America is at a crossroads. The growing divide between the interests of average Americans and those of politicians, big corporations, and special interest groups has become increasingly apparent. This divide has been exacerbated by factors such as income inequality, political polarization, and the influence of money in politics. To address this issue, it is crucial to develop and implement a strategy that prioritizes the needs and well-being of the average American.
This article will explore the reasons why such a strategy is necessary, the challenges it faces, and how it can be achieved, with references to relevant sources. The article will also discuss priority issues such as media reform, tax reform, health care reform, education reform, and immigration reform.
The Problem: Politicians, Big Corporations, and Special Interest Groups Prioritized Over Average Americans
- Politicians’ Self-Interest
Politicians often prioritize their own interests, re-election campaigns, and party agendas over the needs of their constituents. This can lead to policies that cater to powerful lobbying groups and wealthy donors instead of addressing the concerns of everyday Americans.
- Influence of Big Corporations
Big corporations wield significant influence over the political process through lobbying and campaign contributions. This influence can result in policies that benefit corporations at the expense of workers, consumers, and the environment.
- Special Interest Groups’ Agendas
Special interest groups, such as industry associations and advocacy organizations, often focus on promoting their specific agendas. These agendas may not align with the broader interests of the American people, leading to policies that disproportionately benefit select groups.
The Solution: A Strategy Focused on the Average American
- Grassroots Policy Formulation
Empower average Americans to participate in policy formulation by creating a virtual organization that encourages grassroots participation. This can help ensure that policies reflect the diverse needs and concerns of the American people. America’sPlan.org, as mentioned in the initial outline, is an example of such an initiative.
- Transparency and Accountability
Promote transparency and accountability in the political process by advocating for policies that require lobbying disclosures, campaign finance reform, and other measures that increase transparency and reduce the influence of special interest groups. The American Anti-Corruption Act, proposed by Represent.us, is an example of a comprehensive legislative package aimed at reducing the influence of money in politics (Represent.us, n.d.).
Priority Issues
- Media Reform
Promote media reform to ensure that the media landscape reflects the needs and interests of the average American. This can include advocating for policies that support local and independent media, promote media literacy, and reduce the influence of corporate media conglomerates. The Media and Democracy Coalition, a group of organizations advocating for media reform, outlines several policy recommendations, including increasing funding for public media and supporting net neutrality (MDC, n.d.).
- Tax Reform
Implement tax reform to ensure that the tax system is fair and equitable. This can include closing tax loopholes, eliminating tax shelters, and ensuring that corporations and wealthy individuals pay their fair share. The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy recommends several tax reform measures, such as increasing the corporate tax rate and implementing a wealth tax (ITEP, 2021).
- Health Care Reform
Advocate for health care reform to ensure that all Americans have access to affordable and quality healthcare. This can include expanding Medicaid, implementing a public option, and negotiating lower prescription drug prices. The Center for American Progress recommends several health care reform measures, such as expanding access to mental health services and addressing health disparities (CAP, 2021).
- Education Reform
Promote education reform to ensure that all Americans have access to quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background. This can include increasing funding for public schools, expanding access to early childhood education, and providing tuition-free higher education. The National Education Association recommends several education reform measures, such as increasing teacher pay and reducing class sizes (NEA, 2021).
- Immigration Reform
Advocate for comprehensive immigration reform that ensures a fair, humane, and inclusive system. This can include creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, protecting the rights of asylum seekers, and addressing the root causes of migration. The National Immigration Forum recommends several immigration reform measures, such as increasing the number of visas for high-skilled workers, providing adequate resources for border security, and promoting integration and inclusion for immigrants (National Immigration Forum, n.d.). By enacting immigration policies that reflect the values of fairness, compassion, and opportunity, America can strengthen its communities, support its economy, and uphold its commitment to human rights.
Conclusion
In conclusion, America needs a strategy that prioritizes the needs and well-being of the average American over the interests of politicians, big corporations, and special interest groups. By empowering average Americans to participate in policy formulation, promoting transparency and accountability, addressing priority issues such as media reform, tax reform, health care reform, education reform, and immigration reform, and advocating for policies that support workers and small businesses, invest in infrastructure and public services, and protect the environment and public health, we can create a more equitable and prosperous nation that works for everyone.
It is crucial to recognize the challenges that such a strategy faces, including the influence of money in politics and the power of special interest groups. However, by working together and advocating for change, Americans can create a political system that truly represents their interests and values. By focusing on the needs of the average American, we can build a stronger, more inclusive, and more just society for all.
References
American Society of Civil Engineers. (2021). 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. ASCE. https://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/
Center for American Progress. (2021). Health Care Reform. CAP. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/healthcare/
Economic Policy Institute. (2021). Raising the Federal Minimum Wage to $15 by 2025 Would Lift Pay for Nearly 32 Million Workers. EPI. https://www.epi.org/publication/raising-the-federal-minimum-wage-to-15-by-2025-would-lift-pay-for-nearly-32-million-workers/
Gilens, M., & Page, B. I. (2014). Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens. Perspectives on Politics, 12(3), 564-581. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1537592714001595
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. (2021). Who Pays Taxes in America in 2021? ITEP. https://itep.org/who-pays-taxes-in-america-in-2021/
Media and Democracy Coalition. (n.d.). Policy Recommendations. MDC. https://www.mediademocracycoalition.org/policy-recommendations/
National Education Association. (2021). Education Policy and Practice. NEA. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/policy-and-practice
National Immigration Forum. (n.d.). Policy Priorities. NIF. https://immigrationforum.org/policy-priorities/
OpenSecrets. (2021). Lobbying Database. OpenSecrets. https://www.opensecrets.org/federal-lobbying/lobbyists/total?cycle=2020
Represent.us. (n.d.). The American Anti-Corruption Act. Represent.us. https://represent.us/the-american-anti-corruption-act/
The Sunlight Foundation. (2013). Special Interests 2013: Lobbying at the State Level. Sunlight Foundation. https://sunlightfoundation.com/blog/2013/07/17/special-interests-2013-lobbying-at-the-state-level/
This article as written with the assistance of AI.