Explain three policy options available to the U.S. government to reduce its annual deficits and accumulating national debt. For each option, discuss considerations relative to that option, such as economic, political, or equity concerns.
What will be an ideal response?
Decrease entitlement spending: Entitlement spending (for Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid) is the largest share of the federal budget and is projected to increase dramatically in coming years, leading to bigger deficits. It is politically unpopular to reduce entitlement spending.
Decrease discretionary spending: This represents education, the environment, infrastructure, housing, security, and other essential services that impact the quality of life.
Increase taxes: The tax cut for the rich could be eliminated or other taxes increased. Politically, this is unpopular, and Republicans generally refuse to consider tax increases as a policy solution.
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Which of the following statements provides the best characterization of the members of the White House staff?
A. The White House staff is a loose collection of bureaucrats who are loyal to executive agencies and members of Congress. B. The White House staff is composed of individuals personally and politically close to the president chosen specifically to serve the president's needs. C. The White House staff is composed of policy specialists who have little personal loyalty to the president. D. The White House staff is the link between executive agencies in the bureaucracy and Congress.
African Americans played an integral role in the political and legislative process in Texas during Reconstruction
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
The focus of ethnomethodologists is ______.
A. how people form identities B. how people create reality C. how people engage in interaction D. how researchers affect their own research
By encouraging states to carry out national policy objectives, categorical grants act as a ______, and by threatening states with the withholding of funds if they fail to carry out government policy, categorical grants act as a ______
a. carrot; stick b. motivator; reinforcer c. punishment; reward d. disincentive; incentive