With a crazy year of election cycle politics, the question of what to be thankful for politics is relevant thanks to the never ending campaign circuit. While it may seem as if a year of partisan bickering and campaigning would lead to total gridlock, Congress did manage to pass quite a few key bills that were pipe dreams a year ago. So here's a quick rundown of what to be thankful for this year:
1. SAFRA: Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act. This isn't the first time I'll mention it and it definitely won't be the last, but in my mind the greatest achievement of the past year was passing this bill. SAFRA goes beyond keeping college affordable, it reformed an outdated model of loaning and truly can make a difference for many students. This bill raised Pell Grant aid to $5,795 which had fallen far behind the necessary amount. It also tied Pell Grants to costs-of-living to ensure Pell Grants won't lag behind raises in tuition. It also eliminated an outdated model of bank subsidies that were no longer needed. Instead of paying banks to give students loans, the government is now using those funds to hand out competitive loans of their own, saving the government money and using the savings to help send more kids to college.
2. Healthcare: The new healthcare bill passed by Congress will give many people something to be thankful for. First, it gives an additional 4 years on your parents health care plan so you can stay on until you're 26. With extended college degrees delaying how soon people can get jobs to cover their health care, this provision is important to making sure people have access to health care until they can afford it their own. Second, the bill prevents preexisting conditions from being a barrier to healthcare. Previously, people could be denied for medical conditions that they desperately needed insurance to help cover the costs. With the new bill, people can now access that health care insurance that could save their lives.
3. Saving the Chesapeake: Locally, preserving the Chesapeake Bay is an important condition to ensuring Maryland's economic survival. Many people in the Bay area rely on the Bay as their economic livelihood, whether it be through tourism, oyster farming, or crab harvesting. Not only are these important economic commodities in the state, they are also one of the largest exports of Maryland. With the previous Chesapeake Bay restoration plan expiring this year, the EPA is working to coordinate with all six states in the watershed to rededicate themselves to fixing the Bay up. This renewed effort could be the push needed to make the Chesapeake a livable place for wildlife and restore it to it's natural beauty.
Still Need Seconds: A list of things that I hope I can be thankful for next year.
1. Environmental Legislation: With the anti-scientific push of several members of Congress this legislation looks in serious jeopardy but is crucial to ensuring the survival of the American environment as well as to ensure future energy stores. With rising urban sprawl, a focus on roads over public transit, and hazardous chemicals and carbon emissions damaging our environment, serious legislation is needed now to preserve the future of the environment.
2. Economic Turnaround: While there is not much that can really be done by politicians, an economic turnaround would make next year much better. While the economy seems to be stepping back from the brink, there is still much work left to be done. With any hope, job markets will have improved, unemployment will be lowered, and more people will be back at work by next Thanksgiving, especially when I'll be needing a job in just a few months.
3. Restored Budget: A serious problem facing America right now that will have a great impact on my generation's future is the ability of Congress now to reduce the deficit. Without a comprehensive plan, the economic future of America will be in jeopardy with rising costs and bloated budgets. Hopefully, by next year a plan to reduce the deficit to manageable levels will be in place, relieving the burden from the backs of my generation.
No comments:
Post a Comment