21 Policies: 3 Stars for Social Safety, Defense, Climate Change - Essay Sample

Introduction

In the budget simulation game, I played 21 policies that helped me get three stars for each of the three goals. The three goals included strengthening the social safety net, strengthening national defense, and fighting climate change. The 21 policies included imposing a new tax on financial transactions, raising capital gains tax on assets held less than 6 years, and increasing social security eligibility age. Also, the administration would use income taxes to fund social security, raise the minimum wage to $15, among others. The rationale and the impact of these policies and how they help in achieving the three goals are explained below.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Spending Cuts

In order to achieve the three goals, it was important to reduce spending in some areas and free some money which could be used to fund the required projects. The policies that saved most money were increasing the social security eligibility age and lowering the COLA for all spending programs. By increasing the social security eligibility age, this meant that the government reduced the number of people receiving social security benefits hence the reduction in the money disbursed. On the other hand, lowering the cost of living adjustment means that the social security and the supplemental security income, which is paid to offset the effects of inflation is reduced. Consequently, the government will end up more money in its coffers which can be used to support the implementation of the goals.

Revenue Raisers

The policies that raised most revenues included the introduction of a new wealth tax, imposing a carbon tax, and imposing a new tax on financial transactions. In the contemporary world, the levels of income inequality are significantly high and continue to increase with each day. Statistics show that the top 1% control more wealth than the bottom 50% combined. Such inequalities are jaw-dropping considering some people are homeless and struggle to put food on their tables. While it is unfair to take money from the rich and give it to the poor, the government can try to level the playing field by eliminating the barriers of social and economic mobility. These barriers include the high costs of health and low-quality education. Eliminating the barriers will require revenues which will be sourced from the new wealth tax for the ultra-high-net-worth individuals and carbon tax.

Fight Climate Change

One of the leading causes of climate change is the emission of greenhouse gasses. The primary source of greenhouse gasses is human activities primarily burning of fossil fuels. The human activities that cause emission of greenhouse gasses (especially carbon dioxide through the burning of fossil fuels) include industrial production activities, cars that run on oil, and airplanes. When released to the atmosphere, the carbon dioxide depletes the protective layer causing global warming. It also causes acidic rain which is harmful to plants and aquatic life. Global warming is a serious risk as it not only threatens the water masses but also increases the risk of cancer. As such, the new carbon tax will go a long way in discouraging people from using vehicles that run on fossil fuels and instead replace them with vehicles that use green energy.

Strengthen The Social Safety Net

In the contemporary world, things are changing fast. The world is increasingly becoming interconnected to function as one country with one system. These changes, together with the rapid technological advancements have resulted in unforeseen and negative consequences. Such impacts include the decline of some industries, lack of jobs, and higher costs of living. This has become a zero-sum game whereby one demographic wins and the other one loses. However, it is the responsibility of the government to create a balance and minimize these effects as much as possible. This will be done by expanding and strengthening the social safety net. This will be done by giving income tax credits, increasing the social security benefits for the senior citizens, and preschool for four-year-olds. Given that health is a vital component, the government will use income taxes to expand the Medicare program. Also, the tax for sugary drinks will be increased to discourage people from consuming them as they are among the primary causes of lifestyle diseases. Further, the minimum wage will be increased to $15 to enable citizens live a decent life. For those who have been rendered jobless due to socioeconomic dynamics, they will benefit from the expanded unemployment benefits program.

Strengthen National Defense

Undoubtedly, the most important duty and responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens from foreign hostiles. Unlike in the previous century where conflicts involved guns and tanks, attacks in the 21st century have shifted to the cyberspace. In an environment where more than 70% of our lives rely on information systems, an attack on these systems would be highly devastating. On this account, the government will implement a policy which will strengthen our cybersecurity defense systems and equip with them with the ability to respond to an attack swiftly and if need be, launch an attack to deter the enemy.