to support their children." People would just have to realize that the issue is bigger than themselves and it could help the whole country out.

michael beeson

3/21/2012 02:32:06 pm

i think that the problem that bothers me the most is illegal immigration. I know that some of the people the immigrate here from other places come to make a better life and maybe earn more money for there families. But then their are the other majority that are taking advantage of or country. taking our jobs and sometimes smuggling drugs in here. I would create a system to stop this called the ARA (the Alien Repellant Act). This act would tighten down on the border inforsment that there already is. I think that to be in this country and live happily, you have to eather have been born here, or you have to do the necessary paper work to become a citizen of our country. i think that the only people that would have a problem with my act would be the people that it is agensed, but thats what its for so whatever.

aaron galindo

3/21/2012 02:33:10 pm

A problem today is education. This isn’t necessarily a problem that occurred during the great depression but I believe that trade schools and colleges should be significantly reduced in price to attend or simply be more abundant like schools. As college should not be a toy for the rich or a way of deepening ones self into debt for the poor. Education should not be a luxury. Now of course this would be insanely expensive but if we can as a country can learn not to throw away money we don’t have, a slight tax increase. We can get somewhere of course we will be in debt. But this more collective education we will have more ideas and new jobs. The golden age and revolutions were not created by uneducated farmers and factory workers. It was created by brilliant minds and that appears to be lacking these days. As crazy as an idea this sounds is there anything else? Just take a loan and work hard to pay it back? Education is not something that one should have to make sacrifices for. It should reasonable, and yes I know scholarships and financial aid exist, but I speak a reform to this system. A social education beyond high school. Also its called the EEI Education enlightenment installment- it just sounds cool

Kendall Talbott

3/21/2012 03:20:28 pm

Yeah, education is really a problem today. People take it for granted which initially causes more problems then fixes them. I think that if people actually appreciated it more then we would have a lot more jobs open to the public. This would probably fix some issues our country is having.

alexmoon

3/21/2012 03:47:13 pm

airbear is right, education is a necessary but often overlooked part of america. I agree with Obama, who said "Everyone deserves to go to college", and also tries to keep his promise on promoting education. Also, Rick Santorum is an idiot who said that Obama was "snobbish" for saying that. Anyways, education should be enhanced to teach children to think critically instead of scoring high(which we dont) on timed meaningless tiresome tests that don't help us progress at all.

Crelen

3/22/2012 02:37:33 pm

Speak the truth, A-Ron. Speak up for those of us at CHS who can't pay for college! Whooot wooooot!

Laura Williams

3/21/2012 02:35:05 pm

Homelessness is a big problem all throughout everywhere. This is why it is a problem for the federal government and not just the state or local government. The problem occurs all around. People do not have homes. They don't have money so they can't afford homes and then their lives hit a downward spiral. The federal association i'm creating is called the We Need to Help the Homeless Association (WNHHA). They are going to raise taxes to fund their efforts. They are going to create jobs for the homeless so that they can make some money and help them get back on their feet. Regular old tax payers may be upset by this because they don't want to pay more. They would probably be against the tax raises. However, we would assure them that it would help in the long run because once the homelessness problem is resolved the economy will improve and the federal government can work on other issues and everyone will be happy. There will also be lots of art auctions to raise money for the homeless. Oh and some of the funding from the taxes will go to an art program facility for the homeless and they can go there and make masterpieces, because i'm sure enough of them have hidden artistic ability, and those will also be sold at the auction. And also more homeless shelters will be built to get people off the streets and help them.

Karly Holthaus

3/21/2012 02:55:36 pm

I wrote something similar to yours and I'm glad that more and more people are agreeing that homelessness is a problem that needs to be addressed. I really like your idea about art programs and I think that idea could be expanded on a lot. There are so many people who are homeless and aren't able to show their talents. There might be a prodigy somewhere out there on the streets, the next Vincent Van Gogh or Mozart and we aren't even caring to try to help.

Karly Holthaus

3/21/2012 02:50:43 pm

I think one of the biggest issues is unemployment and with that people who are homeless. I know so many people have a problem with people who are homeless and refuse to help them because they think that they are lazy and can't help themselves, but what so many people don't realize is that, they can't always help themselves. Yes, some made bad choices in life that made it almost inevitable for them to end up on the streets, but some people are hard working people who were just put in a bad situation.

I would love to create some sort of program that would allow homeless people who are willing to be put into some sort of program where they can go through some sort of therapy and rehabilitation. It breaks my heart seeing tents and blankets on the sidewalks while I'm driving down the street. If you know me, you know that I can almost never pass by a homeless man/woman without giving them money because I feel like anything helps and if I was in their situation I'd be so grateful. I'd also be so grateful for someone to be able to try to create a program where they are able to take in a certain amount of homeless people, treat them to the best of their ability and get them back into working world. There may be something already like it in existence, I don't know, but if there is it needs to expand. I'm terrible with acronyms and usually make a fool of myself trying to make one, but I suppose I could call it something like OTS, meaning off the streets.

I'd like to see this come from tax payers. I find it sad that hard working people are paying for preposterous things that come out of our taxes, but I definitely think that this would be a beneficial program.
I know the people who would be upset about this are the same people who are upset about having to pay taxes to help anyone whether it's healthcare or whatever. I understand that we don't live in a perfect world, but I do think that this would improve our society for the better.

Brian Keith

3/22/2012 12:09:34 pm

I agree with Karly 100%. Unemployment is definitely the biggest problem. It causes a lot of other things, like becoming homeless and probably over-dosing on meth at some point.

Frank McNeill

3/21/2012 02:58:45 pm

On the subjects of unequal distribution of wealth and the unemployment in the U.S., there needs to be change in these two things. There is a very large gap between the rich and the poor. The middle class is withering away slowly but surely. The federal government should start taxing the rich even more than they are now and tax less in the lower class, then have some sort of tax on the middle that is not too much but not too little. The federal government should also regulate business even more so that they can make it harder for the businesses to get away with any sort of illegal activity. And lastly the government should help create more jobs in America.

The organization that I would create would be called the United Citizens of Middle and Lower Classes (UCMLC). This program would be able to try and get taxes higher for the wealthier class and less for the middle and lower. Also this program would help create jobs. The funding would come from taxes but only for a little so then we can work on fixing the tax.

Kendall Talbott

3/21/2012 03:15:56 pm

I think its a really good idea for the government to create/establish new charities. This will really help America to open up new jobs for people who are out of work or need a second job to support their families. It’s also a good thing that your federal charity program is that the program will be helping the environment and it will help to better our Country as a whole. Yes, I’m almost positive that this would definitely solve the unemployment issue.& yeah, businesses pretty much only care about their income, but what did you expect? They’re after all people who are trying to make a living just like everyone else, don’t be hypocritical. If you were in a situation where you could help people or make millions, its probably obvious what you would choose. Yes, it is true that if businesses are not making money than they wont hire people, but there are ways around that in most cases. You can’t put all of the blame on the business, we also have to consider the fact that the reason why a business isn't making enough money is because it doesn't have enough costumers, or their product isn’t useful at that time. Overall, the A. I.D. Program would not only help the people but it would better our country all together.

Sam Everett

3/21/2012 03:22:44 pm

Right now one of the most devastating issues our country is facing right now is extreme poverty and homelessness. We were in a similar situation to the Great Depression when in the recession. There are too many families without homes all over this country to even count. This is a sad reality that needs to be helped. The federal government should help because it is there duty to keep this nation together and that includes poor people with no homes.

The program would be called the C.S.P.- the clean streets program. It would be a program to help homeless people who want to make a difference in their lives but don't have the funds to do so. They would be able to find a job through the C.S.P. so that they can get back on their feet financially. Then the C.S.P. would provide a living situation for those who need it and can prove that they are willing to work hard to help themselves.

The government can take taxes from the already wealthy people. I do not think there is any need to increase the national debt. It is already high enough. Taxes seem like the best way to go about founding the C.S.P.

I know that the wealthy people will not like the idea of higher taxes, but it is important for the people who live on the streets to find a way out of their pits of despair and into a world of self worth and hard work. Our country should collectively strive to have more hard workers and posterity and that includes the people who currently reside in the streets.

Katie pletcher

3/21/2012 03:26:01 pm

I think one of the biggest problems our country is facing is spending money we don't have. It's like the whole stocks thing, it wasn't their money buying it in the first place. Our country's debt is getting bigger and bigger, all because we can't keep our greediness under control. We spend money on such stupid things, that it's become almost out of control. I believe that we as individuals should help others, not jus ourselves and being selfish. Have you driven through downtown lately? There are so many people that are homeless, and it jus keeps growing. Our money spending is impacting much of what's in our economy, food prices, gas, education, I believe we need to step back and look at the big problem.

I would want to help society by incorporating a new agancy called "smart money spending" aka. SMS. It would be helping you earn money by helping others get on their feet, giving money away in order to help education, and being rewarded later. I'd also probably include something about txting, since the acronym is SMS. I think we as individuals jus need to stop thinking about all the stuff we NEED, because what many think they need, they don't really end up needing, they just want, and that is a big problem in today's world.

Ashley Aucoin

3/21/2012 03:37:41 pm

The Federal Government should be the one stepping up to fix the unemployment issues. There is a huge problem for people trying to support their families and the ones that do end up giving up a big chunk of our paychecks to them.
If I were to create a program I would simply call it Equal Opportunity for Employment(EOE). I would create jobs for anyone that needed it before the younger kids, then find smaller jobs that take a big part for the environment.
I would make taxes higher for those who are making more money- so it’s not as needed. We need to fix this problem along with unequal distribution of wealth and widespread corruption before it spins of out control and can lead us into another depression or some sort.

alexmoon

3/21/2012 03:43:53 pm

Our society today has a large amount of problems stemming from both the government and the people. Firstly, unemployment in america is statistically reaching around 8%(more or less), without counting people who are looking for but haven't had any jobs yet. Instead of doing anything to help with this problem, the government has been giving the rich tax cuts while cutting programs that help people in the middle or lower classes. Lobbying is a common occurance in government, and lobbyists aren't really looking to solve any of america's problems. The distribution of wealth is completely uneven, hence the "we are the 99%" occupy wall street movements.
If I were to solve this problem, I'd create job programs to help people that want jobs to find them, and also create jobs so that people can be paid, who in turn will spend and stimulate the economy. I'd have the government give out small loans to anyone who need a small push to get started(provided they get some sort of background check and monitering to make sure they don't spend it on drugs or anything). I'd also raise taxes a small teeny weeny bit to help pay for these new programs. Another thing to do would be to remove corruption from the government, and ensure that it was efficient and productive.

Erin Fitzgerald

3/21/2012 03:45:19 pm

In this day and age, our society is having several problems when it comes to an equal distribution of wealth. As a matter of fact, its extremely unequal. The country's leaders, our government, need to fix this unfair inequality, because they really are the only ones who have the power and the ability to fix the problem. The American Citizens need their leaders' help, to create a more stable and balanced economic distribution.

The federal program that I want to make would be named Equal Distribution Initiative, or the EDI.

The program that I create will have the power to take money that is not being used properly/unnecessary from the rich, and to donate it to the poor. In this country, poor poeple are not only angry towards the rich, but some are in much more of a dire need of money that the upper class. Also, the money going into the project will come from giving much higher taxes to the rich and lower taxes to the poor.

I know that its reallly apparent that the upper clash(rich people) wont like this plan at all, because they are being made to sacrifice their cash to a lower group of people. Epecially because they dont want to. It will seem like the EDI will not be solving anything, just taking and giving to the undeserving, but that isnt true.
Under a certain section of EDI, a rule will be enforced that the only money taken is unnecesary money, or just money used for stupid things. Also, the money will ONLY be given to people who can PROVE they are hardworking citizens. (by doing community service work, etc)

JP Barnes

3/21/2012 03:49:12 pm

on of americas greatest current problems is our debt. the federal government needs to take care of this because no other governing body has the power of authority to handle paying the debt off. My awesome agency it get out of debt would be call Cut Spending And Pay Bills or (cut and pay) CAPS for short. Funding for my agency would come from taxes and the money saved from cutting spending, the most important thing is that the taxes would not increase throughout the time while CAPS was active. For who might not like my agency, I have not idea but even though I'm not in Econ. or Gov. I bet many corporations who's services the Government pays for would be very angered by this agency.

Katie pletcher

5/22/2012 12:26:09 pm

I agree with you, Jp. My opinion was that America's biggest problem is debt right now. I also believe the only actual people that can pull us out of debt would be the government, they're the ones getting our money. We spend money on things we don't absolutely need, so we should be able to cut spending to where we only get things we positively need. Those are my thoughts.

Johnny McCaull

3/21/2012 03:53:49 pm

I think that Roosevelt's new deal was a very important plan in American history. Roosevelt was a very smart man and in my opinion looking at it now he was one of the best presidents in American History. His plan set out to create jobs and opportunities to the helpless people without a job and no money trying to support there family. People in this time did not like the ways of FDR and would argue that he has to much of a socialistic view on politics and distribution of wealth and he set to destroy the basic means and uses for the government written on the constitution. In a way i agree with a person with that can't of view, or i would have if i was living in this time. But looking at it now FDR made good decisions during his time and office and the new deal in some ways and still in place today and helps the problems that we have with homelessness, corruption and other crappy things that go on in the American world of today. FDR not only created the minimum wage witch is still in place today but he created programs for the jobless that are still used in our world today. In the world today i think the biggest issue is unemployment though i don't think that the world is not as bad as it used to be in the great depression but it is pretty crappy

Respose to Karly Holthaous
I agree with you Karly i think that the worst thing in America today is the unemployment

Jose Ascolani

3/21/2012 03:56:27 pm

The poor economy has been affecting the whole nation greatly especially the big corporate companies however this country's future relies on the small communities whom are creating the future leaders of our country. The government's lack of attention on the small communities is preventing future leaders by affecting all aspects of living such as creating unemployment, failure of creating a safe environment for children, lack of education, pollution, etc..
If i were to create a federal agency it would be called the American Foundation for Stronger Communities (A.A.S.C). It would work to coordinate federal housing, transportation, water, and to promote small businesses to make neighborhoods more prosperous, allow people to live closer to jobs, save households time and money, and reduce pollution. My mission would be divided into four principles which would help the improvement and progress of communities throughout the nation.
The first one would to provide more transportation choices. To develop safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health.
The second would be to promote affordable housing. To create housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races, and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation.
The third one would be to support existing communities.
Target federal funding toward existing communities through strategies like land recycling to increase community revitalization and the efficiency of public works investments and safeguard rural landscapes.
The last one would be to Value communities and neighborhoods.
To enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe, and walkable rural, urban, or suburban neighborhoods

Deming Tobin

3/21/2012 03:57:12 pm

I think the biggest problems during the time period were unemployment and the amount of homeless people. The program I would make to aid these would be the Public Service Plan the PSP and it would be sort of like the CCC. It would provide young unemployed people a place to live as long as they worked. They would get health care and food and earn some money. Most of all the PSP would help people gain their confidence back after the depression and help them get their feet on the ground.

The jobs they would do would be to rebuild a town and they would live nearby. Some would help to build the houses and others the stores or schools. This would also help the housing issue with families because they could buy a new house with the money the family member is making for the PSP. I think this would help a lot of people by giving them a fresh start after going through a very difficult time with the great depression. I used the CCC as my inspiration for this post because its my favorite of all the programs that we learned about. Especially since that program helped beaches and forrest be preserved I think thats cool that Roosevelt put some focus into that as well as the main issues.

kevin fahey

3/21/2012 04:03:25 pm

An issue that I believe is causing problems for americans in society is poverty. Many people today are suffering from poverty due to our struggling economy and homes, cars, and of course money are being lost by americans all over the country.

My organization the NPAA or the national poverty assistance associtaion would be created to help people with their poverty related problems and would also help to prevent poverty by ading those who are about to become homeless or bankrupt. This group would help the problem by placing a higher tax on the wealthier people in society to take some of the pressure and stress off the people who are just getting by on the salary the earn. It would aslo create new jobs in order to give people jobs and a paycheck to live off and to create a better flow of money. A set amount will be placed for loans that will be given out to assist these people who are struggling and the set price will be resonable so that people will be able to pay it back in the proper amount of time. By giving these loans out people will be able to become stable and earn a solid paycheck, which will help them gain confidence and a better work ethic. The funding will come from the taxes that raised for the wealthy and budget cuts in areas that are more financialy stable than others.

The wealthy people in society would be upset and disagree with the goals of this oragnization. They would probably say that those people who are struggling put themselves in that situation and should be relying on their money. A way I would try to allay them would be to say that by paying more on their taxes they are in turn going to earn more moeny because they are helping people get a job and paycheck, which creates a better cirulation of moeny in the economy.

ryan zeller

3/24/2012 06:37:09 am

i agree with kevin the problem was poverty was the problem because of the job loss. Also i like your agency that you created. i think that agency would do great things for a country in a great depression such as this one.

Jack Alldredge

3/21/2012 04:04:39 pm

Our economy has been suffering from a large unemployment rate for the past couple of years now. Unemployment puts a large dent in our nation’s wealth especially when we are currently living through a down economy. During times of economic suffrage and uneven distribution of wealth, I think the government has a right to use its authority to step in and help resolve the problem. I believe if I were to become a member under the Obama administration, I would like to address the unemployment issue. I would do so by creating large amount of jobs in servicing in alternate energy sources. During the last Great Depression we worked out of it with government sponsored jobs like HWY development and Damn construction. I even learned watching a WWII documentary that we even had jobs planting trees during World War II to create windblocks to help combat the dust storms in the dust bowl. Now we should just create jobs that have anyway to just build environmentally progressive energy infrastructures. I would create an agency Alternate Energy Work Administration (AEWK).
Jobs would be created to help build new dams, infrastructures using solar or wind energy or development in the auto industry using alternate energy sources. The great benefit about this administration is that it should provide jobs that could be suitable for all education and skill levels. Since I would be forming this administration from an active Democratic standpoint, I would gain my funding through a tax increase in the upper class income and a cut in the lower class to help stabilize the economy while brining more money into the federal budget.
Republicans would heavily oppose my administration because it would involve government spending, and because of the tax increase for the upper class, too much involvement in the money makers’ lives. I think my administration would prosper and help the economy by lowering unemployment rate and conserving recourses. Mrs. Moore I’m hoping you’ll comment on mine I actually put a lot of thought into this one for once.

Chase Fischer

3/23/2012 02:28:46 pm

I agree, its it really clear than unemployment is a huge issue. I think it is wise to create something that will require more work, thus creating new jobs. The only problem is, our economy is going to hell if not already there. How on Earth would we be able to afford new projects like building multi million dollar dams and bridges for the sake of creating jobs. I think that we are taxed enough, and I think that all classes should be taxed equal. After all, it IS the land of equality, it makes no sense that those who worked hard to get money should be forced to give it away only to careless spending.

Fred Schlichtholz

3/22/2012 12:44:12 pm

i think one big problem in society is homelessness. We are seeing it now happening more with a lot of fore closer and stuff happening with the stuggle for money that people have but we also are seeing it happen with a lot of young adults. i think that the fed govt should do something about it cause with all the immigration happening and debt we are in is not working for us and its putting our generations in a hole.

my programs the (HFTIN) homes for those in need program would provide home like a studios for those who need it in order to get on there feet again. with all the things happening people are going broke and homeless and i think we should help them. our generation is in a pit due to those in front of us and we are seeing it happen first hand.

this program will help the problem by providing short term homes for those we really need it. they have to be able to provide proof of making attempts to be moving forward with there struggles and not just mooching. i think the funding from come from the rich and from the gov't so that its not all pushed on one group of people. if we cut thinngs like education in prisons and other dumb things like immigration cause those people who get sent back just turn around and come back anyway so things like those could help provide money for other things that we need to deal with in our own country.

if people were to argue this i feel it would be cause they would say its the homeless peoples fault and they got themselves in that whole or even why would we spend money on something like that. i dont have a specific group of people that would disagree but i know there is alot of people out there. to insure these people of this i would make these a temporary thing and if it didnt work i would promise the people that the program would be cut but i would ask for them to focus on our nations problems and not those in foreign countrys and then we would see how our society improved or not.

Carmela Yannaccone

3/23/2012 12:43:04 pm

I agree with Fred; it is right to help the homeless. His idea are clear that they will help the homeless. It's just smashing.

Frank McNeill

3/23/2012 02:41:40 pm

I agree that homelessness is a big problem in our country that isn’t thought about very much in today’s society. I like your idea about giving homeless shelter and to provide support. Whether that support is job loss or drug or alcohol abuse.

ryan zeller

3/24/2012 06:31:43 am

The nation needed immediate relief, recovery from economic collapse, and reform to avoid future depressions, so relief, recovery and reform became Franklin D. Roosevelt's goals when he took the helm as president. At his side stood a Democratic Congress, prepared to enact the measures carved out by a group of his closest advisors — dubbed the “Brain Trust” by reporters. One recurring theme in the recovery plan was Roosevelt’s pledge to help the “forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid.”

The term New Deal was coined during Franklin Roosevelt’s 1932 Democratic presidential nomination acceptance speech, when he said, "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people." Roosevelt summarized the New Deal as a "use of the authority of government as an organized form of self-help for all classes and groups and sections of our country."

At his inauguration in March 1933, Roosevelt declared in his lilting style, "Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is, fear itself — needless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance." In his first 99 days, he proposed, and Congress swiftly enacted, an ambitious "New Deal" to deliver relief to the unemployed and those in danger of losing farms and homes, recovery to agriculture and business, and reform, notably through the inception of the vast Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The New Deal effects would take time; some 13,000,000 people were out of work by March 1933, and virtually every bank was shuttered. (Source: u-s-history.com)

As you can see, the New Deal was created to provide relief to those who were unemployed, in danger of losing their homes or farms, or suffering in other ways due to the Great Depression. Think about some of the issues that our society is dealing with today (unemployment, homelessness, corruption and greed in business, unequal distribution of wealth, immigration, etc.) and come up with a new federal agency to address the problem.

The problem was a great depression caused by over spending. It created huge job loss and put the us into a huge hole. The reason why the federal government should is that a lot of state and local governments were broke and couldn't agree on how to fix the problem.

i would create the national job loss association. this government run program would find a person that was out of work a job. A reason this program would be better than welfare and other stupid programs such as that is because it would take as much money and taxes would not have to be raised.

The people that would have a problem with my agency would be lazy people that do not want to get a job.

braden crabb

5/7/2012 12:21:49 pm

I like this program a lot. There are some people out there that really do try to find jobs, but for some reason can't find one. The bottom line is that they are willing to work. A government run program could find them a job and just like that there is more money going into the economy.

Cody LaConte

3/25/2012 05:51:08 am

Unemployment is a terrible issue in the US, and if people aren't homeless there either looking for a job or they have a small job. Most americans now a days are striving to find jobs because the economy has became so terrible that people with degrees for business have to work at mcdonalds because they can't find work. Another problem people have are that immigrants and even illegal immigrants are taking too many jobs away from the people that were born in this country and this angers many americans everyday.

My plan to help would to first start local free classes for the homeless to teach them to get on their own feet. Programs under the gov't would be made to teach people who are unemployed how to work and the program will help them also find a job. More jobs such as cleaning beaches, cleaning roads, and jobs such as the rest. My agency is called Nation Society of the People For the People.(NSPFC)

Matthew A. Bond

3/27/2012 09:49:45 am

A rather intresting an invigerating challenge it is you set before me, though one I feel very apt to deal with. My proposal is to set up the FBBE, the Fedral Beuro of Bussiness and Economy. The goals and reason of this organization would be to supply jobs, housing, resources and skill based education to those who seek it. Rather than simply throwing money at the problem of the unemployed surplus population, instead the it will seek to reencorperate them into the productive entity of this nation. This organization would allow anyone who applies to enter the program but would be rather strict in terms of results, relieving certain privileges from this who cannot keep up to the quota without propper excuse. As for why the creation of this should rest upon the shoulders of the Fedral government rather than local government or charities is simply that charities lack the resorces, an that it would take to long to get all local governments to agree with this proposal and to set it up themselves, as well I fear that there is larger chance for corruption, favoritism, and prejudice if left to the organization of local governments. Rather than a heirachy system that is common within many Fedral systems it seems an even a cooperative system that could work throught the entire county, to increase productivity, would be ideal. As well have both local and Fedral inspectors make sure that fairness is kept in high priority.

Kendall Talbott

3/28/2012 01:49:29 pm

I agree, well actually I usually agree with most of the things you say...
I really like you idea, that seems like it would help a lot of people and you're not only providing them with housing, but with supplies to survive.

Kendall Talbott

3/28/2012 01:46:19 pm

A huge problem is how they’ll be able to afford to give "relief" to the unemployed, its madness. There were (and still are) lots of people who didn't have jobs that it would make very hard to provide them all with enough to get alone. They should try to get people more jobs, make education more available to older people to try and further extend that jobs that they can get; this is hard because no one wants to hire anyone during this time period, especially the uneducated. The federal government has other problems that they were “trying” to deal with, so they didn’t have the time to fix these issue, nor enough to act on a plan to fixing them.   If I could create a federal program it would be to have free school to anyone over 18. Therefore they would have the opportunity to go and get better jobs to support themselves. In the meantime they would be in dorms. My program would be called F.E.A. (further educating adults).  
To raise the money, I would probably just have to start a funding program or a charity. I wouldn’t tax people because thats honestly bs, why would I tax the people that are more wealthy? That is honestly just so stereotypical, stupid, and unfair.   I think that I would be fine. I wouldn’t be taxing people, so they would have no solid reason to dislike me. I would be helping the poor, and I would do it the right way.

Kendall Talbott

3/28/2012 01:47:49 pm

THE SPACING SCREWED UP. HERE IT IS AGAIN.

A huge problem is how they’ll be able to afford to give "relief" to the unemployed, its madness. There were (and still are) lots of people who didn't have jobs that it would make very hard to provide them all with enough to get alone. They should try to get people more jobs, make education more available to older people to try and further extend that jobs that they can get; this is hard because no one wants to hire anyone during this time period, especially the uneducated. The federal government has other problems that they were “trying” to deal with, so they didn’t have the time to fix these issue, nor enough to act on a plan to fixing them.

  If I could create a federal program it would be to have free school to anyone over 18. Therefore they would have the opportunity to go and get better jobs to support themselves. In the meantime they would be in dorms. My program would be called F.E.A. (further educating adults).  

To raise the money, I would probably just have to start a funding program or a charity. I wouldn’t tax people because thats honestly bs, why would I tax the people that are more wealthy? That is honestly just so stereotypical, stupid, and unfair.   I think that I would be fine. I wouldn’t be taxing people, so they would have no solid reason to dislike me. I would be helping the poor, and I would do it the right way.

Chuckie Eaton

4/18/2012 03:00:07 pm

Well to answer the first question who else would solve the problem. I really do not think andy ordinary people could really change this issue into a positive effect. In all honesty Mrs. Moore I know what is wrong with the economy right now. I just know its in the toilet, and I think there is inflation? So I would just tell everyone to go buy something. That would create a better circulation of money and help boost the economy. Thats the best way i could think of something to do at this point.

Patrick powell

4/25/2012 01:06:44 pm

The biggest problem that we are having right now is uneployment. I dont think that the government is doing a very good job of fixing the problem. They are paying people for not having a job. These people are now sitting at home "looking for a job" and getting paid. Why work when the government is paying you not too. Doesnt make sense. We should pay the people that have jobs to make the unemployed want to get a job. This would be called rewarding the weathy act or R.W.A.

Zach Carlson

5/2/2012 08:51:12 am

I think the biggest problem with society today is the homeless and whet i would do is create a federal agency in which the money is giving to homeless shelters to make them a lot better then they where before provide them with better food, beds maybe some TVS and help them out a lot more in getting a job and getting back on their feed. I would call my agency B.T.H.B.T.s which is bringing the homeless back in to society. The money would come from increasing the wealthiest and upper-middle classes taxes. I think the people that would have the biggest problem with this would be the wealthy because they would not want to get taxed and they would probably think that the homeless should just get off their bums and find a job and start working

JT Strabala

5/5/2012 12:34:01 am

Unemployment is a huge problem in this country, about 10% of Americans are unemployed. I would follow in the steps of Roosevelt, but I would change the camps from federal to state camps, this way the county could rebuild itself from the bottom up. And not from the top (federal government) and go down, that creates problems. My

JT Strabala

5/5/2012 12:41:40 am

(continued) agency would be part f the federal government but would focus on the progress of the states economies before the federal economy. But the thing I would do differently is I would still raise tariffs but I wouldn't raise them so high, I would raise them about a dollar or two. That way the readers wouldn't be discouraged but will weed out all the big companies, so then the art of bargaining will come in handy. Plus with all of this bargaining going on we we would expand our trading relations and then begin to trade with other countries which will help stadelize our economy. I would also create art and nature programs to help the younger generations with work and to peruse what they want.

Braden Crabb

5/7/2012 12:17:50 pm

In my mind, unemployment is the largest factor that aids to our weak economy these days. The problem is not that there are not enough jobs out there, the problem is that people are too lazy to go out and look for one. They would rather take free handouts that for some reason the government provides to them. I realize there are some people out there that are really struggling, but not at their own fault. They are working people, who may have a hard time supporting their families, like single moms and dads. I feel those people should get government help. But the people who just want to lay around all day and just have fun living off other people's tax dollars are the ones that make me mad. To fix this problem, I would create the Minimum Wage Reduction and Tax Relief Program. This would first lower the minimum wage, not enough to put a hole in worker's wallets, but on larger scale, allow that certain company to hire more workers. The Tax Relief portion would be if you hire a certain percentage of workers to what you already have, you would get a tax break from the federal government for hiring more workers. The government would get paid back for the tax break to the company's from the extra taxes coming from the new workers. This way, unemployment would go down, and the government may make quite a profit, in which they can SAVE, not spend on useless things. The people who may have a problem with this are the workers themselves. Once they hear that the minimum wage would be lowered, they automatically think they are going to be ripped off. But that is not the case. First off, it will only be a slight reduction on each individual's check, yet on the company's bill, the results will be substantial. This will let the company hire more workers, which in turn will improve the economy, and eventually the minimum wage will go back up.

Heidi Garbers

5/31/2012 04:46:45 pm

I think that America being in so much debt and unemployment is very sad. I find it sad because our now president thinks its more important to stick his noes in other countries business instead of ficking our country that needs help and jobs. America has about a 10% unemployment rate with numbers growing. We have people who got their college deployment working at McDonalds and in my mind thats not right. I think having charities to raise money for Americans would be GREAT! I also believe that we need to invest our money in more important things instead of blowing it on stupid things that dont even have anything to do with Americans themselves. So i think its time we get a turn around and fast unless we dont want America back on top!

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Each Monday I will post a question, primary source document, or a discussion topic related to our current area of study.

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