MODULE1

Exercise 1.1: Societal Problem and Societal Categories A. Define the term “societal problem” by quoting directly from the Maxwell Manual. Part A score: “A societal problem is when some aspect of our society, or, as we call it, “a societal condition,” fails to meet one or more of the six goals.” B. Choose one of the following societal categories: Crime, Education, Environment, Health, Housing, Jobs and Economic Development, or Poverty. Find, reference, and attach the first page of a newspaper article from a print or electronic source that discusses some aspect of the societal category. Attach the first page of the article behind the entire 1.1 exercise. In a paragraph of no more than 200 words, explain your interest in the societal category and quote one full and relevant sentence from the article. (8 points) Part B score: _ Employment/Businesses Since I intend to work after graduating college, I am concerned about the recent debates regarding the lack of jobs in America. It’s becoming harder for many workers to find jobs, it’s also becoming additionally harder for engineers to find work as more and more jobs are lost to outsourcing. Outsourcing is destroying the middle class, many are becoming increasingly frustrated asking, “Why isn’t our government protecting us from these corporate terrorists?” Outsourcing is causing the markets to continue to tumble and the job outlook gets worse, all resulting from outsourcing. Many politician’s campaigns shoot down outsourcing, promising to fix America but in all actuality there is little they can do. The millions that businesses save resulting from outsourcing is astonishing, as long as hiring overseas is cheaper this practice will continue. I worry that I’ll be unemployed for a long period of time but most of all that America will continue its spiral downward. • Saddler, David (2009) “How will health care reform affect nursing in America?” May 12, 2009. pen.salon.com/blog/davids1231/2009/05/12/how_will_health_care_reform_affect_nursing_in_america. Accessed on September 2, 2009, 7:09 PM. Exercise 1.2: Identifying Public Policy A. Define the term “public policy” by quoting directly from the Maxwell Manual. “A public policy is an actual or proposed government action intended to deal with a given societal problem.” B. Part B score: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is both undermining the renewable energy goals or the Obama administration and is threatening jobs in parts of rural America. The EPA is refusing to recognize that renewable forest biomass is a sustainable, and renewable source. Because the EPA no longer recognizes biomass millions of investments and jobs are at risk. In addition many are upset regarding the policies and permits required under the Clean Water Act regarding forestry, this is believed to reduce productivity in an already stressed marketplace. • Tenesaca, Veronica K. (2009) "EPA Must Take Steps to Support Jobs and Renewable Energy. « NAFO (National Alliance of Forest Owners)." Google. NAFO (National Alliance of Forest Owners), 6 July 2009. Web. Last Accesed on October 4, 2010 . President Obama suggests that he will not pursue reforms regarding the immigration system through regulations and other administrative policies. Obama believes that it is important that immigration reform go through congress, so a decision of comprehensive reform can be reached. Obama expresses the difficulties he has had during his presidency, he has faced increasing criticism from the Hispanic community especially for failing to follow through on his pledge to reform the immigration system. • Michael O’Brian (2010). “Obama declines using administrative action to push immigration reform.” September 22, 2010. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/120275-obama-declines-using-administrative-action-to-reform-immigration. Last Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 8:12 PM. It’s believed that judicial action is the only way to stop Obamacare, until January 2013 because political action will be impossible. President Obama will veto any major change in Obamacare by congress. Sensebrenner stated that we “have to put all of our eggs in the judicial basket.” Many want to overturn the new health care law enacted in March, which requires every person to buy health insurance or receive it from their employer, while states are required to establish insurance exchanges. • James Sensebrenner (2010). “Sensenbrenner: Judicial Action Necessary to Repeal New Health Care Law.” May 11th, 2010. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Myzws7mPKVUJ:www.cnsnews.com/news/article/65713+judicial+action+u.s.+jobs&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-aLast, Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 8:21 PM. C. Describe and reference (using any print or electronic newspaper) a national, state, and local public policy that affects your societal category. Attach the first page of the article(s) following the directions from 1.2B. (9 points) Part C score: _ TRUSTE. Privacy Program is a non-profit organization whose mission is to build the user’s trust and confidence in the internet. The Federal Job Search Privacy Policy applies to the websites of americajob.com and GovernmentJobSearch.com effective since May 1st, 2006. These websites want to demonstrate its commitment to privacy, It has agreed to disclose its information practices. The Federal government by passing this policy created a new structure for the website in which those looking for jobs will have an easier time, especially government jobs. The Federal government created job search alert emails, and a registration but most importantly agreeing that the website doesn’t share the user’s email address with any third parties. • Fedral Job Search Privacy Policy (2009) **www.webache.com** Last accessed on October 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM. An employer can require their employees to wear uniforms however the cost of purchasing and maintaining a uniform must not bring the employee below the minimum wage. If workers at minimum wage rate wear a uniform their employers must clean and maintain them or pay the employees to do so. Black trousers and white shirts are not considered uniforms. • “Frequently Asked Questions” **Westchester county voted on regulating the sale of DXM (cough medicine). A study shows that millions of teens are using powerful pain medications to get high. For many teens, their first introduction to getting high is over-the-counter medications. DXM or Dextromethorphan is a chemical found in the human body, if there is too much DXM in a human’s body one becomes intoxicated. The event that set off an uproar against over the counter drugs is when a 77 year old woman died when she was run over by a teen intoxicated by DXM. A policy was passed making it more difficult to buy cough medicine. Retailers now have to have special locked cabinets behind their counter’s and ask for identification. There is a limit of how much cough medicine is bought by each customer, and records must be kept on all cough medicine purchases. These regulations have made it increasingly harder for the employees working in drug stores and the ones making the cough medicine. Both have complained that this regulation has hurt their sales** Exercise 1.3: Identifying Players and Stakeholders A. State the major difference between a “player” and a “stakeholder” by quoting directly from How You Can Help or the Maxwell Manual. Part A score_ “All players are stakeholders because they are affected by public policies. Players have a stake in the policies that are made by their organizations, because these policies can affect their power. However, not all stakeholders are players. Stakeholders do not have power over the policies that are made by organizations.” B. Choose one of the policies you described in Exercise 1.2B or C and restate it below. Identify three different and distinct players that may be directly influencing the policy. The player must be an individual, not a group, and the player does not have to be mentioned in the article you used. Write a one sentence justification explaining what makes each of them a player. No source is needed for this exercise. (7 points) Part B score_ United States Job Reform • Player #1: Name: Barack Obama Title: Senator, Nobel Prize Winner, and President of the United States Justification: President Obama is aware of the struggling middle class as a result of lack of jobs, during his presidency he’s been focusing on job skills, enhancing education, and promote small businesses to create more jobs for the unemployed in America. The recession has been hard especially on the working class, he has sent relief to states so job layoffs are prevented. Obama has put a lot of emphasis on eco-friendly and energy producing jobs, believing that this will be the answer to both America’s job and energy/carbon foot print problem. • Player #2: Name: Taoiseach Brian Cowen Title: Prime Minister of Ireland Justification: Taoiseach Brian Cowen has launched a plan aimed at creating 300,000 new jobs over the next five years. The plan is intended to create jobs in manufacturing, tourism and trading services. It is also designed to boost exports from Irish-owned companies. The Government claims the new plan, 'Trading and investing in a Smart Economy', is the first "integrated strategy to promote overseas trade, tourism and investment" believed to help both the American and Irish work force. • Player #3: Name: George W. Bush Title: Past President of the United States Justification: Despite being out of office for a year, George Bush still has influence in the Republican party and the decisions that are made. Republicans are favoring extending the Bush tax cuts. The Tax cuts are due to expire December 31st 2010, a heated fight is quickly growing over if they should be extended or abolished. Republicans believe that The cuts lowered tax rates across the board on income, dividends and capital gains; eventually eliminated the estate tax; further lowered burdens on married couples, parents and the working poor; and increased tax credits for education and retirement savings. Obama's proposal would extend most of these reductions, allowing only those for individuals making more than $200,000 and families making more than $250,000 to expire. George Bush feels as if it’s his duty to stop Obama from making his dream into a reality. C. For the policy you stated in Part B, identify three different and distinct local stakeholders who are not players. Write a one sentence justification for each stakeholder stating why they are stakeholders and not players for the policy you have identified. Stakeholders do not have to be mentioned in the article you used. No source is needed for this exercise. (6 points) Part C score • Stakeholder #1: David Lada, Associate Art Director of Forbes Magazine, NY Justification: There have been thirty layoffs in the Art Department of Forbes Magazine, David Lada know has to do the jobs of once thirty people and do it himself with no extra pay. The Magazine business is suffering resulting from the internet, despite David being miserable, he has no choice but to stay at Forbes because there are few job openings for Graphic Designers. • Stakeholder #2: Dave Leonnig, an unemployed U.S. Citizen, Arizona Justification: Mr. Leonnig, has searched for a job every single day. He’s been laid off from his past several jobs in the Technology Industry. He blames outsourcing for the lack of jobs available today. He is in disbelief that he is having such difficulty finding a job even though he has a prodigious educational background and worked for top companies. He is a frustrated United States citizen who is increasingly angered at the fact that more jobs are being outsourced. America has it’s own problems and that outsourcing is only digging America into a deeper hole. • Rich Matthews (2010). “Is Outsourcing to Blame for Lack of Jobs.” November 13, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H95-IS_EQlI. Last Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 9:19 PM. • Stakeholder #3: Lenton Aikins, unemployed, black American, Los Angeles Justification: According to the Labor Department reports, 40 percent of young black males are unemployed. In Los Angeles the battle rages on between immigrant rights and black anti-immigration activists. Lenton Aikins and his black brethren marched together in defiance in Los Angeles together believing that whites are preferred over blacks when it comes to job openings. Lenton believes that his unemployment also results from illegal immigrants now perform the grunt work that the blacks once had performed. Despite the tough laws Lenton Aikins has heard both himself and his black brethren to be discriminated, routinely describe being described as"unskilled," "uneducated," "illiterate," "dishonest," "lacking initiative," "involved with gangs and drugs" or "unstable," of having "no family values" and being "poor role models." • Earl Ofari Hutchinson (2010). “Discrimination, Not Illegal Immigration, Fuels Black Job Crisis.” April 24th, 2006. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:DluTx8xvlQoJ:news.newamericamedia.org/news/view_article.html%3Farticle_id%3D620a7a4dc8b8f2319c0f74fa1f746a0c+suffering+from+job+crisis+america+immigrant&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a. Last Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 10:20 PM. Exercise 1.4: Identifying Players A. Using How You Can Help or other sources from the “Research Guide” section of the 101 web site, find a public interest/lobby organization that seeks to influence governmental policy on your societal category, and identify a player within the organization. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (4 points) Part A score:_ The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) The Voice of Small Businesses) 53 Century Boulevard Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37214 United States Phone: 615-872-5800 Fax: 615-872-5353 The National Federation of Independent Business is a lobbying organization. NFIB’S lobbying efforts are focused on the impact of current and proposed legislation on businesses, and professional practice at all levels of government, primarily though at the federal and state levels. Andrew Fimka, Director of Political and Legislative Advocacy Andrew.Fimka@nfib.org (202) 314-2093 B. Using How You Can Help or other sources from the “Research Guide” section of the 101 web site, find a nonprofit organization (other than a public interest group) that provides direct assistance or raises money to deal with the societal category you have chosen, and identify a player within the organization. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (4 points) Part B score:_ National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) Address. 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington (Metro Area), DC 20004-1790. United States Phone: 202-637-3000 Metro Area Christian Moritz, Vice President —Branding and Multimedia The National Association of Manufacturers is an advocacy group, it describes itself as the nation’s largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. C. Identify a governmental department (administrative) office at either the federal, state, or local level that has a clear role in the societal category you are studying, and identify a player within the department. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (5 points) Part C score: _ · Write the exact title of the administrative office and its geographic location: New York State Department of Labor NYS Department of Labor W. Averell Harriman State Office Campus Building 12 Albany, NY 12240 Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20210 (202) 693-6000 D. Identify an elected federal, state, or local government official who is a player in the societal category you are studying. You may want to contact this player later in the course. No source is needed for this exercise. (5 points) Part D score: Contact Information: Telephone: 212-431-2826 Email: sharris@nyls.edu Office : A706 Assistant: Rose White Telephone: 212-431-2127 Email: rwhite@nyls.edu Office: A702 U.S. Department of Labor 200 Constitution Ave., NW Washington, DC 20210 Exercise 1.5: References • Saddler, David (2009) “How will health care reform affect nursing in America?” May 12, 2009. pen.salon.com/blog/davids1231/2009/05/12/how_will_health_care_reform_affect_nursing_in_america. Accessed on September 2, 2009, 7:09 PM. • Tenesaca, Veronica K. (2009) "EPA Must Take Steps to Support Jobs and Renewable Energy. « NAFO (National Alliance of Forest Owners)." Google. NAFO (National Alliance of Forest Owners), 6 July 2009. Web. Last Accesed on October 4, 2010 . • Michael O’Brian (2010). “Obama declines using administrative action to push immigration reform.” September 22, 2010. http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/120275-obama-declines-using-administrative-action-to-reform-immigration. Last Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 8:12 PM. • James Sensebrenner (2010). “Sensenbrenner: Judicial Action Necessary to Repeal New Health Care Law.” May 11th, 2010. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:Myzws7mPKVUJ:www.cnsnews.com/news/article/65713+judicial+action+u.s.+jobs&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-aLast, Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 8:21 PM. • Fedral Job Search Privacy Policy (2009) **www.webache.com** Last accessed on October 5, 2010 at 7:00 PM. • “Frequently Asked Questions” • Rich Matthews (2010). “Is Outsourcing to Blame for Lack of Jobs.” November 13, 2008. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H95-IS_EQlI. Last Accessed on October 04, 2010 at 9:19 PM. • Earl Ofari Hutchinson (2010). “Discrimination, Not Illegal Immigration, Fuels Black Job Crisis.” April 24th, 2006.
 * __Module #1__**
 * Write the societal category you choose, exactly as it is stated in the Part B directions:
 * Write a paragraph of no more than 200 words explaining why you are interested in that societal category (including newspaper article quote). Start your answer on the next line.
 * Describe and reference a legislative action:
 * Describe and reference an administrative action:
 * Describe and reference a judicial action:
 * Describe and reference a national (federal) public policy:
 * Describe and reference a state public policy (indicate which state):
 * http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/faq.shtm#0 **Accessed on October 5th, 2010, at 8:38 PM.**
 * **Describe and reference a local public policy (indicate which local government):**
 * • Loretta Maisano, (2009) “How Teens Abuse Medicine.” ••www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com**. September 2nd 2009, Accessed October 5th, 2010 at 9:33 PM.
 * Place quote:
 * Restate the Policy from Exercise 1.2B or C:
 * Write the exact name of the organization and its geographic location:
 * Briefly describe one of the organization’s lobby goals:
 * Write the name and title of the player you could contact:
 * Write the exact name of the organization and its geographic location:
 * Write the name and title of the player you could contact:
 * Briefly describe a specific service provided to the organization’s clients:
 * Write the name of the player in the department:
 * Write the e-mail address and phone number of the player:
 * Write the exact title of the elected office: Deputy Secretary of Labor
 * Write the name of the elected official: Seth Harris
 * Write the e-mail address and phone number with area code of the elected official. If the official can only be emailed through a webpage, indicate this and provide the web address:
 * Prepare a list of references that includes all sources for this module.
 * Follow the APA format.
 * http://www.labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/faq.shtm#0 **Accessed on October 5th, 2010, at 8:38 PM.**
 * • Loretta Maisano, (2009) “How Teens Abuse Medicine.” ••www.getsmartaboutdrugs.com**. September 2nd 2009, Accessed October 5th, 2010 at 9:33 PM.