Executive:
Good – FAFSA
United States. FAFSA. DC: , Web. 17 Jan 2011. <http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/about/index.html>.
What college student doesn’t need more money? They all do. Thankfully, the government can provide money through FAFSA and subsidized loans or grants to students. The executively run bureaucratic office provides federal money for students on top of regular school scholarships. Although getting the FAFSA forms complete can be a hassle, like going through many bureaucracies, the resulting provides great financial relief to students all over America, including me. I’d benefit immensely. Hopefully, with federal aid, I won’t be left with as large a mountain of debt as I would otherwise.
Good – Postal Service
United States. Official US Executive Branch Web Sites. DC: , 2010. Web. 17 Jan 2011. <http://www.loc.gov/rr/news/fedgov.html>.
In the past few months, I’ve sent the largest amount of letters at one time than I have in my entire life. Although one might argue that paper has become so passé and outdated, envelope mail will always be the original. The postal service is an executive bureaucratic function, and I have been using it all my life. It provides, organized, systematic, and (for the most part) reliable delivery. I have sent all of my college applications in by mail, all holiday cards, letters to my uncles and postcards to my cousin in Georgia. More importantly, I received my last Harry Potter books the day of release. UPS might not always be the fastest, but I’m glad I have it at my disposal, thanks to the executive branch.
Bad – Airport scan
United States. Transportation Security Administration. DC: , 2010. Web. 17 Jan 2011. <http://www.tsa.gov/approach/tech/ait/index.shtm>.
The airport body scanner has negatively impacted me in that it feels invasive and is inconvenient. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration has integrated “see-through” full body scans to detect lethal weapons. I am sure it is entirely effective, and could be viewed in a positive light, but I’m talking more towards my own personal comfort. It makes me uneasy. Under this new regimen, when I go to Boston or Chicago, I can walk through the scanner or opt for a pat down. Either one is awkward for my taste. I wish security didn’t have to make me that uncomfortable, but I guess sometimes it’s a necessary sacrifice.
Judicial:
Good – Brown vs. Board
United States. HISTORY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION. DC: , 2010. Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://www.uscourts.gov/EducationalResources/ConstitutionResources/LegalLandmarks/HistoryOfBrownVBoardOfEducation.aspx>.
The Brown vs. Board of Education cases were a huge step in reconfiguring the framework of education. Where it began on a district level, the incident soon escalated to the Supreme Court in 1952. These cases affected the entire nation by requiring a constitutional re-interpretation. To desegregate schools, they would have to declare the conclusions from Plessy vs. Ferguson to be unconstitutional. While the court case was not in my time, it has had a significant impact on me. To take it at face value, I would not be taught by or with African-American/Black students, nor be exposed to many of the friendships I have developed in my 18 years. Now I go to a school not only integrated with black and white students, but kids of all ethnicities. On another level, it impacted my educational context, and removed a more one-sided approach to learning. The outcome of Brown vs. Board of education has positively affected my life.
Good - Engel v. Vitale (1962)
"Engel v. Vitale (No. 468) ." Legal Information Institute n. pag. Cornell University Law School. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/historics/USSC_CR_0370_0421_ZS.html>.
I am by no means a religious person, but I think people have the freedom to believe what they wish. I am glad that I don’t go to a public school where a religious belief is pushed upon me in any way. That wasn’t always so. “Back in the day” students would rise before class and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer or other short readings. In New York of 1962, one school decided to have a uniform, and hopefully all-inclusive prayer that everyone could work with. However, a few families disagreed, saying that the prayer was not compatible with their beliefs. It became a Supreme Court case over interpretation of First Amendment rights. The ruling went in favor of the families: “state officials may not compose an official state prayer and require that it be recited in the public schools of the State.” In my opinion the separation of Church and State is one of the key factors that defines America as a nation. Because of it, I now do not feel pressured to believe something I do not. America is too religiously dispersed a nation to even be put under one god, and I agree entirely with the Engel vs. Vitale ruling.
Bad - Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
"Grutter v. Bollinger." Oyez U.S. Supreme Court Media n. pag. Oyez. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2002/2002_02_241/>.
I am a bit torn on this issue, but will try the negative angle. In 1997, a highly qualified, white, U-Mich applicant was declined. She, Barbara Grutter, believed that she was unfairly denied access on the basis that she would not have helped further “diversify” the university. The case went to the Supreme Court to see if the schools methods were in violation of the 14th Amendment or Civil Rights Act. They determined that it went against neither, and for a University to use race in the decision-making was a valid factor. I am 100% for diversity. However, as a white female applying to college, I can’t help but notice that much of the scholarship opportunities or selective processes are for minority students only. I understand that it is beneficial to many, but at the same point is aggravating to me when I think that I might have less a chance of getting into college because I represent the majority number of applicants racially. It is true that race is not the only factor in their choice, but I sometimes feel a bit shunted to the side. For the people who do get in and receive excellent scholarships for being great students, I am not congratulating them any less. However, it sometimes seems the Grutter vs. Bollinger case does not work in my favor.
Legislative:
Good – Title 9
United States. Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972. DC: , Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.dol.gov/oasam/regs/statutes/titleix.htm>.
Title IX forever changed the dynamic of school sports. Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibited any discrimination based on sex in federally funded educational programs. Although it did not only apply to sports (higher education, math, sciences, employment etc.,) the Act provided girls with an equal opportunity to participate in, and receive equipment for sports. Any school receiving federal money had to abide by the Act. In my life/school experience, I have always been allowed (if not forced) to play sports. All schools have gender split or co-ed teams. To my surprise, my mother told me that in her time, there were much less female sports at school. I had never thought about it, always having the opportunities myself. Because of Title IX, I am able to play girls volleyball, and run in the same way that boys can. I have grown to love and enjoy these activities. Without Title IX, I would miss the fun experiences and heath benefits. I am grateful that I can.
Good – Health Care Reform
Obama, Barack. United States. Health Reform in Action. DC: , 2010. Web. 19 Jan 2011. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/healthreform/healthcare-overview#healthcare-menu>.
A very recent and highly publicized law that affects me is the new Affordable Care Act, the healthcare reform. At this moment I am still lucky to fall under the coverage umbrella of my dad’s plan, I will eventually have to deal with it on my own. That’s not hypothetical; it’s my future. Of course, the law is now possibly up for congressional repeal, but supposing that never happens, I will be heavily impacted. For one, everyone would have to get healthcare coverage somehow, not just me. That is fairly general. More into detail, companies would not be permitted to deny patients coverage because of pre-existing conditions. Without getting into too much detail, I would be limited in finding a good plan because of a pre-existing condition. Because I am under 19, the reform already applies to me, but come 2014 it will apply no matter how old I am. Under the Affordable Care Act, I would be spared a great deal aggravation and cost.
Bad – Drinking age
Hanson, David. "The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984." Alcohol Problems and Solutions(1997): n. pag. Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/youthissues/1092767630.html>.
I am by no means jumping to drink, but sometimes I think it is unreasonable that I cannot legally do so as an “adult.” Under the 1984 Minimum Drinking Age Act, States had to raise their drinking age to 21. (Technically, they didn’t have to, but would then lose funding.) The act prohibits public possession by minors. However, it is possible for a teenager to have a drink without getting plastered. Those who do illegally and get drunk, act in spite of the law anyways. Alcohol can be gently incorporated into life, without being entirely taboo until 21. I don’t care for alcohol that much, but on the occasion that I want to drink socially, it would be nice to be able to. It is an inconvenient road-block in my life, and therefore negatively affects me.
Bad – Food labels
Waxmen, Henry. United States. Bill Summary & Status 101st Congress (1989 - 1990) H.R.3562 CRS Summary. , Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d101:HR03562:@@@D&summ2=3&|TOM:/bss/d101query.html|>.
This one was a bit of a coin toss for me, because I could argue that Food Labeling laws are both beneficial and detrimental. I practically can’t buy anything from a store without calorie content plastered all over it. Labeling laws have been evolving and stacking up for over a hundred years. Of the more recent Nutrition Labeling and Education Act of 1990 food has to be labeled with calories, serving size, fats, sodium, carbohydrates, ingredients etc…Granted, it can be useful to know what is in food, but not always calorie content. A brownie is a brownie, and I eat it with that knowledge. I think that calorie labeling has partially taken the joy out of eating some foods, especially with the low calorie craze. Calories don’t kill, and sometimes it’s annoying to have a label partially take the pleasure out of eating something. I do see benefit in this labeling law for basic health reasons, but sometimes home-cooking never looked so good.