EcoOps: Domestic Policy – International Relations
“Long before I was struck with cancer I felt something stirring in American society, it was a sense among the people, the country, and Republicans and Democrats alike; that something was missing from their lives, something crucial. I wasn’t exactly sure what ‘it’ was. My illness helped me to see that what was missing in society is what was missing in me; a little heart, a lot of brotherhood”-Lee Atwater. A sense of brotherhood is exactly what America needs during these difficult times. The Marine Corps trains many people during a 13 week period. The main goal is to strip a person of the individuality and replace it with a mentality of teamwork; of brotherhood. Marines are renowned the world over, the most élite in many senses; more professional than most self-proclaimed professionals. Yet, all Marines are no better or no worse than the average American citizen. What Marines have that many others do not is a simple understanding, a simple reminder; they have Esprit De Corps. American government, so has it been suggested, has failed; but it is not the government that has failed, we have failed ourselves as American citizens. America must look within her own boarders first before intervening in the affairs of other communities.
Should American states be extended the authority to develop and ratify international policies that applies domestically? The federal government has proven an inability to adequately support and sustain a continuously growing nation; moreover, the gaps between social classes have widened to an extent that middle and lower classes are barely recognizable, but the upper class continues to prosper. Allowing states to develop international polices similar to NAFTA or the Military Commissions Act of 2006 will aid in stabilizing an unstable nation.
Granting states the ability to barter internationally for resources not available in the US and to negotiate prices that elsewhere is much more cost expresses the valuable solution to a permanent issue. For example, national imports of oil from the Middle East create more than just a financial burden but political ties to unsavory hosts as well. Brazil has led the world in fuel alternatives that go far beyond automobiles. Curitiba has implemented a term known as ‘compact development’ which plans out the use of land; develops municipal areas that are dependent on mass transit. Additionally, lower class members in Curitiba exchange filled garbage bags for tokens, surplus food, or school books. The technology already exists which expresses the American politicians are not invested in finding a practical solution to the oil epidemic. Implementing a transportation system that is not dependent on petroleum doubtless will dismiss a multi-billion dollar industry; however, those in power do not see this as a possibility. The onset of globalization has allowed American corporations to outsource labor operations to countries for cheaper rates. Firestone tire manufacturer has production plants in Liberia in which workers are paid $3.15 a day for tapping 650 trees (Menutis, 2007). General Electric is also notorious for moving production plants from country to country whose offering the lowest wages (Mokhiber, 2000). The only possible explanation of these occurrences is that a global economy is emerging and capitalism is stalling the process. Outsourcing is a temporary solution to a long-standing issue; underdeveloped countries in which corporations exploit will one day become economically stable and will no longer provide the low wages present today. Moreover, the present process of developing third world countries is socially degrading and other possibilities exist that will allow every member of the global community to prosper. For example, fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Wendy’s hire students from south America to work in the US; under contract ,these laborers are paid in American currency but must put up the money for transportation which at times are upwards of several thousand dollars. There are countries present in the world that have developed solutions to many of the public policy issues present in America. The evidence suggests that there are people who are against the values this country is founded on; values such as freedom that the country’s young men and women are currently fighting for across the globe. The time has come that power and influence be taken from the federal government and returned to the people who help shape America. American citizens must demand more from the government and the officials present within; Americans must voice opposition to corporations that demolish the country’s pride abroad.
Every American has become self-aware of the significant social conflicts that plague this nation. At the highest priority is the prolific cost of fuel; foreclosures that place millions of Americans on the street, and elder communities which have no affordable healthcare system. Yet, the nation persistently funds a war and humanitarian aid effort in the Middle East that promises no return on investment. Corporations are allowed to maximize profits without regard to helping those in need. Moreover, congressional members are not required to pay their own way; medical insurance, housing, and transportation have become eloquent fringe benefits for their “service”. Yet military members returning from overseas do not receive so much as therapy for mental or physical disorders sustained from combat service; although, those who sacrifice under service rarely complain. The largest agitation of American economy is the presence of the petroleum industry. Exxon-Mobile had reported gross earnings of 39.5 billion dollars in 2006; 40.1 billion dollars in 2007 (Perry, 2008). The war in Iraq is a significant problem as well. Individuals controlling the oil sales in the Middle East continuously spike barrel prices that create a rippling effect globally; especially in the US. Of course, the government has sought to develop a national supply of oil that sends environmentalists through the roof. Ethanol production plants have been developed across the nation to create ethanol, a fuel derivative, from corn sugars; however, allocating some 30% of corn crops to ethanol production has had negative effects on the economy as well; the price of flour has risen placing more burdens on small American businesses. The American public, non-governmentally affiliated, are also a part of the problem. Americans have forgotten that it is by the people who government derives its power. American consumers hold command over the profits of corporations yet the population majority fails to take action. Luxury items such as plasma high-definition televisions and automobile stereo systems are produced because consumers continue to purchase them. Campaigns to expand voter turn-out have been amazing; yet the options voters have available are less than satisfactory. Community efforts have developed to aid people in need of food and shelter; however, the numbers of homeless and hungry continue to grow. Capitalism is another area of agitation for the domestic economy as well as the international economy. Social scientists have explained capitalism as a double-edged sword; that either capitalism will assist in eradicating poverty or it will assist in not only sustaining poverty but increasing it as well. Social scientists explain that capitalism would minimize poverty if a portion of capitalistic organizations were to apply monetary assets to underdeveloped countries. Conversely, poverty will continue to thrive under the current conditions in which American corporations are not held liable for the methods employed in expanding profit margins. Adam Smith was once quoted with saying, “the world’s wealth remains constant and a state may only increase its wealth at the expense of another state”. This statement from a man in the early 1800’s before capitalism had flourished.
Present in every congressional meeting are arguments; a tradition that extends to the early days of American forefathers. Members of the congressional committees examine the pros and cons of certain laws before ratification. Examining the pros and cons of allowing states to partake in international policy making will likely show a polarized reaction and signify a deeper conflict present in modern American society. Lee Atwater established himself during a time of selfishness; Americans were pursuant of power and influence at the expense of anything else. The emergence of globalization in the mid ‘90s the perception of America abroad changed; then 9/11 occurred and changed public perception. Americans began to understand the responsibility innate to being a world superpower; leadership must come from within before it is externally expressed. Decentralizing international policy will aid America and her citizens alike establish a new system of controls; the creation of a clan. Doing so is the only way to establish ownership outside of birthright; Americans must feel some form of control over their environment. Those that live within a particular community know better what needs must be met then that particular state’s governor; additionally, the governor knows better the president of the United States what state needs are not being met. Corporations have only shifted in recent years; competitive advantage even five years ago meant which organization had more control of external resources. Today, organizations are looking within for competitive advantages. Intellectual capitol suggests that all members within a particular organization have ideas that are not existent in other organizations. That same mentality should be applied to individual states. Imagine if the government began tapping the intellectual capitol of a state population. For example, Innocentive is a research and development website specializing in biology and chemistry. Organizations around the world post formulas that remain unsolved and provide monetary rewards to those whom create viable solutions. A single problem is worked by a global community. The adversity of allowing states the ability to barter international policies lies heavily on those individuals of highest office and those who invest in them. Limiting a federal monopoly that serves only to hinder American growth will be placed in the hands who value America for what she is. Corporations will no longer have a stranglehold on influencing politicians and politicians will be more adept on vying for grant money that may go to someone else. Bill Clinton took office with a commitment to creating an affordable healthcare system for all Americans. He may have been successful had it not been for a greedy sect who essentially created Whitewater. A multi-million dollar investigation was launched into the personally lives of the president, before the station was awarded, that served only one purpose; to dissuade the president from launching a national healthcare initiative. Taking power and influence from groups of individuals who seek only to maintain their own status and placing it in the hands of all Americans is a problem for many upper-class members present in the nation.
The question to ask concerning involved actors will be: who is not involved? Decentralizing authority to the state level will impact everyone; all races, genders, nationalities and religions; especially generations. All citizens present within America will be required to contribute at some point and to some degree. Countries, both developed and non-developed, will take part in forming a more global friendly America. Generational influences serves as the largest hurdle for America to overcome. Times change, perceptions are altered, and everyone feels that he or she knows best what needs doing. The trick is to find some way to combine generational values and focus them into building a future for oncoming generations. Officers within the Marine Corps receive on the job training by enlisted members with over fifteen years of experience. Police officers exiting an academy are trained by veteran officers even congressmen are categorized by seniority. Education is a synthetic form of experience; experience being a product of surviving life. America can not afford years of developed experience to pass on without being passed on to future generations. Doing so is wasteful and socially irresponsible. Another influential factor is international investment and development. Corporate America spends millions of dollars in researching the dynamics of how groups are best organized to produce the maximum output; a term referred to as synergy. The individual brings to a group a particular expertise and experience that aid the group in achieving its goals; and no two individuals are alike. The same concept can be amplified to an international arena. Japan has never been known for having natural resources yet a population roughly the size of California competes economically with powerhouses such as China or even the European Union. Taping into the resources unique to individual countries will only serve America better and enhance the image among a global community.
States developing international policies to stimulate internal growth will foster collaboration at all areas of the state, private and governmental, as well as international relations. Doing so will completely overhaul the way America governs herself and using more of natural resources such as intellectual capitol. Capitalism will have a more defined purpose as to stimulate domestic growth and international development rather then exploiting communities and foreign workers. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) will provide significant roles in areas such as education and state welfare programs. And most importantly, government officers and representatives will one again answer to the American public. The American public has become lazy; one of the most significant effects of decentralizing international policy making is that Americans must once again put forth effort. Citizens will develop a sense of social responsibility; that actions will have a positive or negative effect on the community in which they reside. Americans will develop discipline in areas such as resource consumption, finances, and community service. A culture will be created in which all of the nations citizens will identify with. American capitalism will draw heavy constraints on how and where assets are allocated. Social responsibility will dictate corporations to reinvest an amount of capitol into the communities in which they are involved whether those communities are domestic or international. Organizations such as Enron, Firestone, and GE will be made responsible to the public which limit the power and influence shareholders exert in present times.
Currently, America has no viable solutions to any of the issues present today. Members of American government tinker and experiment; however, many of the problems remain and continue to worsen. America is being sabotaged by entities seeking to control social status and wealth. However, members of younger generations are stepping up, becoming educated, and challenging those practices of older generations. The time has come for America to return to her grass roots. America was essentially founded as a republic; a republic being a political order in which autonomy is maintained by a body of citizens to which an entitlement to vote officers and representatives into positions of authority belongs. The federal government and those governments at state and local levels have always maintained a distinct separation; however, modern times demand those distinctions be set aside. Establishing social responsibility suggests that every member will account for his or her contributions within society. The most viable solution is to allow states more control over meeting the needs of communities; doing so will allow the federal government focus on national matters such as infrastructures and healthcare systems.
The solution of granting states the authority to develop international policies is not the only viable solution to the nation’s conflicts; however, doing so presents a concept that America has not previously considered. Demanding more from communities and governments alike will produce a flexibility America has never previously known. International relations will be strengthened, undeveloped countries become more economically stable. The threat of domestic and international terrorism will become a nightmare of the past; if only Americans unite under a common ideal. States with the power to trade goods and services to nations that are not able to produce their own will allow for tax reliefs as well as enhance positioning of the global community. Americans must realize they are not powerless over the present situations such as soaring gas prices; the foreclosures epidemic or even with providing affordable health care to family members. There is strength in numbers and if communities began to organize effort and focus on what influences our government and corporations’ then action will be taken. American citizens can no longer afford to expect governments to protect civil liberties if the people do not utilize them; especially during times they are needed most. Change is up to us; our future generations depend on it.
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