Polarization and Party Politics - Akbary 2024 by crystal akbary

crystalsakbary — 2024-12-11 21:35:28 UTC

Another basic human need that should always be met in the U.S. is housing of the homeless population. People end up homeless for several reasons, however, the ability to have shelter should never be a concern. Not only does living on the streets subject individuals to shame, maltreatment, and harsh conditions, it also severely hinders their physical and mental health, leading them down a rabbit-hole of more help needed. If we take steps to restore this crisis in the U.S. there are a number of benefits that will follow: Reduction of healthcare costs, community strengthening, crime reduction (as a result of survival strategies), and an increase in social service savings, among many other benefits on an individual level.

In reference to more conservative views on this topic, it is important to take note of the cost-effective outcomes and economic benefits of housing the homeless. While this may seem like a highly liberal approach, with the conservative agenda fighting against higher taxes for housing the homeless, providing shelter for the homeless community will impact the economy in several ways. First, we can see how taking these individuals off the street will lower the costs of emergency services and police involvement - which can be very costly. Secondly, housing the homeless gives these individuals an option to individuality. This means that they can begin to get back on their feet and work their way back into society, which can lead to more job production and boost the economy in that way as well. Lastly, housing the homeless can boost the economy as a result of lowering crime rates, increasing business activity, and raising property value in areas where poverty and homelessness is high.

crystalsakbary — 2024-12-11 21:36:09 UTC

The public education system in the United States needs support and assistance to better the future of this nation’s children. As such, the U.S. should focus on increasing teacher wages and limiting burnout, increasing school safety (especially in reference to mass shootings), expanding mental health services, improving funding, and providing healthier food options, especially in communities of poverty. If we can provide a safe and healthy space for children to learn, no matter the community they live in, we can ensure a better future for our children and nation.

From 2022 to 2023, the U.S. saw a 16% increase in the number of public school students who chose to pursue a career in a trade field as opposed to a college degree (Sandberg, 2024). This means that if we prepare these students in a better school setting, the skills needed for said workforce will be significantly impacted. The better the student is taken care of at a young age in the public school setting, the better they will be at pursuing their career. Ultimately, if the career they choose to pursue is in the trade field workforce, we can see how this would contribute to a stronger economy.

https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/spending/articles/the-trade-school-trend#:~:text=The%20National%20Student%20Clearinghouse%20Research%20Center%20reported,2023%2C%20a%20trajectory%20that's%20continuing%20this%20year.

crystalsakbary — 2024-12-11 21:37:11 UTC

Universal Health Care is the foundation for ensuring a healthy, proactive population. Health is the most important aspect of human life. Without health, humans cannot function and therefore, society as a whole suffers. That said, universal affordable healthcare is a basic human right. Foreign countries such as Canada and a handful of European/Nordic countries have successfully working universal healthcare for their citizens. As such, we can see how investing in the health of your citizens makes a massive difference both individually and collectively. This stretches far beyond physical benefits as it relieves stressors, adding to the mental and emotional benefits of universal health care as well. Every human deserves to live in a world where they can get the help they need regarding their health without the financial burdens and stressors in the aftermath of it all.

To shift the minds of more conservative voters, whose counterarguments would be the taxpayers funding towards universal healthcare, we can focus on the economic impact that this would have on the U.S. instead. Initially you may think that for this to happen, the rich must be massively taxed. However, when we look at how high taxpayers are currently paying for uninsured individuals in emergency care costs paired with how a public healthcare option would lower administrative costs, we can see how this could have economic benefits far beyond where they stand currently.

https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/universalhealthcoverage

crystalsakbary — 2024-12-11 23:02:28 UTC

In my three main policy commitments, I focus on the importance of taking care of humans in the present so that our future can be brighter and more successful for all. As such, I present the following three topics as the main components behind my approach: Universal health care, transforming the public education system, and housing the homeless population. In taking care of our people, our people will take care of us, as a nation.