“What Congress could actually do about Inflation” is an article by Madeleine Ngo (2022), which addresses viable strategies to combat the griming inflation in the US. The rising cost of living caused by inflation has made even meeting basic demands a financial burden for many Americans. In spite of its responsibility for ensuring the continued steadiness of market commodities, the Federal Reserve has taken the rap for this.
The economic crisis facing the American people is something that Congress can help with by enacting policies that lower housing and healthcare prices, boost employment and savings, and crack down on monopolistic business practices. Initially, congress prioritized policymaking and laws and regulations such as CHIPS Act rose to prominence without creating change. Economists agree that Congress can end the economic crisis if it takes decisive action to reduce housing costs below the current consumer price index. Expanding Medicare and Medicaid’s coverage area is another tactic for lowering people’s out-of-pocket expenditure for healthcare. To further incentivize, senior citizens to stay in employment for longer, so that they can earn better with retirement upon dismissal. All these strategies are viable in ensuring that the economic crisis is dealt with for a better future.
Discussion and Relation to Class Topics
This article reinforces the various elements learned in class, including the role of congress and the president. At level 11, we delved into the constitutional conventions, which mandated the formation of a representative assembly that would apply intensive considerations, deliberate actions, and establish representations. All these efforts would enable steadfast drafting of policies to meet the needs of the people (Mann & Ornstein, 2016).
This proposition aligns with the prepositions prescribed by Ngo (2022) that congress has the power to change the country’s economic crisis. The reason is that they can change policies that restrict economic growth such as eradicating market monopoly and reducing inflation levels. This factor indicates that these delegates should strive to change where needed to revive the economy. The presidency is another integral aspect we highlighted that focuses on the design and evolution of the governance. One relatable aspect is “organizing to govern,” which highlights the indicators of a prepared government or leader (OpenStax, 2019). One aspect is that an influential president work with other arms of government through persuasion and compromise to achieve policy objectives. This factor indicates that effective leadership focuses on an inclusive approach to achieve success.
Personal Opinion
My rationale is that government plays an integral role in facilitating change in the country. Effective Governance focuses on goals that benefit society, including economic prosperity, security, and safety. All these variables are interrelated, considering that a crisis in one lead to a downfall in the other. Therefore, leaders should consider long-lasting interventions that provide change that is sustainable and beneficial to the people. The most critical basic needs include housing, food, and employment. A government that strives to ensure that primary wants are provided is considered an effective government.
There are various countries to emulate whose governments have played a significant role in ensuring the stability and prosperity of their people. The United Kingdom is among the list for being responsible for their citizens by ensuring that their economic needs, security, education, and housing are provided to create a sustainable society. All these are attainable if the government becomes proactive in addressing the needs of the people by focusing on the issues that affect well-being.
References
OpenStax. (2019). American Government 2e. XanEdu Publishing Inc.
Mann, T. E., & Ornstein, N. J. (2016). It’s even worse than it looks: How the American constitutional system collided with the new politics of extremism. Basic Books.
Ngo, M. (2022). Inflation relief that Congress could do on its own. Vox. Web.