Public policy is an essential governmental function that helps address issues concerning citizens of any particular country. It describes the actions the government has taken towards a particular problem. This policy helps maintain law and order and manage available resources in a state or community. From the golden age up to the 21st century, many public policy procedures are getting sloppy and without a beginning or end (An Introduction to the Public Policy-Making Cycle, 2017). They are formed sometimes to suit mainly political needs and not societal needs. Many issues that have been addressed have not bared a long-lasting solution. This paper will highlight the public policies related to higher education, health care, abortion, international security, and immigration in America.
HEALTHCARE
The healthcare system in the US is deemed to be the best in the world. Though many have praised it, some have criticized it as it covers only the private and employed people in society. In 1965. President Lyndon Johnson enacted a law under the social security act that covers health care for people above the age of 65 (ballotpedia.org, 2020). This should not be the case, healthcare should be universal, and for everyone regardless of your age. From the past up to now, the law has not considered the unemployed in their healthcare policies. This is an international case that has not yet found a solution.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
The US has played a big role in fighting the Soviet Union in two world wars. The collapse of the Soviet Union brought their territorial dominancy of Eurasia to an end (Europe and Asia). The success of the US policy in terms of international security has evolved and it shows that no power today poses a threat to Eurasia. In today’s era, the united states have the most powerful defence system but the problem is coming where their competitors like China, India, and Russia are closing down that gap, therefore, posing a greater threat to National security. To create a wider gap, the Us government has come up with policies that increase budget allocations to the military. This is a toxic trait as is becoming the trend in many countries and it should stop (James, 2003).
HIGHER EDUCATION
Education has experienced several changes from a long time ago. These charges vary from colour, finances, and other governmental policies. Education wasn’t basic as it right now, it was only meant for white people and a little bit of native Americans (John, 2020). African American’s were strictly treated as slaves. All this has changed but not so much as the Washington Post still has a report on how the American government has failed to educate native Americans (Emma, 2017). This is a shame to the government and they should enact policies that are in favour of educating everyone no matter their colour, background, or financial status.
IMMIGRATION
Unlike in the recent years where the public policies enacted are for curbing migrants, refugees, and terrorists from entering the US soil, policies that were there before were focusing on immigration and refugees (D’vera, 2020). The state used to allow foreigners into the country as refugees fleeing their country for help and later on allowed people in bits as immigrants. In recent times, the public policies governing immigration make it hard for anyone to enter nor become a US citizen. The measures being taken are good for national security.
ABORTION
Though abortion is illegal in the state right now unless recommended by a doctor, Various court cases have emerged to undo this but have hit the wall. At an early age, it was legal but detestable, especially by churches. In the early catholic church, abortion was punished as murder (www.nytimes.com, 1984).
CONCLUSION
In general, public policies should be a leeway to achieve any government’s goal of serving humanity. Any laws enacted should favour everyone regardless of their status. Every public policy should always be free from politics and all forms of corruption.
References
An Introduction to the Public Policy-Making Cycle. (2017, June 14). Retrieved from https://online.pointpark.edu/public-administration/policy-making-cycle/#:~:text=Public%20policy%20describes%20the%20actions,down%20to%20city%20council%20members.
ballotpedia.org. (2020). History of healthcare policy in the United States. Retrieved from https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_healthcare_policy_in_the_United_States.
D’vera, C. (2020, November 19). How U.S. immigration laws and rules have changed through history. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/.
Emma, B. (2017, January 13). U.S. government has ‘dismally failed’ to educate Native American children, lawsuit alleges. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2017/01/12/u-s-government-has-dismally-failed-to-educate-native-american-children-lawsuit-alleges/.
James, M. (2003, January 1). The Globalization of Politics: American Foreign Policy for a New Century. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-globalization-of-politics-american-foreign-policy-for-a-new-century/.
John, R. (2020). Retrieved from https://education.stateuniversity.com/pages/2044/Higher-Education-in-United-States.html.
www.nytimes.com. (1984, September 30). U.S. PUBLIC POLICY ON ABORTION: THE FIRST 100 YEARS. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/1984/09/30/weekinreview/l-us-public-policy-on-abortion-the-first-100-years-238367.html.